For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Adalgisa (Lisa) Rivera is an afro-latina, born in Harlem, a runner, a community activist, social worker, veteran and mentor.  In this episode, we talked about:  -“community as a purpose” -what community means to her -how she got into running -why she showed up to a second Harlem Run workout -Harlem Run and what it means for her -self care and gratitude -her work as a social worker -a dive into mental health -accessibility when it comes to running -a reference to Stride for Stride, aimed at increasing diversity -how she coaches beginners -feeling seen, heard and validated -running as an afro-latina woman in 2020 -how she’s used running to help her in 2020 -and much more! Follow along with Lisa at instagram.com/lovelylisa125 Thanks again 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.

Sarah Bowen Shea is a mom of three teens in Portland, Oregon, the cofounder of Another Mother Runner which is a largely online community for women runners, and before that was a freelance magazine journalist.  In this episode (which was full of lots of laughter) we talked about: -Another Mother Runner and its growth -sponsorship and more -failure -community and what it means for her -balance -meditation -2020 and how it has impacted AMR -a lot of reflections on the podcast guests -our first marathons -more laughter -and much more! Follow along with Sarah Bowen Shea at https://twitter.com/SBSOnTheRun and instagram.com/TheMotherRunner 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.

Ruby Wyles is a collegiate runner who is self admittedly “gritty, stubborn and has good intentions.” She’s one of the biggest supporters of the podcast so it was fun to put the mic in her hands for an episode. In this episode we talked about: -her start with running -getting into collegiate running -what collegiate running has been like in 2020 -her rollercoaster of 2020 -writing and introspection -being real -talking about the journey while she’s in the thick of things vs afterwards of a success story -injuries -working with Matt Daniels -mental health and the stigma around it -running trails and mountains -and much more! Follow along with Ruby’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/rwylesxox/

Ryan Cormier is a south Louisiana boy living in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a baseball/basketball player who didn’t run until he took up cross country his senior year and found the love of running from there. In this episode we talked about: -getting into running from November Project -the best waffles in Colorado -what he loves about ultra running -his injury journey -his Why -why he keeps going -“a beautiful perfect, imperfect day. My body was ready, but my body and ankle weren’t quite there.” -how he refocused in the COVID era -what he likes about the hundred mile distance  -trusting his body -what he thinks it’ll take to get his breakthrough -and much more! Follow along with Ryan’s adventures at www.instagram.com/ryanscormier

Nia Akins is a recent grad from UPenn with a degree in nursing and nutrition who is a professional runner and loving it! She runs for Brooks Beasts in Seattle. In this episode we talked about: -her first run and running with her mom -the journey from cross country to track -the camaraderie and joy of being on a team -her approach to 2020 -getting her degree in nursing and nutrition… and why -happiness and why it matters -being present and mindful -gratitude -her Why -balance and growth -goals for the future -and much more! Follow along with Nia’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/nia_akins

Jeff Stern is a dog lover, runner, coach, human and athlete, and someone who just loves life in general. In this episode, we talked about: -his journey into trail and ultra running  -his longest ever run -the Backbone Trail FKT -his first run -recalibrating/reevaluating in longer runs -gratitude -consistency -hope and excitement -writing at Ultra Running Magazine -and much more! Follow along with Jeff’s adventures at instagram.com/uponward and twitter.com/uponward

Alyx Luck Barnett is a trail runner, soon to be mom, online running and nutrition coach, new podcaster, and self proclaimed “nerdy hippie.” In this episode we talked about: -meeting each other at the Run Rabbit 100 and the trail community in general -getting into podcasting -having a beer during long runs -nutrition for performance -getting into running via endurance horseback racing -becoming a coach -biggest challenge of coaching in 2020 -positivity -cross training -balance -and so much more! Follow along with Alyx’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/dralyxbarnett and her podcast called Coaches on the Run! Thanks again to Janji for sponsoring this episode. Janji Collective Members will get an extra special discount over Black Friday, and as a reminder, you can join Janji Collective for $50 where 100% of your fee goes to supporting clean water initiatives worldwide. If you use the code FTLR, you’ll also get a free singlet!  UCAN, a sports nutrition product that I love is having their Cyber Week sale right now. Head over to UCAN at ucan.co to take advantage of UCAN’s biggest sale of the year… the code FTLR has been upgraded to 30% off site wide. Now’s the time to try something new! 

Liz McHutcheon is a runner, coach, mom, and so much more.  In this episode, we talked about: -her 2020 -how she has approached the uncertainty -growth as a runner -getting into ultra running -20+ years in between her first and second marathon -goals and expectations -process vs outcome -meditation, gratitude and mindfulness -coffee and dogs -the background behind her instagram handle, Running On Venti -and so much more! Follow along with Liz’ adventures at instagram.com/runningonventi Thanks again to Janji for sponsoring this episode. Janji Collective Members will get an extra special discount over Black Friday, and as a reminder, you can join Janji Collective for $50 where 100% of your fee goes to supporting clean water initiatives worldwide. If you use the code FTLR, you’ll also get a free singlet!  UCAN, a sports nutrition product that I love is having their Cyber Week sale right now. Head over to UCAN at ucan.co to take advantage of UCAN’s biggest sale of the year… the code FTLR has been upgraded to 30% off site wide. Now’s the time to try something new! 

Tina Muir is a mother, wife, podcaster, founder and someone who shares “probably too much” but feels that is the best way to connect with people. In this episode, we talked about: -her first years as a runner -“hiding” her running from her friends -wanting approval  -running competitively -turning pro and the challenges and changes it brought -what happened when the carrot she had been chasing was realized -losing her Why -amenorrhea and deciding to stop running professionally -sharing her story -podcasting in 2020 -white privilege, and white male privilege in particular -and so much more! Follow along with Tina’s journey at twitter.com/tinamuir and instagram.com/tinamuir88/, and her podcast, Running For Real! Thanks again to Janji for sponsoring this episode. Janji Collective Members will get an extra special discount over Black Friday, and as a reminder, you can join Janji Collective for $50 where 100% of your fee goes to supporting clean water initiatives worldwide. If you use the code FTLR, you’ll also get a free singlet!  UCAN, a sports nutrition product that I love is having their Cyber Week sale right now. Head over to UCAN at ucan.co to take advantage of UCAN’s biggest sale of the year… the code FTLR has been upgraded to 30% off site wide. Now’s the time to try something new! 

Kristin Jenny is a long distance triathlete living in Denver, Colorado. She works in the endurance industry in multiple capacities, which we dug into! In this episode, we talked about: -her entry into triathlon -balance with her professional life -writing on endurance -working in marketing for an endurance focused brand -gratitude -growth over the years -inertia -what she remembers about her hardest race -anxiety  -mental health and self compassion -hitting rock bottom -“you don’t have to drown to learn” -and so much more Follow along with Kristin’s adventures at https://twitter.com/k_jenny7 and https://www.instagram.com/kristinjenny207/ This episode is sponsored by Janji. As a local to Boston running apparel company, I’ve enjoyed seeing Janji grow over the years and their gear has only gotten better as time has gone on.  As the weather gets cooler in much of the country, upgrade your gear with some of the amazing options from Janji! I’ve been loving their tights and raincoat in colder or wet weather lately! You can take 15% off all month with the code FTLR15. I hope you love them as much as I do!