The Running for Real Podcast

On Saturday, in this special bonus New York City Marathon pre race episode, we covered everything you need to remind yourself of the day before your race as well as how to handle the tough moments in the race. From seeing your nerves as excitement, to using gratitude to remind you how lucky you are to be here, this episode with Olympic Bronze Medalist Deena Kastor and Sports Psychologist, Dr Jonat...

Looking for the positives can be difficult when you fail. When we don't achieve what we set out for, success doesn't seem like something we can claim. But it doesn't have to be that way. How successful we feel isn't measured by what we do. It is measured by how we define success. The beauty in that truth is that we can therefore determine exactly how successful we feel. And if we feel successful,...

The Olympic standard time for a women's 1500-meter race is 4:04.2. That was the time that Shannon Osika had been eyeing for quite some time before she changed plans at the end of her European tour to include one more race in Poland. To give you some insight as to how fast that is, let's review some world records over time. In the early 1900's, female world record holders were still running 1500 me...

Whose opinions really matter to you? If you were to start a project or set out after a goal that you've always wanted to do but have been scared for one reason or another, who would encourage you? Who would have your back? Who would tell you that you don't know what you're doing? These are important questions to answer. Deciding who influences what we do can change our entire lives. And, unknown t...

Today we are covering a topic that is rarely spoken about. Talking about women's menstrual cycles is often tough enough, especially for men. But once you near the age of a master's runner, interest fades even more rapidly. Going through menopause is tough not only because of the physical elements, but the emotional ones. Like childbirth, it is hard to understand it until it's happened to you, so t...

If you've been with us at Running for Real for a while, you've had a chance to hear from Dean Karnazes already. He is a superstar of a runner, the "ULTRAmarathon Man," and an incredibly upbeat person. Even if you happen to catch him in the middle of a 100-mile run, Dean will smile and take a selfie with you. He's that kind of guy. In coordination with a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book about run...

Breathing and Running You can argue that nothing is more important than learning how to breathe properly when you run. Yet, breathing exercises are often overlooked and shortness of breath is treated by increasing miles or speed. Without proper breathing, runners can suffer from side aches, mental distractions, anxiety, and injuries that are caused from lack of focus or poor posture, all of which...

Running is a great visual for vulnerability. Picture yourself in the middle of the desert, or in a big city, or on the side of a volcano, with nothing but your shoes and some minimal clothing. No one is holding your hand, there are no secure walls behind you, nature and humanity can see you from every angle, and you can only move as fast as your body allows. It can honestly be a bit intimidating....

Discussing Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Loss About one in four pregnancies end in a miscarriage. If you haven't been close to someone that has gone through miscarriage, this may surprise you. As frequently as it happens, this type of loss is not often discussed in public. Misunderstanding, fear, blame, or disappointment are feelings that can surround the loss of a child. Navigating these feeling w...

Do you ever find it difficult working with what you have? For example, putting off doing a workout until you find the perfect gym, or neglecting to write down goals and thoughts because you don't have an Italian leather journal and "what interesting things are happening in my life anyway?" Getting started is always more than half the battle. When it comes to running, there are plenty of excuses th...

Disabling Conditions in the Running Community Running is an expansive, inclusive, and a simple sport. The fact that it involves some of the most basic of body movements is what allows it to be broad and accepting. Practically anyone can run, and those that can't are still welcome. In the running community we accept and embrace those that love to move. If you move slowly, move in a wheelchair, or m...

"Chance favors the prepared mind" is often quoted to be from Louis Pasteur. Pasteur was a chemist and microbiologist who studied and found cures for a handful of diseases, including a vaccine for rabies. The concept that luck or fortune follows the bold, prepared, or active has long been discussed. The truth is, not everyone can be lucky. Only those that do, are rewarded. Even lottery winners have...

Understanding Suicide Everyone is affected by suicide. Whether you've had personal struggles, had an acquaintance or loved one take his or her life, or been generally aware and worried about the increased rates of suicide in the world, understanding suicide can benefit you. Suicide is understandably a topic that isn't often spoken much about. It may be embarrassing or painful to openly discuss the...

New York Road Runners Live Show! Do you wonder what a world-class runner's upbringing looks like? What path led them to greatness? Should children with promise be given the encouragement and opportunities to be the best, or should they simply have fun playing the sports they enjoy? This week we had the chance to interview Meb Keflezighi, Jenny Simpson, and Rachel Pratt on a live panel in New York...

Running with a Visual Impairment For those that are visually impaired, life can seem challenging enough without adding running to the list. Getting from place to place, using new technologies, or feeling invisible to others can be daily obstacles. However, deciding to run with an impairment may be exactly the challenge you need. Rich Hunter, found of United in Stride, was diagnosed with retinitis...

Burnout is a normal challenge we all face when running, and it can come in a variety of forms. Sometimes it comes in the form of overindulgence. Think of it as your favorite ice cream that you discovered is served in unlimited amounts on a cruise you're on. At first, it's beautiful. The idea of eating soft serve perfection as much you want, whenever you want, is a dream come true. That is, until y...

Recognizing and Living with Anxiety Anxiety disorders are the most commonly treated psychiatric disorder, even more so than depression or addiction. Understanding what anxiety is, who is affected by it, how it affects them and appropriate responses is therefore helpful whether you live with anxiety or someone close to you does. Running and anxiety can have a relationship in both positive and negat...

Running Lessons from Bill Rodgers Not every day do you get to sit down and talk with a Boston Marathon winner. Even less frequently, someone who has won more than once. In fact, Bill Rodgers has won the Boston Marathon no less than four times, setting a course record and an American marathon record during that span. Throughout his professional running career, Rodgers ran over 50 marathons. A numbe...

Running with an Elite Mindset When Dave Spandorfer was running in college, social entrepreneurship was just stepping into the big scene. Brands like Toms were finding ways to give back to the community, and care about something other than their shareholders wallets, while still staying a successful, for-profit company. Since that time, we have seen a multitude of companies who've had success makin...

Can you picture your perfect day? What happens from the moment you wake up to the seconds before you lay your head down? Is that perfect day possible? If not, why do you think you crave that day? If it is possible, are you working toward it? We all have goals and dreams in life that keep us moving forward or engulf our thoughts as we drive in traffic. But these future aspirations can be motivating...

When was the last time you consciously decided to face one of your fears head-on? Can you think of when you last conquered a hard task that you dreaded? How did it make you feel?   Often the majority of suffering comes from the time prior to completing a hard task. The period of time when you dread what you have to do, or how it will look if you fail, or how much work it will take to succeed. The...

A polymath, commonly referred to as a Renaissance Man or Woman, is an individual that has an interest in a variety of fields and a level of expertise or professionalism in each of them. A few of the most well-known polymaths are Galileo, Benjamin Franklin, and Leonardo de Vinci. These individuals are often highly praised and revered because of their successes in a variety of fields. But what if th...

Do you hit snooze ten times before getting out of bed? Do you have to daydream about sugar, fat, and carbs to motivate yourself to finish your run? Do you get out of a hot shower only to realize that you are still sweating? Then you just might be a superstar. Every so often our personal habits, attributes, and tendencies are validated when we find out that certain people we admire have the same be...

Now more than over, runners of all ages and interests have opportunities to be the best they can be. No longer are the days of a small handful of elites that make up the only competitive runners. Today, if you want to be a competitive runner, you can. As a lifestyle, a hobby, or a profession, you decide how serious to take your sport. One reason this is possible is the access to running tools. Esp...

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." Your everyday airline attendant will tell you, "Before helping others, first put on your own oxygen mask." Many people find it difficult to reconcile these two ideas. Helping yourself and helping others can seem like competing voices. However...