For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Natalie Mitchell is a mom of three, a runner who truly loves the sport, a wife, podcast host and a person who just really loves this life. In this episode we talked about:  -getting into running -how she uses social media  -why she runs -how she got into podcasting and her goals there -her love of traveling and exploring new cities -her 2021 running goals -what success means to her -mental preparation -longevity and running for life -and much more! Follow along with Natalie at instagram.com/natrunsfar and her podcast, Suite Run.  My episode on her podcast drops April 1st!

Tansey Lystad is a runner, part of Tracksmith’s amateur program and runs for Boulder Underground, a semi professional sunrise and sunset chaser, high school science teacher, dad joke connoisseur, and a life enthusiast. In this episode we talked about: -finding happiness -the balance between struggle and growth “Don’t crack the egg” and not holding goals too tight -therapy and mental health -running strong despite an otherwise challenging year -success -big dreams -sunrise chasing -The Track Club/Boulder Underground Thanks to GU Energy Labs for sponsoring this episode. Initially known as THE energy gel company, GU now offers several different product lines designed to meet the needs of today’s athlete. It’s not just the mid run refueling option that I love, but their post run recovery protein that mixes SO well with coffee, or even the before bed magnesium and vitamin D supplement too. No other magnesium supplement has worked as well as theirs has for me. This season of running is a great time to try something new, so why not try GU? For The Long Run listeners get 20% off anything on their site with the code FTLR at guenergy.com.

Sabrina de la Cruz is a kind, passionate, hard working woman whose commitment is to help others and also strive for greatness as a professional runner. In this episode we talked about: -her growth as a runner -more importantly, her growth as a human -Angel City Elite’s genesis -what it’s like to be part of a team where promoting diversity in the sport is a core tenet -the women’s running community -what shocked her about the 2020 Olympic Trials -balance -mental health -being ok with failure -gratitude -what she’d tell a younger version of herself -and so much more! Follow along with her adventures at https://www.instagram.com/sabrinaldelacruz Thanks to Beam for sponsoring this episode of the podcast. beam is a CBD company that’s making waves in the running world by offering products that combine THC-free CBD with other high-quality ingredients. It was founded by two ex-professional athletes with the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience what better feels like. Whether you’re sore or stressed, beam is key for recovery and self-care. Visit beamtlc.com and use the code FTLR for 15% off and let me know what you think. I suggest the dream powder or focus capsules!

Ashley Brasovan is a runner, friend, community member, and an environmentalist focused on climate change. In this episode, we talked about: -Struggling to define herself as a runner post collegiately -running since 6th or 7th grade -having bone issues and overcoming those injuries -hearing that she might not run again -getting to “rock bottom” and then coming back -her passion for the environment -things that runners (and everyone) can do to help the environment -having “more buckets of happiness than just running” -her definition of success -pacing at Project Carbon X2  -and much more! Follow along with Ashley’s adventures at instagram.com/ashley_brasovan  Thanks to Beam for sponsoring this episode of the podcast.  beam is a CBD company that’s making waves in the running world by offering products that combine THC-free CBD with other high-quality ingredients.  It was founded by two ex-professional athletes with the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience what better feels like. Whether you’re sore or stressed, beam is key for recovery and self-care.  Visit beamtlc.com and use the code FTLR for 15% off and let me know what you think.  I suggest the dream powder or focus capsules! Cover photo: Hoka One One

Rajpaul Pannu is a first generation Indian American, born in Los Angeles County. He’s a runner that’s just trying to get it all together in this day and age (aren’t we all?!). In this episode we talked about: -his first few runs and setting a goal of a 6:20 mile in school -his progression into ultra running -HOKA Project Carbon X2 -why he loves road ultras -reading The War of Art -meditation and gratitude -balance -consistency -what success means to him -how the pandemic has helped his running -being a first generation American -representation in the trail and ultra world -having the best hair on the start line -and much more! Follow along with Rajpaul’s adventures at instagram.com/lightningraj Cover photo by Melissa Ruse Photography

Emily Infeld is a cat mom, a runner, foodie, and a passionate person who loves to laugh. She also runs professionally for the Bowerman Track Club. In this episode we talked about: -getting into running and realizing she was good -the injury/recovery cycle -injury frustrations -staying mentally strong -the unknown -support from her teammates and coaches -setting intentions -daily gratitude -mental health and normalizing it -“it’s ok to ask for help” -“we all have struggles and that’s ok” -defining success -and much more! Follow along with Emily’s journey at https://www.instagram.com/emilyinfeld Thanks to Beam for sponsoring this episode of the podcast. beam is a CBD company that’s making waves in the running world by offering products that combine THC-free CBD with other high-quality ingredients. It was founded by two ex-professional athletes with the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience what better feels like. Whether you’re sore or stressed, beam is key for recovery and self-care. Visit beamtlc.com and use the code FTLR for 15% off and let me know what you think. I suggest the dream powder or focus capsules! Cover photo: Cortney White

Karis Jochen is a runner and grad student getting her masters in data analytics, and in “the soul” she is a lifelong learner and pursuer of all passions.   In this episode, we talked about:  -her start with running -“running is the ultimate teacher of life” -happiness not being the same thing as joy -fear and how it is a construct -her role as a data scientist -not running during the pandemic -life passions -what she’d do without running -“you are enough”  -and so much more! Follow along with Karis’ adventures at instagram.com/karisjochen Thanks to Beam for sponsoring this episode of the podcast.  beam is a CBD company that’s making waves in the running world by offering products that combine THC-free CBD with other high-quality ingredients.  It was founded by two ex-professional athletes with the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience what better feels like. Whether you’re sore or stressed, beam is key for recovery and self-care.  Visit beamtlc.com and use the code FTLR for 15% off and let me know what you think.  I suggest the dream powder or focus capsules!

Brianna Sacks is a runner and journalist for BuzzFeed living in Denver, Colorado. In this episode we talked about: -her reporting at BuzzFeed -some of the national events she’s covered in the last year -getting interested in running -how we met, which is my favorite part about the trail community -Rob Krar -Justin Grunewald’s birthday run in November 2019 -donuts -getting comfortable being uncomfortable -getting over hurdles in her own body and being -therapy and mental health -her recent FKT -and much more!

Chris Chavez is a writer for Sports Illustrated, a runner, and founder of Citius Mag. In this episode, we talked about:  -podcasting -his journey into journalism -running for the Brooklyn Track Club -his own running goals  -the evolving sponsorship model in running -sports media  -how he got started with Citius Mag  -the Citius Mag podcast network and how he focuses on differentiation -racing in 2021 -and much more!
 Follow along with Chris’ journey at twitter.com/ChrisChavez!  Thanks again to Beam for sponsoring this episode of the podcast.  beam is a CBD company that’s making waves in the running world by offering products that combine THC-free CBD with other high-quality ingredients.  It was founded by two ex-professional athletes with the idea that everyone should have the chance to experience what better feels like. Whether you’re sore or stressed, beam is key for recovery and self-care.  Visit beamtlc.com and use the code FTLR for 15% off and let me know what you think.  I suggest the dream powder or focus capsules!

Mikel Haggadone is a runner, scientist (and immunologist), and one of the most positive voices out there in the running world.  In this episode, we talked about: -how running intertwines with life -what “you are enough?” means to him  -a breakdown of the piece he published in iRunFar -self acceptance -“you never feel different after you achieve something”  -why he runs long distances -mental health and having bipolar disorder -why he loves lifting people up -and so much more Follow along with Mikel’s journey at https://www.instagram.com/mikelhaggadone/ This podcast is brought to you by BOCO Gear, a Boulder based custom headwear company company named after Boulder, Colorado. BOCO Gear was founded by kay Martin and born out of her learnings during her more than 25 year career in the outdoor industry.  If you’ve been running trail or ultra races for the last few years, there’s a pretty high chance you own a BOCO hat or two.  I have almost a dozen BOCO hats and they’re definitely my favorite headwear, and early in the pandemic they even started producing high quality face masks! Check them out at BOCOgear.com and take 20% off with the code FTLR