We are obsessed with the Olympics here at AMR, so we are thrilled to have two mother runners who both competed in past games. Our guests, Julie Swail-Ertel and Carrie Tollefson, now in the thick of career and parenting, both reflect on their time at the top of their sport, and offer some inside scoop on the Games. In this episode, you'll hear:  Julie looking back on making history at becoming an Olympian in two different sports; Carrie sharing the excitement of marching in the opening ceremonies; Both women touching on life after the Olympics and moving past such an iconic life event; How both Julie and Carrie continue to contribute to their respective sports (and their plans for Paris!); …and more!  At the top, co-host SWF share an Olympic (and Snoop Dogg) inspired summer goal. Spoiler alert: She achieved it after we recorded!When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support!Sports nutrition simplified:Get a 10% lifetime discount at fuelgoods.com/AMR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Goal-chasers, this is the podcast for you! Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton chat with four women pursuing the goal of running a half-marathon in all 50 states (including one who completed her pursuit in a few short years!). The guests share:-how to stay joyful in the pursuit of goals; -adventures they had along the way (including massive storms!); -advice of ticking off two states in one weekend; -the importance of “unconventional” goals; and,-their favorite half-marathons—and why. Before the first 50-stater joins the show, hosts Sarah and Tish talk about creative endeavors involving their respective college students. At the end of the ep, on Miles of Books, Coach Liz tells about two advice-rich books written by fathers for their older offspring. (Here’s the RSVP link to the Chicagoland party Sarah + Liz are hosting.)  When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! Florida? Check! Use code AMR20for 20% off registration at KeyWestHalfMarathon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone looking for exciting race options, especially relays like Nicole, will appreciate this episode. (Here’s the Facebook post for more suggestions.) You’ll also be grateful for the advice about having a cyclist friend accompany you on a run, in response to Kelyn’s question. Finally, prompted by Kara’s Q, hear why Sarah opted to not do heart-rate training for a half-marathon. Plus, lots of early-days-of-AMR reminisces in this ep!  Sarah shares stories of her New England athletic adventures before the duo turns to answering questions. RSVP here for the August 1 podcast recording party, and here are Better Together half marathon details. When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! Run in our shoes: Save 15% w/ code TOPOAMR2024 at topoathletic.com Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBar products by texting AMR to 64-000 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a fascinating, must-listen episode for all runners, regardless of whether you run races. The topic is pacing—in races and in workouts—and the guest is Matt Fitzgerald, a running coach, multi-time marathoner, and an author of 30+ books including How to Run the Perfect Race. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, Matt tells: -how pacing is the art of finding your limit; -how to “gamify” your runs to hone your perception of pace; -about his 4+-year struggle with Long COVID; -why relying on a GPS can be detrimental; and,-the secrets of remaining steady with running.  When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! Run Richmond: Use code AMR2VA for$10 off marathon or half at RichmondMarathon.org Sports nutrition simplified:Get a 10% lifetime discount at fuelgoods.com/AMR See for yourself: Get 20% off Tifosi sunglasses with code AMR2024 at TifosiOptics.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode we have an insightful chat with Rhonda Harper, founder of Black Girls Surf,an organization focused on inclusivity and equality in surfing. Co-hosts Dimity and SWF ride the wave with Rhonda, who shares the compelling story of her life’s work, including:  How Rhonda got her start in surfing as a landlocked girl from Kansas;  The strides she’s made in broadening the diversity in surfing around the world; Why you should get into surfing (she swears it’s not that hard!); And what qualities to look for in an instructor giving a first-time lesson. Make your next marathon—or half marathon or 8K—most memorable by joining Better Together in Richmond on November 16.When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support!Insoles for all your active pursuits:Use code AMR15 for 15% discount at Currex.comStop comparing and start focusing:For 10% off your first month, go to betterhelp.com/amr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Health-conscious folks of any age need to listen to this episode featuring Laura Moretti Reece MS, RD, a board-certified sports dietitian specializing in sports performance-based nutrition and a marathon runner. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, Laura details: -the role genetics play in bone health; -the importance of multi-directional activities, not just running; -a food-first approach to promoting bone health; -early signs of low-bone density; and, -why you should try eating something called natto.  In the intro, proud-momma Sarah talks about her upcoming adventure to see her son perform in his first professional musical. We suggest taking a chug of milk (cow or plant!) every time the guest or hosts suggest something should go on “the hot topic board!”  When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! Use code amr50 to get 50% off, plus 20% off your next two months, at greenchef.com/amr50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for all the wannabe runners—and want-to-be-again runners, like Michelle, who asks how to resume running after five years off. In response to another Sarah’s question, the hosting duo shares creative, crowd-sourced suggestions for marathon-entry fundraising. Then there’s Shannon, who wants to know if coffee creamer constitutes sufficient pre-run fuel—Dimity and Sarah serve her the truth.  Before the Q&As, Dimity details the epic way she celebrated her daughter’s 21st birthday. Speaking of hiking, here’s the survey Dimity mentions.  When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! Run Richmond: Use code AMR2VA for$10 off marathon or half at RichmondMarathon.org Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBar products by texting AMR to 64-000 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is ideal for anyone who needs a gentle push out the door or a reminder of the benefit (+ beauty!) of being active in the outdoors. The guest who puts the “out” in “workout” is Tina Vindum, founder of Outdoor Fitness and authof of Tina Vindum’s Outdoor Fitness: Step out of the Gym and into the Best Shape of Your Life. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams, Tina talks about: -why negative ions have a positive effect on both body + mind; -trail running tips; -taking a wildflower “safari”;-how to add strength moves into a run or hike; and,-“park prescriptions” and “forest bathing.” This is a hybrid episode: The intro chitchat with the hosts recounting recent outdoor exploits was recorded in July 2024, while the guest interview (which starts around 07:28) first aired in 2017.   When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! See for yourself: Get 20% off Tifosi sunglasses with code AMR2024 at TifosiOptics.com Smelling ripe? No sweat: Save 20% with code AMR20 at SweatXsport.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In one of our most inspiring episodes yet, hosting duo Sarah WF and Dimity chat with Michelle Hughes, a Canadian BAMR who is living with a rare form of incurable Stage IV cancer. Michelle has a giant social media following documenting her daily journey just to live, which includes training for some pretty impressive athletic feats (think: swim, bike, and run!). The trio talk about:  Michelle's life as a mom of three young kids living with cancer; How exercise is her medicine;  The chronic cancer pain she endures and how she trains through it all;  Her recent amazing accomplishment--and what else she's got in store.  Read more about Michelle''s journey and her mission here. When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support!Insoles for all your active pursuits:Use code AMR15 for 15% discount at Currex.com26.2 or 13.1 in Portland! Use code AMR20 for $20 offregistration at portlandmarathon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avid and casual readers alike will enjoy listening to this annual episode (12th year running!), in which hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist serve up 14 book suggestions. Before switching to the literary conversation around 08:55, Sarah shares why her son’s life is a bit like Tom Lake these days. Sarah shares why her son’s life is a bit like Tom Lake these days. Need more book-talk? Miles of Books is at the end of the episode, and Coach Liz recommends two books about finding balance in a busy life. Here are the fiction and non-fiction books the hosts dive into: James by Percival EverettNight Watch by Jayne Anne PhillipsThe God of the Woods by Liz MooreThe Safekeep by Yael Van Der WoudenWhale Fall by Elizabeth O’ConnorThe Cliffs by J. Courtney SullivanSandwich by Catherine NewmanThe Stolen Child by Ann HoodClose to Death by Anthony HorowitzLike Mother, Like Daughter by Kimberley McCreightChasing Beauty by Natalie DykstraThe Friday Afternoon Club by Griffin DunneRebel Rising by Rebel WilsonShakespeare’s Sisters by Ramie Targoff  When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.We appreciate your—and their—support! 26.2 or 13.1 in Portland! Use code AMR20 for $20 off registration at portlandmarathon.com Get Chomping: Get 20% off your first order + free shipping at Chomps.com/AMR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices