Episode 129: Bay to Breakers with Skechers

Episode 132: Trail 101 - Explore the Dirt(ier) Side of Running!

We’re back with a special episode highlighting Trail 101, a free community event happening Sunday, February 22nd at 9:00 AM at Sports Basement Presidio, created by Matt Forsman of Sasquatch Racing [https://sasquatchracing.com/] and Run Club SF [https://sanfranciscorunningclub.com/]. Trail 101 is designed for trail-curious runners—especially those coming from the roads—to demystify trail running and show that trails aren’t just for ultras. 🌉Matt shares the inspiration behind the event, what attendees can expect (shoe demos from different brands, a DJ, raffle prizes, and a curated trail run with ~3-mile and ~6-mile options), and why connecting with local race organizers is a key part of the trail community. He also talks about how the current running boom has impacted run clubs and races, and how trail running can support both mental health and road performance. 🎽We hear from Victor Ballesteros of Victory Sportsdesign [https://www.victorysportdesign.com/] and race director of the Tamalpa Headlands 50K [https://www.headlands50k.com/], who shares his personal story—stepping back from running, finding support through community and volunteering—and how his Western States experience led to designing durable, modular drop bags and other gear. 🦮 Next we meet Jennifer Tobits, a board member of The Animal Run [https://www.theanimalrun.org/], recaps running the Monterey 50-miler put on by Inside Trail with her dog Gertie. She also shares her training approach and goals to attempt Orcas Island 100 in 2027—potentially the first official 100-mile finish with a dog. She talks about  how she found running later in life, built a Bay Area community through Run Club SF [https://sanfranciscorunningclub.com/] and Canicross [https://www.facebook.com/CaniCrossUSASF/], and why the Bay’s trail access makes it such a special place to explore. ⛰️ Finally, Craig Schmidt of Inside Trail Racing [https://insidetrail.com/] talks about his path from road and collegiate running to trail racing, and his pivot from corporate health and wellness into race directing in 2022. He shares how Inside Trail supports the local community through volunteers, trail stewardship efforts, and approachable event experiences, along with practical advice on trail etiquette and how trails and road training can complement each other. Trail 101 - Explore the dirt(ier) side of running [https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trail-101-explore-the-dirtier-side-of-running-registration-1859296097679] Sunday, February 22, 2026 9am - 12pm  Sports Basement Presidio 610 Old Old Mason Street San Francisco, CA 94129 You can find us on Instagram @runnersofthebay [https://twitter.com/RunnersOfTheBay] Check out our website www.runnersofthebay.com and send us an e-mail at runnersofthebay@gmail.com. Music is California by The Spectacular Fantastic.

Episode 131: Claire Green is having a (10,000) moment (s)

This week, we’re sharing our conversation with Claire Green, a member of the Peninsula Distance Club, Tracksmith Amateur Support Program athlete, and substitute math teacher. Claire had a breakout 10,000 race at the Sound Running meet back in March – her first crack at that distance. We talk about balancing training with a full-time job. From winters on the treadmill in Milwaukee to racing sub-32 in her first-ever 10,000m, she’s redefining what it means to pursue personal excellence with joy, self-awareness, and community support. Claire will be competing in the 10,000 meters at the USATF National Outdoor Championships on Thursday, July 31st.  Some highlights from our conversation: ❄️ Treadmill miles and mental training—what winter in Milwaukee taught her about focus and flexibility ⏱️ Swore she’d never run a 10K… until she ran a sub-32 in her first-ever attempt on the track 🧠 How she trained her brain as much as her body to handle the longer distance 😌 Comparing the 5K to the 10K—why the former is all pain and the latter is all flow 🎓 How her NCAA experience centered joy and intrinsic motivation rather than pressure and performance 🏃‍♀️ Building her relationship with running through family, coaches, and donuts at Nike Cross Champs 💬 “There was not a second of the race where I doubted what I was doing in that moment.” 👕 The power of a Tracksmith Amateur jersey—feeling part of a team without having a sponsor  📞 How a cold call to coach Dena Evans led to joining Peninsula Distance Club, a team of “the kindest, hardest-working people” she’s ever known Follow Claire on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/claireggreen/?hl=en] and Strava [https://www.strava.com/athletes/33269355]. You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @runnersofthebay [https://twitter.com/RunnersOfTheBay] Check out our website www.runnersofthebay.com and send us an e-mail at runnersofthebay@gmail.com. Music is California by The Spectacular Fantastic. Mixing and editing by Brian Walters at Singletrack Sound.

Episode 130: Chris Schierholtz Fixed Wednesdays

This week, we’re sharing our conversation with Chris Schierholtz, the creator of Rally Wednesday—a movement that’s part run club, part social experiment, and all about building community through shared experience. From helping launch Airbnb Experiences to reimagining hump day as the most fun day of the week, Chris brings his love of the outdoors, his background in brand-building, and his belief in the power of play to everything he does. Some highlights from our conversation: 🧭 How growing up in a van life-before-van-life family instilled a deep love of adventure and connection 🏃‍♂️ The inspiration behind Rally Wednesday—reclaiming the week and creating a reason to move, connect, and explore 💬 What Airbnb and Lululemon taught him about building experiences that deliver on their promise 🌁 Why he picked Wednesdays—and why every day should be a little more fun 👨‍👩‍👧 How he and his partner juggle careers, athletic goals, and raising a daughter with grace (and a little chaos) 🧘 The importance of authenticity, “California radness,” and using tech to get people offline 🔁 How failure and collaboration helped him evolve his ideas and build something that lasts 🛠️ Applying lessons from counterculture sports and startup life to rethink how we gather 🤝 Why doing something active with others leads to deeper conversations and stronger bonds 📣 "Take the emergency brake off"—his advice for anyone thinking about joining the next Rally Wednesday A conversation about movement, meaning, and building community on your own terms. Join us on June 18... This one is gonna be good! A 12 mile MTB ride, a  5 trail run, or a 2 mile hike! Pick your Jam! After the run and ride, we’ll gather on the beautiful Filoli grounds for their Summer Nights series: food trucks, live music, art exhibits, and plenty of space to picnic and hang.Whether you’re new to Rally or a regular, this is the perfect night to run or ride, chat, and meet more of the community.⁠ Join to get the weekly Rally Wednesday text with all the details  - www.rallywednesday.com [http://www.rallywednesday.com/] Check out Chris on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/schierholtz/?hl=en] and⁠ Strava⁠ [https://www.strava.com/athletes/186727], and follow Rally Wednesday on ⁠Instagram⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/rallywednesday] and ⁠sign up to join⁠ [https://www.rallywednesday.com/]! You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @runnersofthebay [https://twitter.com/RunnersOfTheBay] Check out our website www.runnersofthebay.com and send us an e-mail at runnersofthebay@gmail.com. Music is California by The Spectacular Fantastic. Mixing and editing by Brian Walters at Singletrack Sound.

Episode 129: Bay to Breakers with Skechers

In this episode, Mimi and Stephen from Skechers team up at the Bay to Breakers expo to talk all things Bay Area running, the joyful chaos of Bay to Breakers, and what makes the new Skechers AERO Series so exciting for runners chasing speed and fun. Highlights include: 🦍 Pontificating how fast you can actually run in a gorilla suit 🎭 Why Bay to Breakers is the most uniquely human race in the world 🌁 What makes the Bay Area running community so welcoming and wonderful 💡 The fascinating, wildly talented people you meet while running in the Bay Area 👟 The science behind the Skechers AERO Series — next-gen shoe tech making fast feel fun again ❤️ How running is evolving — and why community will always be at the heart of it Learn more about the Skechers AERO series [https://www.skechers.com/aero-running/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaeXe0WSZx9FwgEeLI1qFzgOQOmVHajBPwqkzjUuZKlqeRrLOedxsoS37iv-3w_aem_LTDzk1FCFM1qx1qemxitnA&srsltid=AfmBOorCbl9IPcAuDiq2sVZm0Uy2pJdDlbnygdXCggfXqmtJtUVtGOyc]. You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @runnersofthebay [https://twitter.com/RunnersOfTheBay] Check out our website www.runnersofthebay.com and send us an e-mail at runnersofthebay@gmail.com. Music is California by The Spectacular Fantastic.

Episode 128: Sylvie Abel

This week, we’re talking to Sylvie Abel, a superstar trail runner and incredible human who found her sense of belonging on the trails of a new country. Sylvie’s journey wasn’t just about discovering running—it was about navigating a new country while finding her strength, her people, and ultimately, herself. Sylvie is an open book and shares what resilience and bravery looks like in the face of uncertainty and struggle. Some highlights from our conversation: 🌍 How moving to a new country challenged Sylvie to navigate new social norms 💭 The feeling of being lost and how a race gave her the sense of home she was searching for 🏞️ Running as a way to break through tough times, and finding freedom and self-expression on the trails 🏁 The journey to Quicksilver, navigating motherhood and racing 💡 How motherhood reshaped Sylvie’s perspective on both life and running 🏅Finding redemption at Quad Dipsea and being as close to satisfied as she’s ever been in a race 📅 Her goal to revisit every race she’s DNF'd—showing her child the value of resilience and perseverance Follow Sylvie on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sylvie.abel] You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @runnersofthebay [https://twitter.com/RunnersOfTheBay] Check out our website www.runnersofthebay.com and send us an e-mail at runnersofthebay@gmail.com. Music is California by The Spectacular Fantastic. Mixing and editing by Brian Walters at Singletrack Sound. . . . #runningpodcasts #runnersofthebay #bayarearunning #sfrunning #sanfranciscorunning #trailrunning #ultrarunning