The Running Grind

Two marathons in three months in 2024; 2 BQ's and a 9 min PR between the twoHuge strides for a strong athlete who just started running about 3 years ago and ran her first marathon in January 2023. 

At the 2023 Texas Independence Relay, the husband and wife duo took on the ~200 mile race as a team of two. Unfortunately, they got to 120-ish miles and had to call it a day but they spent the next 365 days thinking about redemption. With increased training, multiple ultramarathons, they came back ready and more prepared for TIR 2024 and conquered the course! Let's catch up with them post-race and hear it in their own words

Usually when I do these episodes, it's more about sharing the runner's run journey but this turned more into two runners/frienss catching up and talking about the past year of running, including the @chevronhoustonmarathon on Sunday. So it'll be like you pulled up seat to a conversation. .I've only seen Jin face to face maybe 3 or 4 times since we met back in 2021 but he's probably one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters from the running community and vice versa. Just a generally good guy who loves to see you crush goals while he's crushing his goals. And this year alone, he went from a 3:20Marathon in June to a 3:10:18 on Sunday at Chevron, missing his BQ by 18 seconds. But he's ready to try for it again this summer. 

Today, we chat with @chevronhoustonmarathon ambassador, Christine Mulvania, on the eve of her 4th marathon taking place in Philly this weekend. .Although we connected on IG two years ago, we finally met in person at the Houston Half and knew she'd be great for the show.She's had a life full of adventures but also heartache. She has many reasons for running that all started to honor and support her mother. And she continues to runs as a result of her own health issues that she graciously shares in this episode.Thanks again for letting me share it

Almost 2.5 years later, we run it back with Corey Joyner and catch up on his run journey. With a move to the west coast, he's living that sub-3 marathon life consistently and still improving. We talk life, Boston, training and what the running future holds for him

After 8 months,I felt it was time to make a return to the mic. And to help shake off the rust, I thought I'd catch up with someone who was so easy to chat with the first go- around I could definitely tell I was out of season but Tori was amazing and made it comfortable as I tried to get my sea legs back.We catch up two years down the road and see where her life and run journey has taken her

Ep. 71: Let's Run with Chris & Christina Speaks.We head to the state of Washington to chat with this husband and wife duo who took on the challenge of the @texasindrelay . A 200 mile relay race from Gonzalez, TX to Houston, TX.But the relay is just part of their amazing life story of beating the odds, sticking together and persevering 

Fresh off the @chevronhoustonmarathon , we chat with ambassador, Rosa Perez, who ran her first live marathon while also serving as a race ambassador. We recap her training season as well as chat about the race itself and the entire weekend..Also a staple in the running community, she is also lead ambassador for @latinasrunhouston which has grown far beyond what she imagined in just a short time. 

Chevron Houston Marathon 2022 was my first live marathon and finished with a sub-3:33:00 so the goal for CHM 2023 was to break that time break it by almost 8 minutes. Heading into the race, I felt better prepared, better trained, overall stronger and healthier and mentally locked in to hit a 3:25 marathon.  Did it happen?

These five runners met back in 2020 as race ambassadors for the Chevron Houston Marathon and instantly formed a unique bond and friendship that has carried them to 2023 and now three-time race ambassadors..They chat and reflect on their time and how much connecting with each other has meant to them.@run_with_viv @glentastica @pedro_xrun @vgoebruns @ddannugchiro 

We head to Mizzouri to chat with this runner who is still new to the game and absolutely killing it. With only 5 live races under her belt: one 5k, two 10k's, one half and one marathon, she's just threw down 3:29:52 marathon time and nabbed a BQ on her first try!She's barely scratching the surface of her potential in this sport.A mother of two and married to her high school sweetheart, life has taken her to Georgia, Kansas, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming and now Missouri.

We're back with this San Antonio speedster who was blessed with natural speed that took her from the hardwood to the track and eventually earned her an athletic scholarship to college. Balancing life as a mom of three, a wife and full time occupational therapist, Erica still manages to Boston Qualify and even qualified to the Olympic Trial Qualifiers in Atlanta back in 2020. Don't let the pint size, soft spoken and humbleness fool you, when that gun goes off, she's a beast on the road races!

After more than two years, a pandemic, a baby and a whole lot of running, we check back in with Rebecca Garza fresh off the Boston Marathon..Now a 3x BQ-er, we talk about life and running since our first interview and how her journey to reach the

We chat with Houstonian, by way of Northern California, Caroline Loveall about her run journey that began in 2017, two weeks before Hurricane Harvey. .Though hesitant to join a running club at first, she was volun-told she was joining @bonrunningclub and the rest is history. Now she's we'll-known in her new city and engrained in the running community such as @runon_riveroaks & @freaksrunclub in addition to BON..She's an ultramarathoner with 50k's, 55k's and 100k's under her belt and just took part in the @texasindrelay last month. Just laid back and easy going throughout our chat, enjoy!

We're back with a new episode and chatting with H-town's, Debi Dallmeyer. Although not a newbie to running, she's  taken the next step and fully immersed herself in training, PR's, short run, long runs, 80/20 and more importantly, the running community. .We talk about the Texas Independence Relay she did with her squad @championsrunning a few weeks ago and we talk her run journey from the beginning. .When you start a dedicated IG account for running, you know it's getting real.

We're back with double the guests as I'm joined with run coach and owner of BC Fitness, James Wyatt and runner/athlete/beekeeper, Lauren Inmon. We catch up with James almost two years later from his first episode  and he takes us thru the pandemic and shutdown in 2020 and navigating that as a business owner. We touch on his YouTube channel "Running with James" and  run coaching.  We discuss his own training, not only in running, but also as he enters fitness racing competitions known as Hyrox where he's done extremely well to no one's surprise. He's the leader of the "If you can change your mind, you can change life" movement and creating a community of fitness, fellowship and family. We're also joined by his athlete Lauren Inmon, who competed on several season of American Ninja Warrior and has recently started her own running journey within the last year competing in half-marathons and marathons. Not only that, but she has also trained and participated in Hyrox competitions with her next event coming up in April. Together, they are launching a new podcast called Running with James on March 9, 2022 as they delve into a variety of topics from fitness, nutrition, racing, and even just personal views. They're two great personalities and two fun people to talk shop with. 

Still feeding off that energy from the @chevronhoustonmarathon , we're rolling with our second episode of the week and chatting with Viviano Landin aka Viv. .A two-time race ambassador, we talk about his Cool Kids crew, race day and being able to represent a live race after the year of virtuals due to COVID..He also pays homage to the individuals that introduced him to the running community and gives thanks to all the connections he's made in his short time of running. 

Fresh off an amazing weekend that was the 50th @chevronhoustonmarathon , we chat with Taushah Papke who PR'd and nabbed a

Its Chevron Houston Marathon week and we're checking back in with 2x Race Ambassador, Glenda Newman.After a year of training thru injury and setbacks. She returns to the marathon as a revamped runner who is now pain free, she hired a run coach and unlocking new levels in her running. .Not only the best running friend you haven't met yet, she's also co-captain of Latina Runs Houston and a new member of Team Catapult 

Feels good to be back with the last episode of 2021. And I got a good one for you as we head to Fort Worth, Texas and chat with the super fun Stephanie Platt. A 20+ half marathoner that made the leap to the full marathon this year. And she made quite the leap with three marathon in five months: St. Georges, Boston and New York. We catch up with her fresh off the Dallas Half Marathon a few weeks ago and talk her run journery and where it's led her to. @bibrave @gatoradeendurance @hylandspowered 

We're heading back to the northwest to chat once again with Emily Heller of Run Like Heller on YouTube!  For those that don't follow her, check out her out on youtube, like and subscribe to her channel. She started her channel at the end of 2019 and a few months later, covid started along with the whole shutdown/quaratine and her channel blew up. With our first chat, she was around 8 thousand subscribers and currently, she's just under 13 thousand. She's known for her awesome shoe reviews but she attributes her success to 1. She's one of the few female shoe reviewers out there and 2. she's a regular person like you and I, not an elite, not some speedster (yet at least) she's just a person who loves to run and push herself with the time she's  given each day. And for those that do know her, you know she's been training for the Chicago Marathon and putting in 16 weeks of work to prepare. Her training was on point but stuff out of her control were the factors on race day. Airlines and travel just didn't start race weekend off on the right foot as didn't the weather but we talk training, traveling, doing a livestream with fellow Youtuber, Kofuzi as well as the race itself. https://youtube.com/c/RunLikeHeller

We head to the Midwest and chat with super cool Illinois runner Jessica Weis. Her run journey includes a personal battle with bulimia that she was not only able to recognize but also overcome. She's now on a mission to race in every state in the United States and a few of the Abbott Six Majors..We go into detail with her battle as well as meeting a clothing company at an expo that will later be @runners_empire_ and how she's formed solid friendships with the owner @zacsakacsi and fellow ambassadors!

We chat with founder/executive director Mary Callahan who celebrates 20 years of leading Girls on the Run Greater Houston, which is one of the oldest and largest chapters in the nation. We look back at the beginning where she started with six girls, two of which were her daughters, to hitting 2,000 girls to navigating thru Covid. .GOTR has made a huge impact in the lives of young girls and gives them the tools to be confident, caring and independent leaders of the future.

We're staying in Houston and talking with one of my guys, my dudes, my boy @pedro_itslife about his run journey that started just a few years back. Hear how this street dancer transitioned to running and ultimately led him to being a two-time and current @chevronhoustonmarathon ambassador. .One of the best guys I know, hear how he and his family lost everything in a house fire on Christmas Eve and how the running community came together to help one of our own. .Ambassador:@chevronhoustonmarathon @houstonrunco @alter_ego_running.@freaksrunclub @kungfurunningclub @njordrunning @runon_riveroaks @championsrunning 

We head to Tennessee to chat with founder and owner of Runners Empire, @zacsakacsi and his journey to starting the running apparel company that's based on three principles: dedication, performance and family.. We chat about his early entrepreneurship in the “flip life” world, to YouTube, to the grind of starting @runners_empire_ that included financial loss, loss of personal relationships and more downs than ups. But Zac had a vision, stuck with it and is now starting to see the fruits of his labor.

We're heading to the state of Washington to talk with Lisa Cabiles. The start of her running journey coincided with a severe digestive issue that left her at 100lbs. Once resolved, she found her inner beast and has 15+ Boston Qualifying times to her resume including qualifying on her very first marathon. She was also one of twelve runners chosen to train under Ryan Hall one season. She's now found her second wind in trail running and the ultra marathon scene and just completed her first 100 mile race on June 26, 2021. Its been a long run journey for her and has accomplished this while also trying to salvage relationships in her personal life. For any single parent out there, here is someone that can inspire all of us. PRs:100 miler: 21:27:4750 miler: 7:44:4226.2 miles: 3:02:3413.1: 1:26:4410K: 39:365K: 18:36 in high school; 19:15 currentlyBrand Ambassador: RabbitHoney Stinger

We talk with this Houston-based runner about her impressive running resume as well as throwing down the ultimate personal challenge of 40 marathons in 40 days for her 40th Birthday! She is definitely not afraid to test her limits both mentally and physically. PR's:5k-20:5410k-42:50Half-1:31:58Full-3:22:3250k-Hells Hills 7:23:27 100k-Rocky Raccoon 16:40Brand Ambassador: PRO CompressionNuun Mind Over Matter RAD rabbit

Episode 50!!! And we got a good one as we head east to chat with 10x Boston Qualifier and author of “Boston Bound: A 7-year Journey to Overcome Mental Barriers and Qualify for the Boston Marathon” Elizabeth Clor. We catch up with her as she's coming back from injury and chat about her beginnings in running, using a run/walk method for her first few marathons with a best time of 3:51:00 as well as her shift to qualifying for Boston. It's a shift that caused self-induced pressure, anxiety and psychological struggles that served as the basis for her book. @elizabethclor.PR's1 mile: 5:525K: 19:59 10K: 41:35 10 Miles: 1:07:47 Half: 1:30:58 Full: 3:15:34.Brand Ambassador: @roadrunnersports @maurten_official @tifosioptics @rapidreboot 

We head to Tennessee to chat with @therunningtennman whose running journey started just a few years ago in 2018. Finishing his first half marathon in sub-2 hours, he now has a marathon PR of 3:26:12 using a run/walk method..Now Berlin Marathon training underway, he looks forward to being halfway done with the Abbot 6 Major Marathons before upping the ante and going for his first 100mile race at the Tunnel Hill 100 in November. .PR's5k: 19:53Half Marathon: 1:37:07Full Marathon: 3:26:12. Brand Ambassador@runners_empire_ @headsweats@bibrave @chattanooga_marathon @michelobultrapr Team Ultra

We're heading to the UK to chat with runner, triathlete, Ironman and now ultra-marathoner. He's had an awesome  journey that's now dipping into trail running and a 100mile race in the near future!.He's also had some interesting races that included a marathon around a track with 400 other runners..that's like 100+ laps!.PR's5k 18.59 10k 37.3910 mile : 64.05Half M : 1.28.45Marathon : 3.24.01Ambassador: UK Running Events

We're heading back to Cali this week to chat with this amazing runner and now triathlete. She ran her first half-marathon in 2009 and transitioned to the marathon in 2012 and BQ'd on her first try…that's beast! Now dabbling in triathlons, she did her first half-Ironman in December 2020 and on her first try, she qualified for the 70.3World Championships. If that's not a flex, I don't know what is. .But as great as those accomplishments are, her first priority is family..Brand Ambassador: @vespa_endurance @genucan .PR's:Marathon: 2:53Half Marathon: 1:1910k: 24:585k: 17:04

We're talking with two-time Chevron Houston Marathon Ambassador and h-town's own Glenda Newman.One of the most social and supportive runners in the running community. We talk being a race ambassador for a virtual series, running a virtual 26.2, and how amazing the running community is.@runon_riveroaks @njordrunning @kungfurunningclub @chevronhoustonmarathon @alter_ego_running .

We talking with former UH track star and the recent grad school graduate on her running journey that started in Michigan and brought her down south to Houston. We talk life of a student athlete, getting recruited out of high school and navigating her final college season in the midst of global pandemic. We touch on running an (un)official sub-5 min mile with other local elites during the pandemic and the power of the pack as well what's next after her college career. It's an easy listen with a very friendly beast of a runner! @greenbriarrunclub 

We're heading out west for the first time and chatting with the @thepacepusher , Bryan Botma. Not just an amazing runner, he's just a killer athlete, completing 4 @ironmantri races in five years! That's some serious level of competition.Now with his focus shifting to running, we talk Boston, why the New York City Marathon has special meaning to him and running Rim to Rim at the Grand Canyon, not once, but twice so far.

We're switching sports and talking triathlons with AWD athlete, Leti Sandoval and her guide, Linda Fox. Leti has a condition called Usher's Syndrome where she's deaf but will eventually lose her vision as she gets older..Through an amazing group called Team Catapult , these two connected and competed in their very first triathlon together at the Bayou City Tri at Sylvan Beach just a few weeks ago. .It's a fantastic story of trust, friendship, and proving there are no limitations in life except the ones you put on yourself..@leti_sandoval81 @lilshrimpit Ambassadors: Team CatapultMind Over Matter

We head to Brooklyn to chat with @chinnychinruns who started running as way to lose weight but eventually crossed into the realm “unhealthy” at times. .But now he's running for fun and enjoying the runner's high. That high didn't come without some lows as we talk about how he won an IG contest with a well known coach to get a personal training plan. But when the time came to redeem his prize, the coach didn't think he was ready to train for a marathon….so Tom ran two marathons to prove that coach wrong and to prove to himself that he could. .We also delve into growing up in New York as an immigrant as, bullying and the current climate and attacks on the Asian community. Ambassador:Brooks Run Happy TeamNuun Hydration

We’re heading to Jeerzy to chat with this runner who’s run journey intersects with her journey to sobriety. @xregann opens about how her alcoholism started, the steps she took to overcome her battle and the strides she made to put it all behind her and run towards a much happier and healthier life. .She’s a testament and inspiration to anyone trying to overcome personal battles. .Ambassador:@mind.over.matter.athlete @koalaclip 

Today, we’re heading to the big apple and chatting with Carleth Keys aka @carlethkeys on Instagram. We talk life in New York as well as splitting time in Madrid, Spain. She takes us on the journey from growing up in Venezuela, to Denmark, and then eventually to Florida and New York. Some may recognize her from being a TV personality on a news station in both Florida and New York before hanging it up to be with her family and starting her run journey. And for someone who started right at the end of 2018 early 2019, she is off and running. She already BQ’d and this recording was done literally 24 hours before she found out she’s headed to the Boston Marathon. Aside from her running grind, she has professional grind as a video producer that she started from the ground up, has booked gigs, done commercials and other marketing media and building a name for herself. But despite all the success, she’s very grounded, energetic and just super cool to chat with. PRs:Full: 3:31:50Half Marathon: 1:45Brand Ambassador:Alter Ego Running42K Running (Spain)

This weeks episode brings us to the ATX where I get the pleasure of chatting with Brooke Ziel aka @mamabrookeruns365 on IG. She was the very first person I connected with on the IG running community and she’s just about the coolest person I’ve followed! What’s better is she’s even cooler in real life! Really enjoyed this episode and it was like talking with a celebrity , which shows how much I look up to her. PR:10k: 45:15Half: 1:32Full: 3:23 50 miler- 8.25:00 , 100k- 15.35.002X BQ-er Team UltraAlter Ego RunningRabbit clothing 

Ep 37: Let’s Run with Subbu Venkat..We’re keeping it local this week and talking with Houston’s own Subbu Venkat. He started his run journey 20 years ago after running with a coworker and 25 marathons later and several BQ’s, he’s well on his way to running the Six Majors. He currently is on the Board for the @chevronhoustonmarathon and @harraruns but his superhero status lies in the fact that he gave the gift of life and donated a kidney to someone in need. Since then he’s become an advocate for Living Organ Donation and we talk his run journey as well as his donor journey. @subbuvenkat @kidney_donor_athletes@livingbank @livingorgandonor @donatelifetexas #thegrindeffect #therunninggrind #stateofmind #alifestyle #running #runner #runningcommunity #runningmotivation #runjourney #yoursuccess #110percent #aspireandinspire #humility #leadbyexample #runningpodcast #mygrind #5k #10k #halfmarathon #marathon #TogetherWeMove #togetherindistance#mindsetiseverything #itsallaboutthegrind  #challengeyourself #livingorgandonor #kidneydonorathlete #kidneydonor 

We head to Lakeland, Florida to chat with Corey Joyner aka @cjtherunner about his running journey that started out in 2018 as a way to improve his cardio to compliment his CrossFit. That runner’s high caught on quick as he found this sport to be his passion. In just little over a year, he went from a 5-hour marathoner to a 4:28 marathoner to a 3:18-marathoner. Super humble guy and just an easy guy to chat with. Enjoy!.Brand Ambassador:@runners_empire_ .#thegrindeffect #therunninggrind #stateofmind #alifestyle #running #runner #runningcommunity #runningmotivation #runjourney #yoursuccess #110percent #aspireandinspire #humility #leadbyexample #runningpodcast #mygrind #5k #10k #halfmarathon #marathon #TogetherWeMove #togetherindistance#mindsetiseverything #itsallaboutthegrind  #challengeyourself

We’re heading to Bah-stahn for today’s episode to talk with mother, runner and preschool teacher, Claudia Figerio (IG: @justsmile_justtri ) to talk her running journey. Originally from Italy, she moved to Arkansas, lived in the Woodlands, TX for six years where she found her “runspiration” before heading to Boston, Mass. Brand Ambassador:@aftershokz @roadid 

For today’s episode, we’re hopping across the Atlantic ocean and heading to the UK to chat with William Pullen aka Dynamicrunningtherapy on IG. He’s a psychotherapist, author, TEDx speaker and creator of Dynamic Running Therapy, which I’ll let him explain throughout the episode. He’s someone who is a runner himself but has used running in his own practice to change the setting of his sessions with clients he’s seen positive results with it. It was a great chat and you’ll definitely enjoy@dynamicrunningtherapy

We’re back in Pennsylvania to chat withMaddie Alger to discuss running and mental health. We both open up about our own battles with mental health issues and discuss how running helped and for her, how the running community literally saved her life when she was in a very dark place. It’s an amazing listen as we talk running but more importantly, finding the help you need and coming out on the other side. IG: @poweredby_prosecco

For a third time in five episodes, we are back in the state of Pennsylvania and talking with another amazing runner from the Keystone State. Rachel Bankaci aka @rachelrunsPA on IG, joins me today to talk being a full-time mother, a run coach and a four-time Boston Qualifier. Her first qualifier left her one second shy of making the cut and you can imagine how devastating that was. PR's:5K: 21:3510K: 44:53Half-Marathon: 1:41:01Marathon: 3:34:11BQ'sPittsburg Marathon 2017Philadelphia Marathon 2018Philadelphia Marathon 2019Veterans Marathon 2020Brand Ambassador:Runner's Empire

We take it to YouTube and talk with Emily Heller; the host of Run Like Hell(er). She started her channel in 2019 and saw her channel explode last March with her shoe reviews and has amassed a following of over 7K subscribers. We talk the grind of starting a YouTube channel, the grind of building her brand and building a following. And all while holding down a 9-5 and chasing her own personal running goals. I think your gonna enjoy this one!Be sure to subscribe to her channel and hit the notification bell to never miss an episodehttps://youtu.be/Ls2WTikjTcABe sure to use her affiliate links in her videos if you’re interested in any of those shoes at Running Warehouse@runlikeheller

Happy New Year! We're getting things rolling in 2021 with a Philly runner, Stacey Gross. She's amassed a number of followers on IG for her genuine and relatable run journey that started just a few years ago. From 5K's to ultras, she's done all the distances in just the short time she "became a runner." Sit back and enjoy!IG: @s_grossKlean Athlete Sponsored RunnerBrooks Run Happy TeamBrand Ambassador:NoxgearMind Over MatterPrcompressionKlean Athlete- "EKLN-3688"Noxgear- "SGROSS10"ProCompression- PRO40Mind over Matter Athlete- "MMStaceyG"

Ending 2020 with a local Houston runner and president of the @houstonharriers , Daniel Barron. He talks his run journey that started with coworkers who would run 5miles during their lunch breaks. And now he’s a 4-time Boston Qualifer, a sub-3 hour marathoner, a #girldad and the one behind @30_for_ana dedicated to his sister.PR: 5k- 18:1910k- 38:14Half: 1:22:38Full: 2:56:17BQ:2013, 2018, 2019, 2020

We're heading northwest and we chat with Kristin Stokes, who just ran her first ultra race on a road/trail hybrid that was a test to her mental and physical will. But its the start of her running journey that surprised me the most, which was being diagnosed with MS at the young age of 22. Despite that, her dad said "let's get running" and what started as a 5k turned into a marathon several months later and she hasn't looked back. In fact, she's BQ'd twice and hit the podium in several races. She's an amazing runner and a testament to getting over hurdles and not letting obstacles hold you back. PRs:5K -21.48 Phillies 5k5M – 37:38 FiresideFrostbite Five Miler10K – 45:26 Atlantic City 10K10Mi – 1:07:52 Philadelphia Broad Street Run13.1 – 1:36:52 Philadelphia Rock N Roll Half MarathonMarathon – 3:23:19 Steamtown Marathon50K – MCM 50K 5:0950M – JFK 50 11:00:41 Finished top 100 femalesBQ's:Delaware Marathon Running Festival 2014 – 3:27:18Steamtown Marathon 3:23:19Brand Ambassadors:Brook Run Happy TeamKoala Clip Action TeamAlter Ego Running Vital Perfomance/Proteins AthleteBibRave ProBrunch RunningGoodForMyStrydePicky BarNuunHoney StingerTeams: Mind Over MatterOiselle PA- Co-Leader

Happy Post-Thanksgiving everyone. We're back with a new episode and joining me today is Houston Elite Calum Neff, whose resume speaks for itself. He's had an amazing running career so far and is still performing at the highest of levels. He gives us great insight and perspective from the life of an elite runner and all the experiences that come with it. From his journey's around the globe, to his training, to his three Guinness World Records that he was able to set with his three daughters. We talk about his quick recovery and back to form after fracturing his fibula from getting hit by a F150 three years ago as well as his Hardloop Personal Run Coaching. Really great interview that I know you're going to enjoy: Altra Running Sponsored AthleteBrand Ambassador:Rabbit ElitePolarGatorade EnduranceTrail Racing Over TexasRun GumTifosiThule