For The Love Of Running

In Episode 20, relive some highlights of season 1 of the podcast. During the many conversations this year, similar themes of health, competiveness, community, and enjoyment emerged. This episode shares small excerpts that cover these themes. Hopefully this  will motivate you to go back an listen to some of the amazing conversations from season 1. Thanks for all of your support!

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

In EP19 I interview Jill Hanson, a Minnesotan, who has been running for over 60 years. During our conversation she explains what running was like for girls and women prior to Title IX. Jill details her competitive years running road races before training plans, GPS watches, and fitness apps ever existed. She also describes her coaching philosophy gained from 35 years of teaching physical education and coaching cross country. Jill is full of energy, wisdom, and passion. This conversation has a lot to offer, providing knowledge that just might help you on your running journey.

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

In EP18 I interview Sean Ferguson who shares his story about recovering from a serious injury. “I went out for a run. I never came back.” Sean describes how the running community specifically Back On My Feet Baltimore supported him during the rehabilitation process and helped reignite his passion for distance running. We also speak about the differences between running on the East coast vs. West coast. Sean discusses his love for ultra and trail running and why he sees failure as a chance to grow. This is an in-depth conversation that you don’t want to miss!

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

In EP17 I speak with former high school coach Chad Boyle. We talk about how he ended up coaching cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track at Dulaney High School in Central MD for 23 years without even seeking the job. The school won multiple state titles, where Chad coached countless athletes that went on to run at the college level.  At just 23 he continued the strong legacy and culture of winning after the legendary coach Bob Dean retired. Chad also shares his own personal experience as a masters runner and how he continues to chase down big goals like running a 2:50 marathon, which he once thought was not possible. This is a conversation of how running can bring reflection, learning, and joy. Any coach, athlete and runner will gain something to boost their performance after listening to this episode.

In Episode 16 I speak with Kevin Frick who began running as a miler in high school and after a long break returned to running to lose weight. Over the years his relationship has transformed from being data driven from “how fast can I be and how I can control my weight” to something that is more about serenity, community, giving back and spirituality. Often he finds magic in running and is inspired to write original poetry about his experiences. 

In this episode I interview Isaac Cardona who lives in Oregon. We talk about how running helps him explore places, how he runs the Portland Marathon and Hood To Coast Relay every year. We also talk about raising young children to be healthy and active, what it is like to be a principal and how running helps with a stressful job as a K-5 public school leader. Isaac explains his current running streak and how he tries to encourage his school community to stay active during the pandemic. This is a positive and fun conversation that I think you will enjoy.

In this episode I interview Jenny Fox who lived in the UK until she was 9. Then she moved to NJ. Jenny has moved around to many places since but running has remained a constant support or friend in her life. We talk about how her first race was a marathon, how a plant based lifestyle has improved her running and how she has overcome hip surgery and other life challenges including most recently finishing her doctorate. 

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

In EP 13 I interview Ricky Orange who has spent the last 36 years in the Army Reserves and also works for the army in a civilian role as a contract specialist. We talk about his love of racing half marathons, his goal to run a race in every state, and how he came a distance runner while in the military. Ricky and I also talk about the heartbreaking murder of Ahmaud Arbery, a 25 year old black man who was hunted down and shot while running. Ricky shares stories of his own experience as a black man running in new places across the country and world. This is an important conversation that you don’t want to miss. This interview was recorded July 8, 2020.

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

In this episode I interview Jenni Biddlecom who grew up in Ohio, went to college in Virginia, lived in rural Texas, and now calls Colorado home. We talk about her experience running in many different places. She explains how running helped her in her early days as a teacher for Teach For America and how it is a great stress reliever now in her career as a registered nurse and life during the Coronavirus pandemic. Jenni also talks about how running with her two dogs creates a stronger bond and helps to get her running more. This is a fun conversation that you don't want to miss! This interview was recorded on May 26, 2020.

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

I speak with Jackie Range, about her experience as a Division 1 collegiate runner at Loyola University, her time with Back On My Feet Baltimore, pacing marathons with the national Clif team, and why she loves the marathon. This interview was recorded on April 21, 2020.

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

I speak to Justin Dominick about his transformation from a 240 pound football player at the Salisbury University to a 190 pound runner. We cover his time as strength and conditioning coach for Johns Hopkins University Cross Country and Track & Field program, some of our shared experiences working for Charm City Run Timonium, a running speciality store in Maryland, and now his current role as the Director of Fitness at the Jewish Community Center in Owings Mills. Along the way Justin explains why strength work is so important for ALL runners. We also geek out about running shoes and weigh in on carbon fiber plate shoes. This is a fun and entertaining episode where you will learn something new. This interview was recorded on April 30, 2020.

Why do you love running? The reasons why we love running might be different, but our passion for the sport connects us.  Subscribe to this podcast to learn the story behind the miles.

This podcast is available on all major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Original Music created by John Vogel. 

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

I talk with Benjamin Hanson a former Division 1 runner for the University of Minnesota. Our conversation uncovers how he became a D1 runner from the recruitment process in high school to what its like to compete at the college level. Ben and I also discuss burnout and how his relationship with running has changed over the years. There are a lot of great lessons in this interview that can be applied to runners of any level.

Connect with the show on social media and tell us why you love running!

I talk with Charlie Grugan about how running transformed his life and showed him that change is possible. Joining Team CMMD and fundraising for the American Cancer Society was a key part of his running journey. We also discuss his experience race directing the Uncle Charlie 5k that was a gift for his father and raises money for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

I have a conversation with Elisa Watson, a remarkable woman, who ran the Marine Corps Marathon while 16 weeks pregnant. She has also run multiple half marathons, the Baltimore 10 Miler, and a handful of 5ks - including a Trail 5K at Irvine Nature Center two weeks to the day before her daughter was born.  We talk about what went into her decision to run while pregnant and resources to help other expectant mothers continue running during their pregnancy. Elisa also shares how running helps to keep her stay physically and mentally fit. This interview was recorded on March 25, 2020.

I talk with Jasmin Lepir (Jaz) about how hiring a running coach can boost your performance and help achieve your running goals. We also talk about the impact of the coronavirus on the sport of running. This interview was recorded on March 16, 2020. To hire Jas as a running coach go to @peepsrun or www.peepsrun.com. 

I sit down with Amy Voiland and we talk about the ever changing relationship she has with running and how she always tries to keep it fun. We discuss her love for trails, how she helps pace other runners in marathons, and how she adjusts her running expectations as she gets older. This interview was recorded on March 14, 2020.

Accomplished ultra runner Meg Landymore talks about how she fell in love with ultra running and how she balances her busy professional and family life.  This interview was recorded on March 9, 2020.

I sit down and talk to Mike Vail about how he became a runner in his mid 30s and how he is getting faster at nearly 50 years old. We talk about how we first met when running with Back On My Feet Baltimore and his current running group the Faster Bastards. There are amazing take aways from this interview about how to keep running fast, and fun for years to come. This interview was recorded on March 7, 2020.

I talk to my brother Jon Stevens about his experience running the 2020 Austin Marathon and how he didn’t truly become a consistent runner until 9.5 years after his first half marathon when he started training for short distance triathlon. This interview was recorded on February 29, 2020.