Another Mother Runner

This week, the co-hosts dive into the tough reality of traumatic injuries in running, and the emotional and physical hurdles that come with being sidelined. Listen as two members of the Another Mother Runner community share their stories behind the injuries and how they’re healing.  First, Coach Jenn Harrison—a triathlete and AMR Heart + Sole and Triathlon coach—recounts how she tore her hamstring...

Whether you’re a 50+ runner or simply curious about how your body and fitness might change with age, you’ll gain a lot by listening to this episode. The guest is Caolan MacMahon, a running coach and author of a new called  Running Past 50 . With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, Caolan discusses:  -how we age in regard to activity;  -which 50+ runners can still get faster;  -the importance...

Wondering how many workouts you need to be nailing to get a personal best, like Laura Catherine? Give a listen to this episode for the answer, along with how many sports bras a runner should own, like newly reduced Heather wonders, and the response to Emily’s question about running a race during a training cycle. Sarah tells of meeting a mermaid (!) before the first Q+A, which starts around 09:36....

This episode is an intriguing listen to any runner or triathlete: Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams talk with three pairs of friends who support each other in races as “running sherpas.” Find out what that term means, along with:  -the strength + help provided by these friends;  -the power of psychic bonds;  -how having a sherpa off-loads decision-fatigue;  -the importance of giving tough-...

In this episode, co-hosts Dimity and Sarah WF welcome  Louise Butcher , also known as the Topless Runner, a mother of two, a breast cancer survivor, and a trailblazing advocate for body positivity. In this inspiring chat, the hosts cover a gamut of topics with Louise, including: Going viral for running races, including the 2024 London Marathon, without a shirt following her double mastectomy; Her...

Anyone looking to get into the head of a half-marathon runner will enjoy this revealing episode, in which co-host Tish Hamilton turns the tables on host Sarah Bowen Shea to ask her all about her Portland Half Marathon experience. Sarah shares: -why she ran by feel instead of data;  -whether she hit her time goal;  -tales of seeing friends and, surprisingly, family along the course;  -which miles w...

Folks with no race on the horizon, like Cortney, will appreciate the guidance Dimity and Sarah give on planning workouts for the week. Rebecca and anyone else coming off a long layoff from running will benefit from Dimity’s advice and Sarah’s insight about finding speed again. And anyone who lives in hilly environs, like Honi, will be intrigued by the answer to her question as to whether hills cou...

Runners bothered by pre-race jitters and/or everyday anxiety will appreciate the insight and advice offered in this episode. The guest is  Lennie Waite , Ph. D., a Houston-based sport psychology consultant, Olympic steeplechase athlete, and mother runner. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Britany Williams, the trio talks about:  -looking at your goals through a more positive lens;  -embracing,...

In this episode, the hosts welcome  Melissa Stockwell , a mother runner, military veteran, and four-time Paralympian. Melissa shares her incredible journey, from joining the military to taking up triathlon after losing a limb in combat. In the show, you’ll hear about:  The events of 2004 that changed Melissa’s life and how she found her way into adaptive sports; Melissa’s multiple trips to the Par...

Whether you dream of running Boston—or (definitely!) not—you’ll be intrigued by this episode. The guests are three “regular” runners who have to recalculate their quests to qualify for the Boston Marathon because the  qualifying times  just got made five minutes faster for every age group under 60. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin (both multi-time Boston Marathon veterans), the...

Folks with upcoming races will appreciate all the suggestions for curating the perfect playlist, prompted by a question from Sarah. The hosts offer helpful advice about staying engaged during challenging runs and races, in response to Nicole’s query. Then they provide counsel to Nicole again, about the timing of  pre-run warm-up drills .    Before the Q+As, which start at about 3:36, Dimity shares...

Anyone who loves good food will enjoy this lively conversation with Jenny Rosenstrach, the author of numerous cookbooks including the just-published  The Weekday Vegetarians Get Simple   and a mother runner. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, Jenny details:  -why she morphed to being a late-afternoon runner;  -how to significantly dial back a dependence on meat;  -various ways to get f...

Want to build strength for life? In this episode, we’re joined by Erin Carson, strength coach to elite endurance athletes, including Ironman World Champions and Olympic medalists. Erin shares advice on building strength, staying mobile, and making the most of your gym time—whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out. Hosts Dimity and Sarah WF chat with Erin about:  The impact of muscle...

All women runners owe it to themselves to listen to this enlightening episode! The guest is  Dr. Amy Divaraniya , a biomedical scientist who led a team conducting groundbreaking research in the field of hormone monitoring—and a mother runner training for her first marathon. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, the guest talks about: -the importance of understanding your menstrual cycle; ...

Anyone looking to  learn to swim , like Shara, will enjoy this episode, as will back-of-pack marathoners, such as Kate, who is curious about long training runs. (Avid readers having a “mystery moment” will appreciate  the details  host Sarah provides in response to Kate’s second question.) And heavy sweat-ers like Bridget will find the host duo’s answers,  ahem , cool.    Before serving up answers...

Anyone looking for inspiration to go after an ambitious goal—and folks looking to get over post-achievement blues—will love this episode. Recorded at AMR’s Lake Placid retreat, hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin talk with four goal-chasers, who discuss:  -how to step up to longer triathlons;  -thoughts + emotions of closing in on 50-state marathon goal;  -pushing a disabled daughter in a whe...

If you’re a Peloton devotee or just love a good story of perseverance and passion, we’ve got the guest for you. It’s the incredible  Susie Chan , a London-based Peloton instructor who’s also an icon of endurance running and now an author. In this chat, the hosts talk to Susie about: Discovering running in her 30s after leading a less-than-active lifestyle;  Conquering the legendary Marathon des Sa...

Everyone who’s interested in the steps it took to get women runners to where we are today needs to listen to this enlightening episode.  Maggie Mertens , author of  Better Faster Farther , joins hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton to talk about:  -why the 1928 Summer Olympics were such a watershed event;  -period incapacitation: what it is and how it affected inclusion; -how the 1970s running...

This episode is jam-packed with insight and suggestions, including advice for Lorrainne who is contemplating a trail race yet training on the road. Runners afflicted with plantar fasciitis, like Holly, will appreciate all the been-there, done-that wisdom host Sarah shares on finding relief. And anyone heading to an away-race this fall, like Rhianna, will appreciate the tips from both hosts.    Bef...

If you need help fitting workouts into a busy schedule, look no further: This episode spotlights four teachers who share anecdotes, insight, and hacks on running while working a time- and energy-intensive job. The guests share:  -the sanctity of morning runs;  -how advance planning fosters exercise adherence;  -ways their students inspire and push them (including to a PR!);  -how they mesh their r...

If you’re like listener Kate Coscarelli, who has a kid taking on cross country this fall—or maybe you ran XC yourself and you’re nostalgic for those crisp days of racing through fallen leaves or freshly cut grass—this episode is for you. The hosts chat about all things XC, in a lively two-part conversation told from dual perspectives: The athlete’s and the coaches’. You’ll hear: * Recent college g...

Whether you’re staring down surgery or merely fascinated by inspiring tales of recovery, this is the episode for you. Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams talk with three guests:  Kevin Stone, M.D. , an orthopaedic surgeon and author of  Play Forever: How to Recover from Injury & Thrive , plus two women runners who had hip replacement surgery within the last few years. Listen and learn ab...

Definitely listen to this episode if you’ve ever debated how often you should stand on a starting line, like Emily. Morning exercisers, like Christina, will be shown the wisdom of eating pre-workout, while folks like Elizabeth will learn ways to create more structure and consistency in their fitness regime.    Take a cold plunge with Dimity before diving into the answers at 6:22. Here’s where to ...

Calling all athletes: Listen to this episode, especially if you’re training for a race! With co-hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, the guest,  Erin Ayala , Ph. D., a sport psychologist and endurance athlete, talks about pushing through burnout and reframing negative self-talk. The trio talk about:  -how to become friends with your inner critic;  -creating your own mental toolkit;  -...

Why take a traincation? If you ask our guests in today's episode, they'd say, "why not?" Hosts Dimity and Sarah WF chat with two women,  Natalie Nixon  and Anna van der Wouden, who each recently ventured off for a week of exercise, adventure, self-discovery, and fun. In this lively conversation, you'll hear: Why Natalie opted for a swimming vacation in a far-flung destination;  More behind Anna's...