Runners of The Bay

Runner and Photographer Steven Anderson joins Mimi to talk about his experience as a credentialed photographer at the New York City Marathon and his own journey as a runner. Some highlights from this episode: - Steven seeing his work in a Topo Athletics ad at a NYC Subway Station - His plan to capture all the best shots on race day - How his photography reflects his environment and subjects - His path to the marathon and being the literal poster boy for the LA Marathon (for better or worse) - Running with Marina Run Club and what the Bay Area running community means to him - Setting big goals and working backwards to achieve them You can follow Steven on Instagram @sjandersonla and on Strava. You can find us on Instagram and X @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.

On today's episode we chat with Arman Soleimani and Patrick Hynes of the Golden State Racing Collective. This was a great conversation exploring the why behind GSRC and talking about the gaps they hope to fill in both racing and running culture. We learn more about Arman and Patrick's journey as athletes and as runners and talk about how running is way more than just an activity. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements about upcoming races! Some highlights include:

This week we are sharing our conversation with Cindy Smith, runner, mother, and founder of Pen and Paces. Cindy started running to manage burnout while working in tech and the challenge and process immediately resonated with her. In this episode we talk about how her love of running has guided her, developing her artistic talent, founding Pen and Paces, becoming a mother, and how running is one thing AI can't replace!    Some highlights from our conversation: ❤️‍

This week we talk to Dr. Jason Tso, a board-certified cardiologist with the Sports Cardiology Program and the Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease and Stanford's Medical director of the Sports Cardiology Program. We talk about his path from road cycling to sports cardiology and advancing research to learn more about heart health in endurance athletes. Dr. Tso shares research on endurance sports and longevity, how heart rate data can inform training, and his own experiences as a marathoner! In addition, we talk about the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease's 5k race on April 21st and we encourage all of our listeners to sign up!    Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we are sharing our conversation with

In this episode we talk to Abbie McNulty just a few days after she ran the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials in Orlando! Abbie is a former Stanford Track & Field and Cross Country Athlete. After college, Abbie ran for the Reebok Boston Track Club (based in Charlottesville, VA) before making her way back to the Bay Area. Abbie overcame injuries and other challenges to toe the line at CIM this past December to qualify for the Olympic Marathon Trials in her first marathon. Abbie works full-time and trains with other talented runners in San Francisco. Some highlights from our conversation:

In this episode we talk to Cal Calamia fresh off their win at the New York City Marathon! Cal is a marathoner, educator, poet, and an inclusivity activist for trans and nonbinary athletes. In November, Cal became the first trans nonbinary athlete to be granted a therapeutic use exemption for testosterone by the US Anti-Doping agency. This trailbreaking first is a complicated story that Cal generously shares with us. Cal recently got their masters in creative writing from USF and talks about the interplay between creativity and running. They share their work to get races to include nonbinary divisions and how important it is to make everyone feel recognized and celebrated and included! Some highlights from our conversation: ✍️ How Writing and running allow them to connect with themselves and feel connected to others 

In this episode we talk to Emily Oster, fresh off her run at CIM! If you have a kid or are expecting, you know of Emily. Emily is an Economist, Professor, Writer, Podcaster, Parent, and now, a MARATHONER! Emily is the founder of the podcast and newsletter, Parent Data. Parent Data, along with her books Expecting Better, Cribsheet, and The Family Firm, takes a data-driven approach to questions around pregnancy and parenting. She blends economics, statistics, and common sense to make the journey of parenting just a little easier. Emily is also an avid runner and a huge fan of the sport. If you follow her on Instagram you get to see Emily at the end of her runs most mornings, dishing out the parenting advice we so crave.  Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we are sharing our conversation with Zach Litoff, runner, artists, and Santa Clara Alumni. Zach ran a 14:13 at Tracksmith's Twilight 5000 in San Francisco this summer and paced a blistering heat 1 at the Oakland Twilight 5000.  We had a fascinating conversation about his experience falling in love with running, building team culture, creativity and taking chances to pursue the things he loves.    Some highlights from our conversation: ❤️‍

Jay Holder is back! We talked to Jay fresh off three very important events: the New York City Marathon; the announcement that he will be the new Executive Director of Running USA; and of course, 1989 (Taylor's Version). We kick things off by talking about the New York City Marathon and what his role was at the race. We then get into some exciting career news and what Jay's future being front and center in the running industry will look like. There's also some trials talk. We wrap it up getting to the real reason we came back together - 1989 (Taylor's Version). We talk not only, Taylor, but about the impact of pop music in general, and about Jay's love for the band Guster. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talked to Reisel Berger, runner, mother, and psychiatric clinical pharmacist. Reisel shares her experience with running, developing tools and an integrative approach to cope with mental illness, motherhood and running, her work as a psychiatric clinical pharmacist, and starting her own consulting business.  Some highlights from our conversation:

Welcome to a peak inside Mimi's brain a little over 24 hours post Berlin Marathon. This episode is unedited, unfiltered, and probably a little all over the place. Enjoy!

In this episode we talk to three participants in the SF Twilight 5000 pre and post race: Amanda Wiggenhorn, Kevin O'Connell, and Penelope Ferraro. We talk about what led them to sign up for the race, what there expectations were, and how it all turned out! We also got to know Amanda, Kevin, and Penelope and what brought them to the sport. Each one of them had a very different journey to running and they all have big goals for the future.

David Lam is back! David had an incredible experience racing Western States for the first time and we couldn't resist the chance to hear all about the build up, race, and his thoughts on equity, inclusion and diversity in trail running.  Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talked to Christine O'Connell, runner, Co-founder of @o.h.run.club, member of WeRunSF, Hella Bae running and noe valley run club (co-captain for this too), and ambassador for @runlocalevents, @guenergylabs, @garminfitness, @runlikeagirl_ca, @blueskyendurance, @oakrunco, and advocate for Crohn's and Colitis. Christine shares her experience as a runner with ulcerative colitis, her passion and deep involvement with the running community, running while pregnant and postpartum, and shares behind the scenes details of the 100x1 mile women's World Record relay race.    Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we are sharing a conversation with Danielle Domenichelli & Malcolm Richards, a bay area running power couple! Malcolm is a longtime member of the West Valley Track Club OTQ'ed in the marathon in 2012, 2016, 2020 and 2024, and he set the indoor marathon record in 2016 and 2018. Danielle is a talented runner (All American in the 5 and 10k and 1:16 half marathon) and has spent a decade working for Sacramento Running Association. Malcolm and Danielle share their running stories, how they met, working in the running industry, chasing big goals, and having a baby on the way!   Some highlights from our conversation: ♥️ How friend of the pod @lasala916 played matchmaker 

In our fourth Exchanging Experiences live podcast conversation at San Francisco Running Company we talk with the incredible mother daughter duo, Sharon Finston & Carolyn Latham. Sharon and Carolyn share the equestrian origins of Western States and their family's multi-generational history participating in the Western States Trail ride commonly known as the Tevis Cup.  Exchanging Experiences is a live event held at SFRC in San Anselmo at 6pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month. Subscribe to SFRC's Youtube so you can catch the livestream and follow SFRC on Instagram.   Some highlights from our conversation:

In our third Exchanging Experiences live podcast conversation at San Francisco Running Company supported by Nike Trail we talk with Oscar Mejorada. Oscar shares his story of building community, creating a legendary route from the top of Tam, across the East Bay to the top of Diablo and back again, and negative splitting the Boston Marathon!  Exchanging Experiences is a live event held at SFRC in San Anselmo at 6pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month.  Subscribe to SFRC's Youtube so you can catch the livestream and follow SFRC on Instagram.   Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Peggy Lavelle and Shawn Sax about the SF women's 100x 1 mile world record attempt! Shawn is a runner, SFRRC board member, and director for the world record attempt relay, and Peggy is a pioneer for women's running and a participant in past world record breaking relays. Shawn and Peggy share their personal running journeys, the evolution of San Francisco's running community, the details of what it takes to put on a relay of this size, and their efforts to elevate women in sports.  If you can run a 5:35 mile (or faster) and want to participate in the relay taking place on June 3 at Cox stadium in SF, learn more here. Volunteers, pacers, and spectators are welcome!    Some highlights from our conversation:

This is our second Exchanging Experiences live podcast conversation at San Francisco Running Company supported by Nike Trail with the Queen of Tam herself, Katherina (Kati) Laan. In this episode Kati shares her stories as a legendary local ultrarunner, being a mother of three, and her incredible FKT for summiting Mt Tam 16 times!  Exchanging Experiences is a live event held at SFRC in San Anselmo at 6pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month. It is also streamed live on SFRC's YouTube channel. Follow SFRC on Instagram for more information.   Some highlights from our conversation:

This is the first episode in our Exchanging Experiences live podcast series with San Francisco Running Company supported by Nike Trail. This first episode is with Ted Knudsen, SFRC's owner and “Boss Man”. In this episode we talk about Ted's love of running, his favorite races, how SFRC builds and strengthens community, owning a small business during the pandemic, and technology's role in running. Exchanging Experiences is a live event held at SFRC in San Anselmo at 6pm on the 4th Wednesday of each month. It is also streamed live on SFRC's YouTube channel. Follow SFRC on Instagram for more information. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Dr. Malene Lindholm & Dr. Jeff Christle who are currently conducting research at Stanford's Stanford Sports Cardiology, and the Stanford Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing Laboratory. We talk about a wide range of topics based on their incredible research including the impact of genetics in athletic performance and training, the accuracy and best use for wearable technology, the physiological and cardiovascular impact of living an active lifestyle, and what research says about how family history can be used to optimize training. In addition, we talk about the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease's 5k race on April 30th and we encourage all of our listeners to sign up!    Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Jen Odenheimer, a 2:37 marathoner and a member of the Peninsula Distance Club. Jen talks about breakthrough performances, learning from disappointing races, and the power of training with a team and being inspired by amateur elite women in running. AVID Sports Medicine is our partner so listeners can receive: 15% off New Patient Visit 15% off Gait Analysis 50% off of Avid Fitness (code runnersofthebay) Sign up here Listeners can email info@avidsportsmed.com and mention Runners of the Bay to use these offers. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Julieta Guzman, Head Athletic Trainer at AVID Sports Medicine, Veteran, athlete, saxophonist, and former trainer for Stanford and UC Berkeley's Football team. Julieta talks about how growing up as a queer child in the 90s and joining the Marines shaped her athletic training philosophy. We dig into the importance of the mental, societal, and spiritual aspects of athletic performance and recovery, and how representation impacts quality of care. AVID Sports Medicine is our partner so listeners can receive: 15% off New Patient Visit 15% off Gait Analysis 50% off of Avid Fitness (code runnersofthebay) Sign up here Listeners can email info@avidsportsmed.com and mention Runners of the Bay to use these offers. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Lauren Fleshman, whose first book, Good For a Girl, A Woman Running in a Man's World is now available! Lauren won five NCAA championships at Stanford, is one of the most decorated American distance runners of all time, co-founded Picky Bars, is a brand strategy advisor for Oiselle, mother of two, and is married to former pro triathlete Jesse Thomas. Lauren talks about her book writing process and what it was like writing hard truths that she at times didn't even want to admit to herself. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Julia Sachdev, runner, mother, and activist for mother runners with &Mother. Julia was tapering for CIM 2022 when we recorded this interview and had been training to run sub-3 hours with Lift, Run, Perform's training group. Julia shares her experience with postpartum running, how she and her partner balance parenting duties, overcoming personal challenges and learning how to ask for help, and the work she's doing with &Mother to reduce barriers around running and motherhood. Some highlights from our conversation: ⏱️Defining success when you have a time goal in mind

This week we talk to Joyce Young, runner, pharmacist, and SFRCC member. Joyce shares what drew her in to the sport as an adult, how her breast cancer diagnosis impacted her running and racing this year, her experience with AVID sports medicine, racing the NYC marathon this year, coping with uncertainty and finding joy in the community, and so much more. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Stephanie Howe, ultra runner, nutritionist, coach, mother, and advocate for women in sports. Stephanie talks to us about her path from skiing to trail running, how she became interested in pursuing a PhD in nutrition, her entrance into the professional trailing running circuit, motherhood, and so much more. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Veronica Jow, a Internal Medicine and Sports Medicine doctor, athlete, and founder of AVID Sports Medicine. Veronica talks about the role athletics played in her her life and the story of and vision for AVID Sports Medicine, a cutting-edge coordinated care for athletes. AVID Sports Medicine is now a Runners of the Bay partner, offering our listeners: 15% off New Patient Visit 15% off Gait Analysis 50% off of Avid Fitness (code runnersofthebay) Sign up here Listeners can email info@avidsportsmed.com and mention Runners of the Bay to use these offers. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Laura Green, runner, physical therapist, videographer, co-founder of the November Project SF, mother, and Instagram running reel MVP. Laura talks about her experience starting the November Project in SF, what it was like leaving SF just before giving birth to her first child, her work as a PT, and obviously, what it is like being one of the funniest and most poignant voices in the running community right now. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Cadence McCracken, marathoner, trail runner, trans activist, expressive art therapist, and parent. Cadence shares her powerful journey exploring identity and gender through running, art therapy, poetry, and community. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to siblings Ron Douglas and Shamara Carney, who co-founded of The Race Continues Track Club and coach track and field at Notre Dame High School in Belmont. Ron and Shamara share their unique journeys with running, their surprising path to working together, and how they are inspiring the next generation of runners to have a strong sense of self on and off the track. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week we talk to Frank Chan, a stalwart of the San Francisco running community. Frank may be best known for his incredible Strava art, but we learn so much more about Frank in this episode including his commitment to engaging and supporting the San Francisco community as a whole during the pandemic, and how is approach to running changes when he is in pursuit of different goals. Some highlights from our conversation:

This week Michelle La Sala of Blistering Pace Race Management returns to talk about the return of in-person racing, what's changed, how we can support races even if we aren't running, and the inaugural Wineshine Half Marathon. Some highlights from our conversation:

Matt Lenehan, member of the Peninsula Distance Club, 2020 Marathon OTQ, engineer, and videographer joins the podcast to talk about his journey from hating running in high school and being the last person to make the cut for UCSD's team to qualifying for the 2020 marathon olympic trial and how skate videos inspired him to learn how to make videos. Some highlights from our conversation:

Ayako Sawanobori, accomplished runner, co-lead of the Anti-Racist Run Club and longtime supporter of Girls on the Run and Back on My Feet, joins the podcast to talk about her journey from gymnastics to running, running and advocacy, and how healing and comeback are a theme throughout her running. Some highlights from our conversation:

Jessica de Leon, founder of Hella Bae Running joins us on the podcast today to talk all things Speed Project and her journey to the 2022 Boston Marathon, plus much more! This episode is dedicated to Athena Liberatos Dawes, the beloved mother of two of Hella Bae Speed Project runners. The love she had for her daughters represents all the motherly love we had carrying them through the desert. You can support Jess's fundraising efforts for the 2022 Boston Marathon in support of MDA Team Momentum by going to: https://www.givengain.com/ap/jessica-de-leon-raising-funds-for-muscular-dystrophy-association/ Some highlights from our conversation:

Dena Evans, accomplished runner, soccer super-fan, coach, Club Director for the Peninsula Distance Club, mother of two, and Stanford track and cross country coach from 1999-2005, joins the podcast to talk about her unlikely journey to coaching and embracing opportunities outside of her comfort zone. Some highlights from our conversation:

Jenny (Donnelly) Grimshaw, a new member of the Impalas, joins the podcast to talk about her start in running, how her relationship has evolved throughout her life, what led to a mental breakthrough, and what running means to her now. Some highlights from our conversation:

Morgan Meade, a member of Peninsula Distance Club, joins the podcast to talk about her unlikely start in running, surprising herself, taking breaks, and training for her first marathon. Some highlights from our conversation:

Dana Giordano, elite track athlete, Host of the More Than Running podcast, women in sports advocate, and digital marketing professional, joins the podcast to talk about her recent move to the Bay Area, creativity and the importance of broadening the way we cover athletes, and trying new things and being playful with running and life. Some highlights from our conversation:

Casey Corman, road and trail runner, endurance cyclist, lover of Type II fun, and marketing professional, joins the podcast to talk about his athletic journey from coming in DFL at high school cross country meets to doing BIG training for the Napa Valley marathon. Some highlights from our conversation:

Anh Bui joins the podcast to talk about her journey to becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy, starting her own run coach and PT business, Run Resiliently, and breaking 3 hours at CIM after DNFing at the Chicago Marathon. Some highlights from our conversation:

Amy Leedham, professional trail runner, 2:48 marathoner, architect and sustainability consultant, wife, and mother to Aila, joins the podcast to talk about her postpartum journey and how she balances running at a high level with work and now motherhood. Some highlights from our conversation: ⚽️ Love for running started on the soccer field

Holly Clarke of the Impala RacingTeam returns to talk about what she's been up to since we last spoke to her in August of 2020. We recorded this episode before the USATF announced the new Olympic Trials Qualifying standard and before Holly ran CIM and (spoiler alert), saw that 2:37 and said, “hold my Negroni” and ran a 2:36:52. Holly is always a delight to talk to and we loved having her back on! Some highlights from our conversation:

Sophie Payne of the Impala RacingTeam joins to talk about how she found running after burning out on soccer, finding her running team, training for CIM and racing with some of her best friends, and going to the Tokyo Olympics for work. Some highlights from our conversation: ⚽️Loving team sports as a child

Pamela Iwaszewicz, winner of the Skyline to Sea 50k and member of David and Megan Roche's SWAP team, joins the pod to talk about her running journey and switching from trails to the roads to train for CIM. Some highlights from our conversation: ❤️‍

Imran Khoja, entrepreneur, Stanford Graduate School of Business alum, and sub 2:45 marathoner (and good friend of the Pod), joins the podcast to talk about training for CIM and how he balances working hard, training hard, and running fast. Some highlights from our conversation:

Lizzy Rountree (episode #53) returns to the pod to talk about her new coach and training for CIM, which will be her first marathon since the Olympic Trials. Lizzy shares how she's evolved as an athlete since her last marathon and what will be different this time around at CIM. Some highlights from our conversation:

Mimi Albert (now Kellogg) shares her experience at the 125th Boston Marathon, and spoiler alert: it was a hard day. We talk about the days before the race, her mindset going into the race, what it was like racing a marathon for the first time since the pandemic, and how quickly the fire to race again returns after she crossed the finish line. Some highlights from our conversation:

Jenni Dubman, co-founder of Nth Degree Athletic Club and leader in the Bay Area running community joins the pod to talk about her running origin story, finding her people in the running community, and why she felt a responsibility to grow and preserve the running community that helped shape her. Some highlights from our conversation: