ForeRunners Podcast is a podcast for runners to feed their curiosities about those leading the way in the Tidewater area. We sit down with running icons, club captains, coaches, etc. to hear their running stories.
On Episode 47. Scott Ward Part 3, Scott shares about why he values encouraging people so much. He talks about the various methods he uses to build up the running community and shares a few of his running goals. He also gives an update on what's happening with the Scott Ward Run Club. Enjoy!
On Episode 46. Scott Ward Part 2, Scott details his passion for racing. He'll share some of his deeper thoughts on the importance of racing in a runner's life. He'll also talk about a devastating injury he sustained within the last couple of years, and what it's been like to recover. Enjoy!
On Episode 45. Scott Ward Part 1, Scott takes us on a journey to learn his running history: why he stopped running, and why he picked it back up 20 years later. He tells the tale of how he became more involved in the running community in Hampton Roads, and answers the question, "What is Scott Ward Run Club?" Enjoy!
On Episode 44. Mike Kapetanakis Part 2, Mike tells stories of past races, and talks about running solo ultras during the pandemic. He'll also talk about taking on running challenges. Enjoy!
On Episode 43. Mike Kapetanakis Part 1, Mike Kap shares the story of how he became the runner he is today. He'll talk about the groups he runs with (NERC, Drew Crew, etc.) and break down how he approaches a race with only the thought of beating previous versions of himself.
On Episode 42. Katie Jo Bills Part 2, Katie dives deep into the origins of Chesapeake Run Club and walks us through what it looks like to be a part of it. She talks about adapting during the pandemic and even talks about her own personal bout with COVID-19. Enjoy!
On Episode 41. Katie Jo Bills Part 1, Katie Jo tells us about her passion for health and fitness and how running came into the picture for her. She talks about overcoming stage 4 breast cancer, and the additional mental battle she had to rekindle her love for fitness because of it. Enjoy!
On Episode 40. Andrea Lehmkuhler Part 2, Andrea talks all about the ins and outs of Point 2 Running Company, from her awesome team, apparel and shoes, empowering women, to the ways the company tries to give back to the community and make it an even better place. Enjoy!
On Episode 39. Andrea Lehmkuhler Part 1, Andrea tells us about her own running journey, and shares the story of how Point 2 Running Company began. Enjoy!
On Episode 38. Jason Hallenbeck Part 2, Jason shares some of his wildest ultra running stories, which include brushes with freezing temperatures, police, and ants! He talks about seeking adventure in beautiful places through the medium of running, and talks a little about his nutrition during ultra races. Enjoy.
On Episode 37. Jason Hallenbeck Part 1, Jason shares his story of embracing running, and then jumping immediately into ultra distances. He also elaborates on his strange, yet effective, training methods. Enjoy!
On Episode 36. Sika Henry Part 2, Sika talks about swimming and cycling when it comes to the triathlon. She talks about her goal to become the first pro-carded African American woman in the triathlon, and her quest to boost African American representation in the sport (less than 1% of triathletes currently). She also talks about what helped her overcome a horrific cycling accident she had in a Texas triathlon to return to the sport at the national championships in Kona months later. Enjoy!
On Episode 35. Sika Henry Part 1, Sika tells her running story, and tells a couple marathon stories, from hitting the wall to finding victory. She talks about her recent virtual 50K, and talks about becoming a Hoka One One athlete. Enjoy!
On Episode 34. Stephen McKenzie Part 2, Stephen takes us on a deep dive into Direct Performance Physical Therapy’s past, present, and future. Enjoy!
On Episode 33. Stephen McKenzie Part 1, Stephen shares about his family, his beard, and his almost life-long love of running. He'll talk about how he's picked up cycling, and has combined his love for both sports in what has now become the Great Neck Duathlon Series. Enjoy!
On Episode 32. Adam Poole Part 2, Adam speaks about being a student of the sport of running. He breaks done some technical running ideas, like different types of runs, drills, and nutrition. He also shares some of his goals for the future. Enjoy!
On Episode 31. Adam Poole Part 1, Adam shares a little of his backstory, talks about his running origins and how he has greatly improved as a runner. He'll share the touching story of he and his wife's journey towards parenthood, which surprisingly, involves running! It turns out he is a destination race LEGEND! Enjoy.
On Episode 30. Amanda Pearson Part 2, Amanda dives into the history of Norfolk Run Club, shares its origins and its leadership history, including how she became leader of the club. She'll talk about what the club looks like and where it runs. Stick around until the end to hear a story that illustrates just how strong Amanda is, in mind and body! Enjoy.
On Episode 29. Amanda Pearson Part 1, Amanda shares about her life, her career as a dental hygienist, and her journey to fitness. She'll talk about the role running plays in her fitness philosophy. Enjoy!
On Episode 28. Crystal Harper Part 2, Crystal shares about the conception of Ignite Running and the steps she took to make her dream of Ignite a reality. She shares what a few seasons of training have been like with Ignite and what it might look like as they move forward inside the pandemic. Enjoy!
On Episode 27. Crystal Harper Part 1, Crystal details her life as a weather forecaster, her battle with cancer, life in the local television limelight, and ultimately, her own running journey. Enjoy!
On Episode 26. Jason Todd Part 2, Jason details how Flat Out Events came to be and tells the stories of a few of the races he puts on. He'll share a few pro-tips on places to get some miles in on the Peninsula, and rounds it out with some of his favorite things.
On Episode 25. Jason Todd Part 1, Jason shares about his own running journey. He talks about actually racing from a race directors viewpoint, how he squeezes races in between his own events, and what his mindset is like participating in races not his own. Enjoy!
Here's a sneak peak at what's to come over the next 6 months! Look for the first episode of season 2 to drop mid-August.
On Episode 24. Barry Clark Part 2, Barry talks about all things North End Run Club, from its conception, to its realization. He talks about how it grew so quickly, and the things that make NERC such an awesome run club. Enjoy!
On Episode 23. Barry Clark Part 1, Barry shares about growing up around Hampton Roads, his family, his travels, and his time as DJ AETGY. He talks about why he started running and his progression from the 5K to the marathon distance. He’ll also explain how the pandemic has affected his meticulously planned racing year.
On Episode 22. The Backsweat Boys Part 2, BSB shares how they became friends and where the name "Backsweat Boys" came from. They'll talk about how they're using their namesake to promote fitness through running. We'll talk about their masterful use of Strava. This episode even has exclusive breaking news about a new challenge BSB is putting up. Enjoy!
On Episode 21. The Backsweat Boys Part 1, we'll learn about the individuals that make up the crew. We'll talk about their families, their jobs and hobbies, when they started running, and how they eventually got involved with North End Run Club, which is where they came together to form the ultimate run posse.
On Episode 20. Sham Styer Part 2, Sham shares about The Speed Project (a 340 mile relay race from Santa Monica to Las Vegas), the race's history, the secrecy surrounding registering for the race, putting together his team, what the team name "Single Ripple Salvo" means, and the experience of the race itself. Enjoy!
On Episode 19. Sham Slyer Part 1, Sham details his origins and his family. He tells us what running for PT is like in the Navy, why he continues to run outside of the Navy, and talks about his dream to qualify for the Boston Marathon, and how the pandemic has postponed this dream.
On Episode 18. James Moore Part 2, James breaks down his chase of the World Marathon Majors Series. He tells us the stories of the four that he has already raced, and talks about getting into the last two. Enjoy!
On Episode 17. James Moore Part 1, James talks with us about Filipino food, his glorious mustache, and how he came to be a runner. He also talks about his involvement in running groups and how he prefers to run with others over running solo. We talk about how COVID-19 is affecting that aspect of his life.
On Episode 16. Ryan Carroll Part 2, Ryan talks about Point 2 Running Company, how he became a high school XC coach, and how he teaches his athletes about volunteerism in the community. He also shares about passing a kidney stone during Boston and still completing the race, and the one and only time he saw Drew Midland get mad (!?!).
On Episode 15. Ryan Carroll Part 1, Ryan begins by showing his racing skills, and eventually shares about his love story with running. He shares multiple great racing stories, and rounds out the interview speaking about how running has helped him get through tough times. Enjoy!
On Episode 14. Renee Merchant Part 2, Renee talks about Mel Williams, who was her inspiration for becoming a nutritionist. She shares about how plant-based nutrition has aided her running, and how focusing on nutrition is a must for ALL runners. WARNING: We've attempted to boost vocal volume for a better listening experience.
On Episode 13. Renee Merchant Part 1, Renee details her running journey, from the farms of Kentucky to the Olympic Trials in huge cities! She shares how she was convinced she would excel in the marathon distance, and talks about dealing with injuries and surgeries.
On Episode 12. Glenn Edwards Part 2, he tells us about how he got involved in The North End Run Club, and how out of that the FOMO run group came to be. He also talks about some of his race experiences, and how much he values cheering each other on. Enjoy!
On Episode 11. Glenn Edwards Part 1, Glenn shares about his family, his 38 year career at the shipyard, and his frightening path to becoming a runner. Enjoy!
On Episode 10. Rachel Keipe Part 2, Rachel shares about her DP Strength and Conditioning class, her love for climbing and riding, and chronicles her running journey. There is even a bit of Harry Potter trivia in here! Enjoy!
On Episode 9. Rachel Keipe Part 1, Rachel shares about her childhood in Maine, her husband and three boys, her career as a PE teacher, her journey to massage therapy and ultimately to Direct Performance Physical Therapy, where she is famous for her intense, yet successful massage skills. Enjoy!
On Episode 8. Rob Hunter Part 2, Rob shares about the origins of Endeavor Running Company, his coaching philosophy, race directing, his current running goals, and shares a few great running stories. He even shares some breaking news having to do with Endeavor. Enjoy!
On Episode 7. Rob Hunter Part 1, Rob shares about his family, some deep Hampton Roads running history, and the things that led him to begin coaching. Enjoy!
On Episode 6. Ryan Conrad Part 2, Ryan shares about his current role at J and A Racing, how J and A helps runners give back, and his own personal race experiences. Enjoy!
On Episode 5. Ryan Conrad Part 1, Ryan talks about defining moments in his early life, being a dad, his job at Live Nation, making a major career transition to J and A Racing, and his experience jump starting the J and A Training Team.
In Episode 4. Jill Breitwieser Part 2, Jill talks about breaking into the ultra scene, training in inclement weather, tough races, and November Project. Enjoy!
In the first part of our sit-down with Jill Breitwieser, we discuss Jill's family, her tumultuous journey toward a healthy lifestyle, and the birth of her love for trails and ultra running! Her story is inspiring, today the least. Enjoy!
In part 2 of our interview with Drew Midland, he details his most recent marathons, and how his marathon journey began, he talks about his favorite races and his running dreams for the future, and he talks about what the local running community has meant to him.
In our inaugural episode we welcome Drew Midland of Running Etc. In part one of our sit-down, Drew discusses his running origins, his collegiate career, his beginnings at Running Etc., and tells us a little about Drew Crew. Enjoy! SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to The Woodwork Studios and Shay Bocks for their help in the creative sound and design of this project.
A sneak peak of the kinds of guests we'll be having on the show in season one of Forerunners Podcast. Special thanks to Woodwork Studios for the amazing music production and to Shay Bocks for the incredible design.
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