For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Meghan Slavin is a physical therapist and ultra runner who lives in North Phoenix. In this episode we talked about: -her first run (at 18) -pacing Western States to the finish line -the energy at Western States and her love for the trail community -her evolution into ultra running -what she loves about the hundred mile distance -Hole To Hump FKT (and being the first woman to complete it) -her motivation for doing it -the logistics of starting an FKT that involves a hike down to the base of the Grand Canyon -an epic story of the actual experience -what it was like realizing she had finished the FKT and still had to come down from the top of the peak -and so much more! This episode is brought to you by BeetElite. I was introduced to BeetElite by Amelia ahead of the Spartan World Championships in Tahoe in 2017 due to the benefit of beets when at altitude. I had been looking for a beet product that had a good taste, and have loved BeetElite’s powder mix ever since. Beets can enhance muscle efficiency by reducing the oxygen-cost of exercise, essentially making it easier to work harder. Talk about being efficient. They’ve even done a clinical trial on their product with interval training in cyclists and found an 18% increase in potential duration. Try BeetElite yourself to experience the benefits of beet powered performance. Take 20% off all BeetElite products at humann.com/beetelite.

Amelia Boone returns for a highly requested second episode! Amelia is a trail runner, attorney and so much more, living in Golden, Colorado. In this episode, we talked about: -major life changes in the last couple of years -moving to Colorado during a pandemic -her love of Colorado and what has surprised her -if happiness should be the goal -“Why are you here?” -sponsors and racing decisions in 2020 -how she’d feel if races were cancelled for the foreseeable future -the “stick to running” comment  -more about her continued evolution and growth -FKT chasing -and so much more! Follow along with Amelia’s adventures at instagram.com/arboone11 and twitter.com/ameliaboone This episode is brought to you by BeetElite. I was introduced to BeetElite by Amelia ahead of the Spartan World Championships in Tahoe in 2017 due to the benefit of beets when at altitude.  I had been looking for a beet product that had a good taste, and have loved BeetElite’s powder mix ever since. Beets can enhance muscle efficiency by reducing the oxygen-cost of exercise, essentially making it easier to work harder. Talk about being efficient.  They’ve even done a clinical trial on their product with interval training in cyclists and found an 18% increase in potential duration.  Try BeetElite yourself to experience the benefits of beet powered performance. Take 20% off all BeetElite products with the code FTLR at humann.com/beetelite.

David Roche is back for his third episode, this time joined by Megan! A much more casual vibe, this episode sounded like the three of us were sitting around a table eating tacos. In this episode, we talked about: -podcasting and lessons learned -what it means to “shoot your shot” -tips for fueling and hydrating on hot runs -epidemiology (the topic of Megan’s PhD!) -comfort being “the ultimate illusion” -gravel biking -a ruptured hamstring and the recovery process (Megan) -lessons learned during COVID -a couple of spot on Kurt Vonnegut quotes -“You are always enough” -and so much more! Follow along with the Roches at instagram.com/meg_runs_happy / instagram.com/addiedoesstuff and twitter.com/mountainroche / twitter.com/meg_runs_happy This episode is brought to you by UCAN. If you know me, you know I’m all about personalization and not having a one sized fits all solution. That applies to training, nutrition in general, and nutrition for training and UCAN is another tool in the toolbox I’ve loved over the years. Along with professional athletes like Alexi Pappas and Meb, I’ve used UCAN for marathons in the past and have recently been incorporating their SuperStarch into my day-to-day routine, and before my long runs for steady energy. Superstarch provides long lasting energy and helps keep your blood sugar stable with tasty summer flavors like cran-raz, tropical orange and more. I also LOVE their bars, particularly the chocolate peanut butter as a late morning or mid afternoon snack. Take 15% off your order at ucan.co with the code FTLR

Kurt Decker is a trail runner who truly loves his state (Minnesota) and the emphasis on engaging in outdoor activities with the people around him. In this episode we discussed: -making his life all about community -switching careers to follow his passion -working in the running industry -his passion for running and being outside -running his first 100 miler in 2002 -racing western states in 2003 -running in the Grand Canyon in 2015 for his birthday -Twin Cities Running Company and the trail running scene in Minneapolis -what runners can do to help support their local running stores  -crosstraining/biking for fun -and much more! Follow along with Kurt’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/mntrailrunner

Peter Bromka comes back for round two! Peter’s a runner, writer, dad and husband from Portland, Oregon. In this episode, we talked about: -his return to the podcast -why he’s the most referenced man on FTLR -running in 2020 and not being motivated to do a virtual race -motivation in general -living in Portland, OR during the protests -explaining the murder of George Floyd to his five year old son  -missing goals  -learning from a “failure” -OTQ standards and the differences with men/women -Tommy Rivers Puzey and their relationship -chasing big goals -his storytelling and ability to take us along for the ride -fall goals, both his and mine -and so much more! Follow along with his journey at twitter.com/bromka and instagram.com/bromka Peter's first episode was episode #10. This episode is brought to you by UCAN. If you know me, you know I’m all about personalization and not having a one sized fits all solution. That applies to training, nutrition in general, and nutrition for training and UCAN is another tool in the toolbox I’ve loved over the years.  Along with professional athletes like Alexi Pappas and Meb, I’ve used UCAN for marathons in the past and have recently been incorporating their SuperStarch into my day-to-day routine, and before my long runs for steady energy. Superstarch provides long lasting energy and helps keep your blood sugar stable with tasty summer flavors like cran-raz, tropical orange and more. I also LOVE their bars, particularly the chocolate peanut butter as a late morning or mid afternoon snack. Take 15% off your order at ucan.co with the code FTLR

Lex Gillette is an athlete, a Paralympian, world record holder, speaker and person who loves life at the end of the day. In this episode we discussed: -being a Paralympian and losing his eyesight at a young age -how he’s handling 2020 and the uncertainty around the Olympics and Paralympics -his background in athletics -getting into adaptive athletics -what it’s like to be a blind Track and Field athlete -getting to and maintaining a high level of excellence, with his first Paralympic Games being in 2004 -winning gold at the Games and what it would mean for him -where his motivation comes from -gratitude  -his Why -the meaning of life (yep, we went there!) -and much more! Follow along with Lex’s journey at https://www.instagram.com/lexgillette and https://twitter.com/lexgillette

Alexi Pappas is a runner, film maker, writer, actress and Olympian for Greece. In this episode we talked about: -what she means when she says Bravey -her upcoming memoir and what will be in it -writing poetry -her social media presence -role models -how she has used nutrition  -carbs and eating whole grains and how her nutrition experiences have been different in different places -eating more and the impact it has had for her -post Olympic blues and her experience with mental health -getting stuck in Greece during COVID -how she’s handling the unknown when it comes to the Olympics -why she runs -balance -and much more! Follow along with Alexi’s adventures at instagram.com/alexipappas and twitter.com/alexipappas This episode is brought to you by UCAN. If you know me, you know I’m all about personalization and not having a one sized fits all solution. That applies to training, nutrition in general, and nutrition for training and UCAN is another tool in the toolbox I’ve loved over the years.  Along with professional athletes like Alexi Pappas and Meb, I’ve used UCAN for marathons in the past and have recently been incorporating their SuperStarch into my day-to-day routine, and before my long runs for steady energy. Superstarch provides long lasting energy and helps keep your blood sugar stable with tasty summer flavors like cran-raz, tropical orange and more. I also LOVE their bars, particularly the chocolate peanut butter as a late morning or mid afternoon snack. Take 15% off your order at ucan.co with the code FTLR

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!)