Women's Running Stories

This episode features Shawanna White, a very prolific competitor who has been recognized for her many accomplishments and contributions to the running community. Among her accolades, White was featured in the running documentary Breaking Three Hours, Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners; in 2022, she was inducted into the National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame; and she helped create The List, which keeps an accounting of all of the American-born Black women who have broken 3 hours in the marathon. And not only is White the 11th fastest runner on that list, she’s broken 3 hours 16 times, more than any other American-born Black woman ever.  This is Part 1 of a two-part story covering White’s running journey. This episode tells White’s running story up through about 2022. Part 2 will catch up with White’s running to today.  White has been running since she was young: she runs a lot and she runs very fast! She also goes after big goals, and indeed, she has been groundbreaking in her accomplishments; White is also a role model. And, White has a contagious positivity that inspires those around her and far beyond. This positivity also keeps her focused on running and racing her very best, through all the ups and downs that come with being a competitive runner.  Listening to her story here, you’ll come to appreciate how all of this came to be, beginning with how White first got into the sport. How to Keep Up with Shawanna White Instagram: @peacerunner26.2 Mentioned In This Episode Breaking Three Hours: blackmarathoners.org/breaking-three-hours National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame: blackmarathoners.org/nat.-black-distance-running-hall-of-fame National Black Marathoners Association: blackmarathoners.org The List: tedcorbitt.com/black-female-marathon-history To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠AlexGrohl⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Nadia Ruiz, who is a hugely prolific runner, with a special fondness for the marathon. This is a love that began when she was a teenager. Running has been a source of strength, empowerment, and self-confidence, as well as healing: running has seen Nadia through good times and also through some dark moments. Up to today, when Nadia is hitting new highs in the sport, in her 40s.   In addition to her long history with the the marathon, Nadia Ruiz has raced many other distances as well, from 5ks to ultras: she runs and races on the road as well as the trails. She’s also been a triathlete. And, Nadia races a lot: she’s run over 160 marathons, and in 2013, she became the youngest person to run 100 marathons.  Nadia is also a running coach and she is an uplifting, influential presence on Instagram. She’s also well known for sharing her running journey with her father, who’s run with her since the beginning, and continues to run with her to this day.  Nadia has had her share of challenges. She’s navigated some very dark days, and a time when alcohol use became destructive. And, she’s emerged on the other side, reaching big goals and lifetime PRs, at age 40.  In this story, Nadia shares it all. How to Keep Up with Nadia Ruiz Instagram, running: @irongirlnadia Instagram, coaching: @movementisplay To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ AlexGrohl⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Marwa Ali, who is from Kabul, Afghanistan, and now lives in exile as a refugee in Paris, France. How and why she left her home country and the part running and sports played in that journey is what her story is about. Moreover, it's about the power of being an athlete. Marwa Ali, who is now 24 years old, has been an athlete since childhood. She grew up in Afghanistan during a time when the rights and freedoms of women and girls had been improving. That all changed, however, when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. The Taliban quickly and harshly stripped women of all autonomy or the ability to move freely outside the home. Marwa shares that in her story to that in her story, along with the difficulties of life under the Taliban and becoming a refugee in a foreign country all on her own: she left her entire family behind. Marwa also talks about discovering the joy and power of being an athlete at 8 years old, and how that led her to become a leader within sports and beyond. It also instilled a strong sense of self-confidence. Marwa’s athletic pursuits have been a throughline of support, empowerment, hope, and healing, all along her very difficult journey. Also a steady force in Marwa’s journey is that all her athletic pursuits are to both help herself and to also raise up the dark times Afghan women and girls are facing. “In this difficult time,” says Marwa, “if they cannot run, I can run for them.” Mentioned in This Episode Afghan Parkour Society: @afghanparkoursociety Ring O'Fire: ringofire.co.uk To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Verna Volker first started running as a way to improve her health. Over time, however, her relationship to the sport has grown and changed, to become a more personal and powerful part of her life. She started out pursuing road marathons and then moved to the trails, stretching her limits in ultra trail running. As her journey has evolved, so have her motivations. This is a story about how Volker has shaped her running journey to best serve her, her family, and her community. Volker is from the Navajo Nation: she clarifies, "My clans are the Tódích'íi'nii (Bitterwater) nishlíi, Hashtl'ishnii (Mud People) bashishchiin, Ta'neeszahnii (Tangle) dashicheii, and Tó' áheedlíinii (Water Flows Together) dashinalí." As she got more involved in running, Volker noticed the absence of stories and experiences of other Native women in the media and online. She decided to help change that by launching Native Women Running, to highlight those experiences and also to support and create community and running opportunities for women like herself. Volker's running pursuits have also brought her closer to her own ancestry; running is integral to Navaho culture. This was something Volker had known throughout her life, but she hadn't felt that connection until experiencing the sport for herself in adulthood; she is now passing that lived knowledge on to her children. In hand, Volker has also discovered the healing powers of running, which have helped her work through past traumas. And she has a strong appreciation for the strength created through developing a supportive running community. Keep Up with Verna Volker Instagram: ⁠@hozhorunner4⁠ Keep Up with Native Women Running Instagram: ⁠@nativewomenrunning⁠ Website: ⁠NativeWomenRunning.com⁠ Mentioned in This Reair Ep. 4, EARTHMOVERS, on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/59JRTV51UFMt0za35viDGf?si=6b10498ca4044c90 Ep. 4, EARTHMOVERS, on YouTube: youtube.com/@EarthmoversPodcast Ep. 4, EARTHMOVERS, on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/co-hosts-verna-nezbegay-volker-and-stefanie-flippin/id1831613264?i=1000724956434 Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Twitter:⁠ @WomenRunStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features Mary Cass, one of New England's most competitive masters racers. At age 63, she is crushing it, and she's also one of the most generous racers you'll meet. Mary has that wonderful combination of being really open about sharing her knowledge and advice before and after races, and then from the time the gun goes off to the finish line, she's a fierce competitor. Mary is undoubtedly an inspiration, and she has a great appreciation for the racing community. She also has a deep love of competition. This is matched by her dedication to putting in the work in training: Mary does the hard work to get the speed she has. And while Mary's been a competitor for decades, it's only been over the past few years that she's had the time, energy, encouragement, and support to really up her racing game. Hear the whole story in this episode, from the start of her racing, through running races pushing her two girls in a stroller, all the way to Mary lining up at the famed Hayward Field for an invitational masters exhibition race, leading into the 2025 USATF National Championships. Mentioned in This Episode Sue McDonald, live interview, Feb. 2025: womensrunningstories.com/live-sue-mcdonald-8x-masters-world-record-holder-from-the-boston-tracksmith-track-house Sue McDonald, 9 Times a Masters World Record Holder: womensrunningstories.com/sue-mcdonald-9-times-a-masters-world-record-holder To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an update from me, WRS host and producer Cherie Louise Turner, about my running, training, and racing. This picks up from where the last update, which dropped mid-May 2025, left off. It's been a summer of training and getting back to racing; surviving the heat, building back speed and strength, and looking ahead, with a new coach. Plus, a shout out to the power of breathwork, especially for managing anxiety. Mentioned in this Episode The last update from me, Cherie: womensrunningstories.com/wrs-host-cherie-back-to-training-running-update-mid-mar-mid-may-2025 To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠ Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of ⁠⁠Playtoh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠Grand Project⁠, via⁠ Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Camila_Noir,⁠⁠ via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Over 50, Sub 20, 5k Project Instagram: ⁠⁠@over50sub20_5k_project⁠⁠ WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: ⁠⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Arielle Knutson has been an athlete since she was young, and this has shaped her life. She starting with gymnastics and then moved on to road running, triathlon, and trail running. As she developed in her adult years and her career life, Arielle discovered strong connections between her work and athletic life. She went with it, and the two became strongly intertwined. And, in both realms of her life, Arielle goes all in. In this episode, Arielle shares her athletic journey and the process of becoming the CEO of the beloved women's running apparel brand: Oiselle. Get ready to be inspired. How to Keep Up with Arielle Knutson Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@arielledora Mentioned in This Episode Oiselle: Oiselle.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ prazkhanal, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Confuorto, a Gros Ventre, Cree, Mi’kmaq woman, tells the story of running her first marathon: the 2025 Boston Marathon, representing the Ohketeau Cultural Center Natives Run Initiative. Summer tells her story, from running along the water during her youth in her hometown of Falmouth, MA; to how running connects her to her own and also the local native communities; and then about her first marathon, the 2025 Boston Marathon. For Summer, running this marathon was about so much more than completing 26.2 miles. For starters, it’s a reclaiming and reconnecting with this space: like many major routes all across this land, the Boston Marathon course largely follows pathways that have been traveled by native people going back hundreds of years. And there's more. Hear the whole story on the podcast. How to Keep Up with Summer Confuorto Instagram: ⁠@sconfuorto Mentioned in This Episode Ohketeau Cultural Center: ohketeau.org Natives Run: ohketeau.org/events1/natives-run 26.2 Foundation: 26-2.org To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music of the Future, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ultra runner and long-distance fast packer Jessica Pekari on the podcast! She shares the story of her most recent fastest known time (FKT) adventure: completing the 500 mile Colorado Trail. Jessica is an Army veteran—having served as a medic in Iraq—and mother of three, with Blackfeet and Mexican heritage. She started exploring ultra running in 2015, and ran her first 100 miler the next year. Jessica then went on to win the triple crown of 200 milers in 2018, which consists of the Bigfoot 200 miler in Washington, in August; the Tahoe 200 miler in California and Nevada in September; and it finishes with the Moab 240 miler in October, which Jessica won, on her way to winning the overall title for these three events.  Jessica went on to become an accomplished backpacker. She made her first FKT attempt in 2020, going after the southbound Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) record. She was thwarted by fires that year and didn’t set the FKT, but she did write a book about her experiences: Bombs to Trails: Interweaving Heritage, Life, and PTSD on the Pacific Crest Trail. Jessica returned to the PCT in 2023 and set that FKT. In this episode, Jessica tells the story of setting her latest FKT: the 500-mile Colorado Trail northbound, collegiate west, unsupported record.  Her story covers the ups and downs, highs and lows of such an incredible adventure. Be ready to get inspired!  How to Keep Up with Jessica Pekari Instagram: @jessicapekari Website: adventuresonthetrail.com Bombs to Trails book: adventuresonthetrail.com/bombs-to-trails To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Professional runner for Oiselle and social media influencer Allie Ostrander is on the podcast! Allie is here to share what running and racing has looked like from her over the past couple years as she returned to elite level competition, in all the many running disciplines that she pursues, after going through treatment for disordered eating—a journey she’s been very public about.  Allie Ostrander has been an exceptional runner and racer since she was young. And her running abilities span just about every type of discipline available to runners: Allie races on the track, the roads, in cross country, and on the trails. While many top level runners will race a few different disciplines, it’s rare to see someone race at the top level in so many different types of races. Among Allie’s many accolades, in 2014, she won the prestigious Nike cross country championships. The next year, 2015, she was the Under 20 Mountain World Champion and placed 2nd in the NCAA D1 cross country national champs. Then in 2016, she placed 8th at the 5000m at the Olympic Trials. Then for the following three years, she dominated the steeplechase: Allie was the NCAA D1 national champion in 2017, 2018, and 2019. Allie forfeited her final year of collegiate eligibility to turn pro, signing with the Brooks Beasts.  But then, things began to shift. Allie was plagued by numerous injuries and a pattern of disordered eating began to catch up with her. At the strong urging of her team, she entered treatment. In 2021, Allie left the Brooks Beasts Team and continued on the road to recovery. Allie needed to discover what a strong, healthy body, mind, and emotional state meant, for her. That’s exactly the journey Allie's been on, and she shares that story in this episode—how she’s made her way back to not only racing well in the many disciplines that call to her, but racing with renewed passion and excitement, returning to disciplines she’s excelled at in the past as well as testing herself at longer distances. Next up for Allie, the USATF Track National Championship, where she'll be racing her specialty, the steeplechase. The first round of competition for Allie is on Thursday, July 31, 2025. How to Keep Up with Allie Ostrander Instagram: ⁠@allie_ostrander YouTube: @allie_ostrander To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome Amy Ortiz to WRS! Amy is a runner who, over the past several years, has become a community builder and leader in the running scene, and now she's a coach, with a focus on creating space for women, especially women of color. In this episode, Amy shares how she arrived where she is today in the running world. A long-time resident of the Bronx, Amy's running is deeply intertwined with her interest in community building. She’s a founder of the all women run club Bronx Femme Run, a pacer for the No Name program, and she recently completed the NYC Game Changers program. For Amy, running is more than miles. As she says, "It was the connector of what I was looking for." How to Keep Up with Amy Ortiz Instagram: @alocurls Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: ⁠⁠@EARTHMOVERSpodcast⁠⁠ EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: ⁠⁠kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative⁠⁠ Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/vanessa-c-peralta-mitchell-founder-of-games-changers-redefining-who-is-a-leader-in-running To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Lisa Levin tells her running story through to today, where at 51, she’s more excited than ever to challenge herself and set motivating goals.  In addition to being a longtime runner with a particular interest in running marathons, especially Boston, which she has run an astonishing 22 times, Lisa is also a coach and podcaster, with Julie Sapper, who was featured on WRS last week. Lisa and Julie co-host the terrific podcast Run Farther and Faster, and they also coach together, through their coaching business under the same name. For the the past four years, I've teamed with with Lisa and Julie to host  panel discussions over Boston Marathon weekend. Now I get to have Lisa telling the story of her running journey (after Julie told her story last week). Here, Lisa tells her running journey from how she got starter, through IVF treatments and two pregnancies, to right now, with a look forward to her next goal. For Lisa, aging is a time of new, exciting possibilities.  How to Keep Up with Lisa Levin Instagram: ⁠@runfartherandfaster⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/RunFartherFaster⁠ Website: ⁠⁠runfartherandfaster.com⁠ Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: ⁠@EARTHMOVERSpodcast⁠ EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: ⁠kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative⁠ Live Panel Discussions, with co-hosts Sapper and Levin 2025, ft Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-stephanie-bruce-erica-stanley-dottin-dot-mcmahon-2025-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2024, ft, Alisa Harvey, Bri Boehmer, Kelly Bruno: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-alisa-harvey-kelly-bruno-briana-boehmer-at-the-2024-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2023, ft Marilyn Bevans, Patti Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-podium-pioneers-panel-boston-marathon-expo⁠ 2022, ft Marilyn Bevans, Maegan Krifchin: ⁠womensrunningstories.com/live-event-marilyn-bevans-hosted-by-strides-forward-run-father-faster-podcasts⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ prazkhanal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠chillmore⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Runner, running coach, and podcaster Julie Sapper is on Women's Running Stories! Her story here is focused on  her return from a long-term injury: an ACL tear. She tells about her thorough approach to healing and recovery and the nonlinear path to returning to running injury-free, all the way to reaching her ultimate goal: running the Boston Marathon, for her 13th time. Sapper was so thoughtful and complete through this process—"I wanted to get a PR in recovery," she says—she has a lot of great experience and wisdom to share. Julie Sapper is part of the super coaching and podcasting duo behind Run Farther and Faster, with Lisa Levin. For the the past four years, I've teamed with with Sapper and Levin to host  panel discussions over Boston Marathon weekend. Now I get to have Sapper telling this inspiring part of her running journey. And, next week’s episode features Levin, telling her running story. Stay tuned! How to Keep Up with Julie Sapper Instagram: @runfartherandfaster Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster Website: ⁠runfartherandfaster.com Mentioned in This Episode EARTHMOVERS Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast EARTHMOVERS Kickstarter campaign: kickstarter.com/projects/earthmoverspodcast/earthmovers-a-trail-podcast-reclaiming-the-narrative Live Panel Discussions, with co-hosts Sapper and Levin 2025, ft Stephanie Bruce, Erica Stanley-Dottin, and Dot McMahon: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-stephanie-bruce-erica-stanley-dottin-dot-mcmahon-2025-boston-marathon-expo 2024, ft, Alisa Harvey, Bri Boehmer, Kelly Bruno: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-alisa-harvey-kelly-bruno-briana-boehmer-at-the-2024-boston-marathon-expo 2023, ft Marilyn Bevans, Patti Dillon, Jacqueline Hansen: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-podium-pioneers-panel-boston-marathon-expo 2022, ft Marilyn Bevans, Maegan Krifchin: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-marilyn-bevans-hosted-by-strides-forward-run-father-faster-podcasts To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠⁠ via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features runner, adventurer, and creator of the wildly popular Tough Girl podcast and Tough Girl Challenges, Sarah Williams. These days, Sarah is well known for taking on incredible challenges, but it wasn't always that way. Here, Sarah tells her adventuring lifestyle origin story: how she transitioned from working in wealth management in London to exploring the world through epic adventures to challenge herself, to motivate other women, and to raise the visibility of women adventurers. Among her many, many adventuring accolades, Sarah has completed the 500-mile Camino Francés, the 870-mile Wales Coast Path, and she recently finished Te Araroa, the 1,860-mile hike across New Zealand, covering both the north and south islands. In her story, Sarah talks about what first inspired her to pursue the adventuring life in her mid-30s, and her first big challenges: Marathon des Sables, the notoriously difficult multi-day running race in Morocco, in the Sahara Desert, and hiking the 2,200-mile Appalachian Trail in the US in 100 days. Sarah shares the many challenges and doubts she experienced on her way to becoming the adventurer she is today. And how, in the end, she discovered how to believe in herself. That's a strength she carries to this day. Beyond her own adventures, Sarah is passionately focused on inspiring and highlighting women adventurers all over the globe. This year, the Tough Girl podcast will reach over 800 episodes, and counting! How to Keep Up with Sarah Williams Instagram: @toughgirlchallenges⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website: toughgirlchallenges.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠chillmore⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaulYudin⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode features the running story of Mireille Siné, a marathon and ultra runner, a coach, and so much more. And intertwined into Mireille’s running journey is an autoimmune condition she’s been navigating since college: lupus. Since childhood, being active and participating in sports has been part of Mireille’s life, and that included running. Running became a more central part of her athletic journey through college and after. Now in her mid-30s, Mireille has completed numerous half marathons, over a dozen marathons, and several trail ultras. She was also on a relay team for the Speed Project, a 340-mile event that goes from Santa Monica, CA,  to Las Vegas, NV, and she ran from Boston to New York City as part of a group of women who completed the 200-mile journey in 11 days. All to say, Mireille loves the challenge of running  long distances, and she has for years now. Throughout her running journey, Mireille has met the challenges presented by lupus. And that is the story Mireille is going to tell. How her pursuit of running and a lupus diagnosis have shaped her life and her athletic pursuits, as she continues to run far, and now coach others to go after their running goals. How to Keep Up with Mireille Siné Instagram: ⁠@heycoachmireille Website: ⁠⁠coachedbymireille.com To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Lidérc Bell⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠AlexGrohl⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PaulYudin⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am bringing you a reair of a terrific episode. I'm taking this one-week break because I've been working on a new project that we just announced, and that I know you'll be excited about: the podcast EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker. It will launch Aug 14. Keep up with news and information about EARTHMOVERS now on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast. I'll be back next week with a new episode of WRS. In the meantime, this is a great one: enjoy again or for the first time. Wynonna Curely-Fulgham first discovered the life-changing impact running could have on her during her Kinaaldah, the Navajo puberty ceremony. She's carried the teaches from that transformative time into her adult life. Wynonna has continued to be drawn to running, and specifically ultra trail running, as a way to test her own limits and also to process life's challenges and find her peace. It is a deep well of connection, discovery, and release: a physical endeavor that is also spiritual and healing. In this episode, Wynonna shares the story of the pivotal moments she's experienced in ultra trail running, up through today. Her journey includes taking part in the Transrockies, a multi-day stage running race that takes place in Colorado, traveling through the mountains and over peaks, at altitude. Wynonna often runs as a member of the Native Women Run team. Wynonna's story is powerful and beautiful. One women's incredible journey of self-discovery, evolution, and inspiration. Keep Up with Wynonna Curely-Fulgham Instagram: ⁠@blacksheep_running⁠ Keep Up with Native Women Run Instagram: ⁠@native_women_run⁠ Website: ⁠nativewomenrunning.com⁠ Information about Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, MMIW ⁠mmiwusa.org⁠ Information about Native American Boarding Schools ⁠boardingschoolhealing.org/education/us-indian-boarding-school-history⁠ ⁠boardingschoolhealing.org⁠ ⁠www.irsss.ca⁠ ⁠nytimes.com/interactive/2023/08/30/us/native-american-boarding-schools.html⁠ Mentioned in this podcast Live with Team Native Women Run at the 2024 Chicago Marathon: womensrunningstories.com/live-event-native-women-run-team-at-the-2024-chicago-marathon-expo Support Our Supporters Lagoon Pillows: ⁠lagoonsleep.com/WRS15⁠ Use the discount code WRS15 for 15% off your first order To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠ Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of ⁠Playtoh⁠ ⁠Coma-Media⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠penguinmusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠RomanBelov⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠Grand Project⁠, via ⁠Pixabay⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories Instagram:⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠ Instagram: ⁠@over50sub20_5k_project⁠ Facebook: ⁠facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠ Website:⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠ Email host Cherie: clouiseturner@gmail.com Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network: ⁠https://evergreenpodcasts.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a special live report from the inaugural We Out Here Trail Festival that just happened this last weekend on June 7, 2025. It took place outside Seattle, WA, at St. Edwards State Park.  The trail scene is and has long been the whitest, most male dominated sector of the running world. Instead of continuing to wait for the system to change, RDs Aaliyah Earvin and Alison Mariella Désir stepped up and made the event that they have wanted to see for a long, long time, and that they knew was possible.  Their vision: “We imagine a world where everyone feels welcome to find joy in the trails, free from fear or intimidation, and surrounded by a supportive community.” Welcome, We Out Here. An event that, by all accounts, not only met, but exceeded expectations. Event participation featured the largest percentage of people of color at a trail event, ever. And 66% of participants were first timers. And, the day was nonstop full of joy! Which you will hear reflected in this episode.  Not only did these women create a successful event, they created a new model. It's not often that you get to be at a history making groundbreaking event. And, I'm really excited to share this with you.  This episode comprises a series of on-the-spot interviews featuring women talking about their experience of the day. Many of these women you will likely not be familiar with, but several you probably will: Verna Volker, founder of Native Women Run; Carolyn Su, founder of Diverse We Run and co-host of the Making Strides podcast with Stefanie Flippin; Flippin, a pro racer, is also featured in this episode: she is one of the fastest a 100-mile racers in the country; and you’ll also hear from Mirna Valerio, author of the book, A Beautiful Work In Progress. Also, you’ll hear from the two race directors, Earvin, who is a coach, fitness professional, and community builder, and Désir, who, among many other accolades, is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black.  Get a taste of what it was like, live at this historic event, the inaugural We Out Here Trail Festival. See More About the Event on Instagram on these accounts Seattle Running Collective: @seattlerunningcollective Aaliyah Earvin: @confidentaaliyah Alison Mariella Désir: @alisonmdesir Mentioned in this Episode Stefanie Flippin on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/stefanie-flippin-pro-ultra-runner-transforming-through-difficulties Verna Volker on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/verna-volker-founder-of-native-women-run-a-running-journey-of-healing-and-community Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, Running While Black: womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-running-while-black-her-story-her-book Alison Mariella Désir on WRS, Kilimanjaro: womensrunningstories.com/alison-mariella-desir-climbing-mount-kilimanjaro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Aranda is a trail runner and outdoor adventurer who has developed a strong interest in going after FKTs, fastest known times. But her outdoor passions are about much more than setting records: Aranda's motivations are spurred by processing life and death, grief and hope, fear and joy. Aranda's passion for trail running began while she was in college. It was a space where she could process the death of her mother, who'd died after many years of fighting breast cancer. Aranda herself then had to face some tough decisions. She first decided to learn whether or not she carried the same genetic abnormality her mother and other family members had, a BRCA mutation, which puts the carrier at high risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She did. Aranda then had a decade to decide if she wanted to take the preventative steps that would lower her chances of getting cancer, beginning with a double mastectomy. This episode traces how running and moving through wild spaces have become intertwined with how Aranda has navigated big life questions and experiences that clarify how short this life can be. The meaningful experiences found out on the trail are integral to how she chooses to live. How to Keep Up with Sara Aranda Instagram: @oyesaranda Website: bivytales.com Mentioned in this Episode FKT Website: fastestknowntime.com Becky Croft on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/becky-croft-running-endometriosis-and-post-hysterectomy-menopause To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Lidérc Bell⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rockot⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠ SergePavkinMusic⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ PaulYudin, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becky Croft’s life experiences have led her to becoming not only a performance minded runner but also a sought-after running coach. She’s developed a specialty in guiding runners through their menopausal years—pre and post. Croft brings her own experience of post-hysterectomy menopause, which resulted from of a long history of endometriosis. Croft shares her whole running story, which began later in life, in her 30s. She discovered her competitive mindset early in her running journey, and has been training with performance-focused goals ever since. Becky Croft is a native woman, representing the Cherokee and the Yakima nations. She is part of the Native Women Run community, and has run as a member of the NWR team. Croft's journey has also led her to become a Chi Running instructor, an RRCA certified running coach through the Game Changers program, and a She Runs this Town group leader. And Croft is on the board of ReNew Earth Running. Becky Croft shares how running has empowered her, helped her process and heal through challenging health issues, brought her closer to her native roots and community, and been a pathway to leadership as a coach who brings much needed wisdom, knowledge, and experience to others. How to Keep Up with Becky Croft Instagram: @coach.croft Mentioned in this Episode ⁠Native Women Run: @native_women_run Running Industry Diversity Coalition: runningdiversity.com ReNew Earth Running: renewearthrunning.org Game Changers: vcpm.com/game-changers Vanessa Peralta-Mitchell on WRS: womensrunningstories.com/vanessa-c-peralta-mitchell-founder-of-games-changers-redefining-who-is-a-leader-in-running To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Lidérc Bell⁠, via ⁠Pixabay ⁠⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠⁠Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠⁠, via⁠⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠ ⁠RoyaltyFreeMusic⁠, via ⁠Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram: ⁠@womensrunningstories⁠⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Mena is a longtime runner now focused on ultra trail running. She’s continually driven to discover what she is capable of: beginning with her first marathon, at age 12!, to today, as she explores running long distances on the trails. This episode focuses on Mena reaching one of her biggest goals yet: running 100 kilometers (62 miles) over hilly trails. She shares how it all went down, along with the running journey that got her to this point. In addition to being a runner, Mena is a physical therapist, coach, and running community builder—she’s the founder of the Tempo Training Run Club. Mena is driven to find out just how far she can push herself in running. This 100k is the latest adventure in that quest. How to Keep Up with Jessica Mena Instagram: ⁠@tempo_with_jess⁠ To support WRS, please rate and review the show iTunes/Apple:⁠⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠ Spotify:⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠ Music Credits Cormac O'Regan, of⁠⁠ Playtoh⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Coma-Media⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠RomanBelov⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠ ⁠⁠aidanpinsent⁠⁠, via ⁠⁠Pixabay⁠ ⁠⁠penguinmusic⁠⁠, via⁠⁠ Pixabay⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Camila_Noir,⁠⁠ via⁠⁠ Pixabay ⁠chillmore⁠, via ⁠Pixabay Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠ Facebook:⁠⁠ facebook.com/WomensRunningStories⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠ Women's Running Stories is a proud member of the Evergreen network:⁠⁠ https://evergreenpodcasts.com/⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices