Big accountabilibuddy episode.

Rachael talks about her experience at her 2nd indoor Tri and Marty updates about his training.

Rachael was tasked with editing this one. Not sure that should ever happen again. LOL

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Well, we're back and we both have stories to tell!

Big intermediate milestones for both but you'll have to decide which was worse: the wind of Lake Michigan or putting bike shorts on wet legs.

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In this episode, Rachael and Erin introduce the “Runner 101”; based on their shared experiences both running and volunteering. They discuss their own personal experiences with their introduction to running and you won’t believe how different they are! With humor and anecdotes, they emphasize that everyone starts somewhere and learning from experiences is key to becoming a better runner. The conversation covers practical advice on what to wear on race day, fueling strategies, and the significance of understanding race logistics.

And yes, you can always take a pin.

Sound Bites

• “Everyone has to start somewhere”

• “It's important to remember that every race could be someone's first.”

• “Don't wear anything new on race day; stick to what you've trained in.”

• “Fueling strategies should be practiced during training, not just on race day.”

• “Asking questions ahead of time can alleviate race day stress.”

• "You can foster a community online."

Thank you for your support of Start Lines and Swag Bags. If you would consider supporting The Flying Pig Project through merchandise or memberships, please see our page at ko-fi.com/theflyingpigproject.

In this episode, Rachael and Marty catch up to see where each other is with their training plans. Marty shares his enjoyable international trip, complete with running by the beach and a New Year's karaoke celebration, while Rachael discusses her two-week break from teaching, which she spent relaxing at home with her cat, Butter. They both emphasize the importance of structure in their routines, with Rachael noting how she missed the organization of her work schedule, while Marty struggled with maintaining his workout consistency during the unstructured holiday period.

As they transition into discussing their training, Marty reveals that he has been compliant with his running plan, logging impressive mileage since returning from his trip. Rachael shares her mixed feelings about her training, particularly her struggles with running compared to her enjoyment of swimming and biking. They discuss both of their upcoming intermediate milestones; Marty with the F3 13.1 and Rachael with her indoor tri.

Sound bites:

• "I missed the structure."

• "It's a very good point about the holidays being unstructured."

• "I think I'm 100% compliant with my plan."

• "I have a high level of anxiety knowing that there are people watching me swim."

• "It's all about no expectations, just moving."

Thank you for your support of Start Lines and Swag Bags. If you would consider supporting The Flying Pig Project through merchandise or memberships, please see our page at ko-fi.com/theflyingpigproject.

This episode, Sophia and Joel Feinberg join me on the pod!

This past June, Sophia crushed her first Ironman 70.3 along side her father. She talks about her journey from sprint, to olympic, to 70.3!

So many sound bites from this episode that I can't name a favorite. If pushed, I love our conversation about how a 70.3 is not a half Ironman. It's a 70.3. From now on, there are no half marathons, there's 13.1! No more going into the office saying you did a half marathon to have people say, oh, it's not like you did the full! No more of that!

Please enjoy!

Wow. This episode.

When was the last time you ran a race just to experience it with someone else? When was the last time you ran a race and, upon crossing the finish line, the focus wasn't on your time but the celebration of completing another adventure?

This mother/daughter powerhouse duo tells their honest story about how their journey began. LaLa and Kellie go on to discuss the ups and downs along the way, and the undeniable impact it's had not only on their relationship, but the family as a whole.

This episode reopened my eyes and helped me to adjust my own expectations about upcoming goals. Let them remind us all the joy is not just in the doing, but the journey and the people along the way. Whether they are family, or become family, running may be a solo sport by design, but there is nothing better than the people who show up along the way.

Marty and I end the year catching up with each other only to find that neither really hit our goals for the month.

Life, family, weather, health issues; whether one or all, can derail even the best laid plans. What matters is the need, willingness, and desire to crawl your way back because you've got big goals to hit!

Thank you for listening to Start Lines and Swag Bags. If you are enjoying our content, please consider subscribing and telling a friend or two! Happy Holidays everyone!

You have to listen to this episode. We discuss the benefits of shopping local for running shoes, pilates, and Frank the Goose.

Probably one of my top 5 favorites; and that says a lot.

As always, be sure to "embrace the crazy to unlock a world of possibilities" and thank you for your support of the flying pig project. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share with a friend.