Another Mother Runner

Sarah delights in being joined by another new co-host: Tish Hamilton, former executive editor at Runner’s World and multi-time marathoner. The two mother runners re-tell the genesis story of Another Mother Runner, as Tish assigned the article that got this party started. Then the duo welcomes Bart Yasso, who takes a break from packing up his Runner’s World office-of-three-decades to be a guest on the pod for a third time. (Here are his two earlier appearances.) Drawing on experiences chronicled in his latest book, Race Everything, Bart describes the elements of what he thinks makes a great race. He raves about multi-day races, including the Bermuda Marathon Triangle Challenge, which he had just returned from, and shares advice on running such races. This accomplished runner shares his take on how to achieve a negative split, the Holy Grail of racing. Talk with the three Masters-age runners turns to accepting the inevitable slowing down that comes with age—with a caveat from Bart about why he was a better runner in his 40s than in earlier years. The lively conversation ends with Bart explains the importance of keeping running fun. Bart joins the conversation at 17:25. Save $50 off select mattresses by visiting casper.com/AMR and using promo code AMR Get $30 off your contact lenses by visiting simplecontacts.com/amr or entering promo code amr Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah welcomes one of two new co-hosts (big reveal of other new one happens next week!), Maggie Palmer, a thirty-something mom of three. Asomewhat familiar voice to podcast listeners and blog readers, Maggie is the BAMR whose family lived through Hurricane Irma on Saint Maarten, three weeks after relocating to the Caribbean from Oregon. Listen to an update on Maggie’s family situation in Chicago, plus how working out is working out for her these days. Maggie reveals how her “monthly plight”—and her male high school track coach’s attitude toward her period—sidelined her from running. Find out why she ran a half-marathon on the aptly named holiday of Independence Day. Along with sharing many laughs, Sarah and her new co-host bond over falling while trail running (spoiler alert: both tales involve horse poop!).Get 25% off your first order at RXbar.com/amr and use promo code AMR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin, veterans of nearly 30 marathons between them, pull back the curtain and reveal best practices about training for a 26.2-mile undertaking. They start slowly with the importance of rest and underappreciated “easy” runs. Coach Amanda lays out what’s an appropriate base for marathon training, both in terms of how long you can run—and how long you’ve been running. She talks about the optimum length of a training cycle and the best number of days to run per week, plus variables that affect both elements. Serving up a dose of reality (and wit!), Coach Amanda tells why “couch-to-marathon” isn’t a smart move. She also shares why long runs are cornerstone of marathon training. (It’s not quite as “no, duh!” as you might think.) Invariably, the two Masters-age marathoners discuss how marathon training morphs as you age. The insightful conversation culminates with sage advice on sidestepping injury.First, though, the mother runners have a silly debate about the ideal stopping-point for number of marathons. At 16:45, Amanda puts on her coaching hat and the advice-filled portion of the pod starts.To enjoy three free Daily Harvest cup, go to daily-harvest.com and use promo code AMR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Dimity welcome three coaches to kick your New Year off right! First up is Jenn Gill, who is a certified personal trainer and strength coach in addition to being a running coach (phew!). After telling a tale of a recent Ragnar Trail Relay race that involves “swamp bugs” and a 15’ alligator (!!), Jenn shares the keys to consistency and how to make exercise a habit. She also offers several good reasons why strength training should be part of every runner’s regimen. Next the ladies are joined by Justin Ross, a sports and performance psychologist who developed the Perform Like a Mother program. Like he does in that mental skills training program, Justin offers guidance on using your mind as an asset instead of a liability, while running, racing, or living life. Listen as Sarah gets swayed by his sound advice about cultivating a positive mindset. The final guest is Jennifer Harrison, one half of the triathlon coaching duo in the TLAM Club. This mom-of-twins tells an inspiring story about what can happen when you go into a race with no expectations. Learn how the first-of-its-kind Ironman training program (!!) is like a pregnancy. Nod along as Coach Jen stresses the importance of having a “village” of support to get through training; laugh along when she recounts the stupidest question she’s ever been asked. (Spoiler: GU Gel is not fish food!) She ends with a bit of advice we all need to be reminded of. In the intro, hear Dimity share the joy of “following someone else’s bubbles.” The conversation with coaches kicks off at 24:16.Get your free quote today at healthiq.com/AMR or mention promo code AMR (or Another Mother Runner) when you talk to a Health IQ agent. Get $35 off your first Sun Basket order by going to SunBasket.dom/AMR Get moving: New members get 50% off an annual Aaptiv membership. Visit aaptiv.com/AMR50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this extra-long episode, Sarah welcomes each co-host to hear about their year in running. Fittingly, the first conversation is with Dimity, who sums up 2017 as a “year of transformation.” The AMR co-founder tells how she feels better than she has in year, both physically and mentally, and Dim talks about why “pressure is a priviledge.” Find out why SBS dubs her Dimity the Flamingo—plus learn Dim’s big 2018 goals. (Spoiler alert: It’s as big as the Grand Canyon. Literally.) Molly slides into the co-host seat to share how her 2017 goals shifted due to a lingering knee injury—and why it means she has apprehension about the June 2018 half-marathon Molly + Sarah are planning on. Bigfoot makes an appearance in this laughter-filled part of the pod. Next, Ellison hops into the co-host seat to share how menopause (and whooping cough!) caused her speed to decline, and how the situation has placed her in “an arranged marriage” with 5Ks. By this point in the pod, a theme crystallizes: Be kinder + more patient with yourself. Amanda and Sarah are sympatico, both admitting to having an enjoyable year without much racing. An interesting side conversation develops about why relay races can be so energizing and inspiring. Adrienne rounds out this podcast-party, getting rather philosophical with her recent epiphany about how much running has become a part of her. She and Sarah bond, declaring how alive they each feel while running.To enjoy a free month of Bark Box with order of a 6- or 12-month subscription, visit barkbox.com/AMRFor $20 off, visit Storyworth.com/AMR when you subscribe.To see if you qualify, get your free quote today at healthiq.com/AMR or mention promo code AMR (or Another Mother Runner) when you talk to a Health IQ agent.Receive a $50 credit toward your Zola registry, visit zola.com/amr and use promo code AMR at checkout.Get moving: New members get 50% off an annual Aaptiv membership. Visit aaptiv.com/AMR50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Dimity unite to talk with Coach MK Fleming of the Train Like a Mother Club, and the trio jumps into a straight-talk discussion about setting realistic New Year resolutions. Realize why picking one big goal actually adds up to 1,000s of little tasks, and learn to not conflate optimism + attitude with progress. (Like we said: straight talk!) Numerous analogies to mastering a foreign language or to learning to play the piano abound. Coach MK talks about how to be smart in the goals you pursue, and she shares three small daily changes you need to embrace to meet your goals. Find out why Dimity feels “unbreakable” right now—and what her secret goal is. (And why 2022 might be a big year ‘round AMR parts…) A great reminder toward end of the episode: Enjoy the real joy in the journey.This week’s Nuun-drinking game: Take a swig every time Coach MK mentions the self-defense system of krav maga.Talk of resolutions starts at 19:40.To enjoy a free month of Bark Box with order of a 6- or 12-month subscription, visit barkbox.com/AMRFor $20 off, visit Storyworth.com/AMR when you subscribe.Get 25% off your first order of RXBar Kids at RXbar.com/amr and use promo code AMRTo see if you qualify, get your free quote today at healthiq.com/AMR or mention promo code AMR (or Another Mother Runner) when you talk to a Health IQ agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin welcome on five mother runners to talk about their pursuit of big goals, including a first marathon, ultra, and Ironman. First up is Kelli, a hardy mom of two who training to run a marathon on February 1—in the Yukon. Brrrrrr! The second guest is Shonna, putting in the miles for her first 26.2. This empty-nester tells the tale of her first running steps just a year ago on a treadmill that squeaked so loudly, her dog would leave the room! Megan is on next, and she’s aiming to nab a Boston-qualifying marathon time, something she hasn’t done since giving birth to her three young children. Find out how a somewhat-TMI comment from another racer prompted Megan to focus on core-work. Kate in NYC follows: This mom of twin preschoolers talks of how and why she started training for an Ironman triathlon when her duo were just 1.5 years old (after running a marathon when they were 7 months old!). Kate gives great advice about how to make time for training (hint: accept offers of assistance from others) as well as justification for going for a goal. “How am I going to enable me to be my best mom when I’m with my kids?” Last but not least is Susan: This widowed mother of four is stepping up to her first ultra—with plans for several more on the horizon. Not surprisingly, she says she, “loves kicking the crap out of goals.” #BAMRNuun-drinking games to play while listening: Chug every time a mother runner admits having a race to train for is the only thing that keeps her running or whenever one of the guests (or hosts!) confesses a run is sometimes (often!?!) just an excuse to get out of the house!An episode sure to inspire!The conversations with the big-goal-chasing BAMRs kick off at 15:00.To enjoy a free month of Bark Box with order of a 6- or 12-month subscription, visit barkbox.com/AMRTo save $30 on purchase of AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones + get free sport belt, go to amr.aftershokz.com and use code AMR at checkout.For $20 off, visit Storyworth.com/AMR when you subscribe.To see if you qualify, get your free quote today at healthiq.com/AMR or mention promo code AMR (or Another Mother Runner) when you talk to a Health IQ agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Ellison Weist (a.k.a. The BookBully) gab about books, Netflix offerings, animated movies, and other pop culture goodies as they make the AMR reading-related a bi-annual happening. The good friends play catch-up in the beginning, with Ellison telling the tale of her return to racing—a 5K she nabbed 1st-place in her age group—plus the launch of her eponymous podcast, The BookBully. Learn who Auggie is (other than the hero of the YA novel Wonder). Buckle your seatbelt (tighten your sports bra?!) when they duo embarks on their discussion of books, as the conversation has countless curves and side trips! The mother runners talk about books they still regret reading the entire thing because they felt manipulated by it. They talk about how The Power is most certainly a parable of our times…but does it live up to all the hype? Numerous times, SBS equates reading books to running a race—and the gals talk about when they each DNF with a book. Historical references fly, as do Netflix suggestions. This hour+ episode has something for everyone! Here’s where to find all the books discussed in this episode. The book-bit of the show opens at 24:15. To enjoy a free month of Bark Box with order of a 6- or 12-month subscription, visit barkbox.com/AMR To save $30 on purchase of AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones + get free sport belt, go to amr.aftershokz.com and use code AMR at checkout. Get 50% off your first month of vitamins by using code AMR at takecareof.com For $20 off, visit Storyworth.com/AMR when you subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing a new podcast from our very own Ellison Weist a.k.a. The Book Bully! You might know her from a tiny ol’ podcast about running, like this episode with Alysia Montano. Now you won’t have to wait for our annual summer reading podcast. The Book Bully is now available for your listening pleasure as you wrap gifts, run long, or foam roll. This new bi-weekly podcast will cover books, books, and more books! Join Ellison as she raves and rants about all things reading. It kicks off with a chat with Sarah Bowen Shea, who you might know as the co-creator of Another Mother Runner. If you’ve loved the AMR reading list podcasts, you’ll flip for The Book Bully. The Book Bully is available wherever you get your podcasts. Just search on iTunes or your favorite app. Prepare to have your reading list grow by leaps and bounds! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah is delighted to have Coach MK Fleming as her sidekick, with Ellie Kempton, a Denver-based holistic nutritionist and the official nutritionist of the Train Like a Mother Club, joining the convo. The trio dive into the question: Is it possible to lose weight during a performance-driven training cycle? They reveal why it’s so difficult for the body to multi-task (sound familiar, mother runner?!), including delving into the intriguing hormonal changes that occur during training cycle—and the implications of those alterations. The TLAM Club women discuss the effects of how a body adapts and changes during training—and why the body protects itself from losing weight during training cycle. (SBS tosses in a caveman analogy.) Ellie outlines what is required for weight loss to happen sustainably—and Coach MK shares a story about when (and why) she opted for performance instead of losing baby weight. Whether your goal is to rock your race or see a lower number on the scale, find out how to work with your body, instead of against it. The three-way conversation starts at 14:20. Use code AMR for 50% off your first month of vitamins at takecareof.com For 15% off your first TreeHut order, visit treehutwatches.com/AMR and enter promo code AMR Thanks to Sock Club for supporting Another Mother Runner. Get 15% off at sockclub.com/amr and use code AMR To save $30 on purchase of AfterShokz Trekz Titanium headphones + get free sport belt, go to amr.aftershokz.com and use code AMR at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices