January 2020

#400: 400th Episode of Another Mother Runner Podcast!

Sarah is joined by podcast producer Alex Ward to replay favorite moments from the last 100 episodes, along with some behind-the-scenes details. Hear:

-Shalane Flanagan recount the final 10K of her winning 2017 New York City Marathon;
-Meb Keflezighi remember the final miles of his winning 2014 Boston Marathon;
-sports psychologist Dr. Justin Ross (and Alex!) talk about athletic happy places;
-Kara Goucher talk about how vulnerability can be a strength; and,
-several TMI experiences, including the greatest overshare ever on the show!

When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.
We appreciate your–and their–support!

Go to ThirdLove.com/amr to find your perfect-fitting bra—and get 15% off your first purchase!

Make learning about STEAM fun: Go to kiwico.com/amr and get your first month FREE!

Post your job today at Indeed.com/amr and get a free sponsored job upgrade on your first posting.

Mother Runner of the Month: Stacey Grande

Rounding out our Mother Runner of the Month for 2019 is Stacey Grande, a 39-year-old district manager for Michael Kors and mother of a 16-year-old daughter who lives in Blackwood, NJ.

Stacey was nominated by a high school classmate, Shana, who raves about Kim: “Stacey puts the “badass” in BAMR! She was the first of my friends to have a baby just a few weeks after her 23 birthday. A single Mom, Stacey raised her beautiful, smart, and sweet daughter Madison all on her own.

She started running in the mid-2000s to keep in shape but I’m sure it provided the stress relief she needed at the same time. A few years ago, she challenged herself to run 16 races in 2016, then 17 races in 2017 and 18 races in 2018. The day after Christmas in 2019, Stacey lost her father after a long illness. However, in warrior fashion, Stacey channeled her grief into running and went on to finish the Dopey Challenge in 2019 just a few weeks after the funeral!

I am in awe of my wonderful friend, a newly married, long-time single working mother with a fast-paced career and still getting it done. She keeps me motivated and holds me accountable and I just appreciate her friendship so very much.”

Stacey and her daughter Madison in post-race glee.

 

I started running: in 2007. My younger sister, Holly, and I worked out together at the local YMCA and eventually she encouraged me to start running with her. She got me going slowly the treadmill, helping me build up my endurance. Soon, we would run to the gym together (2 miles each way), lift, and then run home.

In 2008 she trained me for my first long-distance race, Blue Cross Broad Street Run 10 miler. She stayed with me throughout the whole race, running at my pace and we crossed the finish line together holding hands! I’ll never forget that memory!

16 races in 2016, 17 in 2017, 18 in 2018: The Plan: Since there are several months in the year I typically do not do races (Jan-March, July-Aug, December), I had to double down certain weekends and do back to back races. Some of them were a part of a weekend challenge. I basically registered for my most favorite races first and then layered in new races to fill the quota!

And the Best Race Award Goes to: The Blue Cross Broad Street Run 10 miler, hands down. It has a reputation of being the “fastest,” flattest 10 miler in the country. It’s a point to point race all on Broad Street. It’s a bit of a logistical nightmare, but worth it.

No matter what the weather conditions, the spectators show up for you the ENTIRE way! Local bands, cheerleaders, DJs, residents, business owners, kids, pets, you name them, they’re there! Under tents and umbrellas, in the heat and humidity, bundled up, doesn’t matter, they show up and they cheer. And if you run without earbuds, you’re sure to hear the Rocky Theme played at least a few times during the race!

19 in 2019 or…? In 2019, I became less focused on the sheer volume of races I wanted to run and set three other goals:

—To run Iat least 1000 miles in 2019. (Check: 1,117.2 miles!)
—Complete the Disney Dopey Challenge, which included my first full marathon. (Check!)
—To become a more healthy runner which meant strengthening the lower half of my body. I was getting injured; I was running all the miles but not working on conditioning or strength training my core and lower half. (Check: I signed up for Orangetheory Fitness in July to help with this. It’s been a game-changer! I’m a stronger runner, have started to tone up and see definition, and so far have been injury-fre—all while running even more than I was in years prior! So far, so good!)

The post-marathon glow.

Going Dopey for Dad: My Dad was hospitalized in early December 2018 during my training for the 2019 Dopey Challenge and my first full marathon. As a result of his hospitalization and passing, I never made it over 18 miles in my training. Everything just kind of paused. I wasn’t even sure if I was going to follow through with running Dopey since it was only a couple of weeka after his funeral. I gave it some thought and decided that my Dad would have probably wanted me to go. I could hear him saying, “And you’ve already spent the money!”

Perspective after 48.6 Miles: I was so proud of myself for managing to push through this challenge, undertrained and while still in fresh pain and grief. It was a pretty incredible way to kick off the new year all things considered. I decided that I could continue to do hard things in 2019.

I really let go of making excuses and turning to outside sources for motivation. I let my personal results be the source of my motivation. I now get up between 4:00 am-5:00 am every day to work out: something I told myself for years I could never do! I cannot tell you what this has done for my mental health! Working out is a daily non-negotiable for me. Just like going to work, brushing my teeth, figuring out dinner… it’s a must-do. I have to say that 2019 was my most healthy year for mind and body to date!

Stacking up the races—and the medals.

RAPID FIRE ROUND
Favorite Length Race: 10k
It’s a long enough distance to where you feel as though you got some decent mileage in for the day, but not too long a distance to where you need to take a rest day the next day. Also it’s the distance in which I feel as though I can really push myself the entire way. I don’t need to carry fuel for a 10k and I don’t get the pre-race jitters for it!

Favorite length run: 5 miles for a daily run feels good. I also love a good 8-10 mile long training run.

Favorite piece of gear: My Garmin watch! I never take it off!

Favorite post-run nosh: I’ve been trying to keep it healthy after I run so I will have a couple of homemade protein bites. I make a batch at the beginning of the week and enjoy them throughout the week. Otherwise, my favorite treat after a long race is fresh tortilla chips/salsa/guac!

Mantra: “Do it anyway.” I heard Dave Hollis say it on an Instagram story once and it stuck with me. You’re tired, not “motivated,’ and telling yourself every other excuse you can think of because you don’t want to run or work out… stop with the excuses and just “do it anyway.”

#399: Women Runners Share Their Morning Routines

Sarah and new, occasional co-host Katie Sznewajs cozy up to four mother runners to hear about how they move from feet-hit-the-floor to out-the-door. Learn:

-how Leah took control of her mornings implementing the business practice of kaizen;
-how Kristjana’s routine has changed as her three sons have aged;
-why Nicole needs at least an hour to get moving;
-glute activation drills from 2x Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier + coach Magdalena; and,
-how to make your mornings as fail-proof and streamlined as possible.

Nuun drinking game: Chug every time someone drops the word “poop!”

Remember to submit a Voice Memo to be included in our Valentine’s Day episode, please, telling us why you love running. Include your first name, where calling from, and 1-2 sentences about why you love running. Then email the Voice Memo by Feb. 3 to: BAMR@anothermotherrunner.com.

When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.
We appreciate your–and their–support!

To try Magic Spoon and grab a variety pack, go to magicspoon.com/MOTHERRUNNER. Use code MOTHERRUNNER for free shipping.

Get two leggings for only $24 ($99 value) at Fabletics.com/amr when you sign up for a VIP.

Get $7.50 in coupons for tasty shakes and bars when you sign up for the ZonePerfect newsletter at ZonePerfect.com

 

 

#398: Setting the Women’s Marathon World Record—and Sparking a Controversy

Sarah and co-host Tish Hamilton are joined by two women associated with the new book Mighty Moe: The True Story of a Thirteen-Year-Old Women’s Running Revolutionary—Rachel Swaby, one of the co-authors, and Maureen “Moe” Mancuso, the book’s subject, who set the women’s marathon world record at age 13 (!) in 1967. The quartet cover:

-Mighty Moe’s 3:15 marathon run—and the resulting negative backlash;
-marathon legend Kathrine Switzer giving Maureen her due—40 years after the fact;
-why Maureen gave up running for decades; and,
-the profound impact Maureen’s accomplishment had on women’s running.

In the intro, Sarah and Tish talk about “intentionally enjoying” a calmer schedule, and Sarah talks up WMNRUN in hopes of Tish joining BAMRs to run it on March 1. (Use code AMR for $10 off registration.) Maureen and Rachel join the show at 15:51.

When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.
We appreciate your–and their–support!

To try Magic Spoon and grab a variety pack, go to magicspoon.com/MOTHERRUNNER. Use code MOTHERRUNNER for free shipping.

 Enjoy two months of Skillshare Premium Membership for free at Skillshare.com/amr

Get $7.50 in coupons for tasty shakes and bars when you sign up for the ZonePerfect newsletter at ZonePerfect.com

AMR Gears Up: Wool, Wool, Baby

Wool Running Apparel: the next edition of Another Mother Runner Gears Up. We have #motherrunners put key running gear to the test, then deliver the results so you can grab the gear that works best for your running and body. 

AMR Gears Up: Wool Running Gear

Baby it’s cold outside, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop running! 

And these days wool running gear is suitable for year-round training. Forget those long-ago memories of scratchy coats and mittens. Wool’s latest knits, weights, and blends (think polyester, bamboo, elastane and spandex) makes it ideal for aerobic sweat sessions in all conditions. The adaptability is a result of the fiber structure, which gives wool its temperature regulating, moisture management, breathability, stain and wrinkle-resistant, and anti-stink properties.

Sound too good to be true? It’s not, and AMR testers put the latest wool gear through indoor and outdoor runs to prove it.

Here are the favorites:

Wool Running GearIcebreaker Unisex Tech Trainer Hybrid Gloves

Tester Rating: 5

Our tester who ran in these on cold days (temperatures in the 20s in Queens, NY) said she generally stays away from wool because she has sensitive skin and the fabric tends to be too scratchy for her. However, these didn’t itch at all, plus kept her hands nice and warm. She said they were a bit on the large size, and she recommends going down a size since they’re unisex.

Price: $60

Perfect for: Toasty fingers that can dial in the tunes

Grab it here: icebreaker.com

Wool Running GearBuff Lightweight Merino Wool Multifunctional Headwear

Tester Rating: 4.5

Our testers loved the ease of use and versatility of this Buff, starting runs with it over their faces and shifting it to their neck or head as they warmed up. Given its compact size, it’s also easy to wrap around your wrist or put in a pocket if not needed. Testers enjoyed this most on runs around 30 degrees and below. The downside is that the portion over your mouth can freeze on truly cold days. Since it’s a loop though, you can simply spin it!

Price: $29

Perfect for: Keeping sensitive bits–ears, nose, mouth, chin, neck–toasty on cold runs

Grab it here: buffusa.com

Wool Running GearSmartwool Merino Sport 250 Long Sleeve 1/4 Zip

Tester Rating: 5

This was our New Hampshire tester’s first time running in wool, and now she’s a convert! She loved how well the shirt functioned, keeping her warm without feeling clammy, even on high sweat runs. The comfortable fit and thumbholes both get two thumbs up as well, and who doesn’t appreciate the adjustability of a ¼ zip? Wool garments often do come with a higher price tag, which is what had been stopping her. Since she now sees the value and appreciates the quality of the piece she tested, our practical New Englander is going to be scouring sale racks.

Price: $100

Perfect For: Pretty much anything—wear it as a layering piece, as a sweater, on the run, skiing, roasting marshmallows fireside…….

Grab it here: smartwool.com

Voormi Short Sleeve Merino Tech Tee

Tester Rating: 4.5

This polyester and wool blend shirt feels dreamy against skin, with no chafing or rubbing even after a damp 16-mile run with a backpack. It has a comfortably relaxed fit and shows no signs of pilling after more than a dozen washings. It’s also been a nice layering piece on truly cold days. The one knock is that it does not have flat seams; however, as noted, this was not a problem for our tester, but is a head’s up for those who have chafe-prone underarms.

Price: $70

Perfect For: Year-round running and layering

Grab it here: voormi.com

Wool Running GearIcebreaker Tech Lite Long Sleeve Crewe Low

Tester Rating: 5

This tester was another first-time wool runner…. and she’s a fan! No doubt the cute styling, comfortable feel against her skin and functionality of this wool and nylon blend shirt made for a winning combination. She wore it under a thin running jacket on a damp Pennsylvania day with a windchill in the 20s and was perfectly comfortable, touting the lightweight warmth.

Price: $100

Perfect For: A base layer that’s pretty enough to hold its own

Grab it here: icebreaker.com

Wool Running GearTracksmith Waffle Layer Shirt

Tester Rating: 5

This 100% merino wool shirt has a waffle pattern to trap heat when you’re cold and release it as you get warmer. Our tester said the fit was excellent and also kept her warm, not hot, on a hard run in 40-degree temperatures. Even better, it looks super cute on the run and around town, and because it’s wool, you can do so without giving off a stink!

Price: $108

Perfect For: Sweating and hanging out in style

Grab it here: tracksmith.com

Wool Running GearSmartwool Women’s Merino Sport Capri

Tester Rating: 4.5

Our Denver tester regularly runs in wool because she’s a fan of warmth with simultaneous wicking power. That said, these don’t have as much wool as other pieces in the review (it’s primarily used in the soft waistband and crotch panel), meaning that while they functioned well, they felt a bit more like your favorite “regular” capris than “wooly” ones. The generous pockets were a winning feature, with one that zips and one that’s open.

Price: $80

Perfect For: Someone who wants to give wool a spin but is a bit nervous to go all-in on a completely wool garment.

Grab it here: smartwool.com

Wool Running GearDhaelie Tights Winter for Women

Tester Rating: 4.5

These are just the ticket for cold weather running. Stretch wool felt great against the skin, while wind and water resistant panels on the front helped to keep wind and snow at bay. They also have wool backed, mesh side panels for a welcome mix of warmth and breathability, and the combo drawstring and comfortably wide waistband kept the tights in place. Our testers only gripe was the lack of pockets. There is a key pocket, but chances are if you’re wearing these, you’ll be wearing a jacket or vest as well, which could solve the pocket issue.

Price: $130

Perfect For: Charging hard even as the temperature drops

Grab it here: dahlie.com

Check out all of the AMR Gears Up columns here!

Did we miss your favorite wool running gear?
Let us know in the comments below!

#397: Winter Reading Recommendations

Sarah and Ellison “Book Bully” Weist get cozy and delve into a discussion of their favorite new—and upcoming—books. The books they recommend and are looking forward to, plus one suggested by producer Alex Ward are:

Boom Town: the Fantastical Saga of Oklahoma City by Sam Anderson

The Dutch House by Ann Patchett

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid

Exhalation: Stories by Ted Chiang

Olive, Again by Elizabeth Strout

No Visible Bruises: What We Don’t Know about Domestic Violence Can Kill Us by Rachel Louise Snyder

Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow

The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel

American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker

Rodham by Curtis Sittenfeld

The conversation turns from letter-writing to books at 13:21.

 

When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR.
We appreciate your–and their–support!

Cheers: Celebrate your 2020 finish lines with a Sufferfest Beer. Check out the goods at SufferfestBeer.com

To buy the audiobook How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men’s Feelings by comedian Sarah Cooper, go to http://bit.ly/mens-feelings

Get two leggings for only $24 ($99 value) at Fabletics.com/amr when you sign up for a VIP.

 

Go to Top