For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

This episode is with Rebecca Mehra. Rebecca is a professional track and field athlete on Little Wing Athletics, public policy nerd who works for the mayor of Bend, Oregon. In this episode we talked about: -women supporting women -being supported by Oiselle -training with Little Wing Athletics and having Lauren Fleshman as her coach -improving as an athlete and a person -focusing on mental strength -public policy -social media as a professional athlete -struggle with burnout -team experiences in college and pro athletics -her evolving Why -going viral -how nutrition and blood analysis has played a role in her progress and how it helps her stay healthy -her favorite distance -using comparison in a healthy way -and more! Follow along with Rebecca’s adventures at instagram.com/rebecca_mehra and twitter.com/rebecca_mehra This episode is brought to you by Wellness In Motion, the clinic in Boston that I’ve been going to for chiropractic and sports massage for the last few years. Normally an in person experience, they closed in mid march to help promote social distancing. While they aren’t able to treat patients in a traditional sense, they have pivoted so that they can continue to help all of us by offering complimentary 30 minute telehealth consults to not only their current clients but anyone who wants or needs advice regarding an injury or about maintenance in general. Yes, that’s anyone, nationwide, at no cost. You’ll be able to connect with a trained practitioner, get prehab or rehab exercises and self-treatment options so that you can continue to run strong. Head to wellnessinmotionboston.com and let them know I sent you!

This episode is with Latoya Shauntay Snell, a runner, mom, wife, chef, writer and all around athlete living in Brooklyn, New York. In this episode, we talked about: -consistency vs being motivated -re-evaluating failure as a way to be successful -going “too far” as a way to learn -meditation and introspection -constant re-evaluation of her Why -being a sponsored athlete and working with brands -therapy -social media as a gift and a curse -and much more! You can follow along with Latoya’s adventures at www.instagram.com/iamlshauntay/ and twitter.com/latoyashauntay

This episode is with David Roche! David's my coach, and the first guest to come on the podcast for a third time! In this episode we talked about: -current state of affairs, mentally and globally -my injury recovery -his approach to coaching at this time -"pressure makes diamonds" -takeaways from a global pandemic -four points to focus on as a runner these days "yes, thank you" -missing the Boston Marathon -long term development -strides and hill training -finding joy in PLAY -David talking through a drop in audio -and so much more! Follow along with David's journey at instagram.com/addiedoesstuff and twitter.com/mountainroche

This episode’s guest is Kaci Lickteig! Kaci is a professional trail runner and physical therapist who lives in Nebraska. In this episode, we talked about: -Evolution of distance running -Her love of the community -Finding out what she’s made of in ultras -Signing up and running a marathon with her mom -Running and exercising with her mom and grandma -Practicing gratitude -What she does professionally as a PT, working post-surgery -how to decide rest vs continuing to train -Goal races and getting out of her element -Western States and why she loves it -changing sponsors and her use of social media -and much more! You can follow along with Kaci’s journey at instagram.com/ultrarunnerkc and twitter.com/runner_kc

This episode is with Teal Burrell, a mom, science writer with a PhD in neuroscience, and marathoner who has gone from 4:07 to 2:39. In this episode, we talked about: -big scary goals -hitting goals, and then dreaming bigger -the process of getting better -explaining science to nonscientists -her experience in the 2016 vs 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials -planning to have a baby post-Trials -freelance/WFH tips -balance -Oiselle and the community she is a part of -Lizzo -and much more! Follow along with her journey at https://www.instagram.com/runnerteal/ and https://twitter.com/runnerteal

This episode is with Sabrina Little! Sabrina is a wife, a soon to be mother, philosopher, and a professional runner. In this episode, we dug into the exploration of Why. Not just Sabrina’s Why, but the process in general.  We also talked about: -doing the work, and her love of the process -how suffering plays a part of a flourishing life -her ability to persevere -why she started running -what’s next after taking racing out of the equation -her PhD program -trails and life as a pro runner -telling her sponsors about being pregnant -her upcoming journey into motherhood -an epic mistake in her first ultra -more about the Why! Follow along with Sabrina’s adventures at  twitter.com/beaninsneakers, https://www.instagram.com/mrs.little_engine_that_could

This episode's guest is Danielle Snyder.  Danielle is a licensed clinical social worker, wellness coach, running coach, an ultra runner, living in Portland, Oregon. In this episode, we talked about: -how Danielle knew (or didn't know!) she wanted to go into the mental health field -managing normalcy during times like these -how to handle a global pandemic like an ultra -what she's learned as a runner that applies to today -bravery and hope -how to run when you know it will help but can't get out the door -what her North Star and guiding light is currently, and then she flipped it around and asked what mine is! -Bigger Than The Trail, an organization aimed at using trail running as a platform to advocate for mental health -how a crisis can force us to make change -and much more! Follow along with Danielle's adventures at https://www.instagram.com/diellesmells and her website at https://innerdriveathlete.com/. You can reach out to her directly on Instagram or at daniellersnyder@gmail.com Check out Bigger Than The Trail at https://bttt.run/ 

This episode's guest is Ben Bruce.  Ben is a coach, professional runner, father, husband, and much more. We recorded this episode back in Flagstaff in October, so it's free of any coronavirus talk! In this episode, we did talk about: -balance -HOKA NAZ Elite and working with Ben Rosario -coaching taking a bigger role -how he's able to keep up with his own fitness -racing a 2:26 marathon as a pacer while preparing for a 10k on the track -his streak of USA Championships -how his goals have shifted as part of #TeamBruce -his wife Steph Bruce and how Ben is a major part of her training -breaking down the 2019 Chicago Marathon -training in Flagstaff and what it means to Ben -focusing on the process -what's ahead and much more! Enjoy! You can follow along with Ben's adventures at https://www.instagram.com/bbjamin15/ and https://twitter.com/bbjamin

This episode's guest is Ladia Albertson-Junkans.  Ladia works in health research, and is known for her incredible energy and positivity on the roads and trails.  This episode started off stronger than most, and we dove right into it. Ladia is a good friend and helped me through some of the hardest weeks of my life as I went through my first experience with loss. We talked about that, and much more: -running on Hope -Gabe Grunewald and the relationship Ladia had (and still has) with Gabe -Justin Grunewald and their relationship -running Western States 2019 and what that was like -running Boston 2019 and her incredible experience -her growth as a runner -experiences with loss, grief, and joy -why pain can be gift and blessing in the presence of loss -bravery and so much more. I hope you enjoy this one. I sure did.

This episode's guest is Nick Klastava! Nick is a dad, husband, coach, and runner who lives in Baltimore, MD. In this episode, we talked about: -running as a social activity -taking a long break from running and getting back as an adult -getting back to competitive running and racing -doing workouts without splitting laps on his watch (and why!) -SWAP Team and his relentless positivity -mental health and therapy -“toughness” -goals going forward -coaching with Lift Run Perform And much more! Follow along with Nick's adventures at https://twitter.com/nklastava and https://instagram.com/nklastava! This episode is brought to you by @synchroknitbywigwam. SynchroKnit uses breakthrough technology creating a truly fitted sock that doesn't slip, and it enhances the performance of a running shoe... especially on the trails or when you’re climbing and descending. Go to synchroknit.com and enter in code LONGRUN25 to receive 25% off of your first order. I'm so excited to get out onto the trails with them soon!