The Rambling Runner Podcast

2014 was meant to be a banner year of running for Connor Meakin, not (maybe) his last as a runner. He enjoyed early success, winning races and feeling amazing in the process, which motivated him to want more and push even harder. Things completely derailed soon after as he got blasted with devastating prognosis for an injury that didn't initially seem too serious. Connor had developed a serious fo...

The California International Marathon - what an incredible weekend! The best people combined with a huge physical challenge never disappoints. It had been a decade since my previous marathon and a short window to build-up fitness and strength. I knew this going into the race but approached the challenge with positivity, confidence, and a can-do attitude. In this episode I analyze the factors that...

Rachel Gersten is a New York City therapist with a passion for helping people lead their healthiest lives possible. She completed her undergraduate degree at the Arizona State University where she double majored in psychology and human development. She attended Columbia University and earned two master’s degrees (Ed. M., M.A.) in Psychological Counseling. Rachel is also a dedicated amateur runner...

Sara Vaughn crushed her marathon debut and took the win at the California International Marathon in 2:26:53. That’s the 5th fastest performance by an American woman in 2021 and a new course record. Sara is one of the best track athletes of this era and her conversion to the marathon is legendary. Not only that, Sara is a full-time real estate agent and a mother of four. In this episode Sara discus...

In this panel discussion at the California International marathon expo we discuss going after big goals in the marathon. For  Mike "Kofuzi" Ko, Michelle Baxter, and Alissa Kolarik their big goal is breaking 3:00. It's an audacious goal and one that they have each been striving for, for years. No matter what pace you run, if you have big goals, or need one, you will gain a lot from these amazing pe...

The 2021 California International Marathon is here! In this heavily requested episode, I take a deep dive into my training for the first marathon I've done in a decade and discuss how that relates to my race plan. My build up for this race went well but it wasn't without it challenges that can instructive for runners of all abilities. Sponsors: Gift giving season is here and breo massagers have gr...

We are at the tail-end of the wildest marathon season we have seen. Many runners of all abilities and experience levels took advantage of the overwhelming marathon opportunities. So, what comes next? Simple - recovery! While we all know that recovery is important, we may not know what we need to do to make sure we are ready to take on our next challenge with ideal health and strength. In this Coac...

Seemingly every time I check on Dr. Stefanie Flippin's progress as a runner she is reaching greater heights. This 2021 was no different for this dynamo. Earlier this year Stefanie took a big leap by signing with HOKA and becoming a professional trail and ultra runner. This was after she won the USATF 100 Mile Championship in a blistering time. Two weeks ago Stefanie returned to her favorite distan...

Melissa Guillen is quiet determination personified and a true marvel. In September 2020 Melissa stopped fighting gravity and decided to have hip surgery. It required a lengthy and difficult recovery that tested Melissa physically, mentally, and emotionally. She had plenty of low moments along the way but eventually found herself ready to resume running. Before she did so she took the bold step to...

Part III of Marathon Milestones with Alexis McCoy is here, and wow, what a performance! Alexis just conquered the New York City Marathon a mere 28 days after setting a PR at Boston. Not only did she run well and rebound from a huge performance - this badass just set another PR! In this episode we take a deep dive into the weeks between these to historic races and what propelled her to a race of a...

This summer Pan Sohmnot completed the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. An 11 week journey that was over a decade in the making. The Grand Slam consists of four iconic 100 mile ultramarathons: Western States, Burning River, Leadville, and Wasatch Front. Pan became the 385th finisher since the Slam’s inception in 1986 and one of ten to finish this year. To quote Pan: "(t)his summer went by in a flash! I’...

Andrea McKinney waited years for her opportunity to run the Berlin Marathon. Finally, in 2021, her chance arrived and she was ready! They she flew half way across the world for a dream-like experience that she had been thinking about for years. Then, just like that, she wasn't able to run a step. In this episode you'll hear all about and it happened next that resulted in a marathon PR! --- *Yes, y...

Cait Keen did it! Cait came back to the Flying Pig Marathon after a tumultuous two years that left her questioning many things about her life and running. She ended the day with a stirring win that pulsated with emotion. Here's what Cait several days before the race that sets the stage for what was to come later: "I’ve been waiting 2.5 years for a chance to run Cincy again and 610 days to run a ma...

Our first Shoe-isode Extravaganza is here and it's a doozy! In this episode we have some of best running shoe reviewers in the country on the show to discuss a topic that affects lots of runners but is rarely discussed. We select the best non-plated marathon shoes for folks who are looking for cushioning, pop, fun, and protection over hours of marathon paced effort. We hear all about the marathon...

Tia Stone is the quintessential Rambling Runner guest. A dedicated amateur runner who has achieved truly amazing results while living a full and jam-packed life. Tia recently rocked the Chicago Marathon on a brutal day. She finished at the 7th masters female on a day that saw many runners melt in the final miles. Not only did Tia not melt, she sped up during the final 10k! She had this remarkable...

The first segment of "Fail" Forward Friday is with dual-Olympian alpine skier and marathoner Chirine Njeim. Chirine started skiing at age 3. At 12, she went to France to train for two of years with a personal coach. She then moved to Salt Lake City in ninth grade, when she was 13, to attend the Rowmark Ski Academy, former home of U.S. Olympian Picabo Street. She went on to study at, and compete fo...

Emily Heller, one of my favorite people, is back on the show! Two weeks ago Emily ran the Chicago Marathon on a brutal day for so many. It was the culmination of months of training - training that has been documented weekly on her fantastic YouTube channel. In this episode we talk all about her training, the race, expectations, and of course, SHOES. Emily's YouTube channel has some of the best sho...

For today's show notes I'm going to quote Andrea Pomaranki's Instagram post about her amazing finish at least week's Boston Marathon: "My heart is so full of gratitude …..10th American in the Boston Marathon in my very first pro start at a major marathon at the age of 39, which to be honest is the least of why I couldn’t stop smiling through the streets of Boston yesterday. Every step felt like su...

Part II of Marathon Milestones with Alexis McCoy is here and it's a doozy! Alexis just rocked the Boston Marathon for a PR of 3:13 and did it in unique fashion. This was no walk in park. Her race featured some huge highs and frustrating lows. She was well prepared to run well and showcased admirable toughness along the way. Now she's on to New York! Background: Alexis is a dedicated amateur runner...

"Fail" Forward Friday is back and we are brining you stories from two amazing people - Jared Ward and Maddie Alm. First up is Jared Ward. Jared is an Olympian, USATF running circuit champion, NCAA All-American, and one of the best and most consistent American runners of this generation. But don't let all of that fool you. Jared's story of "failure" will resonated with runners of any ability. In th...

Right now I'm fitter than I've been in a decade - and it is completely surprising. The last time I felt like this I was preparing for the Cape Code Marathon when I was 29 years old. That was over 10 years ago. All of this after not running in the spring due to knee bursitis and in August with an ankle spring. So, how did this happen? In this episode, I share the seven things that I've incorporated...

We are in the midst of the wildest marathon season in a generation. Maybe ever. It seems like every runner is running one, or maybe even two or three! However, the truth is that the majority of runners will not be doing a fall marathon. Rather, they are easing back into racing and potentially opting to focus on a marathon in the spring of 2022. In this Coach’s Corner episode, fellow McKirdy Traine...

If you're anything like me you've had a chance to view some of the amazing YouTube footage that Sweat Elite has published over the past six months. They've chronicled the training of some of the best runners in the world in a captivating fashion. Runners like Eliud Kipchoge, Paul Chelimo, Nell Rojas, Molly Seidel, Jim Walmsley, Jake Riley, Joe Klecker, Frank Lara, Craig Engels, Parker Stinson, and...

We are back with our new bi-weekly segment on the podcast - "Fail" Forward Friday. In this episode we hear from Rebecca Mehra and Mario Mendoza, two of the country's best runners. Rebecca is one of the best middle distance runners in America with a focus on the 800m and 1500m. Mario is a four time USATF Ultrarunner of the Year and two time world record holder. Yes, you read that correctly - the "F...

Dylan Bowman is a professional runner competing in trail and ultra races around the world. Dylan has also established himself a key member in the sport's media landscape. He has co-hosted the live coverage of the iconic Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc and the Western States Endurance Run and created the amazingly popular Pyllars Podcast. It wasn't until after graduating from college, where he played div...