Advertise on podcast: The Rambling Runner Podcast

In this episode we learn how to unlock the power of running as a source of joy, community, and meaningful impact. Jess Sikorski shares her personal transformation of using running in a way that negatively affected her health to running with purpose for charity and mental health. Key Topics: Jess's journey from health struggles to joyful running The evolution of her big "why" for running The importance of community, social running, and making fitness accessible Inspiring stories of fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Tips for integrating enjoyment with health and performance goals The role of therapy and self-redefinition in overcoming food and body image issues Collaboration between run clubs and local fitness communities Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In his newest book, The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool, U.S. Track & Field Foundation board member, life-long runner, high school track coach, and bestselling author Martin Dugard takes us through the historical moments that sparked the running boom across America, including Frank Shorter’s Olympic marathon win in 1972, Steve Prefontaine’s career that ended too soon—and not to mention Greta Waitz and Joan Benoit, both with their own historic marathon wins that inspired women all over.  Along the way, Dugard shares the history of the sport—from the myth that originated the modern marathon, to how it became 26.2 miles (and how the British Royal family had a hand in it), how the sport saved NYC from bankruptcy, and more! Martin's perspective and research into the race we love is awe inspiring and worth a read (or listen if you're an Audible fan like me). Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catch the remarkable story of Bill Volpe, who at age 60, achieved a Boston Marathon qualifying time and 3:11 marathon, after starting his running journey at 52. His disciplined approach to training, nutrition, and mental resilience exemplifies that age is just a number when it comes to athletic achievement. In this episode: Bill’s initial foray into running and how he transitioned from no running to marathon success How disciplined routines and strategic pacing contributed to a marathon PR at 60 How hiring a coach helped him step up his training and confidence The evolution of his competitive mindset and his goals for the future Discussions on aging, motivation, and staying injury-free The importance of mindset, consistency, and seizing opportunities in athletic growth Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to curranzusa.com to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us as Dan Montgomery shares his remarkable evolution from casual runner to competitive marathoner over 25 years - including a blistering 3:11:53 at the McKirdy Micro Marathon at 51 years old! Discover how disciplined training, strategic nutrition, and unwavering commitment transformed his body and performance. This episode offers valuable insights for runners of all levels aiming for continuous improvement. Main Topics: Dan's unlikely start in running and early marathon experiences His journey through injuries, nutrition adjustments, and body composition changes How working with a nutritionist and focusing on macros improved his marathon times The mental shift from health to performance goals The discipline and routines behind his race day success Strategies for sodium management and fueling in cold weather His ambitious long-term goals, including chasing the marathon majors record The importance of mindset, consistency, and trusting the process Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how Jesse Gauf turned his life around within a year, shedding over 100 pounds and conquering marathon distances, all while sharing his progress openly online. This episode explores the mental shifts, practical strategies, and community support behind his transformation. In this episode: Jesse recounts his fitness journey starting from Navy days to weight ballooning over 340 pounds Emphasis on focusing on personal versus comparative progress as a key motivator The importance of consistent habits like walking, training, and strategic goal setting Overcoming mental hurdles related to masculinity and body image, especially for men How social sharing has fueled Jesse’s accountability and inspired others The role of rest, recovery, and strategic nutrition in sustainable progress Setting ambitious goals like Ironman 70.3 while embracing the process The power of embracing discomfort and pushing through adversity in endurance events Recognizing that ordinary stories of perseverance resonate more deeply than superhero tales Practical tips for beginners on starting with walking, mindset shifts, and setting intentional goals Follow Jesse at www.instagram.com/jesse.in.motion. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit ⁠themarathonproject.com⁠ and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore Lottie Bildirici’s inspiring journey from battling stress fractures and bone health issues to smashing personal marathon records. She shares her insights on injury prevention, mental resilience, and how purposeful nutrition fuels peak performance.  Main Topics: Lottie's background in endurance sports and overcoming stress fractures The impact of nutrition and strength training on injury recovery and bone health Her evolution from a 5-hour marathoner to a sub-3:40 The role of mindset, confidence, and mental health in running success Practical nutrition tips, especially for race week and everyday sustainability How professional athlete insights shape her approach for amateurs The importance of community and authenticity in athletic growth Visit Lottie's website Running on Veggies  Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit ⁠themarathonproject.com⁠ and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the remarkable story of Wilbur Vale — from struggling with his health and weight as a child to becoming a dedicated runner and advocate for holistic wellness. In this episode, Wilbur shares how faith, community, and resilience propelled his transformation and how he uses his journey to inspire others to live healthier and meaningful lives. Key Topics: Wilbur’s pivotal moment: a challenging hike in El Salvador that revealed his pre-diabetic condition His childhood influences and family culture around food and survival The mental and emotional challenges of gaining weight again and self-compassion strategies The importance of community in endurance sports and personal growth How faith shapes Wilbur’s approach to setbacks, goals, and perseverance The 90-day challenge focused on physical, mental, and spiritual renewal Tracking progress with body composition scans versus scale weight Tips for integrating faith and community into fitness pursuits Wilbur’s current focus on sustainable health practices and goal setting Follow Wilbur’s Instagram Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last weekend, Nick Lee set the fastest known time on the Cape Cod Traverse, self-supported -male. He finished the 64.6 mile route in 11:06:54. Nick is a longtime friend and I couldn’t wait to talk to him about the effort and the training/planning that led into it.  You can view the effort here: https://fastestknowntime.com/route/cape-cod-traverse-ma Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canyon Woodward has progressed from casual runner during his college years to one of the best trail and ultra runners in the world. It is a remarkable rise for a Harvard educated political operative who balances a calm equanimity with a passion for competition. In this episode, Canyon describes his rise from living at the doorstep of the Appalachian trail to a Western States golden ticket. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful conversation, Patrick Yalon shares his transformative experience after a near-fatal surfing accident, exploring how a life-altering event can redefine purpose, self-love, and spiritual connection. His story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound lessons learned through endurance races and inner reflection. Here’s the iRunFar article mentioned in the episode:https://www.irunfar.com/still-here-running-the-moab-240-mile-after-a-near-death-surfing-accident Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Abdul Said shares his transformative journey from a sedentary lifestyle and health scare to running his first marathon in Osaka. Discover how he shifted his perspective on food, incorporated running into his daily routine, and embraced the vibrant Japanese running culture along the way. You can follow Abdul at www.instagram.com/osakamiles. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Black Canyon 100k is knows as one of the best and fasted 100k trail races in America. And for good reason. The list of elite athletes in the top 10 every year is talented and experienced. But what is this like for a dedicated amateur runner? Dr. Jess Mena returns to the show to talk about her experience on the Black Canyon course, how difficult the final 2/3 of the race course, the "trauma bonding" she experienced on the trail, and much more. You can follow Jess at www.instagram.com/tempo_with_jess. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how Laken transformed her life from weighing 290 pounds to conquering a half marathon in 2:05 (9:34 pace). Dive into her mindset shifts, actionable habits, and the power of perseverance that can inspire anyone on their health and fitness journey. You can follow Laken at www.instagram.com/laken_40. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Sara Tanza breaks down the complex world of pelvic floor anatomy, its crucial role in running and overall health, and how to proactively care for this often-overlooked muscle group before, during, and after pregnancy. She also talks about how this is an issue for all athletes, not just women. Whether you're an athlete, coach, or medical professional, learn why addressing pelvic health can enhance performance and prevent long-term issues. You can learn more about Sara at https://pelvicpotential.com. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save %15 on your order at ⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me as I chat with Josh Lerch, whose running journey is both inspiring and unconventional - and lead him to a 2:30 marathon, and 6 minute PR, at Surf City last weekend. Starting in Michigan, Josh unexpectedly found his passion for cross country, learning crucial lessons from a memorable bonk at the state meet when going after one of the best runners of our generation. It's a story you won't want to miss! His path led him through college challenges and into the vibrant New York City running scene, where he rekindled his love for the sport. Life took another turn as Josh moved to California, discovering trail running and surfing, which reshaped his relationship with running. He shares how career changes and life transitions influenced his athletic pursuits, emphasizing adaptability and joy in the journey. Josh's approach to nutrition, training, and mental resilience in marathons and ultramarathons offers valuable insights. A key theme is the role of relationships, coaching, and goal-setting in his evolution as a runner. Josh candidly discusses overcoming setbacks, including postpartum depression, and finding renewed purpose. His future plans are ambitious, with high-speed track races and trail adventures ahead. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices