Route 66 Marathon Podcast

How do you train for a half marathon when your days are already consumed by teaching, coaching and family?Claremore assistant volleyball coach Niki Baughman joins the Route 66 Marathon Podcast to talk about returning to distance running while juggling a packed fall volleyball schedule and why her goals look much different than they did when she began running half marathons more than two decades ago.Baughman shares the creative ways she squeezes training into her day, from two-a-days to running 4-6 miles during breaks at school. She also discusses fueling for long runs, learning to adjust expectations as she gets older and why sometimes the best training decision is giving yourself grace when life gets in the way.Plus, Nikki talks about coaching her daughter Grace, following the running success of her son Gabe, her unusual carb-loading preference, the occasional Eminem-powered run and why her goal for the Route 66 Half Marathon on Nov. 21 has nothing to do with the clock.For runners struggling to balance training with work, family or difficult seasons of life, this episode is a reminder that running doesn't have to be perfect to be meaningful.

Pete Coser shares his running journey, discusses the Tulsa running community and explores the cultural significance of running on Native American land and through historic neighborhoods.

Season 3 of the Route 66 Marathon Podcast is off and running!In the season premiere, Kevin Green is joined by Fleet Feet Tulsa training partners Kelly Kilmer and Chad Noblett for a conversation about one of the biggest decisions runners can make: Should you join a running group?Kelly and Chad share how they found running later in life and how joining Fleet Feet Tulsa transformed their journeys. From structured training plans and coaching to learning about proper gear, fueling, hydration and pacing, they explain why the benefits of a training group extend well beyond simply having people to run with.The trio also dives into the community that develops when runners train together, the added safety of running with a group and whether the cost of a structured training program is worth it. Kelly and Chad share how teammates and coaches have helped them prepare physically and mentally for races while celebrating one another's accomplishments along the way.

After a near-fatal car accident left her with a fractured spine and a cervical fusion, Jackie Helm refused to let her story end in the wreckage.In this powerful Route 66 Marathon Podcast episode, Jackie walks us through her remarkable comeback — from relearning how to move post-surgery, to training for her first Route 66 Half Marathon, to rebuilding her strength and identity after a devastating ulcerative colitis diagnosis.Now a nutrition coach, athlete and Route 66 Marathon ambassador, Jackie shares how proper fueling, intentional recovery and unwavering faith helped her regain control of her life. If you’ve struggled, lost momentum or felt stuck this training cycle, Jackie’s story is exactly what you need:a reminder that setbacks don’t define you — your response does.Get ready for a raw, uplifting and deeply inspiring conversation that brings race-week energy back to the podcast.

First-time marathoner Amanda Vavra joins the show to share her inspiring journey from 5K starter to Route 66 Marathon finisher in the making. A Tulsa native with deep family roots in the community, Vavra opens up about reclaiming her body and her voice after years focused on motherhood and career. She talks about training with her husband (who tracks the splits), raising a young runner and finding her stride — mentally and physically.From balancing work and family life to setting sights on international races and the Abbott World Marathon Majors, Vavra's story is about chasing bold goals with grace, grit and a whole lot of vibes. Her mantra? “This is hard, but I’m harder.” Tune in to hear why that mindset might just carry her all the way to the finish line on race day.