Let’s Run That Again

*This Episode was recorded in October 2025. Due to life, and our long break from podcasting, this episode is just being released now and for that we are so sorry, but we are so so excited to finally share Annie's story! Join us as Annie Hawthorne shares her inspiring journey from road running to ultra trail running, overcoming challenges like injuries and DNFs, and her plans for upcoming self-supp...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Heidi and Michelle reconnect after a break, discussing the importance of self-care, authenticity, and the evolving nature of their identities as runners. They explore the impact of social media on self-worth and belonging, share lessons learned from races, and emphasize the value of community support. The discussion highlights the rejection of rigid labels, t...

Summary In this episode, Heidi and Michelle reconnect and reflect on their running journeys, discussing the importance of mindset, community, and acceptance. They explore the challenges and changes they face in their running lives, emphasizing the duality of emotions and the significance of mental health. The conversation highlights the value of therapy and connection, as well as the journey of se...

In this episode, Heidi and Michelle chat with Derek Sprau, an accomplished ultra runner who shares his journey into the world of ultra running, the mental challenges faced during races, and the importance of community support. Derek discusses his experiences at the Kettle Moraine race, the emotional rollercoaster of leaving a friend behind during a race, and his upcoming adventure at the Bigfoot 2...

Summary In this engaging conversation, Katie shares her journey into the world of ultra running, highlighting her recent races, the supportive community in Florida, and the joy she finds in the sport. She discusses her experiences with FOMO in race registrations, the transformation running has brought to her life, and the importance of the race environment. Katie reflects on her first mountain rac...

  In this episode, Heidi and Michelle welcome Ben Whitehead, who shares his profound running journey, marked by personal loss and the transition from marathons to ultra marathons. Ben discusses the impact of elevation on his running, the emotional connection he feels during races, and the importance of community support, especially after experiencing a DNF. He emphasizes the healing power of helpi...

In this episode, Anna Epifano shares her inspiring journey into ultra running, highlighting the influence of her son Steve and the importance of family support. The conversation explores the challenges and joys of training for the Blackbeard's Revenge race, the mental aspects of running, and the beauty of nature experienced during runs. Anna reflects on the deeper meaning of ultra running, the com...

Rachel Bambrick, founder of Women in Ultrarunning, joins to chat about her recent DNF at the High Lonesome 100. The discussion dives into ways races can throw unexpected and new challenges, how fueling and mental strength play into our decision making. The discussion also touches on the duality of emotions that accompany a DNF. How disappointment and pride can co-exist and there is no right way to...

In this episode, Miles Victors shares his incredible journey from being 450 pounds to becoming an ultra runner. He discusses the pivotal moments that led to his transformation, the challenges he faced during ultra marathons, and the lessons learned from his experiences, including the importance of managing pain, heat, and hydration. Miles also emphasizes the value of self-worth and the concept of...

Summary In this episode, Michelle and Heidi chat with Jill Albrecht about her journey in ultra running, particularly her experiences with the Cocodona race. Jill shares her background, including her sobriety journey and how it led her to discover ultra running. The conversation delves into the community spirit of Cocodona, her fundraising efforts for mental health resources, and the challenges she...

In this episode, the hosts celebrate one year of podcasting and welcome Carrie, who shares her unique journey into running, particularly ultra running. Carrie discusses her motivations, the impact of the organization Wear Blue, Run to Remember, and her transition from road running to trail running. She emphasizes the importance of community support, learning to ask for help, and the mental challen...

In this episode of Let's Run That, hosts Michelle and Heidi are joined by ultra runners Tom Polen and Stephen Park to discuss their experiences at the Cocodona 250 race. The conversation delves into the challenges faced during the race, the importance of community and support, and the mental and physical strategies required to complete such a grueling event. Tom shares his journey leading up to Co...

In this episode, ultra runners Stacy and Kyle share their unique journeys into the world of ultra running, discussing their experiences with races, the challenges of DNFs, and the dynamics of racing together as a couple. They reflect on the mental and physical aspects of endurance sports, the importance of community support, and the lessons learned from their various race experiences. The conversa...

In this episode, Heidi and Michelle discuss Michelle's experience at Cocodona 250 in May. Michelle reflects on the challenges faced during Cocodona, including weather conditions, mental resilience, and the importance of sleep. The conversation also touches on the role of pacers, the emotional journey of ultra running, and strategies for upcoming races. They emphasize the significance of visualizat...

In this episode, Chrissy Blankenship shares her inspiring journey from hating running in the Army to becoming an ultra runner. She discusses the importance of community, mental challenges, and the balance between family life and training. Chrissy reflects on her experiences with 100K and 100-mile races, emphasizing the mental and physical preparation required for ultra running. She also shares ins...

In this episode, Molly Hernandez shares her journey from road running to ultra running, detailing her experiences with her first 100 mile attempt at Rocky Raccoon. She discusses the challenges of training, the mental hurdles faced on race day, and the importance of community support. Molly reflects on her DNF experience, emphasizing the lessons learned and the value of perseverance. She also touch...

In this conversation, Melissa Londry shares her journey from a new mother to an accomplished ultra runner and race director. She discusses the challenges she faced during her races, particularly the Mamba 100, and the mental load of balancing family responsibilities with her passion for running. Melissa emphasizes the importance of self-care for mothers and the need for inclusive spaces in the run...

In this episode, we chat with Claire Bochenek, a passionate runner who shares her experiences with the Marathon des Sables (MDS), a grueling six-day race through the Moroccan desert. Claire discusses her journey into running, the allure of MDS, her training and preparation challenges, and the excitement of race day. She also delves into the logistical aspects of traveling to Morocco, the atmospher...

In this episode, Heidi and Michelle chat with Elliot Matson, the founder of Folklord, a trail running apparel brand. They discuss the unique designs inspired by mythology, the journey of building the brand, and the importance of storytelling in connecting with the running community. Elliot shares his personal running experiences and the challenges of creating a brand that stands out in the outdoor...

In this episode, Heidi and Michelle welcome Julie Shobe, a registered dietitian specializing in ultra running nutrition. They discuss the critical role of nutrition in preventing DNFs (Did Not Finish) in races, the importance of protein for muscle repair, and common mistakes ultra runners make regarding fueling. Julie shares her journey into this niche of nutrition, emphasizing the need for variet...

In this episode, Paul Gibbs shares his unique journey into the world of ultra running, discussing his experiences with DNFs, and the lessons learned along the way. From his initial motivation to run after a personal loss to his attempts at the Long Haul 100, Paul reflects on the challenges and triumphs of his running career. He emphasizes the importance of community support, proper training, and m...

In this conversation, ultra runner John Kelly discusses his experiences with the Barkley Marathons and other multi-day events. He shares insights into the allure of these challenging races, the mental strategies he employs when faced with obstacles, and his thoughts on the critics of such events. John emphasizes the importance of patience, adaptability, and finding meaning in arbitrary challenges,...

In this episode, Heidi and Michelle welcome Jack Pitcher, the fastest Briton to run across Australia. Jack shares his journey from a young, competitive runner to breaking records in ultra marathons. The conversation delves into the mental aspects of running, the importance of consistency, and the barriers that new runners face. They also discuss the influence of social media and the responsibility...

In this conversation, Heidi and Michelle chat with Josh Rosenthal of Borderlands and delve into the world of ultra running, focusing on the topic of Did Not Finish (DNF) experiences. Josh shares his personal journey with DNFs, emphasizing the importance of mindset, community support, and the lessons learned from each attempt. They discuss the significance of language in shaping one's approach to r...

In this conversation, Maude Gorman shares her transformative journey through athletics, overcoming personal struggles with eating disorders, and the impact of relationships on her athletic pursuits. She discusses her recovery, the challenges she faced, and how she rebuilt her life and found purpose in running. Maude emphasizes the importance of community support, perspective in endurance sports, a...