The Running for Real Podcast

The notion for thinking "Food is Fuel" always comes to our minds as athletes, whether we are elites or recreational ones. We all know that food is an important part of our training, then why do we have such social stigmas around it? Renee McGregor is a performance and eating specialist dietician, who has helped anyone ranging from elite athletes to performance organizations, who may deal with this stigma. As you do these things, your body will take care of you and you will find a love for who you are.

Steve Magness, college coach, elite coach, and author already wears many hats and he doesn't even want to stop there. I was very fortunate to even have this amazing interview with Steve, as I had just ran into him by chance at a conference. We discuss many things about running and how many people may rely on their watch TOO much while running. Steve suggests we need to build our bodies to know how to run at a certain pace without relying on our watches. #Nowatchme

Alex Hutchinson, Ph.D., is an author and journalist who focuses much of his energies on human endurance research. He is also a former middle- and long-distance runner on the Canadian national team. In today’s episode of the Running for Real podcast, Alex adeptly articulates his thoughts on the impact of running with an elite mindset, and what that means today. Whether it is good or bad, or if we can change our mindset into helping our race no matter the obstacle.

What an amazing chat with Tom! An experienced Chiropractor, for when it comes to the body and how every muscle works. He discusses how every body is different. Proving the "one size fits all" does NOT work for everyone, especially as our bodies age. He even points out an important muscle which can help, if not prevent Plantar Fasciitis. Optimally, what he teaches us here is, correct exercise will help prevent the need for long periods of recovery or invasive surgeries. 

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and starting to make a better you for a better new year. I can not think of a better person to start off my 2019 podcast year than Melody Moore. With her experience as a psychologist, she has a wonderful take on life that I absolutely loved to learn about. She talks about how we need to "be present" in our lives and how to celebrate ourselves so that others can love themselves. You may be surprised by the joy you find in the everyday moments.

The Running For Real Podcast had some incredible guests this year, and it was hard to choose the best runner epiosdes of the year. Here are the favorites you suggested. From Dean Karnazes to Andy Jones, and Kara Goucher to Siri Lindley, there are many powerful and inspirational stories you do not want to miss.

What an amazing woman Steph Bruce is and the true definition of being REAL. From giving mothers who are in post-partum, advice which helps them to feel they are not alone. Whether it is from their eagerness to get back out there and run or to even enjoy the time off ;). Steph even tells how she managed to learn from a "bad" race, by not just taking it as a bad experience but LEARNING about it. Come and enjoy our lovely chat!

Guy Winch gave one of the top 5 TED talks on the subject of "Emotional First Aid" in our every day lives. Do we really need to deal with every emotional "injury" that we have right away? Well, do you take care of your physical injuries in a timely manner? In reality, probably not but then what ends up happening if you aren't taking care of your physical injuries? They end up getting worse don't they? In how we all train differently, we all have different ways to help ourselves emotionally.

There is a power that accompanies sharing your struggles. As you share, you allow others to join you on your journey. When you let go of excuses and share your failures, you help others believe in their goals too. Having Siri Lindley on for today's episode really inspired me, in words that I can not every describe! She speaks on gratitude, girt, appreciation, and taking on the impossible. I love this quote she shared with me "make your purpose be other than yourself", don't keep people out of your story.

What a fantastic chat with one of the greatest minds in our sport. Michael Joyner has worked on the sub 2 hour marathon project, and has so much knowledge in all things running. This running podcast episode is focused on the 5k, and how it can help all of us (yes, even if you have a marathon in mind) run faster, at every distance. Step by step advice on how, tune in here.

What we eat as runners can make all the difference. From how fast we run, to how we can stop getting injured, or to how we feel as people. No one knows the topic of eating well better than Meg Steffey-Schrier and Jessi Haggerty. Body image is something we all struggle with. These registered dietitians give us step by step guidelines on overcoming eating disorders, whether we are eating enough or not, finding a support system, and in the end growing to love our bodies. Because well, our bodies are amazing!

The best present ideas for runners this Christmas. Gift ideas under $20 to dream runner gifts for the running fan in your life.

Vegan runner and world record holder Fiona Oakes has an inspiring story like no other. After being told she might not ever run at the age of 17 after losing a kneecap, she became even more determined to succeed, while doing good for the world. Four world records in some of the harshest conditions, this episode will inspire and motivate you to not only reach for your best, but do it for something greater than yourself, something you are passionate about can drive you to do things you never thought possible.

A professional runner going 4 years without a single PR. In ANY distance. That would be enough to crush you, make even the most mentally tough runner doubt themselves, but Sarah Crouch held on to her desire to run fast, and kept putting herself in races; marathons and half marathons, until finally it came. When she ran as hard as she could from the start, and held on. First woman at Chicago Marathon, with a tumor being removed just days before the race, this is one inspirational woman.

Jake Wightman is a British, elite 800m and 1500m runner, who is here to give us advice on how to train for middle distance races. We talk about how to keep the pressure off, so you do not feel so nervous going into your races, and what it felt like to win the New Balance 5th Avenue Mile this year. If you think pro runners make running look easy, take a listen to this, Jake will have you thinking otherwise, and allow you to learn more about running better along the way.