If you’re looking to chase something other than a finish time or wanting to freshen up your running routine, take a listen to this episode featuring two “regular” runners who share their unique and varied race goals. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, the gals share: -that getting slower doesn’t mean giving up on racing goals;  -how inadvertently being last in a race spurred one endeavor; -the joy of giving back to their community;  -savvy advice for doing away-races; and, -an...

This episode shares the moving story of Emily Halnon, a runner and writer based in Eugene, Oregon. Her debut memoir, To The Gorge, details her journey going for the Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 460-mile Oregon Pacific Crest Trail in the wake of losing her mother, Andrea, to cancer in 2020. In this conversation, co-hosts Dimity and Sarah WF chat with Emily about:  How Emily's mom inspired her to run her first marathon; Why running was the mother and daughter's "love language" and what...

An episode for everyone as grief is a recurring facet of all our lives. The guests, Lisa Millis and Kelly Daugherty, are founders of an innovative running-based program called Healing Strides as well as contributors to The Grief Experience. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, the conversation covers: -the genesis of Healing Strides and what the program entails; -the positive effects of running on grief;  -the healing power of moving in nature; plus, -advice for processing...

Listen to this episode if you’re like Robin, and you want to step up to running a 50K. Or if you’re looking to add some structured workouts to your lap swimming, like Shannon. (Here are six 30-minute swimming workouts.) Finally, debate along with the hosts as they mull over races for Nicole, who wants to run a marathon to mark her 40th birthday. Before the hosts start serving up answers, Dimity shares some (painful!) details about recently spending seven hours on a bike saddle. Here’s...

Injured: All us runners are either there or will be (sigh), so this is a critical episode to listen to. The guest, physical therapist Amy Benton, talks with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat about how to return safely to training and racing after a sidelining injury. Amy—and Coach Liz— detail:  guidelines for when you’re ready to take the next step; the importance of taking it slow and steady; the length of your training cycle for a comeback race;  the power of positive...

If you're a fan or a runner of the Boston Marathon—or you just love a good vicarious race report—this episode is for you. Dimity chats with three women who ran the 2024 Boston Marathon: Briana Boehmer, who started her first Boston and her first marathon as an elite runner at age 45; Sarah Wassner Flynn, who ran her first Boston as a qualified runner; and Karyn Ryan, who ran her tenth consecutive Boston and her first as a charity runner.  The three share their training journeys to the...

This is the episode for everyone who’s ever been disappointed by a race experience. Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin talk with Emily Saul, a sports psychology and performance coach, as well as two “regular” runners who recently ran races that didn’t go as planned. The guests share: -metrics to define success other than a finish time;  -lessons they’ve learned about themselves from their rough races; -ways to bounce back post-race;  -how to foster resiliency; and, -the importance of...

This is the ideal episode for folks who are curious about trying a triathlon, as well as triathletes looking to move up to a longer distance race. This special episode is hosted by Coaches Liz Waterstraat and Jennifer Harrison, who have each completed 200+ triathlons and coached hundreds of triathletes to success. The coaching duo detail how to get started in the three-discipline sport, then how to move up from sprint to Olympic distance, Oly to 70.3, and finally the big kahuna, Ironman...

If you daydream about running the Boston Marathon, listen to this moving episode. The guests are two runners, one of whom is running Boston this year, and both are members of the Boston Bulldogs running club. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, the guests detail:  -how they found their ways to this inspired running club; -the lure of running the Boston Marathon; -helping recovered addicts strive toward their “true potential”;  -why running is a powerful tool in battling addiction;...

In this episode, the hosts dive into all things rucking, an exercise that’s trending for all the right reasons. It’s said to burn three times the calories of walking, strengthens your back and shoulders, helps with bone density, and has a low injury rate. Plus, it has a great communal vibe to it, which we get into with Sarah Sweeney, the race director for Tough Ruck 26.2 Boston, an annual rucking event that falls annually on the weekend before the other major marathon in Boston. Hear...

This is the ideal episode for anyone who gets a bit contemplative on a run: The guest is Sabrina Little, Ph.D., a former pro runner and author of The Examined Run. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, Sabrina shares: -her heartwarming start in ultramarathons;  -that pride doesn’t help you as a runner, but envy can;  -how devices can “separate” us from our surroundings as we run;  -how to rediscover wonder while on a run; and,  -the role of suffering in the lives of...

Listen to this episode if you’ve ever contemplated starting a running group, like Sara. Or if your daydream is a marathon, like Heather, you’ll appreciate Coach Dimity’s advice. Finally, the host duo answers Mary’s questions about rest time between speed-building intervals.  Dimity details her personal step-count challenge (hint: it deals with college campus visits) before the hosting duo dive into questions. Register to Go the Distance. Call to record a question: 470-BADASS1...

This is the ideal episode for folks striving for any big goal: The guest is Sheila Gencarelli, 57, a pharmacist and mom of two who has been attempting to run a Boston-qualifying marathon time for more than a decade. In a lovely, honest conversation with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams, Sheila shares:  -how the seed of desire to run Boston was planted for her;  -the heartbreak of (repeatedly!) missing her time goal by seconds;  -the power of shifting her focus from the race to the...

Do we really need to stretch before running? Is getting in 10,000 steps a day truly a harbinger for good health? On this episode, the hosts dive into eight common fitness myths with Danielle Friedman,  a journalist in New York who recently wrote a great piece for the New York Times where she spoke with top experts to dissect and debunk these myths, which also include:  Runners and cyclists don’t need to strength-train their lower body; Running destroys your knees.; Modifications are for...

Any runners looking to avoid injury, feel stronger, or improve their performance need to listen to this enlightening, entertaining episode with guest Sage Rountree, Ph.D., a recovery coach, former Ironman, and author of The Athlete’s Guide to Recovery. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, Sage tells: -how she’s gracefully accepted being a walker now, not a runner;  -why runners need to take rest—before it comes for them;  -what ice baths and hazing have in common;  -a...

This episode is for everyone who daydreams about a fast marathon, maybe even a Boston-qualifying time, like Stacey. And for folks looking to overcome fears about open-water swimming (critters! Floating crud!) like Miwako. Finally, empathize or at least laugh along with Allison, as she shares a menopause-madness, treadmill-related anecdote.    Before delivering Answers with Dimity, host Sarah shares how she found her way back to strength training. Register to Go the Distance. Call to record a...

Active folks concerned about getting enough energy to fuel their workouts properly will appreciate the insight and advice in this episode. The guest is Becca McConville, M.S., a sports dietitian and author of Finding Your Sweet Spot: How to Avoid RED-S (Relative Energy Deficit in Sport) by Optimizing Your Energy Balance. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, Becca explains:  -what RED-S is, and how to avoid it;  -why middle- and back-of-pack runners are at risk of...

Perfectly timed for St. Patrick's Day, this episode reveals tales of good fortune from mother runners, from co-host Sarah WF's visit from a flat-tire-fixing guardian angel during a triathlon to guest Rose DeGregorio's right place-right time tale.  Tune in to hear:  How a series of fortunate events led to lifesaving luck for Rose;  What we can all take away from Rose's story to protect our own health; Other tales of good luck and serendipity on the run from listeners. Press your luck and...

Anyone looking for more reasons to run—or who wants more joy and connections in life—should listen to this episode. Guests Robert Waldinger, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School + co-author of The Good Life: Lessons from the World's Longest Scientific Study of Happiness, and Stephanie Diamond, a mom who formed deep friendships through running, join hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin to share: -how strong of a stressor loneliness is;  -the power of casual...

If you’re new to running or coming back after a long break, like Jodi, this episode will speak to you, especially if you have your sights set on a half-marathon. Or maybe you’re like Gina, another 13.1’er in training, and you’re curious about caffeinated GU Energy Gels. And what about race swag, you ask, like Heather? The hosting duo of Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity have the answers to all these concerns.    Pre-Q&As, Dimity details a recent deadlift workshop (!) she attended....

This episode is a must-listen for any and all active folks looking to get a better night’s sleep. The guest is Julie Bergfeld, a SleepSpace coach, yoga instructor, and a former marathon and ultramarathon. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, Julie gives: -tips on how to fall asleep faster;  -insight into getting more deep sleep;  -the best ways to manage pain that keeps you awake;  -suggestions on ways to re-set your sleep cycle; and,  -workout modifications to implement after...

If you love to hike—or are curious about hiking—join us on this episode, where Dimity and her three Train Like a Mother Club colleagues take on Mammoth March Arizona, a 20-mile hike outside of Phoenix. The four ladies chat about: how they trained to be ready for nearly eight hours on their feet; the steady cadence and relaxed atmosphere of the event; why trail etiquette—and good foot hygiene—matters; how Taylor Swift came to the rescue at mile 18 or so. Hike Like a Mother and join us in...

Anyone considering or training for a half-marathon or marathon needs to listen to this episode with running legend Deena Kastor, Olympic bronze medalist in marathon and author of Let Your Mind Run. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Liz Waterstraat, Deena shares: -ways to banish the intimidation factor of a long run;  -what “the insistent mind” is—and how to get into it;  -positive interpretations of the signals your body sends you mid-run;  -her acceptance of slowing down + running shorter...

This is the episode for folks who debate how to fit in everything—workouts, work, family, chores, self-care, etcetera. Spurred on by a question from Trisha, the hosting duo shares crowd-sourced responses that range from practical advice to guilt-alleviating empathy and clear-eyed insight. A thought-provoking episode, for sure.  Before turning to answers, Sarah shares good news about her running two years post-bulging disks, and raves about her new kicks. Join the run-your-first-marathon...