Women's Running Stories

This episode features runner, politically minded feminist, and social media voice Liv Paxton, who tells her story of becoming a fast (2:53, to be exact) amatuer marathoner (with a 2:48 goal) who speaks out about issues and communities that are important to her.

This is a special live recording of a conversation I hosted about running culture in Boston: past, present, and future, from UYN Sports Boston, featuring runners and community leaders Carissa McKinney, with the Natives Run Advisory Committee; Kim Chisholm, Executive Director of the 26.2 Foundation; and Rochelle Solomon, Co-Founder of the Black Unicorn Marathoners.

In this episode, I talk with legendary runner Molly Huddle about her new role as a coach.

This episode features mother of five, community volunteer, writer, and runner Hildee Weiss. “I would like to be able to inspire people out there that hear my story and see like, wow, she was 46 when she started, and it's not too late to start something,” says Hildee. “If you have a goal, if you have a dream—it may seem unattainable, but just take that step. I'm forever changed. I'm a healthier person in so many ways.”

This episode features ultra trail runner Erika Reyes, whose running journey has been transformative—revitalizing her life in ways she did not expect.

In this episode, the legendary Alisa Harvey. In her story, Alisa shares her phenomenal career as one of the best track and field racers, nationally and internationally, and also one of the top elite distance road racers in the US, during her long, illustrious running career, which continues to this day. Running and racing remains an integral part of Alisa’s life at age 60.

In this special episode, I talk to my friends Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin of the Run Farther & Faster podcast and coaching services. The three of us has teamed up to cohost events for the past 5 years, and for the first time, we sit down and talk to each other. This is part 2 of a 2-part conversation, where we talk about our own training and racing.

In this special episode, I talk to my friends Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin of the Run Farther & Faster podcast and coaching services. The three of us has teamed up to cohost events for the past 5 years, and for the first time, we sit down and talk to each other, about podcasting and running. This is part 1 of a 2-part conversation. Stay tuned for part 2 coming next week.

This is a live recording from Saturday, April 18 at the Boston Marathon Expo. This year's panel featured professional runners Mary Ngugi-Cooper, who placed 3rd! in this year's marathon, and Lisa Weightman, who won the 45-49 age category in her first Boston Marathon. The discussion was titled Elites Who Lead by Example. This is the 5th year in a row that WRS host Chérie Louise Turner teamed up with Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin from the Run Farther and Faster podcast to co-host a panel on Boston Marathon weekend. This discussion centered on how the elite running mindset influences career success, leadership, and parenting

This is an update from me, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner, about my running, training, and racing. This picks up from where the last update, which dropped at the middle of December 2025, left off.

This episode features marathon runner, mom, and entrepreneur Lauren Nutter, who has a lot going on with many big goals coming to fruition around this year’s Boston Marathon, happening Monday, April 20, 2026. It’s a story of finish lines, new beginnings, and deeply difficult challenges along the way.

This episode features Nicole Amyx, who grew up watching her mom compete in ultra trail running events, including the famous Western States 100 miler. And yes, Nicole's mother has been influential, inspirational, and supportive of Nicole's running adventures throughout her life–up until today. I first learned about Nicole, however, because she's the co-director of a new documentary called Dipsea Generations, and Nicole developed her love of filmmaking from her father, who is a filmmaker. Nicole's story here is about how she has come to pursue both of these passions, running and filmmaking, and how she has made them her own.

This week’s episode features Tania Carmona, a Mexican ultra runner who currently lives in Dubai. Last year she made ultra history by becoming the first Mexican woman (and 10th woman in the world) to complete the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus, which consists of running 5 stage race ultras all around the world in one calendar year. But Tania's ultimate goal: the epic Cocodona 250-mile ultra in Arizona.

This episode features Steph Cloutier, an ultra-runner, mom, and coach, who made her most recent race, as she says, more meaningful by supporting the Minneapolis immigrant community through an initiative called Love Thy Neighbor, which benefited Unidos MN.

WRS is on a short break, and I want to introduce you to the EARTHMOVERS podcast, the trail podcast reclaiming the narrative. Please enjoy this episode featuring a conversation between co-host Alison Mariella Désir and London-based ultra trail runner, influencer, community builder, founder of Ultra Black Running, and game changer Dora Atim.

Naseemah Palmer had wanted to try running, but she didn't see it as a place for someone like herself. Until, as she recounts in her story, running found her. On the fateful day of May 4, 2014, a day when Palmer was deep in the depths of undiagnosed post-partum depression, she encountered the Broad Street 10-mile Run, and it changed her life.

This episode features Daisy Martinez, an ultra trail runner and community builder with an exceptional running story.

This episode features Allison Yamamoto, who tells the story of her experiences with and recovery from Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport, more commonly referred to as REDS or RED-s. Allison experienced the slippery slope of doing what she thought would benefit her performance as a  runner, only to discover that she’d adopted habits that were counterproductive to that goal. This is all too common in running, especially for women. REDS, in short, is the result of not fueling enough at the right times to keep up with energy output. And this leads to all sorts of health issues. Here, Allison shares her journey into running, through experiencing REDS, how she healed herself, and where this has all landed her today.

This episode features runner, wife, mom, and entrepreneur Dena Lewis: her story centers around how traumatic experiences she experienced while running have fueled her to discover new purpose in life.

This episode features Maddie Barrett, a runner, coach, and mom. Here she tells the story of navigating events that were not in her plans: recently, Maddie underwent and has recovered from a double mastectomy and breast reconstruction. She is now back to running and training, and she’s learned a lot through this journey, including that she’s stronger than she previously believed.

This episode features Tammie Robie, 51, a mom, a schoolteacher, and someone who has been passionate about running and competing since she was a teenager. Tammie has had moments of greatness in her running life, but also long periods of painfully debilitating and frightening health difficulties—difficulties that were misdiagnosed for decades. Until one fateful day in 2023, when that all changed.

This special episode features a conversation with Verna NezBegay Volker, founder and Executive Director of Native Women Run. Based in Minnesota, Verna is an ultra runner, leader, and community builder. We sat down to talk about how running is political, and always has been.

This episode features Anjali Saraogi, an ultra and distance runner who lives in Kolkata, India. This is Anjali’s second appearance on Women’s Running Stories, and that story focused on her experiences at South Africa's 90k/56-mile Comrades Marathon. This episode focuses the most recent chapter in Anjali’s running journey. Over the last several years, she has gone through debilitating health issues which eventually led to a hysterectomy. How this weaved into her running pursuits is what this episode is all about.

This tremendous episode features Lisa Jackson, runner and author of the hugely popular running book, Your Pace or Mine. Here, her story centers on the terminal cancer journey she experienced with her late husband, Graham, and how running became her salvation, and is once again a joy. Jackson tells this story in much greater detail in her just released new book Still Running After All These Tears.

This is an update from me, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner, about my running, training, and racing. This picks up from where the last update, which dropped at the end of August 2025, left off.

This episode features Caryn Honig, who tells her running and athletic story which, at its core, is about finding purpose through life’s challenges. Caryn is someone who goes all in, with drive and passion. That’s resulted in great accomplishments as well as great difficulties, and here she shares it all.

This episode features Elizabeth Sheridan, the "Queen of US ParkRunning," who shares her story of how ParkRun and travel have merged in her life, setting her off on terrific quests, fueled by community and the delight of discovering new places.

This episode features Mikka Kei Ito Macdonald, who is well known for her graphic design inspired by and made for the running scene, and she is a longtime lover of this sport. Here she tells the whole story, of how running has been a throughline in a life that’s seen her live all over the world, and how it’s been a place to find and test her athletic abilities, connect with nature, join in community, and merge with her advocacy work and the politics of living in the modern world.

This episode features Emma Bord, who tells the story of going after her big dream of running all six major marathons—London, Boston, Tokyo, New York City, Berlin, and Chicago—as a working mother of three young children, and how that unfolded in less than 12 months.

This episode features the athletic and running journey of science writer and author Starre Vartan, and how her athletic and professional lives merged and resulted in her groundbreaking new book, The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us About the Power of The Female Body. I love this book, so much so that I’m currently reading it for a second time, now with highlighter pens.

“I said, ‘I'm one of Stef's athletes,’” says Liz Andersen. “To say ‘I'm an athlete’ was huge, because I don't think I'd ever really, even up to this point, felt like I was an athlete.” This episode features Liz Andersen, a runner, mom, a native woman—Liz is a member of the Tulalip Tribes—and an athlete. And, she is a member of the Native Women Run community.

“I’m never going to take having a body that can finish for granted,” says Stephanie Diaz. In this episode, Stephanie Diaz tells her whole running story, and how she’s come to focus on joy and gratitude, and she’s reframing PRs.

This episode features elite runner Ari Hendrix and how she is refinding her joy in the sport. This is Ari’s second time on the podcast; her first appearance was back on December 1, 2023. At that point in time, she was putting the finishing touches on her preparation for the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon. That earlier episode covered her running journey to that point: how Ari got into running and how she first broke three hours in the marathon, which happened back in 2018. That accomplishment put Ari on The List, an accounting of all the American-born African-American women who have broken three hours in the marathon. Ari would go on to smash that time, eventually running 2:35 at the California International Marathon ( CIM) in 2022. And that's the race that qualified her for the Olympic Trials Marathon (the qualifying time for the OTM was 2:37). In this episode, Ari catches us up with everything that happened since the last time she was on the podcast, up to today. There have been a lot of changes, including a period when Ari considered ending her racing career altogether. Today, however, she’s looking forward to racing her first 100km trail race at the Javelina Jundred, October 25, 2025. How Ari got from running the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon to this point is what this part of her running story is all about. How to Keep Up with Ari Hendrix Instagram: @ari_hendrix1 Mentioned in this Episode Ari Hendrix: @ari_hendrix1 An Olympic Marathon Trials Journe y, a Quest to Top The List, on WRS, Dec. 1, 2023: on Spotify, on Apple, on WRS website, To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This In Memory reair marks the deeply sad occasion of the tragic death of legendary racer and running community leader in South Africa, Cheryl Winn. Winn passed on October 5.  This episode first aired on October 16, 2020. Cheryl Winn is the 1982 Comrades Marathon champion and was the Chairperson of this historic event 2017 to 2021. This episode tells her Comrades story, from her early days of running through to her experiences and reflections on this great race.  Cheryl has a decades-long and multifaceted relationship with the Comrades Marathon. In this episode, we touch on all of it. Cheryl was an elite runner in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning many local events, and she became the Comrades champion in 1982.  During her running career and up until her passing, Cheryl was also involved with race production. At the time of this recording, she was the Chairperson of Comrades Marathon Association. She is the only chairperson to also be a former winner of the race.  Cheryl Winn is a trailblazer in both long-distance running and event leadership. This story of her enduring love of and accomplishments in the sport and this historic 90-km race perfectly capped off our season focusing on the mighty Comrades Marathon.  This episode is the last one in our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, a 90-kilometre, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram:⁠ ⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠ Twitter:⁠ ⁠⁠@WomenRunStories⁠ Website:⁠ ⁠⁠womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network:⁠ ⁠⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a special Part 2 episode featuring runner, role model, and groundbreaking racer Shawanna White. If you have not listened to part 1 of Shawanna’s story, which is just above this episode in your feed, I suggest you go back and start there.  This episode picks up where that episode left off. Shawanna had finished that part of her story discussed being inducted into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame, which happened in 2022. And, she mentioned that, looking ahead, she has big goals. She talks about those goals here. Shawanna also shares her guiding motto: some positive wisdom we can all take with us. How to Keep Up with Shawanna White Instagram: ⁠@peachrunner26.2⁠ Mentioned In This Episode National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame: ⁠blackmarathoners.org/nat.-black-distance-running-hall-of-fame⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This episode features Shawanna White, a very prolific competitor who has been recognized for her many accomplishments and contributions to the running community. Among her accolades, White was featured in the running documentary Breaking Three Hours, Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners; in 2022, she was inducted into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame; and she helped create The List, which keeps an accounting of all of the American-born Black women who have broken 3 hours in the marathon. And not only is White the 11th fastest runner on that list, she’s broken 3 hours 16 times, more than any other American-born Black woman ever.  This is Part 1 of a two-part story covering White’s running journey. This episode tells White’s running story up through about 2022. Part 2 will catch up with White’s running to today.  White has been running since she was young: she runs a lot and she runs very fast! She also goes after big goals, and indeed, she has been groundbreaking in her accomplishments; White is also a role model. And, White has a contagious positivity that inspires those around her and far beyond. This positivity also keeps her focused on running and racing her very best, through all the ups and downs that come with being a competitive runner.  Listening to her story here, you’ll come to appreciate how all of this came to be, beginning with how White first got into the sport. How to Keep Up with Shawanna White Instagram: @peachrunner26.2 Mentioned In This Episode Breaking Three Hours: blackmarathoners.org/breaking-three-hours National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame: blackmarathoners.org/nat.-black-distance-running-hall-of-fame National Black Marathoners Association: blackmarathoners.org The List: tedcorbitt.com/black-female-marathon-history To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This episode features Nadia Ruiz, who is a hugely prolific runner, with a special fondness for the marathon. This is a love that began when she was a teenager. Running has been a source of strength, empowerment, and self-confidence, as well as healing: running has seen Nadia through good times and also through some dark moments. Up to today, when Nadia is hitting new highs in the sport, in her 40s.   In addition to her long history with the the marathon, Nadia Ruiz has raced many other distances as well, from 5ks to ultras: she runs and races on the road as well as the trails. She’s also been a triathlete. And, Nadia races a lot: she’s run over 160 marathons, and in 2013, she became the youngest person to run 100 marathons.  Nadia is also a running coach and she is an uplifting, influential presence on Instagram. She’s also well known for sharing her running journey with her father, who’s run with her since the beginning, and continues to run with her to this day.  Nadia has had her share of challenges. She’s navigated some very dark days, and a time when alcohol use became destructive. And, she’s emerged on the other side, reaching big goals and lifetime PRs, at age 40.  In this story, Nadia shares it all. How to Keep Up with Nadia Ruiz Instagram, running: @irongirlnadia Instagram, coaching: @movementisplay To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This episode features Marwa Ali, who is from Kabul, Afghanistan, and now lives in exile as a refugee in Paris, France. How and why she left her home country and the part running and sports played in that journey is what her story is about. Moreover, it's about the power of being an athlete. Marwa Ali, who is now 24 years old, has been an athlete since childhood. She grew up in Afghanistan during a time when the rights and freedoms of women and girls had been improving. That all changed, however, when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban quickly and harshly stripped women of all autonomy or the ability to move freely outside the home. Marwa shares that in her story to that in her story, along with the difficulties of life under the Taliban and becoming a refugee in a foreign country all on her own: she left her entire family behind. Marwa also talks about discovering the joy and power of being an athlete at 8 years old, and how that led her to become a leader within sports and beyond. It also instilled a strong sense of self-confidence. Marwa’s athletic pursuits have been a throughline of support, empowerment, hope, and healing, all along her very difficult journey. Also a steady force in Marwa’s journey is that all her athletic pursuits are to both help herself and to also raise up the dark times Afghan women and girls are facing. “In this difficult time,” says Marwa, “if they cannot run, I can run for them.” Mentioned in This Episode Afghan Parkour Society: @afghanparkoursociety Ring O'Fire: ringofire.co.uk To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Verna Volker first started running as a way to improve her health. Over time, however, her relationship to the sport has grown and changed, to become a more personal and powerful part of her life. She started out pursuing road marathons and then moved to the trails, stretching her limits in ultra trail running. As her journey has evolved, so have her motivations. This is a story about how Volker has shaped her running journey to best serve her, her family, and her community. Volker is from the Navajo Nation: she clarifies, "My clans are the Tódích'íi'nii (Bitterwater) nishlíi, Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People) bashishchiin, Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle) dashicheii, and Tó' áheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) dashinalí." As she got more involved in running, Volker noticed the absence of stories and experiences of other Native women in the media and online. She decided to help change that by launching Native Women Running, to highlight those experiences and also to support and create community and running opportunities for women like herself. Volker's running pursuits have also brought her closer to her own ancestry; running is integral to Navaho culture. This was something Volker had known throughout her life, but she hadn't felt that connection until experiencing the sport for herself in adulthood; she is now passing that lived knowledge on to her children. In hand, Volker has also discovered the healing powers of running, which have helped her work through past traumas. And she has a strong appreciation for the strength created through developing a supportive running community. Keep Up with Verna Volker Instagram: ⁠@hozhorunner4⁠ Keep Up with Native Women Running Instagram: ⁠@nativewomenrunning⁠ Website: ⁠NativeWomenRunning.com⁠ Mentioned in This Reair Ep. 4, EARTHMOVERS, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/59JRTV51UFMt0za35viDGf?si=6b10498ca4044c90 Ep. 4, EARTHMOVERS, on YouTube: youtube.com/@EarthmoversPodcast Ep. 4, EARTHMOVERS, on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/co-hosts-verna-nezbegay-volker-and-stefanie-flippin/id1831613264?i=1000724956434 Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Twitter:⁠ @WomenRunStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This episode features Mary Cass, one of New England's most competitive masters racers. At age 63, she is crushing it, and she's also one of the most generous racers you'll meet. Mary has that wonderful combination of being really open about sharing her knowledge and advice before and after races, and then from the time the gun goes off to the finish line, she's a fierce competitor. Mary is undoubtedly an inspiration, and she has a great appreciation for the racing community. She also has a deep love of competition. This is matched by her dedication to putting in the work in training: Mary does the hard work to get the speed she has. And while Mary's been a competitor for decades, it's only been over the past few years that she's had the time, energy, encouragement, and support to really up her racing game. Hear the whole story in this episode, from the start of her racing, through running races pushing her two girls in a stroller, all the way to Mary lining up at the famed Hayward Field for an invitational masters exhibition race, leading into the 2025 USATF National Championships. Mentioned in This Episode Sue McDonald, live interview, Feb. 2025: womensrunningstories.com/live-sue-mcdonald-8x-masters-world-record-holder-from-the-boston-tracksmith-track-house Sue McDonald, 9 Times a Masters World Record Holder: womensrunningstories.com/sue-mcdonald-9-times-a-masters-world-record-holder To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This is an update from me, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner, about my running, training, and racing. This picks up from where the last update, which dropped mid-May 2025, left off.

Arielle Knutson has been an athlete since she was young, and this has shaped her life. She starting with gymnastics and then moved on to road running, triathlon, and trail running. As she developed in her adult years and her career life, Arielle discovered strong connections between her work and athletic life. She went with it, and the two became strongly intertwined. And, in both realms of her life, Arielle goes all in. In this episode, Arielle shares her athletic journey and the process of becoming the CEO of the beloved women's running apparel brand: Oiselle. Get ready to be inspired. How to Keep Up with Arielle Knutson Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@arielledora Mentioned in This Episode Oiselle: Oiselle.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ prazkhanal, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Summer Confuorto, a Gros Ventre, Cree, Mi’kmaq woman, tells the story of running her first marathon: the 2025 Boston Marathon, representing the Ohketeau Cultural Center Natives Run Initiative. Summer tells her story, from running along the water during her youth in her hometown of Falmouth, MA; to how running connects her to her own and also the local native communities; and then about her first marathon, the 2025 Boston Marathon. For Summer, running this marathon was about so much more than completing 26.2 miles. For starters, it’s a reclaiming and reconnecting with this space: like many major routes all across this land, the Boston Marathon course largely follows pathways that have been traveled by native people going back hundreds of years. And there's more. Hear the whole story on the podcast. How to Keep Up with Summer Confuorto Instagram: ⁠@sconfuorto Mentioned in This Episode Ohketeau Cultural Center: ohketeau.org Natives Run: ohketeau.org/events1/natives-run 26.2 Foundation: 26-2.org To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music of the Future, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Ultra runner and long-distance fast packer Jessica Pekari on the podcast! She shares the story of her most recent fastest known time (FKT) adventure: completing the 500 mile Colorado Trail. Jessica is an Army veteran—having served as a medic in Iraq—and mother of three, with Blackfeet and Mexican heritage. She started exploring ultra running in 2015, and ran her first 100 miler the next year. Jessica then went on to win the triple crown of 200 milers in 2018, which consists of the Bigfoot 200 miler in Washington, in August; the Tahoe 200 miler in California and Nevada in September; and it finishes with the Moab 240 miler in October, which Jessica won, on her way to winning the overall title for these three events.  Jessica went on to become an accomplished backpacker. She made her first FKT attempt in 2020, going after the southbound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) record. She was thwarted by fires that year and didn’t set the FKT, but she did write a book about her experiences: Bombs to Trails: Interweaving Heritage, Life, and PTSD on the Pacific Crest Trail. Jessica returned to the PCT in 2023 and set that FKT. In this episode, Jessica tells the story of setting her latest FKT: the 500-mile Colorado Trail northbound, collegiate west, unsupported record.  Her story covers the ups and downs, highs and lows of such an incredible adventure. Be ready to get inspired!  How to Keep Up with Jessica Pekari Instagram: @jessicapekari Website: adventuresonthetrail.com Bombs to Trails book: adventuresonthetrail.com/bombs-to-trails To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Professional runner for Oiselle and social media influencer Allie Ostrander is on the podcast! Allie is here to share what running and racing has looked like from her over the past couple years as she returned to elite level competition, in all the many running disciplines that she pursues, after going through treatment for disordered eating—a journey she’s been very public about.  Allie Ostrander has been an exceptional runner and racer since she was young. And her running abilities span just about every type of discipline available to runners: Allie races on the track, the roads, in cross country, and on the trails. While many top level runners will race a few different disciplines, it’s rare to see someone race at the top level in so many different types of races. Among Allie’s many accolades, in 2014, she won the prestigious Nike cross country championships. The next year, 2015, she was the Under 20 Mountain World Champion and placed 2nd in the NCAA D1 cross country national champs. Then in 2016, she placed 8th at the 5000m at the Olympic Trials. Then for the following three years, she dominated the steeplechase: Allie was the NCAA D1 national champion in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Allie forfeited her final year of collegiate eligibility to turn pro, signing with the Brooks Beasts.  But then, things began to shift. Allie was plagued by numerous injuries and a pattern of disordered eating began to catch up with her. At the strong urging of her team, she entered treatment. In 2021, Allie left the Brooks Beasts Team and continued on the road to recovery. Allie needed to discover what a strong, healthy body, mind, and emotional state meant, for her. That’s exactly the journey Allie's been on, and she shares that story in this episode—how she’s made her way back to not only racing well in the many disciplines that call to her, but racing with renewed passion and excitement, returning to disciplines she’s excelled at in the past as well as testing herself at longer distances. Next up for Allie, the USATF Track National Championship, where she'll be racing her specialty, the steeplechase. The first round of competition for Allie is on Thursday, July 31, 2025. How to Keep Up with Allie Ostrander Instagram: ⁠@allie_ostrander YouTube: @allie_ostrander To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Welcome Amy Ortiz to WRS! Amy is a runner who, over the past several years, has become a community builder and leader in the running scene, and now she's a coach, with a focus on creating space for women, especially women of color. In this episode, Amy shares how she arrived where she is today in the running world. A long-time resident of the Bronx, Amy's running is deeply intertwined with her interest in community building. She’s a founder of the all women run club Bronx Femme Run, a pacer for the No Name program, and she recently completed the NYC Game Changers program. For Amy, running is more than miles. As she says, "It was the connector of what I was looking for." How to Keep Up with Amy Ortiz Instagram: @alocurls Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: ⁠⁠@EARTHMOVERSpodcast⁠⁠ EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: ⁠⁠kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative⁠⁠ Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/vanessa-c-peralta-mitchell-founder-of-games-changers-redefining-who-is-a-leader-in-running To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

In this episode, Lisa Levin tells her running story through to today, where at 51, she’s more excited than ever to challenge herself and set motivating goals.  In addition to being a longtime runner with a particular interest in running marathons, especially Boston, which she has run an astonishing 22 times, Lisa is also a coach and podcaster, with Julie Sapper, who was featured on WRS last week. Lisa and Julie co-host the terrific podcast Run Farther and Faster, and they also coach together, through their coaching business under the same name. For the the past four years, I've teamed with with Lisa and Julie to host  panel discussions over Boston Marathon weekend. Now I get to have Lisa telling the story of her running journey (after Julie told her story last week). Here, Lisa tells her running journey from how she got starter, through IVF treatments and two pregnancies, to right now, with a look forward to her next goal. For Lisa, aging is a time of new, exciting possibilities.  How to Keep Up with Lisa Levin Instagram: ⁠@runfartherandfaster⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/RunFartherFaster⁠ Website: ⁠⁠runfartherandfaster.com⁠ Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: ⁠@EARTHMOVERSpodcast⁠ EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: ⁠kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative⁠ Live Panel Discussions, with co-hosts Sapper and Levin 2025, ft Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-stephanie-bruce-erica-stanley-dottin-dot-mcmahon-2025-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2024, ft, Alisa Harvey, Bri Boehmer, Kelly Bruno: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-alisa-harvey-kelly-bruno-briana-boehmer-at-the-2024-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2023, ft Marilyn Bevans, Patti Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-podium-pioneers-panel-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2022, ft Marilyn Bevans, Maegan Krifchin: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-marilyn-bevans-hosted-by-strides-forward-run-father-faster-podcasts⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ prazkhanal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Runner, running coach, and podcaster Julie Sapper is on Women's Running Stories! Her story here is focused on  her return from a long-term injury: an ACL tear. She tells about her thorough approach to healing and recovery and the nonlinear path to returning to running injury-free, all the way to reaching her ultimate goal: running the Boston Marathon, for her 13th time. Sapper was so thoughtful and complete through this process—"I wanted to get a PR in recovery," she says—she has a lot of great experience and wisdom to share. Julie Sapper is part of the super coaching and podcasting duo behind Run Farther and Faster, with Lisa Levin. For the the past four years, I've teamed with with Sapper and Levin to host  panel discussions over Boston Marathon weekend. Now I get to have Sapper telling this inspiring part of her running journey. And, next week’s episode features Levin, telling her running story. Stay tuned! How to Keep Up with Julie Sapper Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Website: ⁠runfartherandfaster.com Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative Live Panel Discussions, with co-hosts Sapper and Levin 2025, ft Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-stephanie-bruce-erica-stanley-dottin-dot-mcmahon-2025-boston-marathon-expo 2024, ft, Alisa Harvey, Bri Boehmer, Kelly Bruno: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-alisa-harvey-kelly-bruno-briana-boehmer-at-the-2024-boston-marathon-expo 2023, ft Marilyn Bevans, Patti Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-podium-pioneers-panel-boston-marathon-expo 2022, ft Marilyn Bevans, Maegan Krifchin: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-marilyn-bevans-hosted-by-strides-forward-run-father-faster-podcasts To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This episode features runner, adventurer, and creator of the wildly popular Tough Girl podcast and Tough Girl Challenges, Sarah Williams. These days, Sarah is well known for taking on incredible challenges, but it wasn't always that way. Here, Sarah tells her adventuring lifestyle origin story: how she transitioned from working in wealth management in London to exploring the world through epic adventures to challenge herself, to motivate other women, and to raise the visibility of women adventurers. Among her many, many adventuring accolades, Sarah has completed the 500-mile Camino Francés, the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, and she recently finished Te Araroa, the 1,860-mile hike across New Zealand, covering both the north and south islands. In her story, Sarah talks about what first inspired her to pursue the adventuring life in her mid-30s, and her first big challenges: Marathon des Sables, the notoriously difficult multi-day running race in Morocco, in the Sahara Desert, and hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in the US in 100 days. Sarah shares the many challenges and doubts she experienced on her way to becoming the adventurer she is today. And how, in the end, she discovered how to believe in herself. That's a strength she carries to this day. Beyond her own adventures, Sarah is passionately focused on inspiring and highlighting women adventurers all over the globe. This year, the Tough Girl podcast will reach over 800 episodes, and counting! How to Keep Up with Sarah Williams Instagram: @toughgirlchallenges⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: toughgirlchallenges.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠chillmore⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaulYudin⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This episode features the running story of Mireille Siné, a marathon and ultra runner, a coach, and so much more. And intertwined into Mireille’s running journey is an autoimmune condition she’s been navigating since college: lupus. Since childhood, being active and participating in sports has been part of Mireille’s life, and that included running. Running became a more central part of her athletic journey through college and after. Now in her mid-30s, Mireille has completed numerous half marathons, over a dozen marathons, and several trail ultras. She was also on a relay team for the Speed Project, a 340-mile event that goes from Santa Monica, CA,  to Las Vegas, NV, and she ran from Boston to New York City as part of a group of women who completed the 200-mile journey in 11 days. All to say, Mireille loves the challenge of running  long distances, and she has for years now. Throughout her running journey, Mireille has met the challenges presented by lupus. And that is the story Mireille is going to tell. How her pursuit of running and a lupus diagnosis have shaped her life and her athletic pursuits, as she continues to run far, and now coach others to go after their running goals. How to Keep Up with Mireille Siné Instagram: ⁠@heycoachmireille Website: ⁠⁠coachedbymireille.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Lidérc Bell⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠AlexGrohl⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaulYudin⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

I am bringing you a reair of a terrific episode. I'm taking this one-week break because I've been working on a new project that we just announced, and that I know you'll be excited about: the podcast EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker. It will launch Aug 14. Keep up with news and information about EARTHMOVERS now on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast. I'll be back next week with a new episode of WRS. In the meantime, this is a great one: enjoy again or for the first time. Wynonna Curely-Fulgham first discovered the life-changing impact running could have on her during her Kinaaldah, the Navajo puberty ceremony. She's carried the teaches from that transformative time into her adult life. Wynonna has continued to be drawn to running, and specifically ultra trail running, as a way to test her own limits and also to process life's challenges and find her peace. It is a deep well of connection, discovery, and release: a physical endeavor that is also spiritual and healing. In this episode, Wynonna shares the story of the pivotal moments she's experienced in ultra trail running, up through today. Her journey includes taking part in the Transrockies, a multi-day stage running race that takes place in Colorado, traveling through the mountains and over peaks, at altitude. Wynonna often runs as a member of the Native Women Run team. Wynonna's story is powerful and beautiful. One women's incredible journey of self-discovery, evolution, and inspiration. Keep Up with Wynonna Curely-Fulgham Instagram: ⁠@blacksheep_running⁠ Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: ⁠@native_women_run⁠ Website: ⁠nativewomenrunning.com⁠ Information about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, MMIW ⁠mmiwusa.org⁠ Information about Native American Boarding Schools ⁠boardingschoolhealing.org/education/us-indian-boarding-school-history⁠ ⁠boardingschoolhealing.org⁠ ⁠www.irsss.ca⁠ ⁠nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/30/us/native-american-boarding-schools.html⁠ Mentioned in this podcast Live with Team Native Women Run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-native-women-run-team-at-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: ⁠lagoonsleep.com/WRS15⁠ Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of ⁠Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠Grand Project⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Instagram: ⁠@over50sub20_5k_project⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a special live report from the inaugural We Out Here Trail Festival that just happened this last weekend on June 7, 2025. It took place outside Seattle, WA, at St. Edwards State Park.  The trail scene is and has long been the whitest, most male dominated sector of the running world. Instead of continuing to wait for the system to change, RDs Aaliyah Earvin and Alison Mariella Désir stepped up and made the event that they have wanted to see for a long, long time, and that they knew was possible.  Their vision: “We imagine a world where everyone feels welcome to find joy in the trails, free from fear or intimidation, and surrounded by a supportive community.” Welcome, We Out Here. An event that, by all accounts, not only met, but exceeded expectations. Event participation featured the largest percentage of people of color at a trail event, ever. And 66% of participants were first timers. And, the day was nonstop full of joy! Which you will hear reflected in this episode.  Not only did these women create a successful event, they created a new model. It's not often that you get to be at a history making groundbreaking event. And, I'm really excited to share this with you.  This episode comprises a series of on-the-spot interviews featuring women talking about their experience of the day. Many of these women you will likely not be familiar with, but several you probably will: Verna Volker, founder of Native Women Run; Carolyn Su, founder of Diverse We Run and co-host of the Making Strides podcast with Stefanie Flippin; Flippin, a pro racer, is also featured in this episode: she is one of the fastest a 100-mile racers in the country; and you’ll also hear from Mirna Valerio, author of the book, A Beautiful Work In Progress. Also, you’ll hear from the two race directors, Earvin, who is a coach, fitness professional, and community builder, and Désir, who, among many other accolades, is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black.  Get a taste of what it was like, live at this historic event, the inaugural We Out Here Trail Festival. See More About the Event on Instagram on these accounts Seattle Running Collective: @seattlerunningcollective Aaliyah Earvin: @confidentaaliyah Alison Mariella Désir: @alisonmdesir Mentioned in this Episode Stefanie Flippin on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/stefanie-flippin-pro-ultra-runner-transforming-through-difficulties Verna Volker on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/verna-volker-founder-of-native-women-run-a-running-journey-of-healing-and-community Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, Running While Black: womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-running-while-black-her-story-her-book Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, Kilimanjaro: womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-climbing-mount-kilimanjaro

Sara Aranda is a trail runner and outdoor adventurer who has developed a strong interest in going after FKTs, fastest known times. But her outdoor passions are about much more than setting records: Aranda's motivations are spurred by processing life and death, grief and hope, fear and joy. Aranda's passion for trail running began while she was in college. It was a space where she could process the death of her mother, who'd died after many years of fighting breast cancer. Aranda herself then had to face some tough decisions. She first decided to learn whether or not she carried the same genetic abnormality her mother and other family members had, a BRCA mutation, which puts the carrier at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She did. Aranda then had a decade to decide if she wanted to take the preventative steps that would lower her chances of getting cancer, beginning with a double mastectomy. This episode traces how running and moving through wild spaces have become intertwined with how Aranda has navigated big life questions and experiences that clarify how short this life can be. The meaningful experiences found out on the trail are integral to how she chooses to live. How to Keep Up with Sara Aranda Instagram: @oyesaranda Website: bivytales.com Mentioned in this Episode FKT Website: fastestknowntime.com Becky Croft on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/becky-croft-running-endometriosis-and-post-hysterectomy-menopause To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Lidérc Bell⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ PaulYudin, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Becky Croft’s life experiences have led her to becoming not only a performance minded runner but also a sought-after running coach. She’s developed a specialty in guiding runners through their menopausal years—pre and post. Croft brings her own experience of post-hysterectomy menopause, which resulted from of a long history of endometriosis. Croft shares her whole running story, which began later in life, in her 30s. She discovered her competitive mindset early in her running journey, and has been training with performance-focused goals ever since. Becky Croft is a native woman, representing the Cherokee and the Yakima nations. She is part of the Native Women Run community, and has run as a member of the NWR team. Croft's journey has also led her to become a Chi Running instructor, an RRCA certified running coach through the Game Changers program, and a She Runs this Town group leader. And Croft is on the board of ReNew Earth Running. Becky Croft shares how running has empowered her, helped her process and heal through challenging health issues, brought her closer to her native roots and community, and been a pathway to leadership as a coach who brings much needed wisdom, knowledge, and experience to others. How to Keep Up with Becky Croft Instagram: @coach.croft Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Native Women Run: @native_women_run Running Industry Diversity Coalition: runningdiversity.com ReNew Earth Running: renewearthrunning.org Game Changers: vcpm.com/game-changers Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/vanessa-c-peralta-mitchell-founder-of-games-changers-redefining-who-is-a-leader-in-running To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Lidérc Bell⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠RoyaltyFreeMusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

Jessica Mena is a longtime runner now focused on ultra trail running. She’s continually driven to discover what she is capable of: beginning with her first marathon, at age 12!, to today, as she explores running long distances on the trails. This episode focuses on Mena reaching one of her biggest goals yet: running 100 kilometers (62 miles) over hilly trails. She shares how it all went down, along with the running journey that got her to this point. In addition to being a runner, Mena is a physical therapist, coach, and running community builder—she’s the founder of the Tempo Training Run Club. Mena is driven to find out just how far she can push herself in running. This 100k is the latest adventure in that quest. How to Keep Up with Jessica Mena Instagram: ⁠@tempo_with_jess⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠ via⁠⁠ Pixabay ⁠chillmore⁠, via ⁠Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠

This is an update from me, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner, about my running, training, and racing. This picks up from where the last episode of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, Part 9, left off. As I mentioned in my last episode, I have decided to stop focusing so completely on this sub-20 minute 5k goal, so am just calling these running updates. I still have a sub-20 goal, but it's not my all-consuming singular focus. This update covers the time period between mid-March and mid-May 2025. I left off in the midst of a break from running, and in this episode, I share details about my return to a formal training program. I'm experimenting with some new approaches to training that I'm very excited about. Feel free to join the journey from here; it's not mandatory to listen to previous episodes of my running story (which includes parts 1-9 of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, and two Comrades race reports, from 2022 and 2023) in order to enjoy this one. Previous episodes will provide more context around my running story and provide details about the many lessons I have learned so far. Come along for the journey. Mentioned in this Episode Find the whole Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project series ⁠here⁠. Gwen Jacobson on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/gwen-jacobson-masters-marathon-champion-120-plus-marathons-and-counting Cherie's Comrades Race Report 2022: womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-2022-comrades-marathon-a-hear-her-sports-special-collaboration Cherie's Comrades Race Report 2023: womensrunningstories.com/cherie-louise-turner-2023-comrades-marathon-experiencing-the-magic-again-and-better To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of ⁠Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠Lidérc Bell⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠Camila_Noir,⁠ via⁠ Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: ⁠@over50sub20_5k_project⁠ WRS Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Angel Tadytin shares the epic story of her first 50-mile trail race, and how it unfolded in unexpected and magical ways. Tadytin is a wife, mother, social worker, and ultra runner, and she is from the Navajo Nation. She and her family currently live in Mesa, Arizona, but she’s originally from Page, Arizona, and the surrounding area. Tadytin is also a lifelong hiker and outdoor explorer, and a longtime weightlifter. In addition, Tadytin is a community builder and currently is a board member of Native Women Run (NWR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting native women in running. The event that is at the center of this story is the Antelope Canyon Ultras 50 mile trail race, which goes through the land that Tadytin grew up on. The longest race Tadytin had ever run before was 55 km (34 miles), also at Antelope Canyon. Not only had Tadytin never run 50 miles before, she’d never wanted to run 50 miles. She didn’t even commit to this 50-miler until a month before the event. So, her training did not take a conventional path: most athletes would have started training for an event like this several months beforehand, and they’d have run several long runs of 20 or more miles in preparation. Tadytin’s longest run leading into the event was 16 miles, which she ran once. The reasons why Tadytin decided to run this 50 mile event, and the strength, support, connection, and experience that carried her through and to the end is what this story is all about.  How to Keep Up with Angel Tadytin Instagram: @angels_ventures Mentioned in This Episode Native Women Run: @native_women_run To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠ Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠aidanpinsent⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠Rockot⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram:⁠ @over50sub20_5k_project⁠ WRS Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Facebook:⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a live recording from Sunday, April 20 at the Boston Marathon Expo. Once again, WRS host Cherie Turner teamed up with Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin from the Run Farther and Faster podcast to co-host an excellent panel. This year's panel was titled Mental Strategies for Mastering the Marathon, and it featured exceptional masters marathoners Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon. These women shared wisdom and experience on strategies for developing mental strength and resilience, mental approaches to the marathon, how to build confidence when you have self-doubt, and so much more! This is an episode to listen to again and again; it's so packed with helpful advice and useful takeaways. Stephanie Bruce, 41, has been racing professionally for over 15 years. Among her many racing accomplishments, she's placed 6th at the Chicago Marathon, and 10th at the London and NYC marathons. Bruce has also earned 3 national titles on the road, one in the half-marathon and twice in the 10k. Additionally, Bruce placed 6th at the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2020. Bruce started a new chapter in her running career this year, signing on with Tracksmith. She now runs for them professionally and will be helping to mentor younger runners going after big goals. Erica Stanley-Dottin, 51, came to marathoning later in life, at age 35. In her early 40s, she began to train seriously and joined the Black Roses racing team. She then learned about The List: an accounting of all the American-born Black women who have broken 3 hours in the marathon. As she continued to get faster at the marathon, this became her goal. Erica met that goal with room to spare at the 2022 Berlin Marathon where she ran 2:52, at 48 years old. That came just six months after running 3:01 at Boston. This year, Stanley-Dottin ran the Boston Marathon as a member of Team Bevans, in honor of marathon pioneer Marilyn Bevans. Dot McMahan, 48, has been running marathons for 19 years and she’s run for the Hanson Brooks Original Distance Project team for 20. Among Dot’s many accomplishments over her long running career, she’s qualified for and run 5 Olympic trials marathons, and she has placed in the top 10 at two of them. Last year, she was the oldest woman to compete in the marathon trials, and she qualified for last year's trials by running 2:35 at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Dot is also a running coach. She works with private athletes and as an assistant track coach for Oakland University. How to Keep Up with Stephanie Bruce Instagram: @stephrothstein How to Keep Up with Erica Stanley-Dottin Instagram: @estanleydott How to Keep Up with Dot McMahon Instagram: @dotmcmahon Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Twitter: @RunFartherfast Website: https://www.runfartherandfaster.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This episode features prolific marathon runner and internationally competitive masters racer Gwen Jacobson. Jacobson, who is 66, got started running in 2010, when she was in her 50s. She has run many distances, but without question she has the greatest affinity for the marathon: in the last 15 years, Jacobson has run over 120 marathons as well as one 50k. In addition to loving the 26.2 mile distance, Jacobson loves big challenges and she is very goal oriented. So, for instance, she has completed a marathon in every state, under 4 hours. She also wants to win her age category in a marathon in all 50 states, so where that hasn’t already been the case, she’s going after that goal, too. Jacobson has 7 states left in that challenge. She’s also chasing a sub-3 hour marathon on a downhill course, and she’s gotten very close. Her current downhill marathon PR is 3:04, which she set at the end of 2023. She has plans to better that time at the end of 2025. Jacobson has gone through her fair share of trial and error when it comes to staying injury free, and she’s learned a lot about bone health. She’s landed on healthy habits that work for her, and she shares that in her story, too. In this episode Jacobson shares so much: about her running progression, her goals and how she continues to run fast and far now in her mid-60s. How to Keep Up with Gwen Jacobson Instagram: @gwenjacobson To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Camila_Noir, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This episode features Alia Qatarneh, whose running story is deeply infused with community and leadership, especially through the Boston area based TrailblazHers Run Co. Her story highlights the way the three forces of running, community, and leadership have coalesced to drive her running journey. And how that's led to her running the 2023 Boston Marathon—her first time running 26.2 miles—and then to running the 2024 Boston City 26.TRUE marathon, which she'll be running again this year, 2025: 26,TRUE happens this weekend, Saturday, April 19. Away from running Qatarneh is a doctoral candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on her way to becoming a doctor of education leadership, and she has a background in science and science education.  Qatarneh is a runner, as well as a LeadHer for the TrailblazHers, an organization that fosters diversity and creates a welcoming environment for all women, especially women of color. In her episode, Qatarneh traces how she started in the sport of running and how she's developed as a runner and leader throughout her journey. Get pumped up to cheer on Qatarneh and the rest of the runners this year at 26.TRUE! Mentioned in this Episode TrailblazHers: @trailblazhersrunco Pioneers Run Crew: @pioneersrc 29.TRUE: @26.truemarathon Liz Rock on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/liz-rock-a-trailblazhers-journey-running-the-boston-marathon-for-mile-21-joy To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a special live recording featuring professional runner and 3x national champion Annie Rodenfels, in conversation with WRS host and producer Cherie; that's me. We sat down at the Tracksmith track house in Boston on Sat., March 22, with a wonderful crowd on a beautiful morning to have this fantastic conversation. Annie Rodenfels is a born competitor. We get into how she progressed from being a high school soccer player who ran track and field, to a top NCAA DIII runner, and then to one of the best distance racers in the US. This is not a common trajectory: most DIII runners don't turn pro, let alone become one of the best in the pro field. Rodenfels has worked smart and hard to get here, developing her strength, skill, and ability. It's been a years long, step by step process, and all along the way, Rodenfels continues to rise to the occasion. Among her many professional career highlights, Rodenfels is the 2023 and 2024 5k National Champion, and the 2024 6k National Champion. And she won the first 10k she ever raced, the prestigious Boston 10k for Women, in 2023. Through it all, Rodenfels's training, mental game, confidence, and racing style has evolved, and she gets into it all. How to Keep Up with Annie Rodenfels Instagram: @andrearodenfels Annie Rodenfels's Previous Appearance on WRS Race Report: Annie Rodenfels + USATF 6k National Championship To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This episode features ultra trail runner and mom Mayra Garcia, who is originally from Honduras and now calls Maryland home. Garcia loves to run, and she loves to run very far: training for ultras is a big part of her life today. But not too long ago, Garcia wasn’t a runner at all. Not until one fateful day, when, instead of turning to coping with life's challenges in unhealthy ways, like using alcohol, Garcia decided to run. That run sparked a whole new life for Garcia. In this episode, Garcia tells the story of how she got from that moment to today, having run marathons and trail ultras, keeping a well-established running streak going, and just wanting more: more miles, more mountains, more challenges. In addition to her own running goals and passion, Garcia wants to inspire other women, especially women of color, to get out on the trails and discover the powerful world of ultra running. How to Keep Up with Mayra Garcia Instagram: @colocha.runs Mentioned in this Episode Running Industry Diversity Coalition, RIDC: runningdiversity.com Naseemah Palmer on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/naseemah-palmer-running-reminds-me-im-living To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay AlexGrohl, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This episode features longtime professional runner, entrepreneur, mother of three, wife, and so much more, Stephanie Bruce. In this episode Bruce, who is 41, shares the purpose and passion that’s driving her these days, as she moves into a new chapter in her running career. It’s a time of transition and exciting new paths forward. As a professional runner in her early 40s, Bruce shares valuable experience and information about what it looks like to age as a elite athlete, and how she's processing it. She continues to explore what's possible as a professional athlete, and also how she's making that happen–how she's navigating the changes that come with getting older. Bruce has been racing professionally for over 15 years, and in that time she has accomplished so much as a runner, and she’s not done yet. Some of her many career achievements include 10th at the New York City and London marathons; 6th at the Chicago Marathon; 12th at the Boston Marathon; 3 national championship titles–once in the half marathon, and two times in the 10k; 6th at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon–and the list goes on. But the significance of Bruce's pro career goes way beyond times and places. She’s been very open about her running journey and how she’s navigating living a full life outside of running, including having her three children–Hudson, Riley and Sophia–while continuing to show up year after year ready to perform at her best. Bruce is known for being a tough, smart, gritty racer and a powerful supporter of teammates, as well as other runners in the field.  Last year, 2024, was a big transition year for Bruce: for the past decade, Bruce was a member of the HOKA Northern Arizona Elite team, also known as NAZ Elite. She learned part-way through 2024 that her contract wouldn't be renewed, and her time with the team would be over at the end of year. In addition, Bruce had her third child, at age 39, in September 2023, which meant that 2024 would be a postpartum return to full time training and racing. This is all to say, 2024 was a tumultuous year for Bruce. And she gets into it all in this episode. She also shares the pivotal experiences in her life that have played a huge part in shaping how she shows up for running and for life. How to Keep Up with Stephanie Bruce Instagram: @stephrothstein Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is part 9 of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, where WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner is sharing her journey to break 20 minutes in the 5k, in her 50s, in real time. Feel free to join the journey from here; it's not mandatory to listen to previous episodes in order to enjoy this one. Previous episodes will provide more context around this project and provide details about the many lessons Cherie has learned so far. This episode picks up where Cherie left off in late December 2024: she'd set a mile PR in October and was navigating coaching herself once again. In this episode, Cherie shares what's happened over the past few months. It's been a time of learning to race with joy, regardless of the outcome, and also a time of reflection and readjustment. It's led to a shift in Cherie's thinking around this project, and a big decision. About this project: In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Louise Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 55 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:18. Cherie's current day 5k PR is 21:01, set June 2024. This update spans late December 2024 to mid-March 2025. To catch up on all past episodes check out the links and publication dates below. Come along for the journey. Links and Publication Dates to Earlier Episodes in this Series Find the whole series here. Part 1, pub date (September 8, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1/id1495427631?i=1000627157697 Part 2, pub date (October 27, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2/id1495427631?i=1000632786362 Part 3, pub date (January 5, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-3-the-reset/id1495427631?i=1000640614612 Part 4, pub date (March 25, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-4-the/id1495427631?i=1000650320154 Part 5, pub date (May 28, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000657010943 Part 6, pub date (July 23, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000663065105 Part 7, pub date (October 8, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-part-7-over-50-sub-20-5k-project/id1495427631?i=1000672194951 Part 8, pub date (December 25, 2024): https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-louise-turner-part-8-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-a-mile-pr-a-coaching-change Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is the transformative running story of Samantha Powderhorn, who is from the Sayisi Dene First Nations community, in northern Manitoba, Canada. She currently lives in Winnipeg. Powderhorn’s story revolves around breaking cycles of addiction and healing trauma, for herself, her family, and her community. Today Powederhorn is the first Sayisi Dene woman to have ever run a marathon. She is also an inspiration to her six children, and to her community, that healing and change are possible. Hear how running was central to Powderhorn discovering new possibilities in life, creating a healthy path forward, for herself and those around her. This is an incredibly powerful journey. How to Keep Up with Samantha Powderhorn Instagram: @sayisitaurus Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Therese Munthe, 48, has always been athletic, and she's always been competitive. But she did not like to run. She believed she wasn't good at it—until she discovered marathoning, in her 40s. That all changed in 2021. Munthe was looking for a way to connect with her father when he was facing the end of his life. This led Munthe on a journey that has changed her life and turned her into a serious marathon runner. Just over the past few years Munthe has discovered that she actually is a good runner, and more so, she loves it. Hear the whole story in her episode. Thank you to YMR Track Club for introducing me to Therese Munthe. Discover YMR Track Club's high performance running apparel, made in Sweden, at ymrtrackclub.com. Use the discount code WRS20 at checkout for 20% off your order. How to Keep Up with Therese Munthe Instagram: @tmunthe Facebook: facebook.com/therese.munthe To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Molly Hurford knew she wanted to be a writer from a very young age. She also loved being active outdoors. But she had decided that, as a writer, she couldn’t possibly also be an athlete. That all changed in college.  Today Hurford embodies many identities, including owner/founder of Strong Girl Publishing, writer, podcaster, and athlete, including being an ultra runner.  This story is all about how Hurford developed into the athlete she is today, and how her combined passions of writing and sports have become a powerful force for change and inspiration for Hurford herself, as well as the girls and women she writes for and publishes books for. How to Keep Up with Molly Hurford Instagram: @mollyjhurford Website: stronggirlpublishing.com Mentioned in This Episode Micha Powell on WRS (from Aug 13, 2024): An Olympian's Transformative Race Experiences and Book: Sprinting through Setbacks Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Katie Gunvalson had a calling: traverse the entirety of the 2,700 mile Pacific Crest Trail. This audacious goal was something Gunvalson's younger self would have never considered. But, it's exactly what she did. The PCT, true to its name, follows the crest of the mountain ranges between Canada and Mexico, going through Washington, Oregon, and California, along the Cascade Range, the Sierra Nevada, and the mountainous desert terrain to the US–Mexico border. And not only did Katie want to get from one end of the PCT to the other, she wanted to do it faster than any other woman ever had. She wanted to set a Fastest Known Time, an FKT, in the south bound direction. That record was set by Jessica Pekari: 63 days, 7 hours, 31 minutes. So that is what Gunvalson prepared to do, for years; and she was ready. But there was one challenge that ultimately presented itself that Gunvalson really hadn't anticipated, and it would cause her to very deeply consider the real purpose of this journey. Katie Gunvalson shares her whole epic story on the podcast. From her difficult and unlikely path to becoming a runner, to discovering and following a calling to cover the entire PCT, and the wild ride of getting from Canada to Mexico. How to Keep Up with Katie Gunvalson Website: katiecorvid.com Mentioned in This Episode Liz Derstine on WRS: Her Appalachian Trail FKT Story Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a special live recording featuring 8x masters world record holder Sue McDonald, 61, in conversation with WRS host and producer Cherie; that's me. We sat down the Tracksmith track house in Boston on Sat., Feb 1, to a wonderful group who braved snowy weather for this terrific conversation. We get into how McDonald has stayed healthy and competitive over her 40-plus year career as a highly competitive athlete—in many sports. And how, at age 59, she looked over the record books and set to raising the bar for what's possible for women athletes her age. She targeted not one, but many world bests. In her training and preparation McDonald left no stone unturned, and she talks about it all. Plus what she's doing today to remain fast, and work to get faster. This conversation, and the terrific Q&A that followed, provides many useful tips and takeaways to use in your own training and racing. Whether you're a masters racer, or you aspire to be one someday, there's a lot here for you. Sue McDonald currently holds 8 world records: 400m and 800m indoor and outdoor; 1 mile indoor; 300m hurdles; steeplechase, and heptathlon. She was a heptathlete through college, and became a nationally competitive pole vaulter in her post-collegiate years. She has also competed as a triathlete, and in 2018, she ran the Boston Marathon (the storm year!). In 2023 McDonald set 9 world records for 60-64 masters women and was named the USATF Masters Track and Field Athlete of the Year. To put her records in a different context, McDonald set or reset 15 world records over a 16 month period. How to Keep Up with Sue McDonald Instagram: @suemcdonaldfitness Sue McDonald's Previous Appearance on WRS Sue McDonald: 9 Times a Masters World Record Setter To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Jenny Sandoval is the 2022 NCAA DII 10,000 national champion, and now running as a post-collegiate elite/pro, she is focused on discovering her full potential in the sport. It's been a time of big ups and downs, as Sandoval navigates life as an elite runner, with a full time job. Her performance at the recent USATF cross country national championships, held on January 11 in Lubbock, Texas, was a high point, after a period of serious injury. Sandoval shares how it all went down at the national championships, from her point of view. And she shares the details of what running life has looked like over the past few years, including another surprise incredible performance, in her debut marathon: it was both a heartbreaker and a performance beyond expectation. Hear the whole story in this episode. This episode is part of the WRS Race Report series. Each episode features a top 10 performer sharing her experience at one of the USATF National Championship races (the year-long series aspect of these races is apparently no more). Next up on the calendar is the USATF half-marathon national championship, March 2 in Atlanta, GA. There will be a WRS race report episode shortly thereafter. You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. How to Keep Up with Jennifer Sandoval Instagram: @thatgirljenny Mentioned in This Episode Renegade Running: renegade-running.com Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Weini Kelati is a professional road and long distance track racer for the Mission Run Dark Sky Distance team sponsored by Under Armour. Kelati is one of the best US racers in the 10k, 5k, and, more recently, half marathon. In this episode, Kelati shares how she got to this point in her running career, with a particular focus on the transformation her racing went through over the past year. This involves hard training, of course. But Kelati also had to improve her physical and mental skills when it came to races that did not suit her preferred style of racing. And, she needed to overcome times of wavering self confidence as well as learn how to process difficult emotions; emotions linked to Kelati's decision to leave her home and family in Eritrea when she was 17 and start a new life in the US. Hear the whole story of how Kelati became the champion runner she is today: the risks she's taken to get to this place, the sacrifices she's made, for herself and her family, and the focused, diligent work she's put in to reach the very high goals she sets for herself. Weini Kelati's story is truly exceptional. How to Keep Up with Weini Kelati Instagram: @weini_kelati Mentioned in This Episode Mission Run Dark Sky Distance Team: @missionrun_darksky Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Heather Caplan's running story spans many seasons of her life. And through those seasons, she has discovered how wins in her running life can show up in many different ways. Caplan is a runner, a run coach, a dietician, the mother of three children, and she is also well known for being the co-founder of the Lane 9 Project, with Alexis Fairbanks. To quote Caplan, "Lane 9 is a community of athletes and a directory of clinicians and coaches that work with female athletes. And we're all trying to improve menstrual health and reduce REDs across various levels of sport." You can discover Lane 9 through its website, podcast, and newsletter. These days, running looks very different than it did earlier in her life. Caplan first started running in college, a time marked by disordered eating and amenorrhea. Caplan discusses the intersection between her running pursuits and these health challenges, and how running has changed over time, through her early adulthood, and then through becoming the mom of three, in addition to navigating the rest of life, which has included several long-distance moves. Caplan's journey through it all, to where she is today, finding a renewed sense of belonging and joy in her running life, is what her episode is all about. How to Keep Up with Heather Caplan Instagram: @heatherdcrd Website: heathercaplan.com Mentioned in This Episode Lane 9 Project: lane9project.org Women’s Running Stories Newsletter: womensrunningstories.substack.com Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Today Chantelle Erickson is an ultra trail runner and, as she says, a multipreneur, in addition to being a wife and the mother of two children. Erickson runs her business Be Well Chantelle, and under the umbrella of that business, she has many offerings. One of them is Baby Mama, where she offers pre- and postnatal fitness services; she is a running coach.  Additionally, Erickson is a financial advisor focused on helping women with financial literacy. She is also a freelance writer, and one of her primary outlets is Canadian Running Magazine. And, Erickson is a recurring co-host on the Community Trail Running podcast, with Adam Lee.  So today, Erickson is thriving in many ways, but things for her were definitely not always like this. A little background here, Erickson was raised by her grandmother and her mom who had Erickson just as she was finishing high school. Erickson did not connect with her father until much later in life, and she talks about that in her story.  Over the course of her life, Erickson has experienced many traumas and her upbringing and early adulthood were chaotic. And then running came into her life and it provided a steady foundation for many positive changes.  What Erickson discovered through her running journey and how it all unfolded is what her story is all about.  How to Keep Up with Chantelle Erickson Instagram: @runningmama85 Website: bewellchantelle.com Mentioned in This Episode Community Trail Running podcast: communitytrailrunning.substack.com/podcast Cherie Louise Turner on the Community Trail Running podcast: communitytrailrunning.substack.com/p/ep-119-the-womens-running-podcast Women’s Running Stories Newsletter: womensrunningstories.substack.com Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Vanessa C. Peralta-Mitchell was inspired to start running after learning how hard women had fought to just participate in sports. That moment of inspiration would eventually change her life, setting Peralta-Mitchell on a path to change the running industry. How that all unfolded is what this episode is all about. Peralta-Mitchell is a runner, business owner, running coach, and mother of three children. She's well known for being the founder of Game Changers, an organization that supports women of color to become run coaches and leaders in the running industry. Game Changers started in 2020, and in October of 2024 accepted its fifth cohort of women into the program: like those who came before them, these 24 new women from 12 states will become certified run coaches, and receive mentoring and business development support. This adds to the over 80 women who've already gone through the program. Just last year, Peralta-Mitchell also launched PWRher'd. This is a program, powered by Game Changers, that partners with races and gives entrants an opportunity to sign up for online coaching services that get them ready for that specific race, so they can be well prepared to have a successful experience. Additionally, when PWRher'd partners with a race, they make a contribution to the local community on behalf of the partnership. Peralta-Mitchell's story demonstrates what can happen when we see our potential as limitless. How to Keep Up with Vanessa C. Peralta-Mitchell Instagram: @vcpmitchell Website: vcpm.com Game Changers: vcpm.com/game-changers How to Keep Up with PWRher'd Instagram: @pwrherd Website: pwrherd.com Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

For this episode, I chose a variety of clips from 10 episodes published in 2024 that have stuck with me and made an impact. This isn't a "best of" so much as a celebration of the huge variety of experiences and motivations women have in this sport. I hope you'll find something in here to motivate and inspire you, and perhaps spark a new interest for 2025. It's incredible how much this sport brings to so many people and the myriad ways it can show up in our lives. Enjoy! Clips were pulled from these 10 episodes Katie Holmes: The Life-Changing Power of Running, After 40, published Sep 17 Sister Liz Sjoberg: Becoming a Sister on the Run, published Jan 19 Alison Mariella Désir: Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, published Jul 9 Emily Halnon: An Epic Trail Run to the Gorge, Her Book, Her Mother, Her Return to Living Big and Bold, published May 6 Rebecca Mehra: Professional Track Racer, On a Season of Inspired Change, published Mar 8 Race Report: Rachel McArthur + USATF One-Mile National Championships, published May 20 Anita Cardinal: Don't Stop Unless You're Proud, published Jan 11 Micha Powell: An Olympian's Transformative Race Experiences and Book: Sprinting through Setbacks, published Aug 12 Carmen Graves: Professional Track Racer and Steeplechaser, published May 13 Naseemah Palmer: "Running Reminds Me I'm Living," published Nov 4 Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is part 8 of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, where WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner is sharing her journey to break 20 minutes in the 5k, in her 50s, in real time. Feel free to join the journey from here; it's not mandatory to listen to previous episodes in order to enjoy this one. Previous episodes will provide more context around this project and provide details about the many lessons Cherie has learned so far. This episode picks up where Cherie left off in early October: she'd made the big move from Cork, Ireland, back to Boston, Mass., and had returned to racing. She ran a 10k to get back in the groove of running fast, and she had a great time, racing with her US team the Tracksmith Boston Hares. In this episode, Cherie shares what's happened over the past few months, including a mile PR and a coaching change. Through it all, Cherie continues to learn and grow, as an athlete and a competitor. And she's having a lot of fun along the way. About this project: In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Louise Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 55 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. Cherie's current day 5k PR is 21:01 (set June 2024). This update spans early October to the latter part of December 2024. To catch up on all past episodes check out the links and publication dates below. Come along for the journey. Links and Publication Dates to Earlier Episodes in this Series Find the whole series here. Part 1, pub date (September 8, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1/id1495427631?i=1000627157697 Part 2, pub date (October 27, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2/id1495427631?i=1000632786362 Part 3, pub date (January 5, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-3-the-reset/id1495427631?i=1000640614612 Part 4, pub date (March 25, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-4-the/id1495427631?i=1000650320154 Part 5, pub date (May 28, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000657010943 Part 6, pub date (July 23, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000663065105 Part 7, pub date (October 8, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-part-7-over-50-sub-20-5k-project/id1495427631?i=1000672194951 Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Birdie Wermy had moments of connecting to running early in life. But it wasn't until she was an adult that her journey with the sport really got going. At that time, Birdie was going through some big life challenges, and a co-worker suggested she participate in a running event. That was where it all started. Birdie Wermy lives in Oregon but is originally from Oklahoma. She is the mother of two, and she is a native woman, of Southern Cheyenne, Kiowa, and Pawnee ancestry. As part of her running story, Birdie also embarked on a life of sobriety. That has been a central part of discovering a deeper connection in her running practice, resulting in more meaningful experiences, growth, and healing. This deeper connection manifested in a particularly strong way at the 2024 Chicago Marathon, which Birdie ran as a member of the Native Women Run team. Birdie shares her powerful story on the podcast. How to Keep Up with Birdie Wermy Instagram: @redrace_oregon How to Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: @native_women_run Website: nativewomenrunning.com Mentioned in this Episode Live conversation with Native Women Run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon Expo: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-native-women-run-team-at-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo Verna Volker: womensrunningstories.com/verna-volker-a-journey-of-health-and-healing-culture-and-community Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Marlinda Francisco has run many distances on road and trail. In this episode, she shares how she first got into running and how it has become such a big part of her life. Marlinda also shares how she first started out running on the roads but then discovered her love of trail running. She now runs ultras, and she shares how just this past October at the Javelina Jundred in Arizona, she finished her longest distance yet, 100 kilometers (62 miles). Marlinda is a native woman, Navajo and Tohono O’odham. Running is embedded in these cultures, and Marlinda runs both to challenge and strengthen herself and to represent and carry on the long tradition of running in her family and communities. In addition to running many events every year, Marlinda is a very active part of the running community. She works behind the scenes at many events and she is part of the leadership team for the non-profit advocacy organization Native Women Run. Marlinda's mantra is "run with your heart, pray with your feet." Hear the whole story on the podcast of how she arrived to this place in running and in life. How to Keep Up with Marlinda Francisco Instagram: @lou_bedonie How to Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: @native_women_run Website: nativewomenrunning.com Mentioned in this Episode Live conversation with Native Women Run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon Expo: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-native-women-run-team-at-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Lauren Hagans is a professional distance runner with a long racing career, and she's been a top competitor at many distances. Now that includes the marathon, which Hagans just started racing in 2023. This episode focuses on this new chapter of Hagans's running career. At 38, Hagans is just getting rolling with at the 26.2 mile distance, and she's competing among the best. For her debut in 2023, Hagans raced the prestigious Grandma's Marathon in Duluth, MN, where she came out flying: She won! And she clocked an incredible 2:25:55: this is the fourth fastest debut marathon by an American women, ever. This episode focuses on Hagans's second marathon, Chicago, which she just raced in October 2024. Learn why Hagans is even more proud of this performance than the big win in Duluth, and why she's excited to keep racing marathons. What's clear is that Hagans has untapped potential in the marathon, so it will be exciting to see what she does from here. Hagans also has some big changes coming up as she prepares for 2025. Keep Up With Lauren Hagans Instagram: @haagendazs_86 Lauren Hagans's previous appearance on WRS womensrunningstories.com/race-report-lauren-hagans-2023-usatf-half-marathon-national-championships Support Our Supporters YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This week Women's Running Stories is taking a break and bringing you an episode of Starting Line 1928. This outstanding podcast features in-depth interviews with women running pioneers. The episode I chose features Cheryl Toussaint, the meet director of the Colgate Women’s Games and an Olympic silver medalist. Toussaint grew up in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, and began running with the Atoms Track Club at age 13. There, Coach Fred Thompson nurtured her athletic talent—and encouraged her academically. Cheryl earned an academic scholarship to New York University and kept training with the Atoms, eventually making the Olympics in 1972; she competed in Munich in the 800 meters and 4x400 relay, where she helped the team make the final—and eventually, win silver—despite losing a shoe. She also began assisting Thompson with his other venture, the Colgate Women’s Games, and took over as meet director when he retired in 2014. It’s the longest running track and field series for girls and young women in the United States, open to all young women from elementary school through college and beyond, and has launched the careers of many other Olympians and successful women in other fields.  Starting Line 1928 is an oral history project dedicated to preserving the stories of women pioneers in distance running. The project chronicles the individuals who paved the way for a post-Title IX world. Guests have included Olympians (like here), steeplechase pioneers, ultrarunning champions, coaches, and those who fought hard for women to have new opportunities in the sport. Starting Line 1928 was founded in 2020 by Cindy Kuzma, Cara Hawkins-Jedlicka, Freddi Carlip, and Johanna Gretschel and is supported by the Theodore Corbitt Institute for Running History Research. Learn More about Starting Line 1928 Website: StartingLine1928.com Instagram @startingline1928 Twitter @startline1928 Email: startingline1928@gmail.com Learn More about the Colgate Women's Games Website: colgatewomensgames.com Listen to the Live Episode featuring the Native Women Run team and NWR Founder Verna Volker womensrunningstories.com/live-event-native-women-run-team-at-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo

Grace Norman is a four-time Paralympic medalist, once in track and field and three times in the sport of Paratriathlon. She is also, as of October 2024, a five-time world Paratriathlon champion. This episode focuses on Norman's Paralympic journey which spans Rio, Tokyo, and this year's 2024 Paralympics in Paris. For over a decade now, Norman's primary focus has been Paratriathlon, but before that, she was a competitive runner, and running is at the foundation of Grace's athletic life: she ran track and cross country in high school and college, racing able-bodied competitors. Grace was born with Congenital Constriction Band Syndrome, which resulted in the amputation of her left leg below the knee and her right big toe when she was young. Norman runs and races with a prosthetic. Norman started racing Paratriathlon in her teens, and made her Paralympic debut in Rio, the same year Paratriathlon debuted at the Games. There, Norman surprised everyone, herself included, by winning gold. Since then, Paratriathlon has continued to grow and the competition has intensified, and in turn, Norman has continued to develop as a world-class competitor. Starting with those Rio games when Norman was just graduating high school and heading into college through her collegiate years, which led to Tokyo, until now as a full-time professional athlete. Over the past several years, Norman has been the athlete to beat in Paratriathlon, but it did take some time for that consistency to set in. She's gone through the highs of being the young, talented newcomer in Rio, to a time of learning and growth heading into the Tokyo Paralympics, where she and her coach had very high confidence that a repeat gold medal performance was within her abilities. And it probably was; Norman was certainly prepared to give her all in Tokyo. What happened in Tokyo inspired Norman to double down on her preparation for Paris. In this story, Norman shares the whole journey, including the unwavering determination and dedication she carried all the way through the finish line at this past summer's 2024 Paralympic Games. Keep Up with Grace Norman Instagram: @gracenormantri Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS Use the discount code WRS to receive $25 off any pillow! Through Dec. 2, 2024 YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Professional runner for Nike Emily Venters shares how it all went down at the 2024 USATF 5k National Championships, held Nov. 2 in New York City, as part of the New York City Marathon weekend of events. Venters shares how she has overcome mental and emotional challenges to return to a state of health, and deliver an outstanding performance at this strongly contested race. In NYC, Venters earned her first podium spot as a professional runner at a national championship event. Venters's recent challenges come on the heels of a bumpy but ultimately successful college career; her collegiate results were so outstanding in fact that she signed her pro contract upon graduation last year, in 2023. But the pro life came with its share of anxieties and then depression. Having come out the other side of a dark time, Venters was ready to give her all come race day. In this episode, Venters gets into the whole journey, including some exciting new plans. This episode is part of the WRS Race Report series. Each episode features a top 10 performer sharing her experience at one of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the US all year long. Each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race being run. The 5k National Championships was last race of the 2024 series. WRS will be back next year, covering the 2025 series. The action kicks off Jan. 11 in Lubbock, TX, with the USATF Cross Country National Championships. You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Emily Venters Instagram: @ventersemily Photo Credits Guilherme Guedes Instagram: @guico.guedes Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Support Our Supporters YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh RomanBelov, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

A special episode from WRS host Cherie, in acknowledgement of this deeply challenging time, post-election 2024. This podcast doesn't exist in a vacuum; it is impacted and informed by the world at large. This is a moment to reflect and, for Cherie, a call to action. She shares thoughts on moving forward. Mentioned in This Episode Jinghaun Liu Tervalon's newsletter Wings & Spikes, from Nov 10, 2024: sandychannel.substack.com/p/wings-and-spikes Alison Mariella Désir on Patreon: patreon.com/alisondesir Toni Morrison's "No Place for Self-Pity, No Room for Fear," The Nation, Mar. 23, 2015: thenation.com/article/archive/no-place-self-pity-no-room-fear

Naseemah Palmer had wanted to try running, but she didn't see it as a place for someone like herself. Until, as she recounts in her story, running found her. On the fateful day of May 4, 2014, a day when Palmer was deep in the depths of undiagnosed post-partum depression, she encountered the Broad Street 10-mile Run, and it changed her life.

Stefanie Flippin is one of the fastest North American women to race the 100-mile distance. Her trajectory to get to that point is truly astonishing. This episode, however, is focused on more recent occurrences. In addition to her terrific success as an ultra runner, Flippin has experienced significant challenges. Illness, injuries, and grief have come one on top of the other in recent years. Navigating these hardships has put Flippin on a path to reaffirming why she runs and what she values most. She's coming out the other side of this difficult period more aligned with her values, more strongly in touch with her intuition, and with a renewed sense of appreciation for running and racing. This episode is focused on these recent transformative years. In addition to being an elite level racer, Flippin participates in the running community as a coach, podcast co-host, and writer. And, more and more, she is speaking our as an activist and advocate for diversity, especially in trail running. Stefanie Flippin's story on the podcast highlights how running can be an integral part of healing and transformation. Be inspired. Keep Up with Stefanie Flippin Instagram: @stefanieannflippin Website: stefanieflippin.com Writing: stefanieflippin.com/writing Podcasts: stefanieflippin.com/podcasts Making Strides podcast ep. 12: Allyship, Intention and Impact Mentioned in this episode Carolyn Su on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/carolyn-su-her-first-trail-adventures-why-representation-matters Support Our Supporters YMR Track Club: ymrtrackclub.com Use the discount code WRS20 for 20% off your purchase To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a live recording from Saturday, October 13 at the Chicago Marathon Expo. WRS host Cherie Turner teamed up with Cindy Kuzma of the Starting Line 1928 podcast to co-host a conversation with members of the Native Women Run (NWR) running the 2024 Chicago Marathon—Angel Tadytin, Birdie Wermy, Jessica Louis, and Amber Henderson—along with NWR founder Verna Volker. We heard the running stories of these women: why they run marathons, what inspired them to want to run as part of the NWR team, the importance of representation and community, and what their strategies and goals were for the 2024 Chicago Marathon. The conversation was thoughtful, insightful, and inspiring. Verna Volker is from the Navajo Nation, and she is the founder of NWR. She grew up in the Blanca canyon area of New Mexico, but currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with her husband and four children. She founded NWR in January 2018 due to the lack of representation of native women in the running world; her aim is for NWR to create space for and elevate native women runners. Jessica Louis is a Navajo woman from New Mexico. She is a stay-at-home educator, and the Chicago Marathon marks her second 26.2-mile journey. Amber Henderson is from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa tribe in South Dakota, Henderson is a tenured associate professor of management and interim department chair of Finance, Banking and Financial Services, Accounting and Business Law at Northern State University. The 2024 Chicago Marathon was her debut in the distance. Angel Tadytin is also from the Navajo Nation and works as a school social worker. She is also part of the NWR leadership team. The Chicago Marathon was her third marathon, after Boston and NYC. Birdie Wermy is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma now residing in Oregon. Wermy serves as a behavioral health project manager at the NW Portland Area Indian Health Board. The 2024 Chicago Marathon was her seventh marathon. Starting Line 1928 is an oral history project dedicated to preserving the stories of women pioneers in distance running. Through longform interviews and profiles, the podcast chronicles their fight to break down barriers and achieve equality. It was founded in 2020 by Cindy Kuzma, Cara Hawkins-Jedlicka, Freddi Carlip, and Johanna Gretschel and is supported by the Theodore Corbitt Institute for Running History Research. How to Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: @native_women_run Website: nativewomenrunning.com How to Keep Up with Verna Volker Instagram: @hozhorunner4 How to Keep Up with Amber Henderson Instagram: @amber_amh How to Keep Up with Birdie Wermy Instagram: @redrace_oregon How to Keep Up with Jessica Louis Instagram: @_tso.lo_ How to Keep Up with Angel Tadytin Instagram: @angels_ventures How to Keep Up with Cindy Kuzma Instagram: @cindykuzma Ways to Connect with Starting Line 1928 Instagram: @startingline1928 Twitter: @startline1928 Website: startingline1928.com Support Our Supporters This episode is supported by Lagoon, maker of exceptional pillows: lagoonsleep.com. Use the code WRS15 for 15% off your first Lagoon order. Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Running has been a steady presence in Vicki Hunter's life since she was an early teen. Running began as a way to find calm through the challenges of youth, and developed into an arena of competitive challenge, on the roads and then the trails. Among her many accomplishments as a competitive runner, Hunter qualified for the 1988 Olympic Trials Marathon. Running also became integral to Hunter's healing journey after a horrific accident, which happened when she was pregnant with her first child. Now 63, Hunter continues to be fueled by competitive running, but her relationship to that pursuit has changed over time. Running pain free is a companion central focus, along with running fast.  Hunter tells her whole story on the podcast: the beautiful moments and terrific difficulties, the growth and the challenges. Her thoughtfulness and wisdom shine through, looking back over her decades in the sport.  Hunter also shares her running story embedded in her recently released memoir: Running and Returning: Seeking Balance in an Imperfect World.  Keep Up with Vicki Hunter Instagram: @thevickihunter Website: vforcepro.com Link to Hunter's book, Running and Returning: vforcepro.com/books Listen to Unexpected Curves, Hosted by Marielle Hall Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unexpected-curves/id1750120522 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3sx2j12qArDW5uJ9NoO9ks Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is part 7 of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, where WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner is sharing her journey to break 20 minutes in the 5k, in her 50s, in real time. Feel free to join the journey from here; it's not mandatory to listen to previous episodes in order to enjoy this one. Previous episodes will provide more context around this project and provide details about the many exciting lessons Cherie has learned so far. This episode picks up where Cherie left off in late July: she'd set a new PR in the 5k and then taken a break from racing for 6 weeks. During the 6-week break, Cherie put some longer distance races on her schedule so she could work on holding a challenging pace for a longer period of time. This is a skill that is a challenge to her, mostly mentally. She chose a 4-miler, 5-miler, and a 10k. One race a week for three weeks. Cherie shares the successes and challenges she experienced with these three races. Then she dives into how she navigated running and racing during the huge life change of moving from Cork, Ireland, back to Boston, Massachusetts. Suffice to say, it wasn't easy. This episode ends with a return to racing and training back in the US, shaking off the big move, and the exciting events Cherie has on the horizon. About this project: In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Louise Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 55 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. Cherie's current day 5k PR is 21:01 (set June 2024). This update spans late July to early October 2024. To catch up on all past episodes check out the links and publication dates below. Come along for the journey. Links and Publication Dates to Earlier Episodes in this Series Find the whole series here. Part 1, pub date (September 8, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1/id1495427631?i=1000627157697 Part 2, pub date (October 27, 2023): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2/id1495427631?i=1000632786362 Part 3, pub date (January 5, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-3-the-reset/id1495427631?i=1000640614612 Part 4, pub date (March 25, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-4-the/id1495427631?i=1000650320154 Part 5, pub date (May 28, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000657010943 Part 6, pub date (July 23, 2024): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cherie-louise-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part/id1495427631?i=1000663065105 Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Professional runner for Brooks Erika Kemp shares how it all went down at the 2024 USATF 10k National Championships, held Sept. 21 in Northport, NY, at the Cow Harbor 10k. This is Kemp's second appearance on WRS, and I am so happy to have her back. In this episode, Kemp shares what's been happening in her racing and training life this year, leading up to this 10k championship event. This includes training for and racing at two US Olympic Trials, in February and June; taking a much needed break; and returning to training in August. You'll hear how, even without yet being in peak racing fitness, Kemp was able to deliver an incredible 10k performance, and why training and racing with friends and teammates is always a welcome boost. Erika is a two-time national champion, in the 20k (2021) and 15k (2019), and just last year raced her first marathon: the 2023 Boston Marathon in April. There she ran an incredible 2:33 which qualified her for the 2024 Olympic Trials and made her the fastest American-born Black women to ever run the marathon. With that, Kemp tops The List, an accounting of all the American-born Black women who've broken 3 hours in the marathon. This story is all about how hard work, year after year, does pay off, and the power of having great support. This episode is part of the WRS Race Report series. Each episode features a top 10 performer sharing her experience at one of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the US all year long. Each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race being run. The 5k National Championships, the last race of the 2024 series, is next: November 2. You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Erika Kemp Instagram: @imtinyrik Erika Kemp's previous WRS episode (pub Mar 6, 2023): womensrunningstories.com/erika-kemp-championships-challenges-and-a-marathon-debut Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Wynonna Curely-Fulgham first discovered the life-changing impact running could have on her during her Kinaaldah, the Navajo puberty ceremony. She's carried the teaches from that transformative time into her adult life. Wynonna has continued to be drawn to running, and specifically ultra trail running, as a way to test her own limits and also to process life's challenges and find her peace. It is a deep well of connection, discovery, and release: a physical endeavor that is also spiritual and healing. In this episode, Wynonna shares the story of the pivotal moments she's experienced in ultra trail running, up through today. Her journey includes taking part in the Transrockies, a multi-day stage running race that takes place in Colorado, traveling through the mountains and over peaks, at altitude. Wynonna often runs as a member of the Native Women Run team. Wynonna's story is powerful and beautiful. One women's incredible journey of self-discovery, evolution, and inspiration. Keep Up with Wynonna Curely-Fulgham Instagram: @blacksheep_running Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: @native_women_run Website: nativewomenrunning.com Information about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, MMIW mmiwusa.org Information about Native American Boarding Schools boardingschoolhealing.org/education/us-indian-boarding-school-history boardingschoolhealing.org www.irsss.ca nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/30/us/native-american-boarding-schools.html Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Katie Holmes started running in her 40s: she's since become a runner and racer of many distances over many types of terrain. She's also a women's running historian and she blogs about masters runners: see her writing on RunYoung50.co.uk. Through running, Katie has discovered interests and abilities she never knew she had before. In short, the sport has been life changing. And now, Katie is focused on an event that joins both her passion for running and her passion for women's running history. In this episode, hear the whole story: how Katie first discovered her interest in running; how that led to her racing just about every type of race available in the sport; on to her starting a blog dedicated to stories of older women runners, and then women's running history; to today, when she's combining her passions for the sport after a period of grief and time away from running due to injury. Katie Holmes's story clearly demonstrates it is truly never too late to discover new passions and new powerful parts of yourself. Keep Up with Katie Holmes Instagram: @runyoung50 Website: runyoung50.co.uk Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Professional distance and marathon racer for Asics Savannah Berry shares how it all went down for her at the 2024 USATF National Championships, which just took place in New Haven, CT, on Sept. 2. Berry is having a stellar season this year, reaping the benefits of consistent, tough training, month after month, year after year. She's coming into her own on the national scene. It started in Feb. at the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials, where she placed an incredible 12th place, just seconds off of her PR. Berry followed that up with a 4th place finish in May at the Pittsburgh Half Marathon. This 20k Championships further emphasizes that Berry is now in a position to compete with the best. Becoming a competitive marathon runner wasn't something Berry necessarily had in mind after graduating from Utah Valley University in 2018. But encouragement from her boyfriend to go after qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials revealed a talent for the distance and Berry's never looked back. She's had an incredible progression ever since, learning and developing and gaining confidence all throughout the process. And, she's backed by a rock solid support crew, who she's quick to credit. Hear the whole story of how Savannah Berry is becoming a racer to watch on the national scene. How her day-to-day commitment and hard work, supported by a team that believes in her, came to fruition at this championship event. This episode is part of the WRS Race Report series. Each episode features a top 10 performer sharing her experience at one of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the US all year long. Each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race being run. The 10k National Championships is next: September 22. You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Savannah Berry Instagram: @savv_berry Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Dakotah Lindwurm is a professional distance runner for the Minnesota Distance Elite Team, sponsored by Puma. Her specialty is the marathon. Just a few short weeks ago, Lindwurm became an Olympian. This is Dakotah Lindwurm's Olympic dream story. It begins with the moment that sparked this dream, way back in childhood. Lindwurm shares how, despite not showing obvious potential in her early running, she continued to dream big: through her walk-on DII collegiate running days; turning pro; the US Olympic Trials in Orlando, Florida, back on February 2, 2024, where she was considered a strong underdog; to making Team USA; and up through racing on the greatest stage of sports: The Olympics. Lundwurm's story is all about big dreams that weathered big challenges, bolstered by the power of support and self-belief. Lindwurm ran an incredible race at the Paris Olympics, where she placed 12th. She was the top American finisher, running 2:26:44. And, she's already looking ahead: Lindwurm will be lining up at the 2024 NYC Marathon on November 3. One fact is now clear, Lindwurm is no longer underdog: she is and will forever be an Olympian. Keep Up with Dakotah Lindwurm Instagram: @dakotahlindwurm Keep Up with Minnesota Distance Elite Team Instagram: @minnesotadistanceelite Website: minnesotadistanceelite.org Photo Credit Clay Shaw, Runner's Gazette: @clay50sub4 Listen to Unexpected Curves, Hosted by Marielle Hall Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unexpected-curves/id1750120522 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3sx2j12qArDW5uJ9NoO9ks Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This week Women's Running Stories is taking a break and bringing you Unexpected Curves. This is a terrific new podcast hosted and created by Olympian and professional runner Marielle Hall. Unexpected Curves is a topic-driven show that dives into women's sports in ways that, true to the show's name, are unexpected. In the most interesting ways. Tune in to Unexpected Curves each week, where Hall interviews athletes and experts to explore women's sports from new angles. To quote the show description: A unique listening experience for the next generation of sports fans to interact with the stories about the people, and the plays that make an industry. In each episode we will get into the culture of women’s sports. Breaking down what’s good, what’s bad, and what’s weird. We’ll hear from athletes and experts paving the way for the future, and sometimes we will go back in time to see how we got here in the first place. This is the sports show where we give the girls some support. In the episode highlighted here, Hall talks with Professor Amira Rose Davis about the high participation of Black American girls in track and field. They explore why this trend exists ,and how the cultural tradition of hand games shapes the sport we watch today. Rose Davis is also the co-host of the exceptional feminist podcast Burn It All Down, which is currently on hiatus. Keep Up With Unexpected Curves Instagram: @unexpectedcurves Listen to Unexpected Curves Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unexpected-curves/id1750120522 Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/3sx2j12qArDW5uJ9NoO9ks Keep Up With Marielle Hall Instagram: @mariellehalll Keep Up With Amira Rose Davis Instagram: @mirarose06

Just this year, 2024, Sarah Pardus realized a goal that she'd been aiming toward for a decade: she ran the Boston Marathon. While her road to that finish line was full of twists and turns, it was also a full-circle moment. It both begins and ends with the terrific organization Girls on the Run (GOTR). Sarah's first organized run training came at a young age, through being a part of GOTR. Throughout high school and into college, Sarah was a highly competitive swimmer, and running helped her stay fit. And when an injury ultimately ended her swimming career part-way through college, Sarah returned to running. Intertwined in her athletic journey, Sarah developed an eating disorder. Over the years, as she mindfully surrounded herself with healthy role models and a strong support system, Sarah was able to establish a healthy relationship with her nutrition. As part of her adult running life, Sarah reignited her involvement with GOTR, now as a volunteer. For her own running goals, Sarah found great joy in running longer distances on the road and set her sights on qualifying to run the Boston Marathon. Sarah both qualified for Boston and ran to support GOTR, the organization that first got her into the sport. Hear the whole story of how it all came together in this episode. A special thank you to Rochelle Solomon and Kate Yenrick for bringing me this story. Keep Up with Sarah Pardus Instagram: @sarahpardus X: @sarahpardus Girls On the Run, Boston Instagram: @gotrboston Facebook: facebook.com/GirlsontheRunGreaterBoston Website: girlsontherunboston.org WRS Roads to Boston series, featuring Rochelle Solomon womensrunningstories.com/home-2/roads-to-boston-9-runners-1-finish-line Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: lagoonsleep.com/WRS15 Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Olympian, professional 400-meter runner for New Balance, and now author Micha Powell tells her running journey through a series of transformative racing stories. Micha's first book, Sprinting through Setbacks: An Olympian's Guide to Overcoming Self Doubt and Imposture Syndrome, came out in July 2023. It highlights big racing and life lessons Micha has taken from her competitive career. Each chapter focuses on one race and one major takeaway. At the end of the chapter, there's a journaling section with journaling prompts for the reader to use, making this also a terrific personal growth workbook. Among her many accomplishments in track, Micha Powell is an Olympian, having been named to the 2016 Canadian Olympic team for the 4x400-meter relay. She was also a member of the gold-medal-winning 4x400-meter team at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Micha is the daughter of track superstars and Olympians. Her father is long jumper Mike Powell, who set the record in that event in 1991: that record still stands today. Micha's mother is three-time Olympian in the 400-meter hurdles and television personality Rosie Edah. Just recently, Micha switched coaches and now her mother is also her coach. Despite her early exposure to elite level track and field, Micha came to the sport late, at 17. She intentionally followed her heart, and discovered her passion for the 400 meter. Micha raced collegiately for the University of Maryland, and set records in the 400, on both the indoor and outdoor track: those records both still stand. Post-graduation, she turned pro, with a single-minded focus on the 400 meter. Mirroring the structure of her book, Micha's story on the podcast highlights some of her most poignant race experiences, and the lessons she learned. Lessons that you can take with you into your own running pursuits and life outside of running. Keep Up with Micha Powell Instagram: @michajadapowell Strong Girl Publishing and where to purchase Sprinting through Setbacks Website: stronggirlpublishing.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Mary McManus contracted paralytic polio at the age of 5. She recovered from the paralysis, but the disease had a lasting impact on her ability to move. This led to taunting and teasing from other children, especially when it came to physical activities.  In addition to experiencing the difficulties of polio, Mary experienced physical and sexual abuse from her father, who began to abuse alcohol when she was eight. She would also come to discover that her mother had an addiction to prescription pain medication. While Mary credits the love and support of adults outside of her family for helping her through these dark times, the traumatic experiences of polio and her home life took years to overcome.  And that is what Mary’s story is all about, overcoming and healing. Persevering through times of darkness and struggle, with a strong belief in her ability to heal. Which is where Mary focused her energies, becoming a social worker for the VA, a wife and a mother, and ultimately, a marathon runner. Running entered Mary's life in her 50s, after a diagnosis of post-polio syndrome. And, she continues to go after running goals to this day, at the age of 70. Mary's story is powerful: about healing and never giving up, and how it is never too late to start a running journey that just might change your life. Keep Up with Mary McManus Instagram: @mary_mcmanusrunnergirl Facebook: facebook.com/mary.mcmanus.507 Website: marymcmanus.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Grand Project, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Professional runner for the BAA/Adidas, Annie Rodenfels shares how it all went down at the 2024 USATF 6k National Championships, held July 13 in Canton, OH. Rodenfels is a Dayton, OH, native now living in Boston, MA, so this is something of a "hometown race" for her. And, she has raced here twice before, coming in 2nd in 2022 and 3rd in 2023. Rodenfels is also the reining 5k National Champion, having won that title in November 2023. Last year she also won her first 10k race, the prestigious Boston 10k for Women. Over the past year or so, Rodenfels has indeed been finding her groove in the pro ranks—the result of years of dedication and focus. Annie Rodenfels is a competitor by nature, and that has shone through in her athletic life. She developed into a top performer during her collegiate running career, racing for the NCAA D3 school Center College in Danville, KY. While there, she became a three-time national champion, twice in the steeplechase and once in the 5000m. Coming out of college, in 2019, with the D3 ranks being the less competitive of the collegiate ranks, even with this stellar record, Rodenfels wasn't a top prospect for a pro team. And indeed, most D3 runners don't turn pro after college. But Rodenfels had other ideas: she wanted to see where she could take her running career. First she raced for the Asics Greenville Trek Club Elite out of South Carolina, and in 2021, Rodenfels signed with the BAA. All along the way, step by step, Rodenfels has developed her skill and ability and risen to the occasion, fueled by her strong competitive spirit. It's that steady build and all-in determination that has gotten Rodenfels to where she is today: a contender to watch in the US pro field. This Race Report traces that progression—through ups and downs, including the recent Olympic Trials—and how it's playing out in Rodenfels's racing these days. This 6k performance exemplifies what a fierce combination hard work, experience, and an inherent drive for peak performance can be. In this story, discover the journey of a born competitor coming into her own as a professional athlete; it's exciting! This episode is part of the WRS Race Report series. Each episode features a top 10 performer sharing her experience at one of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the US all year long. Each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race being run. The 20k National Championships is next: September 2. You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Annie Rodenfels Instagram: @andrearodenfels Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In this, part 6 of this series, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner shares how she set a new time milestone, getting 10 seconds closer to her goal of breaking 20 minutes in the 5k, and how this ushered in a time of focusing on training. At the close of the previous episode, Cherie was addressing some 5k and racing burnout, but she also knew she was fit and ready for a great performance. So, she took advantage of a local flat, fast race and let it rip. Race magic was in full effect. Post-race, it was time to regroup and focus on training. Cherie also decided to freshen things up and set her sites on some longer races, with a 5 miler and 10k on the schedule for August. In training, Cherie was focused on getting pacing dialed in, and not relying on the watch. She's begun to recognize and feel the freedom this brings to her running and racing. Cherie continues to fully enjoy the process of getting faster and racing better. To wrap up the episode, coming off of some solid weeks of training, Cherie notes the need to balance hard work with rest, especially to keep injuries at bay. And, she is looking forward to getting back to racing. In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 54 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. This update spans late May to late July 2024. Part 1 of this series concluded with Cherie setting a baseline time of 21:10 on August 30. Part 2 ended with Cherie learning more about how to train well and some of the lessons she's continuing to work on. In part 3, Cherie discusses how she experienced a non-running injury that took her out of structured training and workouts for 8 weeks but ended up being a healthy reset. Part 4 traces Cherie's return to training and racing, and how she realizes the need to address race anxiety and develop belief in herself. It's not a prerequisite to this episode to listen to the previous episodes in this series, but they do provide valuable details and context. In part 5, Cherie shares that she is focused on getting away from being so reliant on the GPS watch and committing to learn how to run and pace by feel. Cherie also addressed race anxiety and confidence and how these are challenges that take time to overcome. The journey is not linear. And she got into how expectation can lead to frustration and burnout, and how applying the well-known advice of breaking a big goal into smaller pieces is really important. Find the series here. Come along for the journey. To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram account: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Angelina Ellis is a professional steeplechaser for the Mission Run Dark Sky Distance team, and 2024 marks her first year running as a professional. And what an incredible year it's been. Becoming a professional runner has been a dream for Ellis since she was in high school. But back then, that's what she thought it would always be: a dream.  Ellis did not have the kind of high school running career that screamed out, "Pro runner in the making." And she had some difficult and unpleasant experiences with racing in high school that made her question whether or not she wanted to continue in college.  But she did ultimately decide to race for NCAA D1 school Butler University, and there her running transformed. And that transformation just keeps progressing. In this episode, Ellis tells the whole story up to today, coming off of her first experience at a US Olympic Trials. Ellis’s trajectory has been both uncertain and astonishing, and her Trials story is dramatic!  This is the story of what it looks like for a developing athlete with big dreams to establish herself as a force to watch.  Keep Up with Angelina Ellis  Instagram: @angelina.ellis Keep Up with team Mission Run Dark Sky Distance team Instagram: @missionrun_darksky Photo Credits Noble Boutin Instagram: @mr.nono500 To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Alison Mariella Désir is an athlete, mother, activist, public speaker, community builder, and now a hiker and mountain climber. Désir is well known for her groundbreaking book Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport that Wasn’t Built for Us and for her work making space for and creating communities that center and welcome BIPOC athletes into the running and outdoor worlds. Désir was first featured on WRS in October 2022, when her book was released. That episode told the story of Désir's running life to that point. In this episode, Désir shares the story of how and why she summited Africa's tallest peak, Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft), with an all Black group of women who she'd previously never met. Before this trip, hiking wasn't an activity that had held much interest for Désir. Today, she's searching for what mountain she'd like to summit next. This is the story of discovering a new source of joy, empowerment, and rewarding challenge. As transformative as this journey has been, however, when Désir returned to the US, she was faced once again with the reality of most running, trail, and outdoor communities in this country, especially those with the greatest access to power and change: how they center and favor white athletes. Highlighting this reality, in particular, was an article in the popular trail and ultra publication I Run Far, "Women in Trail Running and Ultrarunning: Perspectives on the Challenges and Progression Toward Equity." The equity discussed, however, focused only on white women: written by two white women, all the sources for the story were also all white women (a deliberate editorial choice). Reflecting on the ongoing need for change, the need to get serious about inclusion, Désir's story ends with a call to action, a call for much needed conversations. Keep Up with Alison Mariella Désir Alison’s website: alisonmdesir.com Alison on Instagram: @alisonmdesir Alison’s Kilimanjaro hashtag: #AMDclimbskili Mentioned in this Episode Soraka Tours: soraka.tours Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, October 2022: https://womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-running-while-black-her-story-her-book Article from I Run Far: "Women in Trail Running and Ultrarunning: Perspectives on the Challenges and Progression Toward Equity" To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Elvin Kibet was born and raised in a small village in Kenya, not far from Iten, a town internationally recognized as a hotbed of elite running. Kibet's focus growing up, however, was school; she was determined to excel. And she did. But that wasn't enough to earn her the scholarship she wanted. There was, however, another way. Kibet's two older sisters, Sylvia and Hilda, were both internationally competitive professional runners by the time she finished high school. Their advice: if you want to earn a scholarship and choose your own major (in Kenya, your area of study is chosen for you), you need to run. This set Elvin Kibet on a journey to earn a running scholarship to a US university, which she did. And it was through this process, that she also discovered not only a talent for running fast and racing, but also a love of the sport. Post college, Kibet continued to pursue her racing dreams, ultimately earning a position in the World Class Athlete Program, or WCAP. WCAP is part of the US Army, so in addition to being part of a professional running team, Kibet also became a soldier. Here, as a member of WCAP, Kibet also became the first athlete in the program to ever get pregnant. She faced in unknown future because the Army had no pregnancy policy for members of WCAP. But now because of Elvin Kibet, they do. Kibet's story is highlighted in the new book All in Stride: A Journey in Running, Courage, and the Search for the American Dream, by Johanna Garton, which also features the story of her husband, US Olympian Shadrack Kipchirchir, as well as US Olympian Samantha Schultz. Undoubtedly after hearing Kibet's story here, you will be inspired to read the book. This episode covers Elvin Kibet's running journey, from Kenya to the US; through college, to her first years as a professional runner to WCAP, and through to today, as she navigates the joys and empowerment she's discovered in motherhood. Kibet tells her story in terrific detail, with particularly fascinating insights into the process of emigrating to a new country and the challenges of becoming a professional runner, both in Kenya and the US. Keep Up with Elvin Kibet Instagram: @elvinjkibet Read All in Stride: A Journey in Running, Courage, and the Search for the American Dream Publisher page: https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781538184592/All-in-Stride-A-Journey-in-Running-Courage-and-the-Search-for-the-American-Dream Keep Up with All in Stride Author, Johanna Garton Instagram: @johannagartonbooks To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

UK-based runner Andrea came to running as an adult and discovered a joy in setting big goals for herself in the sport. The first goal: run 50 races. Once she'd met this goal, Andrea was looking for another project to fuel her running motivation. Andrea's young adult daughter had recently moved out on her own, and the two of them shared a love of running and of travel. So this mother daughter team came up with their ideal running project: to run the alphabet. They are currently in the middle of running a series of 26 races, each with a subsequent letter of the alphabet in the name of the race, from A to Z. There are no restrictions on distance, terrain, or location. This alphabet challenge has opened this mother-daughter team up to a whole series of adventures, and Andrea is here to tell the story. Hear how running has become a catalyst to strengthen a family bond, and what discoveries Andrea has made all along her running journey. This is a truly delightful story about how challenging and playful running can be, and how discovering new places by foot at the speed of running can be a terrific way to see the world. Keep Up with Andrea Instagram: @silvercloudadventures Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay beetpro, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Katie Steele fell in love with sports at an early age. By the time she reached high school, that love had developed into a passion for competitive running. But the fun of racing turned destructive as Steele progressed through the competitive world of top level collegiate racing in the US, the NCAA. Her experiences were further exacerbated by the involvement of now banned running coach Alberto Salazar, whose influence had a traumatic and life-long impact on Steele's mental, emotional, and physical health. Despite all that Steele's been through, however, she has an enduring love of life as an athlete. She just wants to see it become better. Steele's running story and love of being an athlete fuel her passion to help create this change, and her professional life is dedicated to making it happen. Because, the unfortunate reality is that, while Steele's running story took place several years ago, many of the harms she experienced in the name of performance, as well as those she's identified in her subsequent professional life, still exist today. These are practices and approaches to coaching, training, and competition that need to be addressed. In the meantime, female athletes continue to pay an unnecessarily high price, with their mental, physical, and emotional health, to achieve their athletic goals. Reimagining a system of sport that works to support whole female health, for athletic pursuits and beyond, is the central focus of the new book The Price She Pays: Confronting the Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Women's Sports—from the Schoolyard to the Stadium by Steele and Dr. Tiffany Brown, with Erin Strout. This episode is being released on the occasion of the book's publication. Steele is a licensed marriage and family therapist and the co-founder of Thrive Mental Health, which is an outpatient medical health clinic in Bend, Oregon. Steele is also the executive director of the Athletes Mental Health Foundation, which is a nonprofit created to help young athletes understand and address their internal wellbeing. Additionally, Steele is the co-host with Tiffany Brown of the excellent new podcast Sports Shrinks.  Steele's story is important, difficult, and powerful. Ultimately, it is hopeful. Keep Up with Katie Steele Athletes Mental Health Foundation: athletesmentalhealthfoundation.org Athletes Mental Health Foundation, Instagram: @athletesmentalhealthfoundation Thrive Mental Health: thrivementalhealththerapy.com Sports Shrinks: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sports-shrinks/id1734751976 Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Madie Boreman is a professional steeplechaser for Oiselle, and last year, 2023, in her very first season as a pro, she established herself as a racer to watch. Getting to this point, however, has been full of many ups and downs. In this episode Boreman shares the fascinating story of transitioning from collegiate racing to the professional ranks. Boreman has had a talent and love of running and racing since childhood. In college, she raced for the powerhouse NCAA track and field team at CU Boulder, and as a freshman she had a stellar year. But injuries plagued her thereafter in her collegiate career. Despite that, Boreman continued to perform well, and more importantly, she knew she had more to give. She could feel it. Boreman also has a well developed ability to turn disappointment into a future asset, so while success does fuel her confidence, disappointment fuels her determination. So despite a vote of no confidence from CU Boulder coaches about her prospects as a pro after graduation, Boreman followed her intuition and went for it. Boreman bet on herself that she could indeed race with the best in the professional ranks. She built a strong and supportive network around herself, notably with agent Isaya Okwiya and coach Juli Benson, and last year, in 2023, she began to put in the performances she knew she was capable of. And that, it appears, is only the beginning. Step by step, Madie Boreman is developing into a top steeplechaser, now with national and international experience. And her momentum is building to the biggest day on the 2024 race calendar: the US Olympic Trials happening June 21–30. This is the story of a young champion on the rise. Get ready to cheer her on. Keep Up with Madie Boreman Instagram: @boredmadie Learn more about Boreman at Oiselle.com: www.oiselle.com/pages/madie-boreman Mentioned in this Episode Cindy Kuzma article for Runner's World about CU Boulder Track and Field Program: runnersworld.com/news/a44272887/colorado-investigation-finds-body-composition-testing-harmed-athletes Oiselle: oiselle.com Photo Credits Kevin Majano Instagram: @captured_kev Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Olympian and professional marathon runner for Asics Betsy Saina tells the story of how it all went down at the 2024 USATF 25k National Championships. Saina returned to this race as the reining champion. Saina was born in Kenya and that is where she currently lives. She came to the US for college and had an incredible collegiate career racing for Iowa State University. Saina went on to become an Olympian racing for Kenya in the 10,000 meter event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. There, she finished an incredible fifth place. Betsy has since become an American citizen and now competes for the United States.  Coming into the 25k championships, Saina was on a comeback, a redemption period, which was kicked off early this year, 2024. Her record-setting performance at the 25k is one more statement in this part of her journey, demonstrating that she is back and literally better than ever. But to appreciate the full context of Saina's recent racing, this story goes back a bit further than this year, beginning with her becoming a mom for the first time, in December of 2021.  Leading into 2024, having returned to elite level racing post-pregnancy, Saina was focused on making the 2024 US Olympic Marathon team. She was a clear choice. She'd run the fastest marathon of any American woman in 2023, and she was coming into the Olympic Trials in peak fitness. But, to make the team, she still needed to place top 3 in the Olympic Trials, which were held in February 2024. Saina succumbed to the heat at the Trials, and her Olympic marathon dreams were over. In the months following the Trials, however, Saina has been demonstrating just how fit and race ready she actually is, and this 25k champs puts an exclamation point on that journey. In this episode, Saina tells the whole story, from her pregnancy journey, through her deeply disappointing Marathon Trials experience, up to the 25k champs, where she did indeed earn a spot in the record books. This is the terrific comeback story of a champion racer. This episode is part of the WRS series of Race Report episodes. Just like last year, 2023, you can expect a Race Report episode for each race of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. Each episode features one top 10 runner telling the story of how the race went down, from her perspective. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the United States all year long and each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race that is being run. Also, at each one of these races, in addition to vying for a national title, runners earn cash prizes and they earn points. The points go toward the series overall, which is determined at the end of the year. The next race on the circuit: the 6k National Championships which will take place in Canton, OH on July 13. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss the race report! You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Betsy Saina Instagram: @sainabetsy To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In this episode, part 5 of this series, Cherie shares how she's getting away from being so reliant on the GPS watch and committing to learn how to run and pace by feel. This is, she continues to discover, a work in progress, especially when it comes to pacing. Cherie also gets into addressing race anxiety and confidence and how these are challenges that take time to overcome. The journey is not linear. And she gets into how expectation can lead to frustration and burnout, and how applying the well-known advice of breaking a big goal into smaller pieces is really important. Cherie remains healthy and enthusiastically committed to this goal. Keeping in mind the importance of intermediate goals, Cherie is currently focused on breaking the 21 minutes barrier, which is tantalizingly close. In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 54 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. This update spans March to May 2024. Part 1 of this series concluded with Cherie setting a baseline time of 21:10 on August 30. Part 2 ended with Cherie learning more about how to train well and some of the lessons she's continuing to work on. In part 3, Cherie discusses how she experienced a non-running injury that took her out of structured training and workouts for 8 weeks but ended up being a healthy reset. Part 4 traces Cherie's return to training and racing, and how she realizes the need to address race anxiety and develop belief in herself. It's not a prerequisite to this episode to listen to the previous episodes in this series, but they do provide valuable details and context. Find the series here. Come along for the journey. Mentioned in this episode Katie Arnold: Zen on the Run: womensrunningstories.com/katie-arnold-zen-on-the-run Emilia Benton: A Boston Marathon Journey: womensrunningstories.com/emilia-benton-a-boston-marathon-journey Sonia Samuels with Jae Gruenke: Olympian Rediscovers (Pain-Free) Form: womensrunningstories.com/olympian-sonia-samuels-with-movement-expert-jae-gruenke-recovering-skillful-pain-free-running The Confident Mind, by Nate Zinsser: goodreads.com/book/show/57863475-the-confident-mind The Power of Full Engagement, by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz: goodreads.com/book/show/68985.The_Power_of_Full_Engagement To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram account: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Young professional runner Rachel McArthur shares how it all went down at the 2024 USATF 1-Mile National Championships, which took place Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Des Moines, IA. But more than most race stories, this one is all that much more exciting because of what came before. In this episode, you'll hear it all. A bit of background on MacArthur's running career, she was an exceptional high school runner, and she graduated in 2017. The very next year in 2018, she won the USAFT U20 national championship title in the 1500 meter. McArthur did have a strong collegiate career. She raced first for Villanova and then she transferred to the powerhouse team at the University of Colorado at Boulder. And while she performed well, McArthur raced injured for the majority of her time in the collegiate system, and that continued after she transitioned into the pro ranks. This is all to say that Rachel MacArthur has not raced injury free for most of her adult racing career, and not at all during any time as a professional—until now. How and why this all unfolded the way it did, from the process of managing this injury all the way up to the finish line of the 1-Mile National Championships, is what this story is all about. Also to know about McArthur, she is currently a member of Team SOVA, a professional track group based in Virginia. She's the only woman in the group. And when she's not training with the men of SOVA, she is training with the women's team at Virginia Tech. This episode is part of the WRS series of Race Report episodes. Just like last year, 2023, you can expect a Race Report episode for each race of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. Each episode features one top 10 runner telling the story of how the race went down, from her perspective. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the United States all year long and each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race that is being run. Also, at each one of these races, in addition to vying for a national title, runners earn cash prizes and they earn points. The points go toward the series overall, which is determined at the end of the year. The next race on the circuit: the 25k National Championships which took place in Grand Rapids, MI, on May 11. A WRS Race Report is coming shortly. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss it! You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Rachel McArthur Instagram: @rachelmcarthur_ Team SOVA Instagram: @teamsova Photo Credit Jan Figueroa: Instagram: @janfiguero07 Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a live recording from Sunday, April 14 at the Boston Marathon Expo. Once again, WRS host Cherie Turner teamed up with Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin from the Run Farther and Faster podcast to co-host an excellent panel. This year's panel was titled Making a Statement: Breaking Barriers in Women's Running, and it featured outstanding runners Alisa Harvey, Kelly Bruno, and Briana Boehmer. Alisa Harvey is an elite-level competitor on the track and road who has qualified for the Olympic Trials at the 800m, 1500m, and marathon distances. Among her long list of accomplishments over decades of racing, she has competed as a member of Team USA at several World Championships, and won gold at the 1991 Pan-Am Games in the 1500. At 58, she continues to compete as a top masters athlete, setting numerous age group records. Alisa is a 2019 National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee and was featured in the documentary Breaking Three Hours. Kelly Bruno is a world-record-setting sprinter, ultra distance trail runner, and marathoner, competing as part of the professional para-athlete division of this year's Boston Marathon. She was also a contestant on season 21 of Survivor. Having undergone a below-the-knee amputation at a young age, she competes with a prosthetic. Kelly is a life-long athlete, pushing the envelope of what’s possible for para-athletes. In addition to being an endurance athlete, Kelly is physician specializing in pain management at Yale University. Briana Boehmer, an elite runner turned long-distance triathlete, returned to running and raced her first marathon at age 42 at the 2021 California International Marathon. She finished in 2:33:20, setting a masters course record, which launched her into the professional marathon world. Bri is on a mission to prove that age is not a barrier to pursuing big goals. In addition to competing as an elite, Briana is a corporate executive and entrepreneur. She is currently the COO of Goodie Bag, which provides marketplace solutions to reduce food waste. Support Our Supporters This episode is supported by Lagoon, maker of exceptional pillows: lagoonsleep.com. Use the code WRS15 for 15% off your first Lagoon order. How to Keep Up with Kelly Bruno Instagram: @kellybrunomd How to Keep Up with Briana Boehmer Instagram: @briboehmer More About Alisa Harvey https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alisa_Harvey Learn more about the Breaking Three Hours documentary: http://mobile.breakingthreehours.com/ Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Twitter: @RunFartherfast Website: https://www.runfartherandfaster.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Carmen Graves is a professional track racer sponsored by Oiselle, and she specializes in the uniquely challenging event of the steeplechase. Graves's unexpected discovery of excelling at this event and the exciting reality that she continues to improve as a steeplechaser at the age of 33 is what this story is all about. Graves loves to run and race, and she is exceptional, but her journey has been punctuated with moments of frustration and questioning. She's experienced crippling race anxiety and, often as the only Black woman on the starting line, feelings of not belonging. Graves also recognizes the impact of racism in the sport of track and field: how Black women and women of color are steered toward sprint events, while white woman are more likely to be introduced to distance events. Alongside facing these hurdles, Graves has experienced terrific self-discovery and triumph. She's towing the line these days with ever stronger confidence and ability, and she's feeling all the more empowered about the importance of representation. Graves has also gone through some big changes recently that are resulting in some new PRs and boosted confidence coming into the 2024 Olympic Trials. This will be Graves third appearance at the Olympic Trials, and she's coming in more ready than ever to go after a spot on Team USA. In this episode, Graves covers her fascinating steeplechase journey, and to kick things off, she gives a detailed description of the event itself. If you are unfamiliar with the steeplechase, or even if you are, this is a wonderful opportunity to sit with how truly difficult and, quite frankly, scary this event is, from a woman who is one of the best. In addition to training and racing, Graves is the co-founder with her husband, Sean Stetler, of Denver Athletics, an all-inclusive community running club that welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities. The organization also hosts all-comers track meets, and in 2023, they hosted seven events. Graves also works full time as a program advisor for the Center of Work Education and Employment. Please stay tuned all the way to the end of the episode, where Graves shares some post-steeplechase racing goals. Keep Up with Carmen Graves Instagram: @carmenpelar Website: carmenpelar.com Mentioned in this Episode Denver Athletics Instagram: @denver_athletics Denver Athletics website: denverathletics.org Oiselle: oiselle.com Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Rockot, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In August 2020, marathon and ultra-distance trail runner Emily Halnon set out on an FKT (fastest known time). The goal: cover the 460 miles of the Pacific Coast Trail that traverses Oregon, from south to north, faster than any other human yet recorded. The purpose: to honor her mother, Andrea Halnon, who had been her inspiration and her biggest supporter. Emily Halnon is also a writer, and this episode is being released on the publication day of her first book, To the Gorge: Running, Grief, and Resilience on 460 Miles of the Pacific Coast Trail. In January 2020, Emily's mother, Andrea, died of a rare, aggressive form of uterine cancer after a tragically short but fierce fight against the disease. Up to the end, Andrea had lived much as she always had: big, bold, and brave. For Emily, to honor her mother's passing and to process the deep grief that followed, she felt moved to do the same. Emily had first been inspired to go after athletic goals that took her out of her comfort zone by her mother. She'd begun running road marathons and then, seeking ever more challenging adventures, moved on to trail ultras, including several 100-milers. But the pursuit of truly pushing her limits had languished a bit prior to 2020. So, setting her sights on a goal that would undoubtedly take her to the edge, in her mother's honor, felt exactly right. The first thing that came to Emily's mind was running across Oregon, a place she'd settled in several years earlier and fallen in love with. For its jaw dropping beauty and the terrific trail running community she'd become a part of. This is the story of Emily Halnon's running journey, the pivotal role her mother played in that journey, the totally epic, multi-day trail record that Emily went after in her mother's honor, and how that FKT helped her process the overwhelming grief of losing her mother. At its heart, this story is about one woman's path to rediscovering how to live a beautiful life after a devastating loss. This episode is big, it's emotional, it's intense, and it is ultimately triumphant. Keep Up with Emily Halnon Instagram: @emilysweats Website: emilyhalnon.com Emily Halnon's book, To the Gorge: emilyhalnon.com/book Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Adidas professional runner Emily Durgin is back on the podcast! She shares how it all went down at the 2024 USATF 10-Mile National Championships, which took place April 7, 2024, in Washington, D.C. This is a follow up to Durgin's last appearance on WRS, where she told the story of how the USATF Olympic Trails Marathon played out for her. While Durgin had a really strong showing at that race, she didn't walk away with her ultimate goal: making the Olympic team. She placed a solid 9th and most importantly, she had prepared and raced with total determination. But, the marathon is tricky and unforgiving, and sometimes the day just doesn't go your way. That said, however, it was still a challenging disappointment to overcome. The next question was then, How was Emily Durgin going to move forward? Durgin tells you the answer here, and it's a strong, exciting statement! In this episode, get great insight into life as a professional distance runner and what it looks like to bounce back big. This episode is part of the WRS series of Race Report episodes. Just like last year, 2023, you can expect a Race Report episode for each race of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. Each episode features one top 10 runner telling the story of how the race went down, from her perspective. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Running Circuit championship series of races happen throughout the United States all year long and each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race that is being run. Also, at each one of these races, in addition to vying for a national title, runners earn cash prizes and they earn points. The points go toward the series overall, which is determined at the end of the year. The next race on the circuit: the 1-mile National Championships which took place in Des Moines, Iowa, on April 23. A WRS Race Report is coming shortly. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss it! You can catch up on all the Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Emily Durgin Instagram: @em_durgin Photo Credit Rob Perez: Instagram: @r.oh.bee Mentioned in this episode Race Report: Emily Durgin + 2024 USATF Olympic Trials Marathon: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-emily-durgin-2024-usatf-olympic-trials-marathon Race Report: Annie Frisbie + 2024 USATF 15k National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-annie-frisbie-2024-usatf-15k-national-championships Race Report: Rachel Smith + 2023 USATF 5k National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-rachel-smith-2023-usatf-5k-national-championships Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Music by Grand_Project from Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Women's Running Stories is moving to Tuesdays; expect the next new episode Tuesday, April 30. This Friday episode is a re-air of a great story featuring running great Sally Kipyego. The episode first aired back in March 25, 2021, and it centers on Kipyego's return to competitive running after having her first child, and the journey to making the 2020 Olympic Marathon team. Mentioned in this Episode: Race Report: Emily Durgin + 2024 USAFT Olympic Marathon Trials: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-emily-durgin-2024-usatf-olympic-trials-marathon Michelle Sikes: NCAA Champion, Author of Kenya's Running Women: A History: https://womensrunningstories.com/michelle-sikes-ncaa-champion-author-of-kenyas-running-women-a-history Sally Kipyego is one of the fastest distance runners in the world, with a long resume of incredible performances. And, she also wanted to be a mom. This is her journey navigating pregnancy and returning to elite-level competition, just in time to compete at the historic 2020 US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials.  Sally was born in Kenya and started running at a young age. She discovered early on that she had talent and a will be seek the ultimate limits of her potential. She had early success as a junior, and when she came to the United States and ran as a member of the Texas Tech cross-country and track team, she dominated by winning total of 9 NCAA championships.  Sally turned pro after college, in 2010, and has been internationally competitive ever since. Among her many accomplishments, she placed 2nd in the 10,000 meter at the world championships in 2011 and 5th in 2015, and she won the silver medal at that distance in the 2012 London Olympics. During that time she was competing for her home country of Kenya, and in 2017, she became a US citizen. She currently calls Eugene, Oregon, home, and visits Kenya regularly. In 2016, Sally decided the time had come to become a mom. This episode traces her experience going through pregnancy and the bumpy, uncertain journey returning to her job of elite running. And it all culminates at one epic race: the 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials.  Through Sally's experiences, we learn about patience, listening to your body, and honoring the reality that every single pregnancy journey is different.  Follow Sally Kipyego on Instagram: @sallykipyego  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In 2016, elite ultra-distance trail runner and writer Katie Arnold experienced a traumatic river rafting accident that left her questioning whether or not she would ever be able to run again. This is the story of how Arnold healed after her accident and how that process helped her rediscover a pure joy of running and a magical return to racing. This happened over the period of time when Arnold was 46 to 48 years old. This episode was made on the occasion of the release of Arnold’s second book, Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World. The book was just released April 16, 2024. To borrow the description that her publisher put out, “This book is a Zen study wrapped in a memoir that tells the story of a search for stillness by a woman born for wildness.” And it’s an apt description. This book is exceptional. And this episode does focus on the same period of time that is covered in the book. Of course, Arnold's book goes into much more detail than she gets into in this episode, but in either case, the story covers the same period of time, roughly the two years between 2016 and 2018, beginning with Arnold experiencing a traumatic rafting accident through her process of healing. Arnold studies the teachings of Zen Buddhism and she practices Zen mediation. Weaved throughout Arnold’s story is how her Zen practice manifests in this whole process. The story, as it is told here, focuses on the power of belief, participating in your own healing, and the interesting dynamic of achieving goals while not clinging to them—or put another way, staying with where you're at instead of focusing on the finish line.  Keep Up with Katie Arnold Instagram: @katiearnold Website: katiearnold.net Katie Arnold's books, Brief Flashings in the Phenomenal World and Running Home: katiearnold.net/books Mentioned in This Episode Sarah Lavender Smith: Ultramarathon Trail Running Longevity: womensrunningstories.com/sarah-lavender-smith-transitioning-through-competitive-running-longevity Sarah Lavender Smith's website: sarahlavendersmith.com Sarah Lavender Smith's newsletter, Colorado Mountain Running & Living Sarah Lavender Smith book, The Trail Runner's Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay RoyaltyFreeMusic, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In this episode, Emilia Benton focuses on how she discovered the approach to marathoning that earned her a Boston Marathon qualifying time, and then how it all went down at last year's Boston Marathon. Benton is a well recognized journalist in the running world, with a particular focus on professional runners as well as runners and stories that have typically been underrepresented and overlooked by the media. As a runner, a big focus of Benton’s has been marathons. She has run over a dozen of them, and for about a decade, her efforts focused on what many ambitious marathoners focus on: getting a Boston qualifying time, and then running the Boston Marathon.  Over the course of her marathon journey, Benton has become astutely aware of her own needs as a runner, and that not all conventional marathoning wisdom met her needs. She's been through a lot of trial and error, and she's found what does work for her, and she's learned how to trust that knowledge. Benton also found a coach who backed her approach. And that coach is Nell Rojas. Rojas is both a coach and she is also one of America's very best marathoners: among her many accolades, Rojas has twice been the top American finisher at the Boston Marathon.  Working with Rojas, Benton raced a terrific 2022 Houston Marathon to earn her BQ, and run at Boston the next year. Benton shares it all in this episode, and more! What shines bright here is that what works for one person in marathoning may not work for another. Every runner needs to discover their own path, which is exactly what Benton did. Keep Up with Emilia Benton Instagram: @emiliambenton Website: emiliabenton.com Mentioned in This Episode "My Run Club Was Profiled for ‘Cheering While Black’—Here’s Why It Only Reaffirms Our Mission," Sidney Baptista, as told to Emilia Benton: https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a43878096/my-run-club-was-profiled-for-cheering Liz Rock: A TrailblazHer's Journey, Running the Boston Marathon for Mile 21 Joy: https://womensrunningstories.com/liz-rock-a-trailblazhers-journey-running-the-boston-marathon-for-mile-21-joy Alison Mariella Désir: Running While Black, Her Story, Her Book: https://womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-running-while-black-her-story-her-book Race Report: Nell Rojas + 2023 25k National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-nell-rojas-2023-usatf-25k-national-championships Boston Marathon Expo Live Stage event, Sun., April 14, 2pm: "Making a Statement: Breaking Barriers in Women's Running" featuring Briana Boehmer, Kelly Bruno, Alisa Harvey; moderated by Cherie Turner, Julie Sapper, Lisa Levin; presentation of Team Bevans takes place immediately following this conversation Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh penguinmusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Michelle Wheeler is an internationally competitive marathon and distance road racer. Last year saw Wheeler race marathons in Boston, Berlin, Sydney, London, Chicago, New York, and Philadelphia, in addition to traveling throughout the US to shorter-distance races. And, this year, she'll also be returning to shorter distance racing on the track. Wheeler will be competing at the Paralympic Trials in the 800, 1500, and 5000, vying for her play on Team USA. Wheeler has been an athlete since childhood in a number of sports, including wheelchair racing. Her early focus was on the track, in sprinting events. Back then, she had no interest in anything longer than those short bursts of speed, the 100, the 200, the 400 meters. As she entered adulthood, Wheeler's focus shifted to other parts of life. She became a mom. She moved from her childhood home in New Jersey to New York City, where she earned her bachelor's degree. Competitive wheelchair racing wasn't top of mind, but as it would turn out, fate stepped in to change that. Today, Wheeler is a professional marathon wheelchair racer, earning invitations to line up at races all over the world. That is what this story is all about, how Wheeler returned to racing and discovered her passion for competing in marathons; and how she's learned to navigate life as a mom, full time rehabilitation and mental health counselor, and professional athlete. As Wheeler goes into, finding balance and focusing on mental health has been key to this journey. Wheeler opened her 2024 season at the NYC Half-Marathon on March 17, where she finished a strong 4th place. Next on her schedule is the Boston Marathon, taking place on April 15. At Boston, Wheeler will be racing as a member of Team Bevans. Team Bevans comprises exceptional Black women marathoners running the Boston Marathon. They run in honor of Marilyn Bevans, the first American born Black woman to run the marathon in under 3 hours. This is just one of many accolades Bevans earned as one of the best marathoners of her day. Wheeler and the other women on the team embody the spirit of Black woman excellence in marathon running sparked by Bevans, and help solidify her incredible legacy. Keep Up with Michelle Wheeler Instagram: @shellyrunstheworld Mentioned in This Episode Black Unicorn Marathoners: blackunicornmarathoners.org Team Bevans: facebook.com/blackunicornmarathoners Roads to Boston series: womensrunningstories.com/home-2/roads-to-boston-9-runners-1-finish-line Boston Marathon Expo Live Stage event, Sun., April 14, 2pm: "Making a Statement: Breaking Barriers in Women's Running" featuring Briana Boehmer, Kelly Bruno, Alisa Harvey; moderated by Cherie Turner, Julie Sapper, Lisa Levin; presentation of Team Bevans takes place immediately following this conversation Oiselle, the apparel brand rooted in running; made by women, for women: oiselle.com Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Jen Kanyugi is running her 20th consecutive Boston Marathon this year. Her journey to get to this point is about this one event, and so much more. In this time, Jen went from not running more than 20 minutes on the treadmill to being a steady presence at this, one of the most recognized and celebrated running events in the world. In that time she became a mom, three times (she ran two of her Boston Marathons while pregnant). She learned the joy of completing those 26.2 miles, and that it's so special she continues to want to do it, again and again, every year. She's learned the power of support, finding groups to train with and create community with, like Girls on the Run and Black Girls Run. Jen has also learned the tragedy of trauma, having run Boston 2014, the year of the bombing. And she understands what it means to come back and reclaim spaces that were threatened. And she's learned the power of giving and volunteering: for years Jen has raised money for charities she is passionate about, and she regularly volunteers for the running groups she is a part of. Jen Kanyugi shares all of this in this episode of celebration. In honor of her 20th consecutive Boston Marathon and all that she does for the running community, Jen has also been chosen to be a member of Team Bevans. Team Bevans comprises exceptional Black women marathoners running the Boston Marathon. They run in honor of Marilyn Bevans, the first American born Black woman to run the marathon in under 3 hours. This is just one of many accolades Bevans earned as one of the best marathoners of her day. Kanyugi and the other women on the team embody the spirit of Black woman excellence in marathon running sparked by Bevans, and help solidify her incredible legacy. Keep Up with Jen Kanyugi Facebook: facebook.com/patandjen Jen Kanyugi's Camp Shriver donation page Mentioned in This Episode Black Unicorn Marathoners: blackunicornmarathoners.org Team Bevans: facebook.com/blackunicornmarathoners Black Girls Run: blackgirlsrun.com Girls on the Run: girlsontherun.org Roads to Boston series: womensrunningstories.com/home-2/roads-to-boston-9-runners-1-finish-line Boston Marathon Expo Live Stage event, Sun., April 14, 2pm: "Making a Statement: Breaking Barriers in Women's Running" featuring Briana Boehmer, Kelly Bruno, Alisa Harvey; moderated by Cherie Turner, Julie Sapper, Lisa Levin; presentation of Team Bevans takes place immediately following this conversation Oiselle, the apparel brand rooted in running; made by women, for women: oiselle.com Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay artmucis.janevo, via Pixabay Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In this episode, part 4 of this series, Cherie tells the story of her return to formal training and workouts after recovering from an injury. And, back at it, Cherie returned to racing and experienced a frustrating bought of race anxiety. This set Cherie down a path to tackle this difficult barrier and think deeply about what this goal means to her and the importance of believing in abilities. Cherie discusses the strategies she been practicing to overcome race anxiety and big wins she's experienced by putting these strategies in place. She also identifies her next big challenge in this process: pacing well in racing. This goal, Cherie sees, is like putting together a puzzle, and piece by piece, it's coming together. And, Cherie is grateful for the support she's getting all along the way, especially from her coach, Verity Breen, and her husband. In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 54 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. This update spans January to March 2024. Part 1 of this series concluded with Cherie setting a baseline time of 21:10 on August 30. Part 2 ended with Cherie learning more about how to train well and some of the lessons she's continuing to work on. In part 3, Cherie discusses how she experienced a non-running injury that took her out of structured training and workouts for 8 weeks but ended up being a healthy reset. Please click the links below to hear those episodes (they're not prerequisites to this episode, but they do provide details and context). The release of this this episode also marks the 4 year anniversary of the podcast! In conjunction with this milestone, Cherie is launching a new Instagram account focused on this 5k project. There, you can find more details and more frequent updates about this journey, in between podcast updates, which come out every few months. Please follow! @over50sub20_5k_project. Come along for the journey. Mentioned in this episode NEW! The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram account: @over50sub20_5k_project Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 1, Setting the Baseline: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1-setting-the-baseline Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 2, Learning to Train Well: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2-learning-to-train-well Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 3, The Reset: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-3-the-reset Self Care Simplified interview with Dr. Caroline Leaf: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5PbGZ4OVqbREbSNC7atvVt?si=9Q8mtfEKQl2ZwlhNQ5U-kg Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Liz Rock is a marathoner and community leader, focusing on women and diversity: "We [women] are so powerful and I wish we knew that more," she says. "We are powerful and we need to lead with that more often than not." Rock tells her running story with a focus on training for the 2024 Boston Marathon, and her journey is about so much more than putting in the miles. Rock's reasons for running Boston this year, her second Boston Marathon, are deeply embedded in her work as a community leader and her personal health and wellness journey. This will be Rock's fifth marathon, and her motivations and approach are different this time than for marathons in the past. This year, Rock is running for community, and specifically for the Mile 21 Cheer Zone, which is organized by the TrailblazHers and the Pioneers Run Crew. As on one the co-founders of TrailblazHers, Rock has helped organize this long-standing cheer zone and she's cheered thousands of other runners on from this spot. This year, she'll be on the receiving end. This is particularly meaningful in light of what went down last year, 2023: the police were called and subsequently surround this cheer zone, front and back, because of the way that they were cheering. The Mile 21 Cheer Zone is the largest gathering of race supporters who are Black and people of color along the race course; their cheer zone is on the predominantly white, affluent town of Newton. This unnecessarily aggressive response from the Newton police caused distrust and trauma in the BIPOC running community that continues to reverberate. Rock was there cheering, and she's returning as a runner to celebrate this cheer zone and take back this narrative and the joy that was threatened last year. Preparation for this year's Boston also has personal significance in Rock's health and wellness journey. She's hired a running coach and a nutritionist for the first time, to help guide her through marathon training, and beyond. Rock gets into all of this in her powerful, inspirational story. Liz Rock is the co-founder of the Boston-based TrailblazHers Run Crew—which is created by and specifically focuses on serving the BIPOC community; she is also the co-founder of the empowering and beloved annual women's running event the Bra Run. And she is a member of the Boston Running Collaborative (BRA), an organization within the Boston Athletic Association (BAA, the organization puts on the Boston Marathon) that works to diversify the running community. And, Rock is a marketing manager for Puma. Keep Up with Liz Rock Instagram: @lizzy_rockz Mentioned in This Episode TrailblazHers website: trailblazhersrunco.com TrailblazHers Instagram: @trailblazhersrunco Abeo Powder coaching: @holisticwithhotfoot Runner's World article "My Run Club Was Profiled for 'Cheering While Black'—Here's Why It Only Reaffirms Our Mission," as told to Emilia Benton by Sidney Baptista: runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a43878096/my-run-club-was-profiled-for-cheering Boston Running Collaborative (BRC): baa.org/get-involved/boston-running-collaborative Oiselle, the apparel brand rooted in running; made by women, for women: oiselle.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/444164966663627 Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Minnesota Distance Elite Team member and Puma professional marathoner and long-distance road racer Annie Frisbie shares how it all went down at the 2024 15k National Championships, which took place March 2, 2024, in Jacksonville, FL, at the Gate River Run. Frisbie had a great race at the 15k, for some interesting and special reasons. And she gets into it. And, this episode is a bit of a twofer because what happened at the 15k champs was directly influenced by the previous race on Frisbie's calendar, the 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon. So, she covers that race as well. The marathon trials was, to put it mildly, Frisbie's A race. It was the one chance that comes every four years to make an Olympic team. For Frisbie, it did not turn out to be the day she dreamed of. She finished a terrific 10th place in a hugely competitive field, but the goal had been top 3, because the first three women to cross the finish line were automatic selections for the team heading to Paris. Frisbie tells the whole story in this episode: the build-up to the marathon, how it went down that day, her processing the deep disappointment of not making the Olympic team, and her return to racing. Frisbie's first post-trials race was indeed the 15k, and she shares what happened there and why it was a great return to racing. Annie Frisbie is a top American distance racer. Her thoughtful insights into competition, including the mental and emotional side of racing, make this an inspirational inside look into life as a professional runner. Just like last year, you can expect a Race Report episode for each race of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. Each episode features one top 10 runner telling the story of how the race went down, from her perspective. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF 15k National Championships is a part of the USATF Running Circuit championship series of races. These are races that happen throughout the United States all year long and each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race that is being run. Also, at each one of these races, in addition to vying for a national title, runners earn cash prizes and they earn points. The points go toward the series overall, which is determined at the end of the year. The next race on the circuit is the 10-Mile National Championships taking place in Washington, D.C., on April 7. A WRS Race Report will publish shortly thereafter. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss it! Keep Up with Annie Frisbie Instagram: @anniefrisb3 Photo Credit Clay Shaw, Runner's Gazette: @clay50sub4, runnersgazette.com Also, thank you to Karen Mitchell: @kmitchpa Mentioned in this episode Race Report: Emily Durgin + 2024 US Olympic Trials Marathon: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-emily-durgin-2024-usatf-olympic-trials-marathon Race Report: Katie Camarena + 2024 USATF Cross-Country National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-katie-camarena-2024-usatf-cross-country-national-championships Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Professional middle distance track racer Rebecca Mehra shares her professional running story. It's been marked by great success, two years of disappointing hurdles, to now: coming into 2024 healthy and ready, with a new perspective, new coach, and new set of training partners. Rebecca Mehra is a professional middle distance track racer, sponsored by Oiselle. She specializes in the 800 and 1500 meter. For her collegiate career, Mehra raced for the legendary running powerhouse Stanford. A year after graduation, in 2018, she became a member of Oiselle's Littlewing Athletics Elite Team, coached by former professional runner, now award-winning author Lauren Fleshman. As a new pro, Mehra's star was on the rise. She was setting PRs, going head to head in top competitions, and winning races. She was racing at top invitational meets throughout the US, and in Europe. Until 2021. Over the past few years, Mehra has experienced a series of frustrating events. Sickness and injury have set her racing plans back, time after time. There was more than one occasion when Mehra considered her career as a professional racer over. Coming into 2024, however, things began to shift. Mehra has been healthy, and she's found a new team to train with and she has a new coach. She's also bringing her years of experience and wisdom, and a refreshed commitment to her professional racing career. It's an Olympic year, and Mehra is ready to get in the mix. Ways to Keep Up with Rebecca Mehra Instagram: @rebecca_mehra Mentioned in this Episode Oiselle: https://www.oiselle.com Good for a Girl: A Woman Running in a Man's World, by Lauren Fleshman: https://www.laurenfleshman.com “Lauren Fleshman's Feminist Approach to Coaching,” by Michelle Hamilton, New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/sports/lauren-fleshmans-feminist-approach-to-coaching.html Both/And, by Huma Abedine: https://www.huma-abedin.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

Kelly Bruno has been an athlete since she was a child. Because of a birth defect on her right leg, she went through a below-the-knee amputation, and competes with a prosthetic. Competitive sports has played a fundamental role in her life and her development, and throughout, Bruno has been a role model in the para-athlete world, pushing the limits of what's possible. She's here to tell the story. Throughout her long athletic career, Bruno has excelled in distances from 100 meters to 100 miles, and she competed for years in the sport of triathlon. In her teen years she set world records as a sprinter, has competed in world championships as a triathlete, including the Hawaii Ironman, and this year, she'll race as part of the professional para-athlete field at the Boston Marathon, after running a half-marathon PR of 1:31 in 2023. Very importantly, that half-marathon PR and Bruno's excitement about running Boston have come after a needed hiatus from competitive sports. In the process of going through COVID as well as some major life changes and traumas, Bruno began to rethink her relationship to running over the last several years and stepped away from competition. She returned to structured training and racing last year, 2023, with a fresh, more balanced approach to where the sport fits into her life. In this episode, Bruno tells the whole story. Of the her first memories of being an athlete and what that meant, through her sprinting and triathlon years; her move into ultra trail running and then stepping away from the sport, to now, as she looks forward to racing the Boston Marathon. Keep Up with Kelly Bruno Instagram: @kellybrunomd Mentioned in This Episode Ari Hendrix: Journey to the Olympic Trials Marathon, A Quest to Top The List: https://womensrunningstories.com/ari-hendrix-journey-to-the-olympic-marathon-trials-a-quest-to-top-the-list Briana Boehmer: A Difficult Decision and the Power of Support: https://womensrunningstories.com/briana-boehmer-a-difficult-decision-and-the-power-of-support Black Unicorn Marathoners: blackunicornmarathoners.org Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Adidas professional runner Emily Durgin shares how it all went down at the 2024 USATF Olympic Trials Marathon, which took place February 3, 2024, in Orlando, FL. On the line at this race, in addition to a national championship title, cash awards and series points, racers were vying for a spot on Team USA going to the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was the most anticipated US marathon of the last four years, and the competition was deeper and faster than ever. Marathon racing in the US is on fire, and this event was a terrific demonstration of just that. There were many racers lining up who had a legitimate shot at making the Olympic team, and Emily Durgin was one of them. The goal was simple: finish in the top 3 because those runners are automatic selections for the team; 4th place is the alternate. While Durgin is relatively new to the marathon, she's already had some stellar performances: in the one and only marathon she'd completed before the trials, the 2023 Toronto Waterfront Marathon, she'd clocked a 2:26, which ranked her 16th going into the trials (to note: she had lined up to debut at the 2022 NYC Marathon, but the day did not go her way and she did not finish). Durgin also has a blazing half-marathon PR of 1:07. And, she has a lot of experience with championship racing. Durgin's raced against the US's top competition and put herself on the podium several times. And coming into race day, she was ready: mentally, emotionally, and physically. In fact, an area where Durgin shines is in being able to arrive to the line with rock solid belief herself, which she goes into in this story. Because self-belief, unshakable confidence, it isn't something that just happens. It's the result of years of work. And of course, Durgin shares all the exciting details about the marathon itself, including her final moments before the finish line, which were not at all what she expected. Durgin is a consummate professional and it's cool to hear from an athlete who is so on her game. Just like last year, you can expect a Race Report episode for each race of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. Each episode features one top 10 runner telling the story of how the race went down, from her perspective. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Olympic Trials Marathon is a part of the USATF Running Circuit championship series of races. These are races that happen throughout the United States all year long and each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race that is being run. Also, at each one of these races, in addition to vying for a national title, runners earn cash prizes and they earn points. The points go toward the series overall, which is determined at the end of the year. The next race on the circuit is the 15k National Championships taking place in Jacksonville, Florida, on March 2nd. A WRS Race Report will publish shortly thereafter. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss it! You can catch up on last year's Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Emily Durgin Instagram: @em_durgin Photo Credit Felipe Guajardo, @felipe_guajardo Mentioned in this episode Race Report: Katie Camarena + 2024 USATF Cross-Country National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-katie-camarena-2024-usatf-cross-country-national-championships Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.

Emma Grace Hurley is an exciting young professional runner, now running for the newly formed all-women's team, the Heartland Track Club. Emma Grace was first featured on WRS in March 2023, in our Race Report episode about the USATF 15k National Championships, which was held on March 6, 2023, at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Florida. In this episode, get caught up with what's happened since; it's been an exciting time, and you'll hear all about it. That 15k championships was a breakout performance for Emma Grace: she came in 2nd place to seasoned pro Emily Sisson, earning her first podium spot on the national stage. But that wasn't Emma Grace's only podium performance last year, which her first full year racing as a professional distance runner on the roads. In addition to her big successes, Emma Grace did experience her share of challenges. And, she's been through some significant changes. She moved teams, from the Atlanta Track Club to Heartland. And, this change necessitated a physical move as well, from her hometown of Atlanta, Georgia, to Indianapolis, Indiana. One key element that has stayed the same is her coaches, Andrew and Amy Begley. In this episode, Emma Grace tells the story of how her time as a pro has been unfolding, including starting 2024 with another outstanding performance. Get inspired, and get ready to keep cheering Emma Grace on as she embarks on a big racing season this year! Keep Up With Emma Grace Hurley Instagram: @emmagracehurley Photo credit: Karen Mitchell: Instagram: @kmitchpa; Website: runnersgazette.com Mentioned in This Episode Race Report: Emma Grace Hurley + 2023 USATF 15k National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-emma-grace-hurley-2023-15k-national-championships Race Report: Katie Camarena + 2024 USATF Cross-Country National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-katie-camarena-2024-usatf-cross-country-national-championships Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Jay Ell Alexander is a runner and the CEO of one of the largest running groups in the United States: Black Girls Run, aka BGR, with 258,000 members. Alexander has been leading BGR for six years now, after working as marketing and PR lead for the previous six years. And she has a very clear understanding of the women she is inspiring and motivating because she is her own target audience. The goal of BGR is to "encourage and motivate Black women to practice a healthy lifestyle." Statistically, African-American women have the highest rates of being overweight, and along side that disproportionately experience health issues associated with a poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle. Alexander herself came to running as a response to her own health issues, which she began to experience in her 20s. She's knows first hand the transformative power of running and how it can help people participate in their own wellness. Along the way, she also discovered what a terrifically unique group of people runners are. This is Jay Ell Alexander's running story, from why she first started lacing up, through to becoming a leader in the running community and navigating motherhood, twice, as a CEO and runner, to what goals she's got for herself today, as she continues to lead a movement that is shifting the wellness stats for African-American runners throughout the country. Keep Up with Jay Ell Alexander Instagram: @jayellalexander Mentioned in this episode Black Girls Run website: blackgirlsrun.com Black Girls Run Instagram: @officialblackgirlsrun WRS episode featuring Tiffany Chenault: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Emerging professional runner and new member of Tinman Elite out of Boulder, Colorado, Katie Camarena tells the story of how it all went down from her viewpoint racing in the 2024 USATF Cross-Country National Championships, which took place January 20, 2024, in Richmond, VA. On the line at this race, in addition to a national championship title, cash awards and series points, racers were vying for a spot on Team USA going to the Cross Country World Championships, which will take place March 30 in Belgrade, Serbia. There was a lot on the line! This is Katie's first championship race as a member of her first professional team and shortly after moving to Boulder, so the pressure was on. Katie is a relatively recent college grad. She graduated in 2022. Katie started off her NCAA running career racing for UCSB, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and she finished her collegiate career racing for a short time for Portland State University, in Portland, OR. Post-graduation, Katie was introduced to seasoned pro and Olympian Colleen Quigley, whose terrific support brought Katie into an outstanding crowd of professional runners in the pro running hub of Flagstaff, AZ. While there, she trained and learned and solidified her determination to race as a pro. After some ups and downs, but steadily building her race ability and speed, Katie landed a spot on Tinman. This race is a terrific culmination of patience, belief, support, and determination. Just like last year, you can expect to a Race Report episode for each race of the USATF Road Circuit series of races. Each episode features one top 10 runner telling the story of how the race went down, from her perspective. And because a race is never just about what happens on race day, you will get to know a little bit more about each one of the runners featured and how this race figures into their larger running story. The USATF Cross-Country National Championships is a part of the USATF Running Circuit championship series of races. These are races that happen throughout the United States all year long and each race serves as a national championship for the distance or the type of race that is being run. Also, at each one of these races, in addition to vying for a national title, runners earn cash prizes and they earn points. And of course all of that is dependent on where they finish. The points go toward the series overall, which is determined at the end of the year. This year, like in years past, the series will finish off in November at the 5k National Championships, which happen in New York City as part of the New York City Marathon Weekend of events. This was the first race of the circuit in 2024. The next race on the circuit is the 15k National Championships taking place in Jacksonville, Florida on March 2nd. A WRS Race Report will publish shortly thereafter. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss it! You can catch up on last year's Race Reports on our website or on your favorite podcast app. Keep Up with Katie Camarena Instagram: @katieecamarena Mentioned in this episode: Tinman Elite: tinmanelite.com Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Michelle Sikes's story centers around how her collegiate running career is inextricably linked to her first book, Kenya's Running Women: A History, published in December 2023. This is the first academic monograph to focus on the history of any women's sport in Africa. Back when she was in her collegiate years, Sikes became a Rhodes Scholar and the 2007 NCAA outdoor 5K national champion. The story of her surprise win in that race over Sally Kipyego—who was dominating the longer distances that year and would go on to become an Olympic medalist—is outstanding all on its own; it's a classic underdog story. (It's also noteworthy that Michelle was coached by women all the way up through her first year as a pro, which is almost her entire running career.) It was in fact that NCAA victory that led Sikes to focus her graduate studies on the pioneering women runners of Kenya, and then tell their stories in her just published book. As Sikes says, "History matters." Sikes is now an Assistant Professor of Kinesiology, African Studies, and History at Penn State. This summer, she'll be teaching an African sport history class and Kenya's Running Women will be part of the curriculum.  Hear the whole story in this episode. Mentioned in this Episode Kenya's Running Women: A History: https://msupress.org/9781611864816/kenyas-running-women/ "Long hours, poor pay, discrimination: Why the number of women in collegiate coaching remains low" by Alison Wade for Fast Women: https://fastwomen.substack.com/p/long-hours-poor-pay-discrimination Sally Kipyego: Becoming a Mother Runner, Navigating Pregnancy Toward a Bid for the Olympics: https://womensrunningstories.com/sally-kipyego-becoming-a-mother-runner-navigating-pregnancy-toward-a-bid-for-the-olympics-sally-kipyego-becoming-a-mother-runner-navigating-pregnancy-toward-a-bid-for-the-olympics Molly Huddle: 2023 NYC Marathon, Postpartum Bone Health, and What Comes Next: https://womensrunningstories.com/molly-huddle-2023-nyc-marathon-postpartum-bone-health-and-what-comes-next Race Report: Molly Huddle + 2022 Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

"I don't think I really liked running until maybe two or three years in of actually trying to run. I wouldn't even call myself a runner at that point at all, but just somebody trying to get their life right and trying to have some balance. It really started to open up a new world for me." Sister Liz Sjoberg's running journey started out as an interest and need to improve her health and lose weight, but over the years, it became a strong and steady force in her life. Running became something she enjoyed; the sport became a pathway not only to physical health, but also psychological and spiritual health. As Sister Liz said, it opened a whole new world to her. As her interest in running grew, Sister Liz built up to running marathons, and added a fundraising element to her running. Thus was born Sisters on the Run. Over the past few years, Sister Liz, in the company of a growing number of participants both in person and virtually, has raised money for the community organization she serves in Brownsville, Texas, Proyecto Juan Diego. PJD provides low-income families in the Lower Rio Grande Valley with a wide variety of support and guidance, in realms such as health, education, and immigration. This year, 2024, Sister Liz will serve as race director for the first ever chip-timed Sisters on the Run event: a 5k and 1-mile walk/run. The event takes place Saturday, January 27, in Brownsville. This is a virtual and in-person event, and it does raise funds for PJD. Earlier on that day, beginning at 5am, Sister Liz will be contributing to the running efforts in a slightly different way: she will, once again, run a marathon, accompanied by whomever wants to join her. And that is what this story is ultimately all about: how running is both personal and can be so much more. Keep Up with Sister Liz Sjoberg Instagram: @runswiththewind Sisters on the Run 2024 5k and 1 mile Race, registration, donation page: PROYECTO JUAN DIEGO INC - Sisters On The Run 2024 (networkforgood.com) Proyecto Juan Diego Website: www.proyecto-jd.org Instagram: @proyectojuandiego Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/proyectojuandiego TikTok: @proyectojuandiego YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@proyectojuandiego/videos Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Anita Cardinal is an ultra trail runner, advocate for the indigenous community, race director, and community builder who lives in Northwestern Canada in the beautiful city of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. In her story, Anita gets into why running has been a powerful force in her life from a very early age, and how the impact of the sport continues to evolve for her. A First Nations woman, Cardinal has a specific focus on empowering and honoring others in the indigenous community. She does this through the Indigenous Runner YEG (Edmonton) running group she founded, and through the Orange Shirt Day Walk/Run Every Child Matters events she created. These events, which take place on the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, honor survivors of the notoriously abusive residential schools, as well as those who did not survive. Also, to quote Cardinal, these events are a time of "celebrating one another and recognizing that we are resilient and we are a community and we can move forward together in a good way while still always remembering." It is from this great base of empowerment and support and experience and resilience that Anita has been able to tackle the challenging running goals she sets for herself. Goals that she goes after because of the wisdom, healing, bonds, and confidence she gains through these experiences. Most recently, Cardinal went after the 2023 100k race at the Javelina Jundred, an ultra trail event that takes place each year in Arizona, right around Halloween. This is the longest event Cardinal has entered, and this was her second time here, after having a DNF in 2022. Cardinal ran Javelina as a member of the Native Women Running team, and this year, her race was both an incredible success, as well as a great redemption. Cardinal went through many ups and downs on her way to ultimately reaching the finish line. She will tell you all about it, including how her son paced her to the finish line, inspiring her with just enough tough love to keep her going strong all the way through the final kilometers. Have some tissues at the ready. Keep Up with Anita Cardinal Instagram: @runswiththewind Indigenous Runner and Orange Shirt Day Walk/Run Every Child Matters Website, : www.indigenousrunner.com Instagram: @indigenousrunner Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/844745502931986 Mentioned in This Episode Verna Volker Instagram: @hozhorunner4 Native Women Running Instagram: @nativewomenrunning Website: NativeWomenRunning.com Verna Volker on WRS: Verna Volker: A Journey of Health and Healing, Culture and Community Javelina Jundred Instagram: @javelinajundred Website: https://aravaiparunning.com/network/javelinajundred Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In this episode, part 3 of this series, Cherie shares how a freak non-running injury caused her to take time away from structured workouts and formal training. While the injury was a bummer, in the end, it provided a healthy reset. Cherie shares how the recovery process has gone and why she feels like navigating this period of relative downtime has resulted in her realizing how much she is truly enjoying the process of going after a tough goal. In June of 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 54 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. This update that spans November and December 2023. Part 1 of this series concluded with Cherie setting a baseline time of 21:10 on August 30. Part 2 ended with Cherie learning more about how to train well and some of the lessons she's continuing to work on. Please click the links below to hear those episodes (they're not prerequisites to this episode, but they do provide helpful context). Come along for the journey. Mentioned in this episode Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 1, Setting the Baseline: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1-setting-the-baseline Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 2, Learning to Train Well: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2-learning-to-train-well Sue McDonald: 9 Times a Masters World Record Holder: https://womensrunningstories.com/sue-mcdonald-9-times-a-masters-world-record-holder Cherie Turner at Comrades 2023: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-louise-turner-2023-comrades-marathon-experiencing-the-magic-again-and-better Cherie Turner at Comrades, a Collaboration with Hear Her Sports 2022: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-comrades-marathon-a-hear-her-sports-special-collaboration Shane Benzie, Running Reborn: https://runreborn.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

For this episode, I chose a variety of clips from 10 episodes published in 2023 that have stuck with me and made an impact. This isn't a "best of" so much as a celebration of the huge variety of experiences and motivations women have in this sport. I hope you'll find something in here to motivate and inspire you, and perhaps spark a new interest for 2024. It's incredible how much this sport brings to so many people and the myriad ways it can show up and change throughout a lifetime. Enjoy! Clips were pulled from these 10 episodes Caroline Su: Her First Trail Adventures, Why Representation Matters: https://womensrunningstories.com/carolyn-su-her-first-trail-adventures-why-representation-matters Sabrina Pace-Humphreys: A Quest to Reach Her Red Line: https://womensrunningstories.com/sabrina-pace-humphreys-on-a-quest-to-reach-her-red-line Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 2, Learning to Train Well: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-2-learning-to-train-well Celeste Yvonne: Outrunning Mommy Wine Culture: https://womensrunningstories.com/celeste-yvonne-outrunning-mommy-wine-culture Jasmine Santiago: Finding Her Voice, Living Out Loud: https://womensrunningstories.com/jasmine-santiago-finding-her-voice-living-out-loud Molly Huddle: 2023 NYC Marathon, Postpartum Bone Health, and What Comes Next: https://womensrunningstories.com/molly-huddle-2023-nyc-marathon-postpartum-bone-health-and-what-comes-next Ari Hendrix: Journey to the Olympic Trials, A Quest to Top The List: https://womensrunningstories.com/ari-hendrix-journey-to-the-olympic-marathon-trials-a-quest-to-top-the-list Race Report: Jeralyn Poe + 2023 USATF 10k National Championships: https://womensrunningstories.com/jeralyn-poe-10k Lindsey Cortes: One Runners Nourishment & Body Acceptance Journey: https://womensrunningstories.com/lindsey-cortes-one-runners-nourishment-body-acceptance-journey Sika Henry + Comrades Marathon: An Experience Like No Other: https://womensrunningstories.com/sika-henry-comrades-marathon-an-experience-like-no-other Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

Natalie Barlatier has a determination when it comes to her running that is truly remarkable. Barlatier discovered a love of track and field in her youth, but took a break from running when she entered college. She returned to the sport after being diagnosed with MS in her late 20s, and began to explore distance running. Barlatier worked her way up to marathons over time, and running has been an important part of maintaining her health: mental, physical, and emotional. She has continued to run despite a major MS relapse, and she's returned to running after having her two children. Barlatier has run nine marathons, but that's not without some notably unusual set-backs along the way, beginning with the first two marathons Barlatier trained for. The first marathon was NYC 2012, which was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy. Next up, Boston 2013, the year of the bombing: Natalie was one of the many runners who was stopped just about a mile from the finish. This experience also resulted in lasting trauma that almost spelled an end to Barlatier's marathon ambitions. Barlatier did finally reach the finish line of a marathon on her third try, and followed that up with several more marathons after that. Then came COVID, which put an end to Barlatier's training and plans for running the 2020 Boston Marathon, but she returned to run in 2021 and again in 2023, and most recently she completed the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Beyond her commitment to meeting her own running goals and serving as an example to others impacted by MS of what can be possible, as well as being a role model to her two young children, Barlatier has discovered the joy and strength of her local running community, in particular Black Girls Run. Mentioned in this Episode Black Unicorn Marathoners: https://www.blackunicornmarathoners.org/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

Briana Boehmer had dreamed about qualifying for an Olympic trials since she was young. But she'd let go of that dream as she moved into her 40s. In her mind, she had aged out. That all changed in 2020. Boehmer's first competitive sport was running, which she did through college. After college, she became a competitive triathlete, eventually working up to racing the Ironman distance, which involves swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles, and then running the distance of a marathon, 26.2 miles. With the onset of COVID in 2020, however, Boehmer returned to running only and decided to run a marathon. This was an event she'd never done on its own, without having swum and cycled for hours before. In her first marathon, the 2021 California International Marathon or CIM, which took place in December 5, Boehmer shocked herself by running 2:33. With that time, she set the Masters 40+ course record and earned 7th place in the open women's field. Additionally, those scuttled Olympic trials dreams were suddenly back up for grabs: the Olympic trials qualifying (OTQ) time for the 2024 trials was 2:37. But there was one big hiccough: the window to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials didn't open until January 1, 2022. After that debut marathon, Boehmer was plagued by a series of injuries that kept her from getting that OTQ. Her final opportunity was CIM 2023, on December 3, and she was eager to race in the kit of her new sponsor Oiselle, as part of the company's innovative Underbirds program. Unfortunately, an injury flare up just one week out from CIM ultimately led to Boehmer making the incredibly tough but necessary decision to not start CIM. This is the story of what it looks like to face the fears and disappointment of making the difficult choice not to race, when there are big dreams at stake. This is also what it looks like to remove limiting beliefs and experience the power of unwavering support. To borrow Boehmer's words: "I've already won." Ways to Keep Up with Briana Boehmer Instagram: @briboehmer Mentioned in this Episode Oiselle: https://www.oiselle.com/ Oiselle Underbirds sponsorship program: https://www.oiselle.com/pages/year-of-the-underbird Ari Hendrix episode on WRS: https://womensrunningstories.com/ari-hendrix-journey-to-the-olympic-marathon-trials-a-quest-to-top-the-list Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

Professional distance and marathon runner Neely Spence Gracey has been a competitive runner since she was in her teens and running has been a part of her life since she was born: both of her parents were competitive runners, and her father was an internationally competitive marathoner. In recent years, however, Neely's running focus and motivation has shifted, in large part because she began to balance new priorities. In addition to remaining committed to being an elite level competitor, Neely wanted to become a mom. This story follows Neely's running career from the high highs of her phenomenal 2016 debut in the marathon, through to today, including becoming the mother of two boys, Rome and Athens. Her journey has been full of ups and downs, but as the uncertainties that come with pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding have come to pass, Neely finds herself appreciating running in new ways and finding competitive fun in unexpected places. Along the way, Neely has set a world record in the stroller mile, she's had some epic races at Disney World, and she's earned her way into Olympic Trails Marathon, which will happen February 3, 2024. Keep Up with Neely Spence Gracey Instagram: @neelysgracie Twitter: @neelysgracey Mentioned in This Episode Breakthrough Women's Running: Dream Big and Train Smart by Neely Spence Gracey and Cindy Kuzma Starting Line 1928 podcast JAMBAR energy bars WRS episode: Jennifer Maxwell: Running to Her Own Beat WRS episode: Maegan Krifchin: An Epic Marathon PR Story Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Elite marathon runner Ari Hendrix did not grow up dreaming of running. Up through college, Hendrix’s athletic heart was firmly focused on the basketball court. But when professional prospects didn’t pan out after her college career ended, Hendrix had to face the harsh fast reality that the sport that had defined her days and shaped her dreams was over.  This is the story of letting go of one dream, and being open to discovering what new, unexpected dreams can arise.  So while Hendrix never considered running a sport of interest when she was young, her father–who died just before Hendrix’s senior year of college–thought differently. He was amazed by her sprinting speed. With the enthusiasm of a proud dad, he would say that she could be fast enough to go to the Olympics.   When Hendrix was faced with the loss of her basketball dreams, she decided she needed a focus, a big challenge that would require a big commitment. Remembering her father’s vision of her becoming a runner, she decided to give it a go. Hendrix wanted to do the hardest thing she could think of, so she signed up for a marathon.  In this episode, Hendrix traces her journey to running from basketball and how she went from completing that first marathon to now: Ari is currently training for the Olympic Trials Marathon as a sponsored athlete with the Oiselle Underbirds program. To qualify for the trials, runners must have run a 2:37 for the marathon or a 1:12 half marathon. To put this in basic terms: that is extremely difficult.  Hendrix qualified with a 2:35 marathon at the 2022 California International Marathon, more commonly known as CIM. This race is one that many athletes use to run their fastest times.  In addition to earning her spot at the trials, Hendrix is the third fastest runner on The List. (Erika Kemp is current first on The List; she ran 2:33 at the 2023 Boston Marathon). The List is an accounting of all of the American-born Black women who have broken 3 hours in the marathon. There are currently 31 women on The List. Ari Hendrix's goal is to be first on The List. Ways to Keep Up with Ari Hendrix Instagram: @ari_hendrix1 Mentioned in this Episode Oiselle: https://www.oiselle.com/ The Underbirds sponsorship program: https://www.oiselle.com/pages/year-of-the-underbird The List: https://tedcorbitt.com/black-female-marathon-history/ Breaking Three Hours documentary: https://blackmarathoners.org/breaking-three-hours.shtml Additional Women's Running Stories episodes featuring runners on The List Erica Kemp: Championships, Challenges, and a Marathon Debut, at Boston Sika Henry + Comrades Marathon: An Experience Like No Other Erica Stanley-Dottin: A Sub-3-Hour Marathon Goal, A Team Dream Soars LIVE EVENT: Podium Pioneers Panel (ft Marilyn Bevans, Patty Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen), 2023 Boston Marathon Expo LIVE EVENT: Marilyn Bevan & Meagan Krifchin: Celebrating 50 Years of Women Running Boston Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

The story behind becoming 2023 USATF Masters Track and Field Athlete of the Year. Masters 60+ track and field athlete Sue McDonald has been a competitive athlete most of her life. And she's been a competitor in a wide variety of events: she'd started out her collegiate career as a heptathlete and has since continued to enjoy working at multiple disciplines, as well as trying new events (like the steeple!). So in 2022, when Sue was looking ahead at entering the 60+ masters age bracket, she didn't have just one event she was aiming to rewrite the records books in, she targeted several. In the end, Sue set 9 world records in the W60-64 category: indoors 800 and 1500; outdoors 400, 800, 300H, 1500, and Mile, as well as the Steeplechase and the Heptathlon. For her stellar achievements, Sue McDonald was named the 2023 USATF Masters Track and Field Athlete of Year. This is the story of what it took for Sue to be ready for a record-setting year. She left no area unconsidered: nutrition, mental prep, coaching, strength, lifestyle, physical training. And she gets into it all. This is what it took her to become a champion, many times over, and raise the bar for masters athletes. Ways to Keep Up with Sue McDonald Instagram: @suemcdonaldfitness Website: SueMcDonaldFitness.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

Top American distance pro runner Molly Huddle tells the story around her 2023 NYC Marathon, her first time racing this distance since having her first child, Josephine, in April 2022. WRS featured Huddle in March of this year, 2023, to tell the story of her postpartum return to racing and how it all went down at the 2023 NYC Half Marathon. Immediately after that, Huddle was diagnosed with a serious injury. In this episode, Huddle catches us up on her injury recovery, why she decided to run the NYC Marathon on November 5, as well as how the marathon unfolded, and her plans going forward. Huddle also shares what she's been doing for the running community outside of racing, including raising money for &mother in conjunction with running NYC and helping to further the conversation around being a career athlete and becoming a mom. Molly Huddle is already a legend in the running world, and her racing story continues to develop. She's a two-time Olympian, multi-time national champion, and former American record holder in the 5000m and 10,000m. In addition, she is a strong voice in the women's running space, as a writer, podcaster, and activist: she's published many articles, co-wrote the book How She Did It: Stories, Advice, and Secrets to Success from Fifty Legendary Distance Runners, and is the co-host of the women's sports podcast Keeping Track. Huddle has been very deliberate about sharing her pregnancy and postpartum journey as a professional runner as a way of moving the sport forward and advocating for more support of professional running moms and moms to be. Add to all that, Huddle shares fascinating details about running and racing at the professional level of the sport. Her insights are really cool. Ways to Keep Up with Molly Huddle Instagram: @mollyhuddle Keeping Track podcast website: https://keeping-track.com/ Keeping Track podcast on Instagram: @keeptrackmedia How She Did It book website: https://howshediditbook.com/ How She Did It on Instagram: @howshediditbook Mentioned in this Episode Race Report: Molly Huddle + 2023 NYC Half Marathon: https://womensrunningstories.com/race-report-molly-huddle-2023-new-york-city-half-marathon &mother website: https://andmother.org/ &mother Instagram: @andmother_org Dr. Kate Ackerman on Instagram: @drkateackerman Hear Her Sports interview with Dr. Kate Ackerman: https://www.hearhersports.com/#/ep149-dr-kate-ackerman-female-athlete-program/ Fastr at Stanford University: https://fastr.stanford.edu/ Dr. Adam Tenforde, The Running Center: https://spauldingrehab.org/research/programs-labs/spaulding-running-center/about Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as one of the top 20 Women's Running podcasts by Feedspot: https://blog.feedspot.com/womens_running_podcasts/ Women's Running Stories is proud to be featured as #4 on the GoodPods top Running podcasts list

Elite runner and Olympian Rachel Smith tells the story of how it all went down from her viewpoint racing in the 2023 USATF 5km National Championships, which took place November 4, 2023, in New York City. This is Smith's first big event back since having her first child, her daughter, Nova, 6 months ago. Smith shares her experiences running through pregnancy, returning to training post-partum, and navigating breastfeeding as an elite level racer. And she shares her total joy of returning to competition and earning a podium spot, and what that looks like as a new mom. Smith makes note of how much she appreciates the growing support for racers who become moms. Specifically, she shouts out the pioneering organization &mother, founded by Olympian and former professional runner Alysia Montaño. The USATF 5km National Championships is a part of the championship series of races, for various different distances, that happen around the country throughout the year. Racers have a chance to earn a national title, as well as to earn prize money and points based on finishing places; points go toward the overall circuit placing. This was the final race of the circuit in 2023, so the circuit champion has been decided: the winner of the 2023 USATF Running Circuit is Ednah Kurgat, followed by Emma Grace Hurley, and in third is Nell Rojas. All three of these runners have been featured in our Race Report episodes this year. You can catch up on earlier road races in the series through our Race Reports. Each report features one runner's perspective on how it all went down, to give you an inside look at these championship events. WRS will be following all of the USATF Running Circuit action in Race Reports next year, 2024, so be sure to subscribe so you don't miss an episode. Keep Up with Rachel Smith Instagram: @rachschneid18 Twitter: @rachschneid18 Mentioned in this episode: &mother, website: andmother.org &mother, Instagram: @andmother_org Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Verna Volker first started running as a way to improve her health. Over time, however, her relationship to the sport has grown and changed, to become a more personal and powerful part of her life. She started out pursuing road marathons and then moved to the trails, stretching her limits in ultra trail running. As her journey has evolved, so have her motivations. This is a story about how Volker has shaped her running journey to best serve her, her family, and her community. Volker is from the Navajo Nation: she clarifies, "My clans are the Tódích'íi'nii (Bitterwater) nishlíi, Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People) bashishchiin, Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle) dashicheii, and Tó' áheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) dashinalí." As she got more involved in running, Volker noticed the absence of stories and experiences of other Native women in the media and online. She decided to help change that by launching Native Women Running, to highlight those experiences and also to support and create community and running opportunities for women like herself. Volker's running pursuits have also brought her closer to her own ancestry; running is integral to Navaho culture. This was something Volker had known throughout her life, but she hadn't felt that connection until experiencing the sport for herself in adulthood; she is now passing that lived knowledge on to her children. In hand, Volker has also discovered the healing powers of running, which have helped her work through past traumas. And she has a strong appreciation for the strength created through developing a supportive running community. Keep Up with Verna Volker Instagram: @hozhorunner4 Keep Up with Native Women Running Instagram: @nativewomenrunning Website: NativeWomenRunning.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In June of this summer, 2023, Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Turner closed the chapter on running longer distance races (at least for now), like marathons and ultras, and turned her attention to the 5k. Her goal: break 20 minutes in the 5km. Cherie is currently 54 years old and she has never dipped under 20 minutes at this distance. The closest she's ever gotten was back over a decade ago, when she ran 20:19. This is Part 2 of Cherie's journey, an update that spans September and October 2023. Part 1 of this series concluded with Cherie setting a baseline time of 21:10 on August 30. Please click the link below to hear that episode; it's not a prerequisite for listening to this episode, but it will give you more context and background on this project. In this episode, Cherie covers what she's learned over the past few months and what her racing and training efforts have looked like. Come along for the journey. Mentioned in this episode Jae Gruenke, The Balanced Runner: https://www.balancedrunner.com/ Shane Benzie, Running Reborn: https://runreborn.com/ Cherie Turner: The Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project: Part 1, Setting the Baseline: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-the-over-50-sub-20-5k-project-part-1-setting-the-baseline Stories of Womens' Experiences at Comrades: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-comrades-marathon Cherie Turner at Comrades 2023: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-louise-turner-2023-comrades-marathon-experiencing-the-magic-again-and-better Cherie Turner at Comrades, a Collaboration with Hear Her Sports 2022: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-comrades-marathon-a-hear-her-sports-special-collaboration Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Jennifer Maxwell is best known as the co-founder of PowerBar with her late husband, Brian Maxwell. Not only did the couple found a hugely successful company, they created the energy bar sector. Before PowerBar, which launched in 1986, there were no energy bars. These days, Jennifer continues to reinvent in the energy bar space with the launch of JAMBAR. While Jennifer's passion for running certainly played into her interests in creating an energy bar company, her life as a runner started long before then. Jennifer has been running since she was a child, and running continues to be an important part of Jennifer's life and identity. Over these many years, the part running has played in Jennifer's life has morphed to suit her needs. And her needs have changed dramatically over the years. This is the story of how running has helped shape Jennifer's life and in turn how Jennifer has utilized this sport to navigate some of life's most difficult challenges. Her story is testament to the many ways we can weave running into our lives, and how truly remarkable the relationship to this sport can be. Keep Up with Jennifer Maxwell and JAMBAR Website: jambar.com Keep Up with The Masters of Running Podcast Instagram: @themastersofrunningpodcast Episode with Sue McDonald and Terry Howell: https://shows.acast.com/the-masters-of-running-podcast/episodes/sue-mcdonald-terry-howell Website: shows.acast.com/the-masters-of-running-podcast Keep up with The Planted Runner Instagram: @theplantedrunner Website: theplantedrunner.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Elite runner and PhD student Jeralyn Poe tells the story of how it all went down from her viewpoint racing in the 2023 USATF 10km National Championships, which took place September 23, 2023, in Northport, NY, at the Great Cow Harbor 10km.  Poe is in a relatively new phase of her racing journey, having finished her collegiate career just a couple years ago. Specifically, over the past two years, she's gone from the collegiate level of racing to the pro/elite field, and she's switched from track racing to racing on the roads. In addition, she's focused on a whole new distance: the marathon. Poe has always preferred longer distance races, and in college, the furthest she could race was the 10k. Now in her post-collegiate life, she's excited to focus on the marathon. To get there, she's gradually been upping her race distances and will debut in the marathon at the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon, which will take place in Florida, in February. The Olympic Trials is Poe's A goal. This 10k champs then plays into a much bigger picture of Poe's running plans. Poe tells the whole story in this episode. The USATF 10km National Championships is a part of the championship series of races, for various different distances, that happen around the country throughout the year. Racers have a chance to earn a national title, as well as to earn prize money and points based on finishing places; points go toward the overall series placing. The top three places in the series after the 10km champs are Ednah Kurgat, Nell Rojas, and Emma Grace Hurley. All three of these runners have been featured in our Race Report episodes this year. You can catch up on earlier road races in the series through our Race Reports. Each report features one runner's perspective on how it all went down, to give you an inside look at these championship events. Stay tuned for the next and final race of 2023 series: the USATF 5km National Championships taking place November 4, 2023, in New York City. Keep Up with Jeralyn Poe Instagram: @jeralynkiprotich Twitter: @jeralynpoe Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Sabrina Pace-Humphreys understands what pushing through, putting one foot in front of the other in the face of great pain and on the edge of breaking feels like. She's been doing it her whole life. But it wasn't until she discovered the world of ultra trail running that she truly understood how deeply empowered this had made her. She's now on a quest to discover just how far she can push her boundaries, for herself and for others: to represent and inspire. This is the story of how Pace-Humphreys went from growing up as the only Black identified person in a rural UK town where she experienced devastating racism and isolation to becoming a limit-pushing ultra runner and one of most dynamic, influential voices in trail running today. When Pace-Humphreys began her running journey, she was in the throws of deep post-natal depression. Getting through her first one-mile walk/jog—a suggestion from her doctor—was a tremendous challenge. But it sparked something inside her, and set her on a life-altering journey. In her quest to find her ultimate ultra challenge, Pace-Humphreys has completed some of the most challenging ultra events in the world, including the multiday stage race the Marathon des Sables and the 268-mile Spine Race, in addition to numerous other ultra and trail endeavors. Her next challenge is the 200-mile Winter Downs, which takes place December 2023. Among her many accomplishments as an activist and game-changer, Pace-Humphreys has authored the powerful and important memoir Black Sheep: A Story of Rural Racism, Identity, and Hope; she co-founded the Black Trail Runners; and she hosts the podcast Sabulous. In addition to all that, Pace-Humphreys, 45, is the mother of four children and grandmother of three, has recovered from addiction, and is an award-winning businesswoman. Keep up with Sabrina Pace-Humphreys Instagram: @sabrunsmiles Sabulous Podcast: https://www.sabrinapacehumphreys.com/sabulous-podcast Black Sheep memoir: https://www.quercusbooks.co.uk/titles/sabrina-pace-humphreys/black-sheep/9781529418576/ Website: www.sabrinapacehumphreys.com Keep Up with Black Trail Runners Instagram: @blacktrailrunners Website: www.blacktrailrunners.run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Claire Bartholic shares how she went from being a first-time marathoner trying for, but not quite reaching, a goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon, to running a sub-3-hour marathon: for context, only 1% of women marathoners have achieved this sub-3-hour milestone. It all started when Bartholic was in her mid-30s looking to get in shape for a high school reunion. It was then that she decided to start running. Then she got the running bug, and started marathoning: she was 38, the mother of two children, working as a real estate agent when she ran her first marathon. Four years later, she would reach her sub-3-hour goal. This story gets into the details of how Bartholic became a passionate student of the marathon on her way to achieving her big time goal. She tells about how she mastered pacing and mental toughness, the mis-steps along the way, and the great satisfaction of figuring out the complex puzzle of how to run a marathon really well. Today, Bartholic continues to run and has found tremendous passion in helping others achieve their running goals through her coaching business. She is also the host of the running podcast The Planted Runner, where each episode, she shares one actionable topic that runners can apply to their own training. In addition, Bartholic is the author of the book The Planted Runner: Plant Based Nutrition for Running at Your Best. Keep up with Claire Bartholic and The Planted Runner Instagram: @theplantedrunner Website: theplantedrunner.com Offers, Freebies, Discounts from Bartholic: theplantedrunner.com/link Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Carolyn Su is a runner and the founder of Diverse We Run, a space to build racial diversity and amplify diverse voices and stories in running on Instagram. Until 2020, Su was a road runner. She hadn't run on the trails, let alone race. And when she documented her friend's experiences at the 2019 Trans Rockies, a multi-day trail running stage race, she thought it looked amazing, but it didn't even occur to her that this was something she'd be capable of. But then, on one fateful day, she got a call from her friend Mirna Valerio. Valerio had an invitation for Su to participate in the 2021 version of the Trans Rockies, that same multi-day race Su's friend had done. That invitation sparked something in Su's curious, adventurous spirit, and she decided to say yes. No doubt, Su, who is Chinese-American, was excited to embark on an epic adventure. In addition, she was strongly motived to help create space in this sport for people who look like her: she wanted to represent and to be seen. This is the story of Su's fears and joys, as well as her triumphs and exhaustion, navigating the predominantly white and male world of trail running, helping to carve out space for BIPOC runners. Su's story elevates concerns, racism, danger, and frustrations that white runners can largely overlook or don't even notice, but which make this sport far less welcoming and more laborious for BIPOC runners. Su's story is testament to why diverse voices and representation in running, especially trail running, matter. Keep up with Carolyn Su Instagram: @IRunForTheGlory Website: irunfortheglory.com Making Strides Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/making-strides/id1687742311 Keep Up with Diverse We Run Instagram: @DiverseWeRun Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Professional runner for Team ZAP Endurance Tristin Van Ord tells the story of how it all went down from her viewpoint racing in the 2023 USATF 20km National Championships, which just took place September 4 in New Haven, CT.  This 2023 season has been full of success as well as learning experiences for Van Ord. She started the year running her fastest marathon ever—she set a PB by over two minutes—placing first American and fourth woman at the Houston Marathon in January. Going into the summer, however, Van Ord, who has OCD, began to experience worsening symptoms of the disorder. In particular, those manifested in intense performance anxiety and insomnia. But through the summer to now, more race experience and therapeutic work has put Van Ord on a path to better manage the impact of OCD, to the benefit of her running and racing.  The story of the 20k champs is testament to Van Ord's progress and also to her growing savvy and strength in the elite ranks of US road running.  Van Ord tells the whole story in this episode, about experiencing and managing OCD, how she's learned and grown from her challenges, how she's improved as a competitor, and how the 20k champs unfolded, to an excellent result. The USATF 20km National Championships is a part of the championship series of races, for various different distances, that happen around the country throughout the year. Racers have a chance to earn a national title, as well as to earn prize money and points based on finishing places; points go toward the overall series placing. The top three places in the series after the 20km champs are Ednah Kurgat, Nell Rojas, and Emily Sisson. Both Kurgat and Rojas have been featured in our Race Report episodes this year. You can catch up on earlier road races in the series through our Race Reports. Each report features one runner's perspective on how it all went down, to give you an inside look at these championship events. Stay tuned for the next race in the series, the USATF 10km National Championships taking place in Northport, NY, September 23, 2023. That will be followed by the final race on the circuit this season, the USATF 5km National Champions, which take place November 4, 2023, in New York City. Keep Up with Tristin Van Ord Instagram: @tristinvanord Twitter: @tristinvanord Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

At 53 years old, Women's Running Stories host Cherie Turner has found a whole new focus for her running pursuits: she's working toward breaking 20 minutes in the 5km. This is the first phase of the journey, setting a baseline 5k time. In this episode Cherie shares how she got to this point, how the lessons she's learned throughout her many years of running are starting to reap benefits she's never felt before, and how she's as excited as ever to push her limits as an athlete. She briefly traces her running journey through to a recent 5k effort that both surprised her and set the jumping off point for this project. Cherie has been running for years, and has primarily focused on longer distances, like the marathon and ultras. She started running after years of bicycle racing, where she'd earned her way on to a professional domestic team. As the years rolled on, the messaging that she absorbed was: you get slower as you age, so run longer. But in Cherie's heart of hearts, she's always known that her strong suit was short, intense racing. So, she's decided to decrease the mileage and up the speed. While she's had incredible experiences throughout all of her running pursuits, Cherie decided going into 2023 that after running the Boston Marathon in April and then the 56-mile Comrades Marathon on June 11, she was going to close this long-distance chapter on her running. A primary interest for this project is to contribute to the growing number of examples of aging woman athletes showing what's possible, as well as fun, rewarding, and exciting. So was created the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k project. The journey starts here. Keep up with Hear Her Sports Instagram: @hearhersports Twitter: @hearhersports Website: hearhersports.com Cheryl Cooky: Looking into 4% Sports Media Coverage: hearhersports.com/#/episode-71-cheryl-cooky/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Early in her life, Celeste Yvonne had decided she wasn't a runner. She felt like she didn't look like a runner or have a runner's mindset. Furthermore, running didn't feel good. Enter, her first child, who was colicky; Celeste struggled mightily to get him to calm down. In an act of exhausted desperation, she tried jogging. And, it worked. As someone who always enjoyed working out, this also filled the need for Celeste to incorporate meaningful movement into her new life as a mom. While Celeste had cleared that parenting hurdle, being a mom was still stressful, so she did what so many overtaxed moms do: she drank. She joined Mommy Wine Culture. Over time, however, as she continued to up both her running game and her drinking game, she began to realize the ways that drinking was doing more harm than good, and she stopped. This is Celeste Yvonne's running story, from those early days of desperately looking for ways to calm down her son, to it's connection to justifying her heavy drinking, and then to it's role in her sobriety journey, through to today, as her running continues to evolve. In addition to being a runner and a mother, Celeste Yvonne is a writer, blogger, and sobriety coach. Her first published book It's Not about the Wine: The Loaded Truth behind Mommy Wine Culture, is available September 12, 2023. Keep up with Celeste Yvonne Website: celesteyvonne.com Instagram: @theultimatemomchallenge Keep up with Hear Her Sports Instagram: @hearhersports Twitter: @hearhersports Website: hearhersports.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Ruby Wyles is an elite level runner and athlete who has worked through significant health challenges. She is currently pursuing the exciting new world of multisport, as a triathlete. From an early age, Wyles experienced serious challenges with disordered eating. While her health was stabilized, Wyles' fraught relationship with body image and food wasn't completely healed, especially when it came to the mental health facet of that process. Over time, Wyles, who is British, also found a passion for running. She developed into an elite level runner and earned an athlete scholarship to run in the US. Then, COVID hit. Wyles behaviors around disordered eating and body dysmorphia began to escalate, until, as she describes it, she was at rock bottom. Ultimately, Wyles sought help from sports dietician and nutrition coach Lindsey Cortes, founder/owner of Rise Up Nutrition, where Cortes and her team focus on helping women athletes with disordered eating habits recover and regain health and wellness. In this episode, we hear from Wyles, telling her story, as well as Cortes, who shares her thinking and strategies for helping athletes like Wyles get on a path to health. This is a unique look at what the healing process from body dysmorphia and disordered eating can look like, from both the first-person perspective, as well as from the perspective of someone experienced in coaching people through these fragile and difficult times. Keep Up with Ruby Wyles Instagram: www.instagram.com/rwyles_ Keep Up with Lindsey Cortes Rise Up Nutrition website: www.riseupnutritionrun.com Female Athlete Nutrition podcast: www.riseupnutritionrun.com/podcast Instagram: instagram.com/female.athlete.nutrition Mentioned in this episode Olympian Sonia Samuels with Movement Expert Jae Gruenke: Recovering Skillful, Pain-Free Running Keep up with The Planted Runner Instagram: @theplantedrunner Website: theplantedrunner.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Women's Running Stories host and producer Cherie Turner tells the story of her return to the 56-mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa. This is Cherie's second running of this, the world's oldest and largest ultra distance race in the world. And this for running, she had the goal of running better, both physically and mentally: she wanted to finish in under 10 hours (in 2022, she ran it in 10:25) and with a more positive, less fearful mindset. She wanted to fully soak in the magic of this one-of-a-kind event. Cherie tells the story of what she did different to prepare for Comrades 2023 and how it all went down. The Comrades Marathon has been a great interest to Cherie for the past several years. This podcast started with stories of women's experiences at the race. But Cherie had never intended to participate in the event herself. That is, until she heard, over and over again from the women she interviewed, that to really understand Comrades, you must experience it for yourself. So, in 2022, she did just that. While her first Comrades experience was incredible, she knew there were improvements that she could make that would result in an even more outstanding race. That's exactly what this story is all about. Mentioned in This Episode Cherie Turner + Comrades Marathon, A Hear Her Sports Special Collaboration: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-comrades-marathon-a-hear-her-sports-special-collaboration Jae Gruenke, The Balanced Runner: https://www.balancedrunner.com/ The Balanced Runner, breathing protocol: https://www.balancedrunner.com/how-to-breathe-when-you-run-part-1/ Verity Breen on Women's Running Stories: https://womensrunningstories.com/verity-breen-running-far-and-fast-a-life-long-love Comrades Marathon episodes on Women's Running Stories: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-comrades-marathon Coach Parry Comrades Down Run Description: https://blog.coachparry.com/comrades-marathon-route-down-run/ Customizable Pace Chart: https://www.irenerunner.co.za/comrades.html Keep up with Hear Her Sports Instagram: @hearhersports Twitter: @hearhersports Website: hearhersports.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Jasmine Santiago is a runner and podcaster: she's the host of Brown Girl Running, where she shares her own running story and interviews other BIPOC runners about their experiences. Santiago is one of the few BIPOC women to host a running podcast. But getting to this point has been a journey, with very steep ups and downs. In this episode, Santiago shares it all: the breaking point of trauma fueled addiction, finding running as a way to heal and discover her authentic voice, discovering the beauty of a supportive running community, experiencing racist, threatening backlash for speaking out about being a BIPOC runner in a predominantly white running community, and finally finding a safe space and communities in the running world where she feels free to be herself, speak out, and provide a platform where others can do the same. As part of her running pursuit, Santiago has begun to delve deeper into and more fully embrace her Puerto Rican, Mexican, Indigenous culture and ancestry. She is also now an active member of Latinos Run Raleigh, in Raleigh, North Carolina. Keep Up With Jasmine Santiago Instagram: @jasminetherunnertracey Brown Girl Running Podcast Mentioned in This Episode Native Land App: for Android, for Apple Diverse We Run, Instagram: @DiverseWeRun Latinos Run: https://www.latinosrun.com/ Keep up with Hear Her Sports Instagram: @hearhersports Twitter: @hearhersports Website: hearhersports.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Kassie Parker just finished one of the most successful NCAA DIII careers on record. On the indoor and outdoor track and in cross country, racing for Loras College, she set records, helped her team reach its first national title, and won numerous national titles herself. Parker graduated in May 2023 and immediately moved into her pro career. She ran her first post-collegiate pro-elite race at the USATF 6km National Championships, earning a solid eighth place. Then, she set her sights on the Bix 7, this year the 7-mile USATF National Championships, which took place on July 29, 2023, in Davenport, Iowa. Kassie tells the story of her incredible collegiate career and then, how it all went down at the 7-mile champs. She also announces her next big move, becoming a member of the Hansons Brooks ODP Professional Running Team. The USATF 7-mile National Championships is a part of the championship series of races, for various different distances, that happen around the country throughout the year. Racers earn points based on finishing places that go toward the overall series placing. The top three places after the 7-mile champs are Ednah Kurgat, Nell Rojas, and Emma Grace Hurley, each of whom have been featured in our Race Report episodes this year. You can catch up on earlier road races in the series through our Race Reports. Each report features one runner's perspective on how it all went down. Stay tuned for the next race in the series, the USATF 20km National Championships taking place in New Haven, CT, September 4, 2023. Keep up with The Planted Runner Instagram: @theplantedrunner Website: theplantedrunner.com Previous Women's Running Stories Race Report Episodes https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/women-running-stories Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Sgt. Ednah Kurgat tells how it all went down at the recent USATF 6km National Championships in Canton, OH, July 15. Krugat runs as a member of the US Army's WCAP (World Class Athlete Program) and has primarily focused on cross-country and distance track racing, with a particular focus on the 10,000-meter. In January 2023, she won the USATF Cross-Country National Championships; this earned Kurgat her first spot on an international team, representing the US at the Cross Country World Championships that took place in February in Australia. Kurgat is relatively new to road racing, having only started last year, but she's clearly learning quickly. Listen to hear how, despite a busy race calendar coming into the 6k Championships, Krugat ran a smart, decisive race. A special note of thanks here to race founder and director Tina Oprean Ryee, who is also the director of Cross-Country and Track and Field at Malone University. This is the only women's-only event on the Grand Prix Circuit (the men have a corresponding 8km race in Tennessee), and Krugat was mindful of how the energy felt different at this race and it felt empowering. The USATF 6km National Championships is a part of the championship series of races that happen throughout the year, beginning with the Cross-Country National Championships. Racers earn points based on finishing places that go toward the overall series placing. Kurgat is current in second place overall, behind Nell Rojas. You can catch up on earlier road races in the series through our Race Reports. Each report features one runner's perspective on how it all went down. Stay tuned for the next race in the series, happening this weekend, Saturday, July 29: the USATF 7-mile National Championships in Davenport, IA. Keep up with Ednah Kurgat Instagram: @ednah_kurgat Keep up with The Planted Runner Instagram: @theplantedrunner Website: theplantedrunner.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Liz Derstine is a musician, runner, writer, and as of 2020, a long-distance hiker. On July 7, 2020, she embarked on the life-altering adventure of through-hiking the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, as quickly as possible. Now, having had several years to reflect on this epic journey, Derstine tells her whole AT story: from what inspired her to want to hike the entirety of this daunting trail, to how it all went down, through to the many ways her life has changed as a result of transporting herself on foot, through the wilderness, from Georgia to Maine. At its core, this is a journey of self-discovery. Since her record-setting AT hike, Derstine has continued to embark on incredible multiday hiking adventures. She now holds many Fastest Known Time (FKT) records, including among others the Long Trail FKT for a self-supported woman. Most recently, on July 1, 2023, she set the FKT for a self-supported woman on the Via Alpina in Switzerland, finishing in just under seven days. Derstine currently lives and Boston, and when she's away from the trail, she is studying classical piano at the Longy School of Music at Bard College. Keep Up with Liz Derstine Instagram: @pinkfeathers Twitter: @pinkfeathers Website: MercuryOnTheRun.com Derstine's AT hike: MercuryOnTheRun.com/Appalachian-Trail Website: LizDerstine.com Liz Derstine's FKT Page: FastestKnownTime.com/athlete/Liz-Derstine-0 Music Credits Thank you to Liz Derstine for allowing us to use her original piano suite music, inspired by her AT adventure Clip of Gustav Holst's Mercury, was produced by Beta Music All additional music and sound was created by Cormac O'Regan for Women's Running Stories Keep up with Hear Her Sports Instagram: @hearhersports Twitter: @hearhersports Website: hearhersports.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a special bonus episode swap with the excellent woman hosted, women's sports podcast Hear Her Sports. Every other Thursday, Hear Her Sports host Elizabeth Emery brings you long-form interviews with women athletes and women in the sports world. Elizabeth is an excellent interviewer and her conversations are always engaging and informative. I love the way she brings listeners into the world of the person she's talking to, bringing out the reasons they're so passionate about their pursuits as well as details about what it takes to do what they do so well. And I always find useful takeaways I can apply to my own athletic adventures and to life in general. The featured Hear Her Sports episode features Jenny Nguyen, founder of the Sports Bra. The episode as described by Hear Her Sports: Jenny Nguyen picked up a basketball right around the same time she put down her milk bottle. From an early age, people called her a tomboy. Instead of playing with dolls and wearing dresses, she climbed trees and rode bikes. But most of all, she loved to play basketball. That love shaped her whole identity and helped her to fit in all the way through high school. When she was 19 years old in her first year playing college ball at Clark College, Nguyen ruptured her ACL. She was devastated by the career-ending injury, but stumbled upon a newfound passion: cooking. She cooked all through college, first for her roommate, then for the whole floor and then for the entire dorm. She landed her first kitchen job at age 22 and fell in love with the craft all over again. After graduating from college, Nguyen enrolled at the Western Culinary Institute in downtown Portland. There she graduated from the expedited program while working full time at a couple of fine dining restaurants. When she was in the kitchen, Nguyen was in her element. The zone. The basketball court and the kitchen have been the only two places she has ever felt like she belonged. Later, she realized that both those places are very male-dominated and that she had struggled, endured and found success in her own way. She went on to work her way up in kitchens for another 15 years, with the last four years as an executive chef at Reed College for Bon Appétit Management Company. The Sports Bra The Sports Bra on IG, Facebook, Twitter Notre Dame vs Miss State, 2018 Womens National Championship (Full Game Highlights) Arike Ogunbowale Carman Ranch Vibrant Living Farm Girls Who Build Order Girls Who Build, (the book) Keep up with Hear Her Sports Instagram: @hearhersports Twitter: @hearhersports Website: hearhersports.com Keep up with The Planted Runner Instagram: @theplantedrunner Website: theplantedrunner.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Sika Henry is a professional triathlete, as well as a marathon and ultra runner. She is the first African American woman to earn her pro card in triathlon, which she did in 2021. And, in 2020, she ran a sub-3-hour marathon which added her name to The List, which accounts for all of the American-born Black women who have broken 3 hours in the marathon. There are currently 30 women on The List. Sika is relatively new to the world of ultra running, and once she'd gotten a taste of the sport, she wanted to choose a meaningful event to aim for. At the suggestion of her mentor, Dan Empfield, she chose to tackle the 90km/56-mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa. This is the story of Sika Henry's experience at this, the world's oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race. Though all didn't go to plan, Sika came away with memories for a lifetime. Keep Up With Sika Henry Instagram: @sikahenry Website: https://www.sikahenry.com/ Mentioned in this Episode Hear Her Sports: http://www.hearhersports.com/ Keeping Track: https://keeping-track.com/ NYT Article Mentioned by Sika Henry: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/04/sports/comrades-marathon-hoseah-tjale.html Episodes featuring women's experiences at the Comrades Marathon Episodes Featuring Women on The List Erica Stanley-Dottin: A Sub-3-Hour Marathon Goal, A Team Dream Soars Erika Kemp: Championships, Challenges, and a Marathon Debut Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Christine Yu is a lifelong athlete and a runner, though it took time before she used either of those terms to identify herself. Yu is also a writer, and she focuses on the intersection of sports science and women athletes. These dual passions recently culminated in the much anticipated book Up to Speed: The Groundbreaking Science of Women Athletes. This is ultimately the focus of Yu's story for this episode: where her personal athletic and running journey and her professional writing pursuits meet. Her story is both uniquely personal and touches on experiences many women share: the joy of playing sports with friends and the grounding effect of running, as well as challenges with disordered eating, feelings of not belonging, and struggles with body acceptance. Yu's book stems from an interest in trying to better understand her own body and her realization about how little research exists that specifically focuses on the unique physiology of athletic women. While there is much to lament in this realm, Yu ultimately has hope for the future. So should we. Keep Up with Christine Yu Website: www.christinemyu.com Twitter: @cyu888 Instagram: @cyu888 Mentioned in this Episode Episodes featuring women's experiences at the Comrades Marathon Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Nell Rojas is one of the best marathon racers in the U.S. having placed top American at both the 2021 and 2022 Boston Marathon. In this episode she shares how it all went down at the 2023 USATF 25k National Championships, which took place just one month after the 2023 Boston Marathon. But of course, there's so much more to the story than just one race. The 25k race, as it would turn out, was not the day that Nell had hoped it could be. The story behind that stretches back to Nell's build up to Boston 2023, and this episode gets into all of it. It also has to do with where a race like this fits into Nell's larger goals. Along the way we get insight into what it looks like to be a professional marathon runner, how focusing on being the very best at one very long distance plays out over the long haul. One fact that is clear in Nell's journey is that being a professional runner is as much about training and racing as it is about managing the stresses of daily life. Within Nell's thoughtful insights and extensive experience as an elite athlete are valuable takeaways that you can take into your own life adventures, wherever you may be along your journey. For 2023, we are doing Race Reports for each of the USATF Road Circuit races, which are the series of national championship events that take place for various distances all throughout the country throughout the year. Each race is an opportunity to earn a national title and some excellent prize money. Racers also earn points based on their placing that go toward the race series competition. Nell is current in second place in the series, just one point behind Jessa Hanson. Emma Grace Hurley, who we featured in our episode focusing on the 15k championship, is in third. See the links below to catch up with earlier race reports. Ways to Keep Up with Nell Rojas Instagram: @nell_rojas_running Website: https://rojasrunning.com/ Listen to earlier 2023 Race Reports Race Report: Alexina Teubel + 2023 USATF One-Mile National Championships Race Report: Amber Zimmerman + 2023 USATF 10-Mile National Championship Race Report: Emma Grace Hurley + 2023 USATF 15k National Championships Race Report: Lauren Hagans + 2023 USATF Half Marathon National Championships Race Report: Molly Huddle + 2023 New York City Half Marathon Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Professional runner Vanessa Fraser has raced at the highest levels of her sport, but then found herself in a prolonged phase where things just weren't clicking. So she decided to switch things up–a lot. Which is why Vanessa, along with her coach Shalane Flanagan, decided to put the 100 x 1-mile Nike San Francisco Women's Miler Club World Record Relay attempt on her racing calendar. The event takes place June 3, 2023. Discover how Vanessa got here, and why choosing to run a huge community event with 99 other women became an excellent fit for her process of continuing to compete at the highest levels of her sport. Vanessa Fraser discovered her love of running in the third grade and has raced for the powerhouse collegiate team at Stanford and the prestigious Nike-sponsored professional team, the Bowerman Track Club. Then last year, in 2020, she decided to strike out on her own as a professional runner and forge a more personalized path in the sport. As part of that, Vanessa will be running the kick-off leg of this incredible 100 x 1-mile World Record Relay attempt, which will take place at Cox Stadium at San Francisco State University. The women of the San Francisco Bay Area set this relay record both in 1977 and again in 1997. Then in 1999, the record was reset by the Canadian Women's Miler Club, with a time of 9:23:39: that averages out to 5:37 minutes per mile. The women of the SF Bay Area are ready to take the record back. All of the 100 women on the relay team have ties to the San Francisco Bay Area, and there is a huge age range: from 13 to 63. Qualifications, other than having ties to the SF Bay Area, are, for runners 50 or under, they have to show that they can run a sub-6:00 minute mile; for those 50 or older, it's a sub-8:00 minute mile. Ways to Keep Up with Vanessa Fraser Instagram: @nessafraser Twitter: @locknessmonster Learn More about the Nike San Francisco Women's Mile Club 100 x 1-mile World Record Relay Attempt Instagram: @sfwomenmilers Website: runsignup.com/Race/CA/SanFrancisco/SFWomens100x1MileRelayWRAttempt Also Mentioned in this Episode Girls On the Run: https://www.girlsontherun.org/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

After a month's long hiatus in 2022 due to a sacral stress fracture—the first major injury of her long running career—Alexina, Alex, Teubel is back and racing better than ever. Teubel has focused on the 3000-meter steeplechase for several years, earning her way into the 2021 Olympic Trails finals. But now she's refocusing on the 1500 and its close cousin, the mile. The USATF One-Mile Road National Championship was Teubel's 2023 season opener and revealed that the 29-year-old pro runner and running coach—for her alma mater, the University of Northern Iowa—hasn't lost a step. In a deeply competitive field, she ran smart and threw down, battling to the line in an extremely close finish. Teubel walked away with a new PR—that after a significant PR here last year, which landed her on the podium. Hear how the race went down from Teubel's perspective and get some insight into how Teubel got to where she is today. How she's set up a pro running career that continues to work for her. As she mentions, even after years of competitive racing, she just keeps getting better. Ways to Keep Up with Alexina Teubel Instagram: @alexinateubel Twitter: @AlexinaWilson Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

In this, part 2/2, Nicole Pinto shares her running journey from giving birth to completing a half-marathon nine months later. Part 1 of this story features Nicole sharing the journey of how she trained for and ran the Boston Marathon while pregnant with her daughter, who was born in February 2022. We are excited to follow up on Nicole's postpartum journey in this episode. We first featured Nicole as part of our Roads to Boston series and she surprised everyone, including herself, with her pregnancy, which happened leading into the October 2021 event. We've loved keeping up her journey ever since, through this time of big change and discovery. In her professional life, Nicole is a cardiovascular perfusionist, which means that she not only works long, intense shifts at the hospital, but she also has a medical background and curiosity about how the body functions. She brought that same interest and experience to her pregnancy and running journey, and she shares it in her story. We are so thankful to Nicole for sharing her incredible running story, many times. And we love that her journey demonstrates what was possible throughout her pregnancy and beyond. Mentioned in this episode Nicole Pinto: Running Boston While Pregnant (Part 1/2): https://womensrunningstories.com/nicole-pinto-running-the-boston-marathon-while-pregnant Roads to Boston 2021: 9 Runners, 1 Finish Line: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/roads-to-boston-9-runners-1-finish-line Keep Up with Nicole Pinto Instagram: @runner_nic Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a special live recording of the Podium Pioneers Panel, which took place at the 2023 Boston Marathon Expo live stage. Women's Running Stories host Cherie Turner once again teamed up with Lisa Levins and Julie Sapper of the Run Farther and Faster podcast to co-cost a live Boston Marathon event. This year we welcomed three women who helped form the foundation of marathoning; they have each also placed among the top three at the Boston Marathon. Please enjoy the panel discussion with these three groundbreaking guests: Marilyn Bevans: Marilyn was the first African-American woman to break 3 hours in the marathon and the first Black woman to podium at Boston also in 1977. Two years later, Marilyn ran her PR on the Boston course in 2:49. Among her many honors, just yesterday, Marilyn was inducted into the Springfield College Athletic Hall of Fame. She is also featured in the documentary Breaking Three Hours, and this year, four women ran the Boston Marathon as Team Bevans in Marilyn’s honor. Marilyn resides in Baltimore, Maryland, where she continues to coach youth runners. Jacqueline Hansen: fifty years ago, Jacqueline won the Boston Marathon. After her Boston win, Jacqui set two world marathon records and became the first woman to break 2:40. Jacqui is also a leading advocate for women’s running. Among her many roles, she served as the president of the International Runners Committee, which advocated for more women’s distance races at the Olympic Games, including the addition of the marathon in 1984. Jacqueline resides in California where she continues to coach and advocate for women’s running. Patti Catalano Dillon: Patti started running at age 23 in an effort to lose weight. Just a few years later-in 1980, Patti became the first American woman to break 2:30 in the marathon. She is a three-time Boston Marathon runner-up and a NYC Marathon runner-up. She is also the first Native American woman to achieve all of these accomplishments. Patti is the head coach for the Wings of America Elite Team Program for Native youth athletes, the first team of its kind. Learn more about the Breaking Three Hours documentary: http://mobile.breakingthreehours.com/ Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Twitter: @RunFartherfast Website: https://www.runfartherandfaster.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Patty Hung, a retired teacher who now works as a pediatric nurse, never set out to run more consecutive Boston Marathons than any other woman. But that's the position she finds herself today. On April 17, 2023, when Patty crosses the finish line at the marathon, she will have completed her 37th consecutive Boston Marathon, more than any other woman in the history of the event. She'll break the record previously set by Andrea Hatch, who last ran the Boston Marathon in 2013. Patty, who was born and raised in Boston but moved to California many decades ago, turned to running marathons during a challenging time in her life: when she was getting through a divorce and figuring out how to raise her three young sons on her own. Training for and running the Boston Marathon became a way to keep her mentally and physically healthy, and to stay connected with family. Here Patty shares her story: her love of running marathons and what's kept her coming back year after year. Patty was part of our Roads to Boston series, which told the running stories of 9 women all the way through to the finish line of the 2021 Boston Marathon. Listen to the Roads to Boston series here: https://womensrunningstories.com/podcast/roads-to-boston-9-runners-1-finish-line Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

In this race report, get the inside story on how the Cherry Blossom 10-mile USATF national championship played out from the perspective of elite amateur racer Amber Zimmerman. Amber, who races for the Tracksmith amateur support program, has been in this sport for a long, long time. But as she herself has said on many occasions, she feels like up through her college career, she was performing at a subpar level. She moved into triathlon for a little while after graduation and has similar feelings about her performances in that sport, even though she was entering into the pro ranks. In 2021, Amber had a difficult year, and then she decided to change things up: she recommitted to running, reassessed her work life balance and how she was training; and changed her mental and emotional approach to the sport. And that has really shifted things. Amber saw her first big result come at the end of last year, with a big win at the Philly Marathon. She has her sights on being ready to throw down at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials next February, and is gearing up by putting herself in the action at top races this year. Her strong, determined performance at this 10-miler is testament that Amber is on an excellent trajectory. Mentioned in this episode Fast Women article about Amber Zimmerman: https://fast-women.org/2022/11/27/amber-zimmerman-slows-down-to-run-fast/ Amber on Twitter: https://twitter.com/atothezphd Amber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a.to_the.z/ Photo credit: Clay Shaw Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Dani Moreno is a professional mountain runner with Adidas Terrex, and she is one of the best in the world. Her specialty has been sub ultra distances, which our distances of a marathon or shorter. A traditional marathon is 26.2 miles or 42.2 kilometers. Among Dani's many outstanding accomplishments, last year she placed 3rd at the highly prestigious 50-kilometer/31-mile OCC; this is part of the UTMB series of events, which are widely considered the equivalent of world championship events given the level of competition. In an exciting turn of focus, this year, for the very first time, Danny is racing a road marathon. She'll be lining up as part of the elite field at the Boston Marathon, April 17, 2023. Get ready to cheer her on by getting an in-depth look at her running story. Dani has a long career in the sport of running, beginning in childhood. This episode covers Dani's entire running journey, with a special focus on how this sport has played a key role in her development as a person. Through the ups and downs of puberty, the pressure-cooker situation of collegiate NCAA D1 racing, through to almost giving up on the sport completely, and then on to finding just the right amount of support and patience she needed to begin to discover her potential as a professional runner. Dani's story highlights many of the glorious parts of running and racing, as well as common pit-falls, especially experienced by girls and young women as they develop. Join us in following Dani's journey to the 2023 Boston Marathon, and beyond, as she continues to set her sights on where this professional running life will take her. Ways to Keep Up With Dani Moreno Dani's website: https://www.dani-moreno.com/ Dani on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dan_yell_a/ Dani on Twitter: https://twitter.com/danirunstrails Mentioned in this episode Trail Running Insider Ep.2 - Mont-Blanc Marathon video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpDRoq6hCrI Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Molly Huddle is already a legend in the running world, and her story continues to develop. She's a two-time Olympian, multi-time national champion, and American record setter. In addition, she is a strong voice in the women's running space, as a writer and podcaster: she's published many articles, co-wrote the book How She Did It: Stories, Advice, and Secrets to Success from Fifty Legendary Distance Runners, and is the co-host of the women's sports podcast Keeping Track. In this episode, Molly shares how it all went down at the New York City Marathon, her second elite-level race since having her daughter in April 2022. Molly was also a spokesperson for the event, with a focus on her as a new mom, as well as a 3-time back to back to back champion at this race, 2015-2017. Molly has been very deliberate about sharing her pregnancy and post-partum journey as a professional runner as a way of moving the sport forward and advocating for more support of professional running moms and moms to be. This episode covers not only Molly's racing life leading up to and in the race, but also her larger role in the event, sharing her experience navigating professional running and motherhood. As she's said, when you're a professional runner, "your body is your business," so planning to have a baby is something you give a lot of thought to. And it's a process without a lot of guidance or enough support, yet. Ways to Keep Up with Molly Huddle Instagram: @mollyhuddle Keeping Track podcast website: https://keeping-track.com/ Keeping Track podcast on Instagram: @keeptrackmedia How She Did It book website: https://howshediditbook.com/ How She Did It on Instagram: @howshediditbook Mentioned in this Episode &mother website: https://andmother.org/ &mother Instagram: @andmother_org Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Emma Grace Hurley is a young professional runner with the Atlanta Track Club. She is relatively new to racing longer distances on the road, having raced her first road races as a pro last year. In this race report, Emma Grace gives us some background on her racing career, as well as the inside scoop on how things went down at the 2023 USATF 15k National Championships, which were held on March 6 at the Gate River Run in Jacksonville, Florida. With Emily Sisson lining up, it was an all but foregone conclusion that she would run away with the win, which she did. The American record holder in the marathon and half-marathon, Emily Sisson is having a "moment," to put it mildly. But how would the rest of the race unfold for this stellar field of competition? Emma Grace had her sights on making sure she had some say in the matter, which is exactly what she did. No doubt, we'll be hearing a lot from Emma Grace in the future. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear top 10 results from this incredible field of top American runners. Keep Up With Emma Grace Hurley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmagracehurley/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/emmagracehurley Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

In this special collaboration with Hear Her Sports, we talk to Jae Gruenke, a Feldenkrais practitioner and running form expert, and founder of The Balance Runner.   Both Cherie Turner (host of Women’s Running Stories, WRS) and Elizabeth Emery (host of Hear Her Sports) have experience working with Jae, especially in her online running form camp. But Feldenkrais and Jae’s approach to running form work is different and feels almost mysterious. Elizabeth and Cherie wanted to learn more, and get a greater understanding of what makes this work so powerful and also challenging, especially for runners and others who focus on working harder and putting in more effort to get results.  Jae is also featured in the WRS episode "Olympian Sonia Samuels with Movement Expert Jae Gruenke: Recovering Skillful, Pain-Free Running": https://womensrunningstories.com/olympian-sonia-samuels-with-movement-expert-jae-gruenke-recovering-skillful-pain-free-running About Jae Gruenke Jae Gruenke is known as “the wise woman of running” and has helped runners from beginner to Olympian relieve pain and improve their performance; she specializes in helping runners whose problems have persisted despite medical treatment. Jae’s interest in running technique was sparked when, as a professional dancer, she was asked to perform choreography that included sustained running in large, outdoor environments. Frustrated by how difficult and uncomfortable running felt, she began to study running technique and use the Feldenkrais Professional Training Program she was enrolled in as a laboratory to discover how to coordinate her movements so that running felt comfortable, easy, and enjoyable. Eventually, realizing she’d come to prefer running to dancing, and also that the changes in movement that had made the difference to her running were not being taught, discussed, or researched elsewhere, she retired from dancing and launched The Balanced Runner. Jae has been a member of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America since 1999 and the United Kingdom since 2011, and was an ACE-certified personal trainer from 1999-2012.  She graduated from Williams College in 1992 where she majored in literary studies and cross-enrolled at Bennington College to study modern dance. Working as a professional dancer from 1992-2003, she performed with a number of New York City-based companies, and at the time of her retirement from dance in 2003 she was a senior company member of Sarah Skaggs Dance. Ways to Keep Up With Jae Gruenke and The Balanced Runner Website: https://balancedrunner.com The Balanced Runner on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/balancedrunner/featured Online Running Form Camp (mentioned in the episode): https://www.balancedrunner.com/online-training-camps Ways to Keep Up With Hear Her Sports Join Hear Her Sports on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/hearhersports Find all episodes: http://www.hearhersports.com/ Find Hear Her Sports on all social media @hearhersports Ways to Keep Up With Keeping Track Find all episodes: https://keeping-track.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Erika Kemp will be racing 26.2 miles for the first time ever at the 2023 Boston Marathon on April 17. As one of the top professional distance road racers in the United States today, Erika has had a lot of success. But she's also gone through some significant challenges. Through it all she's gained wisdom, which she brings to her training, racing, and career choices. Erika began racing in high school and found early success. But she wasn't completely sold on the sport until she reached her college years. Racing for North Carolina State University, Erika had great teammates, great coaches, great success, and probably most importantly, she had a great time and discovered a deep drive to explore her ultimate potential in the sport. Erika turned pro right out of college, becoming a member of the Boston Athletic Association professional team in 2018. In her time as a pro, she has upped her racing distances and earned two national titles; she also won the 2021 USATF Running Circuit over title. But, she has also had her fair share of defeats and frustrations. Through it all, Erika has absorbed the wisdom of her experiences. And she'll be taking all of that to the start line of her first marathon on April 17, where she'll be representing her new team, Brooks Running. Erika shares the story of her entire running journey, as she prepares for her next great challenge, the marathon. Along the way, we get to celebrate her wins, learn from her difficulties, and get excited to cheer her on at Boston. Keep Up with Erika Kemp Instagram: @imtinyrik Twitter: @IMTINYRIK Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Lauren Hagans (formerly Paquette), a professional distance runner and member of the HOKA NAZ Elite team, takes us inside the 2023 USATF Half Marathon National Championships. Her bold decision and gutsy racing earned Hagans a close second place, her first podium finish at a national championship. Hagans has a long racing career and has been a top competitor at many distances. The half-marathon is the longest distance she's raced, yet. In addition to letting us know what went down in the race, Hagans shares why she had to take most of 2022 off racing, where's she at now, and what she's looking forward to. Keep Up With Lauren Hagans Instagram: @haagendazs_86 Twitter: @HotPaquettes HOKA NAZ Elite Team Profile: https://nazelite.com/athletes/lauren-paquette/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Sara Mae Berman started running and paving the way for other women's distance runners in the 1960s and 1970s. She is best known these days for winning the Boston Marathon three times: 1969, 1970, 1971. In those years, women weren't officially allowed to run marathons in the United States. However, there was that six year period between 1966 and 1971 when women ran Boston unofficially. It all started with Bobbi Gibb, when she popped out from behind the bushes to run the 1966 Boston Marathon. Bobbi went on to win again in '67 and '68, and then Sara picked up the torch and won the next three years. The rules changed for the following year and women were officially allowed to run marathons beginning in 1972. In addition to work that supported other women runners and helped change the rules that limited women's participation in running, Sara Mae was one of the fastest marathon runners in the world on record during her peak. The strides she and other women of her generation made helped set the bar and lay the foundation for the future of women's distance running in the United States. Mentioned in this episode Starting Line 1928 podcast: an oral history project featuring interviews with pioneering women runners: https://www.startingline1928.com/ Bobbi Gibb: The First Woman of the Boston Marathon: https://womensrunningstories.com/bobbi-gibb-the-first-woman-of-the-boston-marathon Evergreen Podcast Network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Women's Running Stories on the Evergreen Podcast Network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/womens-running-stories Hear Her Sports podcast: http://www.hearhersports.com/ Keeping Track podcast: https://keeping-track.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Lindsey Cortes is a runner and dietician who specializes in helping women athletes overcome the challenges of disordered eating and negative body image through her business Rise Up Nutrition. She brings both professional knowledge and her own personal experiences with body image and nutritional challenges to her business practice. Here, Lindsey shares the personal details of how she's navigated her own unhealthy eating habits and body image challenges, to arrive at a place of peace and wellness on both fronts. Lindsey talks about how intuitive eating has led her to be able to nourish her body to perform its best–as an athlete, mom, and business owner. She also talks about body acceptance, moving toward appreciating the shape her body takes when it's healthiest and performs its best. Lindsey also recognizes that this journey is a process with ups and downs, and the tools we develop can be used for a lifetime. Keep Up with Lindsey Cortes Rise Up Nutrition website: www.riseupnutritionrun.com Female Athlete Nutrition podcast: www.riseupnutritionrun.com/podcast Instagram: instagram.com/female.athlete.nutrition Mentioned in this episode Hear Her Sports podcast: http://www.hearhersports.com/ Cherie Turner + Comrades Marathon: A Hear Her Sports Special Collaboration: https://womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-comrades-marathon-a-hear-her-sports-special-collaboration Cathy Hopkins + Comrades Marathon: Discovering Community: https://womensrunningstories.com/0105-cathy-hopkins-comrades-marathon-discovering-community Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

We're excited to bring you a something a little different and let you know about another women-hosted podcast that features women runners. Please enjoy this episode from the podcast Starting Line 1928, which features in-depth interviews with women running pioneers. The episode we chose features ultra legend Bjorg Austrheim-Smith, who is best known for winning the historic Western States 100-mile Endurance Race three times: 1981, 1982, 1983. She began running when she was 35 and a mother of two (she would eventually have three children). Following an interest to be healthy and just get outside and move, she found a talent and passion that culminated in her becoming a champion and a trailblazer. Starting Line 1928 is an oral history project documenting the lived experiences of women distance running pioneers. A team of freelance historians interviews women who are trailblazers in the sport—with a special emphasis on women of color and others whose voices haven’t been heard as often. The project spans the 20th century, chronicling the individuals who paved the way for a post-Title IX world. Guests have included Olympians, steeplechase pioneers, ultrarunning champions, coaches, and those who fought hard for women to have new opportunities in the sport. The show is a proud recipient of a 2022 Tracksmith Fellowship. Learn More about Starting Line 1928 StartingLine1928.com Instagram @startingline1928 Twitter @startline1928 Learn More about Women's Running Stories Our website: womensrunningstories.com Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @womenrunstories

Professional runner Maegan Krifchin wanted to make the 2022 NYC Marathon an epic day. A native of Long Island, the Atlanta Track Club runner visualized bettering her 2:30 PR (2021 Chicago Marathon) while also breaking the 2:30 barrier, cracking the top 10, and shining her brightest on November 6. That did not happen, and it was heartbreaking. But it led Meagan on a marathon adventure that would see her run the Philadelphia Marathon two weeks later, on November 20, almost grabbing the win, and then CIM in Sacramento, California, two weeks after that, on December 4. Along the way, Maegan realized the importance of shaking things up, being playful among the seriousness of big pursuits, and how going after wild goals can reignite your ambitions. She also got that sub-2:30 PR, at CIM! Maegan tells her story in her own voice. Ways to Keep Up with Meagan Krifchin Follow Meagan on Instagram: @mkrifchin Lean more about Maegan in our live interview, also featuring Marilyn Bevans, recorded just before the 2022 Boston Marathon: LIVE EVENT: Marilyn Bevans & Maegan Krifchin, Celebrating 50 Years of Women Running Boston, Officially; hosted by Strides Forward & Run Father & Faster podcasts Also mentioned in this episode: Hillary Allen: An Unbreakable Will Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Well into her 30s, Tiffany Gayle Chenault didn't have any interest in running, even when she said yes to a friend who asked her to run a 5-mile event near her home in Boston, Massachusetts. But during that run, she felt something, a renewed sense of being alive that had gone quiet since the passing of her mother a few years earlier. That aliveness led to a whole new path for Chenault, whose professional life is as a professor of sociology at Salem State University. As Chenault began her running journey, she also developed a curiosity about the lack of diversity in the sport, especially the absence of other Black women runners. This led to Tiffany setting out on a running challenge and research project of completing a half-marathon in each one of the 50 states. Her approach and interest is both academic and personal: she's assessing the project through the dual lens of being a Black woman runner herself and also as a sociologist focused on the intersection of race, gender, and class. Tiffany has been chronicling her journey on her blog RunISee50. Once Chenault finishes her project in 2023, by completing a half-marathon in her 50th state, Hawaii, she'll turn her findings into a book. Tiffany has come to define her own space in the running community, and she's working to help other women do the same. She is the co-ambassador for the Boston chapter of Black Girls Run, and she a member of the Boston Running Collaborative, which the Boston Athletic Association created to strengthen its focus on increasing diversity and access to the running community in the Boston area. Tiffany also recently modeled for REI and was featured in their catalog. As part of that campaign, there was an accompanying article that featured her titled "What a Runner Looks Like." Ways to Keep Up with Tiffany Gayle Chenault Tiffany's blog: RunISee50.com Instagram: @runisee50 Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Hillary Allen is a professional ultra distance trail runner, and she's among the best in the world. This is especially the case over steep technical mountainous terrain. Hillary's journey is remarkable not only for her running and racing success, but also because of her tremendous resilience. Her abilities to return to elite racing, or running at all, have been pushed to the edge again and again. Thankfully for us, Hillary's thoughtful, insightful process of navigating resilience is something she's open to sharing: she's generous with her wisdom. Here, Hillary tells her story completely in her own voice.  If you aren't familiar with Hillary's racing career, it's likely because most of the racing she's done is in Europe where the style and the terrain of the racing suits her; it's what she really loves. Hillary is also the author of the book Out and Back where she chronicles in fine detail exactly what she's had to overcome and what's she's learned. Hillary will readily tell you that she's not the same as she was before her running journey began. She doesn't consider her story one of comebacks; it's one of growth. It's a story punctuated by a near-death fall and then other serious set-backs. Through it all, Hillary has honed the art of growth through adversity, and she's cultivated a lot of skills along the way.  In this episode, Hillary brings us up to the present, which very significantly includes her running the 100-mile UTMB, which just took place at the end of August 2022. If you're not totally familiar with UTMB, it can refer to the collection of races that take place over the course of a week in late summer in the Alps, with all of the action based out of Chamonix, France, or it can refer to the UTMB race, which is the premier event of that week of races. The race is a full circumnavigation of Western Europe's highest peak, Mont Blanc. Suffice to say the UTMB festival of events is the largest, most competitive collection of ultra events in the world.  When Hillary isn't racing up and down the tough technical terrain in Europe or elsewhere in the world, she's training and racing on the tough technical terrain near her home in Boulder, Colorado. She relayed her story from there just after returning from her time in Chamonix and the UTMB. This episode is sponsored by The Feed, the largest online marketplace for your sports nutrition, offering the brands you know and love, from Skratch Labs, Clif Bar, to Maurten, plus their athlete customized supplements called Feed Formulas. In addition to supporting Strides Forward, this sponsorship supports Hear Her Sports and Keeping Track: together we are a collective of women-hosted podcasts focused on women in sports. As part of this sponsorship, you can get $80 in credit at The Feed: just go to TheFeed.com/forward to claim your $80 in credit at The Feed. Keep up with Hillary Allen Hillary's website: https://hillaryallen.com/ Hillary's book Out and Back Hillary's TedTalk Hillary on Instagram: @hillgoat_climbs Podcast co-hosted by Hillary, Corrine Malcolm and Keely Henninger: Trail Society  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Alison Mariella Désir is a runner, mother, activist, community builder, and now author: her highly anticipated book Running While Black: Finding Freedom in a Sport that Wasn’t Built for Us is available today, October 18. Alison’s story is one of love and gratitude for running, and the power of this sport to create change. Hers is also a story of highlighting how the running world mirrors the racism and sexism of our larger culture and history. And her story is about making a path forward, creating space for change. In this episode, Alison tells her story completely in her own voice.  In this episode, Alison tells her running journey and touches on many of the topics that are featured in her book. Let this serve, then, as an inspiration to read her whole story in Running While Black, a book that will certainly become a best-seller and an important read for all runners, especially white runners.  On Women’s Running Stories, we often feature running journeys that highlight how running is about more than the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. Alison's story is exceptional in this regard.  Her new book is the latest example of how Alison interweaves her running with her commitment to leave the world a better place than it was when she found it. Over the years, she has become a leader in the running world, with a clear, powerful voice. She has shown how running can be a vehicle to create change. She’s also working to create change within the running industry so that this sport can some day truly live up to the claim that it is open and welcoming to everyone.  Alison not only does the work herself, but also inspires and encourages and helps make space for other people doing the work to move the sport of running toward being a space where everyone feels not only welcome, but that they belong.  This episode is sponsored by The Feed, the largest online marketplace for your sports nutrition, offering the brands you know and love, from Skratch Labs, Clif Bar, to Maurten, plus their athlete customized supplements called Feed Formulas. In addition to supporting Strides Forward, this sponsorship supports Hear Her Sports and Keeping Track: together we are a collective of women-hosted podcasts focused on women in sports. As part of this sponsorship, you can get $80 in credit at The Feed: just go to TheFeed.com/forward to claim your $80 in credit at The Feed. Keep Up with Alison Mariella Désir Alison’s website: http://alisonmdesir.com/ Alison on Instagram: @alisonmdesir Links to Organizations Mentioned in this Episode Harlem Run: http://www.harlemrun.com/about Run 4 All Women: https://www.run4allwomen.com/ Meaning Through Movement: https://www.meaningthrumovement.com/ Running Industry Diversity Coalition: https://www.runningdiversity.com/ Take the Lead on Instagram: @woctakethelead Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Gina Lucrezi started to take note of the preferential treatment that the boys got in sports in high school. Her consciousness around this grew over time and combined with her love of running and her experiences in the running industry ultimately developed into her founding the women's trail running and hiking community Trail Sisters. In this episode, Gina tells the story completely in her own voice.  Gina discovered an interest in running early on and her talent for the sport was recognized by the high school running coach. The coach was onto something: Gina set a school record in the mile and set numerous cross-country course records. She went on to be a champion DIII runner in college.  Post-college, Gina began working in the sports industry, eventually focusing on the outdoor run/hike space. She also discovered a love of trail running and racing, which ultimately led her to becoming a sponsored athlete. All along the way, Gina continued to take note of the preferential treatment male runners and racers received, in every facet of the trail running world. After numerous efforts to create change within the system, she decided to create to something herself.  Trail Sisters was born. What started as a passion project at Gina's kitchen table quickly grew to a large community of women who share experiences and support to get out on the trails. Over the past six years, Trail Sisters has developed into a leading voice in the trail running and hiking industry, helping establish a space that values and includes women.  Gina emphasizes that the power of the community is rooted in the collective efforts of all of the individuals who have been involved in Trail Sisters, in whatever capacity that is: "I feel like we're very powerful when we work together and we support each other," says Gina.  This episode is sponsored by The Feed, the largest online marketplace for your sports nutrition, offering the brands you know and love, from Skratch Labs, Clif Bar, to Maurten, plus their athlete customized supplements called Feed Formulas. In addition to supporting Strides Forward, this sponsorship supports Hear Her Sports and Keeping Track: together we are a collective of women-hosted podcasts focused on women in sports. As part of this sponsorship, you can get $80 in credit at The Feed: just go to TheFeed.com/forward to claim your $80 in credit at The Feed. Ways to Keep Up with Trail Sisters The Trail Sisters website: TrailSisters.net Trail Sisters on Instagram: trail_sisters Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Cherie Louise Turner is the host and producer of Women's Running Stories (formerly known as Strides Forward), and this is a very special cross-collaboration with Hear Her Sports, hosted by Elizabeth Emery. In this episode, Cherie shares her experiences at the 56mi/89km 2022 Comrades Marathon: the oldest and largest ultra-distance road race in the world.Cherie is a lifelong athlete whose first serious competitive love was racing bicycles on the road and track; in the early 90s she earned her way on to a professional domestic team. Her post cycling life has primarily focused on running and she's raced distances from the 400m on the track to 50 miles on the trails, all the way to her recent completion of the historic 56-mile hilly road race, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa. These days Cherie is excited to explore the potential and the benefits of being an older athlete and what it means to improve as an athlete as the years go by. When Cherie isn't running or telling stories about other women running on her podcast, she's probably traveling or looking at animals.  Cherie is a lifelong athlete whose first serious competitive love was racing bicycles on the road and track; in the early 90s she earned her way on to a professional domestic team. Her post cycling life has primarily focused on running and she's raced distances from the 400m on the track to 50 miles on the trails, all the way to her recent completion of the historic 56-mile hilly road race, the Comrades Marathon in South Africa.  These days Cherie is excited to explore the potential and the benefits of being an older athlete and what it means to improve as an athlete as the years go by. When Cherie isn't running or telling stories about other women running on Women's Running Stories, she's probably traveling or looking at animals.  Ways to follow Hear Her Sports Hear Her Sports website: HearHerSports.com Hear Her Sports on Twitter: @hearhersports Hear Her Sports on Instagram: @hearhersports Ways to follow Women's Running Stories Women's Running Stories website: WomensRunningStories.com Women's Running Stories on Twitter: @womenrunstories Women's Running Stories on Instagram: @womensrunningstories Mentioned in this episode Women’s Running Stories podcast about Comrades Comrades Marathon Stacy Sims on Hear Her Sports Coach Tony Gentilecore Western States 100 The Balanced Runner, (Feldenkrais Method) Founder, Jae Gruenke  Tracksmith Boston Hares RxBars CETS (Cherie & Elizabeth Talk Sports)

This is the story of how Erica Stanley-Dottin went from thinking there was absolutely no way she could break 3 hours in the marathon, to understanding that she absolutely can. Key to her story are the people she is on this journey with. Erica Stanley-Dottin is a lifelong competitor and athlete, but it wasn't until she was in her 30s that she discovered her love of distance running: marathons and half-marathons, specifically. She also discovered that she is fast at these distances. Today, she has big goals: Erica is going after a sub-3-hour marathon. This is the story of Erica's dedication and drive, and the people who helped her get to the next level.  Erica was a competitive track sprinter beginning in her teen years, all the way through college. She started out being coached by the legendary Fred Thompson, who founded the Colgate Women's Games: this is the longest running track series for women in the country; it's been happening for 47 years.  After college graduation, however, Erica decided to hang up her cleats, and running became about fitness and health. That is, until she started running with a friend who was training for the New York City Marathon. This eventually led Erica back to competitive running, but this time tackling long distances.  Her competitive spirit reignited by her distance running pursuit, Erica found her way to the competitive running team the Black Roses, a team with a particular focus on supporting women racers. Through working with her teammates and coach/team founder Knox Robinson, Erica's running progressed to the next level.  She has continued to hone her distance racing skills and reach ever faster PRs, on her quest to run the marathon in under 3 hours: at Boston 2022 she ran a 3:01. For Erica and several of her teammates, this milestone has significance for multiple reasons, including adding their names to The List. This is an account of all the American-born Black women who have run the marathon under 3 hours. To date, there are only 24 names on that list: two of them are Erica's teammates. And no doubt, she'll be there soon. Erica will be racing for this goal once again at the 2022 Berlin Marathon, September 25.  In addition to being a competitive marathon runner, Erica is the mom of two young boys; the New York City community manager for Tracksmith; and a social impact producer for the documentary Sisters on Track, which is streaming on Netflix. This episode features a bonus anecdote from Erica after the credits: it's all about world's colliding in delightfully fortunate ways and how running is about so much more than the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. This episode is sponsored by The Feed, the largest online marketplace for your sports nutrition, offering the brands you know and love, from Skratch Labs, Clif Bar, to Maurten, plus their athlete customized supplements called Feed Formulas. In addition to supporting Strides Forward, this sponsorship supports Hear Her Sports and Keeping Track: together we are a collective of women-hosted podcasts focused on women in sports. As part of this sponsorship, you can get $80 in credit at The Feed: just go to TheFeed.com/forward to claim your $80 in credit at The Feed. Ways to Keep Up with Erica Stanley-Dottin Erica is on Instagram: @estanleydott Black Roses is on Instagram: @blackrosesnyc Sisters On Track documentary website: https://www.sistersontrack.com/ Tracksmith calendar of events Tracksmith newsletter sign up Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Pat Freeman jokes that the first time her neighbor invited her to run, she thought jogging down her driveway might be enough. Now, over three decades later, she's training to run her 31st Comrades Marathon, the 90km or roughly 56-mile road race in South Africa. It's the oldest, largest, and most prestigious ultra-distance road race in the world. In this episode, Pat shares her enduring running journey. This episode celebrates the return of Comrades, which has been on hiatus since 2019 due to COVID.  Growing up in South Africa, Pat Freeman had been a Comrades spectator since childhood, but it was something that only the men did. And that was true for a good part of her life: Comrades didn't open to women until 1974. But even after that, for Pat, running was a pursuit for men. Until one fateful day when a neighbor who was running by suggested they run together.  Pat discovered how running helped her through rough patches and gave her a sense of confidence and accomplishment.  And over time, her runs and races continued to get longer until, one day, she was lining up for Comrades. Running became a foundation of wellness that she could rely on, as well as a source for adventures and building strong relationships. While she never set out to run Comrades over multiple decades, every year when it was time to start training for this spectacular event, she had a reason to do it again.  When Pat finishes Comrades this year, she'll be one of three women who have run Comrades the most in its long history. She is also a member of the Comrades Board of Directors.  The Comrades Marathon started in 1921 and has run every year since, other than during war time and during COVID. This year marks the much awaited return of this beloved event.  We here at Strides Forward have a deep love of Comrades: it's spectacular history, traditions, and cultural significance. It is truly a magical event. To learn more about Comrades and hear more women's experiences there, please enjoy our whole series dedicated to the event: http://stridesforwardpodcast.com/podcast/women-comrades-marathon This episode is sponsored by The Feed, the largest online marketplace for your sports nutrition, offering the brands you know and love, from Skratch Labs, Clif Bar, to Maurten, plus their athlete customized supplements called Feed Formulas. In addition to supporting Strides Forward, this sponsorship supports Hear Her Sports and Keeping Track. Together we are the podcast network Keeping Her Forward, a collective of women-hosted podcasts focused on women in sports.  As part of this sponsorship, you can get $80 in credit at The Feed: just go to TheFeed.com/forward to claim your $80 in credit at The Feed.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Running legend Blanche Moila shares her story, which is a strong testament to the many ways running can be a vehicle for change. Blanche, who is now in her 60s, has been inspiring others through running since she started competing in the 1980s.  Blanche found her competitive running talents in her 20s and became one of South Africa’s best middle distance, cross-country, and marathon runners. Her accomplishments broke down racial barriers and, eventually, made her an inspiration throughout the country.   After her elite running career, Blanche began to regularly participate in the Comrades Marathon. As of 2019, she has completed the event 16 times, and in 2004, she was the face of Comrades.  Blanche, a psychiatric nurse, continues to be an inspiration to young girls and women and works to change negative beliefs about women and running. She does this by continuing to set an example with her own running, as well as public speaking, mentoring, and coaching. Also, Blanche runs Comrades for charity: in 2019, she ran for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.  You can learn more about the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust on their website.  I first learned about Blanche through Bob de la Motte’s book Runaway Comrade.  Additional audio for this episode comes the 2017 Comrades Marathon Promotional Video Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

From a young age, Verity Breen taught herself how to race the clock: she set challenges for herself to get from one place to another as efficiently and fast as possible. She also learned how to finish what she started. Verity transformed these skills into a long career as an elite athlete, first in triathlon and then marathons. Now, at age 55, Verity has set her sights on a new discipline: ultra trail racing. Self-coached and forensic in her approach to training and racing, Verity is fixed on finding out just how far she can go in ultra racing. And in hand, she's helping to rewrite the script of what it means to be a woman over 50. Verity Breen has raced over a hundred marathons as well as 5ks, 10ks, half marathons and ultras, and she has had a lot of wins and top finishes throughout. She's won numerous state titles in her home country of Australia, and she's been the Australian national champion in the marathon and the 50km (roughly 31 miles) road race. She's represented her home country at both the 50km road world championships and the mountain running world championships. In her earlier days, when she was competing in triathlon in the Olympic distance races, she was a member of the Australian world championship team for 20 to 25 year-olds.  This is all to say, Verity understands how to prepare for and execute peak performances at an elite level. In her story, Verity shares how she developed her self-coaching and training skills, and how she's taking all that experience to the trails. She's developing her technical abilities and overcoming fears. Verity also runs watch-free, choosing instead to rely on her well honed ability to pace herself and listen to her body. Simply put, she loves to run and her enthusiasm is infectious.  This episode is sponsored by The Feed, the largest online marketplace for your sports nutrition, offering the brands you know and love, from Skratch Labs, Clif Bar, to Maurten, plus their athlete customized supplements called Feed Formulas. In addition to supporting Strides Forward, this sponsorship supports Hear Her Sports and Keeping Track. Together we are the podcast network Keeping Her Forward, a collective of women-hosted podcasts focused on women in sports.  As part of this sponsorship, you can get $80 in credit at The Feed: just go to TheFeed.com/forward to claim your $80 in credit at The Feed.  Ways to Keep Up with Verity Breen Verity is on Instagram: @verity_breen Verity is on Facebook Verity's website: VerityBreen.com More episodes about 50-plus women runners continuing to crush it Sarah Lavender-Smith: Competitive Running Longevity Cathy Utzschneider: A Champion After 40, A Passion for Masters Racing Sophie Speidel: A Menopause Journey as a Competitive Athlete Barbara Hannah Grufferman: How Menopause and a (Literal) Sign Ignited a Passion for Running and Aging Well  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Race photo credit: Vasily Samoylov Camille Herron, one of the best ultra runners in the world and a leading voice in the sport, speaks out about the importance of menstrual health for athletes. She tells the story of how her period played a pivotal role at this year's Western States 100 mile trail race, and also how attending to her hormone and overall health led to her navigating menstrual cramps, nausea, and general period malaise on race day. Camille advocates strongly for women athletes to understand that regular periods are normal and that not getting your period is a red flag of not nourishing your body enough. We are honored that Camille Herron chose to tell her menstrual health story and the details of her Western States experience here first. We strongly support her adding her strong voice to the efforts to destigmatize discussions around periods and healthy eating.  In this story, in addition to unveiling what really happened at States, Camille talks about how she's understood as a young athlete that period health is a sign of overall wellness and is linked to proper nourishment. She has never, in her long career as a competitive long-distance runner, missed her period.  Camille also goes into detail about the role oral contraception has played in her health and wellness journey. Camille had used oral contraception for years, and it had worked well for her, until it didn't. Her decision to go off oral contraception improved her health and wellness, but ultimately led to getting her period at Western States. This all speaks to the complexities of our changing bodies and highlights the need to better understand and discuss strategies for working with those changes.  Loss of menstruation is all too common with women athletes, and that is especially true in the sport of running. It is, as Camille emphasizes, not normal and further is a sign of poor nourishment, which impacts performance, training, and it has short- and long-term health impacts.  Period loss is a key symptom of RED-s, a serious health condition caused by under-fueling. For more on that subject, please listen to our episodes that focus on experiences with RED-s:  Ann Ashworth: A RED-s Recovery to Running Healthy, Strong, and Fast Charlotte Gibbs: A RED-s Journey to Rediscovering the Joy of Running Megan Flanagan: A Young Runner's Journey through RED-s To hear about Camille's epic Comrades win, please listen here:  Camille Herron + Comrades Marathon: Dream Race Ways to Keep Up With Camille Herron Camille is on Instagram: @runcamille Camille is on Twitter: @runcamille Mentioned in this episode: Inside Tracker The Flow App Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Nicole Pinto was a featured runner in our Roads to Boston series and she surprised everyone by revealing at the 2021 Boston Marathon that she was 18 weeks pregnant! We had to get the whole story, so we did. This is the story of how Nicole approached training for a marathon while pregnant, and how that magical day of running her first Boston Marathon went for her.  This episode is Part 1 of a two-part story about Nicole's pregnancy and running journey. Part 2 (published April 28, 2023) covers Nicole's post-partum running journey and return to racing. Nicole Pinto has been a runner, from track racing to marathons, for years. We feature her backstory in our Road to Boston series. Nicole had been scheduled to run the Boston Marathon in 2020, but then . . . COVID. She also wanted to start a family. These two pursuits came together over the course of 2021: Nicole got her entry into the October 2021 Boston Marathon and she got pregnant. Her training and racing journey, then, took on a whole new approach.  This is the story of how it all went down: the research, the concerns, the precautions, the joys, the worries, and ultimately, the victory. Nicole talks about the support and the pushback; how being in the medical field helped her navigate the process; how her experience with and knowledge of the science of the body helped her make good choices and boost her confidence; and how advocating for yourself around health is really important. Nicole wanted to show through example how capable and strong women can be through pregnancy. We are honored to share this story. Keep Up with Nicole Pinto Instagram: @runner_nic Hear Nicole's whole running story in our Roads to Boston series  More episodes about running through pregnancy Sally Kipyego: Becoming a Mother Runner, Navigating Pregnancy toward a Bid for the Olympics Beatie Deutsch: Pregnancy, Fast Marathons, Shattering Stereotypes  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Gael Henville discovered a pure love of running early in life, growing up in the Caribbean. After immigrating to the US, she experienced racism and bullying, and subsequent isolation. This is the story of how Gael's love of running eventually led her to discovering her own power and a driving desire to empower others through the sport, especially women of color. Gael is recognized as a leader in the running community, sharing the wisdom of many life lessons learned and many races run. She tells her story in her own voice.  Gael has run over 100 races, and counting, from 5ks to marathons, including four times at the Boston Marathon. She is a private coach as well as the long-time head coach for the Road to Wellness 5k. Recognized for her community leadership and coaching skills, as well as her own experiences as a running, Gael was chosen by the Boston Athletic Association to lead its first pre-marathon shakeout run in 2021, and then again in 2022. Gael is a driving force in building bridges among the diverse running communities of the Boston area.  Keep Up with Gael Henville Instagram: @witnessthefitness617 Mentioned in this episode Learn more about the Road to Wellness 5k here Thank you to the How Was Your Run Today podcast for allowing us to use audio from their August 26, 2021, episode: Episode 235: Road to Wellness 5k The episode features great interviews with Thaddeus Miles and Gael. We encourage you to listen.  Thank you also to Suzanne Walmsley, Director of Youth and Community Engagement for the Boston Athletic Association, for being part of this episode. Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is a live recording featuring an intimate conversation with elite runners from then and now: Marilyn Bevans and Maegan Krifchin, to celebrate 50 years of women running the Boston Marathon. The event was co-hosted by podcast hosts Cherie Turner, of Strides Forward, and Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin, of Run Farther & Faster. This event took place April 16 at the PRX Podcast Garage in Boston.  About the featured guests Marilyn Bevans is a pioneer in US women’s marathoning. In the 1970s, she became the first nationally competitive American-born Black woman marathon runner in the US, and she is the first American-born Black woman runner to break 3 hours at the distance. Among her many accomplishments, Bevans placed 2nd at the 1977 Boston Marathon. Bevans is featured in the soon to be released documentary Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African-American Women Marathoners Maegan Krifchin is a professional distance runner and will be running in the elite field of the 2022 Boston Marathon. She's currently a member of the Atlanta Track Club elite team. Most recently, Krifchin placed 6th at the 2021 Chicago Marathon and top ten at both the 10km and 20km 2021 National Championships. Maegan has a long career as a runner; early racing experience includes being a high school All American in the 800 meter. This was Krifchin’s first Boston Marathon. You can keep up with Maegan on Instagram @mkrifchin Ways to follow Run Farther & Faster Learn more about Run Farther & Faster on their website Follow Run Farther & Faster on Instagram and Facebook Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Roberta "Bobbi" Gibb is the first woman to ever run the Boston Marathon. That was in 1966, before it was officially allowed. It would be another six years before that ban was overturned. Gibb's brave efforts were foundational to opening up the world of competitive running to women. This episode covers Gibb's entire running journey through to how she continues to be honored today, as well as how her fight to break gender barriers didn't stop with running.  This is a very special episode, honoring a momentous anniversary. April 18th, 2022, is the 50th anniversary of women finally, officially, being allowed to run the Boston Marathon. Many women's brave efforts contributed to this liberating change and undeniably one of the most influential is Bobby Gibb. Her bravery reverberates through to today.  We are honored to feature the story of a woman whose intense curiosity and strength has challenged gender barriers, not only in sport but also, as you'll hear, in just about every single facet of life that Bobby had an interest in exploring. Over the course of her almost 80 years, Bobbi has remained true to pursuing her potential, and it all began quite literally with her very first steps.  Learn more about Bobbi Gibb on her website. Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Sarah Lavender Smith was a late bloomer to becoming an athlete, but now at 52, she's been a competitive runner for half her life. We hear how Sarah got started on her running journey and how her passion for the sport was lit on day 1. It's a passion that driven her through many, many miles on road and trail, as a marathon and ultra runner. Discover what's kept Sarah committed to challenging herself as a runner for over two decades, through many transitions of life, including motherhood—how her approach to the sport has shifted, but her love of all that running has to offer has remained a steady constant.  Sarah has done races as "short" as a road marathon, numerous 50ks, 50-milers, and 100-milers, all the way through to several self-supported multiday races. In addition to being a competitive runner, Sarah Lavender Smith is a journalist, author, and coach: she shares her experience and knowledge in many ways. Sarah's a columnist for Ultrarunning magazine and author of the book The Trail Runner's Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras. She currently writes a weekly newsletter, Colorado Mountain Running & Living, and you can also find many excellent posts on her previous blog, The Runner's Trip.  In addition to running and writing, Sarah is also an avid horsewoman.  Ways to Keep Up with Sarah Lavender Smith Sarah's website: sarahlavendersmith.com Sarah's blog The Runner's Trip  Sarah's newsletter, Colorado Mountain Running & Living Sarah's book, The Trail Runner's Companion: A Step-by-Step Guide to Trail Running and Racing, from 5Ks to Ultras Sarah is on Instagram at @sarahrunning and on Twitter @sarahrunning  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Cathy Utzschneider has a passion for masters racing, especially on the track, as a competitor, author, and coach. And this is certainly in large part due to the fact that she didn't start racing until she was a masters runner herself, at age 40. She has since won many championship events, coached many athletes to incredible achievements, and written extensively about masters running. Cathy also created and developed the goal-achievement method M.O.V.E., which she teaches to others, and uses herself, in her own life and with the people she personally coaches.  Cathy has won multiple national championships on the track and earned a podium placing at the World Masters Games. She has written for National Masters News for many years and is the author of multiple books on running, including High Performance in Midlife and Beyond, which features stories of champion women masters racers. Cathy is also focused on growing her M.O.V.E. community of coaches and goal-focused individuals.  Cathy will be giving her TED Talk at Boston College in the Robsham Theater on March 19, 2022, at 4:30, about how setting short term goals can transform your life. People can attend the event live and in person, and the talk will be available afterward on YouTube: find it by searching for TEDx Boston College. Find Cathy online on the M.O.V.E. website Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This is the running story of UK marathon Olympian Sonia Samuels. We follow her journey from its beginning, and go into detail about how she returned to running pain-free and with great enthusiasm after a long bout with injuries and burnout. A critical part of Sonia's recovery journey was the work she did with Jae Gruenke, a running form expert and Feldenkrais practitioner who founded The Balanced Runner. We hear from both women about the transformative process Sonia experienced to return to her passion for running. Sonia discovered her love of running at an early age, and it led her to the biggest stages of sport. But after reaching the peak of competition, in her late 30s, she found herself nursing multiple injuries and feeling burnt out. Then, she was introduced to Jae Gruenke. In this episode we hear Sonia tell her running story, and we hear from both Sonia and Jae about the work they've done together to return Sonia to pain-free, fluid, and fast running.  Sonia and Jae share detailed insights from both sides of the form rehabilitation process. This highlights Jae's approach to helping athletes develop their running skill, and return to smooth, efficient running form, from the inside out. Her method leads runners to getting deeply in touch with their own bodies and discovering how to move with ease.  At 42, and having given birth to her first child October 2020, Sonia is running, and racing, strong.  Ways to follow Sonia Samuels Learn more about Sonia Samuels on her website.  Follow Sonia on Instagram: @soniajsamuels Ways to follow Jae Gruenke of The Balanced Runner Learn more about Jae Gruenke and The Balanced Runner on the website.  Follow The Balanced Runner on YouTube.   Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

We did it! Join us to hear how the 125th Boston Marathon experience was for all eight of our runners who toed the line on October 11, 2021. Get inspired while you get an inside look at being a part of one of the most celebrated and historic sporting events in the world.  This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we followed the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which took places October 11, 2021.  The previous Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event was back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. In episode 2, we learned about Patty's and Amanda's journeys to running marathons, which is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon; in that episode we also learned about the Boston Marathon course. In episode 3, we featured the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna, and episode 4 explored why Yao, Nicole, and Cherie run marathons. Following those, we have episodes about how we all prepared for the Boston Marathon; then gave a look back to how we all earned our entries into the Boston Marathon; and our penultimate episode looked at our final preparation before the big day.  Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals.  The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

We've been on a break and we have a few updates to share, including the fact that we'll be back with new episodes in January to close out our Boston 2021 series. And we've got great new stories coming in 2022. In the interim, please enjoy this episode from our very first series, which focuses on experiences at the world's oldest and largest ultradistance race, the Comrades Marathon. The title of the episode is "Camille Herron + Comrades Marathon: Dream Race."  Camille Herron fell in love with South Africa’s 90-kilometer Comrades Marathon as a child in Oklahoma, and it became her number one goal to win this epic race. Camille is one of the world’s top ultra-distance racers with a particular talent for events on the road. She has won several world and national ultra-distance titles and has set world and national records. Camille also holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for fastest marathon in a superhero costume: she was dressed as Spiderwoman.  Also in this episode, you learn about the finish line traditions and the medals runners earn at Comrades, a language of accomplishments all its own. This episode is part of our first season, about experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, a 90-km, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  This episode’s recommended resource is the Keeping Track podcast. It’s cohosted by former and current professional runners Alysia Montaño, Roisin McGettigan, and Molly Huddle, and the trio discuss issues around women in sport with other notable female athletes or experts in the field. Their conversations are personal and powerful, and they get into tough issues that deserve more attention like racial and gender discrimination and inequality and drug use, that is, cheating. All of the episodes are really good listens, and in particular the interview with two-time Olympic medalist Dawn Harper Nelson is particularly memorable.  Ways to Keep Up with Camille Herron Camille Herron’s website: http://www.camilleherron.com Camille on Twitter: @runcamille Camille on Instagram: @runcamille Book mentioned in this episode: Lore of Running by Tim Noakes Additional audio for this episode comes from SABC Sport 2017 live race coverage, and from an SABC post-race interview.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

It's almost go time! We check in with the runners one final time before they run the 125th Boston Marathon, October 11, 2021. We'll dive into how final preparations is going, some lessons we've learned, and what we are all looking forward to. Join us for these final moments before we all toe the line to inspire your own running aspirations.  This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we are following the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which takes places October 11, 2021.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. We're in the midst of discovering why we all started marathoning. In episode 2, we learned about Patty's and Amanda's journeys to running marathons, which is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon; in that episode we also learned about the Boston course. In episode 3, we featured the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna, and episode 4 explored why Yao, Nicole, and Cherie run marathons. Following those, we have episodes about how we all prepared for the Boston Marathon and then took a look back to how we all earned our entries into the Boston Marathon. Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals! The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

To fully appreciate what it means to participate in the Boston Marathon, it’s important to reflect on what it takes to get here, all of what it takes. Running Boston isn’t only about completing the distance of 26.2 miles, nor is it only about the training to get you ready for this epic race: it's also about the efforts made to even get an entry. Because Boston is not a race you can just sign up for: you have to earn your entry. There are several ways that can happen and the process can be years in the making. Our nine runners earned their entries in a variety of ways, and we share the stories behind them all. For each and every one of us, getting a race number to this historic event is a victory all its own. Discover why. This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we are following the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which takes places October 11, 2021.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. We're in the midst of discovering why we all started marathoning. In episode 2, we learned about Patty's and Amanda's journeys to running marathons, which is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon; in that episode we also learned about the Boston course. In episode 3, we featured the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna, and episode 4 explored why Yao, Nicole, and Cherie run marathons. And, in our last episode checked in on what living the marathon life looks like for all nine runners.  Stay tuned for our next episode where we check in with the runners one final time before the race. Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals! The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

For this episode, we take a look at what training for a marathon looks like, when you are in the thick of it. Learn about what runners experience and do to prepare for running 26.2 miles. From magical long runs to nutrition experimentation, working through injury and finding the mental resolve to get through hard workouts alone, this episode gets into first-person accounts of putting in the work while navigating life.  This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we are following the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which takes places October 11, 2021.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. We're in the midst of discovering why we all started marathoning. In episode 2, we learned about Patty's and Amanda's journeys to running marathons, which is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon; in that episode we also learned about the Boston course. In the last episode, episode 3, we featured the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna, and episode 4 explored why Yao, Nicole, and Cherie run marathons.   Stay tuned for our next episode where we check in on the runners in the midst of their Boston 2021 training to find out how living the marathon life is going for everyone. Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals.  Also in this episode, we give a shout out to our podcast pals Run Father & Faster with Lisa and Julie. Check them out, especially for Boston Marathon specific information, but also to inspire and inform your running goals, whatever they are. Learn more at RunFatherandFaster.com.  The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Everyone's reason for running marathons and how they got there is different. In this episode, we learn about what inspired Nicole, Yao, and Cherie to want to go this distance. Every runner's journey to running long distances is unique, and these stories make that clear. Listen to inspire your own running goals.  This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we are following the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which takes places October 11, 2021.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. We're in the midst of discovering why we all started marathoning. In episode 2, we learned about Patty's and Amanda's journeys to running marathons, which is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon; in that episode we also learned about the Boston course. In the last episode, episode 3, we featured the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna. And in in this episode, we discover why Yao, Nicole, and Cherie run marathons.  Stay tuned for our next episode where we check in on the runners in the midst of their Boston 2021 training to find out how living the marathon life is going for everyone. Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals! The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Everyone's reason for running marathons and how they got there is different. In this episode, we learn about what inspired Marija, Zarah, Rochelle, and Jonna to want to go this distance. Every runner's journey to running long distances is different, and these stories make that clear. Listen to inspire your own running goals.  This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we are following the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which takes places October 11, 2021.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. We're in the midst of discovering why we all started marathoning. In the last episode, we learned about Patty's and Amanda's journeys to running marathons, which is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon; in that episode we also learned about the Boston course. This episode features the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna. And in episode 4, we discover why Yao, Nicole, and Cherie run marathons.  Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals! The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Everyone's reason for running marathons and how they got there is different. In this episode, we learn about what inspired Amanda Watters and Patty Hung to want to go this distance. And their marathon stories are inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon: Amanda has run 16 consecutive times, and this marathon has been a part of her life since childhood; and Patty has completed Boston an incredible 34 consecutive times. Along the way in these stories, we learn about the course and some of the highlights experienced by runners with such a depth of experience at this history race.  This episode is part of our Roads to Boston 2021 series, where we are following the journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which takes places October 11, 2021.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in. Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations. In episode 1, we met the 9 women of this series and learned about how they got started in this sport. For this and the following two episodes, we're discovering why we all started marathoning. This episode features Amanda and Patty, and our next episode features the marathoning stories of Rochelle, Marija, Zarah, and Jonna. And in episode 4, we hear from Yao, Nicole, and Cherie.  Join us on the journey, to energize your own running goals! The runners featured Rochelle Solomon, Randolph, MA, USA; hospital and healthcare compliance officer; Boston first-timer  Patty Hung, Orinda, CA, USA; retired high school math teacher turned pediatric nurse; 34 Bostons run Yao (Yaowapa) Hoisungwarn, Bangkok, Thailand; singing teacher; Boston first-timer   Marija Desivojević, Belgrade, Serbia; mathematician; Boston first-timer Nicole Spaulding Pinto, Los Angeles, CA, USA; cardiovascular perfusionist; Boston first-timer Zarah Hofer, lives in Vancouver, BC, Canada; nutritionist; Boston first-timer Amanda Watters, Ashland, MA, USA; editor, K-12 science curriculum development, 15 Bostons run Jonna Maas, Spicer, MN, USA; medical doctor, Boston first-timer Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville, MA, USA; podcaster, writer, editor; 1 Boston run Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Every marathon journey begins with becoming a runner. Meet the 9 women of this series and learn about how they got started in this sport. These were their first strides toward what's led them to now being on their way to one of the greatest sporting events in the world: the Boston Marathon. We're all headed to one finish line on October 11, but we all started in very different ways. Please join us on the journey. For this series, we're following the running stories of 9 women runners, from around the world, who are all preparing for the historic 125th Boston Marathon this fall.  The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in.  Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the finish line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Introducing Roads to Boston 2021. Join us following the running journeys of 9 women from around the world to the 125th Boston Marathon, which happens October 11, 2021. From their early days lacing up, all the way to the start of one of the most beloved athletic events in the world, we're telling their stories. Listen . . . to energize your own running pursuits. The last Boston Marathon took place April 2019. And finally, this legendary event is back, in person. For every participant who gets an entry to Boston, it's a victory all its own: you can't just sign up for Boston, you have to earn your way in.  This year, getting an entry was harder than ever. Pandemic concerns saw the field limit cut by a third.  For this series, we follow the stories of 9 women who did get an entry, from how they got started running in the first place, through to earning their Boston entries, and how they are living the marathon life as they prepare for this legendary event.  Get an inside look at what goes in to getting to the start line of the 125th Boston Marathon. Whether Boston is in your future or your running interests take a different shape, join us to energize your own aspirations.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This story follows the journey of runner Megan Flanagan through relative energy deficiency in sport, RED-s, to health and developing a community of awareness and support, Strong Runner Chicks.  Megan started linking thinness with performance at a young age. Body commentary, prevalent ideals of what a winning distance runner should look, and the desire to be competitive led Megan down the path toward RED-s: she was amenorrhoeic (had stopped menstruating) by the time she was graduating high school. Her journey demonstrates the numerous challenges young women athletes face to get the health support and education they need to navigate away from the seriously harmful syndrome of RED-s. This story follows Megan’s journey through her early days of discovering her love of being an athlete, to her frustrations and struggles with RED-s through her NCAA Division I career, and on to how she’s created and found strength in community and taken hold of her own health. Megan is the founder of Strong Runner Chicks, a community to support and uplift women runners.  Ways to follow Megan Flanagan Follow Megan on Instagram: @meginspire Follow Strong Runner Chicks on Instagram: @strongrunchicks Learn about Strong Runner Chicks on their website Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Special bonus introduction to the Hear Her Sports podcast, featuring elite sabre fencer Dagmara Wozniak. Hear Her Sports is hosted by Elizabeth Emery, a former professional cyclist who has a deep interest in increasing the visibility and strengths of women in sports. For five years, Hear Her Sports has been featuring long-form intimate profiles of female athletes and other women in the sports space who are breaking boundaries, speaking up, and living with power and confidence.  Since this episode ran in early 2020, Dagmara was named to the Tokyo Olympic Team, so you can learn about her here and then cheer for her at the Games.  From Hear Her Sports: Sabre fencer Dagmara Wozniak is a two time Olympian – London in 2012 and Rio in 2016, where she won a team bronze medal. After recent ankle surgery she is now actively training and competing to make the Tokyo2020 Olympic team. Dagmara is 2018 Pan Am Championship gold medalist and 2015 Pan Am Games Gold Medalist. She also speaks at schools about body positivity and determination. In this episode she inspires with stories of rehab, Lindsey Vonn documentaries, winning well, strength training, whoop, and how sports is like art. She’s also just plain fun to talk to. Dagmara’s website Dagmara’s Instagram  Dagmara’s Facebook  WHOOP Insight Timer app for sleep, meditation Lindsey Vonn: The Final Season, documentary recommended by Dagmara Lindsey Vonn: The Climb Rising Strong by Brené Brown Hear Her Sports website: http://www.hearhersports.com/ Find Hear Her Sports on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook

This is the story of how Beatie Deutsch, an Israeli and observant orthodox Jewish woman, found her passion and talent for marathon running after becoming the mother of four. Though this journey, she navigates the pregnancy of her fifth child on the road to making marathon racing her full-time career pursuit. (image credit: Kate Rifkind) Beatie Deutsch had always been athletic. But after getting married and having four children in quick succession during her 20s, she realized she’d left that athletic part of herself behind to care for her growing family.  In 2015, Beatie decided to make a change and sign up for a marathon. Now, in 2021, Beatie Deutsch is a professional runner, a two-time Israeli National Marathon Champion, and the mother of five. She’s also an orthodox Jewish woman who runs in modest dress. Beatie has become an inspiration to thousands of people and is shattering stereotypes both in her home country and beyond.  Ways to follow Beatie Deutsch Follow Beatie on Instagram: @marathonmother Learn about Beatie on her website: beatiedeutsch.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Elite South African ultrarunner and 2018 Comrades Marathon champion Ann Ashworth shares her experience of navigating relative energy deficiency in sport, or RED-s. Soon after her outstanding 2018 performances, Ann's running and health began to falter. She was finally diagnosed with RED-s in 2019. This is the story of Ann's challenging journey to that diagnosis, and how she's reclaimed her health.   RED-s is the syndrome that used to be called the female athlete triad. It's very common among women long-distance runners, and it can be a tricky syndrome to diagnose: Ann's story gets into many of the reasons why. But knowledge is power, and I am so thankful to Ann for sharing her knowledge and experience.  Ways to follow Ann Ashworth Follow Ann on Instagram: @ann.ashworth Follow Ann on Twitter: @ultraashworth Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Special bonus introduction to the Keeping Track Podcast, featuring Olympic champion 100-meter hurdler Dawn Harper Nelson. Keeping Track is co-hosted by running superstars Molly Huddle, Alysia Montaño, Roisin McGettigan Dumas. Each episode, they interview outstanding women in sport. This episode is from January 2020 and gets deep with Nelson about being a two-time Olympic medalist. It's not the story you're expecting, and it's powerful.  Dawn Harper Nelson is an Olympic gold (2008) and silver (2012) medalist in the 100-meter hurdles. In this powerful and important interview, Dawn goes deep about her experiences as a Black woman athlete who also became the first American in her discipline to win a gold medal at one Olympics and then medal at the following Games.  Dawn will be making her bid for a third Olympic team at the Track and Field Olympic Trials coming up in June 2021. Another excellent women helping women tie in here is that Dawn was chosen as one of three elite athlete moms to receive support from the nonprofit &mother as she trains for the trials. &mother aims to help women thrive in their career and in motherhood, and it was founded by Keeping Track’s Alysia Montaño.  Links for This Episode Keeping Track website: keeping-track.com  Follow Keeping Track on Instagram: @keeptrackmedia Follow Dawn Harper Nelson on Instagram: @dharp100mh Follow Dawn Harper Nelson on Twitter: @DHarp100mH Dawn Harper Nelson Facebook Fanpage: facebook.com/dawnharpernelson &mother website: andmother.org Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

We hear the story of Barbara Hannah Grufferman as she navigates menopause away from a glum-looking future, to a thriving today. Hear Barbara's personal journey of how she went from being a non-runner at 50 to a multi-time marathon and also ultra finisher, as well as a healthy aging advocate, author, and so much more.   As Barbara Hannah Grufferman approached her 50th birthday, she was feeling, as she describes it, the “umpies”: lumpy, grumpy, and frumpy. Her health wasn’t great: she’d spent her adult life putting the needs of everyone else ahead of herself: work, family, community. And now those choices were catching up to her. And, she’d just gone through menopause, which had had it’s own challenging impact. The spark and grit she’d had before seemed to be fading into the past.  Maybe this is what getting older and seeing the other side of menopause was all about? she thought. And then, a pointed comment by her then young daughter and a well-timed Wall Street Journal article changed everything. Barbara, who’d never been a runner, set down a path of marathon running, health and wellness, and discovering how to age the very best she could.  Since that day, 15 years ago, Barbara has completed over a dozen marathons and one ultra, and there’s more to come. She also shares her wisdom and lived experience of achieving wellness and health after 50 with a growing number of woman in her work as an advocate for aging well. Barbara has written two books, writes a newsletter, has spoken in public on many occasions, and so much more. In a word, Barbara is vibrant.  Ways to follow Barbara Hannah Grufferman Barbara’s website: barbarahannahgrufferman.com Subscribe to Barbara’s Menopause Cheat Sheet Follow Barbara on Instagram: @barbarahannahgrufferman Follow Barbara on Twitter: @BGrufferman The Coach Parry Running Through Menopause Training Program The Coach Parry webinar, where we first "met" Barbara We recommend the podcast Hear Her Sports: hearhersports.com Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Sally Kipyego is one of the fastest distance runners in the world, with a long resume of incredible performances. But, she also wanted to be a mom. This is her journey navigating pregnancy and returning to elite-level competition, just in time to compete at the historic 2020 US Women's Olympic Marathon Trials.  Sally was born in Kenya and started running at a young age. She discovered early on that she had talent and a will be seek the ultimate limits of her potential. She had early success as a junior, and when she came to the United States and ran as a member of the Texas Tech cross-country and track team, she dominated by winning total of 9 NCAA championships.  Sally turned pro after college, in 2010, and has been internationally competitive ever since. Among her many accomplishments, she placed 2nd in the 10,000 meter at the world championships in 2011 and 5th in 2015, and she won the silver medal at that distance in the 2012 London Olympics. During that time she was competing for her home country of Kenya, but in 2017, she became a US citizen. She currently calls Eugene, Oregon, home, and visits Kenya regularly. In 2016, Sally decided the time had come to become a mom. This episode traces her experience going through pregnancy and the bumpy, uncertain journey returning to her job of elite running. And it all culminates at one epic race: the 2020 US Olympic Marathon Trials.  Through Sally's experiences, we learn about patience, listening to your body, and honoring the reality that every single pregnancy journey is different.  Follow Sally Kipyego on Instagram: @sallykipyego  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Ultrarunner and marathon runner Charlotte Gibbs shares her journey navigating relative energy deficiency in sport, commonly known as RED-s; it’s a condition that used to be known as the female athlete triad. If you aren't already familiar with RED-s, you can be now, and you’ll also understand why it’s important to be aware of, for yourself and for other athletes you may know, especially young athletes: RED-s far more common than most of us realize, and it has some awful consequences. But knowledge is power, and this is a powerful story.  Charlotte shares her very personal journey about how her pursuit to become the best athlete she could be led her down the far too common and ultimately detrimental path to RED-s, a syndrome that happens when you don’t give the body enough of what it needs to keep up with the demands you’re putting on it. It’s a condition that happens over time and left unchecked, it will get progressively worse. The key to avoiding RED-s is to recognize early warning signs, and correct course.  Charlotte shares her full journey back to rediscovering joy and health through running, while acknowledging the reality that this is an ongoing process.  I am very thankful to Charlotte for sharing these personal details about her struggles with RED-s, overtraining, and restrictive eating. These topics can be tough to talk about, but these experiences happen more regularly than we recognize, and yes, awareness and knowledge are power. I thank you to Charlotte for being part of that empowerment.  This episode is part of our series of stories focused on running in a woman’s body, where we’re focused on the topics of menopause, RED-s, and pregnancy. Each episode in this series features one runner talking about her experiences around one of these topics. You can also listen to our first series about experiences at South African's 90km Comrades Marathon, or enjoy our episode featuring ultra superstar Courtney Dauwalter sharing her insights on problem-solving in ultras and strengthening her mental game.   Mentioned in this episode We recommend the podcast Hear Her Sports: hearhersports.com ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Unique Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body for Life, by Dr. Stacy Sims and Selene Yeager Selene Yeager Dr. Stacy Sims Ways to follow Charlotte Gibbs Follow Charlotte on Instagram: @lottiee78 Follow Charlotte on Twitter: @charlottegooda7 Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Sophie Speidel is a lifelong athlete: being a competitor is motivating, rewarding, and fun. But there's a simple fact that comes with aging: our ultimate potentials in speed and strength begin to fade. In a sport like running, where we generally measure getting better as getting faster, how can we adjust to a body that's slowing down and still feel like we're improving? Sophie's journey explores this very question as she takes us through her menopause experiences and how she continues to thrive and achieve as her body ages. Mentioned in this episode Sophie Speidel's writing on Trail Sisters: https://www.trailsisters.net/author/sophie-speidel/ Dr. Stacey Sims Selene Yeager and the Hit Play Not Pause podcast Barbara Hannah Grufferman's "Menopause Cheat Sheet" Coach Parry's YouTube channel "The Female Athlete"  Coach Parry's "Running Through Menopause" training program  Sarah Lavender Smith's blog, "The Runner's Trip" Ways to follow Sophie Speidel Follow Sophie on Instagram: @sophiespeidel Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Get inside the process of navigating an ultramarathon with world-class runner Courtney Dauwalter. Courtney shares her evolution into the sport of ultra running, and how she's learned to problem solve the many challenges involved to get from start to finish. Central to her exploration is the mental game and excavating the hallowed space of the pain cave.  Courtney is well known in the ultra running community, and news of her accomplishments has even extended into mainstream media. She started gaining wider recognition in 2017, when she won the Moab 240 Endurance Run outright: that's 240, as in miles. She’s also won internationally prestigious races like the Western States 100 Mile and UTMB, she’s held the 24-hour world record, and in 2020 she won the US title for the Big’s Backyard Ultra Challenge.  Courtney is undeniably one of the best ultra runners in the world. She’s also developed a deep interest in exploring the limits of human endurance. Through those pursuits, she’s learned a lot about the many obstacles runners face in ultra events and how to resolve them.  One area she's particularly interested in is the mental side of ultra-endurance running. Here, we get into it.  Follow Courtney on Instagram: @courtneydauwalter Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This second bonus episode from season 1 features clips about how running has the ability to be transformative, for ourselves and others. You'll hear from Blanche Moila, Enie Manzini, Cheryl Winn, Ann Ashworth, Karen Williams, and Anjali Saraogi.  At Strides Forward, we're always interested to learn about how running is more than the act of putting one foot in front of the other. What do we take into our everyday lives that we learn from running? How does this sport, and our participation in it, impact us and those around us? This episode speaks to those sorts of inquiries.  We also announce the topic for our new season, beginning February 2021. And we announce that we have a special one-off episode featuring world-class ultra runner and all around outstanding human being Courtney Dauwalter coming out in January. Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

A common motivation we heard from runners in Season 1 was that they ran for the simple reason that running makes them feel better. Host Cherie Turner takes you through six inspiring clips about how running has the power to brighten your day. This bonus episode features clips from ultramarathon runners Camille Herron, Renata Vosloo, Cathy Hopkins, Devon Yanko, Karen Williams, and Shirley Mosiakgabo. Even though these runners are very different in so many ways, they all share a common experience: running makes them feel better.  Whether your looking for a little extra motivation to lace up for your run or just enjoy a little pick-me-up, this episode is sure to lend some inspiration.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Cheryl Winn is the 1982 Comrades Marathon champion and current Chairperson of this historic event, which is now a national treasure in South Africa. This episode tells her Comrades story, from her early days of running through to her experiences and reflections on this great race.  Cheryl has a decades-long and multifaceted relationship with the Comrades Marathon. In this episode, we touch on all of it. Cheryl was an elite runner in the late 1970s and early 1980s, winning many local events, and she became the Comrades champion in 1982.  During her running career through to today, Cheryl has also been involved with race production. She is now the Chairperson of Comrades. And she is the only chairperson to also be a former winner of the race.  Cheryl Winn is a trailblazer in both long-distance running and event leadership. This story of her enduring love of and accomplishments in the sport and this historic 90-km race perfectly caps off our season focusing on the mighty Comrades Marathon.  This episode is the last one in our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, a 90-kilometre, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Karen Williams was not a runner, at least not until her sister urged her to join a local running club, in Cape Town, South Africa. We follow Karen's journey from those first steps to her incredible 2019 Comrades finish. Karen follows her own instincts to get her through this incredible challenge, and she brings a delightful sense of humor, too.  Karen came to running later in life and it took some encouragement. But she discovered that she actually enjoyed running, and even more, she developed a curiosity to see just how far she could go. We follow her journey from those first strides to her amazing Comrades adventure.  Karen's Comrades journey introduces listeners to what it's like to be among the final official finishers of the race. Comrades has a hard cutoff of 12 hours; runners who finish even a second after are not considered official finishers of the race. And Karen cut that margin just about as close as you possibly can. The final moments of the race are emotional and intense, and Karen's journey will take you there.  This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometre, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

In this episode, we tell the story of Botswana's Shirley Mosiakgabo, who started running 10ks as a way to lose weight after having her children and developed into an ultra runner. Shirley's story is a great testament that, if you have the desire and are consistent in your efforts and patient to let your abilities to develop, you can reach goals that previously appeared impossible or out of reach.  We follow Shirley story from the early days of discovering a joy for making running a regular part of her life through to her experiences running her first Comrades Marathon. As of 2019, Shirley had completed Comrades a total of five times, and she is the Botswana Ambassador for the race.  Where many people consider races like Comrades to be "crazy," Shirley shows us that, with time, dedication, and desire, completing ultras can also be a next step in a long-distance running journey.  Early on, Shirley discovered the great satisfaction of completing a hard thing. When the opportunities arose to continuing stretching that hard thing out longer, her curiosity and drive, as well as support from friends and family, inspired her to see if she could go that extra distance. Shirley followed that curiosity to what's often referred to at the Ultimate Human Race, Comrades.  This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometre, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Show Notes Recommended Resources The recommendation for this episode is RunGrl. This organization's tagline is Making Room for the Black Woman Distance Runner, with goals of promoting wellness, creating community, and providing running information and inspiration, as well as raising up and celebrating the voices and images of black women in distance running.  On the website, there are loads of articles in the categories of running, health and wellness, and lifestyles, written by a variety of Black female contributors from across the US. The platform also features an initiative called The Relay which provides expert tips, tools, and insights from certified coaches, experts, and elite runners, including Olympian Marielle Hall, NCAA Division I runner Peyton Thomas, and RunGrl co-founders and certified running coaches Jasmine Nesi and Ashlee Green, among others.  You can find RunGrl at rungrl.co.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

South African marathon and utlra-marathon runner, firefighter, and mother Enie Manzini has loved to run since childhood, and now she competes at the elite level of her sport. But she has had to overcome harsh challenges to get there. This is the story about how Manzini embraced her power and continues to rise to her potential. South African firefighter and now single mother of two Enie discovered her love and talent for running at a young age and began running seriously in 2007. Not long after, Enie had the first child. Committed to excelling in her sport, she worked in her training around motherhood, household duties, and a demanding career.  And then Enie came face to face with the biggest hurdle of all: her home life turned violent. For a decade she would endure increasingly severe domestic abuse from her husband. Enie shares her very personal and ultimately triumphant story of how her passion for running and desire to be a positive role model to her children were instrumental in her decision to end a destructive marriage. Enie has gone on to become one of South Africa’s best ultra-marathon runners. She is also a member of Team Massmart, South Africa’s first all-women’s elite long-distance running team.  Enie’s journey demonstrates how a deep belief in yourself and commitment to standing your ground and following your dreams can give you strength even in the darkest of times.  This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Recommended Resources The recommendation for this episode is the blog Free to Run, which is part of the Free to Run organization. The organization works with females in conflict areas to involve them in outdoor activities, including running. To quote the website, their goal is to increase opportunities for women and girls to engage in public life, using sport as a tool of empowerment and education. The blog follows the work of Free to Run.    Learn more about Free to Run on their website: https://freetorun.org/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

South African runner Renata had planned to run Comrades “just once” with the challenging goal of cracking the 7:30 finishing time barrier. This story is about how not meeting that goal her first time at Comrades led to her becoming an elite runner.  South African Renata Vosloo has loved running since she was young, and she had talent to run fast. For many years, half-marathons were her thing. But the pressure to run Comrades was so great, she decided, “Just once.”  This story is about how Renata’s plan to run Comrades “just once” and crack the challenging 7:30 finishing time barrier has led to her becoming an elite runner for Team Massmart and knocking on the door of a top 10 finish.  Renata’s journey takes a close look at the many factors that contribute to a runner getting to the next level of performance. And it touches on what running brings to our lives, regardless of what our time and event performance goals are.  This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Recommended Resources This episode’s recommended resource is Trail Sisters. There’s a lot to this organization, and they say it best: their mission is to increase women’s participation and opportunity in trail running through inspiration, education, and empowerment.  The work they do makes trail running more accessible, welcoming, and enjoyable for women. You’ll find a lot of resources and information on their website, including articles, short films, ways to connect with local trail sisters, race reports, how to find a coach, and information about their grants and retreats, and more.  For more, visit the Trail Sisters website: trailsisters.net.   Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

This episode we do a little something different: instead of focusing on one runner, I focus on a team. This is the story of the creation of South Africa’s first elite and subelite all-women’s long-distance running team, Team Massmart. The team was formed by Ann Ashworth, who was the subject of our previous episode, in October 2017, before she was a Comrades champion. Ann Ashworth had a vision to make a difference and saw a lack of support for aspiring elite South African women long-distance runners. She made it her mission to create a team that brought more South African women into the elite ranks of marathon and ultra-racing, with a focus on Comrades.  The episode follows Ann’s journey to found the team and also discusses how the team structure follows a communal, “all for one, one for all” approach instead of the “winner take all” approach followed by other teams. You’ll hear about how the team has progressed in its first two years, as well as commentary from team members Enie Manzini and Renata Vosloo.  This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world: Comrades turns 100 years old in 2021 and over 27,000 were registered for the 2020 event.  Recommended Resources Every episode we highlight one entry from our long list of recommended resources, which are resources focused (mostly) on running and are created by women, are about women, or both. And for this episode, the highlighted resource is Run the North, a weekly newsletter about Canadian running created by Erin Balser.  Erin provides up-to-date information about what’s going on in the sport in her country, as well as news that affects Canadian racers, notable news from elsewhere, historical information, and more. The newsletter is well researched, insightful, thoughtful, and offers a good mix of information I find informative, interesting, and oftentimes just straight up fun.  One recent story I really enjoyed was Erin’s look back at 1980 Canadian Boston Marathon winner Jacqueline Gareau, on April 20th, the day this year’s Boston had been scheduled for. And in her May 4th newsletter, Erin offered up 72 books about running to check out.  You can subscribe to Run the North through the website, runthenorth.substack.com. Also mentioned in this episode is the Marathon Talk podcast and their interview with Comrades Marathon Chairperson Cheryl Winn, which you’ll find in Episode 543.  You can follow Team Massmart on Instagram at teammassmart; Twitter at @TeamMassmart; and on Facebook. You can also visit the Team Massmart website.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

South African Ann Ashworth had developed into a very good runner and had a passion for long-distance running, especially her country’s crown jewel, the 90-kilometer Comrades Marathon. Over time, she recognized that she just might have the talent and drive necessary to be among the top competitors at the race. This episode follows Ann’s journey of discovering competitive running in her youth all the way through to seizing her moment at Comrades in 2018. Ann’s story is one of hard work and dedication, overcoming and never, ever letting up. Through heartbreaking disappointment, painful injuries, and financial sacrifice, Ann remained firm in her focus to vie for the top spot at this race that she holds such deep passion for: “It’s not just a running race for me,” Ann says. “It’s a deeply spiritual experience, and it’s something that makes me feel insanely patriotic. It’s just an incredibly special race for me.”This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Recommended Resources Every episode we highlight one entry from our long list of recommended resources, which are focused on women and running. And for this episode, the highlighted resource is Lessons In Badassery, a personal blog project written by sports and adventure journalist Katie Spyrka; she features interview-style posts of, well, badass female adventurers and athletes. In addition to sharing inspirational stories of exceptional athletes, this blog features a lot of really nice photography. There are so many incredible athletes here, from a wide range of sports; in the realm of ultra running, I really enjoyed the May 6 post featuring Maggie Guterl, and the April 15 post featuring Sarah Sawyer.  You can find Lessons in Badassery at lessonsinbadassery.com. Ann Ashworth is on Instagram @ann.ashworth  You can learn more about Ann and Team Massmart on the website https://teamashworth.co.za/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Cathy Hopkins began running alone, in the dark. She wanted to improve her health, but avoid getting harassed. Through discovering her local running community in St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada, Cathy became an avid runner and has gone on to run South Africa's 90-km Comrades 9 times. This is her story of finding a greater joy in running through shared experiences and communal support.  Canadian Cathy shares her journey of finding her joy in running by sharing it with others. While running can often appear to be completely solitary , the community that forms around the sport can transcend cultures and countries, age, ability, and social standing. No where is that more evident than at the Comrades Marathon, as Cathy’s experiences attest to. In addition to the many events Cathy has run in North America, she's finished Comrades 9 times! Learn why her next time there will mark an especially important milestone.  Also in this episode, learn about the various colors of bib numbers and what they mean; bib numbers and colors are tied to the many ways the race honors returning runners. Also learn about how runners can leave their own mark on the wall of honor. These are some of the many unique traditions of Comrades, which we discuss in this podcast.  This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  Recommended Resource Every episode we highlight one entry from our long list of recommended resources focused on women and running. This episode’s highlighted resource is the Running on Om podcast, hosted by Julia Hanlon. The podcast features conversations Julia has with women who have committed their lives to endurance sports and the outdoors. There’s also the Soul Sisters series, where Julia and her best friend, professional distance runner Abbey Cooper, discuss their own experiences and answer listener questions. All of the Running on Om episodes feature deep, real, inspirational, and empowering conversations that don’t shy away from life’s difficulties. I always discover great takeaways. An episode that stands out for me is Julia’s interview with Molly Seidel, which was done in January, before the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials.  On this episode, we mention the Comrades Ambassador program. These are representatives outside of South Africa who help other runners in their country navigate all aspects of qualifying for and getting to the Comrades Marathon. You can find a full list of ambassadors with their contact information here.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

South African running legend Blanche Moila shares how she inspired change through becoming one of the country’s best runners and then through running Comrades, as well as public speaking, mentoring, and coaching. Running legend Blanche shares her story, which is a strong testament to the many ways running can be a vehicle for change. Blanche, who is now in her 60s, has been inspiring others through running since she started competing in the 1980s.  Blanche found her competitive running talents in her 20s and became one of South Africa’s best middle distance, cross-country, and marathon runners. Her accomplishments broke down racial barriers and, eventually, made her an inspiration throughout the country.   After her elite running career, Blanche began to regularly participate in the Comrades Marathon. As of 2019, she has completed the event 16 times, and in 2004, she was the face of Comrades.  Blanche, a psychiatric nurse, continues to be an inspiration to young girls and women and works to change negative beliefs about women and running. She does this by continuing to set an example with her own running, as well as public speaking, mentoring, and coaching. Also, Blanche runs Comrades for charity: in 2019, she ran for the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust.  Up top in this episode, we give a supportive shout-out to the She Runs Trails podcast, hosted by Melody Dowlearn. This podcast was created to give voice to female mid-pack and back of the pack trail runners who are doing incredible things out on the trail every single day. Episodes cover a range of issues from nutrition and gear, to ultra running and mental health. And, the recommended resource for this episode is Women’s Running magazine. This publication touches on all aspects of the running lifestyle, from racing and training to nutrition, gear, and inspiration, as well as covering some of the competitive side of the sport, the runners, events and news. And it includes writing by such award-winning journalists as Erin Strout, who received the 2019 excellence in running journalism award from the Road Runners Club of America. You can learn more about the Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust on their website.  I first learned about Blanche through Bob de la Motte’s book Runaway Comrade.  Additional audio for this episode comes the 2017 Comrades Marathon Promotional Video . Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Camille Herron fell in love with South Africa’s 90-kilometer Comrades Marathon as a child in Oklahoma. It became her number one goal to win this race: the oldest, largest ultra-distance running race in the world. Leading into the 2017 Comrades, Camille suffered a devastating knee injury ten weeks before the race. But her husband literally had a dream that she would win the race. And Camille was driven by a deep passion to fulfill her ultimate racing dream—of claiming that victory.Hear how it all went down: up to the very last moment, Camille’s quest for first remained uncertain. Camille’s journey includes finding ultra racing after years of being an elite marathon runner. Back to Comrades, in addition to winning it being her dream, this was also literally a dream her husband, Conor, had before Camille lined up for the race in 2017. Going into that event, however, Camille was coming off a painful knee injury suffered only ten weeks beforehand.  Camille is one of the world’s top ultra-distance racers with a particular talent for events on the road. She has won several world and national ultra-distance titles and has set world and national records. Camille also holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for fastest marathon in a superhero costume: she was dressed as Spiderwoman.  Also in this episode, you learn about the finish line traditions and the medals runners earn at Comrades, a language of accomplishments all its own. This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, a 90-km, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world.  This episode’s recommended resource is the Keeping Track podcast. It’s cohosted by former and current professional runners Alysia Montaño, Roisin McGettigan, and Molly Huddle, and the trio discuss issues around women in sport with other notable female athletes or experts in the field. Their conversations are personal and powerful, and they get into tough issues that deserve more attention like racial and gender discrimination and inequality and drug use, that is, cheating. All of the episodes are really good listens, and in particular the interview with two-time Olympic medalist Dawn Harper Nelson is particularly memorable.  Ways to Keep Up with Camille Herron Camille Herron’s website: http://www.camilleherron.com Camille on Twitter: @runcamille Camille on Instagram: @runcamille Book mentioned in this episode: Lore of Running by Tim Noakes Additional audio for this episode comes from SABC Sport 2017 live race coverage, and from an SABC post-race interview.  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/

Indian ultra runner Anjali Saraogi shares her Comrades first-timer experience, and why this race is so special to her. Anjali came to running in her 40s, and is now one of India’s best ultra racers. When Anjali entered a half-marathon, with no training, in 2015, she had no idea about the running talents she’d discover. Shortly thereafter, she learned about the Comrades and decided she had to run; when she registered for Comrades, she’d never even run a marathon.  Since her 2017 Comrades experience, Anjali has gone on to become one of India’s top ultra runners. Most recently, in November 2019, Anjali competed for India in the Asia and Oceania 100km Championships in Jordan, where she was the 4th place woman and, with a finishing time of 9 hours 22 minutes, set an Indian national record for women at that distance. This episode is part of our first season, and the theme of this season is experiences in and around the Comrades Marathon, which is a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. It is the oldest and largest ultra-distance foot race in the world. In addition to Anjali’s story, you’ll also learn about the beloved startline traditions at Comrades in this episode.  The recommended resource for this episode is the Fast Women newsletter, which comprehensively covers highlights of women’s competitive distance running, with a heavy US focus; and in this context, distance means longer track events, all the way through to the marathon, with a dose of some of the top news in ultra racing. This newsletter is thoughtful, smart, fair, and insightful, and is itself packed with resources. Every single week. There’s also a Fast Women Facebook group where you’ll find a great community of runners.  Book mentioned in this episode: Dare to Run by Amit Sheth  Additional audio for this episode comes from SABC Sport's 2017 live race coverage, as well as online video footage of the startline cock’s crow and Shosholoza.  To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Devon Yanko discusses why Comrades, the largest and oldest ultra-distance running race in the world, is so close to her heart, and why she has unfinished business there: even with three top-10 finishes, Devon says Comrades is her white whale.  Devon is an elite ultra distance and marathon runner. She excels on the trail and road, an uncommon achievement. Of her many accomplishments, Devon has qualified twice for the US Olympic trials marathon, and she has also won and set course records in trail and road ultra races up to 100 miles long.  You’ll also learn details about the Comrades course, and why it is so difficult. A few things to know about Comrades: it’s a 90-kilometer, or roughly 56-mile, road race that takes place each year in South Africa. Comrades turns 100 years old in 2021 and entries for the 2020 race are capped at 27,500 runners.  The recommended women and running resource this episode is Devon’s blog. I’ve found many takeaways in her honest, in-depth, and insightful writing. The best way I’ve found to describe what she shares is that it feels like she squeezes every last bit of learning that she can out of the challenges she experiences. She goes deep, and she’s very open. Devon Yanko’s blog: www.devonyanko.com/news Keep Up with Devon Yanko Instagram: @fastfoodie To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com

Welcome to Women's Running Stories, the podcast that explores the intersection of running and life, through thoughtfully produced story-telling by host/creator Cherie Louise Turner and original music by Cormac O'Regan. On this show, the runners featured vary widely, from world record setters to mid-life fitness seekers, and the stories are as different as the runners who share them.  This show will bring you into the experience of training and racing and explore what running brings to our lives that keeps us lacing up day after day. Every woman who has committed to the glorious grind of training and completing a running event has a story to tell, and this is where you'll find those stories. Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Twitter: @WomenRunStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com