February 7, 2025 • 47 mins
This episode explores the humorous yet insightful relationship between a runner, Coach Christine, and her partner, who doesn't share their passion for running. Through candid conversations, they discuss the challenges, sacrifices, and unexpected joys that arise when supporting a running partner.
• Insights from a partner’s perspective on running
• The impact of running on their day-to-day life
• Exploring the positives of being involved in the running community
• Travel opportunities created through runcations
• The emotional journey of feeling like a "running widow"
• Highlighting the importance of communication in relationships
• Valuable advice for non-runners supporting runners
• Understanding the discipline and commitment involved in training
• The shared adventures and growth this dynamic brings
• Acknowledging the beauty of love in support and passion
This episode encourages listeners to embrace and celebrate the unique relationships forged through understanding and supporting one another, regardless of differing interests.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back to Extraordinary Strides, where we
celebrate ordinary folks doingextraordinary things through
running, movement and sometimesa little bit of stubbornness.
Today's episode is a wee bitdifferent, my friends, but it is
going to be a fun one.
I'm bringing on someone whoknows me better than anyone,
even if he still doesn't fullyunderstand my obsession with
(00:21):
running.
That's right.
After recording the episode withLynn about our spectators and
how spectators are such animportant part of our lives, I
thought who better to bring thanmy partner, the man who has
witnessed every early morningalarm, every sweaty post-run hug
, and probably regrets agreeingto this right here and now.
But he is going to be joiningus today.
(00:41):
He is not a runner and and,trust me, he's going to remind
you of that but he's been by myside through my running journey,
cheering me on in his own way.
Some of you guys may recallsome of his ways of cheering me
on, but we're going to dive intowhat it's like living with a
runner when you're not one hisunique and often, in my opinion,
hilarious perspectives onrunning culture and how we
(01:02):
balance our very differentworlds.
I promise this episode will befilled with laughs, insights and
maybe even a little heart andsoul.
So let's get this party started.
Hello buddy, welcome on in.
I'm so excited to have you here.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yes, it's very nice to be here, particularly on this
side of the mic.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
I feel like you had a bit of trepidation when I
proposed the idea of you comingon, but I do appreciate you
agreeing to it, and I'm sure ithad nothing to do with the fact
that I bribed you with buyingyou a couple of beers.
Yes, the 18 pack kind of helped.
Yes, and for the purpose ofthis conversation, for us to
(01:42):
call you, are you going to gowith officially Mr Strides or
maybe the non-runner in chief,or are you just going to be
plain old buddy?
Yeah, I'm like buddy.
Yeah, okay, I'm a buddy you are.
You're definitely my number one, buddy.
We're a little vague about hisofficial identity because he's
got a job that sounds way coolerthan I think it actually is,
(02:03):
but I'm not allowed to tell you.
Oh, most definitely way coolerit sounds way cooler, but I'm
not allowed to tell you more, sojust roll with it, friends.
For the purpose of thisinterview, we're bringing on
Buddy, my partner and truly theperson who's by my side during
all of the ups and downs thatthis whole running journey has
taken me on.
(02:24):
So, with that said, I'm goingto dive right into a few
different questions, but I dowant to start this off with
expressing how much I appreciateyou putting up with this world,
because I know that itdefinitely comes with quirks.
But when you first met me, whatwere your thoughts about
runners or running in general?
And you're welcome to be honest.
I'm pretty sure that, for thepurpose of this conversation, I
think I can handle your honesty.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Oh, I'm sure it's probably nothing you haven't
heard before.
Actually, running or runnerswere never in my world, never
gave it a thought.
It's just not.
Just wasn't anything.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, I mean, I know that running is not something
that you necessarily do.
Your aspect of fitness is morefocused on strength training and
weightlifting, but at somepoint you had to have run or
encountered runners.
So you had zero thoughtwhatsoever, Like did you see any
local races or you had heard ofthe Boston Marathon.
Anything kind of came into play.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yes, of course Everybody is familiar with the
big runs Boston, new York andsuch and locally.
Yes, they always had 3Ks and5Ks and.
I stayed away, I learned wherethe road closures were and
basically I cursed them becauseI couldn't get the coffee enough
and I just despise them.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Every runner knows that you're a non-runner by the
fact that you've referenced 3Ks.
But I'm not going to, we're notgoing to be judgy here, we're
fully leaning into appreciatingyou.
So it basically was more of anannoyance when you thought of
running or just kind ofsomething on total peripheral,
something you had read about.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
I have to appreciate the fact that people around the
world love to run, so you can'tmake fun of something that so
many people enjoy doing.
I just don't want to be in aconvenient spot.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Nothing should stand in between you and your coffee.
I get it.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Yeah, you go do what you do, and if you like that,
that's great.
Yeah, so I just basicallyignored it.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Okay, did you have any idea how much running was
going to become a part of yourlife by being with me?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
No.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Did I sell you a bad bill of goods?
I feel like, yes, okay, I'mgoing to dive more into.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
No, did I sell you a bad bill of goods?
I?
Speaker 1 (04:24):
feel like did I?
Yes, okay, I'm going to divemore into that a little bit more
, but I'm kind of curious, sinceyou did say that running was
something that you kind of hadin the peripheral, would you say
that there's anything inparticular about running that
doesn't really make sense to youspecifically?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
So it makes sense what it is.
It's just not my cup of tea.
It's just not my cup of tea.
It's just not my cup of tea.
I'm lazy.
You know that I put big debt incouch.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Efficient, you're efficient.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I don't like getting hot.
I don't like the exertion thatI feel.
I don't like taking tons ofshowers.
I don't like the laundry thatcomes after that.
I don't like the fact that Ican't cool down.
I dare not get in my carbecause, well, you know my car
and I'm not putting a sweatybody in my car.
(05:15):
Yeah, for me there's nothingthat called to me.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
I'm going to tell you right now, so that you do know,
that I don't think there's anyrunner that's listening to this
right now that likes getting hot, sweaty, gross, having to do
all the laundry or the fact thatit does have a lot of different
aspects of our life, that itkind of controls the narrative
of our day-to-day life.
So I think that most runnerswill agree that it can be
difficult and inconvenient, butthe juice is worth the squeeze.
(05:41):
The rewards are so much worthall of those different efforts
for inconveniences.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
From a health perspective, that's probably
right, but when I need helppeeling off my shirt,
something's wrong.
No, I don't enjoy that.
That's not hot.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
We're in Florida.
That's the case for summer here, regardless if you're a runner
or not.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
So you know, surprisingly, I'm a big beach
person and I don't mind gettingwet there, and getting wet there
is different than the gettingwet when you run You're still
totally saturated.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
But it's more refreshing.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
No, it's a sticky, nasty kind of wet that your
clothes go plop when they hitthe ground.
It's just not for me dignified.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Gotcha Okay, so it's not for me.
Dignified Gotcha Okay, so it'snot for you, but it has become a
large part of your life, justby association.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
God, it's become 90% of my life.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
It is.
I feel like that's all I talkabout.
I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
It's all you talk about.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Literally.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Okay.
With that said, can you thinkof potentially any positives
that running has brought to yourlife, by being associated with
a runner?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
So nothing positive about running, but the
association with the runner mostdefinitely.
We have gone on some fantasticvacations because of the running
.
Yeah, runcations is what wecall them here, around these
here parts, I call it a vacation.
I've gone places that I wouldnever have gone myself had it
(07:14):
not been because of this running.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And a lot of runners.
They fly in, they do the runand they leave as soon as
possible to promote locations,like we did in Germany and Tokyo
, where we made almost a month'sstay out of it.
So had it not been for therunning, I don't think I ever
would have traveled to theplaces.
(07:37):
I traveled, got to experiencethe experience that we did and
it was absolutely a fabulous,beautiful time.
So at the end of all thistraining for what a year and a
half training to go somewhere,it was, it was worthwhile.
So from that perspective, thatwas great.
But we agreed together we'regoing there, let's make a big
(08:00):
thing of it.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah, you know, what's interesting when you say
this, buddy, is that there aresome trips that we've done, that
there's no reason why wehaven't gone there and done the
trip or the vacation without therace or the run.
But there's something aboutattaching the trip with a
purpose that seems to give us alittle bit more of a catalyst or
a little bit like ignites, alittle bit of a fire for us to
actually move forward with it.
(08:22):
And I'm going to talk about DC.
For everyone who's beenlistening to the podcast, they
know that I did Marine Corps 50Klast year and I've wanted to go
to DC my entire life and atthat point I had traveled
internationally and still hadn'tgone to DC.
And if it wasn't for thisspecific race, I just would have
never prioritized going intothat area.
Now I know you've been thereseveral times, so I'm going to
(08:43):
ask you that specifically howdoes it differ if there is a big
difference between going tothese trips with a runner versus
the trips that you've done tothese locations without a run or
a race attached to it?
And as I say this while you'rethinking that through, I want to
make sure that the audienceknows very few of our vacations
(09:03):
have not had a run attached toit.
I can only think of maybe lessthan a handful, to be honest
with you.
So I don't really know whatvacationing without a race or
run attached to it is reallylike.
For the most part, we've done afew, a few close ones, and, of
course, the one where, whenTokyo broke my heart, we went
down to Aruba and Curacao, wedid Grand Canyon, but even that
(09:24):
one was because of Vegas.
So I'm curious how does itdiffer for you and does it make
a difference?
Like as somebody who's notgoing to be running the race, do
you feel like it maybe colorsthe experience a little
differently?
Speaker 2 (09:36):
No, no, not at all, because these are such
monumental milestone runs foryou, having completed the World
marathon majors.
We put so much effort into whatwe do after the run, so you do
all of this running andpreparation up to and the
(09:56):
extraordinary amount of work youput into what are we going to
do afterwards?
Our vacation really starts atthe end of your run and and I
think it's remarkable you canstill walk around and we have
seen some fabulous places.
That train ride from Austria,right from Vienna, up into
(10:16):
Prague.
Who would have done that?
I don't think I ever would havethought, hey, let's go take a
train from here to here.
It was a part of your plan aswe moved about and that's
fabulous.
So that's what we do.
That's our one trip for the.
What takes two, three yearssometimes?
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
In between, and so we're saving money and our
resources and we're planningthat whole time.
What are we going to do when weget there after the run and we
have epic, truly epic vacations?
And, more importantly I don'tknow if your audience cares or
not it gives us an opportunityto prepay for everything, so we
don't really charge anything andthat's important to me.
(10:57):
You don't go broke.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
I know.
So my friend's budget but he isvery sensible and he's very
fiscally conservative and I lovehim for that.
He's also absolutely amazedthat nobody really loved there
wasn't a lot of love for thebudgeting your races and your
plan podcast episode, but thatis something that we have held
very important to our life.
So very rarely do I do one ofthese big races back to back.
(11:21):
I have had a year the Boston toBerlin year was the exception,
but more often than not we dotry to plan them every other
year, so we have an opportunityto budget and really be able to
do the trip in a way that is alittle bit more of a luxury
versus kind of just going doingthe race and coming right back.
So there's a little bit of that.
(11:41):
You said so much in yourstatement that I want to call
attention to, though One of thethings you talked about was the
extraordinary amount of effortand training that goes in in
preparation, that goes into thetraining for these races, which
thank you.
I appreciate that you see that,but I want you to know right
here and now, and anybody who'slistening, that I know you're
impacted by that as well,because I'm having to put myself
(12:03):
to bed at a ridiculous earlyhour.
You're oftentimes, if I don'thave a run crew with me or if I
have a specific pace that I needto hit for a workout, you're
oftentimes waking up at two, Ithink.
We waken up at 1.30 to threeo'clock for especially the
summer marathon trainingsessions so you can ride your
bike so that I am able to run ina way that's a bit safer of an
(12:25):
environment.
So I know that the trainingwhile it's me primarily doing
the running, that you'redefinitely there side by side
through the process as well.
So I'm curious if there feelslike a little bit of a reward or
like it's worth the sacrificewhen we are able to actually do
these runcations forspecifically the World Marathon
Majors kind of comes to mind.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
No, it's a pain in the ass, it's an act of love.
This is something that youenjoy.
Nobody likes going to bed at5.30 in the morning when kids
are still out playing 3 pm pm,not in the morning.
Yeah, yeah, and it's stilllight out.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Okay, I got you.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It is hard, but it's an act of love and, yes, I know
we're going to have a lovelytime afterwards, because you
said it's an act of love, whichit absolutely is.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I want to ask you if you were to give advice to a
non-runner who's entering into arelationship with a runner,
besides literally run away.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Yeah, run away.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
The only running that you advocate for, but what's
the best way that you think anon-runner should help support
their running partner?
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Well, I think it's very important Again, this is
what the partner wants to do.
I mean, you've talked so muchabout how you wanted to complete
the world majors.
It's beyond a bucket list andyou worked so hard for it.
Bucket list and you worked sohard for it and I feel honored
that I was able to assist, nomatter how frivolous it may have
(13:55):
been to get you there.
I think people need to knowthat you're extraordinarily
dedicated to getting preparedand this dedication takes a year
, sometimes more.
So we talk about, you know,backing off time 18 months
before.
But there's a lot of work aheadof time.
There is the diet that you haveto follow and the food that has
to be bought and really kind ofwacky training.
(14:18):
Well, sometimes you run 12miles, sometimes you run three,
sometimes we have to gosomewhere where you have enough
asphalt to run on.
That's just not available here.
So we have to strategicallyfind places that has enough
runway, if you will, and travelthere.
We have to get the bikes ready.
They have to be serviced forthese long runs.
(14:39):
How many bike lights have wegone through to find ones that
illuminate the trail well enough?
So there is a lot ofpreparation to do these
conditioning, this training thatyou go through, and then
there's all those supplies thathave to be carried.
So we bought a special bag forthe back of the bike to hold all
(15:01):
of the fuel.
And you experiment with thefuel to see which ones work and
which ones don't, and we have toalways route the path that you
run by a Starbucks or a DunkinDonuts so we can get coffee.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I was going to say for the record friends, if you
are thinking that your partneris going to join you for those
early morning runs, you have totake into consideration the
amount of hours that they'regoing to be joining you.
I think probably for MarineCorps the 50K was the longest
that you were out there with meand being tortured, specifically
because we were running duringFlorida summers where you have
(15:34):
to go out at three o'clock inthe morning.
It's already hot at threeo'clock in the morning or it
never cooled off even at threeo'clock in the morning.
So we would try to make itwhere there was some I won't
call it joy, but at leastsomething to help support you
supporting me in this fashion.
So we I would often plan theroutes around a Dunkin' Donuts
or something that he could pickup a coffee or have a little bit
(15:55):
of popping in somewhere so thathe could get some refreshment
himself, because while he'ssupporting me, there's very
seldom things that he can packor support himself with it.
I appreciate that so much, so Iwant you to know that as well
and hopefully I expressed that,but likely not sufficiently.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Oh no, you've been very, very good about that.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Well, thank you Because it's truly.
I know that it's.
I don't think if the shoe wasin the other foot, I don't think
I could do what you do.
Actually, I'm fairly certain Iwould not do what you do because
it just feels incrediblyselfless, and I think I'm a bit
more selfish when it comes tothat.
But let's not tell everybodyhow selfish I am.
Let's talk about how I'mcurious.
Now, realistically, do you feellike a running widow and does
(16:39):
that ever potentially kind ofmess with what you're wanting to
do, with the weekends or yourevents that you want to go to?
Or are you kind of glad to havethe house to yourself when I'm
out training?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
No, actually I can't do anything.
I'm pretty well captured in thehouse, Can't go far because you
never know when a call may comein to go off and whatever pick
up.
We've had to do that maybe twoor three times, so I have to be
here.
We don't get to go do theweekends kind of things that we
(17:06):
normally do, because it's notjust going to bed early for you.
You go to bed early days before.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
So that you can build up and prepare.
So actually, everything iscaptive and it's all around your
preparing for the run.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Yeah, I'm so sorry, but I thank you for doing it.
So I'm gonna now, because Ifeel like this is a little
painful for you and I don'twanna necessarily bring up the
nightmares of supporting me.
I will say for everybody who islistening you said after Tokyo
this was it.
Like I'm done.
I don't want my life to revolvearound running.
I want to be able to have myown life as well.
And then I think I hit you with, maybe about a year and a half
(17:50):
later, that I was going to trainfor Marine Corps and then
Sydney became a world marathonmajor and we had a lot of
discussion about that.
We went back and forth as towhether it really matters if I
pursue the next three stars.
What if we wanted to alsoexpress to folks life is vastly
different.
Training for marathons inwinters here in Florida, because
(18:12):
I can go out, I don't have togo to bed as early, I don't have
to get up early, he can havehis life.
But summer endurance trainingit does require a completely
different approach to it becauseof the heat and the humidity
and how it can truly bedangerous.
I'm not much of a treadmillrunner, so I tend to want to do
most of my runs outdoors.
I also like the aspect thatheat training helps
(18:34):
physiologically to prepare memore for fall races.
So there's a lot of differentaspects and I will say that
basically what we talked aboutwas that was it.
There was like no more realfocus on at least fall races.
And now, specifically again, wehad Sydney.
Why, in your words, do you feelbecause you didn't just support
me on moving forward withSydney, you've actually
(18:55):
encouraged me.
Why do you feel that it'simportant?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
So I think it's a.
When you consider the, I guessI can say this millions of
runners around the world runningall sorts of runs, local, maybe
regional favorites, and thenyou have this Abbott World
Marathon majors throughout theworld.
And to complete, that was amonumental milestone.
(19:21):
You should share with peoplethe number of people who have
finished the world majors todate and then, even more, the
number of women who havecompleted.
It's remarkable, I think.
What tell me, was it 17 or14,000?
Women have completed all six.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
It's about 39 to 42% of the field of the world
marathon major six-starfinishers that are women, which
I think I mean that's wonderfuland I understand socially and
culturally why that's the case.
But I do know and I'm glad thatyou mentioned that that I'm
personally on a mission to tryto support, or to support and
encourage more women to go afterthis really big.
(20:00):
I call it a big, audacious goalbecause, while it may take time
I'm going to use the infamouswords of your mother, where the
time's going to pass anyway whyshould we not do it in pursuit
of something that we really thatcalls to us or that has that
passion?
And I want to even the playingfield because currently here in
the United States or NorthAmerica and most aspects of
Europe, the field and by that Imean the amount of participants
(20:22):
of a race that goes into anyspecific race specifically like
Chicago, new York City or any USor North American race the
field is actually primarilywomen.
Now We've made a huge leapforward in this sport becoming
very welcoming for women,especially when we think back to
not so long ago.
Thanks to Catherine Switzer, wejust broke into being able to
participate in the marathondistance and beyond.
(20:44):
So what I hate to hear is thatinternationally we still have a
very large disparity of what weare seeing pursuits, and even
here in the US there's a bigdisparity of pursuits of women
completing the world marathonmajors in comparison to their
male counterparts.
And I have theories on that andwe could talk about that a
whole other day if you wanted tocome and chat about that.
(21:05):
But I do want to go ahead andsay that if you guys have not
joined the Women of WorldMarathon Majors Facebook group,
because you mentioned it, that'swhere I would strongly advocate
for you guys to join in ifyou're considering it, because
there is a lot of support andencouragement and inspiration
from your fellow six star orseven star and beyond pursuits.
But that brings me back toSydney, because we had if you
(21:27):
guys haven't been able to pickup on this yet not a lot of
decisions are made here in theCasa of Extraordinary Strides
without us sitting down or himgoing for a bike ride and me
going for a run and us talkingit through it, but usually we
actually sit these conversationsdown.
And Sydney was a serious heartto heart because when we looked
at the numbers financially, Isaw a lot of other opportunities
(21:49):
of runs that I would ratherprioritize Rome or Thins, or
just there's so many other races.
So is it that because you wereI'm going to go ahead and say
again you were kind of raised bya feminist?
Is that what kind of calls youto supporting me with Sydney,
that wanting to support a womanin her pursuit of this really
big, audacious goal?
(22:10):
Or is it just you think itsounds cool?
What is it that helped you kindof really push me towards
completing Sydney, or workingtowards Sydney, because clearly
I haven't even started trainingfor it?
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yeah, but no, my mother had nothing to do with
anything.
Okay, yeah, no, no.
It's a very cool goal and whenyou look at the membership of
the club that you're in and Ithink people actually admire
your accomplishment it takes 10years to complete.
That's a lifetime effort.
(22:41):
People can get degrees in lesstime than that.
And then for them to spring upat the last minute like a mirage
oh here's another one it's likedamn, in order for me to keep
my status, I need to go do this.
And then I got to go do Africaafter that I'm so excited about.
And then the tough one is China.
(23:01):
If we're not at war, what do wedo about China?
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Yeah, so we're not going to get into that
conversation, but again, thisgoes back to why we're not using
his official name, as towhether he would even be able to
attend any race there with me.
So we're not, we're not goingto get into that, but I am
looking forward to Cape Town.
Actually, tell me what thismeans to you, because you're
considering.
This is something that, nowthat you've gone to all these
different races, you want tokind of travel to now the seven
continents, right?
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Well, now that you've got us to like six of them yeah
, that's just for braggingrights.
I can tell my kids.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
Just bragging rights Okay.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Yeah, I can tell my kids they're near the wells.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
And your grandkids.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Slackers.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Okay, we talked a lot about me and running.
I want to bring the focus moreon you specifically, and I'm
going to talk about this segmentbeing kind of like why are you
not a runner yet?
So I'm going to ask if youwould be willing to tell us all
have you ever tried running and,if so, what was the experience
like?
Speaker 2 (24:01):
So yeah, I mean as a teenager, as a young 20 year old
, I ran, then I got mature andwisdom comes with maturity.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
I'm still waiting for my wisdom.
Okay, yeah, that's not true.
You signed up for a 5K.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
No, I did run when I was a teenager.
I was.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
You ran as an adult.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
I ran the mile in five minutes and 27 seconds,
which was which he still talksabout to this day.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
I was 19.
I know you have to let that go,my friend.
You have to let that go.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
That's the end of my running.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Okay, but you did try a run as an adult.
I may have not been thesmartest gal in the world,
because I took you to what'sconsidered a hillier or more
difficult course here in Florida.
Do you want to share a littlebit about that experience, or do
you rather have you put it outof your memory Totally?
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Yeah, that, that agony I put out because I can't
curse.
I promised you I wouldn't curse.
All I can tell you is that Icame in last.
There were 92 year olds whofinished before me.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
I don't know why people don't realize that the
older crew is fast.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
One poor guy was waiting where the tent used to
be because they had taken itdown, because they were told
that there was one more guycoming in and he wanted to give
me the medal and I rejected themedal.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Oh, you still covered the distance, but I understand
that you felt like you didn'tput in your best performance and
I think that was the first andlast time that I actually
experienced you tackling a race.
Is there any world that youcould see yourself signing up
for another race?
No of time trying to change it,and I think that that's kind of
(25:46):
what helps this entire dynamicwork.
But now I'm curious.
You mentioned that you put bigdents in couches, but that's not
entirely true.
You do have quite a bit ofphysical aptitude that you have
spent time in the past and evennow.
What would you say yourfavorite way of staying active
is?
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Chasing after you.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
That's why we're talking right here, because, yes
, when I was talking to Lynnabout spectating, I thought of
all the incredible things thatyou've tackled and trying to
chase after me, like New YorkCity, where you couldn't catch
up to me, london, which was amadhouse, like I don't know how
we saw each other at London you.
Speaker 2 (26:19):
Actually, you found me and what we found is that we
would trace out the running rodand we would pick places where I
could stage up and we could seeone another.
So we were very logistic aboutit and then the day of the race,
particularly when we did London, they closed the train, the
very train that we took to gopick out our spots.
(26:40):
They closed them because youcouldn't cross the street
because of the massive crowd ofpeople.
It was insane.
So, yes, trying to chase you isthe most difficult thing to do,
and I think that would be truewith anybody, not just because
you're running, but anybody whowas found unless you're a native
of that area to navigate aroundand and work with the
(27:02):
transportation that wasn't there, that you were expecting there,
and the subways in New Yorkwere so slow you literally
outran the subways.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Well, I'm just going to pretend that it's because I'm
that fast.
That's not actually the case.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
You were that fast.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
No, I'm not.
Well, I will say, friends, thatthat's why, in the spectator
episode, if you didn't listen toit, go back and listen to it If
you have a partner or a friendor a family member, somebody who
wants to come spectate.
A lot of really goodinformation was in there.
Plus, there's the spectatorchecklist that you could always
sign up for and it'll bedelivered to your inbox.
And we talked a lot about that,how there has to be some
(27:40):
additional planning before therace and you have to plan for
like a best case and a worstcase scenario.
As most runners will know, whenyou have a race day plan, you
have an A goal, a B goal and a Cgoal.
You need to kind of take intoconsideration of meeting up with
your spectators or your familyand friends as well, because
there are so many times where wehad already picked out a point
(28:01):
and, as you mentioned, likeLondon, when you popped out of
the tube I think is what theycall it the crowd was just so
massive that you couldn't makeyour way through.
So in a place where I couldactually find you, or Boston,
where it was, the subway systemor the train system was so
packed.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Tokyo.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
I think we didn't even try for Tokyo.
I think with Tokyo you shockedme at the finish line because I
was for sure, thinking youweren't going to try to navigate
in a foreign, in a languageit's just so foreign, but you
did.
I don't know how you did that.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
I'm not sure either.
A lot of walking.
There's a lot of walking, yes,involved, and there is some
jogging involved to make timesand and to meet places.
So I think it's important, too,that your audience knows that
if you're not able to catch upto a spectator spot, you ought
to have one or two places.
You plan to meet after the run,and there was a lot of phone
(28:54):
calling when are you?
This is where I think I am.
You want to meet here.
I can't get there because ofall the traffic or the roads
being closed.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
So and this is also why we talked about that too.
So there's a couple of thingsthat, friends, I want you guys
to keep in mind Again, thingsthat have talked about in
different podcasts, but thatwe've learned through experience
.
If you're a mid-pack or back ofthe pack runner, or even in
front of the pack runner who'sutilizing an app that maybe is
draining your battery, if youdon't have a battery pack with
you little like slimlineportable charger and you didn't
(29:26):
take the cord with you, there'sa big likelihood that your phone
is going to be drained andyou're not going to be able to
call, like what happened with usin London.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
London.
That was crazy my phone died.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
And we thought we knew where we were meeting and I
think at the last minute therace moved the meetup point.
They moved it out of.
I think it was Travaga Square.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
It was actually the nonprofit, because we're going
to meet where the nonprofitended up.
Yeah, so I was running forcharity and the charity had a
meeting point for spectators,but let's be honest, I was
severely undertrained for London, so I likely probably came in
way later than the meeting pointwas officially being held by
the nonprofit or the charity andadded a whole other spice to
(30:14):
the mix, where it was justImmediately, you're lost in
London.
Lost in London, I'm feelingabsolutely like poo.
I was wiped because, again, mytraining cycle was less than its
best for that specific cycle.
That was the training cyclethat really solidified to me
something that I say quitefrequently where you have to pay
(30:35):
your bills.
And you can either pay yourbills when it comes to your
training, by showing up for yourtraining runs, really, really
really making it a prioritywhich we've discussed several
times or you can pay your billon race day, but it's usually
going to be with interest ratesand charges and late fees and
penalties, fees and penaltiesAbsolutely.
We always talk about pay yourbills and training, because it
(30:57):
makes an entire race dayexperience completely different.
And I'm going to describe Tokyothe difference between Tokyo as
to how I felt when I finishedthat and even with the broken
toe, and afterward like going tocavort through all the
different cities.
We even did a hike againstdoctor's orders, but whatever,
we had already paid for it inKyoto, and I think that I was
you would have never known thatI had run a marathon versus,
(31:20):
again, london a vast comparisonwhere I was able to do the
things we had planned.
But it took me quite a few daysto get to the point where we
were actually moving andgrooving to be able to tour the
city the right way.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Yeah, that was a scary.
That was a scary one.
I mean, at the end I guess wealways can meet up at the hotel.
That's something we have to say, that after a certain amount of
time, if we haven't caught upwith one another, we're going to
the hotel.
They always have to haveseveral meetup places.
My phone died.
I don't know how it died, soyou have to have a battery
(31:51):
backup.
These are 12, 14 hour dayssometimes, and you have to be
prepared for that, particularlyif we escort you to the start
line.
Speaker 1 (32:00):
Yeah, which you do.
I can't think of one that youhaven't.
So there's a lot of that.
Now again, friends, if you endup racing as much as I have, at
this point you can't expect or Iguess you can but be prepared
to be a little bit disappointed.
You can't expect your spectator, your family, your friends or
the folks in your life to go toevery single race.
So at this point we haveprioritized the races that mean
(32:24):
the most for you to be able tospectate Generally.
I don't have you come out forRun Disney.
There's no point.
Run Disneys are done before anormal wake up time or any of
the local races, even some ofthe local races.
You came to the finish line ofMarine Corps, but that wasn't
even something that was.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Marine Corps was different.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (32:41):
Marine Corps was a bucket list, always wanted to
run it.
It's not like a Disney run.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Right, we love Disney , I love Disney, but I do think
that it is a harder one for yourspectators because of how
incredibly early they are.
So that's just a tough one.
So we've learned a lot in thisentire journey of going through
these experiences.
I'm kind of curious if youwould indulge me for a little
bit longer, if maybe you couldshare what you think.
There's one thing that you wishthat runners so me would
understand about theirnon-running loved ones.
(33:16):
So what should I know moreabout you when it relates to my
training?
I think I know the answer.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Okay, tell me, because I don't.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
I think you're going to say I don't want to go to bed
just because you're going tobed.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Yes, I don't want to speak badly, but I find it a
very selfish activity that thewhole house has to stop do
whatever it is.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
For the record, the whole house does not have to
stop.
I'm just an incredibly lightsleeper.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
I have to wear a headset to watch my television.
I cannot put anything in themicrowave, I have to be
absolutely silent.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
I'm going to sound like a diva.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
For months and months .
Speaker 1 (33:55):
Oh wait, I'm a super light sleeper and we live in an
incredibly tiny location.
I've mentioned before and I'mgoing to say it again right
before the pandemic we made thedecision to really downsize so
we could travel more Hello, moreworld marathon majors or more
rentations.
And then the pandemic happenedand we both started working from
home and it kind of changed thedynamic of the household a
(34:17):
little bit.
So I'm going to give myselfthat excuse, but I'm going to
also change the subject.
What has being around a runnertaught you, if anything, about
discipline?
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Patience.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
I love that that's so true.
What has it taught you, ifanything?
About discipline, goal settingand perseverance.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Nothing, but I admire your discipline.
Speaker 1 (34:39):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
Your commitment.
It would be, I think, reallyeducational for people to see
you do walk that talk aboutconsistency all the time.
I have to go do my run, butwe're going to go meet up, but
no, I got to do my run andyou'll do your run on the other
side of the state, in thepanhandle.
It's like a Dr Seuss story in abox with a box are very
(35:03):
consistent, so definitely admireyour tenaciousness.
And it's not a hobby, it's,it's a lifestyle for you yeah, I
mean it is, it's my passion.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
I love, as you know, I love working with the runners
that I get the honor andprivilege to coach.
I feel very territorial andalmost kind of motherly over
them and I really I think Ispend a lot of priority and time
with that, which I know has toprobably be a little bit
difficult for you.
Speaker 2 (35:29):
Which cuts from my time.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Yeah, but you're a big boy, you get to-.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Yeah, I understand it .
I understand it, but there issacrifice that takes place on my
behalf more than I probablywant to.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Oh, I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Because I'm selfish too.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
You five and a half more more than I probably want
to.
Oh, I appreciate it, becauseI'm selfish too.
You're not as selfish as I am,though, and I talk about that,
and I'm going to take a moment,and I don't say anything to my
runners that I wouldn't say toyou, so that you are well aware.
You probably haven't even heardme say this.
I think, as women and you mayroll your eyes, I don't know how
you particularly feel aboutthis when I say it I think, as
women a lot of women feel likewe have to wear hats, where we
have to prioritize all of thepeople and the relationships
(36:07):
around us before we prioritizeour own wants and needs and
desires, and this is the onearena that I feel is incredibly
important.
If it creates joy in your life,if it creates purpose, if it's
something that calls to you theway that I feel like it calls to
a majority of people who arelistening into this, then you
have to make it known.
You have to create thatcommunication where people know
how important it is to you andprioritize it, because the
(36:28):
reality is that you're neverreally going to have an optimal
time.
The non-runners in your life,as much as you support me,
you're never going to.
Really, I think understand whyI do this nonsense, but I think
it's something that's beencommunicated fairly in a way
where we both understand thatbig takeaway that it may take
away from, I don't know, stayingout all night at Cod or
whatever the case may be.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Whatever it is, yeah, would you, yeah.
No, you have to know that, withyour partner, what's important
to them, although it may not beyour cup of tea, it is important
to them, and so you want themto be successful, you want them
to be happy, and so you do whatyou do, and it's not just
running, it's anything in life.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
That somebody's passionate about.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Yes, you have to let them have that passion, engage
in that passion, even if it'snot yours, listen to them, be
active in that passion.
Yeah, that's just goodrelationships, I think.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
I wholeheartedly concur.
I'm now going to ask you acouple of different things that
maybe are just kind of somelittle snap, kind of snapshot,
quick fire fun.
What's the weirdest runningterm that you've heard me use?
If you can think of one, oh,yes, that German word.
The Swedish word.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Whatever that word is .
What is that word?
Tell me.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Speed play the fart lick, Fart lick.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Yes, that's an odd one.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
Hard one.
That was a.
You said what.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
How about plogging?
Plogging doesn't do anythingfor you.
That's also a Swedish term.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
I don't remember that one.
It was the fart lick that.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
I think that one throws people off since they're
yeah that would.
Speaker 2 (38:04):
I think I'd find another language, maybe
Norwegian.
They're close by.
It's got to be something alittle different.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
I tend to call it speed play, but of course it
really is.
I actually call it fartlek fora lot of runners and friends.
If you're not familiar withfartlek, it is again speed play
the Swedish word for it, and itbasically just allows you to
change your pacing, sometimesjust allows you to change your
pacing.
Sometimes it's structured andsometimes in its true sense is
unstructured.
So you kind of go with feelWe'll talk about that in a
different conversation because Idon't want Buddy over here to
(38:32):
have his eyes gloss over anymore.
When it comes to running, whatis the best?
If you can remember or mostannoying excuse that I gave you
for not doing something I don'tknow going out to a birthday
party or something else becauseI had to go for a run Do you
remember anything like that thatcomes to mind?
Or do you feel like Iprioritize?
While I prioritize my running,I figure out a way to not let it
(38:53):
necessarily intrude in thereally important aspects of our
life.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
I don't think anything surprising.
It's pretty well known, aswe're getting closer to race day
, like a boxer gets closer tohis match.
All focus is on that.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
I'm a little curious now what you think about the
nutrition and the fueling.
Is there anything that you'veseen me consume from a runner's
fuel, like the goos or gels orcliff blocks, that you think
actually looks appetizing, thatyou would actually eat, or does
it all make you?
Speaker 2 (39:22):
Never.
And that damn stuff is in ourclosets, it's in our pantries.
Speaker 1 (39:27):
It doesn't stay contained, it falls everywhere,
it's stinky it's not stinky it'sstinky it is not and it's gooey
when you put it in the yeahokay, I'm gonna ask now what is,
if anything, the mostridiculous running habit that
you think I have?
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Habit no.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Or a quirk, no.
Speaker 2 (39:51):
No, no, it's just you go for your run, you set your
watch, you put on your sparklygear and out the door you go.
You have no.
What do they call that?
Habits or customs or ritualsthat you do?
There's none of that.
Speaker 1 (40:08):
That you know of.
Wah ha ha.
Speaker 2 (40:10):
No, I've seen it.
I've seen it all.
Speaker 1 (40:13):
No, Okay, Buddy, we've had some incredible
conversation here.
Again, I want to thank you, butI'm curious if you want to
maybe share with me what some ofyour favorite or if you have a
favorite race experience or raceday experience or a trip or
anything that you could think ofthat kind of comes to mind from
(40:33):
any of the races that you'vespectated or participated in as
my number one cheer support crew.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Well, there isn't any one single one, because each
race is its own, it has its ownthrills and collectively I
remember them all.
But I'm most impressed inwatching the other athletes.
I'm impressed by the vastamount of body shapes that are
(41:01):
out there, tall, thin, thick,that are out there, tall, thin,
thick and, most importantly, Ithink, the para-athletes that I
have seen, because they takeaway any excuse I may have that
these individuals also train andthey perform and they perform
well and there's no excuse notto.
Again, it doesn't have to be inrunning, but anything that you
(41:23):
do in life, they're out there,they got ready for it and they
did it and they did it well.
So I have to say it really isquite inspiring and motivating
and gives me a whole new senseof respect for people's will and
determination.
Speaker 1 (41:42):
I wholeheartedly agree.
It's kind of like the entirepremise of the name change of
the podcast is because, as youknow, many, many, many moons ago
, I told you that I was neverreally that inspired by the
elites, though I think what theydo is amazing, of course, but
it really is what we see as theeveryday runner, or the everyday
runner.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Yes, and that's right .
And for those who don't knowthe name of the podcast now,
extraordinary Strides.
It's just that because we usedto talk a lot about not the
elites, as you said they'rewonderful to watch, but really
admire the real elitesindividual out there slugging it
out, what their backgrounds was, and it was extraordinary and,
(42:22):
yes, that led to the naming ofthe podcast.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
I want to thank you so much, buddy, for coming on
here.
It's been so much fun.
I don't know that we evenscratched the surface of how
much running has taken over ourlives.
I mean, it's even somethingthat we bring into discussions
when we moved here.
Speaker 2 (42:43):
Oh, our family does now.
Yeah, People everyone, and it'scrazy how much it has taken
over, and it's done so in waysthat you're not even aware of it
until it happens.
Speaker 1 (42:54):
Insidiously.
Speaker 2 (42:56):
Every time we've relocated it's based upon where
can I run?
When we go and visit with arealtor, the number one thing
they say well, you want a threebedroom, four bedroom, no, no,
we need to be able to runsomewhere where it's safe, where
there's 52 miles of undisturbedasphalt.
That dominates everything we do, from what we pick out at the
(43:18):
grocery store to To what we haveat dinner.
Speaker 1 (43:22):
Absolutely, you're absolutely accurate.
Speaker 2 (43:24):
To how we sleep, yeah .
Speaker 1 (43:26):
Yeah, hey, thank you to my running habit for helping
us to like prioritize a newmattress.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
Yes, no, even going to the store to get shoes.
It's not Dick's Sporting Goodsor the Academy.
We go to somewhere where theyTrack Shack, track Shack, yeah,
and everybody should go to areally good professional- A
specialty running store,absolutely.
That measures your feet, and sowe plan that day out.
We plan it's going to take acouple hours to do this and from
(43:56):
your sports equipment you didthat show on sports bras for
women and that was veryimportant I thought, and we
think all about those thingswhat's the right gear, what's
the right fueling and thetesting that you do, even the
workouts that you do?
We have to go certain places sothat you can do the workout
(44:16):
that you're about to present.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Program for athletes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:19):
For others.
They should know you doeverything that you ask them to
do and you make changes based onthat.
And so there's my weekend goingsomewhere.
Speaker 1 (44:29):
But we have created a lot of adventures.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
I've read a lot of books.
Speaker 1 (44:33):
Yes, that's right, he does a lot of reading in
support of my running.
But I will say it has created.
While it has created a lot ofneed to sacrifice and prioritize
discipline and structure, it'salso created a lot of freedom
and opportunities to travel andsee the world very differently.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
The memories and to talk to people about the places
that we've been, and it makes mefeel quite worldly that we
experience.
Speaker 1 (45:01):
I agree yeah.
Speaker 2 (45:02):
And people are amazed .
And none of this, none of thiswould have happened had it not
been for your desire to completethe world majors.
Speaker 1 (45:11):
Oh, I love this.
Speaker 2 (45:13):
Yeah, so it really did.
It's given us an enrichment.
Speaker 1 (45:16):
See friends.
Speaker 2 (45:17):
I think people look at me differently too when I say
we've been here, we've beenhere, we've been there and it's
kind of fun to brag about youactually on on what you've done,
and people ask how you do ityou're just very sweet and very
supportive.
Speaker 1 (45:30):
But with that said, I want to thank you again.
I'm going to say that there youhave it, folks it's.
This conversation is proof thatyou don't have to be a runner
to support one, and you don'thave to even understand the
detail of running culture or whyrunners do what they do to show
up for your partner or familymember.
And here's where it gets evenmore fun, though, because,
(45:51):
inspired by this conversation,when we were talking about
making this a possibility andmaking it a reality, I put
together a little bit of a quiz.
So if you and your non-runningpartner or loved one had a blast
listening to this episode, Iwant you to take it a step
further, or maybe even a stridefurther.
This fun quiz is in this week'snewsletter and it's called how
(46:13):
Well Do you Know your Runner orNon-Runner?
It's quick, it's a little silly, it may surprise you both.
It's a little bit honeymoonerstyle.
You can take it together,compare your answers and then
share the results with us.
So send in your quiz, yourstories, your funny
disagreements, highlight orshout out your running
supporters or any standoutmoments.
You can send it to the StrideCollective, the Facebook group.
(46:35):
I'll have that in the episodenotes and we're going to be
sharing some of your highlightsin an upcoming episode.
Who knows, we may even shareyour love story in this month.
That's upcoming, so pleasedon't be shy and let's see who
really knows they're running ornon running stuff.
I want to, as always, thank youall for tuning into
(46:56):
Extraordinary Strides.
I want to thank you, buddy, forcoming along.
So, whether, my friends, you'reout on a run, if you're doing
laundry from that run, orsitting on the couch wondering
why runners are running, we'regrateful to have you here.
So don't forget to share thisepisode with someone who might
enjoy it, or maybe someone whoneeds a little nudge to join you
on your next rest day adventure.
(47:17):
I'm going to ask you, friends,to keep striding, keep laughing
and remember that sometimes themost extraordinary support comes
from the sidelines.
So until next time, stayextraordinary.
Welcome back to Extraordinary Strides, where we
celebrate ordinary folks doingextraordinary things through
running, movement and sometimesa little bit of stubbornness.
Today's episode is a wee bitdifferent, my friends, but it is
going to be a fun one.
I'm bringing on someone whoknows me better than anyone,
even if he still doesn't fullyunderstand my obsession with
(00:21):
running.
That's right.
After recording the episode withLynn about our spectators and
how spectators are such animportant part of our lives, I
thought who better to bring thanmy partner, the man who has
witnessed every early morningalarm, every sweaty post-run hug
, and probably regrets agreeingto this right here and now.
But he is going to be joiningus today.
(00:41):
He is not a runner and and,trust me, he's going to remind
you of that but he's been by myside through my running journey,
cheering me on in his own way.
Some of you guys may recallsome of his ways of cheering me
on, but we're going to dive intowhat it's like living with a
runner when you're not one hisunique and often, in my opinion,
hilarious perspectives onrunning culture and how we
(01:02):
balance our very differentworlds.
I promise this episode will befilled with laughs, insights and
maybe even a little heart andsoul.
So let's get this party started.
Hello buddy, welcome on in.
I'm so excited to have you here.
Speaker 2 (01:15):
Yes, it's very nice to be here, particularly on this
side of the mic.
Speaker 1 (01:20):
I feel like you had a bit of trepidation when I
proposed the idea of you comingon, but I do appreciate you
agreeing to it, and I'm sure ithad nothing to do with the fact
that I bribed you with buyingyou a couple of beers.
Yes, the 18 pack kind of helped.
Yes, and for the purpose ofthis conversation, for us to
(01:42):
call you, are you going to gowith officially Mr Strides or
maybe the non-runner in chief,or are you just going to be
plain old buddy?
Yeah, I'm like buddy.
Yeah, okay, I'm a buddy you are.
You're definitely my number one, buddy.
We're a little vague about hisofficial identity because he's
got a job that sounds way coolerthan I think it actually is,
(02:03):
but I'm not allowed to tell you.
Oh, most definitely way coolerit sounds way cooler, but I'm
not allowed to tell you more, sojust roll with it, friends.
For the purpose of thisinterview, we're bringing on
Buddy, my partner and truly theperson who's by my side during
all of the ups and downs thatthis whole running journey has
taken me on.
(02:24):
So, with that said, I'm goingto dive right into a few
different questions, but I dowant to start this off with
expressing how much I appreciateyou putting up with this world,
because I know that itdefinitely comes with quirks.
But when you first met me, whatwere your thoughts about
runners or running in general?
And you're welcome to be honest.
I'm pretty sure that, for thepurpose of this conversation, I
think I can handle your honesty.
Speaker 2 (02:49):
Oh, I'm sure it's probably nothing you haven't
heard before.
Actually, running or runnerswere never in my world, never
gave it a thought.
It's just not.
Just wasn't anything.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Well, I mean, I know that running is not something
that you necessarily do.
Your aspect of fitness is morefocused on strength training and
weightlifting, but at somepoint you had to have run or
encountered runners.
So you had zero thoughtwhatsoever, Like did you see any
local races or you had heard ofthe Boston Marathon.
Anything kind of came into play.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Yes, of course Everybody is familiar with the
big runs Boston, new York andsuch and locally.
Yes, they always had 3Ks and5Ks and.
I stayed away, I learned wherethe road closures were and
basically I cursed them becauseI couldn't get the coffee enough
and I just despise them.
Speaker 1 (03:33):
Every runner knows that you're a non-runner by the
fact that you've referenced 3Ks.
But I'm not going to, we're notgoing to be judgy here, we're
fully leaning into appreciatingyou.
So it basically was more of anannoyance when you thought of
running or just kind ofsomething on total peripheral,
something you had read about.
Speaker 2 (03:50):
I have to appreciate the fact that people around the
world love to run, so you can'tmake fun of something that so
many people enjoy doing.
I just don't want to be in aconvenient spot.
Speaker 1 (04:02):
Nothing should stand in between you and your coffee.
I get it.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
Yeah, you go do what you do, and if you like that,
that's great.
Yeah, so I just basicallyignored it.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Okay, did you have any idea how much running was
going to become a part of yourlife by being with me?
Speaker 2 (04:20):
No.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
Did I sell you a bad bill of goods?
I feel like, yes, okay, I'mgoing to dive more into.
Speaker 2 (04:23):
No, did I sell you a bad bill of goods?
I?
Speaker 1 (04:24):
feel like did I?
Yes, okay, I'm going to divemore into that a little bit more
, but I'm kind of curious, sinceyou did say that running was
something that you kind of hadin the peripheral, would you say
that there's anything inparticular about running that
doesn't really make sense to youspecifically?
Speaker 2 (04:40):
So it makes sense what it is.
It's just not my cup of tea.
It's just not my cup of tea.
It's just not my cup of tea.
I'm lazy.
You know that I put big debt incouch.
Speaker 1 (04:49):
Efficient, you're efficient.
Speaker 2 (04:54):
I don't like getting hot.
I don't like the exertion thatI feel.
I don't like taking tons ofshowers.
I don't like the laundry thatcomes after that.
I don't like the fact that Ican't cool down.
I dare not get in my carbecause, well, you know my car
and I'm not putting a sweatybody in my car.
(05:15):
Yeah, for me there's nothingthat called to me.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
I'm going to tell you right now, so that you do know,
that I don't think there's anyrunner that's listening to this
right now that likes getting hot, sweaty, gross, having to do
all the laundry or the fact thatit does have a lot of different
aspects of our life, that itkind of controls the narrative
of our day-to-day life.
So I think that most runnerswill agree that it can be
difficult and inconvenient, butthe juice is worth the squeeze.
(05:41):
The rewards are so much worthall of those different efforts
for inconveniences.
Speaker 2 (05:46):
From a health perspective, that's probably
right, but when I need helppeeling off my shirt,
something's wrong.
No, I don't enjoy that.
That's not hot.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
We're in Florida.
That's the case for summer here, regardless if you're a runner
or not.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
So you know, surprisingly, I'm a big beach
person and I don't mind gettingwet there, and getting wet there
is different than the gettingwet when you run You're still
totally saturated.
Speaker 1 (06:11):
But it's more refreshing.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
No, it's a sticky, nasty kind of wet that your
clothes go plop when they hitthe ground.
It's just not for me dignified.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
Gotcha Okay, so it's not for me.
Dignified Gotcha Okay, so it'snot for you, but it has become a
large part of your life, justby association.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
God, it's become 90% of my life.
Speaker 1 (06:34):
It is.
I feel like that's all I talkabout.
I'm so sorry.
Speaker 2 (06:36):
It's all you talk about.
Speaker 1 (06:38):
Literally.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Okay.
With that said, can you thinkof potentially any positives
that running has brought to yourlife, by being associated with
a runner?
Speaker 2 (06:51):
So nothing positive about running, but the
association with the runner mostdefinitely.
We have gone on some fantasticvacations because of the running
.
Yeah, runcations is what wecall them here, around these
here parts, I call it a vacation.
I've gone places that I wouldnever have gone myself had it
(07:14):
not been because of this running.
Speaker 1 (07:16):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (07:17):
And a lot of runners.
They fly in, they do the runand they leave as soon as
possible to promote locations,like we did in Germany and Tokyo
, where we made almost a month'sstay out of it.
So had it not been for therunning, I don't think I ever
would have traveled to theplaces.
(07:37):
I traveled, got to experiencethe experience that we did and
it was absolutely a fabulous,beautiful time.
So at the end of all thistraining for what a year and a
half training to go somewhere,it was, it was worthwhile.
So from that perspective, thatwas great.
But we agreed together we'regoing there, let's make a big
(08:00):
thing of it.
Speaker 1 (08:01):
Yeah, you know, what's interesting when you say
this, buddy, is that there aresome trips that we've done, that
there's no reason why wehaven't gone there and done the
trip or the vacation without therace or the run.
But there's something aboutattaching the trip with a
purpose that seems to give us alittle bit more of a catalyst or
a little bit like ignites, alittle bit of a fire for us to
actually move forward with it.
(08:22):
And I'm going to talk about DC.
For everyone who's beenlistening to the podcast, they
know that I did Marine Corps 50Klast year and I've wanted to go
to DC my entire life and atthat point I had traveled
internationally and still hadn'tgone to DC.
And if it wasn't for thisspecific race, I just would have
never prioritized going intothat area.
Now I know you've been thereseveral times, so I'm going to
(08:43):
ask you that specifically howdoes it differ if there is a big
difference between going tothese trips with a runner versus
the trips that you've done tothese locations without a run or
a race attached to it?
And as I say this while you'rethinking that through, I want to
make sure that the audienceknows very few of our vacations
(09:03):
have not had a run attached toit.
I can only think of maybe lessthan a handful, to be honest
with you.
So I don't really know whatvacationing without a race or
run attached to it is reallylike.
For the most part, we've done afew, a few close ones, and, of
course, the one where, whenTokyo broke my heart, we went
down to Aruba and Curacao, wedid Grand Canyon, but even that
(09:24):
one was because of Vegas.
So I'm curious how does itdiffer for you and does it make
a difference?
Like as somebody who's notgoing to be running the race, do
you feel like it maybe colorsthe experience a little
differently?
Speaker 2 (09:36):
No, no, not at all, because these are such
monumental milestone runs foryou, having completed the World
marathon majors.
We put so much effort into whatwe do after the run, so you do
all of this running andpreparation up to and the
(09:56):
extraordinary amount of work youput into what are we going to
do afterwards?
Our vacation really starts atthe end of your run and and I
think it's remarkable you canstill walk around and we have
seen some fabulous places.
That train ride from Austria,right from Vienna, up into
(10:16):
Prague.
Who would have done that?
I don't think I ever would havethought, hey, let's go take a
train from here to here.
It was a part of your plan aswe moved about and that's
fabulous.
So that's what we do.
That's our one trip for the.
What takes two, three yearssometimes?
Speaker 1 (10:34):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (10:35):
In between, and so we're saving money and our
resources and we're planningthat whole time.
What are we going to do when weget there after the run and we
have epic, truly epic vacations?
And, more importantly I don'tknow if your audience cares or
not it gives us an opportunityto prepay for everything, so we
don't really charge anything andthat's important to me.
(10:57):
You don't go broke.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
I know.
So my friend's budget but he isvery sensible and he's very
fiscally conservative and I lovehim for that.
He's also absolutely amazedthat nobody really loved there
wasn't a lot of love for thebudgeting your races and your
plan podcast episode, but thatis something that we have held
very important to our life.
So very rarely do I do one ofthese big races back to back.
(11:21):
I have had a year the Boston toBerlin year was the exception,
but more often than not we dotry to plan them every other
year, so we have an opportunityto budget and really be able to
do the trip in a way that is alittle bit more of a luxury
versus kind of just going doingthe race and coming right back.
So there's a little bit of that.
(11:41):
You said so much in yourstatement that I want to call
attention to, though One of thethings you talked about was the
extraordinary amount of effortand training that goes in in
preparation, that goes into thetraining for these races, which
thank you.
I appreciate that you see that,but I want you to know right
here and now, and anybody who'slistening, that I know you're
impacted by that as well,because I'm having to put myself
(12:03):
to bed at a ridiculous earlyhour.
You're oftentimes, if I don'thave a run crew with me or if I
have a specific pace that I needto hit for a workout, you're
oftentimes waking up at two, Ithink.
We waken up at 1.30 to threeo'clock for especially the
summer marathon trainingsessions so you can ride your
bike so that I am able to run ina way that's a bit safer of an
(12:25):
environment.
So I know that the trainingwhile it's me primarily doing
the running, that you'redefinitely there side by side
through the process as well.
So I'm curious if there feelslike a little bit of a reward or
like it's worth the sacrificewhen we are able to actually do
these runcations forspecifically the World Marathon
Majors kind of comes to mind.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
No, it's a pain in the ass, it's an act of love.
This is something that youenjoy.
Nobody likes going to bed at5.30 in the morning when kids
are still out playing 3 pm pm,not in the morning.
Yeah, yeah, and it's stilllight out.
Speaker 1 (13:00):
Okay, I got you.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
It is hard, but it's an act of love and, yes, I know
we're going to have a lovelytime afterwards, because you
said it's an act of love, whichit absolutely is.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
I want to ask you if you were to give advice to a
non-runner who's entering into arelationship with a runner,
besides literally run away.
Speaker 2 (13:20):
Yeah, run away.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
The only running that you advocate for, but what's
the best way that you think anon-runner should help support
their running partner?
Speaker 2 (13:30):
Well, I think it's very important Again, this is
what the partner wants to do.
I mean, you've talked so muchabout how you wanted to complete
the world majors.
It's beyond a bucket list andyou worked so hard for it.
Bucket list and you worked sohard for it and I feel honored
that I was able to assist, nomatter how frivolous it may have
(13:55):
been to get you there.
I think people need to knowthat you're extraordinarily
dedicated to getting preparedand this dedication takes a year
, sometimes more.
So we talk about, you know,backing off time 18 months
before.
But there's a lot of work aheadof time.
There is the diet that you haveto follow and the food that has
to be bought and really kind ofwacky training.
(14:18):
Well, sometimes you run 12miles, sometimes you run three,
sometimes we have to gosomewhere where you have enough
asphalt to run on.
That's just not available here.
So we have to strategicallyfind places that has enough
runway, if you will, and travelthere.
We have to get the bikes ready.
They have to be serviced forthese long runs.
(14:39):
How many bike lights have wegone through to find ones that
illuminate the trail well enough?
So there is a lot ofpreparation to do these
conditioning, this training thatyou go through, and then
there's all those supplies thathave to be carried.
So we bought a special bag forthe back of the bike to hold all
(15:01):
of the fuel.
And you experiment with thefuel to see which ones work and
which ones don't, and we have toalways route the path that you
run by a Starbucks or a DunkinDonuts so we can get coffee.
Speaker 1 (15:13):
I was going to say for the record friends, if you
are thinking that your partneris going to join you for those
early morning runs, you have totake into consideration the
amount of hours that they'regoing to be joining you.
I think probably for MarineCorps the 50K was the longest
that you were out there with meand being tortured, specifically
because we were running duringFlorida summers where you have
(15:34):
to go out at three o'clock inthe morning.
It's already hot at threeo'clock in the morning or it
never cooled off even at threeo'clock in the morning.
So we would try to make itwhere there was some I won't
call it joy, but at leastsomething to help support you
supporting me in this fashion.
So we I would often plan theroutes around a Dunkin' Donuts
or something that he could pickup a coffee or have a little bit
(15:55):
of popping in somewhere so thathe could get some refreshment
himself, because while he'ssupporting me, there's very
seldom things that he can packor support himself with it.
I appreciate that so much, so Iwant you to know that as well
and hopefully I expressed that,but likely not sufficiently.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Oh no, you've been very, very good about that.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Well, thank you Because it's truly.
I know that it's.
I don't think if the shoe wasin the other foot, I don't think
I could do what you do.
Actually, I'm fairly certain Iwould not do what you do because
it just feels incrediblyselfless, and I think I'm a bit
more selfish when it comes tothat.
But let's not tell everybodyhow selfish I am.
Let's talk about how I'mcurious.
Now, realistically, do you feellike a running widow and does
(16:39):
that ever potentially kind ofmess with what you're wanting to
do, with the weekends or yourevents that you want to go to?
Or are you kind of glad to havethe house to yourself when I'm
out training?
Speaker 2 (16:45):
No, actually I can't do anything.
I'm pretty well captured in thehouse, Can't go far because you
never know when a call may comein to go off and whatever pick
up.
We've had to do that maybe twoor three times, so I have to be
here.
We don't get to go do theweekends kind of things that we
(17:06):
normally do, because it's notjust going to bed early for you.
You go to bed early days before.
Speaker 1 (17:14):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (17:14):
So that you can build up and prepare.
So actually, everything iscaptive and it's all around your
preparing for the run.
Speaker 1 (17:25):
Yeah, I'm so sorry, but I thank you for doing it.
So I'm gonna now, because Ifeel like this is a little
painful for you and I don'twanna necessarily bring up the
nightmares of supporting me.
I will say for everybody who islistening you said after Tokyo
this was it.
Like I'm done.
I don't want my life to revolvearound running.
I want to be able to have myown life as well.
And then I think I hit you with, maybe about a year and a half
(17:50):
later, that I was going to trainfor Marine Corps and then
Sydney became a world marathonmajor and we had a lot of
discussion about that.
We went back and forth as towhether it really matters if I
pursue the next three stars.
What if we wanted to alsoexpress to folks life is vastly
different.
Training for marathons inwinters here in Florida, because
(18:12):
I can go out, I don't have togo to bed as early, I don't have
to get up early, he can havehis life.
But summer endurance trainingit does require a completely
different approach to it becauseof the heat and the humidity
and how it can truly bedangerous.
I'm not much of a treadmillrunner, so I tend to want to do
most of my runs outdoors.
I also like the aspect thatheat training helps
(18:34):
physiologically to prepare memore for fall races.
So there's a lot of differentaspects and I will say that
basically what we talked aboutwas that was it.
There was like no more realfocus on at least fall races.
And now, specifically again, wehad Sydney.
Why, in your words, do you feelbecause you didn't just support
me on moving forward withSydney, you've actually
(18:55):
encouraged me.
Why do you feel that it'simportant?
Speaker 2 (18:58):
So I think it's a.
When you consider the, I guessI can say this millions of
runners around the world runningall sorts of runs, local, maybe
regional favorites, and thenyou have this Abbott World
Marathon majors throughout theworld.
And to complete, that was amonumental milestone.
(19:21):
You should share with peoplethe number of people who have
finished the world majors todate and then, even more, the
number of women who havecompleted.
It's remarkable, I think.
What tell me, was it 17 or14,000?
Women have completed all six.
Speaker 1 (19:39):
It's about 39 to 42% of the field of the world
marathon major six-starfinishers that are women, which
I think I mean that's wonderfuland I understand socially and
culturally why that's the case.
But I do know and I'm glad thatyou mentioned that that I'm
personally on a mission to tryto support, or to support and
encourage more women to go afterthis really big.
(20:00):
I call it a big, audacious goalbecause, while it may take time
I'm going to use the infamouswords of your mother, where the
time's going to pass anyway whyshould we not do it in pursuit
of something that we really thatcalls to us or that has that
passion?
And I want to even the playingfield because currently here in
the United States or NorthAmerica and most aspects of
Europe, the field and by that Imean the amount of participants
(20:22):
of a race that goes into anyspecific race specifically like
Chicago, new York City or any USor North American race the
field is actually primarilywomen.
Now We've made a huge leapforward in this sport becoming
very welcoming for women,especially when we think back to
not so long ago.
Thanks to Catherine Switzer, wejust broke into being able to
participate in the marathondistance and beyond.
(20:44):
So what I hate to hear is thatinternationally we still have a
very large disparity of what weare seeing pursuits, and even
here in the US there's a bigdisparity of pursuits of women
completing the world marathonmajors in comparison to their
male counterparts.
And I have theories on that andwe could talk about that a
whole other day if you wanted tocome and chat about that.
(21:05):
But I do want to go ahead andsay that if you guys have not
joined the Women of WorldMarathon Majors Facebook group,
because you mentioned it, that'swhere I would strongly advocate
for you guys to join in ifyou're considering it, because
there is a lot of support andencouragement and inspiration
from your fellow six star orseven star and beyond pursuits.
But that brings me back toSydney, because we had if you
(21:27):
guys haven't been able to pickup on this yet not a lot of
decisions are made here in theCasa of Extraordinary Strides
without us sitting down or himgoing for a bike ride and me
going for a run and us talkingit through it, but usually we
actually sit these conversationsdown.
And Sydney was a serious heartto heart because when we looked
at the numbers financially, Isaw a lot of other opportunities
(21:49):
of runs that I would ratherprioritize Rome or Thins, or
just there's so many other races.
So is it that because you wereI'm going to go ahead and say
again you were kind of raised bya feminist?
Is that what kind of calls youto supporting me with Sydney,
that wanting to support a womanin her pursuit of this really
big, audacious goal?
(22:10):
Or is it just you think itsounds cool?
What is it that helped you kindof really push me towards
completing Sydney, or workingtowards Sydney, because clearly
I haven't even started trainingfor it?
Speaker 2 (22:21):
Yeah, but no, my mother had nothing to do with
anything.
Okay, yeah, no, no.
It's a very cool goal and whenyou look at the membership of
the club that you're in and Ithink people actually admire
your accomplishment it takes 10years to complete.
That's a lifetime effort.
(22:41):
People can get degrees in lesstime than that.
And then for them to spring upat the last minute like a mirage
oh here's another one it's likedamn, in order for me to keep
my status, I need to go do this.
And then I got to go do Africaafter that I'm so excited about.
And then the tough one is China.
(23:01):
If we're not at war, what do wedo about China?
Speaker 1 (23:07):
Yeah, so we're not going to get into that
conversation, but again, thisgoes back to why we're not using
his official name, as towhether he would even be able to
attend any race there with me.
So we're not, we're not goingto get into that, but I am
looking forward to Cape Town.
Actually, tell me what thismeans to you, because you're
considering.
This is something that, nowthat you've gone to all these
different races, you want tokind of travel to now the seven
continents, right?
Speaker 2 (23:27):
Well, now that you've got us to like six of them yeah
, that's just for braggingrights.
I can tell my kids.
Speaker 1 (23:35):
Just bragging rights Okay.
Speaker 2 (23:37):
Yeah, I can tell my kids they're near the wells.
Speaker 1 (23:39):
And your grandkids.
Speaker 2 (23:42):
Slackers.
Speaker 1 (23:43):
Okay, we talked a lot about me and running.
I want to bring the focus moreon you specifically, and I'm
going to talk about this segmentbeing kind of like why are you
not a runner yet?
So I'm going to ask if youwould be willing to tell us all
have you ever tried running and,if so, what was the experience
like?
Speaker 2 (24:01):
So yeah, I mean as a teenager, as a young 20 year old
, I ran, then I got mature andwisdom comes with maturity.
Speaker 1 (24:09):
I'm still waiting for my wisdom.
Okay, yeah, that's not true.
You signed up for a 5K.
Speaker 2 (24:16):
No, I did run when I was a teenager.
I was.
Speaker 1 (24:19):
You ran as an adult.
Speaker 2 (24:21):
I ran the mile in five minutes and 27 seconds,
which was which he still talksabout to this day.
Speaker 1 (24:28):
I was 19.
I know you have to let that go,my friend.
You have to let that go.
Speaker 2 (24:33):
That's the end of my running.
Speaker 1 (24:35):
Okay, but you did try a run as an adult.
I may have not been thesmartest gal in the world,
because I took you to what'sconsidered a hillier or more
difficult course here in Florida.
Do you want to share a littlebit about that experience, or do
you rather have you put it outof your memory Totally?
Speaker 2 (24:51):
Yeah, that, that agony I put out because I can't
curse.
I promised you I wouldn't curse.
All I can tell you is that Icame in last.
There were 92 year olds whofinished before me.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
I don't know why people don't realize that the
older crew is fast.
Speaker 2 (25:08):
One poor guy was waiting where the tent used to
be because they had taken itdown, because they were told
that there was one more guycoming in and he wanted to give
me the medal and I rejected themedal.
Speaker 1 (25:22):
Oh, you still covered the distance, but I understand
that you felt like you didn'tput in your best performance and
I think that was the first andlast time that I actually
experienced you tackling a race.
Is there any world that youcould see yourself signing up
for another race?
No of time trying to change it,and I think that that's kind of
(25:46):
what helps this entire dynamicwork.
But now I'm curious.
You mentioned that you put bigdents in couches, but that's not
entirely true.
You do have quite a bit ofphysical aptitude that you have
spent time in the past and evennow.
What would you say yourfavorite way of staying active
is?
Speaker 2 (25:59):
Chasing after you.
Speaker 1 (26:02):
That's why we're talking right here, because, yes
, when I was talking to Lynnabout spectating, I thought of
all the incredible things thatyou've tackled and trying to
chase after me, like New YorkCity, where you couldn't catch
up to me, london, which was amadhouse, like I don't know how
we saw each other at London you.
Speaker 2 (26:19):
Actually, you found me and what we found is that we
would trace out the running rodand we would pick places where I
could stage up and we could seeone another.
So we were very logistic aboutit and then the day of the race,
particularly when we did London, they closed the train, the
very train that we took to gopick out our spots.
(26:40):
They closed them because youcouldn't cross the street
because of the massive crowd ofpeople.
It was insane.
So, yes, trying to chase you isthe most difficult thing to do,
and I think that would be truewith anybody, not just because
you're running, but anybody whowas found unless you're a native
of that area to navigate aroundand and work with the
(27:02):
transportation that wasn't there, that you were expecting there,
and the subways in New Yorkwere so slow you literally
outran the subways.
Speaker 1 (27:13):
Well, I'm just going to pretend that it's because I'm
that fast.
That's not actually the case.
Speaker 2 (27:16):
You were that fast.
Speaker 1 (27:18):
No, I'm not.
Well, I will say, friends, thatthat's why, in the spectator
episode, if you didn't listen toit, go back and listen to it If
you have a partner or a friendor a family member, somebody who
wants to come spectate.
A lot of really goodinformation was in there.
Plus, there's the spectatorchecklist that you could always
sign up for and it'll bedelivered to your inbox.
And we talked a lot about that,how there has to be some
(27:40):
additional planning before therace and you have to plan for
like a best case and a worstcase scenario.
As most runners will know, whenyou have a race day plan, you
have an A goal, a B goal and a Cgoal.
You need to kind of take intoconsideration of meeting up with
your spectators or your familyand friends as well, because
there are so many times where wehad already picked out a point
(28:01):
and, as you mentioned, likeLondon, when you popped out of
the tube I think is what theycall it the crowd was just so
massive that you couldn't makeyour way through.
So in a place where I couldactually find you, or Boston,
where it was, the subway systemor the train system was so
packed.
Speaker 2 (28:15):
Tokyo.
Speaker 1 (28:15):
I think we didn't even try for Tokyo.
I think with Tokyo you shockedme at the finish line because I
was for sure, thinking youweren't going to try to navigate
in a foreign, in a languageit's just so foreign, but you
did.
I don't know how you did that.
Speaker 2 (28:30):
I'm not sure either.
A lot of walking.
There's a lot of walking, yes,involved, and there is some
jogging involved to make timesand and to meet places.
So I think it's important, too,that your audience knows that
if you're not able to catch upto a spectator spot, you ought
to have one or two places.
You plan to meet after the run,and there was a lot of phone
(28:54):
calling when are you?
This is where I think I am.
You want to meet here.
I can't get there because ofall the traffic or the roads
being closed.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
So and this is also why we talked about that too.
So there's a couple of thingsthat, friends, I want you guys
to keep in mind Again, thingsthat have talked about in
different podcasts, but thatwe've learned through experience
.
If you're a mid-pack or back ofthe pack runner, or even in
front of the pack runner who'sutilizing an app that maybe is
draining your battery, if youdon't have a battery pack with
you little like slimlineportable charger and you didn't
(29:26):
take the cord with you, there'sa big likelihood that your phone
is going to be drained andyou're not going to be able to
call, like what happened with usin London.
Speaker 2 (29:34):
London.
That was crazy my phone died.
Speaker 1 (29:36):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (29:37):
And we thought we knew where we were meeting and I
think at the last minute therace moved the meetup point.
They moved it out of.
I think it was Travaga Square.
Speaker 1 (29:50):
It was actually the nonprofit, because we're going
to meet where the nonprofitended up.
Yeah, so I was running forcharity and the charity had a
meeting point for spectators,but let's be honest, I was
severely undertrained for London, so I likely probably came in
way later than the meeting pointwas officially being held by
the nonprofit or the charity andadded a whole other spice to
(30:14):
the mix, where it was justImmediately, you're lost in
London.
Lost in London, I'm feelingabsolutely like poo.
I was wiped because, again, mytraining cycle was less than its
best for that specific cycle.
That was the training cyclethat really solidified to me
something that I say quitefrequently where you have to pay
(30:35):
your bills.
And you can either pay yourbills when it comes to your
training, by showing up for yourtraining runs, really, really
really making it a prioritywhich we've discussed several
times or you can pay your billon race day, but it's usually
going to be with interest ratesand charges and late fees and
penalties, fees and penaltiesAbsolutely.
We always talk about pay yourbills and training, because it
(30:57):
makes an entire race dayexperience completely different.
And I'm going to describe Tokyothe difference between Tokyo as
to how I felt when I finishedthat and even with the broken
toe, and afterward like going tocavort through all the
different cities.
We even did a hike againstdoctor's orders, but whatever,
we had already paid for it inKyoto, and I think that I was
you would have never known thatI had run a marathon versus,
(31:20):
again, london a vast comparisonwhere I was able to do the
things we had planned.
But it took me quite a few daysto get to the point where we
were actually moving andgrooving to be able to tour the
city the right way.
Speaker 2 (31:31):
Yeah, that was a scary.
That was a scary one.
I mean, at the end I guess wealways can meet up at the hotel.
That's something we have to say, that after a certain amount of
time, if we haven't caught upwith one another, we're going to
the hotel.
They always have to haveseveral meetup places.
My phone died.
I don't know how it died, soyou have to have a battery
(31:51):
backup.
These are 12, 14 hour dayssometimes, and you have to be
prepared for that, particularlyif we escort you to the start
line.
Speaker 1 (32:00):
Yeah, which you do.
I can't think of one that youhaven't.
So there's a lot of that.
Now again, friends, if you endup racing as much as I have, at
this point you can't expect or Iguess you can but be prepared
to be a little bit disappointed.
You can't expect your spectator, your family, your friends or
the folks in your life to go toevery single race.
So at this point we haveprioritized the races that mean
(32:24):
the most for you to be able tospectate Generally.
I don't have you come out forRun Disney.
There's no point.
Run Disneys are done before anormal wake up time or any of
the local races, even some ofthe local races.
You came to the finish line ofMarine Corps, but that wasn't
even something that was.
Speaker 2 (32:39):
Marine Corps was different.
Speaker 1 (32:40):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (32:41):
Marine Corps was a bucket list, always wanted to
run it.
It's not like a Disney run.
Speaker 1 (32:54):
Right, we love Disney , I love Disney, but I do think
that it is a harder one for yourspectators because of how
incredibly early they are.
So that's just a tough one.
So we've learned a lot in thisentire journey of going through
these experiences.
I'm kind of curious if youwould indulge me for a little
bit longer, if maybe you couldshare what you think.
There's one thing that you wishthat runners so me would
understand about theirnon-running loved ones.
(33:16):
So what should I know moreabout you when it relates to my
training?
I think I know the answer.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
Okay, tell me, because I don't.
Speaker 1 (33:25):
I think you're going to say I don't want to go to bed
just because you're going tobed.
Speaker 2 (33:30):
Yes, I don't want to speak badly, but I find it a
very selfish activity that thewhole house has to stop do
whatever it is.
Speaker 1 (33:38):
For the record, the whole house does not have to
stop.
I'm just an incredibly lightsleeper.
Speaker 2 (33:43):
I have to wear a headset to watch my television.
I cannot put anything in themicrowave, I have to be
absolutely silent.
Speaker 1 (33:52):
I'm going to sound like a diva.
Speaker 2 (33:53):
For months and months .
Speaker 1 (33:55):
Oh wait, I'm a super light sleeper and we live in an
incredibly tiny location.
I've mentioned before and I'mgoing to say it again right
before the pandemic we made thedecision to really downsize so
we could travel more Hello, moreworld marathon majors or more
rentations.
And then the pandemic happenedand we both started working from
home and it kind of changed thedynamic of the household a
(34:17):
little bit.
So I'm going to give myselfthat excuse, but I'm going to
also change the subject.
What has being around a runnertaught you, if anything, about
discipline?
Speaker 2 (34:27):
Patience.
Speaker 1 (34:28):
I love that that's so true.
What has it taught you, ifanything?
About discipline, goal settingand perseverance.
Speaker 2 (34:35):
Nothing, but I admire your discipline.
Speaker 1 (34:39):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
Your commitment.
It would be, I think, reallyeducational for people to see
you do walk that talk aboutconsistency all the time.
I have to go do my run, butwe're going to go meet up, but
no, I got to do my run andyou'll do your run on the other
side of the state, in thepanhandle.
It's like a Dr Seuss story in abox with a box are very
(35:03):
consistent, so definitely admireyour tenaciousness.
And it's not a hobby, it's,it's a lifestyle for you yeah, I
mean it is, it's my passion.
Speaker 1 (35:13):
I love, as you know, I love working with the runners
that I get the honor andprivilege to coach.
I feel very territorial andalmost kind of motherly over
them and I really I think Ispend a lot of priority and time
with that, which I know has toprobably be a little bit
difficult for you.
Speaker 2 (35:29):
Which cuts from my time.
Speaker 1 (35:30):
Yeah, but you're a big boy, you get to-.
Speaker 2 (35:34):
Yeah, I understand it .
I understand it, but there issacrifice that takes place on my
behalf more than I probablywant to.
Speaker 1 (35:43):
Oh, I appreciate it.
Speaker 2 (35:44):
Because I'm selfish too.
Speaker 1 (35:45):
You five and a half more more than I probably want
to.
Oh, I appreciate it, becauseI'm selfish too.
You're not as selfish as I am,though, and I talk about that,
and I'm going to take a moment,and I don't say anything to my
runners that I wouldn't say toyou, so that you are well aware.
You probably haven't even heardme say this.
I think, as women and you mayroll your eyes, I don't know how
you particularly feel aboutthis when I say it I think, as
women a lot of women feel likewe have to wear hats, where we
have to prioritize all of thepeople and the relationships
(36:07):
around us before we prioritizeour own wants and needs and
desires, and this is the onearena that I feel is incredibly
important.
If it creates joy in your life,if it creates purpose, if it's
something that calls to you theway that I feel like it calls to
a majority of people who arelistening into this, then you
have to make it known.
You have to create thatcommunication where people know
how important it is to you andprioritize it, because the
(36:28):
reality is that you're neverreally going to have an optimal
time.
The non-runners in your life,as much as you support me,
you're never going to.
Really, I think understand whyI do this nonsense, but I think
it's something that's beencommunicated fairly in a way
where we both understand thatbig takeaway that it may take
away from, I don't know, stayingout all night at Cod or
whatever the case may be.
Speaker 2 (36:49):
Whatever it is, yeah, would you, yeah.
No, you have to know that, withyour partner, what's important
to them, although it may not beyour cup of tea, it is important
to them, and so you want themto be successful, you want them
to be happy, and so you do whatyou do, and it's not just
running, it's anything in life.
Speaker 1 (37:11):
That somebody's passionate about.
Speaker 2 (37:13):
Yes, you have to let them have that passion, engage
in that passion, even if it'snot yours, listen to them, be
active in that passion.
Yeah, that's just goodrelationships, I think.
Speaker 1 (37:26):
I wholeheartedly concur.
I'm now going to ask you acouple of different things that
maybe are just kind of somelittle snap, kind of snapshot,
quick fire fun.
What's the weirdest runningterm that you've heard me use?
If you can think of one, oh,yes, that German word.
The Swedish word.
Speaker 2 (37:43):
Whatever that word is .
What is that word?
Tell me.
Speaker 1 (37:46):
Speed play the fart lick, Fart lick.
Yes.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
Yes, that's an odd one.
Speaker 1 (37:50):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (37:50):
Hard one.
That was a.
You said what.
Speaker 1 (37:53):
How about plogging?
Plogging doesn't do anythingfor you.
That's also a Swedish term.
Speaker 2 (37:58):
I don't remember that one.
It was the fart lick that.
Speaker 1 (38:01):
I think that one throws people off since they're
yeah that would.
Speaker 2 (38:04):
I think I'd find another language, maybe
Norwegian.
They're close by.
It's got to be something alittle different.
Speaker 1 (38:10):
I tend to call it speed play, but of course it
really is.
I actually call it fartlek fora lot of runners and friends.
If you're not familiar withfartlek, it is again speed play
the Swedish word for it, and itbasically just allows you to
change your pacing, sometimesjust allows you to change your
pacing.
Sometimes it's structured andsometimes in its true sense is
unstructured.
So you kind of go with feelWe'll talk about that in a
different conversation because Idon't want Buddy over here to
(38:32):
have his eyes gloss over anymore.
When it comes to running, whatis the best?
If you can remember or mostannoying excuse that I gave you
for not doing something I don'tknow going out to a birthday
party or something else becauseI had to go for a run Do you
remember anything like that thatcomes to mind?
Or do you feel like Iprioritize?
While I prioritize my running,I figure out a way to not let it
(38:53):
necessarily intrude in thereally important aspects of our
life.
Speaker 2 (38:57):
I don't think anything surprising.
It's pretty well known, aswe're getting closer to race day
, like a boxer gets closer tohis match.
All focus is on that.
Speaker 1 (39:08):
I'm a little curious now what you think about the
nutrition and the fueling.
Is there anything that you'veseen me consume from a runner's
fuel, like the goos or gels orcliff blocks, that you think
actually looks appetizing, thatyou would actually eat, or does
it all make you?
Speaker 2 (39:22):
Never.
And that damn stuff is in ourclosets, it's in our pantries.
Speaker 1 (39:27):
It doesn't stay contained, it falls everywhere,
it's stinky it's not stinky it'sstinky it is not and it's gooey
when you put it in the yeahokay, I'm gonna ask now what is,
if anything, the mostridiculous running habit that
you think I have?
Speaker 2 (39:47):
Habit no.
Speaker 1 (39:49):
Or a quirk, no.
Speaker 2 (39:51):
No, no, it's just you go for your run, you set your
watch, you put on your sparklygear and out the door you go.
You have no.
What do they call that?
Habits or customs or ritualsthat you do?
There's none of that.
Speaker 1 (40:08):
That you know of.
Wah ha ha.
Speaker 2 (40:10):
No, I've seen it.
I've seen it all.
Speaker 1 (40:13):
No, Okay, Buddy, we've had some incredible
conversation here.
Again, I want to thank you, butI'm curious if you want to
maybe share with me what some ofyour favorite or if you have a
favorite race experience or raceday experience or a trip or
anything that you could think ofthat kind of comes to mind from
(40:33):
any of the races that you'vespectated or participated in as
my number one cheer support crew.
Speaker 2 (40:40):
Well, there isn't any one single one, because each
race is its own, it has its ownthrills and collectively I
remember them all.
But I'm most impressed inwatching the other athletes.
I'm impressed by the vastamount of body shapes that are
(41:01):
out there, tall, thin, thick,that are out there, tall, thin,
thick and, most importantly, Ithink, the para-athletes that I
have seen, because they takeaway any excuse I may have that
these individuals also train andthey perform and they perform
well and there's no excuse notto.
Again, it doesn't have to be inrunning, but anything that you
(41:23):
do in life, they're out there,they got ready for it and they
did it and they did it well.
So I have to say it really isquite inspiring and motivating
and gives me a whole new senseof respect for people's will and
determination.
Speaker 1 (41:42):
I wholeheartedly agree.
It's kind of like the entirepremise of the name change of
the podcast is because, as youknow, many, many, many moons ago
, I told you that I was neverreally that inspired by the
elites, though I think what theydo is amazing, of course, but
it really is what we see as theeveryday runner, or the everyday
runner.
Speaker 2 (42:00):
Yes, and that's right .
And for those who don't knowthe name of the podcast now,
extraordinary Strides.
It's just that because we usedto talk a lot about not the
elites, as you said they'rewonderful to watch, but really
admire the real elitesindividual out there slugging it
out, what their backgrounds was, and it was extraordinary and,
(42:22):
yes, that led to the naming ofthe podcast.
Speaker 1 (42:27):
I want to thank you so much, buddy, for coming on
here.
It's been so much fun.
I don't know that we evenscratched the surface of how
much running has taken over ourlives.
I mean, it's even somethingthat we bring into discussions
when we moved here.
Speaker 2 (42:43):
Oh, our family does now.
Yeah, People everyone, and it'scrazy how much it has taken
over, and it's done so in waysthat you're not even aware of it
until it happens.
Speaker 1 (42:54):
Insidiously.
Speaker 2 (42:56):
Every time we've relocated it's based upon where
can I run?
When we go and visit with arealtor, the number one thing
they say well, you want a threebedroom, four bedroom, no, no,
we need to be able to runsomewhere where it's safe, where
there's 52 miles of undisturbedasphalt.
That dominates everything we do, from what we pick out at the
(43:18):
grocery store to To what we haveat dinner.
Speaker 1 (43:22):
Absolutely, you're absolutely accurate.
Speaker 2 (43:24):
To how we sleep, yeah .
Speaker 1 (43:26):
Yeah, hey, thank you to my running habit for helping
us to like prioritize a newmattress.
Speaker 2 (43:32):
Yes, no, even going to the store to get shoes.
It's not Dick's Sporting Goodsor the Academy.
We go to somewhere where theyTrack Shack, track Shack, yeah,
and everybody should go to areally good professional- A
specialty running store,absolutely.
That measures your feet, and sowe plan that day out.
We plan it's going to take acouple hours to do this and from
(43:56):
your sports equipment you didthat show on sports bras for
women and that was veryimportant I thought, and we
think all about those thingswhat's the right gear, what's
the right fueling and thetesting that you do, even the
workouts that you do?
We have to go certain places sothat you can do the workout
(44:16):
that you're about to present.
Speaker 1 (44:18):
Program for athletes, yeah.
Speaker 2 (44:19):
For others.
They should know you doeverything that you ask them to
do and you make changes based onthat.
And so there's my weekend goingsomewhere.
Speaker 1 (44:29):
But we have created a lot of adventures.
Speaker 2 (44:32):
I've read a lot of books.
Speaker 1 (44:33):
Yes, that's right, he does a lot of reading in
support of my running.
But I will say it has created.
While it has created a lot ofneed to sacrifice and prioritize
discipline and structure, it'salso created a lot of freedom
and opportunities to travel andsee the world very differently.
Speaker 2 (44:53):
The memories and to talk to people about the places
that we've been, and it makes mefeel quite worldly that we
experience.
Speaker 1 (45:01):
I agree yeah.
Speaker 2 (45:02):
And people are amazed .
And none of this, none of thiswould have happened had it not
been for your desire to completethe world majors.
Speaker 1 (45:11):
Oh, I love this.
Speaker 2 (45:13):
Yeah, so it really did.
It's given us an enrichment.
Speaker 1 (45:16):
See friends.
Speaker 2 (45:17):
I think people look at me differently too when I say
we've been here, we've beenhere, we've been there and it's
kind of fun to brag about youactually on on what you've done,
and people ask how you do ityou're just very sweet and very
supportive.
Speaker 1 (45:30):
But with that said, I want to thank you again.
I'm going to say that there youhave it, folks it's.
This conversation is proof thatyou don't have to be a runner
to support one, and you don'thave to even understand the
detail of running culture or whyrunners do what they do to show
up for your partner or familymember.
And here's where it gets evenmore fun, though, because,
(45:51):
inspired by this conversation,when we were talking about
making this a possibility andmaking it a reality, I put
together a little bit of a quiz.
So if you and your non-runningpartner or loved one had a blast
listening to this episode, Iwant you to take it a step
further, or maybe even a stridefurther.
This fun quiz is in this week'snewsletter and it's called how
(46:13):
Well Do you Know your Runner orNon-Runner?
It's quick, it's a little silly, it may surprise you both.
It's a little bit honeymoonerstyle.
You can take it together,compare your answers and then
share the results with us.
So send in your quiz, yourstories, your funny
disagreements, highlight orshout out your running
supporters or any standoutmoments.
You can send it to the StrideCollective, the Facebook group.
(46:35):
I'll have that in the episodenotes and we're going to be
sharing some of your highlightsin an upcoming episode.
Who knows, we may even shareyour love story in this month.
That's upcoming, so pleasedon't be shy and let's see who
really knows they're running ornon running stuff.
I want to, as always, thank youall for tuning into
(46:56):
Extraordinary Strides.
I want to thank you, buddy, forcoming along.
So, whether, my friends, you'reout on a run, if you're doing
laundry from that run, orsitting on the couch wondering
why runners are running, we'regrateful to have you here.
So don't forget to share thisepisode with someone who might
enjoy it, or maybe someone whoneeds a little nudge to join you
on your next rest day adventure.
(47:17):
I'm going to ask you, friends,to keep striding, keep laughing
and remember that sometimes themost extraordinary support comes
from the sidelines.
So until next time, stayextraordinary.
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