For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Jacky Hunt-Broersma is an amputee, cancer survivor and Ultrarunner who has been running for the last four years, living in Cary, North Carolina, though she’s originally from South Africa. In this conversation we talked about: -trail running as an amputee -motivation -pushing boundaries and doing things people have told her she can’t do -running 100 miles on a treadmill -her first trail race being a 40 miler -perseverance -gratitude  -the logistics of trail running with a blade -being a role model for her kids -balance -getting “used to” people saying she’s crazy -big scary goals she has -some of the lessons she’s learned over and over -and much more! Follow along with her adventures at instagram.com/ncrunnerjacky 

This conversation is with Laura Cortez, a dog mom, intersectional environmentalist and runner living in Denver, Colorado. In this episode, we talked about: -Progression to running (and winning!) 50k’s -Her take on and appreciation for rest days -Her start with David Roche/SWAP coaching -Giving grace to herself -Digital marketing for a running brand -Diversity (or lack thereof) in trail running -environmentalism and accessibility -her running community -what she’s learned over the years -favorite trails in Colorado -running in 2020 -and much more! Follow along with Laura’s adventures at www.instagram.com/mamita_laurita/

This episode is with Allison Cleaver. Allison is an elite runner and nurse living in Austin, Tx.  In this episode we talked about: -working as a nurse and beginning right before the pandemic -why she got into nursing -processing her day with respect to running -running post-collegiately -running for Rabbit -her experience at the Olympic Trials -persistence and determination -what she misses about racing and running in 2020 -goals for the future -breakfast tacos -what she loves about the marathon -the Austin running community -coming back from a stress fracture -and much more! Follow along with Allison’s journey at twitter.com/aminicleaver and www.instagram.com/aminicleaver This episode is brought to you by a new group coaching program that I launched with my friend Melissa, a RRCA certified coach and 12 time marathoner. Are you struggling with motivation or consistency? Not sure when to run or when to rest? What about all the options for virtual racing? We’re here to help. Kicking off July 20th, our program is focused on a virtual fall race. For $37/month ($149 total), you’ll get giveaways, swag and preferred pricing from some of our favorite tools and fuels, as well as monthly zoom calls and access to a sports dietitian for all of your nutrition related questions. You’ll get a sixteen week program with two skill levels available, leading into a race day experience with as much of a community vibe as possible in the age of COVID. For more info: https://rabrev.com/coaching (option 1!)

This episode is with Heather Caplan, a mom of two, a dietitian, runner and human who is interested in having good conversations with other humans. In this episode we talked about: -getting into distance running -2020 and 2021 goals in running -the anti-diet movement -her own podcast -Lane 9 Project -Lift Run Perform -carbs -unlearning what we’ve been taught -nutrition communication, specific to 2020 and coronavirus -obesity as a stigmatized term -public health policy -zooming out when thinking about health -why she became a dietitian -and much more! Follow along with her adventures at www.instagram.com/heatherdcrd and https://twitter.com/heatherdcrd/ This episode is brought to you by a new group coaching program that I launched with my friend Melissa, a RRCA certified coach and 12 time marathoner. Are you struggling with motivation or consistency? Not sure when to run or when to rest? What about all the options for virtual racing? We’re here to help. Kicking off July 20th, our program is focused on a virtual fall race. For $37/month ($149 total), you’ll get giveaways, swag and preferred pricing from some of our favorite tools and fuels, as well as monthly zoom calls and access to a sports dietitian for all of your nutrition related questions. You’ll get a sixteen week program with two skill levels available, leading into a race day experience with as much of a community vibe as possible in the age of COVID. For more info: https://rabrev.com/coaching (option 1!)

This episode is with Wilfredo Benitez, of Portland, OR. Will is a self described passionate guy trying to do his best at helping others do their best. Will works with some of the top trail and ultra athletes in the country. In this episode, we talked about: -realizing that the job he was in wasn’t his life’s passion -changing his career -his professional nutrition journey -getting into endurance sports with triathlon and then into ultras -why he loves ultras  -nutrition requirements for high level athletes -working with an athlete who has never considered making a change to their nutrition -working with high level athletes -planning to do his first hundred miler this year -and much more Follow along with Will’s adventures (and nutrition tips!) at www.instagram.com/onpacewellness/

This episode is with Alan Scherer. Alan lives with bipolar disorder and is a recovering alcoholic who loves to run.  I met Alan in 2013 with November Project Boston in the early days, and I’ve always been inspired by his passion for the community and getting out and living life. In this episode, we talked about: -getting into running -his focus and love for community -trail and ultra running -the euphoria of running longer and stronger -his experience with alcoholism and his sobriety -hitting rock bottom in 2010 and how he turned himself around -“those are my yahoos” -the power of just showing up -and so much more I hope you enjoy this one. If Alan’s story resonates, I’m sure he’d love to hear that. You can follow along with his adventures at https://www.instagram.com/stigmafighter.alanscherer/ and instagram.com/strongbeginswithin The fundraiser he mentioned for Father Bills is https://www.facebook.com/donate/733544874121221/1128926324129479/

This episode is with Kamilah Journet. Kamilah is an observer, runner and marketer in the outdoor industry. In this episode we talked about: -diversity in the running world -setting boundaries with WFH life -Black Lives Matter and learning about Kamilah’s voice -getting uncomfortable -analogies between running and life -consistency -using her voice in a powerful way “Are you only a runner come race day?” -her experience in the outdoor industry -trail running and how inclusive and accepting it is -running distance vs sprints, when the sprinters looked more like her -her running in 2020 and doing whatever she wants -why runners (and athletes) are uniquely equipped to handle societal change that takes a long time Follow along with Kamilah’s journey at instagram.com/kamilahjournet This episode is sponsored by Addaday. I’ve been loving their BioZoom, a portable, myoacial release device, essentially a massage therapy gun. In these times when I’m not able to see my chiropractor for ART and other manual therapies, the BioZoom definitely hits the spot… pun intended of course. BioZoom is designed to help with recovery and can target specific areas of the body in different ways with one of the five attachments designed for tissue specific treatments. Quieter than the other therapy guns out there, I love using mine while sitting on the couch relaxing, or honestly, even while on a Zoom call. You can get your own at Addaday.com and use the code FTLR15 to save 15% off.

This episode is with Coree Woltering, a professional trail runner who likes to run really far. In this episode, we talked about: -his 1200 mile Ice Age Trail FKT  -starting the FKT right around the time of the George Floyd protests -deciding to continue his adventure to share something positive  -what he fueled with for 1200 miles spread out over 12-18 hour days on the trail -what kept him going from a motivational standpoint -choosing discomfort on the trails -lessons from the trails that carry over into life -his initial goals as a pro triathlete -moving from triathlon into trail running while living in Boulder -coming out when he was 25 -his experience as a professional athlete working with brands -living in the flatlands and racing in the mountains -and much more! Follow along with Coree’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/coreewoltering/ and https://coreewoltering.com. This episode is brought to you by Forward Spine and Sport, a Boston based top spot for evidence informed sports injury and pain assessment, diagnosis and management.  I’ve been seeing Bryan Kent for two years now and recently he opened his own practice called Forward Spine and Sport with another chiropractor in the Boston area. At Forward Sport and Spine, they use the right tool for the right job, not the same tool for every job. Every treatment is tailored to your specific needs and physiology utilizing hands on myofascial work and taping techniques, joint motion restoration, And the part that I’ve loved most is the specific rehab exercises, so that you can fix yourself.  Check them out at forwardspineandsport.com! If you’re not from the Boston area, their Instagram account is full of runner specific tips and guidance! instagram.com/forwardspineandsport

This episode is with Adam Merry, an elite trail runner from Monterey, California. In this episode, we talked about: -Adam's entry into running which included his first half marathon and first 50k in rapid succession -getting further into trail running -the trail community -diversity, or lack thereof in the trail world -how to address this lack of diversity -what it's like to be a mixed race man growing up in a mostly white community -addressing difficult conversations head on -use of social media for activism and engagement -his professional background related to ocean conservation -coaching by David Roche and what David has taught us -love for the process and day to day and much more! Follow along with Adam's journey at www.instagram.com/amerryrunner

This episode is with Kelsey Bruce, an assistant coach at Dallas Baptist University and elite marathoner. In this episode we talked about: -her first run, a mile down the road as a three year old -Let’s Run opportunity at the CC World Champs -run coaching -coaching and running the 800 -balance -hunting and fishing with her dad -tacos 🌮🌮🌮 -nutrition and recovery -how her routine has changed in 2020 -solo running -how faith plays a role in her running -moving up in distance -the Olympic Marathon Trials -recovery and napping -and much more! Follow along with Kelsey’s adventures at https://twitter.com/2KelseyMae and https://www.instagram.com/kelseymae_2/