The Running for Real Podcast (Tina Muir)

One Foot In Front of the Other 

Be You 

There’s No Prescription 

Voicing Change 

Resources:

Voicing Change by Rich Roll

A Life on Our Planet  

How to Save a Planet Podcast 

Margaret Klein on Running for Real Podcast

Darin Olien on Running for Real Podcast 

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Generation UCAN, Tracksmith, and Go Be More for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Generation UCAN to encouraging me to go on with this ECO Challenge series, I have been talking about them for years and my ONLY source for fueling while I am training and racing. And without fail I have had a product of UCAN every day, whether it is a bar or their delicious cookies and cream protein powder. It gives you a steady energy without the sugar, so there are no sugar high or crashes! 

Use code TINAMUIR25 for 25% off of your first order or if you are a returning customer use TINAUCAN15 for 15% off.

Go here to learn more.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. Not to mention they have their fall collection out! You can also go here to check out my favorites!

You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more, click here and enter code FORREAL15.

The black owned business for this episode is Go Be More, a brand with the reminder to chase your dreams. The founder is Jon Rankin, a motivational speaker, Olympian, and kidney disease survivor. The Go Be More brand represents more than just comfortable clothing. It is a wedding ring for your personal goals. It’s a motivator, a constant reminder, and a physical representation of your commitment to be who you were meant to be. 

Go and check out their website here where you can check out their merchandise, podcast, blog, and their Just One Challenge. And start to make that difference in chasing your dreams!

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Rich, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Runners are a different species.  Not only is running our sport but it is our passion, our mental break, our chance to distance ourselves from the world and the stressors of everyday life.  However, as a runner, I am sure you have suffered injuries and setbacks.  You are not alone.  According to Cindy Kuzma, journalist for Runner’s World, and Carrie Jackson Cheadle, mental skills expert and nationally recognized for her expertise in sport’s performance, about three quarters of runners will suffer an injury within their first one to two years of running, and an even greater number will suffer some form of injury throughout a running career.  Kuzma and Cheadle, authors of the book Rebound: Train your mind to bounce back stronger from sports injuries, have studied injuries and the mental toll that can take on your mind and have sought out to educate people of the importance of your mental health during times of injury.

Is There a Good Time to Take Time Off and Reset

Runners are stubborn and do not like taking time off from their sport.  However, after sustaining an injury, rest will become an important part of your recovery.  Cheadle says, “It takes more mental toughness to stop and to take that break and to focus on your recovery then it does to push through.  A true sign of mental toughness is wanting something so bad but willing to back off for a little bit to give your body what it needs to hit your goals.”

We tend to focus so much on the now and the current situations we find ourselves in.  But, when we goal set, we focus on the future and where we want to be one month, six months, or even one year from now.  The same should be said for our injuries.  We have the amazing gift of internal knowledge.  We know more about our bodies and how are bodies are feeling than anyone else.  One benefit of tapping into the psychological aspect of recovery is we allow ourselves a chance to conduct a “self-inquiry.”  As you proceed to heal from a running injury you can ask yourself, “Is it time to push hard or is it time to rest? Will pushing now benefit me three months from now or will it hinder my recovery process and push my goals back further?”

Running Becomes Our Identity

Running, or being an athlete in general, can provide you with a high athletic identity.  We all have different identities and play different roles in life, whether it is the role of a mother or father, an employee at our place of employment, or a student.  At times our feeling of self-worth may be more connected with one identity than another.  This tends to be especially true with high endurance athletes.  When we sustain an injury and are unable to train or compete, we lose a part of ourselves when we lose that athletic identity.

It is in these moments where your true identity will come out.  As opposed to looking at the situation through a microscopic lens, we need to pull back and view the bigger picture.  You are still an athlete; however, recovery just becomes your new sport.  The time and energy you used to put into running now gets put into your recovery.  This is the time to mentally reset, work through the healing process, both physically and mentally, and learn something from the experience that will make you a better runner as you begin to train again.

The Hero’s Journey

What is a hero and how does a hero become a hero?  If we think about heroes, both fictional and real, these individuals suffered major setbacks and had to overcome them in order to obtain “hero status.”  For example, arguably one of the greatest athletes of all time, Michael Jordan, did not make his high school basketball team.  This devastated him.  So, what did he do?  He got in the gym throughout the course of the next year and worked hard every day, letting that experience motivate him to be the best.  The same should be done by each of us as runners.

There are mental drills that can help us push through the mental agony that comes with being unable to perform the sport we love.  Kuzma said following an injury we each have the natural human reaction of, “Well this sucks!”  But if we change our thinking, we can come out on the other side stronger than before. Change “this is going to suck” to “this is going to be hard,” and see how that makes you feel.  Then take, “this is going to be hard” and change it to “this is going to be a challenge.”  Now, how does that make you feel?  Then you can eventually change “this is going to be hard” and arrive at, “this is going to be an opportunity.” See how that makes you feel?  Do this with small situations and practice it so that it becomes easier to do with bigger obstacles.  Obstacles can be opportunities and you get better as you practice.

Being Disappointed is Alright, but Don’t Let it Consume You

As runners we belong to a very unique community.  We train hard.  We push ourselves to the point of exhaustion. We get excited when we set personal records and we get excited when our training partners set personal records.  But what happens when we sustain an injury and we can no longer train with our training partners or friends?

As someone who has experienced a runner’s high and who loves to run, it is a common reaction to become angry, not only at yourself, but at your training partners who are still able to run.  Those same training partners who are still setting personal records while you are unable to run.  Being unable to train with your team or your friends may make you feel isolated, whether it is real or perceived.  For this reason, Cheadle and Kuzma founded The Injured Athletes Club podcast and The Injured Athletes Club Facebook page.  One of the hardest parts about being injured is the comradery that you feel your missing out on.  However, The Injured Athletes Club podcast will provide you with the necessary mental skills to cope with sports injuries and the mental side of rehabilitation and recovery.  Kuzma and Cheadle will also provide you with tools you can use to stay positive and resilient during your recovery.

The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group allows you to interact with other runners who are dealing with injuries of their own.  It is a chance to talk about how you are feeling, both mentally and physically, and receive support from other runners to assist you in your journey. Sometimes all we want to do is talk.  The Injured Athletes Club Facebook page is a great place to vent your frustrations or, even better, share stories of your successful journey.

Whether we be elite athletes, endurance athletes, or your Saturday 5k runner, we are not immune from injuries.  At some point during our career it is very possible we may sustain an injury or a setback.  The most important thing to remember is, it is not the end of the world.  While it may frustrate us, aggravate us, or downright cause us physical and emotional pain, it is a journey.  It is your journey.  Every hero suffers a setback before they reach their full potential.  With that being said, remember, it may suck, it may be hard, and may be a challenge, but in the end it’s an opportunity to grow and come back stronger and more determined then you would have been had you not sustained the injury.

Resources: 

Carrie Cheadle Twitter 

Cindy Kuzma Twitter

The Injured Athletes Club Facebook page

(Book) Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries

I have been a BIG fan of Vital Farms for years for their eggs, because they truly do care about their products and where they get them from. It is a brand that I trust, it is Lactose and casein free! With a new product of Ghee butter, it is a clean and versatile butter oil for all your culinary needs. 

Go Here for a chance to win a year supply of Pasture-Raised Ghee.

One of the things that I truly LOVE to do every week to get to know my audience better is my Newsletter I will cherish and guard your email. It is a way that I can get to know you all and to build a true connection with you, as social media has been tough on me lately. I know how annoying it is when you sign up for something and suddenly find yourself on 50 other email lists. This is just you and me. I promise.

If you are interested go here to sign up!

Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Cindy and Carrie, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Evie Serventi has been on the podcast more than any other guest - this is her fifth visit! She and Tina are close friends, and she was Tina’s sports psychologist. She shares great advice for runners on both ends of the spectrum - those running without a specific goal and those with their eye on a big accomplishment. Wherever you are in your running journey, you’ll find something to help you on your current path.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at https://runningforreal.com/evie-serventi-5/

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Tracksmith and Örlö for sponsoring this episode. 

AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

This is the time of year when our immune systems can use a boost, not only because it’s cold and flu season, but because with less sunlight, our vitamin D levels drop. Go here to get five free travel packs of AG1, and they’ll also send you a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription, to help keep you healthy year-round.

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. They also have lots of events - Tina will be hosting events with them at the Boston and London marathons. 

Go here and use the code TINA15 at checkout. It will give you free shipping and Tracksmith will donate 5% of your order to Rising Hearts, the Indigenous-led nonprofit founded by Jordan Marie Daniels.

Örlö is the world’s most sustainable algae supplement. They help you take care of your brain health, heart health, and immune system, and your body absorbs them three times better than fish oil. They also don’t have that fishy aftertaste! 

Örlö’s algae is grown in pristine water in Iceland using only green energy and they employ a carbon-negative production process. 99% less land and water resources are used, so you get 100% of the benefit with 0% of the guilt!

February is Heart Health Month - what better time to start looking after your own heart health with Örlö? You can go here and use code TINA at checkout to save 12%. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.

• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

 “Thank you” to Evie! We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

When you hear the word “greatness,” who do you associate it with?  A famous athlete?  An Oscar winning actor?  A parent or spouse? This word is often associated with other people, but never ourselves.  Why is that?  Professor Maja Jovanovic has a PhD. in Sociology and dedicated the past four years of her life to researching the reasons behind why we, specifically women, lack confidence and focus our attention on our personal faults as opposed to focusing on our strengths and abilities.    

Remind Yourself of Your Greatness

Think back on your life come up with a list of 10 things you have done that you are proud of.  As you ponder on this, these moments should come quick.  You should know what you have done and what you are proud of.  However, women struggle to compose this list.  They tend to think, “Is this ‘thing’ good enough?  Of course it is!  When we think of things we have accomplished that we are proud of we always tend to think too big.  It is important to recognize the smaller things we achieve each day while on our journey to achieving the great things.  Constantly be reminding yourself of these little victories.

Far too often we tend to break down what we do into two categories: Total success or utter failure. For example: it is your child’s birthday party and she has asked for an ice cream cake.  You go to the store and you buy what you believe is an ice cream cake.  The birthday party has been a total success and she has had a great time with her friends.  As you cut the cake you realize it is not ice cream, but chocolate inside.  Your daughter does not notice but you do.  Now in your mind, as opposed to focusing on the overall success of the birthday party, you chose to focus on the one mess up.

Any number of simple example like the one above can cause us to feel bad and lose confidence in our self.  Why is it that we focus so much on negative experiences as opposed to glory in the positive experiences?  One way we can build confidence and focus on the good we have done as opposed to ruminating in the bad is to schedule a small amount of time for conduct a Worry Dump.  A worry dump is a time set aside throughout your week where you allow yourself to focus on the negative.  Think about the mistakes you have made, the bad things that you have done, or the moments where you were unsuccessful.  Schedule one hour sometime throughout the week to give attention to these things and then don’t think about them again until your next worry dump.

When you cease to focus on the negative aspects on your life and begin to give yourself credit for all of the amazing things you are doing, you will become a more confident person and begin to understand your incredible value and self-worth.  It’s ok to remind yourself that you are great!

Stop Saying Sorry and Using Minimizing Phrases

Have you ever received a text that you did not respond to immediately?  When you finally did reply you more than likely responded with something like this: “Sorry, I was at work and was unable to respond to your message, but I am good, how are you doing?”  Why did you apologize for being at work and giving focus to your job?  You do not need to apologize for these things. So many apologies are unnecessary.  When we apologize, we believe we are being perceived as kind or polite; however, when the apology is not necessary, it has the opposite effect.  This is not to say that we stop saying sorry all the time.  When an apology is needed and is used correctly, then it becomes empowering.  Real apologies should make you feel good afterwards.  But, if we find ourselves constantly apologizing for mundane things that require no apology, then it can become exhausting and deflating.

While some apologies are superfluous, so are many minimizing phrases that we use on a daily basis.  Imagine you are in a meeting at work and you have something to say to the group.  How often have you found yourself using one of the following phrases: “I might be wrong on this but,” “I have a little idea,” “I’m working on a side project,” or “I’m not a total expert.”  We tend to use these types of phrases because we fear coming across too strongly or believe that we may be misperceived as aggressive or cold.

It is ok to be confident in your abilities.  Be confident in yourself and don’t downplay thoughts or comments you might have.  Being confident is something that doesn’t just appear overnight; it is a muscle that strengthens with use.  Constantly apologizing and using minimizing phrases are ways that we are sabotaging our own confidence.  We are Olympians in discounting the positives in our life.  Present your ideas! Speak up when in groups!  And realize that your thoughts and ideas are worth just as much as anyone else.

Be Selfish

As women, where does a majority of our energy go?  More than likely it is to the care of others. Recognize that sometimes, it is ok to be selfish.  We have to take care of ourselves.  Professor Jovanovic’s research has shown women can be so focused on being selfless that they can feel drained and exhausted.  We live in a culture that is constantly reminding women of their need to take care of other people that sometimes women forget to take time to focus on themselves.  Make time to do the things that you enjoy and that will be beneficial to your mental, emotional, and physical health.

Failure is Information

When we hear the word failure, we tend to always associate it with something negative.  However, what if we took the concept of failure and turned it into a learning experience, which provided us with information that helped us in the future?  We are not perfect.  We will all fail multiple times in our lives.  But, when we step out of our comfort zone and we aren’t scared to fail, we will develop a grown mindset.  Recognize that mistakes are useful and that each mistake we make provides us with an opportunity to learn.

Lastly, remember that failure does not mean you cannot do something.  It just means you cannot do something YET.  If we cannot do something automatically, we think we cannot do it and that mindset prevents us from trying it again.  For example: Imagine your are teaching your child to read.  The child becomes frustrated thinking they will never be able to advance to the reading level other classmates are reading at.  Each night you have the child read a book and after fifteen books she is now reading at the level she thought she could not achieve.  After they have achieved this level of reading, remind them of what they did to achieve it.  Show them all the books they read to reach that goal.  It is important to be reminded of the small steps we took to achieve the goals we didn’t think we would reach.

Remember that you are great!  Get off the apology train, interrupt the negative self-talk, and recognize your self-worth.  If someone offers you a compliment, don’t be afraid to accept it!  Say thank you and be proud of who you are.  When was the last time someone commented on how great your hair was?  Was your response: My hair is so gross I haven’t washed it in like 3 days.  Or was it:  Thank you so much, I appreciate that!  Become comfortable with yourself, your abilities, and the role you play in your own success!

Resources:

Get Professor Maja’s Self Confidence and Self Compassion Guide here.

Professor Maja Jovanovic's Twitter 

Professor Maja Jovanovic's Instagram

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Tracksmith and Athletic Greens for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel.

You can get 15% off your first purchase, click here and enter code TINA.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well.

Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more!

I am now taking 3 months off to take some time to get to know my new baby, there is only ONE thing I will be continuing to work on while I am away, and that is my newsletter. I send it out once a week with just my thoughts, any updates, something I am appreciating, and it is just a way for me to stay connected with you all. :)

If you want to join go hereto sign up!

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Maja, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

What should I look for in a running watch?

Can I be cheeky?

What do you want out of a running watch? If you are like me, you just want the basics. All those extra features are cool, but I can’t really be bothered to read up on how to use them. Laziness, sure, but I also enjoy the fact that I’m keeping things simple.

I have two watches that I use, a Coros and a Garmin. I love the Coros (this is not sponsored, by the way!); it has a long battery life, and I think that’s probably my favorite feature. Garmin is a traditional option; it's very easy to use and the one I have is solar powered, so that makes me happy. And I also love that I can align that one with the Paceline app so I can get 5% cash back on health and wellness purchases just through doing my runs and going on Garmin. So that's really cool. 

For me, another important feature is that it loads quickly. When we have limited time to get our run in, the last thing we want to be doing is spending 15 minutes staring at our watch as we wait for it to find satellites; to me, that is important. 

But beyond that, a lot of watches have cool settings to help with workouts. I have used some of those for my fartlek sessions where you can set the time or distance you want to run for a rep and then the recovery time to match. For me that doesn’t always work, as I don’t have set times for my recoveries. They are often 30 - 60 seconds, or 90 seconds - 3 minutes, basically until I feel the right amount of recovered. For me, that's typically around two minutes for most things I do, but it's not set, it's kind of when I feel ready to go and I know that's not a very easy answer to transfer to your own life. You have to be able to listen to your body, but unless you're using one of our marathon training plans - we have marathon, half marathon, 5K/10K plans, and a speed training program - you may not have that problem. If you are using our programs, you probably won't be able to use the workout parts of it, because they are going to train you how to listen to your body in the same way that I do.

One other feature I would say is important is that it hooks up with Strava easily; that is how most runners track their runs and connect with the community. Both Coros and Garmin make that easy, so I enjoy that.

Beyond that, going back to my original throwing-back-the-question-at-you, “What do you want out of a running watch?” You know what features matter to you, so select one that works for you based on that.

If you have a question that you’d like answered, you can email kat@runningforreal.com and she’ll pass it along to Tina!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we’re honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

Thank you for listening; we look forward to hearing your thoughts!

A special Central Park in New York Together Run this week. Beginning as always with our nature check in, body scan, mental health check in, and senses check in before going on to a conversation as Tina shares why this trip happened and what it means. If you have been needing to try domething a little different, or have been feeling a bit off lately, give this Together Run a try, it may remind you why you connect to running in the first place

Come join us for Together Run 52

Tina mentioned

Come join the Together22 meetup on Tuesday, May 10th at 8pm EST. Sign up for the newsletter here and join us here.

Check out episode five of Running Reunion with Courtney Dauwalter

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

In this together run, join me for a 30 or 45 minute run. We will pay attention to how we feel mentally, emotionally, and physically, reflecting, taking in our scenery, and enjoying some random conversations.

In today's run, I answer questions from Uta and Chip. Submit your questions, and I would love to answer it on another run.

Part meditation, part run, all Tina. Would love for you to join me.

Thank you to BEAM for sponsoring this guided run. Beam hydrate comes with three purposes, balance, performance, and recovery. I used two servings of BEAM performance in my trail race this weekend (which I won outright!) and immediately followed the race up with BEAM recover. These taste delicious and make hydration easy. With summer coming, make sure you are hydrated, use code TINA for 15% off.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are, others are too, and you will help them feel less alone
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining me, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

When Melissa Corley Carter was in 5th grade, an astronaut came and talked to her class.  She knew then that she wanted to travel into space herself.  She became a rocket scientist, but she wasn’t able to realize her astronaut dream. She did achieve another audacious goal, though; she ran a marathon on all seven continents.

She wrote Running the World: Marathon Memoirs from the Seven Continents about her outer marathon journey and her inner journey of creating a more powerful and purposeful life. As she says, “Running has such a capacity to connect us to our bodies, to the rhythm of the earth, to our own nature.”  In this conversation, she shares what she learned from both journeys.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode294.

Tracksmith is a Boston-based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

Go here and use the code TINA15. You'll get free shipping and Tracksmith will donate 5%    of your purchase to Runners for Public Lands!

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off site wide. 

Race in the happiest city in America!  On Oct 9, 2022, the 2nd annual Boulderthon will take place in Boulder, CO, featuring a full marathon, half marathon, 10K, and Kids Run.  With an epic downtown finish in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it’s sure to be an incredible event! 

Visit their website and use code TINA for $20 off the full or half marathon.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Melissa.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Ahhh it feels so good to be back recording these. This one is from the day I was meant to being my THIRD attempt at an ultra, but once again, sickness made not possible. I was a little raw on this day, and talked it through with you as I ran (and walked) up giant hills and viewed the scenery. You will hear me shift my mindset during the run and hopefully make you feel positive too.

Join Tina for a run around Shropshire. This run involves meditative aspects- a nature check in, body scan, senses check in, and mental health check in, and then Tina talks through her decision to not race in Snowdonia while she was in the UK, and challenges herself up some tough hills instead. Join Tina for this real, raw Together Run.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

As owner of Wy’east Wolfpack in Portland, Oregon, he connects people to the joys of health and wellness through movement.  Today he and Tina talk about his journey to becoming a top ultrarunner, connecting to nature, and why he’s known for the fun that he brings to volunteering.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode290.

Thank you to Tracksmith and InsideTracker for sponsoring this episode.

Tracksmith is a Boston-based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

Go here and use the code TINA15, and Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase to Runners for Public Lands, and you’ll get free shipping!

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off site wide.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
• If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Yassine.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

In 1998, the groundbreaking artist Gordon Parks brought 177 rappers and hip hop artists, some of them rivals, together for his photograph, “A Great Day in Hip Hop.” When it was included in an exhibit at the St. Louis Art Museum, Adrian Octavius Walker was chosen to continue Parks’ story by photographing a gathering of 116 members of the St. Louis music scene. His photo, ”A Great Day in Saint Louis," highlights the way in which art can bring people together, something that Adrian loves about running. 

That wasn’t the only honor he received last year; he was also selected to be one of three Bank of America Chicago Distance Series Ambassadors.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode408.

Thank you to Tracksmith, Runna, and Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this episode. 

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go to http://tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Runna is on a mission to make running as easy, effective and enjoyable as possible by providing personalized running plans built by Olympic athletes and expert coaches. They have plans for runners of all abilities, from Couch to 5K to elite level, and offer strength, mobility, and Pilates plans to integrate with your running. They even have a community section on the app, where you can connect with like-minded runners.

There’s a reason why they’re the #1 rated running app in the world - go to https://join.runna.com/lKmc/partnerrefer?deep_link_sub1=RUNNINGFORREAL and use code RUNNINGFORREAL to get two weeks free!

Precision Fuel & Hydration helps athletes crush their fueling and hydration so they can perform at their best. Tina used their electrolytes and fuel when she finished first female and third overall at the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler. You can go to https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-planner for their free Fuel & Hydration planner to understand how much carb, fluid, and sodium you need for your key runs. 

If you have more questions, Precision offers free video consultations. Their Athlete Support crew will answer your race nutrition questions and act as a sounding board for your fueling strategy. No hard-sell, just an experienced and friendly human who knows the science and is full of practical advice on how to nail your race nutrition. You can book a call at https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-calls.

Once you know what you need to run your best, you can go to https://www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/tina/ for 15% off their range of multi-strength electrolytes and fuel.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and X . You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

At what point did you consider yourself to be a runner? Odds are, you were a runner long before you felt comfortable saying it out loud. Maybe it wasn’t until after your first 5K, your tenth 5K, or even your first marathon. Perhaps you still don’t call yourself a runner, or when you do, you quickly follow it up with “but not a fast one.”

This is silly. Why do so many of us feel the need to qualify for the Boston Marathon before we can call ourselves runners? We don’t see this as often in other hobbies or sports. Imagine saying, “Yeah I have a dog, but he can’t do tricks,” or “I like listening to music, but I haven’t been to a Taylor Swift concert yet, so I guess I don’t reallylike music.”

You are a runner! It doesn’t matter how fast, how far, how often or how many races you’ve been in. There is power in claiming that title, and although I will continue to tell you that you are “more than just a runner,” you are one.

When you embrace the fact that you are a runner, you start treating yourself as one. A confidence emerges and you join a community that is excited about what they do. Even more than that, you start to do things that help you become a lifelong runner, giving your body the respect and devotion it needs.

To the middle-of-the-packers and the ones still nervous to claim the title of runner: This one’s for you.

Run to the Finish

Amanda Brooks is the genius behind both the website and the new book titled “Run to the Finish.” She started her website in 2005 as a way to talk about her new found love in running. Since then she has become as expert researcher, journalist, and author, helping runners do what she loves most, running.

As a new runner, Amanda felt the need to talk about what she loved with others online because she didn’t know a lot of people who were runners. Maybe that’s because there were so many closet runners, but she quickly found a group of people like her. As she ran more and more, she also became more interested in the science behind it and soon she was researching everything about running.

Amanda considers herself an actionable person. “Tell me what to do,” she says when referring to a running warmup. She isn’t interested in general advice, but a list of things she can actually do. That’s what her website and book are all about. Every new and experienced runner can find things there to implement immediately into their running.

Treat Yourself Like a Runner

The next step after calling yourself a runner, is to work out like one. No, this doesn’t mean you need to run 100 miles a week, or sprint around the track. It simply means you ought to give your body the rehab and prehab it needs. If you want to be a lifelong runner and avoid injury, you shouldn’t wait until you are a certain age or log a certain number of miles before you do these things.

Many runners don’t want to hear it, but you can’t simply “just run” if you are in it for the long run. Hip and core exercises, mobility exercises, and strength training are important. But it can be simple to appreciate. Know that every foam roller session is adding to your longevity and satisfaction as a runner. Check out Amanda’s website to find what you can do today.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to literally invest in yourself and your running. Buy a book on running, schedule an appointment with a sports’ therapist, or hire a running coach for a few sessions. The investment will be worth it. You will feel validated as a runner and you’ll be recovering from injury less often. Now get out there and show the world that you are a runner!

Resources:

(Book) Endure: Alex Hutchinson

(Book) Older, Faster, Stronger: Margaret Webb

(Book) Peak: Marc Bubbs

(Book) 80/20 Running: Matt Fitzgerald

(Book) Run to the Finish: Amanda Brooks

Amanda’s Website

Amanda on Instagram

Amanda on Facebook

Amanda on Twitter

Amanda on YouTube

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors Vital Farms and Body Health for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

I have been a BIG fan of Vital Farms for years for their eggs, because they truly do care about their products and where they get them from. It is a brand that I trust, it is Lactose and casein free! With a new product of Ghee butter, it is a clean and versatile butter oil for all your culinary needs. 

Go Here for a chance to win a year supply of Pasture-Raised Ghee.

If you are struggling to recover quick enough from your training, my little secret is to use BodyHealth Perfect Amino to get you there. It contains all the essential amino acids, and is very easy for your body to use and begin the repair process.

Click the link and use codeTINAMUIR10for 10% off.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Amanda, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

In this episode, we run along a quiet trail near St Louis. If you are missing nature around you, this run will be a perfect way to check in with your body.

Part meditation, part run, all Tina. Would love for you to join me.

Thank you to Beam for sponsoring this episode. I am loving using their hydration products during my training. Before, after, and just when I need something to enjoy water. By checking out Beam, you also support me in these podcasts. You can use code TINA for 15% off everything on their website (or get 20% off a subscription).

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining me, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

A Note from Tina about Together Runs and their future.

Check out

Running For Real on Patreon (where these workout, long run, and traveling Together Runs will be)

NYC marathon? Let Tina know! Find Tina on Instagram @tinamuir88 and facebook here.

Sign up for 100 days of sustainability 

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

In 1955, Rosa Parks’ arrest for refusing to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama, led to a boycott of the city’s public transportation system. 381 days later, Montgomery’s buses were desegregated. Deo Kato used that historic number as the framework for Running for Justice, which he describes as “active activism.” He set a goal of running at least 10k per day for 381 days to raise awareness and campaign against racism. He achieved that last year, but kept going, and is still running for justice, peace, and equality.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode301.

Allbirds is all about doing things better, like collaborating with Adidas to create a performance running shoe, the FOOTPRINT.FUTURECRAFT, with only 2.94kg CO2 per pair.  Their products are made from natural and recycled materials, and best of all, they know who they are. They are confident in what they do, and are changing the entire running industry before our eyes. You can see their entire collection on their website,

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off site wide.

AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good! Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Deo.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Have you given yourself time to truly reflect on the racism in this country? How about your own thought patterns that may not be completely positive? 2020 has turned into a year of reflection. With the additional time spent at home and alone, and the issues our world still faces, it would be a shame if we all didn’t grow at least some during this time. 

Many are wanting this year to be behind us, but let’s not forget about the progress that often comes during challenges. As runners, we know growth doesn’t precede struggle, but this is true for our minds as well as our muscles. 

Aaron and Joshua Potts are the voices behind the “2 Black Runners” podcast. They share their love for running and their perspective as black runners in a running world that is often overflowing with white runners. It is easy to fall in love with these two as they speak freely and passionately about what they love.

The Black Running Community

One of the first questions that Joshua and Aaron answered was, “Why are there fewer black runners?” Compared to many other sports, there is a very low representation of black athletes in long-distance running. Joshua and Aaron noticed this as they increased their distance and speed as they competed during middle school and high school. 

As they thought about the question, Aaron and Joshua came up with several barriers and a few suggestions to attract more black athletes to long-distance running. One of the obvious issues with long-distance running is that it can be viewed as an elitist sport. For poor black Americans, running cannot be an attractive choice of sport because it doesn’t provide a monetary solution to their problems. Unlike football, basketball, and other popular sports, running doesn’t give multimillion-dollar contracts to its athletes. In that way, this type of running is a primarily white privilege.

Aaron and Joshua also suggest that an increase in black coaches and black runner influencers could bolster black runners. Joshua, who is now a collegiate runner, says that running in college was the first time he had a seen a black running coach since he was coached by his dad. More black coaches during a child or teenager’s life that are reaching out and letting them know about the sport could make a major difference.

When Aaron and Joshua grew up, they were influenced by their father to run because he knew it was a way for them to get scholarships. Running was a means for them to better their lives. Running doesn’t have to be an elitist or a sport only for white runners. In fact, it should be quite the opposite! How simple a sport it is, and yet we’ve allowed it to push away many potential runners. 

On a broader scale, we can work to get 5Ks in black communities and put black runners on the covers of magazines. On a more personal level we can work to understand the barriers, and be supportive and inclusive of individuals. Something as simple as understanding how running affects someone with dreads, cornrows, or a weave can be important. These types of hairstyles take time, money, and are easily disturbed by exercise. Be aware. Be understanding.

What are Microaggressions?

There is a lot of learning and unlearning to be done by society, and you can help by doing so yourself and speaking up when you hear something inappropriate. Something that you can work to avoid and correct are microaggressions. Microaggressions are small statements that you may not perceive as offensive, but come off as such. They turn individuals into exhibits, and it’s something you should work to avoid.

Examples of microaggressions include statements like, “You’re not like our other black friends,” “Can I touch your hair?” or “I’m so happy to have a black roommate.” Simply, these statements are showing these people that you view them as objects or tokens, more than individuals. 

How Do I Talk to a Black Runner?

Perhaps you want to be more inclusive towards black runners but are unsure how to go about it. According to Joshua and Aaron, it’s pretty simple, “Don’t be weird about it.” 

You should talk to a black runner the same way you would talk to any runner. Talk to them because they are a runner, not because they are black. “Don’t think that you have to make that person your friend,” says Joshua, “Try to find something in common with them.”

In the end, be kind and work to unlearn some things, but don’t be overly worried about saying things that are wrong. We all make mistakes. Trying to be better is the best way to be better. 

Resources:

2 Black Runners Podcast

Running Report YouTube

Running Report Instagram

Just Mercy Film

Marielle Hall Interview

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Tracksmith and Taylormade for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel.

 Go here to check out their 100 days of Summer email campaign where they talk about anything and everything running. 

If you are interested into looking at the Tracksmith Fellowship, where they want to highlight stories of the runners our there through their talents other than runner. Go here to see more information. 

You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more, click here and enter code FORREAL15.

Taylormade Child and Family Services is the black owned business that is being highlighted in this episode. I wanted to highlight Erica Tucker in all of the great work that she is doing for her community including Child & Adult Counseling, Family Counseling, Coping & Adjustments, Anger Management, Behavioral Modification, Depression, Anxiety, ADHD, Phase of Life Changes, and Relationship Issues. There are even one on one sessions and group sessions, and so much more, thank you Erica for all you are doing for your community and for this crazy time right now.

Go here to show her some support for being there for her community.

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Aaron and Joshua, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Join Tina for a Together Run in Toronto Canada! Tina takes runners through grounding exercises to connect with your surroundings through nature check ins, body scans, senses check in, and a focus on mental health. It will feel like you are running with a friend, come join!

Check out

Order Becoming a Sustainable Runner

Order Precision Gels and Hydration (get 15% off)

Sign up for the Running For Real newsletter at the top of this page!

Go to https://2before.com to get 30% off 20-packs plus free shipping!

Sign up for 100 days of sustainability 

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter. 

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Before he was “Ricky from St. Louis,” Ricky Hughes was rapper and music producer Ricky Rock. He was also caught up in a wild lifestyle that he knew he needed to escape. As part of his evolution to a new version of himself, he started distance running and founded the St. Louis Run Crew, for “all faces, paces, and laces.”

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode384.

Thank you to Tracksmith, AG1, and Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this episode. 

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go to http://tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

AG1 is the daily Foundational Nutrition supplement that delivers comprehensive nutrients to support whole-body health. 

With its science-driven formulation of vitamins, probiotics, and whole-food sourced nutrients, AG1 replaces your multivitamin, probiotic, and more in one simple, drinkable habit. And just as importantly, it actually tastes good!

If a comprehensive solution is what you need from your supplemental routine, go to http://drinkag1.com/TINA and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND five free AG1 Travel Packs with your first order!

Precision Fuel & Hydration helps athletes crush their fueling and hydration so they can perform at their best. Tina used their electrolytes and fuel when she finished first female and third overall at the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler. You can go to https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-planner for their free Fuel & Hydration planner to understand how much carb, fluid, and sodium you need for your key runs. 

If you have more questions, Precision offers free video consultations. Their Athlete Support crew will answer your race nutrition questions and act as a sounding board for your fueling strategy. No hard-sell, just an experienced and friendly human who knows the science and is full of practical advice on how to nail your race nutrition. You can book a call at https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-calls.

Once you know what you need to run your best, you can go to https://www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/tina/ for 15% off their range of multi-strength electrolytes and fuel.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Thank you to Momentous, InsideTracker, and Beam for sponsoring this episode.

Being a tough year with additional stresses on top of an already overwhelming situation means sleep can often be lost...but it is the one thing that we know would help us. Being a former insomniac, I know the frustration going to bed early, yet being unable to switch your brain off can bring. These Momentous Elite Sleep capsules are fantastic and contain Melatonin, Magtein® (Magnesium L-threonate), and Wild Jujube Seed Extract which together will help reduce nighttime anxiety, gently fall asleep and improve circadian rhythm to achieve higher quality sleep.

 Go here and use code TINA for 20% off.

Insidetracker has been a sponsor and also a dear friend that has helped me SO much in my past when my body was just not right. I count on Insidetracker to help me decipher the science behind it all. As Running4Real listeners they want to give you all the deal of the year, to take control of your health and wellness. You can get $200 OFF the ultimate plan which is their most comprehensive plan.

Go here and use Code: GIFTFROMRUNFORREAL for this amazing deal.

A new product that I have been trying out is Beam. Where they try to help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. Now I have tried performance and balance and the flavors were great and I felt the hydrating electrolyte energy powder formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline really helped me and I know they will help you too.

Go here use code TINA for 15 % off your order.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are, others are too, and you will help them feel less alone
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Dean, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

What is the world’s longest footrace?  The answer might surprise you.  It doesn’t cross the Sahara desert, or follow the Iditarod trail. It takes place in Queens, NY, and covers only a tiny portion of that borough - one 883m block, to be precise.

The Sri Chinmoy Self-Transcendence 3100 Mile Race circles that block 5,649 times, and runners have 52 days in which to complete it.  That’s the equivalent of running two marathons every day for 7 ½ weeks.  Harita Davies has completed it three times, only the second woman to achieve that feat, finishing it this year in 50 days, 13 hours, 23 minutes and 14 seconds.

“After I had that physical movement and the kind of adrenaline and everything that the team sport and just the movement brings, I would feel great, you know?”

Harita struggled with depression as a teenager, but found relief in sports.  There were times that she’d stay in bed all day, then drag herself to a 5:00 p.m. water polo match in her pajamas, thinking “God, we have to play water polo,” but within a few minutes of playing, her depression would lift.  “I always remember,” she says, “how that to me was like a miracle.”

“Having this goal is so incredibly rewarding when you achieve it.”

Doing an Outward Bound course in her native New Zealand when she was 18 was a “huge influence” in Harita’s life.  Learning how to do new things and working with others helped her find something strong within herself.  The course culminated in a half marathon, and she was worried that she wouldn’t be able to complete it.  When she did, “it wasn't that I thought ‘I'm going to become a runner now,’ but I was like, ‘wow, that was an accomplishment.’”

“It was kind of a no brainer; it was like you start meditating and you start running.”

A couple of years later,she went to a meditation class that followed the philosophy of Sri Chinmoy.  He advocated athleticism, and the combination of meditation and exercise resonated with her.  “I just started meditating and I started running,” she recalls, “and the two of them have been the solid points in my life…   from then on, I've never had the one without the other.”

“I really couldn't run for more than a couple of miles for quite a few years.  I would just be exhausted.  And so that was a really, really challenging time for me because running had always been such an important part of my happiness and my peace and my identity.”

By 2007, Harita was running ultramarathons.  After one multi-day race, she didn’t recover well, and the endometriosis from which she’d suffered for years became much worse.  She was unable to run for five years, but it led to an unexpected discovery.  Since she couldn’t run, she had to walk.  “I was always like, I hate walking, you know, I'm someone who runs and I don't like walking,” she says, but she realized that “yeah, well maybe you need to learn to like walking.”  She wound up not just liking it, but loving it.  

“We limit ourselves so much by the way we define ourselves without even really thinking that much about it.”

The mental shift that came about when she had to stop running made her realize how “we so often put ourselves into a cage in the way that we define our happiness and what we need in our lives.”  

Despite her health issues, Harita decided to do the Sri Chinmoy Oneness Home Peace Run, the world’s largest peace torch relay.  She spent three months running around the United States, and by the end of it, the endometriosis had gone away.

“It really all came down to being happy and following my heart and following my inspiration and not being bound by what I felt like I should do or what was the right thing to do.”

After the Peace Run, she no longer saw running as something that she needed to do, but as a blessing.  In 2017, following her heart and inspiration led her to enter the 3100 Mile Race.  

At the start line, she thought, “this is outrageous; I can’t believe it’s me who’s standing here,” and says, “I was surprisingly surrendered to just having a disastrous experience my first time.”  Not only was it not a disaster, she completed it and did better than she had ever imagined she would.  More importantly, it made her realize that by running it, she was part of something bigger. 

It takes a huge village to put on the race, and the runner’s role, obviously, is to run. But as Harita points out,  “there's no way you'd be able to do it without all these other people playing their role. And in the end that is just such a beautiful thing and that's a huge part of the beauty of this race is that we all play our roles and in the end it creates something.”

“I felt like this in a way added almost responsibility to womankind to do my best.” 

The second and third times that Harita ran the race, she was the only woman and felt an added obligation to excel.  She’d come to realize that as a woman there were elements that were very different than they were for men, but she couldn’t really identify what they were. She contacted Dr. Stacy Sims, an expert in human performance, particuarly sex differences. They worked together on Harita’s nutrition and hydration for the 2021 race, which resulted in her smashing her previous record by 20 hours and 11 minutes.

“There's no way that I thought that I could do this and I could, so whatever your dreams are, whatever impossible fantasies in the back of your mind, just start and give it a go because you have no idea of your capacity until you try.”

Resources:

Tina's interview with Sanjay Rawal

Tina's interview with Latoya Shauntay Snell

Dr. Stacy Sims' website

Dr. Sims' book, Roar

AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Harita.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Lessons

Highlights

• “We don’t want to cancel people out, we want to bring people in.” — Jordan 
• “It’s heart work, not hard work.” — Jordan

 Resources:

• Jordan’s Instagram 
• Jordan Marie Daniel’s Website 
• Rising Hearts 
• Resources from Jordan: Books to read, articles, and podcasts to listen to 
• Running on Native Land Initiative (Launching January 2021- bringing land acknowledgment into running and races)
• Runner’s World Article
• Organizations Jordan supports that are helping support ending injustice and violence in Native communities:
  • National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
  • Tribal Law and Policy Institute  
  • Indigenous Women Hike 

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Metpro and Athletic Greens for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

I am very pleased to have MetPro as a sponsor for the Running 4 Real podcast. As before they were a great sponsor but not everyone could afford their services, and now they have been working very hard on new technology that can be made for anyone. I’m excited to share MetPro’s newest addition––The MetPro Platform, an app that allows you to experience the same science and tailored strategy that their experts use. 

This isn’t a food logging tool or workout app, the MetPro Platform allows you to start ​tracking​,analyzing​, and ​learning​ what your metabolism responds to best. 

Sign up today​ and receive a ​14-day FREE trial!​ ​Click here​ to take advantage of this special offer!

Go here to get 14 days free on the app!

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. I used this for my prenatal and I am still using it while breastfeeding.

Now you can get up to a YEAR supply of Vitamin D3 and K2 for free with your first purchase of  Athletic Greens through my podcast. Visit here to learn more!

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Jordan, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Tina has bronchitis and has been unable to record a Together Run, so we have another fabulous guest host. Today, Mike takes us on a run and will take you through all the usual Together Run favorite parts- beginning with a check in with nature, followed by a body scan, senses check in, check in mentally and will go on to share about his own running journey.

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Mike for #togetherrun46

Tina mentioned

If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

What are the top 3 things you do to prevent injury?

Ooof, that is a very hard question to answer! I wish it were that simple, but I will do my best. I also want to add that while this question was “top 3 things you do,” I have to be honest, I am not the best at following my own advice. This is what I would suggest, but I also recognize that I am risking injury myself by not doing these things all the time.

Number one is strength training correctly. This does not mean throwing weights around in the gym, like you see these big gym dudes doing. It also does not mean following the “ten best exercises” you might see in an article and doing them every single day. Ideally, it means working with a strength coach to figure out where the weak links are in your body, and making sure you have your technique down to do them correctly to fix that weakness. 

Number two would be listening to your body when you know it's too much. I know that's an easy thing to say that is harder to put into practice, but the reality is that most of the time we know when we are doing something that's a bit risky. Maybe we had to travel midweek and we pushed our workout back to Friday and then did our long run Saturday, and got invited to a group run on Sunday where the group typically runs faster than we are capable of. While we might hope for the best, it's always better to go into a race or go through training underprepared than over and risk injury.

Finally, I would say do a good warm up before you run. Some static (no movement) and dynamic (movement-based) warmup exercises. These don’t take that long, but give your body a big helping hand in prepping for the run ahead. We’re going to be creating some new videos for you, but in the meantime, these are still helpful! 

If you have a question that you’d like answered, you can email kat@runningforreal.com and she’ll pass it along to Tina!

Our sponsor this week is… Running for Real!

The Mile 20: Mental Training to Win Your Race course will give you the mental training techniques to not only become more confident as a runner, but as a person. We begin with that foundation in building you up as a human being first because we can't be confident as runners until we take care of our confidence in ourselves. You're also going to learn techniques to handle every race day situation that could be thrown at you. You're going to have specific tactics and tools that will help you handle race day panic, race day stress, things that could go wrong. You're going to learn to understand the signals that your body is giving you during the race and how to handle them and also how to protect yourself from feelings of failure.

We runners can be quite hard on ourselves and this is going to help you to have a healthy perspective. This is a 12-week course. Each week we'll have a video for you, and pdf worksheets that you can download and fill in to help really bring home those messages. 

Registration for this season is only open through August 21st, so be sure to go here and sign up now!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we’re honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

Thank you for listening; we look forward to hearing your thoughts!

A conversation with her mother and a television documentary changed the trajectory of Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell’s life. They led her to take up running; become a Certified Run Coach; and create the Game Changers and L.E.A.D. programs, redefining who is seen as the experts and leaders in the run industry. This year she was honored with Running USA’s Award of Excellence, which recognizes “outstanding contributions, initiative, leadership or innovation in the running industry.” Vanessa checks all of those boxes.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode387.

Thank you to AG1, Tracksmith, and Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this episode. 

AG1 is the daily Foundational Nutrition supplement that delivers comprehensive nutrients to support whole-body health. 

With its science-driven formulation of vitamins, probiotics, and whole-food sourced nutrients, AG1 replaces your multivitamin, probiotic, and more in one simple, drinkable habit. And just as importantly, it actually tastes good!

If a comprehensive solution is what you need from your supplemental routine, go to http://drinkag1.com/TINA and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND five free AG1 Travel Packs with your first order!

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go to http://tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Precision Fuel & Hydration helps athletes crush their fueling and hydration so they can perform at their best. Tina used their electrolytes and fuel when she finished first female and third overall at the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler. You can go to https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-planner for their free Fuel & Hydration planner to understand how much carb, fluid, and sodium you need for your key runs. 

If you have more questions, Precision offers free video consultations. Their Athlete Support crew will answer your race nutrition questions and act as a sounding board for your fueling strategy. No hard-sell, just an experienced and friendly human who knows the science and is full of practical advice on how to nail your race nutrition. You can book a call at https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-calls.

Once you know what you need to run your best, you can go to https://www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/tina/ for 15% off their range of multi-strength electrolytes and fuel.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode292.

Thank you to Tracksmith and InsideTracker for sponsoring this episode.

Tracksmith is a Boston-based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

Go here and use the code TINA15, and Tracksmith will donate 5% of your purchase to Runners for Public Lands, and you’ll get free shipping!

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off site wide.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
• If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Patti.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Kyle Robidoux was ready to run the Boston Marathon this year, with Tina as his guide, until fate intervened in the form of a stress fracture.  Any runner would be gutted to have to DNS, and Kyle is no exception.  However, he's well versed in overcoming adversity and tough situations.

When he was eleven, he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative eye disease that can lead to blindness, and he was declared legally blind at nineteen.  Today he shares the story of his journey, how he ensures that he isn’t defined by the boundaries that others place on him, and a few beer recommendations.

“I had high cholesterol, high blood pressure in my early 30s and I knew I needed a lifestyle change.” 

In 2010 Kyle found that he got tired playing with his two year old daughter; he got tired bending over to tie his shoelaces, for that matter.  He was overweight, his biomarkers were bad, and he knew he had to improve his health. He started walking, then running, gradually increasing the time he ran.  He didn’t have a goal in mind, other than trying to run a few minutes longer every week.  

“When I hit two hours I said, ‘wow, when am I ever going to be able to run two hours again? I should sign up for a race.’  And that was when I signed up for my first half marathon.” 

One day, his intended 90 minute run extended to an hour and 45 minutes. He felt great, so he kept going, and when he hit two hours, he realized he was ready for a half marathon. Since then, he’s  completed over 25 marathons and ultras, including five 100 milers and the grueling six-day, 120 mile Transrockies Run. Getting to that point wasn’t easy, not only in the sense of the physical training, but coming to terms with the progressive loss of his eyesight.

“I felt angry because all these things were being taken away from me, and what I realized at the end was I was giving up on all those things that I loved and I just needed to adapt and change things up a little bit in order to continue doing them.”

When Kyle was diagnosed with RP, doctors said that he would be totally blind by college.  He and his parents talked about some aspects of the prognosis, but didn’t address the emotional impact of vision loss.  And for a time, they didn’t have to.  Kyle was declared legally blind at 19, but it wasn’t until his late twenties, he says, that “it really started taking things away from me that I loved, like skiing independently and playing recreational baseball and pick up leagues for baseball and softball. And I was just becoming really bitter and angry.”  

At the urging of his then girlfriend, now his wife, he started seeing a therapist.  It was hard for him at first, but ultimately it helped him work through the loss and anger, and gave him tools to cope with his diminishing eyesight.  Now he encourages anyone struggling emotionally to at least give therapy a try.  As he says, “you don’t have to commit 100%, but  if folks go once or twice, I feel like you start to see the benefits really quickly, even if it's just once a week for an hour.  I think there's tremendous value in that and I certainly feel like if I would have started it earlier, it would have been much more beneficial to my overall well being, and quite possibly my physiological and physical health, in addition to my mental health.” 

“And then I asked, I'm like, ‘well, you know because I am an idiot and have an ego sometimes, what happens if I do run Boston?”

The coping mechanisms that he’s learned through therapy are helping Kyle now, as he processes not being able to run the Boston Marathon.  He’s run it the past eight or nine years, and was ready to continue that streak this year, with Tina as his guide.  But shortly before race day he was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his foot, and reluctantly accepted that it would be best not to run.  He could have done it, albeit painfully, but it would have resulted in having to take up to four months off from running, rather than 3 - 8 weeks.  The tradeoff, he concluded, wasn’t worth it.

Since he’s usually running Boston, he’s only spectated there once, so this year, he says, “I'm gearing myself up to get really excited to cheer.”  Oh, and also to get together with friends to have a few beers and possibly fill squirt guns with Fireball to shoot at people as they walk by.  Basically, he says, “I'm hoping to truly embrace the spectator side of what is so special about the Boston marathon.”

“I would just say that anyone and everyone can be a guide.”

Kyle runs accompanied by a guide.  Guides are needed for runners of all abilities, and there’s training and support available for anyone who would like to be one.  United in Stride can help you locate runners who are visually impaired in your community and connect with them.  Achilles International has a list of their chapters around the country.  Kyle strongly believes that “with a little bit of training and support and strong communication everyone can be a sighted guide.”

“I tell folks also that part of being a sighted guide, it's great because you're volunteering while doing something you'd already be doing if you're an active runner, right?”

Resources:

Kyle's website

Kyle's Instagram

Kyle's Twitter

United in Stride

Running for Real podcast with Rich Hunter, founder of United in Stride

Achilles International

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he tells the story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet.  

Go here and use the code TINA15 for 15% off your order.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

A new product that I’ve been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I’ve used “elevate energy” and “elevate balance” and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know it will help you too.

Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Kyle.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Today is about getting started. Action. It can be the most difficult, and yet the simplest part of any goal. Physically, it makes sense. If you think of a bowling ball, it has no problem smashing those pins down once you get it rolling. The most impressive event of a bowling ball’s existence is actually not all that difficult. The more impressive part is probably the person that gets it started. 

Think about how this applies to other things we are impressed by. The finish of a race? An impressive concert? Maybe a progressive law being passed? For any of these things to happen, there had to be a beginning. Something that got the ball rolling. That beginning probably wouldn’t have wowed you, but it might have made all the difference.

Our guest today is Latoya Shauntay Snell. She’s a mother, a runner, a chef, a cyclist, a writer, and more. She’s a strong voice for the black community and for body politics. Like you, she had a time when she got started. All the things she’s done had their first step. She shared with us what that’s been like and her journey so far.

What is Toxic Positivity?

When we share what we are doing, especially as we are just getting started, it’s very easy to want to come across as all sunshine and daises. You don’t want anyone to see your bad side, your unfinished product, your struggles. But can avoiding the hardships end up being a bad thing? Yes!

If we only share the good, we aren’t giving the whole picture. This can hurt us and the people we are sharing with. Allowing ourselves to be human, to be real, is so important to our mental wellbeing. It also helps us connect more with our audiences or friends and family.

This doesn’t mean you have to share everything, nor does it mean you can’t be a positive person and work to put a positive spin on things. It just means to not keep it all in, to not hide it all. Share how you are feeling and you’ll be surprised when people reach out and tell you they’ve had the same feelings too. 

You’re Not a Late Bloomer

Whether you just graduated college or just retired, it’s not too late to get started. Latoya sees and associates with a lot of athletes that are running, lifting, or otherwise getting active for the first time, or at least the first time in a long time. It’s becoming more and more popular to start training with purpose without necessarily making it a career or working to be an elite athlete. And it’s happening at all ages.

There can be unnecessary pressure to plan out your life at a young age. A career, a degree, a hobby. It can feel like you will miss your opportunity if you don’t start yesterday, but we are seeing competitive weight lifters in their 60s and 70s who didn’t start till they were over 50, and ultrarunners that run 50 or 100 miles in similar age ranges. 

The point is, it’s not too late. Why can’t you be the next outlier? It has to be someone, and the more outliers the better because it starts becoming normal. Don’t let anything about you deter you from starting today. Your race, your gender, your age, whatever it is, you’re not a late bloomer and you can get started. 

Give Yourself Grace

Black lives matter. I will continue to say it on this platform, and I will continue to try to do my part. I hope that you will take the challenge to get started. Be an ally, and know that mistakes will come. They do with anything we try to do, that’s just how it is. You’ll probably say something wrong, at the wrong time, or to the wrong person, but you’re trying.

Give yourself grace as you get started. Latoya would be proud of you. Know that most people understand that you are making an effort, and that’s what matters. So, whatever it is you have been putting off, accept that the getting started can be the hardest, and that the momentum will carry you through the challenges. You can do it!

Resources:

Latoya on Instagram

Latoya on Twitter

Latoya’s Website

Black Girls Run

Click HERE to learn about more about the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline.

Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Generation UCAN, Tracksmith, and Solar Sister for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Generation UCAN has been with me through a lot of my races and in my every day life. This product has been my go to nutritional product for marathon training and racing when I was getting all of my best times. It gives you a steady energy without the sugar, so there are no sugar high or crashes!

Use code  TINAMUIR25 for 25% off.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel.

You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more, click here and enter code FORREAL15.

This organization I discovered on my own, and I have donated to because I am very passionate about their cause. Solar Sister trains and supports women to deliver clean energy directly to homes in rural African communities. They provide essential services and training that enable women entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses in their own communities. You can join in their women led movement of making the world a better place and to power the future. Go here to go find out more.

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Latoya, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Breathing and Running

You can argue that nothing is more important than learning how to breathe properly when you run. Yet, breathing exercises are often overlooked and shortness of breath is treated by increasing miles or speed. Without proper breathing, runners can suffer from side aches, mental distractions, anxiety, and injuries that are caused from lack of focus or poor posture, all of which stem from decreased oxygen.

In recent years, diaphragm exercises have received more attention and praise. Learning how to completely fill our lungs from top to bottom in a smooth breathing pattern is something that takes just as much practice as any outward physical coordination. And the results are fantastic. Increased focus and the ability to calm yourself in tense situations are some of the main benefits.

Asthma and Other Respiratory Challenges

Although we do it unconsciously from the moment we are born, breathing takes work, and can be very difficult at times. Even those without any illnesses can benefit from learning how to breath properly, both at rest and during exercise.

The most common respiratory illness we see in the running community is asthma. Simply, asthma is a condition in which the airways are inflamed and consequently reduced in size, making it difficult to breath. It is widely known, and the maintenance of this illness is straight forward for the most part if we understand the treatments.

How is Asthma Treated?

Even if you don’t personally know anyone with asthma, you have probably seen one of the colorful blue, red, or purple inhalers. Using inhalers is the main treatment method for asthma. Dr. John Dickinson from the University of Kent explains that there are two basic types of inhalers.

The first type of inhaler is used on a regular, scheduled basis. Its purpose is to dampen the inflammatory process inside of your lungs. It takes two weeks or so for this to build up into your system, and should be continually used.

The second type of inhaler (a salbutamol or rescue inhaler) works within a minute or two, immediately opening up the airways. This inhaler should be used on a case-by-case basis.

Dr. Dickinson says that the first inhaler can typically be enough to keep symptoms down if used properly. The common issues he sees in athletes is a dependency on the salbutamol inhaler, which doesn’t get to the root of the problem. The body will also build up a resistance to this second inhaler, demanding stronger doses and increasing risks of side-effects.

If you do have asthma, be sure to work with your doctor. Determining what kind of treatment is right for you should be done individually.

How do I Know if I Have Asthma?

Asthma is brought on by a reaction to something. This is often from a reaction to pollution, an allergic reaction, or exercise. The symptoms of asthma almost always happen after exercise is completed, making it difficult to pinpoint.

Some of the most common symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, shortness of breath, tightness of chest, and wheezing. These may be triggered during exercise, and as previously mentioned, may only be present post-exercise.

There is only about a 50% chance that a doctor will diagnosis you correctly simply based on the knowledge of your symptoms. That means, you are just as likely to guess as to whether or not you have asthma. This is why it is imperative to do testing in order to determine your condition. Ask your doctor about an objective test, one that actually looks at your lung functioning.

Even if you are an elite athlete, it’s not out of the question that you have asthma. It is still possible to train at high levels with asthma. If you have some of the common symptoms, consult a doctor.

Breathing Exercises for All

Most people know that breathing into your upper chest isn’t the most efficient way to fill your lungs. However, did you know that your chest and abdomen should fill from top to bottom, front to back, and side to side? The expansion of each should be done in one motion, meaning that you shouldn’t see a large increase in the chest before the lower abdomen and vice-versa.

Like the sides of a balloon, each part of your lung should expand at the same time. Many people get the front to back and top to bottom but neglect the sides of the rib cage expanding. Next time you have a moment (probably right this second) take in a breath and try to expand every part simultaneously.

Asthma Won’t Slow You Down!

You can definitely live and thrive with asthma. Respiratory problems can be depressing for an athlete, but there are ways to overcome. There are many sports therapists, doctors and the like, that are willing and able to help you conquer your breathing. Don’t be discouraged, and know there are many examples of athletes with asthma that have massive success. Encourage those around you, and keep running!

Resources:

John at the University of Kent

More Info on Asthma

Dr. James Hull

For this series of episodes I am not having sponsors because I want you to just get this information and concentrate on that because it is GOOD information. I want people to be able to feel loved, seen, and heard with these episodes. All I ask is that if you appreciate these episodes, you could start supporting me on Patreon, it would be able to help me a lot! You get access to bonus interviews and upcoming guests, to where you could ask them a question.

Running 4 Real Patreon Page.

Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

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Leave a review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

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Thank you to John, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

There are some names in the running world that become almost technical words within the sport, because they are so well known. Just like tempo run or PR, the names of both my guests today have had big impacts on our running world.

Max King has been winning races for decades. In almost every distance, terrain, elevation you can think of. Max has truly stood out through the test of time, as one of the greats, particularly within the mountain, trail, and ultra running world. Max has an approach to running that all of us need to be reminded of; that running should be fun, running should be changing constantly, and new things should be an integral part of your life. Max has never been afraid of taking on new challenges, finding ways to keep running interesting, because really, that is the only way to lifelong happiness within it.

James McKirdy has built a coaching empire within just a few years. With 25 coaches, many elite and professional runners, sharing their secrets, there are now hundreds of athletes on the McKirdy trained team, all growing and becoming their own best selves.

Both of these runners are real, honest, and refreshing. This conversation may have taken some darker turns, but it is full of laughs, feel good moments, and OUCH moments. This podcast may not be your typical live show, but it will certainly be enjoyable. Be ready to laugh your way through the hard part of your next run.

Athletic Greensis a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well.

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Recoupis a product that I WISH I had as an Elite and a Collegiate athlete, introducing hot and cold – innovative therapy tools that are tested by professional athletes, without the professional price tag. It is the perfect product for shin splints, plantar fasciitis, IT band issues and recovery. It is a portable cryosphere massage roller that stays cold for up to 6 hours, easily cleanable, and mess free!

Click here to get 15% off by using code: tinamuir

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Max and James, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Ian Gonzalez is a trailblazer. He co-founded 7 on Sundays,  a run crew on Chicago’s South Side, an area where running as a pastime had been virtually nonexistent. 7 on Sundays created a community of runners, but there was nowhere for them to buy running shoes, clothes, or nutrition. Ian filled that void by opening Last Lap Cornerstore, the only running store on the South Side, and the only Black/Latino-owned running store in the city. He was forced to close the store, but is determined that Last Lap will return to serve the area’s runners. 

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode388.

Thank you to HydraPak, AG1, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. 

HydraPak is the number one original equipment manufacturer of reservoirs and soft flasks in the world. They are continually looking for ways to help runners and their communities lessen their environmental footprint, and consequently their reusable hydration products are aimed not only at supporting athletes in pursuit of their personal goals, but at reducing single-use waste.

Most recently, they unveiled their Cupless Racing Partnership Program, designed to support trail and road races across the country in eliminating race day waste by offering their collapsible and reusable SpeedCup as an alternative to single-use cups at running events.

Find out more at https://hydrapak.com/pages/tina.

AG1 is the daily Foundational Nutrition supplement that delivers comprehensive nutrients to support whole-body health. 

With its science-driven formulation of vitamins, probiotics, and whole-food sourced nutrients, AG1 replaces your multivitamin, probiotic, and more in one simple, drinkable habit. And just as importantly, it actually tastes good!

If a comprehensive solution is what you need from your supplemental routine, go to http://drinkag1.com/TINA and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND five free AG1 Travel Packs with your first order!

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. They’re so committed to their mission of getting runners to do their best that they are offering a $100 gift card to any runner who runs a PR before April 30th. You can find all of the details under the “It’s PR Season” section at tracksmith.com/tina.

If you’re a new customer, go to tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Tyler Swartz believes that running should be fun, and that it’s more fun when you’re part of a community. That’s why he founded Endorphins Running, “to inspire and empower people to live happier and more fulfilled lives through movement and exercise.”

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode402.

Thank you to AG1, Precision Fuel & Hydration, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. 

AG1 is a foundational nutrition supplement that delivers daily nutrients and gut health support. Unlike so many products, the entire formula is backed by research studies, not just the ingredients. AG1 is packed with a variety of nutrient-dense ingredients and is the perfect complement to a healthy diet.

It’s easy and satisfying to start your journey with AG1. Try AG1 and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D3Ks and five free AG1 Travel Packs with your first purchase at http://drinkAG1.com/tina.

Precision Fuel & Hydration helps athletes crush their fueling and hydration so they can perform at their best. Tina used their electrolytes and fuel when she finished first female and third overall at the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler. You can go to https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-planner for their free Fuel & Hydration planner to understand how much carb, fluid, and sodium you need for your key runs. 

If you have more questions, Precision offers free video consultations. Their Athlete Support crew will answer your race nutrition questions and act as a sounding board for your fueling strategy. No hard-sell, just an experienced and friendly human who knows the science and is full of practical advice on how to nail your race nutrition. You can book a call at https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-calls.

Once you know what you need to run your best, you can go to https://www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/tina/ for 15% off their range of multi-strength electrolytes and fuel.

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go to http://tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and X . You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Emily Saul believes that everyone wants to evolve and progress. She’s chosen movement as the vehicle for her own personal growth, and she’s passionate about helping others reach their potential through physical activity. Through her sport psychology practice, E Saul Movement, she teaches people to access the connection between their mind and their body.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode348.

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Allbirds, and Becoming a Sustainable Runner for sponsoring this episode. 

Athletic Greens has created a movement around simplifying our health routine.  AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Just one scoop in a glass of water in the morning will ensure that even if your diet is less than ideal the rest of the day, you’ve gotten the nutrients you need. Go here to subscribe and you’ll get five free travel packs of AG1, and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription!

Allbirds looks at everything through a sustainability lens; it’s at the core of who they are as a company and the products they create. Their performance running shoe, the Tree Flyer, is lightweight, super springy, and wildly comfortable, and they’re Tina’s go-to running shoes.  The Tree Dasher is not only a running shoe, it’s perfect for daily wear. You might also want to check out the Plant Pacers, made from plant leather.

Use this link, and you’ll get a free pair of socks! Just add them to your order, and when you use this link, it will take off the price at the end.

Are you a runner? Do you care about the planet you run on? Would you like to use running to change the world for the better?

Becoming a Sustainable Runner will show you how.

Becoming a Sustainable Runner, by Tina Muir and Zoë Rom, is a practical guide for runners of all abilities and backgrounds who want to take meaningful action to protect our planet through their love of the sport. It’s available for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Waterstones UK, Target, and many independent bookstores.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast!. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Genevieve Gregson’s 32nd birthday should have been something to celebrate. The three-time Olympic and two-time World Championship finalist was competing in the 300m steeplechase at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, the event for which she held the Australian record. But coming off the final water jump, she fell when her right Achilles tendon snapped and she was unable to finish the race. She and Tina talk about her journey to that point and her plans for the future, including the most exciting one - the birth of her first child, due in just a few weeks.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode298.

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off site wide.

Allbirds is all about doing things better, like collaborating with Adidas to create a performance running shoe, the FOOTPRINT.FUTURECRAFT, with only 2.94kg CO2 per pair.  Their products are made from natural and recycled materials, and best of all, they know who they are. They are confident in what they do, and are changing the entire running industry before our eyes.

You can see their entire collection on their website, and since the FOOTPRINT.FUTURECRAFT is still in limited supply, you can subscribe to our weekly newsletter and we'll let you know when they become more widely available.

AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Genevieve.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Has the pandemic helped you discover more benefits to your running?

Hmmm. Yes, but for me, I am not sure it is necessarily pandemic-related, but instead just general growth and maturity. That said, without the pandemic, I would likely not have created Together Runs, which yes, have been very popular, but have also been a gift to me to feel more connected to other runners. I love seeing where you are when you’re running, those of you who send me your images, and what you look like when you’re running. It really makes me feel that I can imagine you there and envision you there. So I feel that even when I'm training alone, I'm surrounded by other people. So that has definitely been an unexpected benefit that I feel the community even more, even though I run on my own almost every day.

As for other benefits, mostly what comes to mind is just how much I love being around other runners. More than that, I mean the connection with genuinely good, loving people who make this world better, but just happen to be runners. I love the way running weaves throughout all of our lives and often becomes the analogy for many things, but it’s not all of who we are. I’m not sure I would have realized how much those people meant to me without the pandemic. 

The pandemic also gave me the idea for Running Realized, which went on to be one of the most powerful projects I have worked on. While we are not ready for another season yet (there are a lot of factors making that tough right now), it was truly life changing and helped me see that I could be a part of changing the world for the better, and opening up the eyes of others who genuinely wanted to do better and do something.

Finally, the pandemic made all races disappear for a while and at least be different for a while after that, which allowed me to continue down my path of discovering what running really means to me when I’m not competing.

So I guess yes, it has benefited my running and yes, I suppose the answer to the original question is a big “yes,” when I said in fact it was a “no” at the beginning.

If you have a question that you’d like answered, you can email kat@runningforreal.com and she’ll pass it along to Tina!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we’re honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

Thank you for listening; we look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Welcome to For Real-Isodes, our new podcast with Tina and Sara Crouch! What are For Real-Isodes? Imagine eavesdropping on two best friends having a conversation and talking over a silly question, and you’ve got the idea!

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy For Real-Isodes, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire
License code: HX5BMI8PV2XKA2SZ

Come join Tina for a early morning Together Run from St Louis, where she takes runners through the usual meditative, grounding exercises- nature check in, body scan, senses check in, mental health check in, and updates, before diving into her last week. What was it like taking photos for the cover of Becoming A Sustainable Runner (coming out August 2023) and what is The Running Event, Tina will explain all.

Check out

Athletic Greens (get a 1 year free supply vitamin D3+K2)

Gu x Terracycle program

Running For Real gift guide

Running For Real on Patreon (where these workout, long run, and traveling Together Runs will be)

Find Tina on Instagram @tinamuir88 and facebook here.

Sign up for 100 days of sustainability 

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Thirteen years ago, Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book, Born to Run, introduced the world to the Tarahumara tribe and created an intense interest in minimalist running. In it, Chris described his own journey from chronically injured runner to running 50 miles through Mexico’s Copper Canyon. He was guided by coach Eric Orton, without whom, he says, there would have been “no Born to Run. I would not have run; I would not be running today.”

Chris and Eric have teamed up again to write Born to Run 2: The Ultimate Training Guide, with the goal of bringing more joy into running.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode325.

Thank you to Patreon,  Allbirds, and Athletic Greens,for sponsoring this episode. 

Come join us on Patreon! Do you enjoy Together Runs? Then you won’t want to miss our bi-weekly Travel Together Run episodes, available only through Patreon! They’ll give you an immersive experience of exciting locations, along with workouts and long runs. Southern California and Chicago are up first. We’ll have conversations about those runs, discussing your answers to Tina’s questions and talking about your thoughts.

Other benefits include monthly Q&A Zoom chats with Tina and other Patreon members, the opportunity to ask questions of upcoming guests, and blog posts on topics of your choice. 

Go here to check out the different levels - we’d love to see you there!

Allbirds’ performance running shoe, the Tree Flyer, is lightweight, super springy, and wildly comfortable. Its high-performance midsole is big on cushion and energy return, making long runs easier on your body. The external heel counter and flared, geometric midsole help keep your stride steady, and the lightweight, breathable eucalyptus fiber upper provides next-level comfort. Plus, the Tree Flyer has a carbon footprint of only 8.09 kg CO2e, so it’s not only good for your running, but good for the planet too.

For women, be sure to check out their Performance Sports Bra - it’s comfortable enough to wear all day, but still provides plenty of support!

You can see Allbirds’ complete collection here.

AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get five free travel packs and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Chris and Eric.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

In 2018, Canyon Woodward teamed up with his friend and fellow climate activist, Chloe Maxmin, to manage her campaign running for the Maine House of Representatives. She became the first Democrat to ever represent her district. Two years later, he organized her state senate run, which saw her become the youngest female state senator in Maine’s history.

 A champion ultra runner, Canyon sees parallels between trail running and the campaign trail. Running also gives him a respite from the demands of politics, whether he’s on the old logging paths of his native North Carolina or competing in the UTMB.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode324.

Thank you to Patreon,  Athletic Greens, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. 

Come join us on Patreon! Do you enjoy Together Runs? Then you won’t want to miss our bi-weekly Travel Together Run episodes, available only through Patreon! They’ll give you an immersive experience of exciting locations, along with workouts and long runs. Southern California and a run along the Chicago lakefront with Lindsey Hein are up first. We’ll have conversations about those runs, discussing your answers to Tina’s questions and talking about your thoughts.

Other benefits include monthly Q&A Zoom chats with Tina and other Patreon members, the opportunity to ask questions of upcoming guests, and blog posts on topics of your choice. 

Go here to check out the different levels - we’d love to see you there!

AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get five free travel packs and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription.

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level. Now, they're doing the same with footwear. The Eliot Runner was developed to meet the rigorous demands of committed runners, providing the perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness with classic Tracksmith style.

A limited run will be available in December. You can see it here and reserve your spot in line today.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Canyon.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Mechelle Lewis Freeman’s deep faith and the support of her family and community helped propel her to the top ranks of track and field. She’s a Pan American Double Silver Medalist, a World Champion, and an Olympian. The lessons she learned from her own experiences inspired her to create a non-profit, TrackGirlz, that empowers girls through track and field.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode349.

Thank you to Dri Seats, Tracksmith, and Becoming a Sustainable Runner for sponsoring this episode. 

What do you do when you finish a run or workout, you’re hot and sweaty, and you have to get into your car? Put a towel over your seat and try to anchor it under the headrest, only to have it fall down as you’re driving anyway? Perch on the very edge of your seat to try to minimize contact with it? Neither of those options keeps your car clean, not to mention that they can be dangerous.

Dri Seat waterproof seat covers can be installed and removed in seconds; they have a slip-resistant backing that keeps them in place; and they won’t scratch, scuff, stain or discolor your seats (and neither will your sweat!). They’re machine washable and sized for all vehicles, from compact cars to trucks. 

Go here and use code R4R20 for 20% off your first order!

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. They also have lots of events - Tina will be hosting events with them at the Boston and London marathons. 

If you’re a new customer, go here and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Are you a runner? Do you care about the planet you run on? Would you like to use running to change the world for the better?

Becoming a Sustainable Runner will show you how.

Becoming a Sustainable Runner, by Tina Muir and Zoë Rom, is a practical guide for runners of all abilities and backgrounds who want to take meaningful action to protect our planet through their love of the sport. It’s available for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Waterstones UK, Target, and many independent bookstores.

Thanks for listening!

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Have you wondered if we really are capable of becoming anything we set out to be? Could you have been the astronaut or zookeeper you wished to be as a 3^rdgrader? Do we give up too early? Or do we simply change what we want to be?

Ross Bernstein, keynote speaker and author of more than 40 sports books, believes that there isn’t any special sauce that successful athletes have. After researching about and interviewing thousands of world-class runners, football players, basketball players, and the like, he is convinced that it almost always comes down to desire and hard work, lots of hard work.

Often the difference between a successful athlete, business person, or artist is what they are willing to sacrifice. Since we all have the same amount of time in each day, and a fairly similar genetic makeup as humans, it comes down to what we decide to do each day. If we are willing to sacrifice social, educational, or occupational pursuits, many of us would have the opportunity to be very competitive athletes indeed.

Of course, that’s not exactly how it works. We have different interests, accept different responsibilities, live with different body types, and come from different socioeconomic backgrounds. But it stands that hard work and sacrifice can get you far.

What else can we learn from someone who has traveled the world, given presentation to multiple Fortune 500 companies and been on countless tv and radio programs such as ESPN, CNN, and NPR? Listen to today’s episode of Running for Real to learn more from this man that loves running and says he would die without it.

Rusher, Crusher, Usher

Hockey has played a major role in Bernstein’s life. His dream as a kid was to hold the Stanley Cup, but that dream changed when he was cut from his college team. He doesn’t doubt that he could have continued to play elsewhere if he was willing to make the necessary changes, but instead decided to pivot. He was elected as mascot of the team and went on to write a book about it in his second year of college. This kickstarted his career which has provided him with opportunities he wouldn’t miss for the world.

In our own lives there will be many moments when we need to pivot. Even if we are at the top of our competition, it doesn’t last forever. In hockey, for example, at the beginning of a career you can be known as a Rusher—one that has all the energy and strength to skate into the thick of things, make the great plays, and have the crowd cheering on their feet.

As you get older, your role changes to the Crusher. Maybe not as quick to get to the puck, but a leader on the ice, one that is willing to fight for the team.

Finally, as you leave the rink, you have the chance to be an Usher. Attending games, and mentoring younger athletes becomes your new goal.

Each one of these positions comes with satisfaction and meaning. As you set goals for yourself, recognize times when a pivot might make sense for you. Many find fulfillment in a variety of fields or roles. If you are determined to be a certain something or accomplish a specific goal, then make the sacrifices to do so. If the sacrifices seem too great, keep searching and know that you still have many chances to have a completely fulfilling life.

What is Truly Important in Life?

While most of us here are looking to improve our running in some way, it’s always good to have a reminder of what really matters. Qualifying for a race, winning a medal, or beating a competitor, are mostly insignificant in the long run, pun intended.

Ross has had the opportunity to travel the world giving speeches and has now visited every continent. He gives a stark reminder that there are people in the world that are still dealing with extreme poverty. Losing a race or dealing with an injury are miniscule in comparison to other global social problems.

This of course doesn’t mean we shouldn’t compete with everything we have. In fact, the opposite. Working hard to achieve goals shows our gratitude that we have the opportunity to do the things we enjoy. Be grateful to have the money to enter the local 5k or to have a doctor to visit when something doesn’t feel right.

So, what is truly important? Well, that is up to you.

Resources:

Ross’s Website

Ross’s Twitter

Ross’s LinkedIn

Herb Brooks Foundation

(book) America’s Coach

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Goodr, and Picky Bars for sponsoring this episode.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to make and it tastes good as well. I used this for my prenatal and while I was breastfeeding.

Now you can get up to a YEAR supply of Vitamin D3 and K2 for free with your first purchase of  Athletic Greens through my podcast. Visit here to learn more!

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with the Co-Founder Stephen Lease where he talks about the true and real story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the planet and protect many great organizations who care for our planet deeply.

Go here to get 15% off of your order as well as free shipping on your first pair.

I am thrilled to be sponsored by Picky Bars now! I have had a few people on the podcast who are from the Picky Bar Company and I am happy to say that their ideals are right in line with what Running for Real stands for. These bars are not only delicious but made of real food and are made for sport, imagine that…. It’s gluten, soy, gmo, and dairy free with even some vegan options. 

Click here for 20% off AND you can also get an additional 20% off your order, if you purchase a Picky Club membership. A membership entitles you to hand pick your own Picky Bars products and you will be getting a box every month of your picks.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are, others are too, and you will help them feel less alone

Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player

Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Becs, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Run Fast as a Masters Runner

Running past your forties (a group typically referred to as “Masters Runners”) comes with unique challenges. Some rumored challenges are false, and some are very real. One of the more common illusions is that Masters Runners can’t run fast. You may hear that older runners should keep to marathons and other ultra-distances where they can run at a reasonable pace. “Because you are old, you can’t run fast, and because you aren’t fast, you can only do long runs.”

This is NOT true.

While there aren’t any 40 or 50-year-olds competing with Usain Bolt’s records, there are plenty that are running fast marathons, 10Ks, and 5Ks.

Pete Magill has set records for the fastest 5K and 10K for runners over 50 and runners over 55. He also has the record for being the oldest person to run a 5K in under 15 minutes. He didn’t get serious about running till his late thirties when he wanted to make some health changes, and he has been showing the world that 50-year-olds can run fast.

Now in his 56^thyear, Pete has written several books about running. He has a positive mindset about what he is able to do today and says, ”I’d rather have my 56-year-old body than my 39-year-old body.” While Pete has officially debunked the myth that Masters Runners can’t run fast, he acknowledges the fact that recovery needs to be taken more seriously as you age. “You actually have to train correctly now,” says Pete “Masters Running is a no-mistake zone.”

The Right Amount of Effort

If you are getting back into running, or running into old age, it is imperative that you recover correctly. Magill says that recovery is not the goal, super compensation is the goal. Super compensation is the second part of recovery when your body has strengthened to complete an even more difficult training session. To reach super compensation, Pete recommends resting for one additional day after your body feels fully recovered.

The other aspect of proper recovery is to avoid training too hard. This can mean skipping your last set, or running 10 minutes less than you planned. Pete says that you can only make a little bit of improvement each day, so you shouldn’t over work for that little bit of improvement that is possible. Be consistent, take the time to recover, and don’t over train in your individual sessions.

A Sample 5k Workout for a Masters Runner (or for Anyone!)

Pete says that if you train your body to run a fast 5k, then you have also trained your body to run a fast 10k and a fast marathon (with a few additional long runs). Training for a 5K requires you to train, slow, medium and fast twitch muscle fibers. Once you have built a strong body that uses all your muscle fibers, you are ready for any race. Following this workout, with recovery runs in between, will help prepare you for a fast 5k.

Monday: V02 Training. This is your fast twitch training. In these runs you want to run at a 5K or even a 3K effort. In your first week you should start by running 5-10 sets of one-minute runs with a 3-minute jogging recovery in between each run. Increase the time and the intervals until you are running 5 sets of 5-minute runs.

Thursday: Tempo Work. This is your intermediate muscle group. Do 1-2 sets of 10-20-minute runs at a 10K pace. Just like the V02 training, you should work up to the number of sets and the duration of the run.

Saturday: Long Run. Your slow twitch muscles. For 5K training, these long runs should be between 90 and 120 minutes. Like the other two workouts, work up to the amount of time you are running. Long runs can do wonders for your 5K. Some of the benefits include: generating a better stride, teaching your body how to burn fat, and creating a more efficient nervous system.

Be Patient and Run Fast!

As you train for your 5K, be patient. It’s the only way to run fast. Give yourself three to six months to properly train for a 5K and once you start racing, don’t do more than one 5K every two weeks. Don’t be afraid to switch up your race distances as well. Run a 10K or a half-marathon, and if you can, try to find a speed race. Alternating distances can produce great 5K results. Now, go start running fast, because you can!

Resources:

(Book) Build Your Running Body

(Book) Fast 5k

(Book) The Born Again Runner

Pete’s Website

Generation UCAN has been with me through a lot of my races and in my every day life. This product has been my go to nutritional product for marathon training and racing when I was getting all of my best times. It gives you a steady energy without the sugar, so there are no sugar high or crashes!

Use code TINAMUIR25 for 25% off.

I am thrilled to announce my exciting partnership with Altra, as an athlete and a sponsorship, I have loved their shoes as well as what this company stands for. So as a special treat to Running4Real listeners  they are going to give away a pair of shoes every month this year!

Go HERE to enter to be a winner a free pair of shoes. And once you have entered once you will be entered for the entire year.

One of the things that I truly LOVE to do every week to get to know my audience better is my Newsletter I will cherish and guard your email. It is a way that I can get to know you all and to build a true connection with you, as social media has been tough on me lately. I know how annoying it is when you sign up for something and suddenly find yourself on 50 other email lists. This is just you and me. I promise.

If you are interested go here to sign up!

Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

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Thank you to Alysia, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Have you ever wondered what a podcast guest has been up to since you heard them interviewed?  We have, and so Running Reunion was born.  

On this week’s episode, Tina catches up with brothers Aaron and Joshua Potts.  They’re the co-founders and co-hosts of Running Report and 2 Black Runners, a YouTube channel and podcast “produced for the culture and by the culture.”  They have a deep knowledge and love of running, and they’re using their voices to create positive change in the running community.

The 2 Black Runners podcast is available on all of the major podcast platforms, and their Running Report videos are on YouTube.  You can follow Running Report on Twitter and Instagram, and keep up with the latest from 2 Black Runners on their Instagram.

You can listen to Aaron and Joshua’s original episode here.

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running Reunion.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Aaron and Joshua.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Multimedia artist and professional ultra/trail runner Christian Gering draws inspiration from running and his Native American heritage.  Hailing from Katishyta (San Felipe Pueblo) and the Pi’pil people of El Salvador, he believes that “running is a form of art, and art is also a form of movement.”  He balances his running achievements, which include winning and setting course records at the Javelina 100K and Jemez Mountain Trail Runs 50 Mile, with creating art reflective of movement and the land.

So much of what I've learned through this process is being able to step into opportunity with confidence and knowing that I am capable.

One of Christian’s recent projects was creating fabric prints for Janji, the first time a runner has designed the apparel.  It was a new experience for him, which he equates to running:   “It's like that moment that you are on the start line and there's anxiety, potentially ... you're excited by the environment and wondering if whatever you did is going to be enough.  And just to remind people that when we put in the work and we manifest and we have that intention, you areenough, we all are capable of whatever we put our mind to.”

A common saying that they would say would be, “ go outside” and I reflect on that so much because that is where the imagination for myself started.

Christian’s parents encouraged him to be active physically and intellectually.  Growing up in Nevada, there was plenty of opportunity for outdoor recreation, and, he says, “I just always held that so close to my heart because when I got the chance to go outside, I had the chance to express myself.”  He developed his imagination playing outdoors with his friends, where they created games from their surroundings.

Heavily involved in sports from an early age, he entered Nevada’s Olympic Development Program, hoping to become a professional soccer player.  However, he became disenchanted by the politics behind it and the lack of a supportive environment.  He decided that it was time to let go of his soccer “dream” and transition to something different.

My dad thought it would be a great last bonding experience for the men of the house to share something together, something that would be of significance. 

Around the time that he decided to stop soccer, his older brother got out of Marine Corps boot camp, and his father suggested that they all run the Las Vegas Rock and Roll Marathon together.  During the year leading up to the race, he trained “maybe three months and not even consistently, it was probably like one day of the week I'd run, maybe the next week I'd run two days, and then take a week off and run one other day.”  At mile 22 of the marathon, as he was limping to the aid station, his dad passed him, “just chipper, you know, big smile, and I could just already feel he has something to say and sure enough,he goes, “All that training, is it paying off for you, Christian?”

Christian went on to run cross-country in high school, but after graduation found himself on a different path.

After high school I realized, well, I'm not gonna go for sports, so I'll pursue the other, which is my artistic side. It’s not athletics; I’ll do art.

He enrolled in the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, where he started using marijuana and alcohol regularly and remembers “just kind of getting further away from moving my body and at the same time I'm starting to see a stagnancy in my creative flow because I'm not moving my body as much.”  He left art school, and on a backpacking trip into the mountains with friends, felt that he was back in his community.

I was going inward and really molding myself to be representative like the mountains, like the landscapes.

He went to live with his grandparents, where he worked their farm alongside his grandfather every day, then would go for a run in the mountains.  “So much of my relationship with movement,” he says, “was also tied to my connection-ship and relationship to land.” He enrolled at Fort Lewis College where he joined the track team, becoming their top runner and attracting the attention of the Native community.

So I started to make these little zine infographics.  I called it “imprints” in relation to setting down footprints on this earth that we leave behind and that hopefully others will pick up. 

Toward the end of his college career, Christian would be invited to speak to young people who were going on to higher education and would resonate with his story.  He realized that he wasn’t reaching some of them with a speech, and wanted to give them “a gift of something else, [his] creative passion.” He created a zine that he would give to every participant, which led to him presenting workshops, sharing his artwork more, and ultimately to the relationship with Janji.

When I think about it, going back to the cultural component, this is a life-way.

Christian reflects, “At many points within many different communities, running was sought out as a form of transportation, a form of trade, a form of communication not only peoples to peoples but to the heavens, to the deities and beings above and below.  But when you think about it, art was also a way to move a message.”  What he wants to share with his most recent collection is that “we are that medium between these two components.  Between the sky which is greater than us and is above us and the land below us. So much is us being that connection. We’re that node, we’re that median between those two points.”

We can be grounded and we can be aspiring to greater things that we may not even know yet. And that is the middle ground. We are that connection.

Resources:

Christian's website

Christian's Instagram

Christian x Janji collection

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he talks about the true and real story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet.  

Go here and use the code TINA15 for 15% off your order.

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store.

A new product that I’ve been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I’ve used “elevate energy” and “elevate balance” and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know they will help you too.

Go here and use code TINA for 15 % off your order or 20% off a subscription.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Christian.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Kayleigh Williamson made history in 2017, when she became the first person with Down syndrome to run in - and complete - the Austin Half Marathon.  Since then she’s finished 12 more half marathons, numerous races at other distances, and is training for her first marathon in 2022.

She’s written a children’s book, It’s Cool To Be Me, dedicated to people with Alzheimer’s, which her late grandmother suffered from and which often occurs in people with Down syndrome.  Her running journey is inspiring proof of what grit and heart can accomplish.

“I had taken her to a doctor at 215 pounds. He looked at her and he told me,‘this, it's not gonna end well.’”

Kayleigh was in her early 20s when her grandmother had her second stroke and soon after was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Her mother, Sandy, began researching the disease and discovered that the chance of somebody with Down syndrome developing Alzheimer's is “astronomically higher”  than it is for other people.  Kayleigh consumed a lot of fast food, processed food, and soda, and weighed 215 pounds. She had developed autoimmune disorders, including Graves’ disease, and Sandy knew that she had to do something to help her daughter.

“I expected some type of rejection. And the running community, we got total acceptance and 80 pounds came off of her body and every one of her autoimmune disorders went into remission. And today I see how healthy she is.”

Sandy initially feared that Kayleigh wouldn’t be accepted by the running community, but they embraced her.  And even though she began running because of Sandy’s encouragement, it’s her own commitment that takes Kayleigh to the finish line.  “I tell her she can stop if she needs to stop,” Sandy says. “ She never does. And that's the part that's kind of humbling to me whether we're training or we're in the middle of a race because she's got this determination that she just doesn't stop.”

“You have to get to the point you don't care what the rest of the world thinks.” 

The opinion of others bothered Sandy more than it did Kayleigh.  She remembers a race where they were in last place.  She grabbed Kayleigh’s hand to get her to run faster, and Kayleigh jerked her hand back.  At that point, Sandy realized, “It's more important for her to finish the race than what anyone else thinks about where we are in the race. And I think that's kind of the same for life.”

“If you pick up your toys and go home, you don't influence change.”

That isn’t to say that disregarding others’ opinions is easy.  Sandy recalls a race where people were openly staring and taking pictures, and she resolved that they would never go back there.  But then she realized that the situation would never improve if they just walked away, so, she says, “we have specifically decided that we're going back and we're doing those races over again until we impact that change.”

“I think anytime you're told that your child is uniquely different in any way, you feel this need to protect them to the point that you think you're fixing it. And really it was the realization that she didn't need fixing.”

When Kayleigh was born, Sandy was told that she should put her in an institution.  Now she’s proud that her daughter can stand on her own two feet.  She’s realized that “she doesn't need me protecting her, a lot of times she needs me to get out of the way.” 

Sandy raised Kayleigh to give everything her best shot.  She’s done that, and succeeded.

“Don't let somebody else tell you what you can and cannot do.  Get out there and try it, and if the first time you try it and you don't succeed, but you know in your heart of hearts you can still do it, get up there and do it again as many times as you need to get back up.”

resources:

Kayleigh's Instagram

Kayleigh's Facebook

Video of Kayleigh at the Austin Half Marathon

It's Cool To Be Me

Tracksmith is a Boston based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

Click here and enter code TINA15 to get $15 of your purchase of $75 or more.

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store.

A new product that I’ve been trying out is Beam; they help athletes with balance, performance, and recovery. I’ve used

“elevate energy” and “elevate balance” and the flavors were great. I felt that the hydrating electrolyte energy powder, formulated with beetroot, green coffee bean, and citrulline, really helped me and I know they will help you too.

Go here and use code TINA for 15% off your order or 20% off a subscription.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Kayleigh and Sandy.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Cheering on others as they pursue their goals means more to Lorna Mann than her own accomplishments. It’s a mindset that she attributes to the encouragement of Charlie Dark and the Run Dem Crew. Now she mentors others, helping them to discover their full potential.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode397.

Thank you to Tracksmith, AG1, and Precision Fuel & Hydration for sponsoring this episode. 

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go to http://tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

AG1 is the daily Foundational Nutrition supplement that delivers comprehensive nutrients to support whole-body health. 

With its science-driven formulation of vitamins, probiotics, and whole-food sourced nutrients, AG1 replaces your multivitamin, probiotic, and more in one simple, drinkable habit. And just as importantly, it actually tastes good!

If a comprehensive solution is what you need from your supplemental routine, go to http://drinkag1.com/TINA and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND five free AG1 Travel Packs with your first order!

Precision Fuel & Hydration helps athletes crush their fueling and hydration so they can perform at their best. Tina used their electrolytes and fuel when she finished first female and third overall at the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler. You can go to https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-planner for their free Fuel & Hydration planner to understand how much carb, fluid, and sodium you need for your key runs. 

If you have more questions, Precision offers free video consultations. Their Athlete Support crew will answer your race nutrition questions and act as a sounding board for your fueling strategy. No hard-sell, just an experienced and friendly human who knows the science and is full of practical advice on how to nail your race nutrition. You can book a call at https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-calls.

Once you know what you need to run your best, you can go to https://www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/tina/ for 15% off their range of multi-strength electrolytes and fuel.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

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Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

“That's what Circa 95 represents. It's to just be yourself. And it's not only us, it's you, it's everybody that wants to be down with Circa 95.”

Circa 95 was born when Patty and Reph were trying to figure out how to engage more with their community.  As Patty says, “our music is really about the people, it's really about where we come from.”  The name comes from the decade, which was the golden era of hip hop, and is also a play on the numbers.  

“Because for us it is our 9 to 5 to do music, art, and culture. This is our lifestyle every day.  Everywhere we go, we are Circa 95. We want to make sure that young people don't all of a sudden have to put a suit and tie on and change who they are, that they are accepted for who they are wherever they walk into a room.”

“We don’t want to leave this world with an empty backpack.”

Society tells us that if we have a passion, we have to focus on it to the exclusion of our other interests.  Patty and Reph disagree.  “We don’t have to compartmentalize ourselves as human beings,” Patty says.  “We're all born with a backpack that's empty, but we want to fill it with the skills and the things that we love that carry us through our lives.”

“We planted those seeds and now look, boom, it's like we have a full garden.”

Running crews have played an important role in building community in city neighborhoods.  In New York, even when they couldn’t run together during the pandemic, members asked themselves, “How can we support each other? How can we continue building throughout the boroughs? And that's still going on to this day, we're still connecting with each other, we're still supporting each other, and we're showing up for each other.”  It took time, but the city is filled with running crews now.

 “There’s a little Bolt in every neighborhood, Mo Farah everywhere, there’s a Sha’Carri in every block.”

There’s so much untapped potential in many neighborhoods, and Patty and Reph want to help kids realize their talent.  “We want to get the kids off the block that's like chilling on the corner. Like those are the kids that we want running.”  They’ve succeeded; some of the kids who started running with them have gone on to complete marathons.

“You know for Lena Horne to have lived there, Paul Robeson, you know what I mean? Running by those buildings where they would have come out of, it's like we are the artists now, but they were the artists of that time."

Running enables you to see the spaces around you in a new light.  For Reph and Patty, it’s been a way to learn about landmarks that are important to them as people of color.  It’s a way to connect with your neighborhood’s history, and by extension, your own.  

 “Try to say ‘yes’ more to the things that you're scared of, try to say ‘yes’ more to the things that make you nervous, and get into those feelings and work them out and challenge them.”

You have to be open to opportunities, willing to connect in different ways, and believe that you have everything that you need to succeed.   “Imagine that the world is conspiring to make everything happen that you want, right?  That the world is on your side, that you have everything in your disposal even though you might not think so.”

 “Running reminds me every day that I'm in my own race, that I'm in my own pace and I do not have to chase anyone. I only have to chase me.”

Comparing yourself to others is usually a recipe for failure.  As a runner, it can mean being injured when you push yourself too hard trying to keep up with someone else, or being angry with yourself for not being “fast enough” or “good enough.”  You have to let go of your ego, and remember that “they're just running their race and you have to run your own.”

“We're trying to keep it real as much as possible and real with ourselves, real with the world around us, real with Tracksmith, with running communities.  It's all real and that's what we strive for, reality. The good, the bad, everything in between.”

Resources:

Circa 95's website

Circa 95's Instagram

Patty's Instagram

Reph's Instagram

Circa 95's Facebook

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to make and it tastes good, as well. 

Go here to get a FREE year supply of Liquid Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with co-founder Stephen Lease where he talks about the true and real story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the Planet.  

Go here for 15% off your order.

I am thrilled to be sponsored by Picky Bars! I have had a few people from the Picky Bars company on the podcast and I am happy to say that their ideals are right in line with what Running for Real stands for. These bars are not only delicious but made of real food and are made for sport, imagine that…. They're gluten, soy, gmo, and dairy free, with even some vegan options. 

Click here for 20% off AND you can also get an additional 20% off your order if you purchase a Picky Club membership. A membership entitles you to build your own Picky Club Box, delivered every month.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Patty and Reph. We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Another week, another Together Run. After almost a years worth of Together Runs, it has been fun to enjoy these runs alongside friends from the community, and if you are needing motivation, companionship, or running friends in your life, these guided runs are as close as we can come...without being in person to run together. Part meditation, part reflection, part conversation, all Tina. Come join us

Tina mentioned

Come join the Together22 meetup tomorrow at either at 8pm EST. Sign up for the newsletter here and join us here.

Register for the Tracksmith shakeout run with Tina and Tommie Runz

Come join the Boston watch along

Check out episode one of Running Reunion with Aaron and Joshua Potts

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

What steps should I take if I think I have an injury, and how can I prevent reinjuring myself?

That is a difficult one without knowing what the injury is and what your definition of injury is. During my training I would have many instances where I would have a pain, spiral into a world of panic that my season was done with, and then a few days later the pain would miraculously have disappeared. There are other pains that we deal with for a while as it progresses slowly from discomfort, to a little pain, to a good amount, to suddenly too much to bear, in which case you will likely be in a very different situation. 

The best advice I have is that if something hurts all of a sudden while running and is enough to make you limp or change your running form at all, or if it hurts the rest of the day after running, take three days off immediately. It can be hard to be in those three days and wonder if you are wasting your fitness when maybe it would go away on its own, but in my experience it has always been better to play it cautious than add that extra three days of impact that makes it worse. If it feels better after a day, resist the urge to jump back in; stick with the three days. If it still hurts beyond the three days, go see a medical professional. Resist (as much as you possibly can!) the urge to ask Dr Google, as it will tell you you have 736 different injuries depending on which dark hole you end up going down ;). If seeing a physiotherapist, physical trainer or athletic trainer, or chiropractor is not possible, go see your general practitioner to get advice from them. 

As for how to prevent reinjury, injuries are a part of running life; that is just a reality for us. However, you can give yourself the best opportunity to avoid them by first listening to that little voice in your head that says “Maybe I should stop” or “I’m too tired today” or “This doesn’t feel right.” We have been trained to push through that voice and listen to the critical one that tells us we are lazy or we are a failure if we don’t get it done. Most injuries are because of overdoing it in the combination of stressors that we have in our life. 

The second thing I would add is to go find a strength coach to figure out where your weaknesses are, especially the one that has led to this injury. Even if you have a pain in your foot, the issue is not necessarily in your foot or even your leg, it could be overcompensation from your hips or glutes or even your back. A good strength coach will be able to look at the body as a whole and figure it out. Here are a few experts I recommend reaching out to if you live near them.

If you have a question that you’d like answered, you can email kat@runningforreal.com and she’ll pass it along to Tina!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we’re honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

Thank you for listening; we look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Join me for a run?

Something totally new today. While we cannot be physically together in person, I thought maybe we could do the next best thing. Run together from far apart. In this guided run, I will take you through a 30 or 45 minute run, where we will spend time paying attention to our bodies, reflecting, and appreciating our ability to be out in nature.

Part meditation, part run, this will be a way to take a step closer to running without music or headphones, and I would love for you to join me.

Please let me know if you enjoy these, I would love to make them a regular thing where I could answer your questions on the run. 

Thank you to BEAM for sponsoring this guided run. Beam hydrate comes with three purposes, balance, performance, and recovery. I used two servings of BEAM performance in my trail race this weekend (which I won outright!) and immediately followed the race up with BEAM recover. These taste delicious and make hydration easy. With summer coming, make sure you are hydrated, use code TINA for 15% off.

Diane Nukuri was only 15 when she left her village in Burundi to compete in the Sydney Olympics. Her experience there solidified an idea that she had been considering since she began traveling for races. After winning the bronze medal in the 10,000m at the Francophone Games in Canada the following year, she remained in the country and was granted asylum from her war-torn country. Since then she’s gone on to two more Olympics, top 8 finishes in three major marathons, and has set the Burundian National Records for distances from 1,500m to the marathon.

Key to her success, not only in racing but in life, is her willingness to embrace change and to try new things.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode346.

Photo credit: Kevin Morris

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Allbirds, and Örlö for sponsoring this episode. 

Athletic Greens has created a movement around simplifying our health routine.  AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Just one scoop in a glass of water in the morning will ensure that even if your diet is less than ideal the rest of the day, you’ve gotten the nutrients you need. Go here to subscribe and you’ll get five free travel packs of AG1, and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription!

Allbirds looks at everything through a sustainability lens; it’s at the core of who they are as a company and the products they create. Their performance running shoe, the Tree Flyer, is lightweight, super springy, and wildly comfortable, and they’re Tina’s go-to running shoes.  The Tree Dasher is not only a running shoe, it’s perfect for daily wear. You might also want to check out the Plant Pacers, made from plant leather.

Use this link, and you’ll get a free pair of socks! Just add them to your order, and when you use this link, it will take off the price at the end.

Örlö is the world’s most sustainable algae supplement. Algae is a potent source of EPA and DHA, the omega-3 fatty acids that are essential to life. They help you take care of your brain health, heart health, and immune system, and your body absorbs them three times better than fish oil. They also don’t have that fishy aftertaste! 

Örlö’s algae is grown in pristine water in Iceland using only green energy and they employ a carbon-negative production process. 99% less land and water resources are used, so you get 100% of the benefit with 0% of the guilt!

You can go here and use code TINA at checkout to save 20%!

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast!. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Natural Foot Health

Feet. Arguably the most important part of a runner’s body. Feet allow us to stand upright and give us the balance required to walk and run. As runner’s our greatest expenses revolve around our feet, literally and figuratively. We may spend hundreds of dollars a year on good running shoes and little on anything else.

As the foundation of our bodies, naturally feet should be given the upmost care. However, little is done to strengthen our feet. Many injuries above the feet can be avoided with proper foot care.

Today on the Running for Real podcast we interviewed Ray McClanahan. An impressive runner himself, with a 5K PR under fifteen minutes, Ray understands the running world. Dr. McClanahan studied podiatry and practiced as a foot surgeon for a number of years before considering other branches of medicine. His experience as a runner and a surgeon prepared him to research the world of natural foot health. Today he helps thousands recover from foot injuries in ways that are long-lasting and natural.

Getting to the Root Cause

Dr. McClanahan practiced what is termed allopathic medicine during the formative years of his career. Allopathic medicine, often referred to as modern or Western Medicine, focuses on treating symptoms. It is valuable in relieving pain and quickly addressing particular injuries. However, allopathy rarely looks to the root cause of diseases and injuries. Dr. McClanahan realized this as many of his patients returned with reoccurring injuries after successful surgeries.

On the other hand, osteopathy or naturopathy are branches of medicine that focus on a holistic and preventative approach. Finding the root cause is the entire purpose. Then, changing diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits work to eradicate the injuries or diseases entirely.

Many injuries, especially when it comes to feet, don’t need surgery. They may not even require a rest from running. Tweaking form, footwear, and adding stretching exercises is often all it takes to produce long-term cures.

What Your Feet are Supposed to Look Like

When you are born, your feet look exactly as they should. Take a look at any newborn’s foot and you will see that the toes are the widest part of the foot. Over the years, humans cram their feet into fashionable shoes that shape the foot into an unnatural state. Try taking out your shoe insole and placing your foot on top. You will see that your foot extends past the insole.

Since your feet contain one-fourth of your body's bones, they are extremely malleable. So much so that as toddler’s feet transform when they begin to wear popular shoes, it is painless. Pain caused by deformed feet usually takes years to emerge. But when it does, it is obvious that the shape of the foot is the cause.

Humans that have gone without confining or “shoe-shaped” shoes, have perfectly natural-shaped feet. Societies in Africa that don’t wear shoes, or societies Asian countries that only wear sandals, have baby-shaped feet. These populations are free from many of the conditions that the Western world deals with such as hammertoe, bunions, ingrown toenails, arthritis and more.

“We Want You to Heal Yourself”

The best things about preventative foot care and naturopathy are that they are nonintrusive, inexpensive, and autonomous. “We want you to heal yourself,” says Dr. McClanahan, “Most people don’t need aggressive stuff.” Simply changing the type of shoes you wear, pairs that allow your toes to fully extend, can make a world of a difference.

Now is the Best Time

No matter your age, now is the best time to have better foot health. The sooner you begin, the easier it is for your foot to morph back to the shape it naturally wants to be in. If you are uncomfortable wearing unfashionable shoes in the work place, start by at least wearing a better running shoe and taking your shoes off at home. Even if you don’t throw out all your old shoes, reducing the amount of time you live in “shoe-shaped” shoes will have a positive effect on your foot health. Decide to put your foot health first and it will reward you with less injury in the future.

Resources:

Correct Toes use coupon code: tinamuir for free shipping!

North West Foot and Ankle

Mark Cucuzella

The sponsor for today's episode is Aftershokz. The award winning headphones that are best known for their open ear listening experience. These headphones were built for runners! Being able to hear your music as well as your surroundings. Click here Aftershokz for $50 off!

I am conducting a survey, to figure out how to serve you better. If you have a few minutes, it will help both of us to being in the same place, but won't take long. I would love to learn from you. Find the survey here.

Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Ray, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

I’m sure you’ve heard the advice to avoid comparing yourself to others. Especially in the running community emphasis is put on competing against yourself, not others. But what about comparing ourselves to our past selves? Is that a positive or a negative?

Marathon enthusiast and motivational blogger Dorothy Beal decided that she will never delete a bad race photo of herself. Her reasoning? To remind herself that real life happens, and that it happened in the past.

We have a habit of only keeping good pictures of ourselves. Generally speaking, our mind will naturally only remember mostly positive experiences (except perhaps the really bad ones). 

For example, think back on a vacation you had a few years ago. If you are thumbing through pictures then you probably remember the beautiful landscapes, the great food, and the smiles you shared with friends and family. Luckily we don’t keep too many memories of the long bus rides, uncomfortable plane seats, or hundreds of mosquitos bites.

As our running careers mature, it’s important to have a strategy in place to avoid comparing ourself to our past self’s highlight reel. Maybe you aren’t close to an old PR or don’t have the glowing skin you used to have. That is okay. If we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, that needs to include our past self.

Love Yourself

Avoiding comparison takes practice. As you learn to live in the moment, be grateful for who you are and what you have, and truly love yourself, comparing yourself to others will naturally fall by the wayside. Along your journey of self love, here are three things to practice and consider.

Preventative Care

Loving yourself isn’t a one and done to-do item. Just like running it takes continual attention, training, and proper prevention. Preventative care includes visiting a therapist even if you don’t think you are in a current crisis. It includes slowing down once in a while to think about those things that trigger critical self-talk and how to avoid them. Are you getting enough sleep? Are you drinking enough water? You know yourself best, make sure you are doing what it takes to be in a position to love yourself.

Positive Self Talk

While positive affirmations are good and encouraged, this has more to do with how we talk about ourselves out loud and in public. If you want your children, siblings, friends, or nieces and nephews to love themselves, then you need to be the example.

Children especially will pick up on what you say to yourself. Avoid saying subtle things like “My legs look too big today,” or “Why can she eat anything she wants and still look the way she does?” Those that look up to you will inevitably do what you do even if you post motivational self talk quotes on your instagram every day.

Dorothy started a movement called, “I have a runner’s body.” You can find the hashtag on social media platforms where people are embracing who they are. The simple fact is that if you run, if you are a runner, then you have a runner’s body. 

Love Yourself So You Can Love Others Better

A wonderful motivation in learning to love yourself is that you will be able to love others better. Take the time to build up who you are so that it doesn’t get in the way of helping others.

It also works the other way around. If you take time to love others, you will naturally find more room to love yourself. Love is limitless. There is no limit on how much you love someone or how many people you love, so don’t worry about your heart getting too full.

Loving others means that you are thinking about yourself less. Sometimes simply focusing less on our problems and more about how we can help others is all it takes to foster more love for ourselves. And remember, it’s not thinking less OF yourself, it’s just thinking less ABOUT yourself. 

Competitive Without Comparison

If I stop comparing myself to others will that mean I have to be a casual runner?

NO!

Dorothy emphasizes that you can still be 100% competitive while avoiding comparison. Racing hard doesn’t have to be about anything other than you wanting to do your very best. Do everything you can to beat the person in front of you. It’s okay to let anything motivate you to run hard, but after all is said and done don’t let your mind wander into the buts, the what ifs, and the not fairs. After all, comparing yourself doesn’t really help you progress. 

So get out there and compete! Work hard, love yourself, and love others. You have a runner’s body because you are a runner. You don’t need to compare yourself to your past self or to others to know that you are enough. 

Resources:

The Best Self-Talk Example 

Dorothy Beal on Instagram

Dorothy Beal on Twitter

Dorothy Beal Website-Mile Posts

Episode 77 Running 4 Real

Candice Huffine Instagram

Today Tina is running in California's Marina del Rey. Together Runs are unlike anything else out there. Ground yourself in nature to start. Go through a body scan and senses check in, followed by a mental health check in. Tina will guide runners through these experiences, and then step back to give space to think and be present in your own body. Come join Tina today!

Check out

RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover. on YouTube

RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover. private community

Running For Real on Patreon 

Find Tina on Instagram @tinamuir88 and on Facebook here.

Sign up for 100 days of sustainability 

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining! We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Resources:

Emma's Twitter

Emma's Website

Emma's Facebook

Angelo Poli from MetPro Episode

Thank you to my wonderful sponsors Metpro, Altra, and Sophie Williams for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

I am very pleased to have MetPro as a sponsor for the Running 4 Real podcast. As before they were a great sponsor but not everyone could afford their services, and now they have been working very hard on new technology that can be made for anyone. I’m excited to share MetPro’s newest addition––The MetPro Platform, an app that allows you to experience the same science and tailored strategy that their experts use. This isn’t a food logging tool or workout app, the MetPro Platform allows you to start ​tracking​,analyzing​, and ​learning​ what your metabolism responds to best. 

Sign up today​ and receive a ​14-day FREE trial!​ ​Click here​ to take advantage of this special offer!

I am thrilled to announce my exciting partnership with Altra, as an athlete and a sponsorship, I have loved their shoes as well as what this company stands for. So as a special treat to Running4Real listeners  they are going to give away a pair of shoes every month this year! Go HERE to enter to be a winner a free pair of shoes. And once you have entered once you will be entered for the entire year.

Altra Running Europe has now started a new giveaway for the European listeners out there, enter here for a bi-monthly giveaway for your choice pair of shoes. You can also go here and you can enter to win your own pair of shoes. AND if you do enter I will send you a 20% coupon code to Altra Running Europe.

I would like to introduce you to Sophie Williams, she is doing a great deal for the anti-racist movement being an author of Anti-Racist Ally and Millennial Black (releasing in April 2021). She has been in so many articles in really getting the word out on how to be an anti racist. Welcoming you with her personality, you are just going to be hooked in and you just can’t stop watching her content. She is also located in the UK so go and check her out here as well as following her on Instagram  to show her your support. 

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Emma, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Writer and sociologist Lindsey Freeman describes her book, Running, as a feminist and queer handbook of running, but it’s a book for all runners.  The existing running literature didn’t speak to her, so she wrote the book she wanted but could never find, one that celebrates the freedom and opportunity for self-discovery that running offers, while challenging the notion that everyone is “born to run.”

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode362.

Thank you to Tracksmith, 2before, and Becoming a Sustainable Runner for sponsoring this episode. 

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go here and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

2before is a natural sports performance superfood made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries, which boast exceptionally high levels of antioxidants called anthocyanins. They’ve been proven to improve athletic performance by increasing blood flow, managing inflammation, and strengthening immunity. 

Over 10 years ago, the 2before co-founders were part of a team from the New Zealand Plant and Food Research Institute that first discovered that blackcurrants have benefits for exercise. 2before is a natural, simple and delicious way to boost your pre-workout nutrition, so you can get more out of the work you put in.

Go here and use code TINA to get 30% off 20 packs and free shipping!!

Are you a runner? Do you care about the planet you run on? Would you like to use running to change the world for the better?

Becoming a Sustainable Runner will show you how.

Becoming a Sustainable Runner, by Tina Muir and Zoë Rom, is a practical guide for runners of all abilities and backgrounds who want to take meaningful action to protect our planet through their love of the sport. It’s available for pre-order through most major booksellers. Go here to learn more! 

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

On Saturday, in this special bonus New York City Marathon pre race episode, we covered everything you need to remind yourself of the day before your race as well as how to handle the tough moments in the race.

From seeing your nerves as excitement, to using gratitude to remind you how lucky you are to be here, this episode with Olympic Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor and Sports Psychologist, Dr Jonathan Fader will be sure to provide you with all the support you need to be ready for your race.

Along with Deena and Fader, we break down the emotions and feelings that runners are experiencing in the 24 hours before the race. Although waves of self doubt can appear often and at any time, we cannot control our thoughts. What we can control though, is the response we give to that thought, which can be incredibly powerful. Fader, having worked with many runners in his years as a psychologist, knows how much we can overthink our races in the time before the race, and has fantastic advice for how to deal with it.

Deena shares her experience, her wisdom, and how she would turn a panicked mind around in both the pre race time and during hard moments during the race. This is advice you will want to hear over and over again, save this episode for your next race.

In the final 15 minutes of the show, we bring out Kubra, who raced the NYC marathon this weekend for Free To Run, an international organization that works to support women and girls in areas of conflict through adventure sports to build their physical, emotional, and social well being and develop them into community leaders to bring people together across religious, ethnic, and social divides. They currently work with 800 girls a year in both Afghanistan and Iraq. Kubra shares her inspiring story of why she decided to run, and what it represents. Her bravery and courage will motivate you.

Thank you to The New York Road Runners, who kindly hosted this episode at the NYRR RUNCENTER Ft New Balance Run Hub. Thank you to everyone who attended this live event. If you wish to attend a future live show in a city near you, be sure to check my scheduleto see what episodes are coming up.

Deena's previous episode

Faders previous episode

Thank you to Tracksmith, Generation UCAN, and InsideTracker for sponsoring this episode.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. You can go here to check out my favorites!

You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more, click here and enter code TINA15.

Thank you Generation UCAN, I have been talking about them for years and my ONLY source for fueling while I am training and racing. And without fail I have had a product of UCAN every day, whether it is a peanut butter chocolate bar or their delicious cookies and cream protein powder. I am also excited to share with you a NEW product, a gel! Completely fueled with superstarch and ready to go wherever you are headed off to.

Use code TINAUCAN for 20% off of your order.

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but not really finding clear solutions? That is where Insidetracker can come in for you. I count on Insidetracker to help me decipher the science behind it all. I have trusted this company for years to help me show where I may be lacking and or if I just need a few tweeks here and there. I count on Insidetracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off as a special for Running for Real listeners on their ENTIRE store.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are, others are too, and you will help them feel less alone
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Verna, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Sarah Crouch Takeover

Our lives are full of ups and downs.  Each of us embark on our own journey that many other people may know nothing about.  Kate Landau, one of the fastest master’s marathon runners in the world, is one of those individuals who has fought her own physical and psychological battles involving eating disorders and a constant need to be the best, which had major implications on her social life and emotional health.  Kate shares with us her journey and how she was able to overcome these issues and compete in the Olympic Trials at the age of 19 and also 43. 

Early Running Years

Kate was destined to run.  As a sixth grader she was running, winning races, and gaining the attention of running coaches, which lead to her being placed on a Junior Olympic Training plan.  Kate went onto compete in the Junior Olympics and qualified for Nationals. 

As a seventh grader Kate began racing against high school age individuals and placed 2^nd in the State Meet, losing only to a senior.  Realizing her true potential as a runner, Kate began to watch girls older than her go through growth spurts and slow down, causing them to lose speed and races.  Kate decided she wanted to stay small so she could continue to be fast.  Terrified to lose the success she was having, Kate turned to an eating disorder in order to maintain her weight and continue to compete at a high level.  

Eating Disorder and Injuries

Calorie counting became Kate’s life.  She began cutting out solid foods and drinking only juices.  If she did eat, she ate small portions.  Kate calculated that she could burn approximately 100 calories per mile she ran, so if she were going to run 8 miles, she would eat 800 calories.  Weighing herself became an addiction and she did this daily.  She lost friendships and chose not to establish relationships due anorexia and her decision to not eat.  Kate said it was a lonely feeling, living in this existence and trying to hide her disorders from other people. 

While Kate was a competitive athlete, she was also a competitive student.  She had to have straight A’s and wanted to be her school’s valedictorian.  She was constantly under stress due to studying, training, and hiding her eating disorder.  While Kate was seeing success in both academics and athletics, she prayed to have this disorder taken from her but she didn’t know how to let it go. 

Due to a lack of nutrition and constant training, Kate’s body began to break down on her.  She suffered multiple injuries throughout her college running career, including up to 25 stress fractures and was told by doctors she had the bone density of a 65 year-old-woman.  However, despite her injuries and eating disorders, which continued into her 30’s, she still continued to compete at a high level and make it to Nationals each year at Georgetown.

At the age of 19 Kate competed in the Olympic Trials and did an interview for the New York times regarding her eating disorder.  She pretended like she was over it and denied having an eating disorder, noting that she had gained some weight.  But, this was not the case.  Kate’s battle was far from over. 

Kate eventually stopped running due to the injuries her body was sustaining and took up cycling.  She began cycling 3-5 hours a day.  But, due to her eating disorder, she eventually was not able to cycle for even thirty minutes without getting and becoming completely fatigued.  Depression had been an ongoing issue, coupled with a complete breakdown of her body, Kate decided it was time to admit she had a problem and seek out help.

Overcoming Years of Adversity

A Google search helped Kate learn more about eating disorders and locate a doctor that could help her.  She also began meeting with a nutritionist who helped her establish healthy eating habits.  These two things, combined with medication helped Kate begin to see the world in a new and brighter light.  She adopted a dog, started socializing with people at dog parks, and several months later, much to her surprise, got pregnant.  By the time Kate became pregnant her whole outlook on life had changed and she was in a better place, both physically and emotionally.

Kate began running and pushing her daughter in a stroller during training runs.  Eventually she ran a 5K Turkey Trot at a 6:08 pace, and then a half marathon.  Running became about the joy and satisfaction of being out exercising as opposed to the constant need to win and compete.  She eventually worked her way up to a marathon and placed second overall.  She then ran Boston in 2:40, placing 2^ndin the Master’s division, a 2:35 at Eugene, and a 2:33 at Chicago.  Kate then went on to run in Atlanta in the Olympic Trials, finishing 14^thoverall with a time of 2:34:07, at the age of 43!

Kate has stopped limiting what she easts and doesn’t allow herself to go hungry.  She has stopped constantly weighing herself and is enjoying her new found freedom.  Through her struggles Kate has gained invaluable life experience, which has aided her in becoming the mother and runner she is today.  The struggles that we face, both public and in secret, provide us with advantages and life experience that can help us push through the pain we experience in life, or the pain we experience at mile 20 of a marathon.

It is important that we don’t focus all of our energy on the future and that we choose to live in the present.  Worry about the things that you have control over.  Take those challenges that are thrown at you and push through them.  What you do in middle school or high school does not create or influence who you are for the rest of your life.  If you find yourself struggling with problems, don’t be afraid to seek help, because when you get through them, and you will, you will come out a better and stronger person.

Resources:

*Note* If you or someone you know is struggling from an eating disorder, it is time to talk to someone about it, it can make all the difference in the world.. Contact the National Eating Disorder Hotline at (800) 931-2237 or visit the NEDA website.

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel.

You can get 15% off your first purchase, click here and enter code TINA.

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Kate, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

It's #togetherrun time! Join Tina for a 30, 45, and 60 minute run together....while apart. We start by grounding ourselves with nature, then check in with our body and mind, followed by paying attention to five of our senses, and then have a conversation. Each group finishes their run with a few strides. Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share.

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun27

Tina mentioned

COP26

Video about #thehumanrace campaign

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Tina is currently preparing for her first ultramarathon, the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler, so we thought this was an appropriate time to reshare an episode from June 2018 with the amazing ultrarunner Courtney Dauwalter. 

In this episode, she shares her experiences of hallucinating and running blind, her favorite moment on her way to victory in the Moab 240, and her advice for pushing through tough times.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode351.

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Becoming a Sustainable Runner, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. 

Athletic Greens has created a movement around simplifying our health routine.  AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Just one scoop in a glass of water in the morning will ensure that even if your diet is less than ideal the rest of the day, you’ve gotten the nutrients you need. Go here to subscribe and you’ll get five free travel packs of AG1, and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription!

Are you a runner? Do you care about the planet you run on? Would you like to use running to change the world for the better?

Becoming a Sustainable Runner will show you how.

Becoming a Sustainable Runner, by Tina Muir and Zoë Rom, is a practical guide for runners of all abilities and backgrounds who want to take meaningful action to protect our planet through their love of the sport. It’s available for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Waterstones UK, Target, and many independent bookstores.

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. They also have lots of events - Tina will be hosting events with them at the Boston and London marathons. 

If you’re a new customer, go here and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Join Tina for a together run around Austin on her birthday, including a mid run jump into a spring water natural outdoor pool, Barton Springs. This run is unplanned, unscheduled, and as always feels like you are running with a friend. If you enjoy relaxed, conversational runs, but are unable to participate in them right now, this will be for you

Part meditation, part reflection, part check in, join Tina for #togetherrun17

You can support Running For Real and these together runs continuation through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

 Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player

Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Together runs are 25 today! Join Tina for #togetherrun25 around the dark St Louis suburbs. In this 30, 45, and 60 minute run, Tina carries a small, handheld mic to make it be as close to running with a friend as possible...without actually doing it. We start with a body scan, then go onto a senses check up, updates from life this week, and have a conversation. We love hearing feedback and seeing you out on your together runs. Be sure to share.

Part meditation, part reflection, part check-in, join Tina for #togetherrun25

Tina mentioned

No sponsors today, trying to keep this authentic and like really running with a friend. If you want to support Tina and the Running For Real team:

BUT, please fill out this survey to let the Running For Real team know what you are enjoying and what we could include more of.

Through a monthly donation on Patreon. To sign up, click here.

You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram

Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player

• • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

By now we know that the planet needs saving. There are millions of tons of human-made garbage floating in the sea, forests being burned and otherwise destroyed, and gases rising into the atmosphere multiplying the negative natural disaster effects. It’s not exactly a pretty picture.

There is a lot of work to do if we want to minimize the damaging effects of climate change. It can seem overwhelming, but the scale of the task doesn’t have to discourage you. The fact is, we need all hands on deck to make a difference. The ship will go where it needs to go if we all do our part.

Darin Olien has dedicated most of what he does in life to tackling this problem. He’s a nutritional guru, and an environmental activist, but you probably know him best from co-hosting Down to Earth with Zac Efron. He shared his experiences with us about being a Netflix star, and more importantly, what we can do about climate change. 

How to Talk About Climate Change 

As we are learning from the current election and shows like The Social Dilemma, we tend to hear from and talk to similarly-minded people a majority of the time. Your social media circles and likely even a lot of the people you see in person, have similar ideas to you. What does this mean?

A few things to remember: First, if you speak up often, you are probably mostly speaking to the choir. We know you care about climate change, and so do we. So what? What are we going to do about it? Second, because you are mostly speaking to the choir, you don’t feel the pressure from different opinions and so your voice becomes more aggressive and there is less room for those with different priorities or beliefs to participate.

Darin came across these same feelings while filming Down to Earth. He knows that if he were in charge of making the film, it would have been less conservative. Fewer people would have watched, and those that did would have been “in their pod” already. Instead, the people that watched the show didn’t expect to learn about the environment or their health because they weren’t being talked to, they were just listening in on the conversations.

Consider these things as you talk more about climate change. First of all, expand your circle. We can’t keep talking to the same group of people if everyone is going to get on board. Be willing to hear different thoughts and understand some people have varying priorities. 

Second, be kind and play the long game. Keep friendships and be the person that your friends and family know they can go to if they want to learn more. Our actions don’t change overnight. Sometimes just knowing who they can ask climate change questions about when they start thinking about it more is the best thing you can do.

How We Can Make a Change Now

Opening the gates of communication is a great way to start, but posting that you care about the planet on Instagram isn’t going to be what saves it. We need big change. Really big. To be perfectly transparent, bigger than what we can do on an individual level. Making small changes in our lives is a good thing! Being aware of our consumption is important, but to make a difference we need the big players to change.

Corporations have to fundamentally change. No amount of recycling is going to change the trajectory we are on. In fact, Darin told us that less than 10 percent of what we think is going to be recycled actually does. Most of it goes in the ground or a dump somewhere. Even then, consumer products aren’t the biggest contributors to global warming. 

So how can we change the system? There are two ways to get to the corporations. One is from policy. We need to use our vote to get the right people in office and the right policies passed. And two, we need to vote with our feet and wallets. Simply put, companies won’t make things that we don’t buy. 

There is hope. More and more countries, companies, and individuals are changing their ways. Many experts estimate that it is too late to avoid damage from climate change, but all that means is that the sooner we work to change, the less damage there will be. It’s important to not give up hope and to act as soon as possible. Keep learning and keep acting on what you learn.

Resources:

Darin’s Website

Down to Earth Documentary

Footprint

Shakeology

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Tracksmith, Athletic Greens, and Team Onyx Adventure Racing for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. Not to mention they have their fall collection out! You can also go here to check out my favorites!

You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more, click here and enter code FORREAL15.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. I used this for my prenatal and I am still using it while breastfeeding.

Now you can get up to a YEAR supply of Vitamin D3 and K2 for free with your first purchase of  Athletic Greens through my podcast. Visit here to learn more!

As being a part of the World’s Toughest Race, Team Onyx was the first all-Black team in the expedition racing, representing the best qualities and strength that come from diversity. As you may remember Coree Woltering is on this team and they could use as much support as they can as they are trying to get into the World’s Toughest Race: Patagonia. 

Visit here to show your support by buying their apparel, learning more about the team, and what events they have coming up.

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Darin, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

The second BONUS episode of the week is my LIVE panel hosted by Generation UCAN during NYC Marathon weekend. Listen to my conversation with Emily Abbate, Carrie Tollefson, Angie Spencer for a marathon focused chat. We share embarrassing stories, best moments, moments we considered quitting, fueling issues, and much more. If you are thinking about training for your first marathon, there is a lot in here that will help you prepare for the day. If this is your 50th marathon or anything in between, you will likely resonate with a lot of the conversations we had here.

There were a few resounding themes that came back into the conversation again and again; appreciation for the ability to do this, laughing at runners for actually enjoying putting themselves through pain, and the camaraderie that comes with our sport. We answer a lot of listener questions at the end, maybe many of which you have wondered yourself.

Join this fun, light, heartwarming chat between podcasters, and use it to reflect back on what you have learned through your marathon journey. You have become a better person through what you have experienced, use it to build on your future.

• Importance of self-checks and mammograms- even if you believe yourself to be a healthy runner or athlete. 
• Don’t put things off. First it was COVID hesitation to not go to the doctor’s office, then it was a marathon training cycle putting off doctor’s visits until she finally went. There’s always something going on, but checkups are important. Don’t put them off. 
• “Not everybody who goes through a cancer journey wants to be seen as a fighter or battling or warrior. Some people are on a healing journey. They feel that the cancer is part of their body, so they don't want to fight their own body. They might not want to use that kind of metaphor just because has some kind of violence, you know, associated with it. For me it's kind of a journey. I'm a race addict. And so I thought it would be kind of fun if you can call this fun at all to, you know, pretend that this is a whole race that I'm going through, and it's probably more like a multi-leg ultra marathon.”
• “That is something that I learned from running about how to stay in the mile that you're in, not, look all the way down at the results will start worrying about that because you just need to take it one mile at a time.”
• Angela learned that exercise is good while you're going through chemotherapy. Even just going on a walk. 
• Angela co-founded a non-profit, Good Running, in 2016. Each month the group of runners selects a non-profit and donate $20 directly to the organization. They also gather raffle prizes and runners get a raffle ticket for every mile they run or walk. It’s all about runners doing good, together. 

Resources:

Thank you to Momentous, Athletic Greens, and goodr for sponsoring this episode.

Being a tough year with additional stresses on top of an already overwhelming situation means sleep can often be lost...but it is the one thing that we know would help us. Being a former insomniac, I know the frustration going to bed early, yet being unable to switch your brain off can bring. These Momentous Elite Sleep capsules are fantastic and contain Melatonin, Magtein® (Magnesium L-threonate), and Wild Jujube Seed Extract which together will help reduce nighttime anxiety, gently fall asleep and improve circadian rhythm to achieve higher quality sleep.

 Go here and use code TINA for 20% off.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to make and it tastes good as well. I used this for my prenatal and I am still using it while breastfeeding. AND for my UK and Canadian friends, you can participate in this deal as well, so take advantage!

Now you can get up to a YEAR supply of Vitamin D3 and K2 for free with your first purchase of  Athletic Greens through my podcast. Visit here to learn more!

I have been a fan of goodr for YEARS and I literally have their sunglasses all over my house. I recently had an episode with the Co-Founder Stephen Lease where he talks about the true and real story behind his company and I appreciate him being honest with me about it. The design behind these sunglasses really takes into consideration look and comfort. They are 100% carbon neutral and a part of 1% for the planet and protect many great organizations who care for our planet deeply.

Go here to get 15% off of your order as well as free shipping on your first pair.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are, others are too, and you will help them feel less alone
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Angela, we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Running is a challenge. It’s physically painful and mentally exhausting. It seems like such a natural way to move our bodies, but at the same time it can feel so absurd when there’s no need for us to travel in that way anymore. Like most of us, you’ve been in the middle of a training session or race and thought “Why am I doing this?” And when we aren’t telling ourselves how hard running is, our friends and family are sure to do it for us. “You’re crazy.” “Why don’t you just go to the gym?” “Isn’t running bad for you?”

Now that we all agree how difficult running can be, let’s add a few things on top of all that. Suppose you have five children, all demanding your attention and draining your energy resources throughout the day before you get in a workout. Now add working fulltime on top of that. How about running in 85 °F weather? Let’s say you do this with a long skirt, long sleeve shirt, and a headwrap. And by the way, you’re running fast enough to qualify for an Olympic marathon spot. 

This is exactly what running is like for Beatie Deutsch. Beatie grew up in New Jersey in an Orthodox Jewish family. Shortly after high school she went to study in Jerusalem. She fell in love with the city and never looked back. Now she lives there with her husband and five children, managing everyday motherhood with working toward her Olympic dream. Beatie left us with some wonderful advice on motherhood, training, and her secret to her success. Read on!

Motherhood Advice

Beatie considers herself a new runner, with only four years under her belt and already competing on a global level. She really started to take off in the middle of raising her family, and at one point had four children in six years. Like so many of us, being a mother comes first. And although running is now her job, that wasn’t always the case. Balancing work with motherhood and selfcare took everything she had. 

There are two pieces of advice Beatie gives to those with kids. “Your kids read off your energy,” says Beatie. She reminds us that kids are resilient, that we don’t need to worry quite as much as we do, and that if you are calm and relaxed, then your kids won’t be as likely to be anxious or stressed either. 

Secondly, Beatie says that our kids only have one mom. “Those years go by so quickly, and you don’t get them back,” she says. Whatever stage of child raising you might be in, it’s a great reminder. Take time to watch your children play or fall asleep and take a mental picture. Those moments are precious and rare.

Feeling Comfortable as a Woman

So much of feeling empowered as a woman today has to do with how we look and what we wear. That isn’t a bad thing! “There’s not just one way for a woman to feel comfortable,” says Beatie, “Beauty is in diversity.”

Sometimes it may feel that showing off your body and getting rid of your insecurities about how you look in a bikini or a sports bra is the only way to feel empowered. If that is what makes you feel like a strong woman, then you go for it!

This is a simple reminder that empowerment comes from within, with making decisions that you feel confident in no matter who is looking. If that means wearing a tank top, leggings, a hijab, a skirt, a sports bra, or any other thing, then that is beautiful. There isn’t one way to feel beautiful, comfortable, or empowered.

You’re Capable of More Than You Know

Beatie’s faith has given her a lot of strength in her running. Your ability to get better day after day is much more mental than physical, and working on your self-beliefs can help you get further than you ever thought possible. “Don’t doubt yourself,” says Beatie, “The power of your mind is really incredible.”

Beatie’s last advice is to keep taking baby steps, and she means baby steps. When running 200 splits, she’ll often only see 0.2 second improvements week to week, but they are still improvements. Remember, running is a challenge, and each baby step forward should be celebrated. Keep moving forward and find joy in running.

Resources:

Beatie on Facebook

Beatie on Instagram

Beatie’s Website

Beatie on “Run Farther and Faster”

Beatie on “Ali on the Run”

Beit Daniella

Nancy Clark Interview

Renee McGregor Interview

Jennifer Gaudiani Interview

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Tracksmith, Athletic Greens, and City Fit Girls for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. Also, go here to check out their 100 days of Summer email campaign where they talk about anything and everything running. 

You can get $15 off your purchase of $75 or more, click here and enter code FORREAL15.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well. I used this for my prenatal and I am still using it while breastfeeding.

Now you can get up to a YEAR supply of Vitamin D3 and K2 for free with your first purchase of  Athletic Greens through my podcast.

Visit here to learn more!

You already know one of the founders of City Fit Girls, Takia McClendon, who founded this business with Kiera Smalls. They built this group to make people feel welcome,  inclusive and to feel like they all belong no matter what your fitness level is. They provide a strength club online, that has simple, efficient and effective workouts for just $10 a month and you can cancel at any time. They have online coaching who can tackle your specific fitness goals with you.

So feel free to visit here to learn more about their mission and get fit with them!

Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Beatie, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

In October 2022, Tina released a podcast episode called “I Felt So Lost.” At the time, she knew she wanted to combine running with sustainability, but she wasn’t quite sure what direction that would take. Now, just a little over a year later, she says, “I feel like I've got my path; the train track is in front of me and I can see it, and I feel very excited about where it's going.”

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode386.

Thank you to Precision Fuel & Hydration, AG1, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. 

Precision Fuel & Hydration helps athletes crush their fueling and hydration so they can perform at their best. Tina used their electrolytes and fuel when she finished first female and third overall at the Bryce Canyon 50 Miler. You can go to https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-planner for their free Fuel & Hydration planner to understand how much carb, fluid, and sodium you need for your key runs. 

If you have more questions, Precision offers free video consultations. Their Athlete Support crew will answer your race nutrition questions and act as a sounding board for your fueling strategy. No hard-sell, just an experienced and friendly human who knows the science and is full of practical advice on how to nail your race nutrition. You can book a call at https://visit.pfandh.com/tina-calls.

Once you know what you need to run your best, you can go to https://www.precisionfuelandhydration.com/tina/ for 15% off their range of multi-strength electrolytes and fuel.

AG1 is the daily Foundational Nutrition supplement that delivers comprehensive nutrients to support whole-body health. 

With its science-driven formulation of vitamins, probiotics, and whole-food sourced nutrients, AG1 replaces your multivitamin, probiotic, and more in one simple, drinkable habit. And just as importantly, it actually tastes good!

If a comprehensive solution is what you need from your supplemental routine, go to http://drinkag1.com/TINA and get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND five free AG1 Travel Packs with your first order!

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go to http://tracksmith.com/tina and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy “Running for Real,” please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website, https://runningforreal.com/.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter). You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/@TinaMuir) for additional content, including our “RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover” series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

If you could have a celebrity for a best friend, who would you choose? You might guess Tina’s, but probably not Sarah’s!  And what about in real life? Who’s the most famous person that you’ve met?

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you're listening to this podcast! And if you enjoy For Real-Isodes, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!


Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire
License code: HX5BMI8PV2XKA2SZ

Chris Koehn has completed 17 marathons, but for many years he viewed running purely as a warm up exercise. Today it’s a part of his life, connected to what he calls his “hobbies” of architecture and music.  We normally think of the things we like to do as our hobbies, but, he says, “Those are our true passions. And the more we connect with what we most love to do, the more it can lift up our spirit.”

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode315.

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Tracksmith, and the Running for Real training plans for sponsoring this episode. 

AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

Tracksmith is a Boston-based company that truly cares about the quality of their running clothes. Running can be demanding on our clothes; they definitely go through wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers work with the finest materials and keep you in mind as a runner, with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel. 

Go here and use the code TINA15. You’ll get free shipping and Tracksmith will donate 5%  of your purchase to Runners for Public Lands!

If you’ve decided it’s time to accomplish a new running goal, check out our 100% effort-based training plans. You'll run entirely by feel and if you've never done that before, don't worry; this plan is going to teach you how to trust your body to tell you what it's ready for. It will leave you confident, prepared, and in the best shape of your life. There’s a 5k/10k plan, a half marathon plan, a marathon plan, and a one mile/speed segment plan. 

You can find them all here on our website.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Chris.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Martinus Evans wants everyone to embrace the joys of running at their own pace. He runs races from 5K to the marathon, but, as he says, “Our lives don't depend on what place we finish the race in. So if that isn't the case, then why take it so seriously?”

He created a group where he would feel at home, the Slow AF Run Club, an online community with over 25,000 members that he describes as “the Facebook for the Back of the Pack.” The Slow AF Run Club book is coming out next week, providing information and inspiration for anyone who wants to run, at any speed.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode353.

Thank you to Athletic Greens, Tracksmith, and Becoming a Sustainable Runner for sponsoring this episode. 

Athletic Greens has created a movement around simplifying our health routine.  AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Just one scoop in a glass of water in the morning will ensure that even if your diet is less than ideal the rest of the day, you’ve gotten the nutrients you need. Go here to subscribe and you’ll get five free travel packs of AG1, and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription!

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. They also have lots of events - Tina will be hosting events with them at the Boston and London marathons. 

If you’re a new customer, go here and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

Are you a runner? Do you care about the planet you run on? Would you like to use running to change the world for the better?

Becoming a Sustainable Runner will show you how.

Becoming a Sustainable Runner, by Tina Muir and Zoë Rom, is a practical guide for runners of all abilities and backgrounds who want to take meaningful action to protect our planet through their love of the sport. It’s available for pre-order through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, Waterstones UK, Target, and many independent bookstores.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Running with an Elite Mindset

When Dave Spandorfer was running in college, social entrepreneurship was just stepping into the big scene. Brands like Toms were finding ways to give back to the community, and care about something other than their shareholders wallets, while still staying a successful, for-profit company.

Since that time, we have seen a multitude of companies who’ve had success making a profit, while focusing on a cause. Today, it’s almost expected that every big company have a story and a purpose—something more than just pure profit.

For Dave, it was all centered around running. He wanted to create a community within the running world that used running as a way to explore the world. He also wanted to give back to those parts of the world he explored. And of course, he wanted a pair of running shorts that weren’t the exact same as everyone else.

Together with his running teammate Mike, Dave began the journey of creating Janji, a new running-attire company, with the goal of inspiring people to understand the world more, connecting runners with others, and providing life’s most precious commodity to more people everywhere.

Run to Learn

We have recently discussed how running is a great way to travel and explore. Whether you are running down newly-paved neighborhoods, taking in breath-taking views in nature, learning about a new city on foot, or dedicating a trip to a race, running provides a unique perspective on the world. Something about seeing buildings, people, and landscapes while running brings you closer to the world than a television, a phone or a car can. The smells, the sounds, and the sights become much more real.

Running is a wonderful way to learn about the world, and Dave’s goal was to share that truth with the world in an even bigger way. At Janji, each clothing line is paired with a country. Twice a year, they find local artists to help create new designs for their shorts and tops. These artists then have a chance to share a little bit about their country and culture in the design of the clothing.

Run to Connect

We all know how close knit the running world is. Try going for a morning run in a new city, a place where you don’t know anyone, and it will be a challenge to not get a few smiles, waves, or good mornings from runners headed the opposite direction. Something about this global sport connects people before they really even meet.

At Janji, they work to connect others through running by organizing travel expeditions and teaching their customers about new parts of the world. If finding a smiling runner who was willing to talk about their run with you wasn’t easy enough, they literally put you on a path with like-minded runner/travelers.

Next time you run in a new spot, or see a new runner, give them a wave and a hello. They will love it and so will you. And hey, you just might meet a new best friend.

Run to Give Back

Janji, which means promise in Malay, works with each of the countries it creates product lines with to create more access to clean water. Water is the most important resource, and is often on the mind of the runner. When Dave and Mike ran on a blisteringly hot day during a college championship race, they knew that water had to be their choice for how to give back.

Each of us have daily decisions about how we can support social causes. Luckily for the majority of us, it doesn’t have to come by learning how to create clean water for others. Simply doing a little bit of research on the products we purchase and spreading the word when we find people involved in good causes can make a difference. Our small voices and simple decisions are powerful as they spread.

What Can Running Do For YOU?

So, here’s the never-ending pitch for why you should run: Running will give more to you than you can ever give to it. Sure, you may sweat, stink, get sore, and run out of breath, but the rewards are endless. A community, a healthy body, and vehicle for learning and exploring, a way to give back. These are just a few reasons to get out the door and run.

Resources:

Janji

Janji on Instagram

Janji on Twitter

Janji on Facebook

Chris McDougall’s Website

Think back to the first time you tried something new.   Were you scared?  Nervous that you may embarrass yourself or even fail?  Or did you feel like maybe you didn’t belong there?  Any one of these thoughts would be a perfectly natural response to trying something new.  However, changing our mindset from fear and nervousness to confidence in our abilities and believing in ourselves can help us eliminate doubt from our minds and allow us to put forth our best effort.  Molly Seidel, did just that!  In her first ever marathon, after an ongoing battle with eating disorders and hampered with multiple serious injuries throughout her running career, Molly finished second at the 2020 Women’s Olympic Marathon Trial, earning herself the opportunity to represent the United States of America at the 2021 Olympics. 

Cultivating Early Potential

When we think of running for our high school team, we often envision there actually being a team, as well as being surrounded by training partners that will push you and motivate you to train.  This was not the case for Molly.  Beginning in her freshman year, Molly was the only member of her high school cross country team.  She had to learn to be self-driven and self-sufficient in order to further her fitness and compete at a high level.  Beginning in her freshman year and ending in her senior year, Molly had won each state championship, as well as the 1600-meter and 3200-meter track races.  Molly then went on to compete at the Footlocker National Cross-Country race, which she also won.

Molly fell in love with running because it wasn’t something anyone was forcing or pressuring her to do.  She, like many of us, developed her own personal relationship with the sport.  But that doesn’t mean there weren’t challenges along the way.

Recruited out of high school to run at Notre Dame on a full ride scholarship brought new and difficult experiences.  While she did win Division 1 NCAA titles in Cross Country, as well as the Indoor 3k, 5k, and 10k, it took a lot of work.  She went from being first in the nation to 5^th, 6^th, or 7^thon her team.   Not only was she struggling physically, she struggled mentally with her body image and the shame put on her by her first Notre Dame coach.  Dealing with negativity and being told she wasn’t good enough and a waste of a scholarship throughout her first two years damaged her and left her feeling like she had no control of her own life.

Finding Control in the Wrong Places

Recognizing that women and men mature differently, especially as they work their way through high school and into college sports is an important thing to understand.  You can’t treat men and women the same or tell them to just get over it and expect them too.  Molly found that there was little room to accept women growing into their bodies at the collegiate level.  This added to the anxiety that Molly was already feeling.  As a control mechanism to this anxiety, Molly turned to an eating disorder to garner some form of control over her own life. 

Focusing on calories and how much she could eat to provide her with just enough fuel to get through workouts became her life.  This lead to malnourishment, low bone density, and lead to multiple injuries.  Confiding in her second coach at Notre Dame, Molly realized she needed to change her way of thinking and entered eating disorder targeted treatment for 4 months, followed by two years in therapy.  This helped her to identify that the root problem wasn’t just body image, but anxiety and the need to feel like she was in control of one aspect of her life. 

If you are dealing with an eating disorder, it is best to address it early so that you can get through it without becoming a statistic.  Approximately 1/3 of people will die from the disorder, 1/3 will recover, and 1/3 will deal with it for the rest of their life.  Realize you are not alone in this battle and know that overcoming this without a support system and targeted therapy may be impossible.  It is ok to ask for help to get better.

The Power of Positivity

Having a positive influence in our lives not only steers us in the right direction, but sometimes even carries us when we are unable to walk.  As Molly began to deal with her eating disorder she came to terms with the necessity of a healthy relationship with eating.  You are unable to perform at high levels and sustain a long career without properly fueling your body.  However, the toll that this disorder took on her body hindered her abilities moving forward.

 Molly became so obsessed with running at the 2016 Olympic Trials that she made this her sole focus, holding on to this dream tight.  So tight, that she broke herself physically, resulting in her being sidelined during the 2016 Olympic Trials.  She continued to battle serious injuries, leading her to wonder if she’d ever run again.

For one year, Molly ran on a broken hip.  Eventually she had surgery, causing her to take six months off.  Following that six month period she felt like she was ready to go, only to reinjure her hip.  Negative thoughts began to creep into her mind, wondering if this was it.  This is a common theme found in many runners.  Stress fractures, pulled muscles, tendonitis, or plantar fasciitis flare ups can cause many runners to question if they will ever run again.  But, as runners, we know there is something off in our brains, and that we are too stubborn and too dumb to give up running.  Molly called her coach from Notre Dame who told her to do what she always does: get through this, be patient, and know that you can do this!  The positivity from her coach was like a rope being thrown to someone stuck in a well.  Sometimes, that’s all it takes, is someone to tell you everything is going to be ok and to pull you out of the hole.

2020 Olympic Trials

As Molly entered the 2020 Women’s Olympic Trials she did so without a whole lot of ego involved.  The past four years had been injury ridden and painstaking.  However, running in the trials was something she had reamed about for many years and she was not going to let the opportunity pass. 

Molly had been waiting for this moment for many years and said she had prepared herself mentally for this to be the worst and most painful experience in her life.  Having never run a marathon, and having to start not on the front line, but in the third wave, recognizing many of the incredible runners around her, Molly began the most important race of her life. 

She recalled passing through mile 18 and feeling the pain in her legs but knew she could still do this.  At mile 20 she began to worry, recognizing she was ahead of a lot of the other elite runners, she decided to maintain her pace, hoping to hold on to her spot.  The next six miles were extremely painful but focusing on all the hard work and dedication she had put into running throughout her life, she pushed through. 

Running on the shoulder of Aliphine Tuliamuk and aided by her positive words to stick with her, Molly and Aliphine worked towards the common goal of making the U.S.A. Olympic Team.  Molly Seidel finished her first marathon in 2:27:31, taking second place and earning herself a spot on the Olympic team.

Throughout her career Molly has experienced incredible lows and remarkable highs.  No matter what you do in running, whether you have a great race or a bad day on the course, it is important to remember that running does not define you and that you are a person outside of the sport.  Regardless of what stage of life you are in, continue to find joy and establish healthy relationships with what you do, whether that be running, eating, or anything else.  Trust the process and do the best you can, that’s all anyone can really ask.

Resources:

*Note* If you or someone you know is struggling from an eating disorder, it is time to talk to someone about it, it can make all the difference in the world.. Contact the National Eating Disorder Hotline at (800) 931-2237 or visit the NEDA website.

Molly's Instagram

Molly's Twitter

Sarah Canney R4R Episode

Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani R4R Episode

Jessi Haggerty and Meg Steffey-Schrier R4R Episode

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor Tracksmith, Altra, and Athletic Greens for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

Tracksmith is a Boston based running clothing company that truly cares about the quality and care of their running clothes. Running can be a demanding lifestyle for our clothes, they definitely go through the wear and tear to where we may be purchasing new clothes constantly. Tracksmith designers truly work with the finest materials and think of you as a runner in mind with spots for your keys, phone, and fuel.

You can get 15% off your first purchase, click here and enter code TINA.

I am thrilled to announce my exciting partnership with Altra, as an athlete and a sponsorship, I have loved their shoes as well as what this company stands for. So as a special treat to Running4Real listeners  they are going to give away a pair of shoes every month this year!

Go HERE to enter to be a winner a free pair of shoes. And once you have entered once you will be entered for the entire year.

Athletic Greensis a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to do and it taste good as well.

Now you can get a free travel pack with 20 servings with your first purchase, Visit here to learn more!

Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Molly, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Today we are having a crossover episode, sharing episode five of Running Realized: The Lifelines Of Your Running Shoes. Be sure to go subscribe to Running Realized to catch up on the previous and future episodes of season one here.

An exploration of understanding the environmental impact of the running footwear industry - what sustainability looks like now and what we hope for it to be in the future.

First, we’ll hear the story of the lifecycle of one pair of running shoes, from concept to landfill with Bennett Grimes, Senior Product Manager of Footwear at REI's Co-Op. Next, we’ll have a discussion on the future of materials with Jad Finck, VP of Innovation and Sustainability at Allbirds. Then, a breakdown and call to action on how the listener can take immediate next steps on being an active participant in making the running industry a more sustainable place. Finally, we’ll hear from Zoë Rom, Runner, climate activist and Associate Editor at Trail Runner magazine, as she reads her poem, written exclusively for Running Realized, “Last Words.”

Meet the guests:

Bennett Grimes

• Senior Product Manager at REI
• 2:18 marathoner
• Father to 17 month old Baker
• NCAA XC All-American with Western Washington University
• 13 years in the running/footwear industry

Jad Finck

• Vice President of Innovation & Sustainability at Allbirds
• Mechanical engineering degree from Stanford University
• MBA from the USC Marshall School of Business.

Calls to action:

• Be intentional with your purchases & vote with your dollars, buying sustainable products, especially from companies that are testing out sustainable products, sends them a big message that consumers see sustainability as important
• Research and reaching out to companies you care about to ask them for their carbon numbers
• Donate your shoes to SolesForSouls, Shoe4Africa, or other donation services

If you take action and do one of our suggested takeaways, tell us! We would love to hear what you did, and how it changed you. Tag us in a post on Instagram or email info@runningforreal.com to share.

A special thank you to Zoë Rom for writing an original poem to go with this episode, find Zoë's DNF podcast for similar shows to Running Realized.

Running Realized is hosted by Tina Muir and Knox Robinson. Produced by Jon Phillips. Original music, sound design, and mix by Daniel Brunelle. Edited by Gordon Bramli. Cover image created by Mari De Monte and Toby Kelleher.

Thank you to Generation UCAN, Momentous, and Athletic Greens for sponsoring this episode.

Thank you Generation UCAN, I have been talking about them for years and my ONLY source for fueling while I am training and racing. And without fail I have had a product of UCAN every day, whether it is a peanut butter chocolate bar or their delicious cookies and cream protein powder. I am also excited to share with you a NEW product, a gel! Completely fueled with superstarch and ready to go wherever you are headed off to.

Use code TINAUCAN for 20% off of your order.

I would like to introduce to you Brain Drive from Momentous, I tested it out on my trail marathon race and I was able to stay focused and present during the WHOLE race. It has also been helpful for me while I am getting work done in just providing me with that focus that I need. It’s caffeine free which I also love.

 Go here and use code TINA for 20% off.

Athletic Greens is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. Just to help my immune system be stronger and greater! It is so simple to make and it tastes good as well. I used this for my prenatal and I am still using it while breastfeeding.

Now you can get up to a YEAR supply of Vitamin D3 and K2 for free with your first purchase of Athletic Greens through my podcast. Visit here to learn more!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are, others are too, and you will help them feel less alone
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to , we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Join Tina for a Together Run from home as she processes the upcoming weeks of launching Becoming a Sustainable Runner. The usual meditative elements like body scans, nature check ins, senses check ins, and mental health check ins are followed by a conversation. 

Check out

Pre-order Becoming a Sustainable Runner

Sign up for the Running For Real newsletter at the top of this page!

Listen to last week's For Real-isode with Sarah Crouch

Sign up for 100 days of sustainability 

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe on Apple, Spotify, iHeart, Stitcher, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you enjoy Running for Real, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter. 

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Today Tina and Sarah consider recent trends and fads that they can’t stand - and remember some embarrassing ones from the past.

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast!. And if you enjoy For Real-Isodes, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Thank you to our sponsor, 2before!

2before is a natural sports performance superfood made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries, which boast exceptionally high levels of antioxidants called anthocyanins. They’ve been proven to improve athletic performance by increasing blood flow, managing inflammation, and strengthening immunity. 

Over 10 years ago, the 2before co-founders were part of a team from the New Zealand Plant and Food Research Institute that first discovered that blackcurrants have benefits for exercise. 2before is a natural, simple and delicious way to boost your pre-workout nutrition, so you can get more out of the work you put in.

Go here and use code TINA to get 30% off your first order!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HX5BMI8PV2XKA2SZ

Together Run 60 and today we are running in the dark with Tina in St Louis. As always, we check in with nature, with our bodies, with our minds, and update one another with what we have been up to. This is a combination of meditating and grounding, connection and community, and it is one way to feel like you are on a social run without actually doing it.

Tina mentioned

Weekly Strides Episode 4

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You can share on social media and let others know about what you are loving in these together runs.

You can leave a review on iTunes. 

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could be listening to, but we are honored you have chosen Running For Real. If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that topic will relate to them. Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
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  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you for joining, we look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Registrations for road races have declined since the pandemic. The number of people describing themselves as “burned out” has increased. Is there a connection? Why are so many of us experiencing burnout, and what can we do about it? Rachel Gersten, co-founder of Viva Mental Health and Wellness, shares her thoughts and advice.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode321.

Thank you to Patreon, Athletic Greens, and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode. 

Come join us on Patreon! Do you enjoy Together Runs? Then you won’t want to miss our bi-weekly Travel Together Run episodes, available only through Patreon! They’ll give you an immersive experience of exciting locations, along with workouts and long runs. Marina del Rey and Santa Monica/Venice Beach are up first. We’ll have conversations about those runs, discussing your answers to Tina’s questions and talking about your thoughts.

Other benefits include monthly Q&A Zoom chats with Tina and other Patreon members, the opportunity to ask questions of upcoming guests, and blog posts on topics of your choice. 

Go here to check out the different levels - we’d love to see you there!

AG1 is an easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients. It promotes gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and naturally occurring enzymes; supports your immune system with Vitamin C, zinc, healing mushrooms, and more; provides magnesium to boost energy; and it's packed with superfoods, adaptogens, and antioxidants to help recovery.  It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get five free travel packs and a free one year’s supply of vitamin D3+K2 with your subscription.

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level. Now, they're doing the same with footwear. The Eliot Runner was developed to meet the rigorous demands of committed runners, providing the perfect balance of cushioning and responsiveness with classic Tracksmith style.

A limited run will be available in November. You can see it here and reserve your spot in line today.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
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• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Rachel.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Have you ever wondered what a podcast guest has been up to since you heard them interviewed?  We have, and so Running Reunion was born.  

This week we’re catching up with Amelia Gapin. Amelia says that she was “quote, unquote ‘famous,’ for like 10 seconds,” but she’s actually a groundbreaker. In 2016, she was on the cover of Women’s Running magazine, making her, as she says, “the first out transgender woman on the cover of a woman's fitness magazine.”

Amelia is an outspoken advocate for the LGBTQ community, and encourages others to speak up, as well. She suggests following Chase Strangio and Chris Mosier on Twitter. They tweet out all the information you need to voice your support for people who, as Amelia says, “really, really need your help and support. We're just the people who are hanging out, doing our thing, living our lives, just like you are.”

You can follow Amelia on Twitter and Instagram.

To hear Amelia’s original episode from June 2018, you can go here.

UCAN uses a one-of-a-kind carbohydrate to provide a steady release of glucose over several hours that’s easy on your stomach and doesn’t cause a sugar crash. It comes in powders, bars, and gels, and they actually taste good! Their gel, UCAN Edge, was voted by Runner’s World as one of the best foods to eat during a run. Tina has been a fan of UCAN for years and uses it exclusively for fueling when she’s training and racing. 

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running Reunion.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Amelia.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Sara Slattery won national and international titles in cross country and indoor track while in high school and college, before going on to become a top-ranked professional runner. She applied what she learned as a student athlete to her career as a college coach, including how to navigate RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport), which she had suffered from herself.

She and Molly Huddle have co-authored a book, “How She Did It: Stories, Advice, and Secrets to Success from Fifty Legendary Distance Runners.” They wrote it, she says, “because it was a book we would have loved to have when we were a high school athlete.” 

If you suffer from RED-S, or think that you may, we’ve created a free resource of over 50 videos that will be available on YouTube on February 6th. Experts in sports nutrition and performance answer questions submitted by real people, covering everything you may have wondered about Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode336.

Thank you to Örlö, Allbirds, and Oladance for sponsoring this episode. 

Örlö is the world’s most sustainable algae supplement. Their products deliver a natural source of omega-3s, vitamins and minerals that improve user experience, bioavailability and nutritional support. Their algae omega-3 products are in the polar lipid form, delivering superior absorption over traditional omega-3 sources including fish or krill. 

Their algae is grown in pristine water in Iceland using only green energy and they employ a carbon-negative production process. 99% less land and water resources are used, so you get 100% of the benefit with 0% of the guilt!

Go here and use code TINA at checkout to save 12%. You can add it on top of their special New Year’s offer for even greater savings!

Allbirds looks at everything through a sustainability lens; it’s at the core of who they are as a company and the products they create. Their performance running shoe, the Tree Flyer, is lightweight, super springy, and wildly comfortable, and they’re Tina’s go-to running shoes. They’re her workout shoes, and she’s run three marathons and an ultra in them.  The Tree Dasher is not only a running shoe, it’s perfect for daily wear.

Use this link, and you’ll get a free pair of socks with your order! 

Oladance Wearable Stereos deliver high-quality sound without ever going in your ear. They have a secure fit so they’re perfect for running, but so comfortable that you can wear them for hours. Since they don’t go in your ear, you can still hear outside sounds and remain aware of your surroundings. The audio quality is outstanding; Oladance is truly a wearable stereo, with 360° sound. It also has a super long battery life - up to 16 hours!

Oladance is for people who love to move, to be active, and to listen to music, podcasts or books with superior sound.  You can go here and use code TINA to save 20% on your order!

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

 “Thank you” to Sara! We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

There’s no good answer to this week’s For Real-Isode. Would you rather… have an ingrown toenail or no toenail?

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast!. And if you enjoy For Real-Isodes, please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HX5BMI8PV2XKA2SZ

Philip King isn’t concerned with PRs - which is surprising, considering how fast he is, with times around 1:15 for the half marathon and 2:48 for the full. He runs for the challenge, to connect with others, and to motivate members of his community. He’s active in Black Men Run, serves on the Black Unicorn Marathoners committee, and has run in races around the world, all while working a full-time job and raising a family.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode312.

Thank you to Allbirds, Mile 20 Mental Training, and Athletic Greens for sponsoring this episode. 

Allbirds’ products are made from natural and recycled materials, and best of all, they know who they are. They are confident in what they do, and are changing the entire running industry before our eyes. You can see their entire collection on their website.

Win your mental battle and you’ll win your race! Runners often prepare for the physical challenge of the race, but leave the mental challenge to chance.  Mile 20 Mental Training will teach you the strategies and techniques to believe in yourself and achieve your goals on and off the course.

Registration for this season is open now through August 21st.  Go here to learn more.

AG1 is a simple and easy way to get 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food source ingredients to help strengthen your immune system. It’s simple to make and it tastes good!

Go here to get a FREE year’s supply of Vitamin D and five FREE travel packs with your subscription.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
• Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Philip.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Tina and Sarah are only in their mid-thirties, but still, they’re not as young as they used to be… Today they answer the question, “What has been the best and the worst part for you about getting older?”

Thanks for listening!

If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe wherever you’re listening to this podcast!. And if you enjoy "For Real-Isodes," please leave us a review!

Keep up with what’s going on at Running for Real by signing up for our weekly newsletter on our website.

Follow Tina on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You’ll find Running for Real on Instagram too!

Want to be a member of the Running for Real community? Join #Running4Real Superstars on Facebook! 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for additional content, including our" RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover" series of 50+ videos.

Thank you for your support - we appreciate each and every one of you!

Thank you to our sponsor, 2before!

2before is a natural sports performance superfood made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries, which boast exceptionally high levels of antioxidants called anthocyanins. They’ve been proven to improve athletic performance by increasing blood flow, managing inflammation, and strengthening immunity. 

Over 10 years ago, the 2before co-founders were part of a team from the New Zealand Plant and Food Research Institute that first discovered that blackcurrants have benefits for exercise. 2before is a natural, simple and delicious way to boost your pre-workout nutrition, so you can get more out of the work you put in.

Go to https://2before.com and use code TINA to get 30% off your first order!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

License code: HX5BMI8PV2XKA2SZ

This episode covers topics that runners often wonder about. Steve talks about them in such a clear, comprehensive way that you’ll not only have your questions answered, but feel inspired to develop your own resilience in running and in life.

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode299.

Have you not been feeling yourself lately? Gone down a lot of avenues but haven’t really found clear solutions? That is where InsideTracker can come in for you.  I have trusted this company for years to show me where I may be lacking and if I need a few tweaks here and there. I count on InsideTracker to help me decipher the science behind it all.

Go here to get 25% off site wide.

UCAN uses a one-of-a-kind carbohydrate to provide a steady release of glucose over several hours that’s easy on your stomach and doesn’t cause a sugar crash. It comes in powders, bars, and gels, and they actually taste good! Their gel, UCAN Edge, was voted by Runner’s World as one of the best foods to eat during a run. Tina has been a fan of UCAN for years and uses it exclusively for fueling when she’s training and racing.

Allbirds is all about doing things better, like collaborating with Adidas to create a performance running shoe, the FOOTPRINT.FUTURECRAFT, with only 2.94kg CO2 per pair.  Their products are made from natural and recycled materials, and best of all, they know who they are. They are confident in what they do, and are changing the entire running industry before our eyes.

You can see their entire collection on their website.

Thanks for listening!

We know there are so many podcasts you could listen to, and we are honored you have chosen Running For Real.  If you appreciate the work that we do, here are a few things you can do to support us:

• Take a screenshot of the episode, and share it with your friends, family, and community on social media, especially if you feel that the topic will resonate with them.  Be sure to tag us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram
  • If you are struggling through something a guest mentions, chances are others are too, and you will help them feel less alone.
•  Leave an honest review on iTunes or your favorite podcast player.
  • Your ratings and reviews will really help us grow and reach new people.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe?  You can find out here.

"Thank you" to Steve.  We look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Find Your Running Calling

Finding your calling in life is wonderful. When you have a burning inside you that powers your actions, no amount of adversity can stop or discourage you. You know why you do what you do, and your success and fulfillment don’t stem from the results of your effort, they come from your effort alone.

For some people, a life calling comes naturally, often at a very young age. For others, it takes years of searching and work till they discover what makes them excited to jump out of bed each morning.

Us runners? We also all have a running calling. Something that fuels our reason for running. A natural ability, an appreciation for the body, a desire to stay healthy, or an aspiration to break records can all be reasons to run. Maybe you are battling cancer, maybe you lost someone to cancer, maybe you run simply to work off some stress. Whatever it is, it’s yours.

Today we interviewed Ryan Hall on the Running for Real podcast. Ryan holds the record for the U.S. half marathon and once completed seven marathons, on all seven continents, in seven days. Yes, you read that correctly. Ryan knows how it feels to find a calling in life and in running. Listen or read along to see what you can learn about your calling and how that can propel you to do great things.

Learn About Yourself

Learning about yourself is a funny concept. We are the only people we are around 24/7, and yet often times, coaches, parents, or mentors know things about us we don’t know about ourselves. For Ryan, learning about himself helped him to know that running was something he wanted to do from the first time he went on a run.

It can be difficult to decide which interests are life callings, and which are just interests. Knowing when to give something up or when to work through difficulty takes practice. Ryan says, “The more you know yourself, the easier it is to act on these different ideas or inspirations.” Take time to explore a variety of ideas and ponder which ones speak to your heart.

Also take time to think about why you run. When you think back to the first time you ran, or the first run you enjoyed, was there something bigger attached to that run? Something that you can always lean on when your next run seems pointless or too hard? Finding a deeper meaning will help you stay strong and committed.

Listen to Your Body

Learning about your body can be as important as learning about yourself. A healthy body will allow you to perform to the best of your ability. Whether you are working to solve a social issue, running your own business, or training for your hometown 10K, it is important to listen to your body.

Ryan gives two suggestions from having been a professional athlete when it comes to listening to your body. The first is rest. Make sure to prioritize rest. The only way to perform at a high level is to push yourself and then allow your body to adapt to that level. Adaptation cannot come without proper rest. Again, make it a priority.

Another critical aspect of body performance is proper fueling. Especially in the long-distance realm, getting down to a certain weight is a popular way to try to conserve energy. Avoid this trend. Your body knows best, and whatever weight it settles at, be comfortable with it. Focus on your performance, eat when you are hungry, and your body will figure out the optimal weight for you.

Be like Bamboo

There will be times when life throws you a curveball. Unexpected events are normal, so don’t let them take you off your path. “You want to be like Bamboo,” says Ryan referencing an ancient Samurai adage, “You bend but you don’t break.” Set goals for yourself, but be flexible. If you accept that there are many ways to reach your objectives, then you won’t be disturbed by changes you may need to make.

Ryan was on a trajectory to become a great baseball player when he found running. Now that his professional running career is over, he has taken up weight lifting. With each transition Ryan finds a common thread that connects his current focus to his personality. For him, it’s all about taking on a new challenge. What is it for you?

Praise Others

Last of all, wherever you find yourself on your journey, it is important to praise others. As you do so you will find support from others, and the temptation to compare your journey to theirs will fade away.

We are all on this journey together. Running can be a very individual sport, but it’s much more enjoyable when you have friends, teammates, coaches, and even competitors that you can share this experience with. We may all have different running callings, but we all have one.

Resources:

(Book) Run the Mile You’re In

Ryan’s Instagram

Ryan’s Twitter

Ryan and Sara’s Website

Mike Wardian’s Instagram

Thanks for Listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

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Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Ryan, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Who is Alison Staples?

Alison is a physical therapy assistant, Crew leader at Riot Squad Running, run ambassador at Under Armor, and coach at Formula Running Center.

What was it like starting running age 30, did any part of you feel behind?

I had no idea about anything running. I ran in what we're getting to how I started running, but I had no idea about the right community.

I didn't know the distance around a track. All I knew was that I just ran down the street and came back and it was, like, the most exhilarating fill in the world. I had no knowledge of anything else. The first time, I had to go for a run. It was awful, but I kind of just stuck with it because it was hard. And I was like, "Oh, this is hard. I think I like it." I was more of an elliptical person up until I started running.

What made you decide to want to try running after being an "elliptical person"?

I really wanted to run someday, but I didn't understand how people liked it. I went to the gym three days a week. I had my elliptical routine, the 25 or 35 minutes. And then I just did, like some squats and stuff and that was it. I was good. I worked at the time. Well, I still do. I work for a pediatric hospital, I work with kids and adults with spinal cord injuries. And in 2008, we decided to put together a team, a charity team for the Baltimore running festival. One of our co-workers had gone up to Boston and just fallen in love with the Boston Marathon, especially the hand cycle division and thought it would be a good idea to bring that back to Baltimore, especially to our patients who are paralyzed and can't walk.

We put together a team for the Baltimore running festival, and I had a girlfriend, a Black woman who I really admired, there aren't a lot of Black therapists, so I looked up to her in that regards, and then she loved running, and I didn't see a lot of black women running at the time, so she was just like this magical unicorn, and I teased her about it all the time. But I secretly admired her tenacity when it came to like running how dedicated she was. When this charity team came around, she was like, "You know what? I think this would be good for you to do. You can meet so many people like this. Who knows? Maybe you'll meet your husband." That's how I met my husband. I'm, like, sign me up, so I was like, yeah, you know, whatever I'm doing 5k. And she told me I could not do a 5k. She wasn't paying the race fee for 5k. We had to do a half and I was like, I don't know what a half is, but it's not full so fine, and that that is how I got coerced into my first race

It is really important to have people in our lives who believe in us a little bit more than we believe in ourselves, those role models, how could someone find a mentor like that?

I think it's doing the things that you're most scared of, all the things that take you out of your comfort zone, and then you'll find someone who continuously pushes you out of your comfort zone and continuously sets the bar higher for you than you will ever set the ball for yourself. So, you know I was content on the elliptical, and she's like No, no, no, you have to do a half marathon now.

Granted that's a huge job, and no one has to do that job, but that goes for anyone. So maybe you're like a solo runner and you really want to run with the group But you're really intimidated by your pace or just groups in general. So, maybe you find a group with less people, but, yeah, just stepping out of your comfort zone and finding things to do that you are scared off. We generally put you around people who will push you out of your comfort zone and really tap into potential that you have for sure. I don't know about you, but I've found with the mask situation that I find it easier to do things like that right now. I don't, I don't know why, maybe it's like I feel protected by the mask or something.

But I've done quite a few things lately on my own where I'm taking in groups because I don't know, I feel like that sounds weird. Comforted by the mask like it allows me to be braver and just go out there on my own. I don't know. The crazy thing about this pandemic is that it strips us all of what we thought was important before. So, like, who cares about what? Choose the clothes you have on, or, you know, the fact that we're all struggling. Maybe the same, maybe in different ways. But who we are, in essence is all that is needed to show up. And I think that's been one of the greatest lessons of this pandemic.

How has your relationship changed since? Do you ever encourage her to do something she hasn't?

It's so funny because you know, the funny thing about this situation is that she had me sign up for this race. And then she left the job, maybe, like a few weeks later. So she left me to train by myself and I tease her about it all the time. Like since then, she's moved to a different state, but we still keep in touch. She still goes out on her run. She still motivates me, even if she doesn't know. So she'll post like, wow, she really got up and ran at four o'clock in the morning. Let me get up. She still motivates me and she just thinks that it's so funny how my running journey has evolved when she had to literally push me out the door.

And she's like, you know, this is not about me anymore. This is about you tapping into something that we didn't even know that you could have the potential to tap into, so I think it's both inspiring on both our parts just to watch each other grow in the space.

What would be your advice to someone listening, who has a friend in their life that they want to encourage to do something outside of the home?

Yeah, I think you should always know how to push the people around you. So I need my friends to curse me out all the time, and I'm fine with it because that's what's going through my mind. But I think you really have to find a circle and trust people, too, you have to welcome people into your space.

There's a certain amount of vulnerability that you have to have in order to let people, and you have to trust people with that space that you give them. So the first step is just to find someone that you really trust someone that you respect and someone that has your best intentions at heart.

What about the friend who wants to be encouraged?

One of the beautiful things about coaching is that you get to see people in their weakest moments. You get to pull people out of whatever headspace they are in, help them hang in there. You really get to tap into that person and figure out like, and so isn't very vocal about what it is that spot on her. But I can see like she's fighting really hard. So maybe I just saw her like she needs to relax. And it's really about observation and figuring out how you can best serve someone versus you putting yourself on somebody else.

What happened after that first race?

Well, before the race, I did nothing, right. I went and bought a brand new pair of shoes the day before that matched the shirt because, you know, if anything else, I was gonna look good in this picture. Well, the shoes were right out the box. And when I got to the race, I just looked around. I was like, Wow, this is You know, I thought running looked a certain way and I got there I was like, Wow, there are small people. There are big people. They're tall people, you know. There are White people. There are Black people, there are men, there are women. That's just kind of amazing that there are all these different types of people, and I thought our running was just for thin white females or white males. Even just being at the start line was just amazing.

And then having the support of my co-workers there is, well, it was just a really good feeling. So everything you know, I think I had trained up to eight miles when I say, trained, loosely trained, loosely trained up the eight miles I did seven. And then the pain set in. Well, one of the things I love was just like, you know, you always find those run angels on the course and they come and go in different ways. Maybe it's somebody at about 8.5 miles who's just telling you you could do it, keep going. And that to me, it was like the most exhilarating and refreshing And like most memorable part of the race, was just all these people just supporting you throughout the entire time that you're out there on the course.

Did you pay attention to see if others were struggling around you too?

I was looking around trying to see if anybody noticed that I was dying. Instead I saw other people who needed to be saved as well. I was always true. Yeah, but it was great. So I found myself also encouraging other people. So I'm like, Great, This is great. Like, you know, this is our first run together.

I ran the first few miles with the co-worker. So I'm like let's just zone out to the song and we'll make it up this hill. So I was surprised that as a new runner this is my first race, I found myself encouraging other people, and that gave me the motivation. Though I did receive encouragement and to keep going along in a race, that's really cool.

My finish line picture is of two of my co-workers. It was like the most ridiculous thing ever. I'm being held up by two of my co-workers helping me through the finish line. But it was so funny because like, this is like, my first race. It's amazing. I made it. Yeah, And then when I went out just, like, loosen up my legs a few days later, I'm like, wow, that's crazy. I really did it. I really I'm not gonna say ran because I didn't run out 13 miles but I'm like, well, I really participated in a half marathon, I did it and even though I was still in pain, I'm like, wow, you know, I could do anything so I think after that feeling came I loved that.

Were you hooked from there?

You know I was still at the point where I had to still let my friends drag me into things. So the same friend was like, hey, let's go do it another half in Philly. So it was still at the point where my friends were dragging me, I'm gonna say, dragged me, but more pushing me. And granted, it doesn't take a lot to convince me to do something.

When did you start pushing yourself?

I think after my first full marathon, I completely bonded with it, and I really wanted to figure out why, and I really wanted to get better at being a runner after my first marathon.

So I took a RRCA certification class just to get better for myself as a runner, not to coach anybody else, which it's funny how this kind of spiraled into what it is now. But it wasn't till after my first marathon and I thought like, this is really about me now in my journey and running and not about anybody having to drag me along.

Now it's not so much about the running. It's about the mental part and about the emotional aspect that comes with running. It's more about the life journey and the life lessons that running teaches you versus the physical aspect of running itself for sure.

What have you been doing to keep yourself and others motivated during this time?

Yeah. So for myself, I look at my outdoor runtime as my peaceful tranquility, like my me time just to get away from the phone, get away from the computer just like really zone out. And I think I've done a few virtual races, although I take them less seriously than I do training myself. I'm not a fan of virtual races, but I think they do serve that at that point for people right now. For me running right now, it's just about a release. It's about maintaining some form of normalcy. It's about just maintaining the fitness that I've had, and if I capitalize on, if I get faster, so be it.

Right now it's just about a release for me, and for the people I'm coaching. They really just love having accountability and consistency in just some sense of a normal life.

What has the pandemic taught you about running?

I love how it's gotten back to how simple it was before a training block. You know, you have this marathon, you have the 16 week training block day in, day out, it's unforgiving. It's time based. You have to hit these paces, and you know, you could certainly do that now. But for me, it's like I love going without a watch, leaving my watch at home. I love going on a run and not even worrying about what my paces are. I love going on a run and not even posting about it. I love waking up like okay, today I want to do eight miles tomorrow. 12. That's fine. This is what I feel like doing today. Maybe tomorrow It's like a track workout. So I love the flexibility of just, like, kind of going along with the flow and really just enjoying the simpleness of running that I think sometimes training takes away for sure.

You run with a metronome, why?

I used a metronome a lot in my clinic because a lot of my patients have gait deficit. So maybe one extremity is a little bit more effective than the other. And they just need timing as when to put that affected leg down. So for me my cadence has always been on the lower side, maybe like 164-166. And granted, I'm tall, but I'm not like, terribly tall. And it annoys me when I go out and run with my friends who take quicker steps, they always finish faster than me. It seems to be like less effort. So it's like, you know what? I really have to try to get in the habit of turning my feet over, and I can't do it on my own.

Like it just, it just never worked out for me. So a metronome, I use it a couple times a week, and it really helps me the run is just like it's just less effort. I really don't think about it. I've tried to listen to playlists of like 171-180. But then I get too caught up and singing and get too caught up in the words. Let me just put on some monotonous ping ping ping ping ping ping ping. So I know when I put my feet down and I'm sure the crazy run around the neighborhood with this loud pinging happening, but it's therapeutic, it's calming to me.

Why did you become a Physical therapist?

I was kind of floating around for about a year. I was bartending. And then I started volunteering at the hospital. Now I was volunteering in the kids department and then they had an opening in spinal cord injuries. And it was just amazing to me that no two injuries are the same. Everything is different, everybody presents differently and people who have spinal cord injuries, some of their injuries are traumatic, meaning like car accidents. Some of them have non traumatic meaning, maybe one day they just woke up feeling sick and then 12 hours later, they couldn't walk. These were people who needed a lot of help, not just physically but emotionally. And I think that that is something that really resonated with me and why I chose to stay in it.

How difficult has it been with all the emotions of the last year on top of working in a career like that?

Yeah, the first two weeks I worked there, I cried every single day. It's like, Oh my God, I can't believe this is awful. This five year old kid is now paralyzed because of this accident, or this person lost their whole family and all they have is movement below the neck. This is the saddest thing in the world. Then I had to look at it differently, like wow, this person had this thing happened and they still show up every day.

They are still hopeful for recovery in some type of way. And maybe, you know, maybe for them the highlight of their day is coming into therapy and seeing all these other people just being in this community and giving their all for maybe one or two hours. So, you know maybe the person isn't walking. Maybe the person is sitting up for 10 seconds or something that we take for granted. So much of my outlook on it really changed, and I think that is like the most incredible feeling I have when I leave work.

Do you think about your patients during your runs?

Absolutely. It's one of the reasons why I started running in the first place. I ask my patients to do these hard things with limited mobility, and my body works perfectly. There's no reason why I can't go out here and push myself if I ask my patients to do, you know, hard things. So I think about them on every run. I think about them when everything gets hard. I'm like, You know what I ask people to do hard things, and there's no reason why I can't do the same hard things. They motivate me way more than they'll ever know.

What have you noticed about people going through spinal cord injuries in their approach?

I think you know it just depends on where they are in the injury. There are some people who haven't fully accepted, I'm not going to say more, except who are still struggling with the injury itself and everything that comes with the injury. So it's not just the physical, it's the "I can't", I haven't stood up with my parents in, like a long time. I haven't taken a picture with someone or I'm not gonna be able to walk my daughter down the aisle. So a lot of the emotional component. I think just seeing the transformation, oh, wow like we did it and we're gonna walk, we're gonna work on strength training so that I can walk my daughter down the aisle, or this was amazing that I was able to last, you know, 20 seconds sitting up. Whereas last week I could only do 10. I think that just being in this environment of seeing other people really work hard, is good for, like, mental psyche.

What would you like to remind able bodied runners?

There's no bad run. You've never had a bad run. And I can tell you this: I don't know your pace, I don't know your heart rate, your cadence, but you have never had a bad run. All runs are good when your body works the way it's supposed to.

It's just a blessing to be able to get up and leave the house and just have your body work the way it's supposed to. So I really look at this running thing and just physical movement as a blessing in itself. You know, I've had patients just cry, you know, in front of me like, “Will I ever walk again?” And some of those moments are really hard hitting because it's like, wow, like, you know, you really just don't even know what people are going through. And you really just don't appreciate how complex and how amazing it is that the body works the way it does. So you've never had a bad run to whoever thinks that they had one or it's about to have one. You've never had a bad run.

Do you ever find it hard to not say anything when runners do take their bodies for granted?

When I first started working, I felt bad for having a horrible day because I'm like Alison, you're not allowed to have a bad day because you work with people who have it 10 times harder. But then someone had to remind me that my problems aren't insignificant just because someone else's problems are significant. So, you know I went on the trail, ran like last year, tripped and strained my upper hamstring, and then it's been like a complete annoyance ever since.

You know, sometimes I get frustrated but it's like one of those things where, you know, I was out doing something that I loved, and it just happened, and it's a gentle reminder to take it easy. I think sometimes we look at injuries like my body is failing me. Knowing your body is telling you that you are doing too much and you need to rest or you need to strengthen. Something is off. Your body is not failing you with the injury. Your body is trying to tell you to take it easy I think. I think just changing the perspective on how we look at things really helps adjusting to how we deal with things.

What advice do you have for runners stuck in an injury cycle?

Listen to your PT. Do you do the home exercise program they set you for! I have a friend now who is working her way back out from injury, and her PT has given her an amazing run-walk schedule. She's like, “Oh you know, I'm just gonna add a few minutes.” No, don't. Because the plan works.

Runners have the most frustration when they're almost back to recovery. So maybe they're back to walking but they still have some foot drop, and that is the most frustrating part of the injury versus when they couldn't walk it all. I think in this great space I'm almost there, but I'm not there yet is the most frustrating thing. But you have to kind of remember that you're in this for the long haul, so don't rush the process. 

We are so divided right now, how can we heal from that?

I think the country has always been divided. I think it's been something that has been hidden before and I think that this needed to happen in order for us to start healing.

We can't heal in any regards until the problem is right in front of our face. It took a pandemic. It took us having to be home with nothing to pay attention to outside of this, for the healing to start to happen. And I love the direction that it's going. Yes, it's awful and it's heartbreaking and it's triggering and there's a lot of division, but it kind of has to happen in order for us to keep progressing and to keep moving forward.

There are more people now who are speaking out and more people now who are devoting time and energy and efforts and money into eradicating racism and, you know, unifying people than there were before. But I think that this had to happen and I think we had to identify and just call it out for what it is versus trying to hide behind, you know, everything is fine. You know, this has been a problem. Before we can get to the healing, we need to speak about it.

How do you handle feeling like you are not doing enough to move the country forward, particularly with the racial reckoning of 2020?

This has been nothing new to us. It apparently was to a lot of other people. I think that there was this big shift of non Black and Brown people looking for things to do. I'm just gonna speak for myself as a Black person. I felt like I had to do something. Oh, I'm not doing enough. Maybe I need to educate or, you know, whatever. I need to do something. And for a long time, I had these feelings like I'm not doing enough and I had to have my girlfriends say to me. You just showing up is enough. So I think for me and for anyone else who is listening, who feels that maybe they're not done enough, I think you just showing up in the space as you are and being genuine about it is enough.

What does showing up mean to you?

Showing up for me means to keep trying to keep doing the things that I'm doing to keep being in the community. To keep having my run group run through the streets of Baltimore to keep showing up in spaces where I'm not normally seen just to keep being me unapologetic like that is what showing up is for me, it is not to change anything It's not to be anything different than I've been It's just to keep showing up.

What can listeners do to show up?

You have to do what feels right for you. So maybe protesting isn't your thing, don't go to a protest. Maybe your thing is a monetary donation where you can just donate and feel good about it and be anonymous about it. Maybe that is you. Maybe you wanna hold a book club? Maybe that's your thing. So you don't have to go outside of who you are in order to be a voice to someone around. You just find your people enough with your people. Just keep showing up, how you are, but don't have to be like this whole big bang.

I think sometimes we get really caught up in the big visual things that you could see and a lot of the work is behind the scenes. So, like a lot of the work done for protests is done behind the scenes. It's not just about the protests, it's about what are you going to do after the protest? And I think that, a lot of times we missed that point, you know? What are you doing behind the scenes? So just whatever it is that resonates to you, do that.

I have patients, I have Black patients and one thing that really grinds my gears is that, you know, sometimes therapists we like to call our patients lazy, as a way to motivate patients. And now, granted, it's not the best way to go about things, but it happens. But one thing that really makes me upset is when a White therapist calls a Black patient lazy, and I don't even think that it's intended, you know, to be anything more than a tool for motivation. But in my mind as a Black woman Black people have been called lazy for years. So please don't call this Black patient lazy because they are so it's just little things like that that I think that we all do you sometimes and aren't aware of.

How can we think about the bigger picture?

I'm speaking about a 17 year old kid here right? So the 17 year old kid who was a star football player got shot and is paralyzed. He's not lazy. He is depressed. So we have to stop looking at things for what they are and look at it for the bigger picture, right?

So whoever it is you thought this bias about, let's look at the bigger picture. Maybe they're probably not what you're thinking. That's probably something bigger systemically happening that you have to look at. And you have to educate yourself on and you have to be consciously aware of. So you have to look at the bigger picture of systemic issues around you versus what it is in front of your face.

I remember I went to one of my co-workers how she had like, a finger painting party and I couldn't get in she had the gate locks and, you know, eventually she came out and I made a joke with her, and I was like, I would have climbed your fence, but I'm pretty sure I would have gotten arrested for trespassing, and she didn't say anything about it until just recently. She was like, You know what else and that stuck with me for the past five years, I have to say that never would have occurred to me that I could be arrested for trespassing. And you looked that way when you were just trying to get in, I invited you to my place and the gate was locked if you like, I never would have looked at it like that.

So I think it's just being aware of how differently different cultures and different races view things and the experiences that we have gone through and being really empathetic to that.

One final, fun question: You have an unhealthy emotional attachment to your camelback, tell us about that.

I named my camelback and her name is Dora the Explorer. And I pack her with snacks and, you know, we go out and we have a good time. I never know what's gonna happen with Dora, but she is like my best run friend. When all else fails, I have Dora. So it's kind of ridiculous that I'll take her on, like, even like a full mile run. I put like a whole bladder full of water I put a whole bunch of snacks and it's just like it's kind of like my weighted blanket like it's just like a security. Like I'm fine. Whatever happens, I have my phone. I have my snacks. I have my water. All's right with the world.

Resources:

Alison on Instagram

Implicit Bias Test 

Thank you to my wonderful sponsor goodr and Tracksmith for sponsoring this episode of the Running for Real Podcast.

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Listen to Running Realized with Tina Muir and Knox Robinson

The trailer is already out, the podcast comes out February 22nd. Subscribe below on your favorite podcast player.

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Thanks for listening! I hope you enjoyed today's episode.

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Thank you to Alison, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

Malcolm Gladwell is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, host of the Revisionist History and Broken Record podcasts, one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People, and on top of all that, he’s an excellent runner. As a matter of fact, he and Tina went on a run together after their conversation. 

When this episode first aired two years ago, some of the thoughts he shared provoked a lively discussion, so we thought we’d reshare it for our listeners who may have missed it the first time. And of course, it’s well worth a second listen!

For complete show notes and links, visit our website at runningforreal.com/episode366.

Thank you to Tracksmith, AG1 and 2before for sponsoring this episode. 

Tracksmith is an independent running brand inspired by a deep love of the sport. For years the brand has elevated running wear using best-in-class materials and timeless silhouettes that perform at the highest level and can be worn everyday, not just for running. 

Tracksmith helps the environment by making comfortable, durable clothes that will last for years, rather than winding up in the landfill, but that’s not the only contribution they make. They supported Running for Real in creating our RED-S: Realize. Reflect. Recover program. They help athletes who are trying to make the Olympic trials, and they offer scholarships for creatives to work on their crafts. 

If you’re a new customer, go here and use the code TINANEW at checkout to get $15 off your order of $75 or more. Returning customers can use the code TINAGIVE, and Tracksmith will give you free shipping and donate 5% of your order to TrackGirlz.

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Burnout is a normal challenge we all face when running, and it can come in a variety of forms.

Sometimes it comes in the form of overindulgence. Think of it as your favorite ice cream that you discovered is served in unlimited amounts on a cruise you’re on. At first, it’s beautiful. The idea of eating soft serve perfection as much you want, whenever you want, is a dream come true. That is, until you simultaneously have a headache, stomachache, and mounds of regret from the dairy and sugar intake.

Well, running can be like that. You discover that you enjoy running. You run and run, get faster and faster until you hit a wall. Maybe the injuries start to pile up. Perhaps your body starts doing things that you’ve never experienced before. You are fatigued constantly, or you can’t sleep, or you start to get migraines. That thing that seemed good for you (even better than ice cream??) seems to be making life worse.

Other times you come to an emotional or mental block. Every year you fail to qualify for the race of your dreams. You stay optimistic for a while, telling yourself that consistency is the key. “If I just keep running, every week, I will obtain my goal.” But sometimes, you just don’t quite get there.

It’s time to pivot.

Challenge Accepted

Susan Lacke has had her fair share of challenges. Like many of us she sometimes has a hard time calling herself a runner. Being a “middle-or end-of-the-pack runner” can feel like not being a runner at all. You may think, “How can I call myself a runner when I’ve never even run a marathon?”

Apart from runner identity struggles, Susan also happens to be deaf. Susan can’t hear, but she can talk. She isn’t quite deaf enough to feel like a member of the deaf community, but she also doesn’t feel like she can quite fit into the non-deaf community. Floating somewhere in between has also been a challenge.

But with every challenge comes an opportunity to succeed. That’s the mindset Susan has developed to help her overcome fears and live a fabulous life. She encourages everyone to do the things that scare them. That’s how we discover our potential. “Being scared is good. Being scared is hugely motivational,” she says.

And that is exactly what Susan has done this past year.

Overcoming Burnout

Not qualifying for the Boston Marathon was one the contributors of Susan’s burnout. But Susan loves running. She enjoyed being a runner, but felt like she wasn’t becoming the runner that she wanted to be. What to do? What are our options when we’ve given our all and still don’t succeed? Are we eventually just forced to quit?

For Susan, not running was not an option.

Over the span of one year, Susan decided to not sign up for any traditional races. No marathons, no run-of-the-mill city 5Ks. She stayed up late one night searching through different races. Quirky ones. Races that you haven’t even thought of. She looked through all of these races, and then, signed up for every single one of them.

When burnout strikes, it’s time to change pace. It definitely doesn’t mean that you need to give up on a goal, or give up a passion. You just need to switch it up for a bit. Take a relaxing hiatus, try a new sport, or run without a specific goal. You can even try to do some of the races Susan did: Run to the top of the Empire State Building, run a race through the Grand Canyon, or (brace yourself) run a 5k buck naked.

After you do what you need to to shake off the burnout, don’t hesitate to get back after your old goals, maybe altering them some. You may find that the obsessive personal goals you had weren’t really what you wanted to do anyway.

There’s Room for Everyone in the Running Community

Feeling partially a part of the deaf community, and partially not, Susan has found that there are no strict qualifications for being a part of the running community. If your run, you are a runner. Period.

Whether it’s a weekend jog with your dog, a passion for sprinting up flights of stairs, a love for superhero costumes, long runs through nature, or probably literally anything you can think of, you can join the community of runners. There you will be welcome as you are, a runner, and even more than that, You—just the way you are.

Resources:

Susan’s Website

(Book) Running Outside Your Comfort Zone

Susan on Twitter

Susan on Facebook

Nothing matters more to a runner than their feet. It’s one of the few things that we feel comfortable with spending decent money on. We know that shoes are about the only thing you need to get into running, so over the years, getting the best shoes for our feet is what we have focused on.

The right pair of shoes can make a big difference in how you feel about running. Can you imagine trying to run in a pair of firefighter boots? Or what if every time you laced-up, you put on a couple of two-foot long snorkeling fins. Running definitely wouldn’t be as enjoyable.

For a decade or two, minimal footwear, or even running barefoot has gained popularity. Perhaps you’ve considered it, or even given it a try. For the majority of runners though, it’s mostly an experiment.

While it isn’t very reasonable for the most of us to run barefoot, whether it’s the terrain where we live or the way we feel about it, the barefoot movement has made some big differences in how our shoes look today and how experts research the foot.

Jay Dicharry is one of those experts. He is a physical therapist and a sports clinical specialist. He has written two books on running and helps several types of athletes recover and increase their performance. Jay’s goal is to help people achieve their goals by working backwards from those goals, finding the weak points, and strengthening them.

The Connected Human Body

Most recently, Jay has focused on feet. He’s found, that just as runner’s now want to strengthen their hips and core, they should also strengthen their feet.

If you don’t know already, the reason behind strengthen our hips and core is to avoid injury and perform better as a runner. It may not be intuitive at first, but strengthen these areas of our body help to keep better posture, longer. As the children’s song “Dem Bones” suggests—cue the music—the knee bone’s connected to the thigh bone, the thigh bone’s connected to the hip bone...and so on.

With proper posture, we don’t put too much pressure on the wrong parts of our body. As we fatigue, those muscles that we have trained, lose their form. So even if your legs are strong and still moving, your weak hips and core could, for example, lead to unnecessary strain on your knees.

Focusing on a Runner’s Feet

Similarly, our feet can use some strengthening. For a number of years, shoe companies and professionals really wanted to tell you that you have a certain type of foot, one that needs a higher or lower arch support, or a wide or narrow shoe.

Jay says that our feet both pronate and supinate, something that used to be classified as a “type” of foot. “Feet need to move,” he says, “they aren’t like a static bridge.” Instead of trying to find the right type of shoe for your foot, he suggests wearing multiple types of shoes throughout the week so our feet get used to different environments.

The bottom line is that if we have stronger feet, we can run faster, jump higher, and cut harder. The focus should be on freeing our feet and strengthening them, rather than confining them and creating an inflexible and insensible foot.

How to Strength Your Feet

The process of strengthen your feet is similar to most healthy habits. You don’t need to do it a lot, and it’s most effective when done consistently over a long period of time. For children and those that train without shoes, feet are still flexible and using them without shoes or with minimal shoe constriction keeps them that way.

For most of us, we can strengthen our feet by doing simple exercises. Practicing balance and doing other exercises barefoot can help, as well as using some of Jay’s feet strengthening tools. A good way to incorporate foot strengthen exercises is to add them at the beginning or end of a run and to not consider the run complete until you have finished them.

Training correctly for a short amount of time is often more effective then training incorrectly for a long period of time. Think about that when considering adding a foot strengthen exercise to your routine. Whatever we can do to train better, we should happily embrace it.

The challenge is in deciding how best to spend our time training. How will you train smarter this year?

Resources:

Jay’s Website

Rebound Physio on Twitter

Running Rewired

Anatomy for Runners

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To share your thoughts:

Leave a note in the comment section below.

Join the Running for Real Facebook Group and share your thoughts on the episode (or future guests you would like to hear from)

Share this show on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest.

To help out the show:

Leave an honest review on iTunes. Your ratings and reviews will really help me climb up the iTunes rankings and I promise, I read every single one.

Not sure how to leave a review or subscribe, you can find out here.

Thank you to Jay, I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the show.

A different take on together runs today, but equally as enjoyable. Join Tina and other runners from the community in New York as they complete a together run in Central Park the day before the TCS NYC marathon! Tina interviewed some runners in the community to have them share their story and inspire us with their journey. Feel the energy and buzz from the excitement and anticipation, and use it to rev up your run into something special.

So join us for #togetherrun29 in New York

Tina mentioned

Running Realized

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