Another Mother Runner

Realizing it’s race season for many mother runners, Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell address Patty’s question about race-day anxiety. (Here’s link to pre-race meditation by Dr. Justin Ross that Dimity mentions.) Kathleen has concerns about the duration of a long run for marathon training, and the duo sets her straight. Heather feel vulnerable after hip surgery, so Dimity and Sarah suggest ways to regain the spark to get out the door. Sarah and Dim offer home-gym buying advice to Christina. First Nuun drinking game of AMR Answers: Chug whenever SBS or Dim joke about pieces of equipment at the gym! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Dimity chat with pro runner Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald in front of a room full of mother runners at the recent Twin Cities Marathon expo. Gabe is a nine-year cancer survivor and a local runner. Like any good Minnesotan (including recent guest Kara Goucher), Gabe mentions “hot dish” in her very first answer and explains why she adores the “dedicated and ambitious” Twin Cities running community. The middle-distance runner details her love of racing the mile and running on the track. “I love spiking up,” she says. Gabe takes listeners back to her 2009 diagnosis when she was a 22-year-old college track athlete. Gabe details the mission of her foundation, Brave Like Gabe, and shares about the genesis of the name. Acknowledging that every cancer journey is different, Gabe discusses the importance of having goals and continuing to move forward—and how she plans for races in three-month chunks of time. No fair-weather runner, Gabe imparts loads of cold-weather running tips, including apparel advice. Mercury

Sarah and co-host Maggie Palmer have a heart-to-heart with Kim Stemple, a mother runner with an abundance of positivity despite facing down a terminal trio of illnesses. A marathon runner and triathlete, Kim is founder of We Finish Together, a grassroots group passing along medals to people in challenging situations. Kim shares how she’s rewritten the rules about being sick, including running two marathons and a 50K (!!) post-diagnoses. A veteran of two Marine Corps Marathons, Kim gives advice for running what she lovingly calls “more of an event than a race.” Laugh as Kim tells a tale involving cheetah pajamas and Bart Yasso in a golf cart! The inspiration Grit + Grace Enduro socks by Balega, Kim talks about the importance of passing on kindness, including in the starting corral of a race. Moments before beginning to record the show, Kim shared with the hosts that she is headed into hospice. Let’s make a spark by showing some extra kindness this month.  In the introduction, Sarah and Maggie touch on a bevy o

Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell dive into this math-heavy episode with Martha’s question about cadence, suggesting she think “quick-light, quick-light.” (A heck of a lot easier than counting to 90!!) The duo reminds marathoner-and-beyond Beth there are elements that can make a runner father than speedwork. In answering a question from first-time-marathoner-in-training Pam, the BAMRs talk about the mental side of 26.2-training with Dim offering the lovely imagery of a training plan“stair-stepping you up there.” Britt asks about “leg day,” opening up a conversation about strength training. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah is fortunate enough to have a one-on-one conversation with three-time Ironman champ Mirinda “Rinny” Carfrae thanks to AMR’s friends at GU Energy Labs. A mother of a one-year-old daughter, Rinny shares how her workouts changed while she was pregnant, summed up best as, “I exercised, I didn’t train.” Rinny tells how she was “really conservative” resuming running post-partum and building up her mileage and intensity, including occasional stroller-runs. Chuckle along when the Ironmother says her recovery is chasing after her daughter—and how she wouldn’t change it for the world. When the conversation shifts to nutrition, it’s mainly about juggling breastfeeding sessions with training ones, but eventually the conversation works its way round to Rinny revealing her current favorite GU products and flavors as well as how she utilizes them during workouts and races. Eventually the conversation loops around to the upcoming race in Kona, and how Rinny is facing the prospect of racing against new talent there. “I’

Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin (fresh back from Chamonix, France, where she got to spectate the UTMB ultra race!!) talk with a variety of guests about having an athletic “happy place.” First they admit what their happy places are, then they bring on the expert, Dr. Justin Ross, a Denver-based psychologist and marathon runner, who starts off by assuring Sarah the show’s topic isn’t, in her word, “cockamamie!” Instead, he defines an athletic happy place as, “something that provides connection to self, sport, and community.” (Phew!) The good doc goes on to explain folks can have an internal and an external happy place. Find out why some people’s happy places might even seem contradictory to the whole “happy” bit. (Which leads to one of his best lines: “Adult things suck.”) He talks about the health-bolstering effects of water and forests. Michelle San Antonio, a mother runner of three who has run the Boston Marathon several times, shares how her happy “place” is actually a mindset and how it has evolved drastic

Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell counsel Kathy on how to get out of a mental slump while she waits for her next training cycle to kick off. (For a doozy of a race: Three Days at the Fair!) On the flipside of that scenario, Molly suffers from FOMO while training for the Kansas City Marathon, to which Dimity shares a mother runner truism: “You can do anything, but you can’t do everything.” (One social event Molly won’t be missing out on: the AMR Podcast recording party in KC on October 17. Join the fun, too!) Speaking from experience, Dimity and Sarah offer advice to Maureen on grappling with the mental and emotional side of an injury. (Here’s where to connect with the Injured BAMRs Facebook page.) Find out what phrase Dimity tosses out that gives Sarah absolute delight. Finally, in response to Kimberly’s question, the duo share suggestions on balancing the social demands of a running group. To get an answer to your question, please leave a 90-second-or-less voicemail at 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). Learn mo

Sarah and Dimity grab a beer and gab with running icon Kara Goucher, a mother runner of one who competed in the Olympics on the track (5,000 and 10,000 meters in 2008) and the road (marathon in 2012), in front of a packed party promoting Kara’s new book, Strong. Kara confesses to being “very emotional” and admits she previously viewed that attribute as a weakness. Listen to how her thoughts on that—and other things--changed as she crossed the threshold into her 40s this year. Dimity unpacks “I deserve to be here,” a powerfully motivating phrase for Kara. Find out what “Enclothed Cognition” is and how it helps remind Kara when it’s “go-time.” Learn how Kara approaches tough workouts and which workouts give her the most confidence. Returning to a topic brought up in the show with Kara’s former training partner Shalane Flanagan, Sarah gets Kara to overshare about peeing on the fly. Kara also shares details of her new tattoo. Learn what lead to her (now-healed) sidelining knee injury (which Kara says felt like “a

Sarah has a virtual sit-down with the two women behind the Best of Both Worlds Podcast, Laura Vanderkam and Sarah Hart-Unger, M.D. Both Laura and “SHU” are mother runners, and the trio was delighted this special episode was a suggestion from a listener of both pods. The BBW duo turn the tables, getting SBS to answer questions about the start of AMR and her own running-and-racing background. The Sarahs conceive a brilliant plan for SHU’s first post-baby marathon. Laura and SBS bond over exercise streaks, and Laura details her the intriguing inspiration of her 600+-day running streak. The trio debate the beautiful necessity of morning workouts, then they offer opinions and advice on balancing parental work-related screentime around offspring. In the intro, Sarah gets her BRF, Molly Williams, to tell the tale about her attempt to hike around Mt. Rainier. (Spoiler alert: Molly’s current theme song is “Lonesome Loser.” Just try to get rid of that earworm!) The crossover portion of pod starts at 17:40. Have a podca

Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell bolster another Sarah on ways to boost immunity while training—steps from the outside in and, thanks to Dim’s insight, from the inside out. They council single mom Gretchen, who is looking to break 2:00 in half-marathon on a limited running schedule—advice applicable to anyone looking to train on three days of running per week. (At this point of podcast, Dimity dazzles SBS with her coaching acumen!) Finally, they try their best to offer Pamela breathing advice. To get an answer to your question, please leave a 90-second-or-less voicemail at 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Dimity McDowell are joined by Katie Oglesby, Dimity’s teammate in a rugged adventure off the Maine coast called SwimRun Casco Bay Islands. The intrepid duo explains that, despite the title, there are numerous swimming and running segments in this rugged race. Learn what was Dimity’s “biggest unknown” about this endeavor—and how sometimes making any forward progress was a measure of success. Watch your footing (repeatedly!) when the duo explains how “the course is a competitor.” It wouldn’t be a Dimity undertaking without an (ouch!) injury—find out why she’s not breathing easy post-race. Laugh at the duo’s head-scratching race motto. Early on in the show, Katie tosses out one of best lines ever (“Running is my heartthrob”) and more than one great driving analogy. While still wearing her co-host hat, Dimity learns updates on Sarah’s parents’ house. Conversation shifts to SwimRun at 12:45. Thanks to Kneipp. Get 15% off first order by visiting kneipp.com and using promo code AMR. Bigger Casper s

Sarah and co-host Ellison Weist are beyond thrilled to have a sit-down with 2017 NYC Marathon Winner Shalane Flanagan at her Portland home (!!!). SBS dives right in, asking Shalane about her current pursuit to become a mother. The trio talks about Shalane’s multiple 26.2-mile races through the five boroughs, with Shalane talking about her “chemistry” with New York City. (We agree!!) Sarah steers the conversation into the weeds a bit, prompting Shalane to recount the final few miles of her winning NYC Marathon effort. The conversation shifts from running to cooking thanks to the recent release of Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. Discover which recipe Shalane is “most emotionally connected to” and why, and learn how fan-feedback from the first book tour influenced this sure-to-be-a-bestseller sequel. Laugh along at the TMI tidbit at the end of the interview, with Sarah offering training help to the Olympian! Listen closely to hear Shalane knock on wood, plus SBS and Shalane high-five. In the introduction, Ellison

Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell give Hungry Heather advice on staying satiated, even during (and after) 12-hour work days and half-marathon training runs. The duo discusses cross-training options for Tianna; they counsel Maxine, a walk-runner, on how to juggle minutes and miles—and get right with where she’s currently at. They offer tips to Janice on running back-to-back races. Chug Nuun every time either Dimity or Sarah mentions some version of the word “staircase.” As promised, here’s link to AMR YouTube channel.  To get an answer to your question, please leave a 90-second-or-less voicemail at 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Tish Hamilton thoroughly enjoy an amazing conversation with Deena Kastor, bronze medalist in the women’s marathon in 2004 Olympic Games and author of Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory. A mom of one, Deena tells how her first post-baby run made her “entire body tingle with joy,” then moves into sharing the struggle of striving to be “a gold-medal mom and a gold-medal runner.” She tells how her summer training schedule differs from her school-year one. (Spoiler alert: Her weekly mileage doubles once school starts!) Find out which race was “a major suffer-fest” for Deena, and the granular tactics she used to persevere to the finish line. Marvel as Deena tells about the impediments leading up to her setting the U.S. Masters Marathon record at the 2015 Chicago Marathon—and how, in the final miles, she broke that race into manageable chunks. Thanks to an insightful question from Tish, Deena reveals how writing her memoir was the “hardest finish line” she ever reached. Deena

Sarah and co-host Amanda Loudin, both dreaming of refreshing bodies of water to plunge into (post-run or to swim in!), share creative, BAMR-tested ways to cool off after sweat sessions. They also reminisce about visits to the Adirondacks. Then, through the magic of technology, Sarah and AMR OG-Coach Christine Hinton offers up all the advice you need to survive sweltering summer runs. The mother runner answer questions submitted via Facebook, including the definition of getting acclimated to heat and how to do it. Christine talks about the vicious cycle of humidity and how to beat heat from the inside out. The coach spells out the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion, and she gives advice for preventing heat headaches. Sarah addresses air quality issues, a concern especially in Western states during wildfire season. (Sadly, even more relevant today than it was when this episode was recorded a mere two years ago.) Find out how whiskey and vodka work their way into the conversation, as well as Sarah’s latest

Another Mother Runner co-founders Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell clue in Kelly about how to combine running and swimming workouts (including gear logistics); tell grandmother runner Marcia how to accept (or not!) slowing down due to age; give advice and support to first-time-pregnant Elizabeth on dealing with—and accepting—changes that occur with pregnancy; and help Amy find running friends. To get an answer to your question, please leave a 90-second-or-less voicemail at 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and Maggie Palmer do a deep dive into all sorts of running gear—sports bras, hydration vests, shorts with pockets, anti-chafe products, and phone carriers—with Christine Pedder, a new, first-time mom who works at Gazelle Sports. A veteran of 16 half-marathons, Christine shares her wisdom about crucial gear items to make training for—and racing—13.1 miles more comfortable; she also lends insight into must-haves for newbie runners. Christine tosses out a catchy, smart phrase that’s new to even longtime gear writer SBS. (Other new-to-Sarah phrases in the show: “coffee run” and “bag man.”) The trio talks about layering in a savvy way that switches on a lightbulb for Sarah, as well as why gear trial-and-error is valuable to runners. Christine shares insight on how to “become one with” a hydration pack. Find out what now-discontinued piece of apparel both Sarah and Christine were in committed, long-term relationships with. (It might prompt you to start bidding on eBay auctions!) Enjoy Chosen Foods oils, salad

Sarah and co-host Molly Williams keep it real (very real!) with guest Meghan Kita, author of How to Make Yourself Poop: And 999 Other Tips All Runners Should Know and a former editor at Runner’s World. The trio covers an array of TMI topics, leaving no turd, uh, stone unturned. Meghan, a first-time mom with a 5-month-old baby, starts by oversharing about her return to running post-baby, as she explains (in some detail!) why she saw a pelvic-floor physical therapist. From there, Meghan details how she juggles breastfeeding, pumping, and running. There’s piles of poop advice, including three tips for getting things moving pre-run. Molly explains why caffeine affects the urgency to pee—and how to ease that issue. Molly asks Meghan several male-oriented questions—then makes an outrageous admission that sends SBS into peals of laughter. The conversation changes to chafing, including a clever solution when a tee or socks are rubbing the wrong way on a run. Meghan proves why she’s the McGyver of the running world. A

From the ladies who started the AMR party--Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell—comes this new Q&A show. Every other Tuesday, the head mother runners will answer voicemail questions about running, racing, and training. In this first-ever episode, the duo suggests ways to rekindle a love of running; offer advice to a race-newbie about jumping on a training plan; and, to a seasoned runner, the BAMRs offer both physical and mental advice about staying fit when not aiming for a race. To get an answer to your question, please leave a 90-second-or-less voicemail (day or night!) at 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah hosts solo, but she’s not alone: She gabs with three of her teammates from the recent Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage race. First up is team captain Julie, a runner for only five years yet marvel that she’s running back-to-back Ragnar races! Laugh along with the two Van 1 teammates as they recount a race highlight that includes a menagerie of a zebra, alligator, beaver, and a literal couple of frogs. Julie offers tips for being a relay race captain, including the all-critical “go with the flow” advice. Next SBS is joined in studio by a duo of Van 2 runners, Rebekah and Ariel. Be transported by Ariel’s description of the stunning scenery. Ponder along with all four gals as they discuss how--and possibly why--van “culture” differs. Loads of great relay-running pointers in this entertaining episode. Remember: Another Mother Runner Answers, our new bi-weekly Q&A show, kicks off on Tuesday, July 24! To leave a question to hear it answered on air, call: 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). To save $55 on a purchase of