“I think the experience I had is what EVERY straight, white male has at EVERY race.”

Consider this convo as a part-two follow up to our most listened-to episode, "Allyship, Intention, and Impact" (episode 12), as we parse out what exactly made the ‘We Out Here’ Trail Fest so incredibly special.

In a time when there’s constant pushback and criticism of what DEI actually means or looks like, we hope this conversation gives practical examples of how create events and spaces that move beyond tokenizing to celebrating the diversity of excellence that already exists in our sport!

“It doesn’t have to be: we choose representation and inclusivity OR we choose excellence and competitiveness. There can be overlap!”

Have you ever been to a race or running event where you felt fully seen, celebrated, and free to be your authentic self? What factors do you think helped make that happen? Drop a comment here or send a message to let us know!

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠⁠.

The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. If you enjoy this convo please share about us with your friends! And of course, we appreciate your subscribing and leaving a rating and review.

#MakingStridesPod

#letsFlippindothis

#diversewerun

Show Notes:

05:50 - Stef’s upcoming racing plans

12:00 - takeaways from the We Out Here Trail Fest: the excellence displayed and the power of representation!

33:15 - the role representation plays in helping others understand different lived-experiences

38:10 - what led Carolyn to create a trail event with her local lululemon team, in the Boston area

56:25 - Stef’s athletes who ran Western States 100 this year

1:09:20 - shoutout to our ongoing sponsor, Pen & Paces!

Links:

David Jaewon Oh Photography

OtterPawz Native, family-owned design company who made the custom medals for the We Out Here Trail Fest

Rubato HK Cafe

Gyee O’Malley, Train Ambassador for Boston lululemon

Don't forget to grab your Pen & Paces Custom Bib Kit for any of your upcoming races and get 20% off when you use code MAKINGSTRIDES at checkout!

Find Stef ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Find Carolyn ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

“We hope that this trail race shows that it is possible to welcome new people to the sport, that trail running doesn't have to be rooted in white culture, that we can show up as our authentic selves.” - Alison Desir

This is a special episode that is near and dear to our hearts, as we got to not only record a live show with our friends, but also be a part of the inaugural trail festival, We Out Here, that was specifically centered on and powered by the BIPOC community!

Our conversation is on the topic of DEFIANCE, as defined by professor and author, Dr. Sunita Sah: to defy is to act in accordance to one's values when there's pressure to do otherwise.

With this definition, a trail event specifically designed for BIPOC athletes is in itself an act of defiance against the status quo, expectations, and gate-keeping around the sport, and of course, the ways that each of us show up in our various spheres each day are also daily acts of defiance in a world that expects (and often demands) our compliance.

We truly hope this conversation resonates and speaks to you in many ways. #Keepshowingup in your various spheres of influence, and keep making strides in being the change we wish to see!

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠⁠.

The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and about changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. If you enjoy this convo please share about us with your friends! And of course, we appreciate your subscribing and leaving a rating and review.

#MakingStridesPod

#letsFlippindothis

#diversewerun

Show Notes:

01:30 - intro: Aaliyah Earvin

02:10 - intro: Alison Desir

03:45 - intro: Kayla Jeter

04:25 - intro: Mirna Valerio

05:55 - topic and definition of DEFIANCE

07:30 - what inspired Aaliyah to create the ‘We Out Here’ Trail Festival weekend

13:15 - what Alison’s goals are for the future of this race event

15:40 - what practicing defiance looked like for Mirna, growing up, and how it shapes the way she lives in the day to day

19:35 - who inspired Kayla to prioritize self care and wellness for herself, and what drives her to bring this message to her community

25:10 - how can all of us practice acts of defiance on a daily basis?

32:20 - Q&A

Links:

Grab your Pen & Paces Custom Bib Kit for any of your upcoming races and get 20% off when you use code MAKINGSTRIDES at checkout!

Find Aaliyah here

Find Alison here

Find Kayla here

Find Mirna here

Find Stef ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Find Carolyn ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Fresh off the Boston Marathon weekend, we talk about EVERYTHING that happened from Thursday to Marathon Monday, including seeing Kara Goucher and Alysia Montaño, fawning over senior penguins, and getting to bring in the final finishers at the 26.True Marathon!

We are also excited to share our FIRST SPONSOR, Pen & Paces! A local, AAPI-woman-owned small business, Pen & Paces is all about supporting every runner in their own, unique running journey. Check out the bestselling, Custom Bib Kit, which Stef and I wore at the 2024 New York City Marathon!

We saw hundreds of runners sporting them out on the course at both the Boston Marathon and the 26.True Marathon this year! The bib kits make it super easy for loved ones and spectators to call out your name and cheer for you!

Grab your Pen & Paces Custom Bib Kit for any of your upcoming Spring races, and get 20% off when you use code MAKINGSTRIDES at checkout!

We hope you enjoy our Boston Marathon weekend recap, and, as always, we are so grateful that all of you are here! #Keepshowingup and keep making strides in being the change we wish to see!

Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, ⁠⁠Mark Kalagayan⁠⁠, from the non-profit, ⁠⁠SPARC Worldwide⁠⁠.

The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and about changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. If you enjoy this convo please share about us with your friends! And of course, we appreciate your subscribing and leaving a rating and review.

#MakingStridesPod

#letsFlippindothis

#diversewerun

Show Notes:

01:00 - how Carolyn has been since marathon weekend

03:40 - how Stef has been

05:50 - Stef’s upcoming Spring race plans

09:25 - significance of how the marathon weekend overlapped with the 250th anniversary of the start of the Revolutionary War

10:35 - Boston Marathon Wreath Ceremony!

20:00 - Boston Marathon Expo!

24:50 - Stef getting to see the burial site of her 12th-great-ancestor, who was one of the original settlers of the United States

42:00 - BAA 5K and the 26.True Marathon

58:10 - lululemon Shakeout Run

1:02:40 - why we visited the New England Aquarium

1:07:50 - Carolyn’s morbid pre-marathon tradition

1:15:50 - Marathon Monday!

1:33:30 - our first SPONSOR announcement!

Links:

Pen & Paces code MAKINGSTRIDES for 20% off

Find Stef ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Find Carolyn ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠