In this episode, we share an honest recap of Kevin’s experience at the Long Haul 100. We dive into the emotional highs and lows of race day, the challenges Kevin faced along the way, and the mix of pride and disappointment that comes with tackling a 100-mile race.

We also talk about what mattered most in the buildup and during the race—strength training, mobility, fueling, mindset, and the power of having a supportive crew. Kevin reflects on the lessons learned and how this experience will shape his future training and racing.

This is a real, unfiltered look at endurance racing and the personal growth that comes from choosing hard things.

00:53 Kevin's Race Experience and Initial Reactions

01:37 Race Results and Initial Reflections

02:46 Positives and Challenges During the Race

04:06 Mental and Physical Struggles

09:13 Training Reflections and Future Plans

17:09 Crew Dynamics and Support

23:33 Lessons Learned

43:25 Jokes and Reflections on Race Position

44:17 Struggles in the Last Loop

44:48 Aid Station Experiences

46:14 Fueling and Music Challenges

47:33 Training and Family Involvement

51:30 Mindset and Mobility

53:30 Post-Race Reflections

55:46 Dark Thoughts and Perseverance

01:09:20 Silliness and Strength

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

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Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

Prepping for the Long Haul 100: Training, Mindset, and Fueling Strategies with Kevin

With just two days to go before toeing the line at the Long Haul 100, Kevin takes us behind the scenes of his year-long build toward a 100-mile ultra marathon. In this episode, we dive into what really went into his preparation—from how his training evolved over time, to the mindset shifts that made the biggest difference, to the fueling strategies he’s using to go the distance.

Kevin reflects on lessons learned from past ultras, the mistakes he didn’t repeat this time around, and how he’s learned to stay flexible when things don’t go according to plan (because in ultras… they never do). We also talk mental toughness, adapting in the moment, and why preparation is about more than just logging miles.

We wrap up by sharing how you can follow Kevin’s race in real time and what to expect in our post-race recap episode once the dust (and miles) settle.

00:59 Kevin's Current State and Mindset

02:23 Kevin's Ultra Marathon Journey

09:38 Training Insights and Adjustments

24:45 Balancing Training with Life

28:27 Setting Ambitious Goals

31:29 Fueling Strategy for Ultra Running

34:54 Training the Stomach for Endurance

42:27 Mindset and Race Strategy

47:39 Final Preparations and Expectations

51:19 Follow the Race Live

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

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Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

Skinny culture is making a comeback… and honestly, it’s got me concerned. It’s not only back — it feels like it’s EVERYWHERE. And it’s not serving runners — especially women in their 40s and beyond.

In this episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast, Kevin and I have a real, honest conversation about why chasing “skinny” is holding so many runners back — from stronger runs, better recovery, and long-term health.

We dive into three powerful mindset shifts that can change how you train, fuel, and feel in your body:

• Strong over skinny — because muscle is your superpower for performance, injury prevention, and aging well
• Building over losing — shifting the focus from shrinking your body to building strength, confidence, and resilience
• Fueling over restricting — learning how proper nutrition (and even eating more!) actually supports fat loss, hormone health, and better running

If you’ve ever felt torn between wanting to be lighter and wanting to be stronger… or if old diet rules are creeping back into your running life, this episode is for you.

We talk about what actually supports sustainable running, why muscle matters more than the number on the scale, and how to move into 2026 focused on health, energy, and longevity — not deprivation.

This is your reminder:
👉 You don’t need to be smaller to be a better runner.
👉 You need to be strong, fueled, and supported.

Press play and let’s redefine what healthy running really looks like — together. 💪✨

01:06 New Year Reflections and Upcoming Race

01:32 Kevin's Race Preparations

05:22 Angie's New Year and New Planner

10:59 The Skinny Culture Discussion

25:40 Owning Your Space and Voice

26:11 Building a Resilient Body

27:11 The Dangers of Rapid Weight Loss

30:17 The Importance of Muscle for Longevity

34:02 Strong Over Skinny

40:08 Fueling Over Restricting

48:49 Summing It All Up

53:14 Join the Movement

Mentioned in the podcast

Grab Angie's new favorite planner here.

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

As a new year begins, it’s natural to feel the pull to set big goals for what’s ahead. In this episode, we’re diving into why so many New Year’s resolutions don’t last—and more importantly, how to set goals for 2026 that actually stick.

We talk about the difference between outcome goals (like hitting a race time or distance) and process goals—the daily and weekly actions that truly move the needle. Because results don’t come from willpower alone… they come from consistency, and consistency comes from goals that fit your real life.

From there, we explore something we see all the time with runners: setting goals that don’t align with who you are right now. When your goals clash with your identity, your nervous system, or your season of life, they often create pressure, burnout, or that familiar “I just can’t stick with this” feeling. We share why identity-based goals matter—and how shifting the way you see yourself as a runner can completely change the way you show up.

We also talk honestly about extreme goals and all-or-nothing thinking—why going “all in” sounds motivating but often backfires. Instead, we encourage building goals that allow for flexibility, grace, and trust—especially when life inevitably throws curveballs.

Throughout the episode, we share real-life examples from our own journeys, stories from runners we coach, and a few lighthearted moments (because yes, goal-setting doesn’t have to be so serious). We also touch on the often-overlooked role of the nervous system—how feeling safe, supported, and regulated is a key part of creating sustainable habits.

If you’re heading into 2026 wanting to feel more grounded, consistent, and confident in your running (and your life), this episode will help you shift away from pressure-driven resolutions and toward small, meaningful steps that actually last.

Because big goals aren’t built in January…

They’re built in the everyday choices you make, over and over again.

If you want support as you chase big goals this year, check out the Real Life Runners Team — we’re here to guide you and support you to get there!

🎧 Tune in and let’s set goals that work with you—not against you.

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

On this special Christmas Day episode of the Real Life Runners Podcast (Episode 441), we slow things down and explore a different side of running — one that goes far beyond pace, mileage, or goals.

Today’s conversation invites you to see running as a spiritual practice — a space for reflection, waiting, preparation, and renewal. Drawing inspiration from spiritual traditions like Advent, we talk about what it means to trust the process, honor seasons of growth (and rest), and show up with intention, not just in running, but in life.

We share personal reflections on how discipline can become a form of devotion, how movement can reconnect us to our bodies, and why some of the most meaningful progress happens when we stop forcing and start listening. Whether you view spirituality through a faith-based lens or simply as a deeper connection to yourself, this episode offers a gentle reminder: your body is wise, your journey matters, and you don’t have to rush to become who you’re meant to be.

As you move through the holiday season — and into whatever comes next — we hope this conversation encourages you to run with presence, trust where you are, and step forward with courage and compassion for yourself.

00:16 Spirituality and Running

01:49 Running as a Higher Practice

06:00 Advent and Running

08:51 Trusting the Process

17:33 Discipline as Devotion

27:22 Body as a Gift

29:43 Unlocking Your Body's Potential

30:21 Shifting Perspectives on Fitness

31:48 The Infinite Game of Health and Fitness

34:04 Embracing Numerology and Spirituality

35:48 The Symbolism of Years and Traditions

39:31 Reflecting on Life's Transitions

46:15 Running as a Devotional Practice

47:03 Meditation and Presence in Running

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

As runners, it’s so easy to look back on a year and immediately zoom in on what didn’t go as planned — the missed runs, the injuries, the goals we didn’t hit. In this episode, we slow things down and invite you into a different kind of reflection — one rooted in curiosity, compassion, and growth rather than judgment.

We guide you through a thoughtful process to reflect on your year in running, helping you notice both the visible wins and the quieter moments that shaped you along the way. Instead of asking, “Was this a good year or a bad year?” we explore more meaningful questions like:
What supported you? What challenged you? What did your body and mind teach you?

You’ll be prompted with reflective questions designed to help you:

• Celebrate the wins you might be overlooking
• Learn from setbacks without attaching shame or frustration
• Recognize patterns in your training, recovery, and mindset
• Understand what truly helped you stay consistent (and what didn’t)

We also talk about the importance of separating who you are as a runner from any single race, pace, or performance — and how identity-based intentions can create more sustainable motivation and joy moving forward.

This episode isn’t about setting rigid goals or forcing a fresh start. It’s about integration — taking the lessons from this year and carrying them forward in a way that feels supportive, intentional, and aligned with the runner you want to continue becoming.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, disappointed, or unsure about how to move into a new season of running, this conversation will help you reflect with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

🎧 Tune in, grab a notebook (or go for an easy run), and let’s reflect — together.

02:10 Acknowledging Emotions and Comparisons

02:59 The Impact of Aging on Running Performance

04:40 The Role of Judgment in Running

07:51 Reflection vs. Judgment

11:38 Mental Load and Its Effects on Performance

17:25 Integrating Reflection into Future Training

22:30 Consistency and Success in Running

24:14 Guided Reflection Questions for Runners

24:41 Reflecting on a Challenging Year

26:03 Adapting Training for Age and Health

27:00 Learning from Personal Experiences

32:16 Effective Trainin

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

In this week’s episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kate Edwards, a physical therapist with more than 15 years of experience and someone who brings so much compassion and clarity to the running community. From the very beginning, I knew this conversation would resonate deeply with runners who struggle with identity, injury, stress, or the constant pressure to “do it all.”

Kate shares how her journey into running medicine was shaped not only by her clinical background but also by her own experiences navigating significant health challenges. That perspective gives her a rare depth of understanding — one that so many runners will feel seen and supported by.

We spend a lot of time talking about athletic identity, because it’s something I see runners wrestle with every single day. It’s so easy for running to become the biggest part of who we are… until something shifts. Injury, life changes, burnout, or even a tough training cycle can shake that identity. Kate and I dig into why building a more balanced sense of self not only supports your emotional well-being but also plays a major role in injury prevention and longevity in the sport.

We also explore the true complexity of running injuries, RED-S, stress, fueling (especially for female runners), and why understanding yourself as a whole human — not just an athlete — is essential for long-term health. Kate does an incredible job unpacking these topics in a way that feels both empowering and practical, giving runners a clearer picture of how their body, mind, and lifestyle all fit together.

If you’ve ever felt “less than” when you’re not running your best, or if you’re craving a more sustainable, joyful relationship with your training, this conversation is absolutely for you.

Connect with Dr. Kate Edwards:
https://www.fastbananas.com/
https://www.instagram.com/katemihevcedwards/

05:22 The Importance of Athletic Identity

12:01 The Impact of Injury on Identity

13:41 Finding New Outlets and Coping Strategies

23:00 Understanding Running Injuries

26:30 The Role of Physical Therapists

28:13 Stress and Its Impact on Runners

35:51 Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency in Sp

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

December has a way of shining a spotlight on our default habits. With holiday schedules, travel, celebrations, and a million extra to-dos, it’s easy to feel like your running routine gets thrown off track. But here’s what you might not realize: December doesn’t break your consistency— it simply reveals the defaults you fall back on when life gets full.

In this episode, we talk about how to shift those defaults so you can stay connected to your identity as a runner, even in the busiest season of the year.

You’ll hear us dive into:

• Consistency over performance — December isn’t about PRs; it’s about showing up in small, doable ways.
• Minimum viable dose training — How to keep your body and nervous system supported with simple, intentional movement.
• Adopting new, supportive habits — So you don’t feel like you’re “starting over” in January.
• Simplifying your routine — Letting go of perfection and choosing what matters most.
• Small wins to build momentum — Because they count (and add up).
• Guidance for January racers — How to stay focused without overwhelming yourself.
  
  

This is your reminder to give yourself grace, move with intention, and stay rooted in the identity of “I’m a runner,” even when the month gets busy.

Tune in and let’s make December work for you, not against you.

01:18 The Challenge of December for Runners

02:59 Maintaining Consistency Amidst Chaos

03:41 Reframing December: Protecting Momentum

06:07 The Impact of Stress and Routine Disruption

12:08 Overcoming All or Nothing Thinking

15:46 Shifting Focus: From Performance to Consistency

17:44 Minimum Viable Dose Training

21:01 The Intentional Mile Challenge

22:11 The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

23:12 Maintaining Routine and Identity

24:11 Always Something: Alternatives to Running

25:47 Consistency and Its Long-Term Benefits

29:02 Training Through December: Practical Tips

33:52 Preparing for a Race in December

39:27 Setting Intentions and Practical Takeaways

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.