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Extraordinary Strides

Author: Christine Hetzel

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Welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the podcast that celebrates the spirit of running and the inspiring stories of those who lace up their shoes and hit the pavement. 

Here, we dive into the heart of what makes running an extraordinary adventure.


Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, Extraordinary Strides is your go-to source for expert tips, motivational stories, and the camaraderie of the running community. 

Our episodes feature seasoned runners, coaches, and everyday athletes sharing their triumphs, challenges, and the joy they find in every run.

Join us for casual, uplifting conversations that will leave you excited to put on your running shoes and hit the road. We believe that every run, no matter the distance, is a step towards something greater.

So, subscribe now and join our community of runners who are making every stride extraordinary. 

At Extraordinary Strides, we're here to inspire, motivate, and celebrate with you every step of the way!

247 Episodes
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Ready to start 2026 on your terms—with movement, magic, and a community that actually feels like you belong? We’re hosting a curated Central Florida retreat built around three themes: epic adventure, extraordinary movement, and pure celebration with fellow Extraordinary Strides podcast listeners! Think flexible dates, thoughtful resort choices on the Skyliner, and a weekend you can shape to your energy: group yoga, a medal-earning 5K, Epic Universe thrills or relaxed resort time, and a flat...
Sydney Marathon beckoned as the newest World Marathon Major, and I couldn't resist answering the call after earning my six-star medal in Tokyo. This Australian adventure would become my seventh major—a milestone I never expected to reach when I started this journey. The electric atmosphere at the expo set the tone for the weekend, with volunteers and organizers proudly showcasing Sydney as the latest "world wonder" in the marathon circuit. Abbott created special photo opportunities for seven...
The Ghoul-Friend Gauntlet: The Coven Clash Challenge is a 31-day movement challenge designed for runners and walkers who start strong but struggle to maintain their momentum. This October challenge pairs you with one teammate in either Team Luna or Team Shadow to create accountability that prevents you from ghosting yourself. • Walk or run at your own pace every day for 31 days • Get sorted into a coven (Team Luna or Team Shadow) with one accountability partner • Receive guided audio workout...
Jet lag isn't just feeling tired—it's a temporary circadian misalignment affecting hormones, temperature, digestion, and athletic performance that runners feel particularly strongly. • Endurance performance depends on precise timing of biological functions that get disrupted during travel • Core body temperature minimum sits 2-3 hours before wake time and is key to understanding light exposure timing • Morning light moves your clock earlier, evening light moves it later • Delay path (treatin...
We take you on a satirical journey through Taper Town, a psychological landscape every runner visits during the final weeks before race day. Through humor and relatable anecdotes, we map the strange mental territory where reduced mileage creates increased anxiety. • Exploring the "Weather Bureau" where runners obsessively check forecasts and compare contradicting weather apps • Visiting the "Taper Diet Diner" where hunger is constant and every nutritional choice feels monumental • Navigating...
Coach Christine shares how she tackled Sydney Marathon training during a chaotic summer filled with caregiving responsibilities, relocation, and constant travel, discovering that romance novels became her unexpected training partner and source of resilience. • Trading structured training schedules for flexibility and adaptability • Finding companionship in audiobooks during solo runs in unfamiliar places • How to pair different types of runs with the right audiobook experiences • Reviews of ...
We saddle up for a journey through Disney's Frontierland, exploring its rich history, hidden details, and Western-inspired magic that can transform your next run into a frontier adventure for runDisney's Big Thunder Mountain Virtual Summer Series. • Frontierland was one of Walt's original lands when Disneyland opened in 1955, designed to transport guests back to the 1800s • The wooden fort walls at the land's entrance were made from real ponderosa pine trees • Mark Twain's riverboat was tech...
The countdown to race day brings a unique cocktail of nerves, excitement, and questions. What's really happening to your body during taper? Should you squeeze in one more long run? How do you handle those phantom pains that suddenly appear? Drawing from decades of experience and my personal journey completing all six World Marathon Majors, I've created the ultimate 30-day race countdown guide that transforms pre-race anxiety into your secret weapon for success. This comprehensive roadmap bre...
We’re lacing up for a sweaty sleigh ride through Christmas in July, a 30-minute express workout that brings festive fun and fierce intention to your training. Whether you're chasing a PR or just showing up in the middle of summer chaos, this workout proves that short can still be extraordinary. Coach Christine leads you through a power-packed interval session built around effort-based training that blends endurance, strength, and mental grit, plus just enough sparkle to keep it fun. 🎄 Here’s ...
Summer running presents unique challenges, but with Coach Christine's comprehensive survival guide, you can transform these obstacles into opportunities for growth and resilience. • Protecting yourself from bugs with appropriate repellents and permethrin-treated clothing • Conducting thorough tick checks post-run to prevent complications like Lyme disease • Avoiding poisonous plants by staying centered on trails and wearing protective clothing • Applying and reapplying broad-spectrum sunscre...
Ready to take the plunge with a race day proposal? This special bonus episode offers everything you need to create an unforgettable finish line moment without the potential pitfalls that could turn your romantic gesture into a viral disaster. Coach Christine delivers eight essential tips for crafting the perfect race proposal, starting with perhaps the most crucial advice: timing is everything. Before planning that finish line surprise, understand your partner's race goals. Interrupting a Bo...
A true Disney fairytale unfolded at this year's Run Disney Springtime Surprise weekend, as Cole orchestrated a finish line proposal to Ashley that will leave you believing in happily-ever-afters. Their story perfectly captures why Run Disney events are so much more than just races – they're moments where memories are made, milestones are celebrated, and sometimes, lifelong commitments begin. Cole shares every heart-pounding detail of his proposal planning, from timing the ring delivery perfe...
Step aboard our adventure-filled podcast as we navigate the fascinating world of Disney's Jungle Cruise—from its humble beginnings as one of Disneyland's opening day attractions to its global status as a beloved cultural icon. You'll discover how Walt Disney's original vision for a realistic wildlife experience transformed when Imagineers like Harper Goff and Bill Evans created a convincing jungle through innovative techniques—including flipping orange trees upside down to create instant exo...
Ever wonder what it takes to run 300+ marathons in full costume? Meet Charlotte, the runner who's redefining what's possible in both endurance and race day fashion. Charlotte brings a refreshing perspective to ultra running that blends serious mileage with joyful celebration. Unlike many elite runners, she didn't start until her mid-30s after making lifestyle changes for better health. What began with simple run-walk intervals around her hometown loop evolved into an extraordinary journey th...
Grab your running shoes and pirate hat as we embark on a swashbuckling adventure with our Pirates of the Caribbean-themed, totally unofficial companion podcast to the runDisney Virtual 5K Summer Series! This treasure-filled episode takes you deep into the history of one of Disney's most beloved attractions, the last one Walt Disney personally supervised before his passing. Our first mate, Lynn, charts the course through the fascinating evolution of Pirates of the Caribbean, from its 1967 Dis...
We celebrate National Classic Movie Day with a runner's twist, exploring must-watch running films that capture what makes our sport so transformative and inspiring. • Inspirational narrative features including classics like Chariots of Fire and personal favorites like Brittany Runs a Marathon • Running documentaries that showcase real stories from Spirit of the Marathon to the cult favorite Barkley Marathons • Ultra and trail running films that capture the extreme side of endurance sports • ...
Ever wondered what the Met Gala would look like if it were designed for runners instead of celebrities? Picture the World Marathon Majors as fashion houses, each with their signature aesthetic—Boston's traditional navy and gold, New York's urban grit, London's royal elegance. This playful reimagining opens the door to something deeper: how what we wear impacts how we run and feel. Welcome to the world of "dopamine dressing," where bright colors, bold patterns, and joy-sparking outfits can ge...
What belongs on every runner's bucket list? From triumphant finish line moments to the not-so-glamorous reality of forgotten anti-chafe, Coach Christine counts down 100 running experiences worth having at least once. This episode celebrates the full spectrum of running life – the magical, the messy, and everything in between. Whether you're searching for racing adventures, travel opportunities, gear recommendations, or mental milestones, this comprehensive list covers it all. You'll find sug...
There's a powerful truth about running that rarely gets discussed: getting older doesn't mean getting slower – it means leveling up differently. As our bodies change, we unlock new capabilities that can make running even more rewarding in our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. Coach Christine, your "fairy run mother," breaks down exactly what changes with age (like that 1% VO2 max decline annually after 30) and what actually improves (hello, mental grit and endurance capacity!). She presents ten gam...
The TCS New York City Marathon stands as the crown jewel of marathon experiences, combining breathtaking urban scenery with unparalleled cultural immersion across all five boroughs. Coach Christine and travel expert Ashley of Mystical Dream Travel break down this iconic event from every angle - revealing why it's simultaneously the most coveted and logistically challenging marathon in the world. From its humble beginnings in 1970 as a Central Park loop to today's massive five-borough celebra...
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