Advertise on podcast: Weathering The Run

In this special episode we sit down with four incredible explorers of Columbus, Doug Owsley, Catherine Salin Derrow, Dave Parsons, and Ken Varian, to talk about their journeys running (almost) every street in Columbus using the CityStrides app. Over the past few years Doug, Catherine, and Dave have each completed 100% of the streets in Columbus all meticulously tracked through CityStrides. Ken Varian is hot on their heels to claim that same achievement! Follow our guests on Instagram: 📸 Doug Owsley 📸 Catherine Salin Derrow 📸 Dave Parsons 📸 Ken Varian

In this episode, I sit down with Mark Dowdle; an ultrarunner whose journey through extreme endurance, self-discovery, and unconventional racing will challenge everything you think you know about grit and resilience. Mark has pushed his body and mind into places most of us only imagine: from Calendar Club challenges where he ran every day as many miles as the date on the calendar to deep, multi-day backyard ultras that test the limits of sleep, strategy, and sheer will. 🏃‍♂️ What We Covered -How Mark discovered his love for ultra distance running and what continues to drive him beyond traditional racing. -The Calendar Club 365 challenge, where he matched daily mileage to the calendar date: an epic test of consistency and heart. -Backyard ultras & last-person-standing races — the brutal mental game, fueling strategies, sleep decisions, and living in the loop with little more than resolve between laps. -Lessons in mental toughness: Mark opens up about the inner work that endurance running demands, from self-doubt to self-trust. -Training philosophies and how consistent effort, even on the hard days, compounds into extraordinary outcomes. -Follow Mark on Instagram to keep up with his runs, insights, and adventures: https://www.instagram.com/mark.dowdle/

About Craig: Craig’s running journey started as a form of stress relief and quickly grew into a lifelong passion that now includes a decades-long daily run streak, ultramarathon racing, and creating one of Columbus’s most welcoming running communities. What We Cover in This Episode: -How running shifted from solo stress relief to a daily ritual and identity anchor. -The ups and downs of maintaining a run streak spanning thousands of consecutive days. -Stories from ultra-distance races like The Speed Project and what they taught him about endurance, grit, and mindset. -The inspiration behind starting German Village Running Club and how a simple conversation over cocktails turned into a thriving, inclusive run community. -How community and connection can transform your relationship with running and why pace or speed doesn’t matter as much as belonging.

On this week’s Weathering The Run, I sit down with Chris Glover who is a cornerstone of the Columbus running community known for bringing people together, spreading joy in the sport, and building connection one mile at a time. Whether it’s organizing group runs, showing up in a superhero outfit, or simply cheering on fellow runners, Chris’s enthusiasm and servant’s heart define his approach to running and life. He also has his own podcast called Safe Space Running. Follow Chris on Instagram.

We dive deep with Drew Petersen about his film "Feel It All" and his life in the mountains; from ski mountaineering to 100-mile ultramarathons, and how weather, terrain, and mental health are all intertwined in his story. We also recount some of his wildest experiences, like getting over 5 inches of snow per hour while in Japan, and the mindset required to navigate that kind of unpredictability. "Feel It All" chronicles Drew’s journey from suicidal depression to discovering strength and purpose; culminating in his decision to run the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon, while skiing and running through Colorado’s high-peaks. The film seeks to break the stigma around mental illness and suicide, especially within mountain and outdoor communities. Watch / Learn More → Film: Feel It All Website: drew-petersen.com Instagram: @drewpeterski

In this inspiring episode of Weathering The Run, I sit down with Jaime Fensterl, a trail and ultra runner based in Ohio. Jaime is no stranger to the ups and downs of endurance racing: she’s tackled 100-mile ultras where she’s faced her fair share of heartbreak & injury, yet keeps coming back stronger. She just finished Rim To River 100 after taking a long break from 100 miles races, due to injury. Jaime’s journey is a testament to grit and perseverance. She’s not afraid to go back out, learn from the hard runs, and reset her goals. Whether she’s covering 50K, 100K, or 100 miles, Jaime’s philosophy is grounded in consistency, self-kindness, and embracing the process; not just chasing the finish line. We also dive into what motivates her, how she mentally rebuilds after tough races, and why the journey matters just as much as the result.

No Business 100 miler is a beautiful and brutal trail race in Tennessee and Kentucky. The race changes directions each year and it went clockwise this year and I am so honored to have on two finishers from the race this year. Jessica Kopelwitz had to drop out of last year's race, so this was redemption for her. Brock Everhart finished last year and came back to run the race in the opposite direction this year to get the double buckle award. Brock is also a strength and endurance coach, if you are looking to check out his company: Build Pursuits.

In this episode of Weathering The Run, I talk with Amy Haas. She is a seasoned runner, coach, and adventurer whose goal to run a half-marathon in every U.S. state has grown into a mission of exploring all of our national parks. Amy shares how she balances training, travel, and life, what happens when you’re out there logging miles state after state, and how the quest keeps evolving into something bigger than just finish lines. In the conversation we cover: What motivated Amy to tackle 50+ half-marathons, one in each state How the journey has expanded into “run in all of the national parks too” The highs and lows of travel, terrain, weather, and pacing across different states How she coaches and mentors runners while still chasing her own goals Connect with Amy:Instagram: @raceacrossthestates

I met Morgan Myers back in 2017 with the Columbus Westside Running Club. We had run together occasionally at group runs, but our most recent time running together was 2021 at the GRRR 50k, before she moved away. She continues challenging herself and recently completed the Woodstock 50 miler. She is such a happy person to be around & it was great catching up as she is gearing up for the Huron 100 miler. Don't challenge her because she will go three times farther than you think.

This was a lot of fun! Chelsea and Jordan met at an obstacle course event many years ago. They fell in love and now have two kids. They support each other's journey into running ultras and being a fit family while also juggling life and teaching. I run a lot of my training miles with Jordan and this was a lot of fun to dive into their philosophy as a couple and lifestyle. Follow Chelsea's & Jordan's journey on Instagram!

Today’s "Weathering The Run" episode features ultra-runner and race director John Lacroix, founder of the Human Potential Running Series, including a HPRS podcast that accompanies the races he puts on. He is well known in the trail running community, perhaps for his nickname he used to have (Sherpa John) or for founding the first 200 mile trail race in New England. We explore his unforgettable experiences running through snowstorms, nor’easters, tornado warnings, and scorching heat. John also frankly addresses past criticisms, the crossroads facing trail running—and urges us all to step up for public land stewardship and volunteerism. Conversation Highlights: -Weather extremes on the trail: snow, wind, heat, and more. -Reflecting on previous controversies with transparency and growth. -Trail running’s survival hinges on more volunteer support and advocacy:. Final Call to Action from John: “If you have time to train, you have time to volunteer… reach out to your race director—there’s always something to do, from cleaning gear to race-day support…" Resources & Ways to Get Involved: Runners for Public Lands — empowering runners to protect public lands Outdoor Alliance — a coalition uniting recreation advocates to conserve America’s public lands Access Fund — national advocates for sustainable climbing and trail access Colorado Fourteeners Initiative — stewarding Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks through volunteer trail work Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) — invests lottery proceeds into conservation and recreation projects across the state

This week on Weathering The Run, I chat with Darrell Crain recommended by a past guest, Chikage Windler(Episode 11). Darrell and his son turned to running when his son was in college. Now they're a dynamic duo pursuing ultras to score Western States lottery tickets. Their most recent challenge? The Burning River 100, where relentless rain destroyed their feet with blisters, yet the pair persevered through an unforgettable run. Darrell even joked, “I don’t even know how to spell DNF,” highlighting his determination and playful spirit.

This week on Weathering The Run, we welcome Bob Becker—ultrarunner, race director, and all-around inspiration. Bob recently made history as the oldest official finisher of the Badwater 135, crossing the world's toughest ultramarathon at age 80, earning him a new age category and a place in Badwater lore. Beyond his Badwater feat, Bob wears many hats: -Race Director of iconic ultramarathons: The Keys 100 — a 100-mile point-to-point from Key Largo to Key West The Daytona 100 — a coastal 100-mile race along Florida’s ocean roads -Holder of age-group and race records, such as 167.5 miles in a 48-hour fixed-time event In our conversation, Bob shares: -What it takes to finish Badwater at 80—including training strategies, mental grit, and his steadfast crew. -His insights on organizing and directing challenging ultramarathons. -Wisdom on what age—and experience—bring to running—and never letting go of the goal.

This is a great conversation with Hannah McCorkle. She helps lead Columbus’s Marathoner-in-Training (MIT) program at Fleet Feet, a program guiding over 700 runners toward half and full marathon goals. Hannah lives her life with the mantra of "Change Your Life, One Mile at a Time." She is also diving deeper with personal coaching for female athletes. She is helping them reach their full potential using philosophies that power her approach: building community, resilience, and smart consistency. 📲 Connect with Hannah: Instagram: @runnerwithmoxie Learn more about MIT (Marathoner‑in‑Training): Marathoner-in-Training Program

In this episode of Weathering The Run, we chat with Sarah Biehl, a powerhouse trail and ultra runner originally from Ohio, but now residing in Colorado. After a stellar college running career, Sarah has made waves in ultras: capturing titles like the 2024 Gorge Waterfalls 50K champion and 6th female at The Canyons by UTMB. Her journey, from sprinting in high school to earning her stripes in the JFK 50 and beyond, is defined by resilience, smart racing, and gritty consistency. 📲 Connect with Sarah: Instagram: @biehlharas Strava: Sarah Biehl