Advertise on podcast: Let's Run! WMass Running Podcast

Tim Gaudet talks with Ben Kimball, who lives in Greenfield and is a runner, hiker, cross-country skier, professional photographer, GIS expert, and author. His most recent book that was just published in March is titled “Trail Running: Eastern Massachusetts”, which is a companion to his 2015 book, “Trail Running: Western Massachusetts”. Ben has photographed numerous races and outdoor events, primarily in Western Mass. Ben is the co-editor of the popular Sugarloaf SUN newsletter, and has completed numerous road races, trail races, and triathlons, including marathons and ultras. Tim also provides an update of local Western Mass running events, including some background on the Big Fourth, the 4th of July race at the Basketball Hall of Fame. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with Dick Arsenault, the long-time president of the Empire One Running Club. Dick is the race director for two weekly race series, Monday evenings at Stanley Park in Westfield, and the very popular Thursday evening races at Ashley Reservoir in Holyoke. Dick is the owner of the race timing company Accu-Spec, and has numerous running and coaching accomplishments. This year, Dick was inducted into the Western Mass Runner’s Hall of Fame. Tim also provides an update of local Western Mass running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with Kent and Shiobbean Lemme, who own and operate the Berkshire Running Center in Pittsfield. Kent and Shiobbean are the race directors for the Mountain One Steel Rail races, which now include a full marathon in addition to a half marathon and 8K. This year’s events take place on Sunday May 22nd, and will now start and end in downtown Pittsfield at the end of the newly extended Ashwilliticook Rail Trail. In May, the Berkshire Running Center will be moving to a new location near the rail trail in the Allendale Shopping Center. In addition to a retail running store, the Berkshire Running Center also offers training groups as well as race production and timing. Kent is an elite athlete who has run a 4:25 mile, and Shiobbean has completed the New York Marathon 13 times and has run 24 marathons. Tim also provides an update of local running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with Bill Wells from Wilbraham. Bill is currently the Director of Student Promotion at Wilbraham & Monson Academy. Prior to working at Wilbraham & Monson, Bill was a sportswriter for 25 years at the Springfield Republican newspaper, where he wrote a running column and covered high school sports. Bill is an accomplished long distance runner, completing over 30 marathons as well as a number of ultramarathons. Bill has used some of his ultramarathons to raise money for a number of local charities, including an upcoming event to support suicide prevention and mental health awareness. Bill has authored 2 books, “Run for Rwanda” and “Uno”. Tim also provides an update of local running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with local Western Mass runner Marissa Quintero, who recently took up running. Marissa completed her first 5K in October 2020, and since then has completed 10K and half marathon events. Marissa is now training for the Providence Marathon in May. Running has helped Marissa to overcome many personal challenges and she has a passion to help others. Her positivity is inspiring. Tim also provides an update of local running events, including information on the Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame Class of 2022. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with local Western Mass runner Ashley Mellen, a member of the Empire One Running Club, who has been training for the 2021 Chicago Marathon. Ashley has completed 12 marathons, including Chicago in 2019, and has been on a quest to gain entry into the Boston Marathon. Ashley improved her Boston qualifying margin in the Jim Thorpe Marathon earlier this year, and hopes to improve her margin even more in Chicago. Ashley is also an enthusiastic CrossFit athlete. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with local WMass runner Ericka Emerson about her impressive ultra running and her experience at the Leadville 100, a 100 mile trail race through the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. Ericka is also an accomplished marathoner, but had a scare when she collapsed during the 2009 Philadelphia Marathon due to a congenital heart defect, and was in a hypothermic coma for several days. Fortunately, the corrective surgery was successful, and Ericka has made a triumphant return to marathon running. Tim also provides an update of running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim talks with Lindsey Elizabeth Cortes, who is a professional sports dietitian for NCAA, professional, and amateur athletes. Lindsey is the owner and founder of Rise Up Nutrition, where she provides coaching to athletes, and she also has her own podcast. Lindsey is the daughter of Kevin Pfau, who was a guest on the podcast a few weeks ago. Tim also provides an update of local running events. Link to Rise Up Nutrition website https://www.riseupnutritionrun.com/ Link to Lindsey’s nutrition guide (contains link to Marathon and Half Marathon Race Day Fueling Guide) https://riseupnutrition.ac-page.com/fuel-your-run-ebook-download Link to Lindsey’s podcast with Brodie Sharpe https://www.riseupnutritionrun.com/episode-42 Link to NY Times Running Newsletter https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/running Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with Teresa Vincent, a “run streaker” who has run every day since June 8, 2015. They discuss how Teresa overcomes any obstacles that might prevent her from running. such as weather, travel, injury, etc. Teresa is a member of Team Red White and Blue, and is a veteran of both the Air Force and Navy. Teresa has recently completed some ultra events, including running almost 38 miles in the Sweltering Summer Ultra in Pittsfield. Tim also provides an update of local running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with Rob Landry, President of the Greater Springfield Harriers. They talk about events hosted by the Harriers, including the Summer Sizzlers, Snowstorm Classics, the Walter Childs Race of Champions, the Big 4th 5K, and the Richard Childs Trail Races. Rob has completed 31 marathons, including 7 Boston Marathons, and has finished first overall in the Walter Childs Race of Champions, also known as the Holyoke Marathon, 4 times. Rob maintains a listing of Western Mass races and results on the Harriers web site, and is working to restore some of the results lost when the Cool Runnings web site was shut down. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with B.J. Williams from Belchertown, who will be running in the World Marathon Challenge, an incredible test of endurance in which runners complete 7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days, to raise money for Team Hoyt. B.J. is a member of Team Hoyt New England, has participated in events as a Duo Team member, and is the race director for the Hoyt 5K run and walk that will take place in Longmeadow on August 29th. Tim also provides an update of local running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com

Tim Gaudet talks with Kevin Pfau, a familiar face in the Western Mass running community, who is a member of the Greater Springfield Harriers and is the head cross-country coach at Southwick Regional High School. Kevin is also on the board of the Western Mass Runners Hall of Fame. Tim and Kevin discuss Kevin’s coaching service, Simplified Running, as well as Kevin’s impressive running accomplishments. Tim also provides an update of local running events. Music https://www.purple-planet.com