Running with Problems

We sit down with Christine Reed to talk honestly about running with POTS, from the shock of seeing sky high heart rate data to the grief and relief that comes with finally getting a name for years of symptoms. We dig into what actually helps on run day and in real life, plus the harder question of where ambition ends and self care begins.  • what POTS and dysautonomia feel like during easy running...

We talk with Andrea Kooiman (Coachk) about how a self-described everyday mom becomes a prolific ultrarunner while keeping the sport joyful, social, and grounded. The conversation moves from coaching kids to her first marathon to chasing Badwater and Barkley, with real talk on setbacks, nausea, and the mindset that keeps you moving forward.  • we kick off this episode with corrections and listener...

An Instagram exchange regarding illegal substances turns into a full-blown running controversy. Jon & Miranda unpack the Cameron Hanes vs Sage Canaday doping debacle, including the exact exchange that set off the “runternet” and why the reaction raises interesting conversations about running culture, fairness, and rules. We walk through who Hanes is as a bow hunter turned endurance influencer,...

Jon & Miranda sit down with John Kelly to talk about what Barkley Marathons success really teaches you about motivation, planning, and making peace with outcomes you cannot control. We also go deep on his Appalachian Trail record attempt for Hurricane Helene recovery, how his leg stopped functioning near the end, and how he rebuilt confidence as Western States draws near.  • his evolving role...

Intro: This week’s guest is Mike Miles discussing what endurance sports can teach us about who we are and how we lead. With leadership coach and trail runner Mike, we trade DNF stories, dig into purpose and preparation, and make the case that balance is a real competitive advantage.  This episode’s topics include:  • leaving a big career and rebuilding identity through hard goals  • road running v...

Jon and Miranda check in sharing stories from crewing the eerie Badwater Salton Sea 81-mile team race, then shift into the brutal pull of Alaska’s Iditarod Trail Invitational. Mitch Dulleck walks us through training, gear, food, and the moment he chooses safety over the finish during a stormy ITI 350 attempt.  • Why extreme events become a way to prove you belong  • What makes ITI different from m...

For John Clark’s (JC) full bio revisit season 3 episode 4: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2437656/episodes/16363345 We sit down with JC to unpack his first winter ultramarathon finish at the Iditarod Trail Invitational 350, where dragging a gear sled through Alaska’s deep cold turns basic tasks like eating and navigation into real risk. We also talk through the behind-the-scenes prep, the gear, and th...

We talk with Andrea Feucht about long COVID in endurance athletes and why you can look fine, keep racing, and still be nowhere near healthy. We compare relapse stories, data signals, and the hard lesson that rest and a slow return may be the only choice available to athletes.  • why long COVID can look like “just getting slower” in runners  • the emotional cost of being told you look fine  • how a...

Michael Morrison from Red Hammer Rehab is back on the pod to discuss all things tendinopathy.  • tendinopathy explained as a continuum from reactive to degenerative • common sites in runners including Achilles, patellar, and gluteal tendons • pain scale rules to guide training and rehab load • isometrics for fast pain relief and deshielding of lazy fibers • slow heavy strength with tempo reps and...

We open with life updates and stress, then welcome Katie Grossman to share a raw, relentless story about postpartum complications, medical gaslighting, a rare tumor, and the long road to a labral tear diagnosis and surgery. The goal shifts from podiums to presence, from finish lines to finding flow and community again. • why Katie’s story matters to the ultra community • we met Katie crewing at Ut...

We talk with Dave about the slow, messy slide into overtraining syndrome, the missteps that worsened it, and the practical tools that brought him back to strong, sustainable running. Along the way, we share a content warning about a graphic post-credits medical story and explain why health metrics and honest pacing matter. • Catalina 50-mile recap and the mental game on long grinds • What overtrai...

Thanks for listening to Running With Problems . Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems . DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at podcast@runningwithproblems.run . Hosted by Jon Eisen ( @mildly_athletic ) and Miranda Williamson ( @peaksandjustice ). Edited by Jon Eisen. Theme music by Matt Beer .

A single photo can flip your life. That’s where John Castle’s story begins—49 years old, 45 pounds heavier, borderline diabetic, and staring at a version of himself he didn’t want to keep. Fast forward to today and John is a force in obstacle course racing, stacking Spartan Ultras, conquering World’s Toughest Mudder, and chasing Barkley dreams with an approach built on simplicity, routine, and a r...

We’re excited to share Mark Marzen’s story with yall. Mark has been Jon’s running coach for almost two years. His story is inspiring, choosing running, learning to coach, and slowly improving to become a fast mountain ultra runner. Check out https://www.golden-endurance.com/ for coaching and PT. === AI-Generated Description Follows === Ready for a true glow-up story from mid-pack grit to mastery?...

We're so excited to share this interview with Camille Herron with you! Camille was open and honest exploring her history, neurodiversity, and advocacy in ultra running. We hope you enjoy! === AI-Generated Description Follows === Start with the headlines—world records, world titles, six-day brilliance—and you might miss the real story: how Camille Herron rebuilt elite performance by honoring h...

Join us as we discuss the life and adventures of Epic Bill Bradley, an incredible story of perseverance and pushing ones limits. Epic Bill has done some of the hardest adventures on this planet, including a triple Ironman, quad Badwater, and so much more. We only scratch the surface of Bill's stories. Hope you enjoy! You can find Bill's film (referenced in the pod) on Apple TV and Amazon...

Join our discussion with Pete Kostelnick, Trans-continental record holder, multiple Badwater finisher, Team USA representative at the IAU 24-hour world championships, and so much more. We dive into what it takes to run these multi-day and multi-week efforts, his recent car accident recovery, and fun stories from out on the trail (or road). Enjoy! === AI-Generated Description Follows === What if yo...

Jon Eisen guest-hosts the Midpacker podcast with full-time host Troy Meadows discussing Troy's first DNF at the Dark Divide 100. Cross-posted on the Midpacker Podcast feed. Check out Troy's Midpacker Podcast  wherever you get your podcasts! == AI-Generated Description Follows == Three volcanoes on the horizon. Volcanic ash underfoot. Twenty-six miles of wilderness with almost no help. We...

Join our all-encompassing discussion with World Champion OCR Racer Amelia Boone. We discuss everything from writing, where to run in Cupertino, CA, experiences at Barkley, her High Lonesome 100 finish and resulting injury, recovery from eating disorders, and her feelings on not having children. It was a powerful, honest, and open discussion that Jon loves to showcase on the podcast. Hope y'al...

Join Miranda and Jon as they discuss Run-cations (a portmanteau of Run and Vacation!) and Miranda's recent experience running the Tour du Mont Blanc. Links: More than Miles: Why Runcations are a Rising Travel Trend article on Outside Eric Lee's Blog on Adventures and National Park Runs === AI-Generated Description Follows === Miranda and Jon dive into the world of "runcations"...

Join us as we chat with Aaron Lozier, who comes back to the podcast after attempting the LA Freeway for the second time. Last time, he had to be rescued via helicopter. Listen in to hear how the second attempt goes. == AI-Generated Description Follows == After being dramatically rescued from the LA Freeway last year, Aaron Lozier returns to share his redemption story on one of Colorado's most...

Jon Rea joins Miranda and Jon for an honest and open conversation about the problems he's encountered along his journey to become a pro runner.  === AI-generated description follows === Elite ultrarunner Jon Ray takes us on an emotional journey through triumph and devastating setbacks in this raw, honest conversation about the mental side of competitive running. After methodically building hi...

Michael Morrison PT, DPT of Red Hammer Rehab returns to continue the conversation about Strength Training that we started in January. We also cover the absolutely critical PEACE and LOVE tool for healing soft tissue injuries.  Jon solo's the intro today as Miranda is off to run Tour du Mont Blanc in France, Switzerland, and Italy. Thanks for listening to Running With Problems . Follow us on I...

Miranda's back to recap her first 100 miler experience at High Lonesome 100 . Her performance was incredible, and we hope you enjoy listening to the recap! Thanks for listening to Running With Problems . Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems . DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at podcast@runningwithproblems.run . Hosted by Jon Eisen ( @mildly_athletic ) a...

Jeffrey Binney is the director, producer, and subject of Once is Enough ( Amazon , YouTube ), an amazing independent running documentary about Jeffrey's journey from obesity to 100 mile ultra running. It is personally one of Jon and Miranda's favorite running films. We also talk about Jeffrey's life since Once is Enough, shopping his new book idea, and all the shenanigans out on the...