Runnah: Running Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and Beyond!

This week I’m sitting down with Cape Cod Marathon’s medical director, Dr. Steven Sbardella, and oh my gosh—what a conversation. We talk all about his experiences in the medical tent over the years, the most common injuries and challenges runners face on race day, and some really interesting stuff about both the mental and physical side of ice baths (yes, they’re as cold as you think 😅).Dr. Sbardella also shares his best advice on how to keep yourself out of the medical tent, so you can enjoy every step of your race weekend. Whether you’re training for your first Cape Cod Marathon or your 20th, this is one you’ll want to listen to.👉 All the Cape Cod Marathon race info here: https://capecodmarathon.com/Contact Runnah:IG @Runnahpod Email: RunnahPod@gmail.com

This week I’m joined by Ed—the man who makes sure your bananas and apples are ready at the Cape Cod Marathon finish line. Ed’s not just our produce guy, though—he was part of the original PowerBar marketing team, helping bring one of the first big sports nutrition brands to runners everywhere.We chat about why he loves being part of the Falmouth running community, what keeps him coming back year after year, and why fueling runners (in every sense of the word!) means so much to him.👟 Learn more about the Cape Cod Marathon:👉 https://capecodmarathon.com/💌 Contact Runnah: runnahpod@gmail.com | IG: @jellyanna_runsBig thanks to Ed—the banana guy, the PowerBar pioneer, and a true Falmouth running community legend.

This week, I’m joined by Sara and Emily from Eight Cousins Bookstore in Falmouth—aka one of the coziest, most magical spots on Cape Cod and the official sponsor of the Cape Cod Marathon Kids Fun Run! We talk about what makes this partnership so special, their favorite book recommendations for young runners (and readers!), and why community really is at the heart of both books and running.👟 Want to get your little ones signed up for the Kids Fun Run? You can register here:👉 https://capecodmarathon.com/races/kids-fun-run/📖 Shop all of Sara & Emily’s book recs from the episode right from Eight Cousins:👉 https://www.eightcousins.com/lists/Lt_BJgIyxAQo💌 Stay in touch with Runnah:Email: runnahpod@gmail.comInstagram: @jellyanna_runsBig thanks to Sara, Emily, and Eight Cousins for helping make running fun for the next generation!

I am SO excited to have Dr. Nicole Zamore back on the show this week! Nicole is not only an amazing mental performance coach, but she’s also returning as our official psyching team leader for year two at the Cape Cod Marathon. 🧠✨In this episode, we dive into all things race day mindset—how to handle those pre-race jitters, what to do when you hit that inevitable mid-race mental wall, and Nicole’s best strategies for keeping your brain calm and confident when your legs are anything but. Honestly, her advice will help you line up cooler, run stronger, and maybe even smile more while you’re out there.Whether you’re racing, volunteering, or cheering—this one’s for YOU.👉 Race info: https://capecodmarathon.com/👉 Learn more about Nicole: https://drnicolezamore.com/👉 Follow Nicole on Instagram: @drnicolezamoreSee you at the start line, friends! 🏃‍♀️💨💙

Okay friends, the Shoe Eating Monster is back and hungrier than ever—this time for marathon shoes. With the 2025 Berlin Marathon creeping closer, I’ve narrowed it down to my top two picks: the Puma Deviate Nitro 2 and the Puma ForeverRun Nitro 1. In this episode, I’m talking about why these two shoes are even in the running (pun absolutely intended), how they’re holding up in training, and what it’s like making this decision while managing chronic illness. Spoiler: comfort, cushion, and consistency are everything when you’re running 26.2 miles.I want to hear from YOU too—what’s your marathon shoe of choice? Shoot me an email at RunnahPodcast@gmail.com or find me on Instagram @jellyanna_runs and let’s nerd out about shoes.Big love to our sponsors for keeping this monster fueled:WellStrong, building strength and community in recovery.Fast Pickle—because sometimes you need speed, sometimes you need crunch.So… which shoe will survive Berlin, and which will get eaten? Let’s dig in.

Training’s been tough, hasn’t it? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with you for a heart-to-heart pep talk to remind you that failure doesn’t mean you’re weak — it means you’re learning, growing, and getting stronger. The fact that you’re here, still showing up, still putting in the work? That’s proof of your strength.As we head into the fall racing season, let’s keep our eyes on the biggest goal of all: chasing a PR in fun. Because the joy of running, the community, and the silly little moments along the way are what really fuel us forward.So take a deep breath, lace up, and let’s keep going together. 💛

This week on Runnah, the Shoe-Eating Monster is back — and this time, I’m not reviewing a daily trainer or a plated race shoe. Nope, I’ve sunk my teeth into something totally different: the Cadense Aerio sandal/slide hybrid.As someone with chronic illnesses (and the flare-ups, fatigue, and joint pain that come with them), I’m always hunting for recovery footwear that actually does what it promises. Because when I’m not running, I still need support that lets my body reset — not just something flimsy I’ll regret wearing 20 minutes later.So in this episode, I dig into how these slides hold up to monster-level testing:👣 Are they actually supportive for all-day wear, or just “cute on the porch” shoes?💤 Do they help with recovery after runs when your body feels wrecked?⚡ And most importantly, can they survive the wrath of the Shoe-Eating Monster?Spoiler: I put them through the ringer, both in my runner life and my chronic illness life — and I’ve got thoughts.Email: Runnahpod@gmail.comIG: @RunnahPod

🎙️ Runnah Rerun Alert!Okay, friends — we had to bring Herm Garic back into your ears for this one. You might remember we did a little bonus recording with him at the Falmouth Road Race before we actually hit “go” on the real episode. Well, we finally polished it up, tightened the audio, added some fun little visuals for our YouTube crowd, and honestly… it feels like a whole new conversation.It’s the same Herm (and the same me, Julianna, laughing way too much), but now you get to hear it the way we meant it to sound. We dive into some fun anecdotes, swap stories from race day energy, and basically just hang out like two running nerds geeking out over the sport we love.Think of this as a “director’s cut” of our bonus episode — same heart, just a little shinier. If you missed it the first time, this is your chance. And if you already listened? Trust me, this one’s worth a rerun.Find Herm on IG: @asap.hermContact Runnah!IG: @RunnahPodEmail: RunnahPod@gmail.comYou're doing great! I am proud of you!

In this episode of Runnah and Shoe Eating Monster, we’re digging into one of the most frustrating parts of being a runner (or just someone who wears shoes): sizing.Let’s face it—US and UK sizing is a mess. Between men’s, women’s, brand-specific variations, and constant guessing, it’s nearly impossible to buy shoes online without rolling the dice.Enter EU sizing.I break down why the European shoe size system might just be the most logical one out there—and how learning your actual foot length in centimeters can help you get a better fit every time. No more guessing. No more weird conversions. Just a simple formula and a tape measure.We cover:Why EU sizing is unisex and consistent across brandsHow to measure your foot correctly (yes, even if you’ve done it before)The formula to calculate your true EU sizeWhy this method is a game changer for buying shoes online—especially used pairsIf you’ve ever been burned by the wrong size or just want to feel more confident snagging your next pair of kicks, this one’s for you.Subscribe to join your favorite local running (and shoe-loving) community, and stick around for more weird, wonderful shoe talk.Contact:📧 RunnahPod@gmail.com📸 Instagram: @RunnahPod

Sometimes the best parts of an episode don’t make the final cut… and sometimes they’re too good not to share. Join me and my buddy Ben (@bzamore) as we crack up, go wildly off-topic, and share the behind-the-scenes chaos from recording our chat about his attempt at the Jigger Johnson 100 up in the White Mountains.If you thought the race was rugged, wait until you hear the outtakes. Spoiler: silliness always goes the distance.

This week on Runnah, I’m joined by my friend Ben (@bzamore), who took on the wild, rugged, and absolutely bonkers Jigger Johnson 100 up in the White Mountains. Spoiler: he didn’t quite make it to the finish line, but he’s alive, smiling, and ready to tell us all about the chaos, the climbs, and what it feels like to attempt 100 miles in some of the gnarliest terrain out there.We get into all the silly shenanigans we always seem to find ourselves in, why this race deserves way more attention (seriously, you should sign up), and what Ben learned about himself after dropping halfway.Want to see what this madness is all about? Check out the race info at aravaiparunning.com/white-mountain-endurance/jigger.And stick around for BLOOPERS at the end!

This week on Runnah, it’s just you and me. I’m sharing my own reflections from an incredible 2025 Falmouth Road Race weekend—what it was like to film live at the Expo, the energy of the community, and why this race continues to mean so much to me.More than anything, I want to say thank you—to this community, for showing up and supporting, and to the sponsors who help make this possible.Catch all of the live episodes we recorded at the Expo here:- Herm: https://youtu.be/fgchb3IMdwg?si=WZzHCIX6h4LL3IlT- Herm Bonus: https://youtu.be/7exfAXf1N00?si=obXuqohvyRkHL4tm- Brian: https://youtu.be/3NjX53PG5fI?si=rphlyeSNwwsI_8RM- William: https://youtu.be/T6v4KGaUmRI?si=42EH_skxDirLECiu- Craig: https://youtu.be/jFrY51sKnDo?si=1vF9v2z-Qf_OjNusBig thanks to our partners:- WellStrong: https://www.wellstrong.org/ - Fast Pickle: https://fastpickle.com/And if you’d like to support Runnah and rep the show, you can grab our brand-new T-shirt and sweatshirt here: Shop Runnah Gear: https://www.bonfire.com/store/runnah/

This week on Runnah, I sit down with Matt Auger — a name synonymous with the Falmouth running scene. Matt has worn just about every hat you can imagine in the sport: creator of the first Cape Cod Marathon Half, Race Director for the Cape Cod Marathon, longtime Race Operations Manager for the Falmouth Road Race, member of the Boston Marathon race team, and now co-owner of Eugene Henry’s, a vibrant food shop in the heart of Falmouth.Matt’s story is more than a career in events — it’s a masterclass in community building. We talk about how he’s helped shape the running culture on Cape Cod, the deep connections that link local races to the global running community, and how those relationships inspired me to start this very podcast.From directing world-class events to welcoming runners into his shop on Main Street, Matt shows that being part of a running community doesn’t end at the finish line.📍 Learn more about Eugene Henry’s: Eugene Henry’s Website📧 Contact Runnah: RunnahPod@gmail.com📸 Follow along: @RunnahPod

 This Runnah episode takes you trackside — literally — with two-time Paralympian and lifelong athlete WIlliam Lehr. From his first organized wheelchair race as a teenager in Falmouth, to competing at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games, William’s decades in sport are as much about perseverance as they are about speed.We talk racing then vs. now, the evolution of wheelchair technology, what it’s like training on Shelter Island’s hills, and why he still logs 12–16 miles a day at age 63. William’s also never shy about calling out barriers — physical and attitudinal — that athletes with disabilities still face.Recorded live and unedited at the FCTV booth during the 2025 Falmouth Road Race Expo, this conversation is equal parts history lesson, athlete diary, and proof that William’s not done chasing finish lines. 📧 Connect with Runnah: RunnahPod@gmail.com

We’re back with another unedited, live episode of Runnah from the Falmouth Road Race Expo — and this one was totally impromptu! I had the chance to sit down with Olympian, world champion, and all-around powerhouse Craig Blanchette.Craig’s journey goes way beyond racing. From competing in the 1500m wheelchair event at the 1988 Seoul Olympics to winning multiple world championships, he’s built a career defined by speed, grit, and resilience. But his story isn’t just about medals — it’s about overcoming some of life’s hardest battles, finding faith, and using those lessons to inspire others as a speaker, mentor, and advocate for the next generation of athletes.This is one of those raw, unplanned conversations that sticks with you — equal parts racing, real life, and the heart of what it means to keep moving forward.

Before we even hit “record” for his official episode, elite wheelchair racer Hermin Garic and I dove into a spontaneous, unfiltered conversation at the FCTV booth during the 2025 Falmouth Road Race Expo.We talk casually about his pre-race mindset, the unique energy of Falmouth, and some behind-the-scenes moments from his life on the racing circuit. It’s raw, unscripted, and a perfect warm-up to our full interview — giving you a glimpse into Hermin’s personality beyond the headlines.📸 Follow Hermin’s journey: @asap.herm📧 Connect with Runnah: RunnahPod@gmail.com

 This week on Runnah, we’re bringing you an unedited, live conversation from the FCTV booth at the 2025 Falmouth Road Race Expo with elite wheelchair racer Hermin Garic.Hermin’s journey is one of resilience, grit, and undeniable speed. Injured at age 4 while fleeing the Bosnian war, Hermin discovered wheelchair racing through the Sitrin Stars Program after moving to the U.S. in 2000 — and he’s been chasing finish lines ever since. Since 2021, he’s racked up wins at the Boilermaker 15K, the Falmouth Road Race, and the Cooper River Bridge Run, plus a top-10 finish at the Boston Marathon and a personal best of 1:24:18 at Grandma’s Marathon.We talk about what it means to compete at the highest level, the mental game behind racing, and how Hermin’s past fuels his future.🎙 Recorded live and unedited at the FCTV booth — part of our special Falmouth Road Race Expo series.📸 Follow Hermin’s journey: @asap.herm 📧 Connect with Runnah: RunnahPod@gmail.com

 We’re rolling unedited and live from the Falmouth Road Race Expo! This time, I’m sitting down with Brian Baker — runner, business owner, and a true Falmouth Road Race legend. Brian’s been running for over 50 years, competing since 1977, and 2025 marks his 47th straight Falmouth. That’s right — he’s never missed one.When he’s not lacing up, Brian’s the longtime owner of Formula H Motorworks, his Honda & Acura shop in Middletown, NY. He’s been a full-time New Yorker most of his life, but since 2011 he’s also called Falmouth home. Oh, and in between all the miles and cars, he and his wife Carolyn have shared 40 years together (36 married!) while raising two amazing daughters, Sarah and Ainsley.This episode is all about tradition, family, and what it means to show up year after year — both on the course and in life.

This week on Runnah, we’re bringing you the ultimate insider scoop for the Falmouth Road Race — straight from the locals who know it best. I’m joined by Lindsey Benson, who shares her best tips and tricks for everything from navigating race morning to finding the best post-race spots in town.This is your unofficial Falmouth Road Race guide — the kind of wisdom you won’t find in the official handbook, but that could make your race day smoother, more fun, and way less stressful.We also recorded this episode in a special setting: it’s the very first Runnah episode filmed in front of one of the brand-new backdrops at the Falmouth Running Club office!Falmouth Road Race Info:🌐 falmouthroadrace.comConnect with Runnah:📸 Instagram: @RunnahPod📧 Email: RunnahPod@gmail.com

In this powerful episode, I had the honor of sitting down with Jess Motyl-Szary — an inspiring adaptive athlete, advocate, and one of the featured runners in the short film Forward Is a Pace. We recorded this conversation live as part of a Q&A following the film screening, where Jess shared her journey navigating life with multiple diagnoses, and how running has become a way to reclaim strength, joy, and purpose.Jess doesn’t let her conditions define her — instead, she’s built a life rooted in movement, community, and showing up authentically. From managing chronic illness to completing half marathons and inspiring others along the way, Jess proves that there is no “right way” to be a runner — only your way.🎧 Please note: Due to a technical issue with the Q&A audio, Jess's microphone comes through clearly, but the questions and comments from myself and the audience are slightly muffled. Thanks for bearing with us — her story is worth the listen.🎥 Forward Is a Pace is a powerful short film from Team Milk and Every Woman’s Marathon. Learn more and watch it here:👉 everywomansmarathon.com/documentary📲 Follow Jess and her journey on Instagram: @jessmotyl📧 Want to share your story or connect with the pod? Email me at RunnahPod@gmail.com📸 Follow along: @RunnahPod