Summer Confuorto, a Gros Ventre, Cree, Mi’kmaq woman, tells the story of running her first marathon: the 2025 Boston Marathon, representing the Ohketeau Cultural Center Natives Run Initiative. Summer tells her story, from running along the water during her youth in her hometown of Falmouth, MA; to how running connects her to her own and also the local native communities; and then about her first marathon, the 2025 Boston Marathon. For Summer, running this marathon was about so much more than completing 26.2 miles. For starters, it’s a reclaiming and reconnecting with this space: like many major routes all across this land, the Boston Marathon course largely follows pathways that have been traveled by native people going back hundreds of years. And there's more. Hear the whole story on the podcast. How to Keep Up with Summer Confuorto Instagram: ⁠@sconfuorto Mentioned in This Episode Ohketeau Cultural Center: ohketeau.org Natives Run: ohketeau.org/events1/natives-run 26.2 Foundation: 26-2.org To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music of the Future, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ultra runner and long-distance fast packer Jessica Pekari on the podcast! She shares the story of her most recent fastest known time (FKT) adventure: completing the 500 mile Colorado Trail. Jessica is an Army veteran—having served as a medic in Iraq—and mother of three, with Blackfeet and Mexican heritage. She started exploring ultra running in 2015, and ran her first 100 miler the next year. Jessica then went on to win the triple crown of 200 milers in 2018, which consists of the Bigfoot 200 miler in Washington, in August; the Tahoe 200 miler in California and Nevada in September; and it finishes with the Moab 240 miler in October, which Jessica won, on her way to winning the overall title for these three events.  Jessica went on to become an accomplished backpacker. She made her first FKT attempt in 2020, going after the southbound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) record. She was thwarted by fires that year and didn’t set the FKT, but she did write a book about her experiences: Bombs to Trails: Interweaving Heritage, Life, and PTSD on the Pacific Crest Trail. Jessica returned to the PCT in 2023 and set that FKT. In this episode, Jessica tells the story of setting her latest FKT: the 500-mile Colorado Trail northbound, collegiate west, unsupported record.  Her story covers the ups and downs, highs and lows of such an incredible adventure. Be ready to get inspired!  How to Keep Up with Jessica Pekari Instagram: @jessicapekari Website: adventuresonthetrail.com Bombs to Trails book: adventuresonthetrail.com/bombs-to-trails To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professional runner for Oiselle and social media influencer Allie Ostrander is on the podcast! Allie is here to share what running and racing has looked like from her over the past couple years as she returned to elite level competition, in all the many running disciplines that she pursues, after going through treatment for disordered eating—a journey she’s been very public about.  Allie Ostrander has been an exceptional runner and racer since she was young. And her running abilities span just about every type of discipline available to runners: Allie races on the track, the roads, in cross country, and on the trails. While many top level runners will race a few different disciplines, it’s rare to see someone race at the top level in so many different types of races. Among Allie’s many accolades, in 2014, she won the prestigious Nike cross country championships. The next year, 2015, she was the Under 20 Mountain World Champion and placed 2nd in the NCAA D1 cross country national champs. Then in 2016, she placed 8th at the 5000m at the Olympic Trials. Then for the following three years, she dominated the steeplechase: Allie was the NCAA D1 national champion in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Allie forfeited her final year of collegiate eligibility to turn pro, signing with the Brooks Beasts.  But then, things began to shift. Allie was plagued by numerous injuries and a pattern of disordered eating began to catch up with her. At the strong urging of her team, she entered treatment. In 2021, Allie left the Brooks Beasts Team and continued on the road to recovery. Allie needed to discover what a strong, healthy body, mind, and emotional state meant, for her. That’s exactly the journey Allie's been on, and she shares that story in this episode—how she’s made her way back to not only racing well in the many disciplines that call to her, but racing with renewed passion and excitement, returning to disciplines she’s excelled at in the past as well as testing herself at longer distances. Next up for Allie, the USATF Track National Championship, where she'll be racing her specialty, the steeplechase. The first round of competition for Allie is on Thursday, July 31, 2025. How to Keep Up with Allie Ostrander Instagram: ⁠@allie_ostrander YouTube: @allie_ostrander To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Amy Ortiz to WRS! Amy is a runner who, over the past several years, has become a community builder and leader in the running scene, and now she's a coach, with a focus on creating space for women, especially women of color. In this episode, Amy shares how she arrived where she is today in the running world. A long-time resident of the Bronx, Amy's running is deeply intertwined with her interest in community building. She’s a founder of the all women run club Bronx Femme Run, a pacer for the No Name program, and she recently completed the NYC Game Changers program. For Amy, running is more than miles. As she says, "It was the connector of what I was looking for." How to Keep Up with Amy Ortiz Instagram: @alocurls Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: ⁠⁠@EARTHMOVERSpodcast⁠⁠ EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: ⁠⁠kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative⁠⁠ Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/vanessa-c-peralta-mitchell-founder-of-games-changers-redefining-who-is-a-leader-in-running To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lisa Levin tells her running story through to today, where at 51, she’s more excited than ever to challenge herself and set motivating goals.  In addition to being a longtime runner with a particular interest in running marathons, especially Boston, which she has run an astonishing 22 times, Lisa is also a coach and podcaster, with Julie Sapper, who was featured on WRS last week. Lisa and Julie co-host the terrific podcast Run Farther and Faster, and they also coach together, through their coaching business under the same name. For the the past four years, I've teamed with with Lisa and Julie to host  panel discussions over Boston Marathon weekend. Now I get to have Lisa telling the story of her running journey (after Julie told her story last week). Here, Lisa tells her running journey from how she got starter, through IVF treatments and two pregnancies, to right now, with a look forward to her next goal. For Lisa, aging is a time of new, exciting possibilities.  How to Keep Up with Lisa Levin Instagram: ⁠@runfartherandfaster⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/RunFartherFaster⁠ Website: ⁠⁠runfartherandfaster.com⁠ Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: ⁠@EARTHMOVERSpodcast⁠ EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: ⁠kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative⁠ Live Panel Discussions, with co-hosts Sapper and Levin 2025, ft Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-stephanie-bruce-erica-stanley-dottin-dot-mcmahon-2025-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2024, ft, Alisa Harvey, Bri Boehmer, Kelly Bruno: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-alisa-harvey-kelly-bruno-briana-boehmer-at-the-2024-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2023, ft Marilyn Bevans, Patti Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-podium-pioneers-panel-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2022, ft Marilyn Bevans, Maegan Krifchin: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-marilyn-bevans-hosted-by-strides-forward-run-father-faster-podcasts⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ prazkhanal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Runner, running coach, and podcaster Julie Sapper is on Women's Running Stories! Her story here is focused on  her return from a long-term injury: an ACL tear. She tells about her thorough approach to healing and recovery and the nonlinear path to returning to running injury-free, all the way to reaching her ultimate goal: running the Boston Marathon, for her 13th time. Sapper was so thoughtful and complete through this process—"I wanted to get a PR in recovery," she says—she has a lot of great experience and wisdom to share. Julie Sapper is part of the super coaching and podcasting duo behind Run Farther and Faster, with Lisa Levin. For the the past four years, I've teamed with with Sapper and Levin to host  panel discussions over Boston Marathon weekend. Now I get to have Sapper telling this inspiring part of her running journey. And, next week’s episode features Levin, telling her running story. Stay tuned! How to Keep Up with Julie Sapper Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Website: ⁠runfartherandfaster.com Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative Live Panel Discussions, with co-hosts Sapper and Levin 2025, ft Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-stephanie-bruce-erica-stanley-dottin-dot-mcmahon-2025-boston-marathon-expo 2024, ft, Alisa Harvey, Bri Boehmer, Kelly Bruno: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-alisa-harvey-kelly-bruno-briana-boehmer-at-the-2024-boston-marathon-expo 2023, ft Marilyn Bevans, Patti Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-podium-pioneers-panel-boston-marathon-expo 2022, ft Marilyn Bevans, Maegan Krifchin: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-marilyn-bevans-hosted-by-strides-forward-run-father-faster-podcasts To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features runner, adventurer, and creator of the wildly popular Tough Girl podcast and Tough Girl Challenges, Sarah Williams. These days, Sarah is well known for taking on incredible challenges, but it wasn't always that way. Here, Sarah tells her adventuring lifestyle origin story: how she transitioned from working in wealth management in London to exploring the world through epic adventures to challenge herself, to motivate other women, and to raise the visibility of women adventurers. Among her many, many adventuring accolades, Sarah has completed the 500-mile Camino Francés, the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, and she recently finished Te Araroa, the 1,860-mile hike across New Zealand, covering both the north and south islands. In her story, Sarah talks about what first inspired her to pursue the adventuring life in her mid-30s, and her first big challenges: Marathon des Sables, the notoriously difficult multi-day running race in Morocco, in the Sahara Desert, and hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in the US in 100 days. Sarah shares the many challenges and doubts she experienced on her way to becoming the adventurer she is today. And how, in the end, she discovered how to believe in herself. That's a strength she carries to this day. Beyond her own adventures, Sarah is passionately focused on inspiring and highlighting women adventurers all over the globe. This year, the Tough Girl podcast will reach over 800 episodes, and counting! How to Keep Up with Sarah Williams Instagram: @toughgirlchallenges⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: toughgirlchallenges.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠chillmore⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaulYudin⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features the running story of Mireille Siné, a marathon and ultra runner, a coach, and so much more. And intertwined into Mireille’s running journey is an autoimmune condition she’s been navigating since college: lupus. Since childhood, being active and participating in sports has been part of Mireille’s life, and that included running. Running became a more central part of her athletic journey through college and after. Now in her mid-30s, Mireille has completed numerous half marathons, over a dozen marathons, and several trail ultras. She was also on a relay team for the Speed Project, a 340-mile event that goes from Santa Monica, CA,  to Las Vegas, NV, and she ran from Boston to New York city as part of a group of women who completed the 200-mile journey in 11 days. All to say, Mireille loves the challenge of running  long distances, and she has for years now. Throughout her running journey, Mireille has met the challenges presented by lupus. And that is the story Mireille is going to tell. How her pursuit of running and a lupus diagnosis have shaped her life and her athletic pursuits, as she continues to run far, and now coach others to go after their running goals. How to Keep Up with Mireille Siné Instagram: ⁠@heycoachmireille Website: ⁠⁠coachedbymireille.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Lidérc Bell⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠AlexGrohl⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaulYudin⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am bringing you a reair of a terrific episode. I'm taking this one-week break because I've been working on a new project that we just announced, and that I know you'll be excited about: the podcast EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker. It will launch Aug 14. Keep up with news and information about EARTHMOVERS now on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast. I'll be back next week with a new episode of WRS. In the meantime, this is a great one: enjoy again or for the first time. Wynonna Curely-Fulgham first discovered the life-changing impact running could have on her during her Kinaaldah, the Navajo puberty ceremony. She's carried the teaches from that transformative time into her adult life. Wynonna has continued to be drawn to running, and specifically ultra trail running, as a way to test her own limits and also to process life's challenges and find her peace. It is a deep well of connection, discovery, and release: a physical endeavor that is also spiritual and healing. In this episode, Wynonna shares the story of the pivotal moments she's experienced in ultra trail running, up through today. Her journey includes taking part in the Transrockies, a multi-day stage running race that takes place in Colorado, traveling through the mountains and over peaks, at altitude. Wynonna often runs as a member of the Native Women Run team. Wynonna's story is powerful and beautiful. One women's incredible journey of self-discovery, evolution, and inspiration. Keep Up with Wynonna Curely-Fulgham Instagram: ⁠@blacksheep_running⁠ Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: ⁠@native_women_run⁠ Website: ⁠nativewomenrunning.com⁠ Information about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, MMIW ⁠mmiwusa.org⁠ Information about Native American Boarding Schools ⁠boardingschoolhealing.org/education/us-indian-boarding-school-history⁠ ⁠boardingschoolhealing.org⁠ ⁠www.irsss.ca⁠ ⁠nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/30/us/native-american-boarding-schools.html⁠ Mentioned in this podcast Live with Team Native Women Run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-native-women-run-team-at-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: ⁠lagoonsleep.com/WRS15⁠ Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of ⁠Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠Grand Project⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Instagram: ⁠@over50sub20_5k_project⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special live report from the inaugural We Out Here Trail Festival that just happened this last weekend on June 7, 2025. It took place outside Seattle, Washington, at St. Edwards State Park.  The trail scene is and has long been the whitest, most male dominated sector of the running world. Instead of continuing to wait for the system to change Aaliyah Ervin and Alison Mariella Désir stepped up and made the event that they have wanted to see for a long, long time, and that they knew it was possible.  Their vision: “We imagine a world where everyone feels welcome to find joy in the trails, free from fear or intimidation, and surrounded by a supportive community.” Welcome, We Out Here. An event that, by all accounts, exceeded expectations. Event participation featured the largest percentage of people of color at a trail event, ever. And 66% of participants were first timers. And, the day was nonstop full of joy! Which you will hear reflected in this episode.  Not only did these women create a successful event, they created a new model. It's not often that you get to be at a history making groundbreaking event. And, I'm really excited to share this with you.  Featured in this episode are a series of on the spot interviews featuring women talking about their experience of the day. Many of these women you will likely not be familiar with, but several you probably will: Verna Volker, founder of Native Women Run; Carolyn Su, founder of Diverse We Run and co-host of the Making Strides podcast with Stephanie Flippen; Flippin was also featured in this episode, and she is one of the fastest a hundred mile racers in the country; and you’ll also hear from Mirna Valerio, author of the book, A Beautiful Work In Progress. Also, you’ll hear from the two race directors, Ervin, who is a coach, fitness professional, and community builder, and Désir, who, among many other accolades, is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black.  Get a taste of what it was like, live at this historic event, the inaugural We Out Here Trail Festival. See More About the Event on Instagram on these accounts Seattle Running Collective: @seattlerunningcollective Aaliyah Earvin: @confidentaaliyah Alison Mariella Désir: @alisonmdesir Mentioned in this Episode Stefanie Flippin on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/stefanie-flippin-pro-ultra-runner-transforming-through-difficulties Verna Volker on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/verna-volker-founder-of-native-women-run-a-running-journey-of-healing-and-community Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, Running While Black: womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-running-while-black-her-story-her-book Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, Kilimanjaro: womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-climbing-mount-kilimanjaro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Aranda is a trail runner and outdoor adventurer who has developed a strong interest in going after FKTs, fastest known times. But her outdoor passions are about much more than setting records: Aranda's motivations are spurred by processing life and death, grief and hope, fear and joy. Aranda's passion for trail running began while she was in college. It was a space where she could process the death of her mother, who'd died after many years of fighting breast cancer. Aranda herself then had to face some tough decisions. She first decided to learn whether or not she carried the same genetic abnormality her mother and other family members had, a BRCA mutation, which puts the carrier at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She did. Aranda then had a decade to decide if she wanted to take the preventative steps that would lower her chances of getting cancer, beginning with a double mastectomy. This episode traces how running and moving through wild spaces have become intertwined with how Aranda has navigated big life questions and experiences that clarify how short this life can be. The meaningful experiences found out on the trail are integral to how she chooses to live. How to Keep Up with Sara Aranda Instagram: @oyesaranda Website: bivytales.com Mentioned in this Episode FKT Website: fastestknowntime.com Becky Croft on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/becky-croft-running-endometriosis-and-post-hysterectomy-menopause To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Lidérc Bell⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ PaulYudin, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Croft’s life experiences have led her to becoming not only a performance minded runner but also a sought-after running coach. She’s developed a specialty in guiding runners through their menopausal years—pre and post. Croft brings her own experience of post-hysterectomy menopause, which resulted from of a long history of endometriosis. Croft shares her whole running story, which began later in life, in her 30s. She discovered her competitive mindset early in her running journey, and has been training with performance-focused goals ever since. Becky Croft is a native woman, representing the Cherokee and the Yakima nations. She is part of the Native Women Run community, and has run as a member of the NWR team. Croft's journey has also led her to become a Chi Running instructor, an RRCA certified running coach through the Game Changers program, and a She Runs this Town group leader. And Croft is on the board of ReNew Earth Running. Becky Croft shares how running has empowered her, helped her process and heal through challenging health issues, brought her closer to her native roots and community, and been a pathway to leadership as a coach who brings much needed wisdom, knowledge, and experience to others. How to Keep Up with Becky Croft Instagram: @coach.croft Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Native Women Run: @native_women_run Running Industry Diversity Coalition: runningdiversity.com ReNew Earth Running: renewearthrunning.org Game Changers: vcpm.com/game-changers Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/vanessa-c-peralta-mitchell-founder-of-games-changers-redefining-who-is-a-leader-in-running To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Lidérc Bell⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠RoyaltyFreeMusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Mena is a longtime runner now focused on ultra trail running. She’s continually driven to discover what she is capable of: beginning with her first marathon, at age 12!, to today, as she explores running long distances on the trails. This episode focuses on Mena reaching one of her biggest goals yet: running 100 kilometers (62 miles) over hilly trails. She shares how it all went down, along with the running journey that got her to this point. In addition to being a runner, Mena is a physical therapist, coach, and running community builder—she’s the founder of the Tempo Training Run Club. Mena is driven to find out just how far she can push herself in running. This 100k is the latest adventure in that quest. How to Keep Up with Jessica Mena Instagram: ⁠@tempo_with_jess⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠ via⁠⁠ Pixabay ⁠chillmore⁠, via ⁠Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an update from me, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner, about my running, training, and racing. This picks up from where the last episode of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, Part 9, left off. As I mentioned in my last episode, I have decided to stop focusing so completely on this sub-20 minute 5k goal, so am just calling these running updates. I still have a sub-20 goal, but it's not my all-consuming singular focus. This update covers the time period between mid-March and mid-May 2025. I left off in the midst of a break from running, and in this episode, I share details about my return to a formal training program. I'm experimenting with some new approaches to training that I'm very excited about. Feel free to join the journey from here; it's not mandatory to listen to previous episodes of my running story (which includes parts 1-9 of the Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project, and two Comrades race reports, from 2022 and 2023) in order to enjoy this one. Previous episodes will provide more context around my running story and provide details about the many lessons I have learned so far. Come along for the journey. Links and Publication Dates to Earlier Episodes in this Series Find the whole Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project series ⁠here⁠. Cherie's Comrades Race Report 2022: womensrunningstories.com/cherie-turner-2022-comrades-marathon-a-hear-her-sports-special-collaboration Cherie's Comrades Race Report 2023: womensrunningstories.com/cherie-louise-turner-2023-comrades-marathon-experiencing-the-magic-again-and-better To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of ⁠Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠Lidérc Bell⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠Camila_Noir,⁠ via⁠ Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: ⁠@over50sub20_5k_project⁠ WRS Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Angel Tadytin shares the epic story of her first 50-mile trail race, and how it unfolded in unexpected and magical ways. Tadytin is a wife, mother, social worker, and ultra runner, and she is from the Navajo Nation. She and her family currently live in Mesa, Arizona, but she’s originally from Page, Arizona, and the surrounding area. Tadytin is also a lifelong hiker and outdoor explorer, and a longtime weightlifter. In addition, Tadytin is a community builder and currently is a board member of Native Women Run (NWR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering and supporting native women in running. The event that is at the center of this story is the Antelope Canyon Ultras 50 mile trail race, which goes through the land that Tadytin grew up on. The longest race Tadytin had ever run before was 55 km (34 miles), also at Antelope Canyon. Not only had Tadytin never run 50 miles before, she’d never wanted to run 50 miles. She didn’t even commit to this 50-miler until a month before the event. So, her training did not take a conventional path: most athletes would have started training for an event like this several months beforehand, and they’d have run several long runs of 20 or more miles in preparation. Tadytin’s longest run leading into the event was 16 miles, which she ran once. The reasons why Tadytin decided to run this 50 mile event, and the strength, support, connection, and experience that carried her through and to the end is what this story is all about.  How to Keep Up with Angel Tadytin Instagram: @angels_ventures Mentioned in This Episode Native Women Run: @native_women_run To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠ Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠aidanpinsent⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠Rockot⁠, via⁠ Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram:⁠ @over50sub20_5k_project⁠ WRS Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Facebook:⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a live recording from Sunday, April 20 at the Boston Marathon Expo. Once again, WRS host Cherie Turner teamed up with Julie Sapper and Lisa Levin from the Run Farther and Faster podcast to co-host an excellent panel. This year's panel was titled Mental Strategies for Mastering the Marathon, and it featured exceptional masters marathoners Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon. These exception runners shares wisdom and experience on strategies for developing mental strength and resilience, mental approaches to the marathon, how to build confidence when you have self-doubt, and so much more! This is an episode to listen to again and again; it's so backed with helpful advice and useful takeaways. Stephanie Bruce, 41, has been racing professionally for over 15 years. Among her many racing accomplishments, she's placed 6th at the Chicago Marathon, and 10th at the London and NYC marathons. Bruce has also earned 3 national titles on the road, one in the half-marathon and twice in the 10k. Additionally, Bruce placed 6th at the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2020. Bruce started a new chapter in her running career this year, signing on with Tracksmith. She now runs for them professionally and will be helping to mentor younger runners going after big goals. Erica Stanley-Dottin, 51, came to marathoning later in life, at age 35. In her early 40s, she began to train seriously and joined the Black Roses racing team. She then learned about The List: an accounting of all the American-born Black women who have broken 3 hours in the marathon. As she continued to get faster at the marathon, this became her goal. Erica met that goal with room to spare at the 2022 Berlin Marathon where she ran 2:52, at 48 years old. That came just six months after running 3:01 at Boston. This year, Stanley-Dottin ran the Boston Marathon as a member of Team Bevans, in honor of marathon pioneer Marilyn Bevans. Dot McMahan, 48, has been running marathons for 19 years and she’s run for the Hanson Brooks Original Distance Project team for 20. Among Dot’s many accomplishments over her long running career, she’s qualified for and run 5 Olympic trials marathons, and she has placed in the top 10 at two of them. Last year, she was the oldest woman to compete in the marathon trials, and she qualified for last year's trials by running 2:35 at the 2023 Grandma’s Marathon. Dot is also a running coach. She works with private athletes and as an assistant track coach for Oakland University. How to Keep Up with Stephanie Bruce Instagram: @stephrothstein How to Keep Up with Erica Stanley-Dottin Instagram: @estanleydott How to Keep Up with Dot McMahon Instagram: @dotmcmahon Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Twitter: @RunFartherfast Website: https://www.runfartherandfaster.com/ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram: @womensrunningstories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features prolific marathon runner and internationally competitive masters racer Gwen Jacobson. Jacobson, who is 66, got started running in 2010, when she was in her 50s. She has run many distances, but without question she has the greatest affinity for the marathon: in the last 15 years, Jacobson has run over 120 marathons as well as one 50k. In addition to loving the 26.2 mile distance, Jacobson loves big challenges and she is very goal oriented. So, for instance, she has completed a marathon in every state, under 4 hours. She also wants to win her age category in a marathon in all 50 states, so where that hasn’t already been the case, she’s going after that goal, too. Jacobson has 7 states left in that challenge. She’s also chasing a sub-3 hour marathon on a downhill course, and she’s gotten very close. Her current downhill marathon PR is 3:04, which she set at the end of 2023. She has plans to better that time at the end of 2025. Jacobson has gone through her fair share of trial and error when it comes to staying injury free, and she’s learned a lot about bone health. She’s landed on healthy habits that work for her, and she shares that in her story, too. In this episode Jacobson shares so much: about her running progression, her goals and how she continues to run fast and far now in her mid-60s. How to Keep Up with Gwen Jacobson Instagram: @gwenjacobson To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Camila_Noir, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Alia Qatarneh, whose running story is deeply infused with community and leadership, especially through the Boston area based TrailblazHers Run Co. Her story highlights the way the three forces of running, community, and leadership have coalesced to drive her running journey. And how that's led to her running the 2023 Boston Marathon—her first time running 26.2 miles—and then to running the 2024 Boston City 26.TRUE marathon, which she'll be running again this year, 2025: 26,TRUE happens this weekend, Saturday, April 19. Away from running Qatarneh is a doctoral candidate at the Harvard Graduate School of Education on her way to becoming a doctor of education leadership, and she has a background in science and science education.  Qatarneh is a runner, as well as a LeadHer for the TrailblazHers, an organization that fosters diversity and creates a welcoming environment for all women, especially women of color. In her episode, Qatarneh traces how she started in the sport of running and how she's developed as a runner and leader throughout her journey. Get pumped up to cheer on Qatarneh and the rest of the runners this year at 26.TRUE! Mentioned in this Episode TrailblazHers: @trailblazhersrunco Pioneers Run Crew: @pioneersrc 29.TRUE: @26.truemarathon Liz Rock on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/liz-rock-a-trailblazhers-journey-running-the-boston-marathon-for-mile-21-joy To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special live recording featuring professional runner and 3x national champion Annie Rodenfels, in conversation with WRS host and producer Cherie; that's me. We sat down at the Tracksmith track house in Boston on Sat., March 22, with a wonderful crowd on a beautiful morning to have this fantastic conversation. Annie Rodenfels is a born competitor. We get into how she progressed from being a high school soccer player who ran track and field, to a top NCAA DIII runner, and then to one of the best distance racers in the US. This is not a common trajectory: most DIII runners don't turn pro, let alone become one of the best in the pro field. Rodenfels has worked smart and hard to get here, developing her strength, skill, and ability. It's been a years long, step by step process, and all along the way, Rodenfels continues to rise to the occasion. Among her many professional career highlights, Rodenfels is the 2023 and 2024 5k National Champion, and the 2024 6k National Champion. And she won the first 10k she ever raced, the prestigious Boston 10k for Women, in 2023. Through it all, Rodenfels's training, mental game, confidence, and racing style has evolved, and she gets into it all. How to Keep Up with Annie Rodenfels Instagram: @andrearodenfels Annie Rodenfels's Previous Appearance on WRS Race Report: Annie Rodenfels + USATF 6k National Championship To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features ultra trail runner and mom Mayra Garcia, who is originally from Honduras and now calls Maryland home. Garcia loves to run, and she loves to run very far: training for ultras is a big part of her life today. But not too long ago, Garcia wasn’t a runner at all. Not until one fateful day, when, instead of turning to coping with life's challenges in unhealthy ways, like using alcohol, Garcia decided to run. That run sparked a whole new life for Garcia. In this episode, Garcia tells the story of how she got from that moment to today, having run marathons and trail ultras, keeping a well-established running streak going, and just wanting more: more miles, more mountains, more challenges. In addition to her own running goals and passion, Garcia wants to inspire other women, especially women of color, to get out on the trails and discover the powerful world of ultra running. How to Keep Up with Mayra Garcia Instagram: @colocha.runs Mentioned in this Episode Running Industry Diversity Coalition, RIDC: runningdiversity.com Naseemah Palmer on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/naseemah-palmer-running-reminds-me-im-living To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of Playtoh Coma-Media, via Pixabay RomanBelov, via Pixabay penguinmusic, via Pixabay aidanpinsent, via Pixabay SergePavkinMusic, via Pixabay chillmore, via Pixabay Rockot, via Pixabay Lidérc Bell, via Pixabay Grand Project, via Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: @over50sub20_5k_project WRS Instagram: @womensrunningstories Facebook: facebook.com/WomensRunningStories Website: womensrunningstories.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices