Another Mother Runner

This episode is for anyone who loves running, musicals, or finding inspiration in unexpected places! Hosts Dimity McDowell and Sarah Wassner Flynn chat with Kara Cutruzzula, writer, editor, and creator of Marathon The Musical, a one-of-a-kind show that blends the worlds of running and performance. Kara shares: The inspiration behind Marathon and its themes of endurance, hope, and connection; How running fueled Kara’s creativity, including DIY'ing her own marathon for research;  The enduring process of writing a musical, including how to make it all come to life on stage, and more!   Follow Kara on her website or on Instagram for updates on Marathon.  Listen to Kara chat more about the link between running and creativity on a previous AMR podcast.  Save the date! The 2025 Better Together team is heading to the City of Oaks Marathon on Nov. 2. Registration opens March 10—don’t miss it!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Any and all athletic folks need to listen to this episode to sidestep common nutritional mistakes. The guest is Alex Larson, a registered dietitian nutritionist, avid athlete, and mom of three kiddos. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, the guest details: -the importance of “frontloading” nutrition;  -the timing of eating and workouts;  -how to eat to support lifting heavy weights; -the role fat should play in your diet; and, -how to stay strong while getting leaner. Before serving up the dietitian at BARRY INSERT TIME HERE, the hosts talk about a near-brush with a car (Sarah) and a nagging injury (Amanda).    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support! Save 15% on any full-price purchase  w/ code TOPOAMR2024 at topoathletic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A perfect episode for folks in search of reminders to feel grateful and to give oneself grace: It’s a conversation with three co-hosts—Liz Waterstraat, Britany Williams, and Molly Williams. They share their personal highs and lows from the year, including an Ironman triathlon, the re-emergence of a strong running habit, and a near-death experience.   On a timely Miles of Books at the end of the episode, Coach Liz brilliantly recaps two books about goals and goal setting. Here’s the promised link to Britany’s podcast. Get your free sticker.     When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   Download the free Ibotta app using code AMR  to get $5 + start earning cash back Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is for everyone who has contemplated opting out of a workout, a training cycle, a race, or, heck, even a book club! The guests are Train Like a Mother Clubcoaches Jennifer Harrison and Liz Waterstraat. With host Sarah Bowen Shea, the coaching duo discusses:  -how to reframe your notions about quitting;  -weighing the risk versus reward of not continuing; -the importance of learning how to suffer in order to improve;  -the logistics of dropping out of a race midway; and, -being strategic, instead of reactive, in your decision to move on.   Before the coaches start doling out wisdom and advice around 8:17, Coach Liz shares her 8-year-old son’s goal list. (Awwww!) Later, Coach Jen details her on-going return from a debilitating injury.      When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBar products by texting AMR to 64-000 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the perfect episode for anyone looking to get unstuck and become a stronger version of themselves—in running and in life! Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Liz Waterstraat, the guest Kate Gladdin, author of the recently published Okay, Now What? How to Be Resilient When Life Gets Tough, details:  -how to teach your brain to be more flexible;  -the importance of doing hard things + allowing yourself to fail;  -how to avoid falling into an all-or-nothing mindset;  -the three A’s of self-compassion; and,  -what OGT is.    Before the guest joins around 6:04, Sarah shares what she’s striving for in 2025.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   GUod to go: Get 25% off with code  GUAMR2025 at GUenergy.com   Go to DrinkAG1.com/AMR to start your New Year on a healthier note. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve ever felt even a twinge of “mommy guilt” (ugh!), this episode is a must-listen. The guest is Nancy Reddy, an author and mother runner whose new book The Good Mother Myth. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Britany Williams, the guest discusses: -how crazy-making “shoulda-woulda-coulda” can be;  -the importance of being reminded you’re in a body;  -societal expectations of caring for your kids over yourself;  -running’s role in the creative process; and, -the book-related running club she recently joined!    Before the guest joins around 07:10, Britany shares her current struggles of toddler-parenting.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   Go to DrinkAG1.com/AMR to start your New Year on a healthier note   Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBAR products by texting AMR to 64-000 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your mojo is low, like Grace’s, you’ll appreciate the motivational tips shared by the hosts. Folks who huff-and-puff excessively on a run, like Julie, will be pleased to hear the insight Dimity serves up and Sarah’s book recommendation. Finally, all runners will benefit from the duo’s advice on fueling in response to Nicole’s candid question. (Here’s the $25 nutrition program Dimity mentions.)    Before the Q&As start at 5:52, Sarah shares the heartwarming backstory about why she’s rowing on the San Francisco Bay this weekend. Please call 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771) to record your question.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBAR products by texting AMR to 64-000   Go to DrinkAG1.com/AMR to start  your New Year on a healthier note. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the episode for all the big-dreamers out there: The guest is Becca Pizzi, who has completed marathons on all seven continents, and she's now the first (and only!) female race director of the Antarctica Marathon. Along with hosts Dimity McDowell and Sarah Wassner Flynn, Becca shares about her adventurous life, including:  how her own running adventures led to her gig as a race director; the logistics and challenges of organizing a marathon in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth; and, behind-the-scenes details of what it takes to participate in and direct a marathon in Antarctica. If you’ve got adventure on your mind but Antarctica is a little out of reach, we’ve got a brand new hiking program geared towards the Mammoth March or a similar 20-ish mile hike. It’s sixteen weeks long, and has all the workouts, details and information you need to have a great day on the trail.   When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support! Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBar  products by texting AMR to 64-000 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If your quads burn going up stairs, like Dina’s do, you’ll be intrigued by this episode of the question-and-answer show from the founders of Another Mother Runner. Or maybe you’re like Rachel, who asks for training guidance for a 20-mile, one-day hike, or Pam, who is running a marathon two months after her last 26.2: Coach Dimity McDowell serves up clear-eyed advice to both queries.    After Dimity details a recent “magical” bike ride, the duo starts serving up Q&As at BARRY INSERT TIME. Call 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771) to record your question. Here are hiking training plans and Many Happy Miles.      When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   Write your story: Visit BetterHelp.com/amr  for 10% off your first month   Go to DrinkAG1.com/AMR to start  your New Year on a healthier note. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join hosts Dimity McDowell and Sarah Wassner Flynn as they reflect on the Many Happy Miles program, its vibrant community, and the inspiring stories of members who’ve become better runners and people through their participation. Dimity shares the origins of Many Happy Miles and how it has grown over the past six years. Then, hear from current Many Happy Miles members about how the program has positively impacted their lives, including: Jenna Molster & Ellen Harr, two best running friends who met through Many Happy Miles; Kate Barbier, who shares how the strength training baked into Many Happy Miles has complemented her running; and, Amy Davis, who reconnected with running (and even got a PR!) after a challenging four-year break, thanks to the support of Many Happy Miles. Throughout the episode, hear from other MHM members who share their highlights from the year. Feeling inspired to join Many Happy Miles in 2025? Registration is still open—don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this supportive community! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is the ideal episode for anyone in need of athletic inspiration, empathy, and laughter: It’s a conversation with three co-hosts—Tish Hamilton, Amanda Loudin, and Ellison Weist. The gals recount 2024 highlights, including a marathon, numerous mountains summited, and a new fitness endeavor. And Ellison can always be counted on for book suggestions, including one about human longevity and another about the long life of a house.    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   For a coveted entry as part of a dream race-cation,  go to TCSSydneyMarathon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join co-hosts Dimity McDowell and Sarah WF for a special episode as they look back on the incredible accomplishments within the Train Like a Mother community in 2024. From half-marathons to ultra-marathons, hiking challenges to marathons, these women have set big goals and crushed them. In this episode, we chat with four inspiring women: Dana Parisi, who rocked her Richmond Half-Marathon after training with the Better Together program. Amanda Ryan Fear, who flew across the country to take on the Mammoth March 20-mile hike with Hike Like a Mother. Courtney Kampf, who completed the grueling 50K Green Monster Trail Ultra with her dog, Theodore by training with AMR’s Ultra + Trail program. Maggie Rohlfing, who tackled her first marathon, the Crossroads Marathon, with the Heart + Sole program. Along the way, you’ll hear personal highlights from our Train Like a Mother coaches, sharing what made 2024 so special. Ready for a full year of workouts, community, and support? Join us in Many Happy Miles in 2025. Grab your limited-time “I Run Things” sticker here. Follow us on Instagram @anothermotherrunner for more inspiration and updates. When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support! Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBar products by texting AMR to 64-000 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Armchair travelers and adventurous runners alike will enjoy this episode: The guest is travel writer and mother runner Allison Torres Burtka. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams, Allison shares:  -details on running + hiking in Alaska, Sri Lanka, the Alps, + more;  -why exploring somewhere on foot is so rewarding;  -the transformative power of a BIPOC running retreat; and, -advice for finding running routes in new-to-you places.   Before the guest joins at about 10:27, Molly shares some quasi-gruesome tales of the survival course she’s taking! Get your free sticker here.   When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   For the chance at a coveted spot in 2025,  go to TCSSydneyMarathon.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is ideal for anyone looking for holiday gift suggestions for runners, prompted by a question from Nicole, as well as folks struggling to formulate a weight-room workout, like Sarah. Also, anyone with an irregular work schedule, like Jen, will appreciate Dimity’s insightful training advice. Doing a downhill race in 2025, like Whitney? Coach Dimity has loads of practical advice—and Sarah reads a short, sassy essay about going downhill.    The duo turns to questions at about 7:11. Call 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771) to record your question. Here are the giftguides mentioned, as well as our discounts page and Many Happy Miles.      When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   For the chance at a coveted spot in 2025,  go to TCSSydneyMarathon.com    Train smart: Get $200 off your Tonal purchase with promo code AMR at Tonal.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This enlightening episode is required listening for any and all runners, whether healthy or injured! The guest is Erin Ayala, Ph.D., a sport psychologist and certified mental performance consultant. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, Dr. Ayala talks about:  -personality traits that can precipitate injury (!);  -common mistakes she sees with injured athletes; -ways to find an empathetic physical therapist;  -an intriguing activity to help during injury downtime;  -revamped goals + little wins for injured athletes.   Before the guest joins at around 10:23, the hosting duo re-hashes Thanksgiving dinner. Get your free sticker here, and join Joy to the Run (it’s free, too!).    When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support!   Save 15% on any full-price purchase  w/ code TOPOAMR2024 at topoathletic.com   Download the free Ibotta app using code AMR to get $5 + start earning cash back   Enjoy secure access: Get an extra  3 months free at ExpressVPN.com/AMR   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking for inspiration to push past your own boundaries—whether in running or life? In this episode, Dimity and Sarah WF sit down with Jenny Hoffman, a mother of three, Harvard physics professor, and three-time national ultrarunning champion. Jenny shares about her recent accomplishments, including the story behind setting a Guinness World Record for running across the U.S. In this episode, the trio discusses: How Jenny got her start in running; Her childhood dream of crossing the country on foot and how she made it a reality; The challenges she faced during her record-breaking journey; The mental and physical strategies she used on the road; Balancing motherhood, career, running...and more!  You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation! Get ready to kick off the new year with Joy to the Run! This 2024 virtual training program is your chance to embrace the joy of movement, set new goals, and celebrate every step of your journey. Sign up today and make 2024 your most joyful year yet! When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support! Stories worth sharing: Save $10 on your first purchase at StoryWorth.com/AMR Download the free Ibotta app using code AMR to start earning cash back and get $5 credit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In honor of Native American Heritage Day, we are re-running this episode, which originally aired November 26, 2021.  Gain a deeper understanding of Native American runners in this installment of our Run in Her Shoes series, featuring two Indigenous women runners, including Verna Volker, founder of Native Women Running. With Coach Liz as co-host, the guests explain:  -the prayerful nature of running for Native Americans;  -how being a morning runner is especially profound to a member of the Navajo Nation; -the mission to bring light to cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women;  -how race organizers and participants can go beyond land acknowledgments; and, -the sense one runner has of her ancestors watching out for her as she runs in nature. Social Sarah shares details about producer Alex’s beautiful (2021) wedding before the first guest joins at 10:00. Need movement in December? Sign up for Joy to the Run! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anyone who’s ever worried about being “swept” during a race or fretted about having to go #2 during a race—both concerns of Amanda—will appreciate the guidance and assurance offered by the hosting duo. And folks, like Christine, who wonder how slow-can-you-go between speed intervals will be pleased to hear Coach Dimity’s answer. Before the Q&As, Sarah details some recent delightful away-from-home workouts. Please record your question by calling 470-BADASS1 (470-223-2771). Jump into Joy to the Run (it’s free!), and get your free sticker here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avid readers, as well as casual ones, will enjoy this annual episode, in which the hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist chat about a 14 newly released books they’ve read and (mostly) recommend. The literary talk starts around 4:13, after Ellison shares about her recent move.    Here are the 14 books the hosts discuss: Blue Sisters: Coco Mellors The Most: Jessica Anthony Here One Moment: Liane Moriarty Death at the Sign of the Rook: Kate Atkinson Colored Television: Danzy Senna Tell Me Everything: Elizabeth Strout Creation Lake: Rachel Kushner.  Our Evenings: Alan Hollinghurst  The Wildes: Louis Bayard The Sequel: Jean Hanff Korelitz (P.S. SBS is enjoying its snarky tone!) Devil at His Elbow: Valerie Bauerlein Kingmaker: Sonia Purnell Bone of the Bone: Sarah Smarsh Paris in Ruins: Sebastian Smee   Get your free sticker here.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're gearing up for a race or you may have one on the schedule soon, this episode is for you! Co-hosts Dimity and Sarah WF chat LIVE from the Richmond Marathon expo with Train Like a Mother Coaches Jessica Hofheimer and Amy Skorich. They share tips and motivation to help you ace your race day, including: How to have your best race, no matter your goal; Setting realistic expectations and embracing the journey; Staying present during the race, not just focusing on PRs; Pacing and fueling strategies; Mental tactics for overcoming tough moments, and more! Stay tuned until the end for audience questions and advice! When you shop our sponsors, you help AMR. We appreciate your—and their—support! A heartfelt gift for all: Save $10 on your 1st purchase at StoryWorth.com/AMR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices