Inspired Soles

268. Leanne Klassen | Inside Her Sub-2:40 Quest at The Marathon Project

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1312027/open_sms] I’m joined by Calgary-based sub-elite runner and coach Leanne Klassen, who is heading to Chandler, Arizona to race in the professional field of The Marathon Project. A two-time past guest and friend of the pod, Leanne returns with an inside look at what it’s like preparing for one of the fastest marathon stages in North America. We talk about her 8-week build under coach Malindi Elmore (fresh off her 2:24:53 Canadian 45-49 record!), how she navigated a lingering calf niggle, and what it’s like balancing elite-level training while parenting two busy young girls. Leanne also opens up about imposter syndrome, seizing big opportunities, and her bold goal of running sub-2:40 — maybe even hanging onto Jess McClain’s OTQ pace group. She also shares her experience training with the Lever Movement system, which helped her stay healthy during this condensed build. If you love stories of courage, belief, and chasing the edge of possibility, this episode will fire you up for race week at The Project. Partner: Visit levermovement.com [https://levermovement.com/en-ca] and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20 [https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20] Connect with Leanne: * Instagram: @leanneklassen7 [https://www.instagram.com/leanneklassen7/?hl=en] * Website: leanneklassen.ca [https://www.leanneklassen.ca] * Past appearances on Inspired Soles * Ep 225 with Coach Malindi Elmore | Project 2:40: How a Sub-Elite Marathoner Ran Faster by Training Smarter [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231?i=1000691040657] * Ep 155: Navigating Injuries With Grace [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/155-leanne-klassen-navigating-injuries-with-grace/id1530868231?i=1000629169112] Connect with Carolyn: * Instagram: @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or @carolyn.c.coffin [https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.c.coffin/] You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231]. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

267. Sarah Beairsto | Send It Cards CEO on Finding Joy in Movement & Meaningful Connection

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1312027/open_sms] In this episode, Carolyn chats with Collingwood, ON entrepreneur and endurance athlete Sarah Beairsto, founder and CEO of Send It Cards — greeting cards for those who sweat.  Sarah shares the origin story behind her brand, how movement and creativity intertwine in her life, and the joy she finds in helping people connect in meaningful, authentic ways. We explore the parallels between training for endurance sport and building a business, her mission to support girls in sport, the emotional journey of entrepreneurship, and how she’s now fostering community through beginner run clinics. Partner: Visit levermovement.com [https://levermovement.com/en-ca] and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20 [https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20] Connect with Sarah: * Instagram: @senditgreetingcards  [https://www.instagram.com/senditgreetingcards/] * Website: senditcards.com [https://www.senditcards.com] Connect with Carolyn: * Instagram: @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or @carolyn.c.coffin [https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.c.coffin/] You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231]. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

266. Johnny & Carolyn Coffin | Chasing Big Goals at The Marathon Project

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1312027/open_sms] This episode is brought to you by Lever Movement, the bodyweight-support treadmill system that has been key in keeping Carolyn injury-free this build. With just a few weeks to go, Johnny and I sit down to talk about how our training is really going heading into The Marathon Project [https://www.themarathonproject.com] — aka “The Project.” We break down the latest race updates (celebrity pacers, HOKA as presenting sponsor, free Rocket X 3s for the Gold Wave, and the Privateer program), plus: * our race goals (Sub-2:39 for Johnny + sub-3:20 for me) * what’s working in our training * staying healthy (Lever!) * the Puma Fast R3 shoe fiasco 😂 * why committed amateurs care so much about performance Language warning! There’s some swearing (thanks Johnny), so headphones might be a good call if little ears are around. Partner: Visit levermovement.com [https://levermovement.com/en-ca] and use Inspired20 for 20% off OR use this link: https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20 [https://levermovement.com/discount/Inspired20] Connect with Johnny: * Previous Inspired Soles episodes: * EP 240: Sub-35 10K & Ottawa Race Weekend Recap [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231?i=1000710127687] * EP 230: Ask Carolyn Anything + Colour Commentary from Johnny [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231?i=1000699609242] * EP224: Do You Control Strava, or Does It Control You? [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231?i=1000688813670] * EP 211: Coffin's Chicago Marathon Recap: The Bodily Fluids Episode [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231?i=1000673918074] * EP 202: Paris Olympic Track & Marathon Recap [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231?i=1000665121156]  * EP 55: Road to the 2021 Boston Marathon [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/road-to-the-2021-boston-marathon-johnny-coffin/id1530868231?i=1000538300561] * EP 12: Slow the BLEEP Down [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/slow-the-bleep-down-johnny-coffin/id1530868231?i=1000501780486] * Instagram: @bestjohnnyever [https://www.instagram.com/bestjohnnyever/] Connect with Carolyn: * Instagram: @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or @carolyn.c.coffin [https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.c.coffin/] You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231]. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

265. Kristian Warwick | The Marathon Podcast, Athlete Sponsorship & His Quest for 2:25

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1312027/open_sms] In this episode, Carolyn sits down with Kristian Warwick — host of The Marathon Podcast, filmmaker, and 2:47 marathoner living in Oslo. Kristian shares how a lifetime in competitive speed skating shaped his rapid rise in the marathon, why he’s dreaming boldly about running 2:25, and what it’s like being coached by Jon Green. He also opens up about his unique approach to supporting emerging professional runners through direct athlete sponsorship, backed by his creative work at Wiild Studios. Kristian’s zest for life, belief in giving back, and passion for storytelling make this a truly inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss. Connect with Kristian: * Podcast: The Marathon Podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-marathon-podcast/id1803837535] * Instagram: @the.marathon.podcast [https://www.instagram.com/the.marathon.podcast/] & @warwick.runs [https://www.instagram.com/warwick.runs/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns [https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns] Connect with Inspired Soles & Carolyn: * Instagram: @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast] or @carolyn.c.coffin [https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.c.coffin/] * Browse 260+ episodes in the archives * Subscribe, rate & review to support the show You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231]. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.

264. Rachel Hannah, RD | 2025 Canadian Marathon Champion on Fueling, Longevity & Mindset

Got feedback about this episode? Send Carolyn a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1312027/open_sms] Today’s guest is 39-year-old Rachel Hannah, the newly crowned 2025 Canadian Marathon Champion from the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Rachel is a six-time national champion, PanAm Games bronze medallist, Registered Dietitian, and Sports Nutrition Consultant for Maurten.  In this episode, we talk about how she’s running some of her best performances nearly a decade after setting most of her PBs, the role proper fueling has played in staying healthy after past bone stress injuries, and how she’s trained her gut to handle 80+ grams of carbs per hour on race day. Rachel also shares common nutrition mistakes she sees in runners, practical guidelines for everyday athletes, and mindset strategies she leans on when racing gets tough. Rachel is now preparing to chase a new personal best at The Marathon Project on December 21st in Arizona. Topics We Cover: * Winning the 2025 Canadian Marathon Championships * Gut training & carb targets for marathoners * Avoiding under-fueling and RED-S * Mindset and self-talk under pressure Connect with Rachel: * Instagram: @rachelhannahrd [https://www.instagram.com/rachelhannahrd/] * Website: https://rachelhannahrd.com/ [https://rachelhannahrd.com/] Connect with Inspired Soles & Carolyn: * Instagram: @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast] or @carolyn.c.coffin [https://www.instagram.com/carolyn.c.coffin/] * Browse 260+ episodes in the archives * Subscribe, rate & review to support the show You can help spread the running love! The best way to SUPPORT Inspired Soles is to share your favourite episode(s) with friends, subscribe, or leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/inspired-soles/id1530868231]. Connect on Instagram @inspiredsolescast [https://www.instagram.com/inspiredsolescast/] or email guest ideas to inspiredsolescast@gmail.com.