Martha Runs the World Podcast

Send us Fan Mail #315 - No fees, no awards, no aid, no wimps. That's how Fat Ass races started many years ago and they're still going on today. These self supported races are disappearing but there are some left and I talk about their beginnings and why they are a great style of race to try. In an era where running is its most expensive, why not try a race that doesn't have a huge e...

Send us Fan Mail #314 - Prices on everything are going up and running is no exception. In this episode, I go over all the costs involved in running an help you choose what might be important to you and what might not be, to help you make 2025 a great running year! Planning out our goals and desires in running for the new year can help defray high costs that could otherwise cancel our plans. By kno...

Send us Fan Mail #313 - Each year when the calendar moves into January, I like to reflect on what running and my podcast has taught me. In this episode, I talk about a few important things running and my podcast has taught me. Our lives grow and our running changes, that's natural. Six years producing my little show is one of the highlights of my life. Even if the rest of my world is falling...

Send us Fan Mail #312 - This is the second part of a 2-part episode about cheating in running races. This focuses only on doping, which is the popular word for the unlawful use of drugs to enhance or inhibit the performance of an athlete. I talk about the roots of doping, the different types and how it's affected running over the years. I give some examples and its adverse effects. With the u...

Send us Fan Mail #311 - Once we runners get into the half marathon distance, we realize how important and yes, how difficult our long runs can be. But, we can make them a little bit easier. By taking the time to organize what we need before and during our runs, they don't have to be quite as painful. Sure, there's going to be the usual pain, but it's that unnecessary stuff that we s...

Send us Fan Mail #310 - Races continue to grow from the lower numbers since 2020, along with the technology we use. Many things will take more importance in the new year while other things will become common place. And what are those new Boston qualifying times? I also talk about my race plans for the new year. What are your planned races? Send me an email and let me know! 2025 is going to be a gr...

Send us Fan Mail #309 - 2024 was a big year in many ways. The Paris Olympics were big, as well as a massive first at the Barkley Marathons. I go over a few of the highlights in running this year, along with some trends. It's impossible to cover all of them, so this is just a few. I also talk about my own year, which started out on the rough side, but has since improved greatly. And if that&ap...

Send us Fan Mail #308 - There's so much to cover this week! First, I talk about what happened at my race this past weekend. And it wasn't pretty. DNFs happen though, and i don't shy away from talking about why it happened to me! I also give an apology for something I need to be more away of and I review an incredibly important and life-changing running book!  Support the show Martha...

Send us Fan Mail #307 - This week, I talk about the 22nd Annual San Francisco Turkey Trot, as well as give some gift suggestions for the runners in your life! I also offer my choices of what I would LOVE Santa to bring me!  It's a light-hearted look at holiday running, racing and gift giving! I hope you had a great time running on Thanksgiving!  Support the show Martha Runs the World website...

Send us Fan Mail #306 - Wherever there's a race, there are those few who try to get around the rules, try to earn things without working for them and show everyone how they are seemingly "the best". But are they? This week, it's all about race cheaters. What types of cheaters are there? I give examples of one-time cheaters, as well as serial cheaters. And the bigger question: W...

Send us Fan Mail #305 - In 2021, the ultramarathon community experienced its worst disaster in history. In the Chinese province of Gansu a terrible and preventable nightmare occurred. I will go over all the details; what led up to it, why it happened and how it could have been prevented. I will also help you from becoming a victim of a similar disaster.  Also, I review the running book - The Front...

Send us Fan Mail #304 - The Frontrunner is that rare book: a novel about running. It's more than that though. It's a story of understanding who one truly is through running. And it's really good. Author Brad Fawley joins me this week to talk about his book, his own runner (like his book, he's really good!), and all the other things he does or has done. If you're looking fo...

Send us Fan Mail #303 - During my Ruth Anderson 50k race a few weeks ago, I realized that some food choice changes needed to be made. I've done a lot of thinking about how my food habits effect my running and races. They go hand in hand. This week, I talk about how my nutritional healthy choices will make a positive effect on my running and hopefully put an end to my past GI problems. Figurin...

Send us Fan Mail #302 - It's the time of year for Haunting Running Trails! It's that time of year to listen to some spooky stories about ghosts, apparitions and unearthly creatures somewhere in the world. This year, I'm focusing on my home city, San Francisco! There's a lot to cover! I hope you enjoy hearing some of the history of my historic yet wild hometown! So, go for a run...

Send us Fan Mail #301 - Since 1976, the Marine Corps Marathon or MCM has been pounding the streets of Washington DC and Arlington, Virginia in late October to celebrate not only the US Marine Corps, but enjoying our terrific sport in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. This week, I talk about the race's history, some race facts and some things you may want to be prepared for if y...

Send us Fan Mail #300 - Wow!!! What a terrific weekend! I finished my first 50k in over four years this past weekend and I'm still on Cloud Nine! What a fantastic race run by amazing people! I could not have ask for a better race as my returning ultra race. This week, I talk all about the race and what it meant to be. I also talk about why you should run it!  It feels good to get back into ul...

Send us Fan Mail #299 - When I think of really long ultra races, a few runners' names come to mind. When I think of those long races and the runners who film them, there are only a handful who have the prowess to handle running a complicated single track and filming at the same time! Wes Plate is one of those runners. It's taken him a while to make those videos we look forward to and I f...

Send us Fan Mail #298 - If you ran in high school or college and didn't run on a track, you probably ran cross country. But what happened when you left school? Did you continue running cross country? In the US, probably not. If you grew up in Africa, chances are the answer would be yes. Cross country is a huge sport in other countries, but why isn't it a bigger sport here? It's exci...

Send us Fan Mail #297 - Through our running careers (even us amateurs), we can go through many phases and changes. Life alterations, accidents, illnesses, career decisions, all sorts of choices we make can affect our running. It can affect what we want in running as well. The desires we dreamed of when we were young may not be the same as we age, as I've found out.  This is one of a few topic...

Send us Fan Mail #296 - A couple years ago I released an episode on this topic, but I thought it was time to share some more on the same topic. Picture yourself out with a few of your non-running friends; all of these running "issues" are things you probably wouldn't want to bring up with them. Save them for your running pals! So, let's have fun and think about stuff you really...

Send us Fan Mail #295 - Technology is bounding towards the future faster than we know. The satellite service known as Starlink may be an incredible resource for ultraraces who have the capabilities to use it. Perhaps some already do. This week, I talk about what Starlink is, how it got started and how it can help create live race coverage for ultraraces that they never had before! I'll also t...

Send us Fan Mail #294 - If you search back in running history Robert Earl Johnson and Wilma Rudolph will be two of the first names that you will see. Both are pioneers in running history, having achieved firsts in races and track meets, including the Olympics, that had not been seen before. Johnson was the first Black American to compete in Olympic distance running and Rudolph was the first Americ...

Send us Fan Mail #293 - This week, I talk about my short but wonderful trip to Lake Tahoe and Echo Lake and how important it is to get away to the place where that recharges your batteries. The Sierra Nevada Mountains does that for me like no place else. I know there's a place that you like to go to when you feel the need to re-energize. No matter how brief, it is better to go for a short sta...

Send us Fan Mail #292 - A lot of components go into successful running. One of the most important is proper breathing. It may seem such a simple thing; we breathe air in and out. But is it just that easy? As is usually the case, there are a few more important keys to understand to help you on your journey to being a better runner. I'm right there with you! As I talk about each subject, I&apos...

Send us Fan Mail #291 - Wow! What an incredible, wild and fantastic two weeks of running the Paris Olympics has been! I'm still thinking about all the races I had the pleasure to watch and cheer! This week's episode is all about the running races of the Paris Olympics. I talk about my favorites and maybe a let down or two. What were your favorites?  If you want to help out the podcast, y...