Training Tuesday: Top Five Favorite Podcasts Right Now

Happy Tuesday! It’s another busy day for me after getting home after 9pm and having to leave the house by 5:15am for my clinical! I cannot believe that race day is officially THIS WEEK! What?!? It’s crazy to me how quickly this race came and training went pretty great. Can’t wait to give you my full training recap and thoughts for this weekend on Friday!

I thought it would be fun today to share with you my top five favorite podcasts I’ve listened to lately. I have actually mainly been listening to podcasts on my drive/commute rather than running (I’ve been going headphone-free on my runs)! It’s a nice way to either pass the time during my drive or help me study (sometimes I listen to my lectures on my drives!).

So, here’s the first one. I’m a huge fan of Peter Sagal and really enjoyed this conversation he had with Tina Muir. I also can’t wait to get his book!

This podcast was everything and I’m already looking forward to Wednesday when another one launches. I wish all of my favorite shows had a podcast like this!

I’m a huge fan of Stefanie and love that she’s a part of Matt’s Road To The Olympic Trails series. She has such an honest conversation with him in this episode and she’s a total bada$$ role model that I look up to so much.

Another episode that I’m a huge fan is Hungry Runner Girl’s Janae Baron (I love her blog, Hungry Runner Girl) and was so excited when I heard in this episode that she’s shooting for an OTQ. She is just such a beautiful sole and you can really hear how much she loves running in this episode.

I had never heard of Emily before this podcast, however I could relate to her on so many levels. She totally rocks 100 mile races and still LOVES the treadmill?! A girl after my own heart.

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-What have been your favorite podcast episodes you’ve listened to lately?

-Any other Office fans out there?!?

Feature Friday: 10 Most Inspiring Podcast Episodes & I'm Getting EXCITED!

Happy Friday! I’m still sick, but optimistic that I will be able to get my speedwork in this afternoon either outside or on the treadmill. Alex is away for a boys weekend, so it’s just me and the furry ones Saturday into Sunday. I’m hoping to get my packing for Vegas done, a long run in on the trails, gettng a mani/pedi on Saturday, and finishing another book! It’s supposed to be a rainy/ cloudy/snow showery weekend so lots of indoor activities will be had (and hot cocoa consumed). I also cannot WAIT for the NYC Marathon on Sunday morning! Is anyone else excited?! Who is racing! Someday (even if I’m 100 years old) I hope to get into the NYC lottery!

PS Think this is why Alex just happens to schedule “work trips” around my half and full marathon tapers????

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Since my race-day is coming up soon, I wanted to share with you some of the most inspiring Podcast episodes I’ve listened to (and will be re-listening to this next week)!

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I’ll Have Another With Lindsey Hein Episode 145: Sally Mcrae. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this episode. Sally is so relatable and such a hardworker. She is so inspiring and I honestly could listen to this episode over and over again on repeat.

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Ali On The Run Show Episode #92: Laura Anderson, 2018 Buffalo Marathon Winner. Laura is so inspiring and works full-time, while also being a running coach (I would LOVE to have her be my coach!). She is really relatable on so many levels and if she can win a marathon while doing so much outside of the running world, I believe anything is possible!

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Rich Roll Podcast January 7th Episode How Charlie Jabaley Lost 120Ibs & Overcame a Brain Tumor To Become An Athlete. We listened to this episode on our drive to Lake Powell and Charlie’s story is absolutely amazing. He is so open with his weight loss journey, his future goals, and so down-to-earth. So much respect and admiration for him.

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Finding Mastery: Conversations with Michael Gervais June 27th Episode with Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon Winner. I’m sure that I have listed this episode here before, but it was just SO GOOD. I think this is my favorite interview with Des. I listened to it on my drive to my 50k and remember thinking how quickly the time went by because I was just so inspired and in awe of this interview. Really really good.

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Oprah SuperSoul Conversations with Tom Brady Part 1 & Part 2 (June 17th & 19th). I have never been a huge fan of football just because of the way that most of the professional players act and their overall persona, HOWEVER these two conversations with Tom Brady showed me how incredible he really is and he gained a lot more respect from me. He has worked really hard (and continues to work really hard) to get where he is today and is one of the few professional football players that is certainly not like the others.

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Rambling Runner Podcast Episode # 106 Janae Baron “Hungry Runner Girl”. I’m a huge fan of Janae’s and have loved so many episodes that Matt has done, but this one was so inspiring. I’ve been following Janae’s journey to get her sub-3 hour marathon for some time now and hearing her race recap when she did finally get that goal was incredible (and gave me CHILLS!).

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I’ll have another with Lindsey Hein Episode #122 Teal Burrell. Teal’s story is incredible (she was also on episode # 58 of this podcast) and so inspiring. She is so down to earth and relatable. This episode focuses on her second OTQ marathon time that she secured (this tie post-baby) and her blog is really well done.

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Ali On The Run Show Episode # 45 Andrea Barber AKA Full House’s Kimmy Gibbler. This one is inspiring in the sense that it gave me (a classic 90’s child) all. the. feels. I was never interested to watching the reboot, Fuller House, on Netflix until after listening to this episode. She is also really open and honest about her experiences with anxiety and depression and what it was really like growing up in Hollywood. Super funny and makes her seem so much more relatable.

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Rambling Runner Podcast Episode #74 Sarah Canney. I’m a huge fan of Sarah’s journey and her openness and honesty on her blog. She does a great job of showing you the ‘unfiltered’ parts of her life and has accomplished so many great things in the running world.

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Another Mother Runner Episode #326: 2017 NYC Marathon Winner & Run Fast. Cook Fast. Eat Slow. Co-author Shalane Flanagan. So normally this podcast isn’t one of my favorites. They usually lose me in the first 5 minutes of their conversation recapping their weeks (maybe it’s because I don’t listen to every episode, but it just has me feeling lost), but I did fast forward through that and listen to their conversation with Shalane (whom I have a major girl crush on). She’s so inspiring and such a hardworker. I love following her journey and know that big things are still ahead for her!

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What’s the most inspiring Podcast episode you’ve listened to lately?!?

Who is going to watch the NYC Marathon? Anyone else going to enter into the lottery this year besides me (and hope that you’ll be one of the few selected to run)?!

Favorite pre-race tradition? ——> Manicure/Pedicure. Hands down. I look forward to it every single time. Hey, it could be some other more expensive tradition right?!?

Feature Friday: Some of My Favorite Inspirational Podcasts & What Do I Do When Running Gets HARD

Happy Friday! We finally made it! I wonder if weeks will seem this long and drawn-out when I'm in a job I really love?? Anyone out there in this position? I kept thinking that each day was a day later than what it actually was (i.e. on Tuesday I thought it was Wednesday), but regardless I'm glad it's finally Friday. Since Alex is away, I'm planning on getting into the kitchen A LOT this weekend to bake some goodies, get in a bunch of meal-prepping, and cleaning out more of our closets (yes.. we have several closets that are filled with winter/summer/outdoor CLOTHES/ Equipment/ etc. ) and getting so many things on Ebay. I've also got 10 miles on the schedule tomorrow and then a rest day on Sunday (with an easy 6 miles this morning). What's on tap for you this weekend? I'm still debating where my long run will be- there's a really beautiful country road a bit of a drive from us that is a little hilly, but mainly dirt and so quiet that would be so nice to run on or I could stay closer to home and run by the lake..hmmm. decisions. decisions. 

I've been listening to A LOT of podcasts lately (since most of my runs have still been easy paces) and I wanted to share with you some of my favorite ones that have inspired me:

• Oprah's Super Soul Conversations- June 17 & June 19ths Podcasts with Tom Brady. SOOO GOOD! Even if you're not a Patriots fan, I highly recommend listening to it. He speaks a lot about his training philosophy, life goals, and when he will stop playing football (only when it no longer becomes fun)
• Rambling Runner's Episode #74 with Sarah Canney- I'm a huge fan of Sarah's and think that she gives so much great advice in this episode. 
• Finding Mastery: Conversations with Michael Gervais Episode with Des Linden- I've never listened to this podcast before and this one really got me hooked. I listened to it on my drive to Copper a few weekends ago and it had me thinking the entire time and so inspiring. 
• I'll Have Another With Lindsey Hein episode #131 with Shadrack Biwott- I had never heard of Shadrack before this episode and he gives some of the best advice (including not taking yourself too seriously). He finished 3rd at the Boston Marathon and has an amazing outlook on life. 
• Ali On The Run Show Episode #70 with Katie Burke- I know Ali's coming out with a new episode with Katie Burke and I can't wait. This one was so inspiring for me (she talks a lot about finding her dream job and great advice for anyone looking to make a big career change). 

Most of the times, I'm able to really enjoy my run, but sometimes I still struggle (i.e. especially in the heat).

Especially in those first few years of running, I struggled A LOT.

I had enjoyable runs, but they were honestly few and far-between. I gave up more often than I pushed through in beginning, but now I've found a few tricks that have helped me work through those struggles and enjoy the run:

• Focusing on a different part of my body. Maybe I'll think about my ear or my big toe, but something to just completely get my mind off of running. 
• Channeling my inner Emma Coburn. Have you ever seen one of Emma's videos on instagram where she's powering-out to an awesome song and looking like a total badass? Complete #girlcrush
• Make a list of things I want to do after I run. Sometimes it includes what I'm going to eat, what I'm going to wear today, or what I have to look forward to doing after I run (i.e. lying on the floor in puddle of my own sweat)
• Try a new route that you haven't run before. I did this on Wednesday. I spontaneously decided to stay on a new road that I hadn't run fully before rather than turning around after a mile and hitting up my normal route. It was refreshing to see different sights and meet new cow and horse friends
• Focus on your breathing. This one helped me a lot when I was first starting out because I'd often try to run so fast and then get out of breath really quickly (and then get frustrated, which led to quitting). I started slowing down my paces by listening to my breathing, which led to me being able to run longer and gain more confidence. Once I built my confidence up, I was able to start speeding up. 
• Think of each hard section as a challenge rather than an obstacle. I used to always view a hill as an obstacle (one that I will never conquer) and would plan to walk up the hill each time. I finally got frustrated with walking up all the hills and started slowly jogging up them. Some hills are bigger now and still a challenge, but when I am able to run up it as opposed to walking I feel like I did something really powerful. 

What are some things you do when a run or workout gets hard?

Favorite inspiring podcast episodes?

Something you're doing this weekend BESIDES running or working-out?

5 Podcasts That I'm LOVING Right Now

Happy Tuesday! I hope you're having a great day! I've got a bunch of things on my schedule today, including an easy 8 mile run (that hopefully I can do outside). It's been a bit and I wanted to share with you 5 podcasts that I'm absolutely loving right now. Sometimes, I look forward to listening to a new podcast so much that I play them when I'm driving (rather than running) or cooking or cleaning because I can't wait until my next run to catch up! How do you feel about podcasts? I'm dying to add a few new ones into my repertoire- any recommendations?!

Outside Magazine Podcast

Up and Vanished Podcast

How I Built This Podcast

Hidden Brain

Oprah's SuperSoul Conversations Podcast

How do you like to listen to your podcasts? <- itunes!

If you could only survive off of one food what would it be? <- totally random question, but I'm writing this around lunchtime and am pretty hungry. I love macaroni and cheese, but not sure that's super sustainable for every day/meal. Maybe tacos? 

Run recap & 10 favorite podcasts

This mornings run was magical. It was one of those perfect overcast (and fairly warm- low 50's) morning and I headed out to Strawberry Park- a pretty hilly run with not much traffic (there are more cows than cars) and a favorite of mine. 

By Thursday, it's always hard to wake up early as I'm tired and drained from the week, but when I remind myself that I get to "sleep in" (relative term: I wake up at 6:45) tomorrow morning that gets me out of bed and when I experience mornings like this it makes it all worth it. 

While I was running (and listening to one of my favorite podcasts...we'll get to that in a minute), I started thinking about how I was planning to go to hot yoga tonight because I feel like I needed that zen-like-feel that you only get (or well maybe I only get..) from yoga and then I GOT that same feeling on my run. It was so quiet and peaceful out, the air felt wonderful, I was relaxed, and when I finished- I felt refreshed (almost exactly like what I feel after leaving a yoga session)! 

Love when my recovery time is on-point for my next run!

Easy-paced miles to get me ready for my last double-digit run before Revel Rockies in 17 DAYS!

I did a few strength training workouts (2 x 10 dips on the assisted pull-up machine (20 Ib weight), 2 x 10 single-leg calf raises (10 Ib weight) on the seated leg press, 2 x 30 side squats with band, 2 x 1 minute planks) then finished up with 10 minutes of soaking in the hot springs (so thankful to be able to rejuvenate in a natural hot springs!). I was super hungry so I grabbed a bagel with cream cheese and coffee before heading into work. 

Now, onto my top ten favorite podcasts to listen to while on the run!:

• Runner's World Podcast : This is one my favorites! I honestly look forward to my Thursday morning runs where a new show is released and their stories are always really entertaining and thought-provoking. Also, I've loved listening to David Willey's Moonshot series and can't wait to hear his hopefully BQ-qualifying story!

• Ali on the Run Show: This show is so amazing and I never thought I'd meet another lover of Celine Dion, but Ali is one! She combines both personal stories regarding running and includes some great interviews with well-known runners (can't wait until her interview with Natalie Morales comes out). This show is great for shorter runs (since most of her podcasts are ~25-30 minutes) and it typically comes out twice a week!

• Sounds of the Trail: This podcast isn't running-related, but that's why I love it! It follows different thru-hikers each year as they attempt to finish their trail (CDT, PCT, AT) and overcome obstacles and interview fellow hikers. I love how honest and funny they are and their being out in the woods brings me both peace and envy of them. 

• Another Mother Runner: Yes, "technically" I'm not a child-mom, BUT I am Stella's mom and this running-related podcast is great for long runs. They interview many different runners on varying topics (favorite one that I just recently listened to was interviewing Elyse Kopecky from Run Fast Eat Slow) and they're normally at least an hour long. 

• Wait Wait....Don't Tell Me! : This game-show based on news that happened throughout the week is funny and helps take my mind off of the run (when I'm struggling or need something more upbeat). They also have celebrities on a guests every week and I actually try not to listen to live on the air on NPR so I can have the podcast to listen to on my runs later that week. 

• Serial- You knew it was coming! When a new season is out, I CANNOT put it down! I will listen to it non-stop on my runs, in the car, when I'm cooking, etc. until I finish. Alex loves to listen to it too so I'll try to wait until we have roadtrips together, but often times I can't wait and then just listen to it again. If you haven't started listening to it, you have to. It's like a real-life mystery unfolding in each podcast. 

• S-Town: This one is put-together by the same producers as Serial and was pretty good (and similar mystery-drama), but honestly didn't come close to how great Serial was (they set the bar PRETTY high). I listened to this one on mid-length runs and it also helped the time pass on long drives (when we went to New Mexico). 

• TED Radio Hour: Comprised of TED talks about everything from the 7 Deadly Sins to How Things Spread and each podcast is really thought-provoking. If I want to get "in the zone" on the run, I'll choose a topic and download it or if we're going on a roadtrip (or backpacking/camping) , I'll go through and download a few topics that interest us. 

• Outside Podcast: This one has so many great options to pick and choose from and is great for a short (typically 30 minutes) run. They just launched their XX factor series that focuses on women in the outdoors and they are really amazing and inspiring stories. Their first story in the series was about Arlene Blum (my idol) who led an all-women's ascent of Annapurna (the world's tenth-highest peak) in 1978. Her book Annapurna: A Women's Place is definitely my top-five favorite books ever. 

• The Bernie Sanders Show : Maybe not always the best podcast to listen to while running, it's nice to switch it up once and a while and well...because it's Bernie. He has guests on his show that shed on light on important political topics (favorite one was with Bill Nye talking about Climate Change). It's a great thought-provoking show to help get your mind out of the gutter on the run. 

There you have it! My top 10 favorite podcasts to listen to while running, driving, cooking, hiking, camping, etc. You can listen to the podcasts on the links that I provided OR you can download them via iTunes or apple's podcast app (which is what I do). Happy Thursday and go download some new podcasts!

Favorite podcast to listen to?

What do you listen to when you're running?

Favorite way to relax and unwind? Yoga? Running? Meditation? Walk?