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.