Return to Run

Race Day Insights from Canyons: Training, Tapering, and Recovery

In this episode Careth and Amanda share their recent experiences at the Canyons by UTMB race. Amanda placed 3rd in the 100 mile distance and Careth placed 2nd at the 100k distance. Listen as they give insights to their taper, race, and recovery and hear what is next on the docket! Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Recent Adventures 01:15 Travel, Camping, and Post-Race Recovery 02:25 Mental Preparation and Race Nerves 03:04 Race Preparation and Dealing with Illness 04:38 Race Day Morning Routine and Mindset 06:34 Race Day Experience and Course Details 09:17 Starting the Race: Going Out Slow and Steady 10:32 Race Attrition and Key Moments 13:38 Mid-Race Challenges: Sleepiness and GI Issues 15:04 Weather, Terrain, and Course Conditions 18:25 Nutrition and Caffeine Strategies at Aid Stations 20:55 Technical Sections and Key Climbs 22:50 Passing Competitors and Staying Focused 26:23 Running Your Race and Mental Strategies 27:10 Final Push and Finishing Strong 31:14 Reflections on Race Performance and Future Goals 31:28 Post-Race Recovery and Reflections 36:07 Future Races and Training Plans Don't forget to like and subscribe if you appreciate our content! @i.careth @amanda_basham

Motherhood, Ambition, and Finding Balance: Ashley Brasovan

In this chat with Ashley, we get to know her as an athlete, mother, and inspirational human. Ashley shares with us her routines, postpartum journey, race ambitions, and a bunch of fun in between. We hope you enjoy getting to know Ashley as much as we did. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates 02:53 Athletic Background and Transition to Pregnancy 05:43 Challenges in College Athletics 08:22 Finding Love and Family Planning 11:17 Pregnancy Experience and Running 14:00 Labor and Delivery Experience 19:25 Postpartum Journey and Breastfeeding 25:06 Returning to Fitness After Baby 29:37 Training Evolution and Cross-Training Strategies 30:44 Sponsorship Journey with Hoka 32:19 Postpartum Pressures and Imposter Syndrome 34:21 Challenges of Returning to Racing After Pregnancy 36:07 First Race Back and Its Impact 38:03 Future Race Plans and Goals 39:56 Navigating Illness and Family Life 41:51 Balancing Work, Family, and Training 44:24 Traveling with Family for Races 49:58 Reflections on Personal Growth and Future Aspirations Interested in sharing your personal motherhood journey with us? Send us a DM on instagram. @i.careth @amanda_basham

The Grind and the Glory: Careth and Amanda

Amanda and Careth share personal insights about balancing intense training, recovery, mental health, and home chores. They discuss a variety of topics, including training through sickiness, self-coaching, managing seasonal depression, and staying motivated to complete mundane household chores that are never ending. Key Topics: * The significance of sleep and rest during tapering and recovery phases * The impact of seasonal and climate-related stress on mental health * Self-coaching versus working with a coach: benefits and challenges * Balancing training, life, and household chores as an athlete-mom * Strategies for mental wellness: mindfulness, minimizing media, and cozy rituals like tea * Training insights: injury recovery, night running, and race planning * Reflections on recent races, weather conditions, and upcoming adventures * The mental shift: embracing the simplicity of "just running" and focusing on joy * Practical tips for home and yard management to support a balanced lifestyle Like and Subscribe! Find us on Instagram @i.careth @amanda_basham

Time Flies in Motherhood: Emkay Sullivan

Join us as Emkay Sullivan shares her resilient journey through pregnancy, injury recovery, and returning to running. Discover insights on managing Achilles issues, pregnancy fitness, and the emotional aspects of motherhood. In this episode, Emkay shares her birth story and what it has been like for her so far in this postpartum season. She discusses the physical and emotional challenges, the importance of support systems, and her race plans post-recovery :) Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 01:56 Emkay's Return to Running Post Achilles Surgery 03:49 Managing Stress and Recovery During Pregnancy 08:04 Pregnancy Journey: From Trying to Conceive to Birth 11:54 Physical and Emotional Challenges of Pregnancy 16:02 Birth Story: Labor, Epidural, and Delivery Details 19:59 Postpartum Recovery and Resuming Exercise 24:01 Balancing Motherhood, Fitness, and Mental Health 28:02 Reflections on Pregnancy, Birth, and Future Plans 02:40 Labor experiences and personal stories 06:54 Post-birth challenges and recovery 15:11 Pelvic health and physical therapy 24:57 Return to running and fitness levels 34:57 Race plans and future goals 45:01 Support systems and balancing motherhood 54:58 Advice for athlete moms and postpartum health Find us on Instagram @i.careth @amanda_basham @emkaysulli

Pregnancy Perseverance and Postpartum Peaks: Leah Yingling

In this episode we are joined by Leah Yingling! She shares her journey through motherhood, discussing the challenges of parenting schedules, the emotional rollercoaster of pregnancy, her birth story, and return to training. She emphasizes the importance of trust in parenting partnerships and the need for self-advocacy during pregnancy. Leah also reflects on the unique bond created during labor and the experiences of having a child in the NICU, in addition to many more words of wisdom she shares with us. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Parenting Dynamics 02:58Navigating Motherhood and Schedules 05:57The Journey of Pregnancy 10:29Facing Challenges During Pregnancy 15:09Labor and Delivery Experience 29:28Postpartum Reflections and NICU Experience 38:44The Journey of Motherhood and Memory 40:50Navigating Anxiety in Parenting 43:25Embracing the Unknown in Future Pregnancies 44:22Challenges of Breastfeeding and Pumping 46:10Returning to Running Postpartum 49:10Fueling the Postpartum Body 50:48Intuitive Training and Self-Coaching 54:48Balancing Performance and Parenthood 57:57The Reality of Competitive Racing Postpartum 01:02:00Future Race Plans and Aspirations Dont forget to like and subscribe :) @i.careth @amanda_basham