Hildee Weiss (Author: Embracing My Inner Athlete) - "Embrace it for all that it is"

Erica Kennedy - "Find the joy in running"

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077335/fan_mail/new] In this conversation, Erica shares how she began running in her late twenties during an abusive marriage as a way to escape and regain strength, and how running stayed with her after leaving. Encouraged by her now-husband Joey, she skipped shorter races and ran a first half marathon, later completing more halves and many 5Ks/10Ks, with a goal to try a full marathon to see if she wants to continue beyond 13.1. She explains how her Instagram (started July 2025) gained traction, leading to a friendship with Laura Green and the creation of their “Probably Fine” podcast, named after their habit of downplaying running ailments. Erica discusses lessons like the importance of fueling, her preferred foods and race-day celebrations, favorite local races, playlists, gear and shoe preferences, patellar tendonitis recovery tied to back stiffness, and advice to slow down and make running your own journey. Erica Kennedy - https://www.instagram.com/heyericak/. Races Mentioned Boston Marathon Christie Clinic Race Mahomet Half-Marathon Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon Shout Outs Joey Kennedy Laura Green Probably Fine podcast Alice Grey Gaillard Kristen Rather Anna Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AllisonGaillard] For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ [https://runyourstory.com/] For web development or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ [https://gaillardts.com/] Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook [https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087007947078] and Instagram [https://instagram.com/runyourstory_podcast_training?igshid-YmMyMTA2M2Y] for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/user?u=83687778&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy

Sean Casey- "Take the stairs"

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077335/fan_mail/new] Sean describes growing up as an athlete who disliked running until he developed Guillain-Barré syndrome at 13, rapidly progressing from numbness to full paralysis, ICU ventilation, and a 94-day hospital stay, followed by relearning movement and returning to football within months with a full recovery. At 22, while teaching English in Korea, he joined an international run club and impulsively ran his first marathon with minimal training, which inspired him to learn and improve, leading to races like Miami, LA, Chicago, and Tokyo. Drawn to trails and the outdoors, he entered ultrarunning through fundraising with First Descents and ran the Leadville 100, calling it life-changing, supported by his parents and pacers. He discusses over-preparation, fueling with real foods, injury and cross-training, preferring trail culture, and his mantra “take the stairs,” emphasizing movement as a privilege. Sean Casey - https://www.facebook.com/scaseyfitness Races Mentioned Korea Marathon Leadville 100 Moab 240 Tokryo Marathon Shout Outs First Descents Make-A-Wish Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AllisonGaillard] For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ [https://runyourstory.com/] For web development or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ [https://gaillardts.com/] Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook [https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087007947078] and Instagram [https://instagram.com/runyourstory_podcast_training?igshid-YmMyMTA2M2Y] for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/user?u=83687778&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy

Blake Colton - "Go slow, be consistent, and you'll never know where it'll take you"

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077335/fan_mail/new] On the Run Your Story podcast, Blake Colton shares how he began running in high school, paused to pursue the trades as an electrician, then returned about eight years ago through marathons inspired by his dad, repeatedly failing to qualify for Boston and nearly quitting due to burnout and gut issues. A friend introduced him to trail running, where the slower pace helped, and he became hooked, starting with a backyard ultra and progressing to 100Ks, multiple 100-milers, and a 200-miler. He recounts earning his first buckle in a -17°F 100K with a blizzard, winning his first 100-miler in Mississippi despite flooded sections, and learning through DNFs like Midwest States 100. Blake discusses pre-race planning, recovery (movement, compression boots, baths), favorite gear and shoes, fueling experiments, and running memories from Florida 200. He’s training for a 276-mile Across Iowa FKT to raise money for the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in honor of his brother-in-law who died of cancer, and emphasizes going slow, staying consistent, and chasing dreams. Blake Colton - https://www.facebook.com/blake.colton.7 Races Mentioned Boston Marathon Mississippi 100k Galena Sky Race Midwest States 100 Cocodona 250 Florida 200 Across Iowa FKT Shout Outs Stefan Clayton Michelle Hartwig Travis Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AllisonGaillard] For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ [https://runyourstory.com/] For web development or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ [https://gaillardts.com/] Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook [https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087007947078] and Instagram [https://instagram.com/runyourstory_podcast_training?igshid-YmMyMTA2M2Y] for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/user?u=83687778&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy

Hildee Weiss (Author: Embracing My Inner Athlete) - "Embrace it for all that it is"

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077335/fan_mail/new] Allison interviews Hildee about her book, Embracing My Inner Athlete, and Hildee shares how, in 2014, as a busy wife and mother of five, she decided to prioritize herself after encouragement from her father-in-law and began training with Jeff, who became her trainer, coach, and friend. Initially afraid to run, she progressed from treadmill walk-jog intervals to completing her first 5K, then caught the running “bug,” trained for longer distances, and overcame a broken fifth metatarsal by following a gradual recovery plan. She discusses later setbacks, including surgery, losing confidence, and shifting from obsessing over pace and “I have to run” to “I get to run,” focusing on joy, community, and presence. Favorite races include a neighborhood cancer fundraiser 5K and the Jerusalem Marathon 10K, and she offers practical race-day, gear, recovery, and beginner advice. Hildee Weiss (Author: Embracing My Inner Athlete) - https://www.facebook.com/hildee.weiss Races Mentioned Jerusalem Marathon Father's Day 5-Miler Shout Outs Jeff Mervette Frankie Kim Jen Sherman Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AllisonGaillard] For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ [https://runyourstory.com/] For web development or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ [https://gaillardts.com/] Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook [https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087007947078] and Instagram [https://instagram.com/runyourstory_podcast_training?igshid-YmMyMTA2M2Y] for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/user?u=83687778&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy

Kelsey Williams - "Running is a gift"

Like the episode? Let us know with a quick text! [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2077335/fan_mail/new] Allison interviews Kelsey (“Dr. Williams”), a Mississippi runner and assistant principal at Florence Middle, about completing her first marathon at Jackson’s Run the Rainbow, a hilly race benefiting the state’s only children’s hospital. They discuss how they connected through Kelsey’s social post, the emotional impact of running past the hospital, and Kelsey’s running origin during COVID after a difficult period that included her father’s death and a divorce. Kelsey credits the Run Strong community and coaches Claire and Jeremy for personalized TrainingPeaks plans and support, shares favorite races (Run the Rainbow, Mississippi Blues, Louisiana Half, Coast), and goals including a sub-two-hour half and “Death by 5K” (10 timed 5Ks in 24 hours). They cover fueling preferences (Gu gels), recovery habits (massage gun, staying mobile), must-haves (music—mostly worship), Brooks Launch shoes, and encouragement that every pace is a good pace and anyone can start. Kelsey Williams - https://www.facebook.com/kelsey.williams.180072 Races Mentioned Run the Rainbow Molten 9-Miler The Mississippi Blues Half Marathon Louisiana Half Marathon Coast Half Marathon Big Butts Trail Run King of the Mountain Cocodonna 250 Death by 5k Madison Station Half Marathon Maine Marathon Breaking the Loop Shout Outs Selena Daniel Rod Simmons Run Strong Claire Jeremy Kinda Gritty Whitney Stopp Skye Guy Allie Support the show [https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/AllisonGaillard] For more details on Run Your Story happenings, visit https://runyourstory.com/ [https://runyourstory.com/] For web development or tech services, visit https://gaillardts.com/ [https://gaillardts.com/] Go Run Your Story and take a piece of this story with you! Follow us on Facebook [https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087007947078] and Instagram [https://instagram.com/runyourstory_podcast_training?igshid-YmMyMTA2M2Y] for the latest news on upcoming episodes. Support us on Patreon [https://patreon.com/user?u=83687778&utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link]! Can't wait to hear Your Run Story!! Thank you to all of our Patreon supporters! Kristen Rather Mary Trufant Suzanne Crist Suzanne Clark Dave McDonald Karla McInnis James Contratto Jordan DuBose Keith & Cristy Evans Sharonda Shula Meredith Nations Allyson Lamey Chris Strayhorn Karen Saldivar Stefan Clayton Rachael McRae Scott Thornhill Skye Guy