Another Mother Runner

Sarah and co-host Ellison Weist chew the (healthy) fat with Elyse Kopecky, co-author of the just-released cookbook entitled RUN FAST. EAT SLOW. Nourishing Recipes for Athletes. (Alas, Elyse’s co-author, three-time Olympian Shalane Flanagan, was unable to be on program.) Learn how the seed for the book was first planted at a home-cooked meal at Shalane’s house. Elyse talks about the importance of listening to your body when making food choices, then explains how the underlying premise of all the recipes in the book is “indulgent nourishment.” Hear the definition of “hangry” and how runners can combat this all-consuming sensation. A discussion about the importance of eating healthy fats quickly veers into TMI territory, with Elyse admitting why she didn’t have a natural period until almost her third decade. Finally, delight in the health benefits (health benefits!) of microbrew beers. Cheers! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another fall marathon season is upon us, so Sarah and Dimity chat up two mother runners who are both taking a 26.2-mile victory lap on Sunday, October 6. While they are both novice marathoners, they are very different runners. First up: Carrie Tollefson, an elite mid-distance runner who competed in the 1500 meters in the 2004 Olympics, who is running the Twin Cities Marathon a mere three months after giving birth to her second child. Then the gals talk to Stephanie Rice, also a mom of two, who is running the Portland Marathon (after following the Marathon: Finish It plan from Train Like a Mother. Both ladies talk about taking on the unknown, as well as juggling being a mom, working full-time, and training to go long. Find out what happened, for the first time ever (!!), to Carrie on a recent training run. We’ll just admit here: We still love her, even though it took her this long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In what Molly dubbed a “dogcast,” Sarah and her veterinarian-by-profession running partner Molly focus on running with a dog. Their first guest, Mark Stockamp, is a professional dog runner who has logged (dogged?!) more than 2,500 miles with furry friends in less than three years. Mark tells what breeds are best for running—and why fur length is important; he also tells tips for helping your pooch deal with hot temperatures (and pavement). This pro offers creative poop-scooping ideas, and he and Molly bond over something Molly is “morally opposed” to doing. Mark shares training tips and advice about leash length. Next the BRFs are joined by Amanda Loudin, a mother runner of two human children and one fur baby, a whippet named Tori. Amanda and Molly bond over being owners of “reactive” dogs before the conversation veers toward Santa’s Little Helper of “The Simpsons” fame. Amanda, a certified running coach, and Molly dispense tips about when to first start running with a dog. Interwoven throughout the... Learn

Sarah and Dimity have a virtual sit-down with Jennifer Roe and Katie Foster, two of the stars of the new documentary “From Fat to Finish Line,” which chronicles a team of 12 runners who lost a combined weight of 1,200+ pounds as they run a Ragnar Relay in Key West. Producer Jennifer leads off the conversation, telling how her running and weight-loss journey started with a vow to run “a 5-mile marathon” and why this slightly misguided intention was her $100 “action step.” Jen, a mom of a special-needs son, shares how running one mile nonstop for the first time shattered all her self-constrained limits about herself—and how now she’s training for her second New York City Marathon. Find out what she “1000% recommends” to change your mindset toward a race. (Apologies in advance: Jen has several coughing jags during the show; she was getting over a cold.) Next up is Katie “Runs for Cookies” Foster, who walks through how a bike riding experience morphed her into a runner. Katie shares details of the lower-body... L

Sarah and co-host Molly Williams have a major chat with Justin Ross, a Denver-based psychologist who works with runners and triathletes, about the mental side of running (and swimming!). This father of two young children started running less than a decade ago, yet he’s already qualified for Boston Marathon! The trio has an intriguing conversation about how connecting to your future self or to values (rather than goals) can bolster flagging motivation. After Molly shares a particularly candid story about her overwhelming fear of running six miles when she was a newbie runner, the good doctor counsels on how to get over mental hurdles that inevitably arise in training or racing. He talks about the importance of connecting to trust while prepping for a race and well as cultivating the ability to tap into a sense of calm. This thought-provoking dialog concludes with examining the “flow” of movement. Along the way, find out what Molly fears most of seeing while open-water swimming. Learn more about your ad choices

Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini welcome registered dietician Janelle Hodovic to discuss weight loss and running: fueling, nutrition, and getting that dang number on the scale to budge! Janelle, a mom of two young sons in Iowa, starts by sharing that she’s one race (London Marathon) away from completing the World Marathon Majors--and that she almost always runs pushing a double stroller. With a refreshing take-no-prisoners attitude, Janelle offers ways to get around calorie counting yet still lose or maintain weight. She offers loads of suggestions for post-run treats, including savvy smoothie-making advice. Janelle highlights how Pinterest can help with weight management and fueling, and she shares how to feel satiated, not ravenous, in the evening. Find out what areas of nutrition mother runners undervalue most, and how to add more protein to meals. Falling under the category “Quirky Juxtapositions,” listen for a major sidebar about bacon plus numerous mentions of post-race (!) barbecue pork... Learn more

Sarah and Ellison Weist reunite to co-host what has now become an annual tradition: the Summer Reading podcast. And this episode is bursting with even more recommendations than in years past! After talking about whooping cough (!) and “free-range running,” the duo dives into book recommendations, starting with new fiction, then moving to just-debuted non-fiction, and finishing up with books from several years ago that they just can’t “let go” of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Dimity explore an important subject: post-partum depression and anxiety. The mother runners are joined in this conversation by Mary Jackson Lee, LCSC, a psychotherapist who works with women and couples in this arena. Mary describes the differences between post-partum depression (PPD) and the more common post-partum anxiety, as well as explaining what’s outside the “bell curve of normal.” She offers assurances about how common some levels of anxiety is, and she discusses the arsenal of tools available to help people feel better. Dimity talks about her personal experience with PPD, plus her years-long depression. Mary stresses the importance of finding “something outside your own head,” whether it’s running, yoga, or scrapbooking. Despite being a heavy topic, the discussion ends on an optimistic note. And before bringing on the guest, find out what Team Thrasher is—and why Dimity’s a part of it. (No, she’s not become a mother skateboarder!) Important: This podcast contains trigger warnings...

Sarah and co-host Coach Christine Hinton dive into the joy (and the challenge!) of 5K races, welcoming three mother runners to talk about how they got into running and why 3.1-mile races captivate them. (Along the way, they mix in Voice Memos from other 5Kers.) After laughter-filled chitchat, Couch Christine shares sage advice for this popular-with-all-stripes-of-runners races. The first guest is Erin Troia, who recently ran her 100th race which was her 40th 5K. A self-proclaimed “running slut,” Erin showcases an infectious love of races as she tells how she adores “defying expectations about gals who wear sparkly skirts.” Next is Melanie Martin, a mother of four young daughters who ran her first 5K while six (6!) months pregnant and recently set her 5K PR when her youngest daughter was a mere three (3!!) months old. Melanie shares some last-mile tricks to keep pushing toward the finish line. The final guest, Crystle Ardoin, hails from Alaska. This military spouse gushes how her first 5K made her, “feel... Le

Fresh off her own 6.2-mile race, Sarah talks 10Ks with co-host Molly Williams. The Portland gals bring in a variety of voices on the topic, talking with four mother runners who have recently crossed a 10K finish line and mixing in Voice Memos from other 10Kers. First up is new mom Sarah Axelrod, whose story highlights the importance of checking a course map pre-race. Her 10K race wasn’t what she’d hoped it would be, so hear what she did for a do-over. Then Erin LeFevre, a mome of two young kids, talks about why 10K is the perfect race distance for her. Erin explains why she doesn’t have a time goal when she races; instead, 10Ks are about finishing with a smile on her face. Next up: Sara Roach, a runner since 2013, describes her transformation from a run/walker on her “dusty treadmill” in her basement to a Boston-qualifying marathoner who loves 10Ks as a way to get her speed on and let her endurance show. This self-proclaimed “grinder” shares tricks she uses to spur herself to go faster in races, as well as...

As the summer heats up, Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini welcome two guests to talk about sweat. First up is Melissa Elfers, a textile scientist (who knew!), who explains the ins-and-outs of polyester, bringing the “Saturday Night Fever” white suit and Play-Doh Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop into the conversation. Elfers explains why washing workout wear the wrong way repeatedly compounds the stink-factor, and she shares laundry tips for keeping gear fresh. Next up is Cathy Horton, creator of SweatX sport detergent. This triathlete and mom of two (including a professional soccer player!) tells how stains and stink drove her so crazy, she developed the stink-banishing detergent. Find out why Cathy calls a sweat droplet “a big rot fest,” and how perspiration makes running clothes smelly. Germ-phobes might want to sanitize their earbuds after listening to this grimy-yet-enlightening episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah and co-host Molly Williams are joined by writer/coach Matt Fitzgerald for a conversation about mental fitness, based on his latest book, How Bad Do You Want It: Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle. Along the way, Matt admits for him, “the whole dang enchilada is mental,” and he talks about why he prefers the term “mental fitness” over “mental toughness.” The trio doesn’t shy way from tough topics, diving right in with how the fear of suffering and failure holds back some athletes. Find out why Matt believes every runner should develop “a coach within.” He points out that you bring the mental skills you possess in real life to running—and how they can help or hinder you; he also shares steps for dealing with negative thoughts. Matt reveals the single most common mistake in endurance sports, as well as the most important quality to have as a runner. Great news for newbies: This marathon man wraps things up focusing on the importance of using experience, not just having it. Learn more about your a

From popsicles to perceived effort, Sarah and co-host Coach Christine Hinton offer 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. Find out how whiskey and vodka work their way into the conversation, as well as Sarah’s latest peeing-on-the-run trick. Laugh along with the gals about the kooky side business they scheme up mid-show. Puns (and laughter) abound in this hour+ episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To mark Father’s Day, Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini are joined by Tom Foreman, a CNN correspondent and author of My Year of Running Dangerously, which chronicles his return to running to train for a marathon with his older daughter. Tom talks about what it meant to have the shared language of running with his daughter, as well as the quality time together away from distractions. This now-ultramarathoner shares advice about keeping relationships strong and lines of communication despite hours spent running. A newly minted empty-nester, Tom shares how he and his wife (the proud finisher of her first half-marathon!) are “re-setting” who they are as a couple. While he admits he no longer runs “dangerously,” he’s still striving for a big goal: a Boston-qualifying marathon time. Sarah and Adrienne give this father runner plenty of advice, including selling him on hiring a coach and counseling him on BQ race choice. Find out what this Emmy-award winner calls “the cayenne in the recipe of life.” Learn more about

To get a view from the back, host Sarah Bowen Shea and co-host Coach Christine Hinton are joined by three runners who are often finishing last in a race. First up is Donna Lehmann, who tells of running a half-marathon slow and steady—and high-fiving pretty much any upheld spectators’ hand along the 13.1-mile course. This New Hampshire mother runner shares an epiphany she had when she thought she might end up be dead-last in a race, as well as a great analogy on how running is like a mullet. Next up is Rachel Franco of St. Paul who gives a brilliant race-selection tip. (She’s also in search of a best running friend, if you know of any 14:00-15:00 minute milers in the Twin Cities!) Then Kelly Keating-Caraway, a Weight Watchers leader training for the New York City Marathon, regales with several race stories, including one involving a police car escort and another on why she’s begrudgingly grateful to another runner for her current mantra of, “the body achieves what the mind believes.” Kelly is full of great...

Just as Ramadan is about to commence, Sarah and co-host Adrienne Martini welcome two guests who are both newer runners—and Muslims—to talk about being a female Muslim (a.k.a. a “Muslimah”) and running. First up is Monica Wallace, one of the co-founders of the group Muslimahs on the Run (MOTR). Monica tells how the seeds for MOTR were photos she shared on social media of herself and friends running in hijab and other modest running attire in keeping with their Islamic faith. This mother runner of three talks about how Muslim women can look 10 different ways when they hit the pavement, and why (and where) she felt “free and fancy” in the United Arab Emirates while exercising. Monica explains how she surprised herself at being able to run during the month-long Ramadan, despite fasting during daylight hours. Finally, Monica shares two stories about how running and Muslimahs on the Run changed the lives of two women, including her own mother. Then Muslimah and mother-of-two Doaa Elhaggan joins Sarah in the... Lear

Sarah and co-host Molly Williams explore the topic of finding money while running with three mother runners, including two who donate their #foundchange (and often paper money!) to charities. Interestingly, all three guests were what one of them describes as “late-onset runners.” First up is Krista Rider, a mom of one who donates her moola to Every Mother Counts, tells the tale of recently finding $15 in one fell swoop. Then Samantha Hopkins, a mom of two and Sarah and Molly’s money-finding idol, shares her theories about why it seems the streets she runs in San Antonio seem strewn with dropped money (and the occasional “pimp ring”—find out how much that find netted her). Like Krista, Samantha donates her annual hauls to a worthy cause. Samantha shares money-finding tips, which she says explain why her route-maps on Strava often look so unusual. Last but not least, Molly and Sarah share laughs and anecdotes with Jennifer “JMart” Martin, an ultrarunning momma of two. Despite logging many miles, JMart isn’t...

Sarah and Dimity welcome to the show Danny Dreyer, co-creator of ChiRunning and author of several books, including ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Efortless, Injury-Free Running and Chi Marathon: The Breakthrough Natural Running Program for a Pain-Free Half Marathon and Marathon. Danny tells the genesis of ChiRunning, which morphed him from a custom woodworker to an internationally renowned running instructor who helps people find a better way to move. In his soothing voice, Danny talks of the importance of alignment and relaxation in running. Find out which habit Danny thinks, “is the new smoking.” In an analogy every mother (and father!) runner can relate to, learn how listening to your body while running is like listening to a totally engrossed little child speak; gain encouragement when Danny assures Sarah and Dimity the body will always have an answer. Then Danny talks about his two tracks on a new album called Running Deep: Guided Meditations for Runners: You’ll never look at (or smell or... Lea

With summer 5Ks and 10Ks on the horizon, along with training for fall races in the near-future, Sarah and co-host Coach Christine Hinton detail how to embark on a training plan. Whether you want to finish with a smile on your face or with a new personal best, the advice these gals impart will get you primed. Coach Christine, in her infinite wisdom, reminds you a nagging injury is your body sending you a message you need to listen to; find out the gals’ new aphorism about running friends and injury. If you are wondering about an ideal racing weight, Coach explains why you should go by percentage of body fat instead of a number on the scale. Discover why Coach Christine spent a year being “loosey-goosey” about training—and why that’s not always a bad thing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Mother’s Day, Sarah and co-host Ellison Weist talk with writer Jen Miller and Jen’s 61-year-old mother, Mary Miller, who just ran her first half-marathon. Three days post-marathon, Jen dishes the deal on the Hanson Method of training, which propelled her to a 37-second PR despite a host of maladies. Mom Mary admits she hurt worse during training than in her 13.1-mile race, and she talks about her reasons for having a coach for the last four years. Find out how Jen got paid $750 to fun her first 5K, and listen to the gals compare notes about napping during the workday. As she does in her new memoir, Running: A Love Story, Jen shares why running let’s her find answers to problems in her life, whether related to work or her love life. Finally, for a dose of TMI, Jen talks about why she can’t train for fall marathons, opting instead to lift weights and train for sprint events. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices