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Imagine standing at the starting line of your first marathon, rain pouring down, wondering if your months of training will pay off. Now imagine sharing that journey with your family across three generations.

In this deeply personal episode, I bring you into the heart of my family's running journey. From my grandsons' joyful recounting of their first one-mile race in the pouring rain to my son Charles' and daughter-in-law Sarah's transformative marathon experiences, you'll witness how running creates bonds and builds character.

Charles reveals the mental fortitude required for marathon training while juggling work and family responsibilities, explaining how "95% of it's between your ears." His remarkable recovery story—completing 500 air squats the day after his marathon—demonstrates the power of cross-training. Meanwhile, Sarah takes us through her grueling trail marathon experience at Devil's Lake, where she conquered over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and pushed through unexpected additional mileage.

What makes this conversation special isn't just the physical accomplishments, but the shared wisdom about life beyond running. The family discusses practical race strategies like the surprisingly effective hat-cooling technique, but more importantly, they dismantle the "I could never do that" mindset that prevents so many from pursuing challenging goals.

This episode captures why running communities are so special—supportive, encouraging, and accessible to everyone regardless of pace or appearance. Whether you're an experienced runner or someone contemplating their first 5K, you'll find inspiration in my family's journey and perhaps discover that you're capable of more than you've ever imagined.

Follow the podcast, leave a 5-star review, and reach out if you'd like to share your own running story at carla@CoffeeCrewCoaching.com.

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What happens when a marathoner faces cancer? For Liz Krznarich, running had been her constant companion for 27 years before a breast cancer diagnosis at age 40 threatened to take away this core piece of her identity.

The parallels between marathon training and enduring cancer treatment emerged in unexpected ways throughout Liz's journey. "Having that marathon training perspective and being really familiar with discomfort was extremely helpful," she explains, "because there's a whole lot of discomfort during chemo." Yet the experience also humbled her, revealing the limitations of the "mind over matter" approach that had served her through countless long runs. As her treatment reduced her red blood cell count and compromised her digestive system's ability to absorb water, Liz discovered that some physiological challenges couldn't be overcome through mental fortitude alone.

Rather than abandoning physical activity entirely, Liz adapted. She replaced runs with long walks, discovered yoga to combat muscle tightness, and used stationary biking to maintain cardiovascular fitness when running wasn't possible. When treatment left her feeling disconnected from her runner identity, she creatively scheduled half marathons to coincide with her final treatments – giving herself something to look forward to beyond the medical appointments that dominated her calendar.

Perhaps most profound is how this journey transformed Liz's relationship with her body. The runner who once "had a history of driving my body into the ground" now approaches training with newfound respect for the complex physiological processes that make running possible. "Our bodies are amazing and they deserve to be treated nicely," she reflects. "All the tiny cellular processes going on are pretty miraculous." This wisdom extends to her approach to nutrition, hydration, and recovery – aspects she previously neglected but now embraces as essential components of running longevity.

Whether you're facing health challenges or simply seeking to become a more balanced athlete, Liz's story offers powerful perspective on resilience, adaptation, and gratitude for what our bodies can do. Share your thoughts about this episode and subscribe to hear more inspiring stories from runners overcoming obstacles on their journey over the next hill.

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What happens when someone who once hated running decides to lace up their shoes at age 32? Ben Bloedorn's transformation from self-proclaimed non-athlete to ultramarathon finisher reveals the profound parallel between running and life's broader challenges.

Beginning with his first painful 5K in 2019, Ben shares how completing that initial race ignited something unexpected - the question "what's next?" That curiosity propelled him from suffering through shin splints to conquering a 50-mile ultramarathon at the Ice Age 50, despite significant setbacks including knee injuries and failed race attempts along the way.

Ben's evolution mirrors what many reluctant runners experience - that moment of looking in the mirror, not liking what they see, and deciding something must change. His candid insights about training mishaps (like the snow-covered 20-hour Arctos race he abandoned) offer valuable perspective for new and experienced runners alike. The conversation explores the psychological aspects of progress, including the counterintuitive value of rest periods and how training data can sometimes become an unhealthy obsession.

What makes this episode special is Ben's authentic reflection on how running becomes more than exercise - it transforms into a practice that builds discipline, resilience, and self-knowledge applicable to every area of life. As he beautifully notes, "I have never come back from a run and felt worse than before I left." It's this simple truth that keeps runners returning to the roads and trails despite the inevitable suffering that comes with pushing physical limits.

Whether you're contemplating your first 5K or training for an ultramarathon, Ben's journey offers both practical advice and philosophical perspective on embracing discomfort as the pathway to growth. Ready to lace up your shoes and discover what you're capable of?

https://runsignup.com/Race/WI/Oconomowoc/ZachariahsAcresRunWalkRoll

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What would you do if you came face-to-face with a mountain lion in the darkness of a pre-dawn hike? For Kayla Girard, this heart-stopping encounter was just one chapter in her remarkable outdoor journey that's taken her from struggling to run a single mile to summiting some of Colorado's most challenging peaks.

In this captivating conversation, Kayla reveals how she discovered her love for running later in life when she realized the secret was simply slowing down. This breakthrough has led her to complete races in 37 states so far on her quest to run a half or full marathon in all 50 states. Surprisingly, during back-to-back race weekends, she consistently performs better on day two—defying conventional wisdom about recovery and endurance.

But it's Kayla's mountaineering adventures that truly showcase her resilience and determination. After moving to Colorado to become a ski instructor (where she unexpectedly met her husband), she fell in love with climbing the state's famous "14ers"—58 peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation. These climbs require 4am starts, careful navigation, and constant vigilance against rapidly changing mountain weather and wildlife encounters.

The podcast delivers two unforgettable survival stories: Kayla's terrifying standoff with a stalking mountain lion during her bachelorette celebration hike, and a harrowing night spent taking shelter in a mountainside cave after a snowstorm trapped her group in 12-degree temperatures. Her most valuable lesson? When you're in trouble in the backcountry, help doesn't arrive immediately—her rescue took over seven hours despite having cell service.

Whether you're a runner looking for inspiration or simply someone who appreciates tales of adventure and human endurance, Kayla's journey shows how pushing beyond your comfort zone creates not just accomplishments but also profound connections with fellow adventurers who share these life-changing experiences. Ready to lace up your shoes or pack your hiking boots?

https://www.instagram.com/alyakg/

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What if the greatest obstacle you faced became your greatest opportunity? For Lisa Herron, a devastating farming accident at age 40 that required her fifth knee surgery didn't end her athletic journey—it transformed it. Trading running shoes for walking ones, Lisa discovered an unexpected path forward that would lead to extraordinary achievements and a reimagined relationship with movement.

Lisa's power walking prowess shatters preconceptions about what walking can accomplish. Maintaining a consistent 10-minute mile pace, she often overtakes runners during races, playfully noting she might be "on my second or third beer" by the time they cross the finish line. Her athletic feats include walking 100 miles in under 27 hours as the only woman and only walker to complete an ultramarathon, and accumulating over 19,000 miles between 2021-2024—equaling more than 38 million steps.

The physical challenges Lisa has overcome would sideline most athletes permanently. Beyond her knee surgeries, she's endured two cervical spine surgeries requiring seven screws, two plates, and cadaver bones; endured nine foot surgeries; manages diabetes; and has undergone two heart catheterizations. Yet these obstacles have only strengthened her resolve. Her approach to health blends realism with optimism: "I'm just a well-fueled machine with some expensive drugs set in a pillbox."

Lisa's commitment to movement has dramatically transformed her health markers, with triglycerides dropping from a dangerous 500 to a healthy 88. Her daily routine typically begins with 8-10 morning miles, followed by additional walking throughout the day. Her current goal—6,000 miles in 2025—requires consistent daily effort that she embraces regardless of weather or circumstances, "embracing the suck" on difficult days.

Beyond personal achievements, Lisa channels her passion for movement into community service as a mini-marathon ambassador advocating for walkers' inclusion, volunteering at Wheeler Mission's Drumstick Dash, and training her dog for children's reading therapy. Her message resonates clearly: there are no valid excuses for immobility, only opportunities to adapt and overcome.

Ready to redefine your own relationship with movement? Follow Lisa's example by starting where you are, adapting to your circumstances, and building consistency that can transform your health. Subscribe now and join our community of movers and believers who refuse to let limitations define their potential.

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What happens when a devastating diagnosis becomes the catalyst for a complete life transformation?

Meet Irene Pasternak, whose journey from an early Alzheimer's diagnosis to becoming a marathon runner reveals the extraordinary possibilities that emerge when we refuse to accept limitation. At 65, Irene received news that would stop most people in their tracks: test results showing an 86% chance of full dementia within three years. Instead of retreating, she embarked on a running journey that would transform both her brain health and her entire approach to living.

Irene shares how she discovered "tourist running" – an approach that combines exploration with exercise as she runs as far as possible in new directions before taking public transport home. This creative method helped her progress from barely managing a mile to completing half marathons in less than a year. Most remarkably, her brain scans now show amyloid plaque levels dropping from 76 to below 12 – under the clinical significance threshold – suggesting her treatment and lifestyle changes have dramatically altered her prognosis.

Beyond running, Irene reveals her work as a Feldenkrais practitioner helping people overcome movement limitations, and how she leads summer backpacking trips with llamas for people with Parkinson's disease. Her approach to movement as playful exploration rather than rigid exercise offers valuable insights for runners of any age. The conversation weaves through topics of neuroplasticity, resilience, and finding purpose after diagnosis – including how she now treasures time with her young granddaughter, creating memories she once feared would be impossible.

Whether you're a runner seeking fresh perspective, someone facing health challenges, or simply in need of inspiration, Irene's story reminds us that sometimes our greatest adventures begin precisely when we think our stories are ending. Subscribe now and share this episode with someone who might need to hear that their diagnosis doesn't have to be their destiny.

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What happens when anxiety meets opportunity? For Beth Giles, the pandemic's uncertainty sparked an unexpected journey into running that transformed both her physical and mental landscapes. This episode reveals how simple daily walks evolved into something profound when Beth asked herself, "What if I just ran?"

Beth shares the raw, honest story of how running became her sanctuary during pandemic isolation, daily work stress, and even through her mother's hospice care. The physical act of running created space for mental processing, allowing Beth to navigate life's challenges with newfound resilience. "Running is something that, when you invest in it, the return on investment for your body and your mind is amazing and tenfold," she explains.

We explore the evolution from casual pandemic running to organized races, discussing the unique courage required to take starting lines and the pride that comes with finishing. Beth's candid insights about hydration struggles during longer distances, the joy of sharing race medals with her late mother, and her refreshing perspective on body types and movement will resonate with runners at every level.

Most powerfully, Beth's philosophy encapsulates what movement can mean for anyone willing to try: "Don't let dreams be endangered species." Whether you're a seasoned runner or someone who's never considered lacing up, this conversation invites you to explore your own "what ifs" without dismissing them before giving them a chance.

Ready to find your own running sanctuary or reconnect with the joy of movement? Listen now, and discover how putting your feet on the street before your "butt hits the seat" might just change your life too. Share, follow, and rate this podcast to help others find their path to movement and mental clarity.

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Jamie Elliott's journey from smoker to marathon runner begins at age 38 during her daughter's cancer treatment at St. Jude. What started as a way to quit cigarettes evolved into a powerful mission of philanthropy and personal achievement that spans over two decades.

With remarkable candor, Jamie shares how she began running without technical gear, training plans, or even proper knowledge of running mechanics - simply buying "pretty shoes" and hitting country roads near her Kentucky home. Her progression defies conventional wisdom: skipping 5Ks and 10Ks entirely, Jamie jumped straight to walking a half marathon before tackling a full marathon the following year.

The heart of Jamie's story lies in her fundraising work as a St. Jude Hero, raising over $200,000 for the hospital that treated her daughter's osteosarcoma. "I'm not really a runner, I'm a fundraiser who happens to run," she explains, revealing how purpose drives her participation in events from local 5Ks to major marathons like New York and Marine Corps.

Jamie's perspective on aging and adaptation resonates deeply throughout our conversation. After being diagnosed with polymyalgia rheumatica, an autoimmune condition affecting her large joints, she embraced the Galloway run-walk method, discovering she could maintain performance while reducing pain and recovery time. At 58, with plans to run Chicago Marathon when she turns 60, Jamie embodies the spirit that running has no expiration date.

Perhaps most powerful is the wisdom Jamie shares for all runners: "Someday I won't be able to do this, but today is not that day." Her story reminds us to cherish our ability to move, to use our running for greater purposes, and to never let age or circumstance define what's possible when passion meets perseverance.

Want coaching that helps you find your purpose in running? Email carla@coffeycrewcoaching.com or follow the links in our show notes to support Jamie's ongoing fundraising efforts for St. Jude.

https://fundraising.stjude.org/goto/samster20

https://youtu.be/4gEVvTjNGYo

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