Trail running legend Rachel Drake joins Matt Chittim and Peter Bromka for an in-person race recap after the California International Marathon.
Rachel, who has seven European trail race victories to her name, ran a perfectly executed race to finish 5th and earn her second consecutive OTQ. Last cycle she ran a 2:40 at Grandma's before finishing 59th in a time to 2:41 in the Atlanta Trials.

Chapters
1:17 - Race Strategy
2:15 - Training and Time Goals
3:41 - Transition from Trail to Road Running
4:39 - Race Selection and Training Decisions
6:29 - Positioning and Passing Other Runners
9:40 - Awareness of Race Position
10:07 - Confidence and Uncertainty
12:24 - Approaching the Finish Line
13:46 - Focus and Determination
15:41 - Interactions with Other Runners
17:34 - Balancing Running with Work and Family
19:28 - Flag Presentation

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#588 - Rachel Drake: Trail Legend Finishes 5th and Nabs 2nd OTQ at CIM

Tammy Hsieh shares her experience of qualifying for the Olympic Trials at the California International Marathon. She recounts the intense moments leading up to the finish line and the uncertainty that followed after she crossed the finish line with a gun time 2:37:03... but a chip time of 2:37:00. Tammy also discusses her running background and how she got into the sport. Her journey is a testament to the latent running talent that are within so many and how to explore that ability to achieve remarkable results.

Chapters
2:20 - Introduction and Witnessing History
3:20 - Approaching the CIM Finish Line
8:25 - OTQ Time and Chip Time
11:20 - Uncertainty at the Finish Line
12:15 - Confirmation of Qualification
16:30 - Previous Close Call
18:30 - Race Strategy and Pacing
23:00 - Running Background and Journey

Sponsors
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#587 - Tammy Hsieh: Finish Line Drama and a Miraculous OTQ at CIM

Let the post-California International Marathon fun begin!!! We had another historic weekend at CIM and I'm excited to bring you a boat load of episode over the next two weeks.
In this episode we have two pre-race live shows. The first was an interview that I did with Peter Bromka of CJ Albertson. CJ went on to win CIM in his third attempt by taking the lead with just two miles to go. In this conversation, CJ talk abouts his training leading into the race, his race selection this fall/winter, how it was impacted by the birth of his second child, and much more.
The second part of this episode is with Lift, Run, Perform founder Mary Johnson. We discuss the power of the group training programs she's created for people looking to achieve big stretch goals and the characteristics of high-achieving groups and runners. Mary also talks about her multi-year recovery from injury. Mary battled for years to find the right doctors and a path forward. She entered CIM with a conservative mindset after years of struggle but ended up having a dream day.

Sponsors
V.02 - Become a faster runner and/or better coach in 2024 with V.O2. Download V.O2 in the app stores or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠vdoto2.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more about leveraging the world-renowned VDOT training paces in your running. Use code "rambling" to get 20% off the product of your choice and get a free trial
Janji - Save 15% on the best running apparel, that includes a five year guarantee, with code “rambling” at www.janji.com.
ASICS - Check out my favorite footwear brand, and the NEW Novablast 4, at www.asics.com.
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#586 - CJ Albertson and Mary Johnson at the California International Marathon

Allie Caminiti is back on the podcast with some important information for runners of all abilities who are having trouble reaching their potential.
In this episode, she provides valuable information what is "micro-quitting," how to recognize if it affecting us, why we can all be susceptible to this form of self-sabotage, and how we can stop ourselves from falling to a pattern of micro-quitting.
Allie has been running for over 20 years, both competitively and recreationally. She is a sub-3 hour marathoner and her first marathon was the TCS NYC Marathon in 2014 where she unexpectedly qualified for Boston. She has completed 12 marathons ranging from large city races to small town courses with small fields and few spectators. She has run five of the six World Marathon Majors, including NYC, Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, and Berlin.
You can follow Allie at www.instagram.com/tinybutmightyrunner and visit her website at www.mindrunnercoaching.com.

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#585 - Allie Caminiti: Identifying and Getting Past "Micro-Quitting"

A year and a half ago Paul Johnson accepted an invitation to run the Marine Corps Marathon. Since making that fateful decision Paul has run UTMB, Canyons 100, PR'd the marathon in 2:46, and done much more. It's been a whirlwind that few people could have pulled-off and there is much more to come. In this episode we learn all about Paul's amazing journey and his preparation for a world record attempt of running from Los Angeles to New York beginning in March 2024. Paul also talk about his extensive training while also being a full-time Naval officer.
You can follow Paul at www.instagram.com/pauijohnson
.
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#584 - Paul Johnson: Endurance Beast and Naval Officer

In the second of a two episode partnership with the California International Marathon, we are diving into all-things raceday.
In this episode, Tamara Torlakson does a deep dive into the granular details of the race course, the pre-race day logistics, great spots for pre and post-race grub, and all things Sacramento.
Tamara is the President of SRA the Sacramento Running Association, the organization that puts on CIM. She’s been on the board since 2015, run 12 marathons, six of them being CIM, with a PR of 2:57:57 run at CIM in 2021. Tamara works for herself as an event planner and is also a mother of two.
You can follow Tamara at www.instagram.com/tamaratorlakson.

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#583 - Road 2 CIM: Race Strategy & Logistics with Tamara Torlakson

In today's episode I speak with a longtime friend who morphed into the one of the most consistent and best masters runners I know. Mike Carroll and I played at rival high schools yet bonded over off-season hoops. 20 years later he decided to dip his toe into endurance running. Then, the week of his father's passing, he made a promise to his Dad that he'd run the Boston Marathon in his honor. Since that day Mike has been on a mission. That mission culminated in a 3:18 marathon, and a BQ, at the Steamtown Marathon this fall.
In this episode Mike talks all about that journey, his relationship to his father (who I also knew fairly well as a youngster), his lower mileage training routine, and how he approaches his kid's athletic pursuits in a balanced way (the same way his father did).
You can follow Mike at www.instagram.com/mcarroll55.

Sponsors:
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#582 - Mike Carroll: Fulfilling a Promise to His Late Father

In this far-ranging conversation, WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) TV host Megan Connolly Morant talks about it all. We made sure to discuss her recent 3:02 NYC Marathon a few months removed from being a living kidney donor, and the domino effort of that donation. We also talked about:

Growing up with big running dreams

Balancing elite college running with new goals/priorities

Her shifting relationship with running post-college

Connecting within local running communities

Going after big running goals, again

The brilliance of her coach, the amazing Heather Pech

And so much more!


You can follow Megan at www.instagram.com/meganmorantwwe.

Sponsors:
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#581 - Megan Connolly Morant: WWE Star Runs 3:02 at NYC After Kidney Donation

In the first of a two episode partnership with the California International Marathon, we are exploring the famous CIM Olympic Trials qualifying pace groups. In 2019 Katrina Spratford-Sterling and Henry Sterling made their marathon debuts at CIM with the dream of qualifying for the 2020 Olympic Trials. Their 2019 experiences were very different but they both reached their goals. In this episode, Katrina and Henry do a deep dive into every logistical and running related decision of the weekend and how they managed the course and the pace groups to achieve their dreams.

Sponsors:
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#580 - Road 2 CIM: OTQ Pace Groups and Achieving Dreams

Gabi Rooker has made one of the most unique athletic transformations at the top of the American women's marathoning field - All-American college gymnast to elite marathoner.
Gabi eased into running post-college while she tried a handful of other sports. Her talent and hard work soon elevated her to high-level local runner in Minnesota. Her potential started to become apparent with a 2:56 debut marathon at Grandma's in 2021! But, she was still 32 minutes away from her amazing PR of 2:24 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. Not only that, Gabi as able to catapult into the upper echelon of American running while also working full-time at a hospital as a physician assistant.
In this episode, Gabi takes us through her athletic transformation, the mental challenges along the way, and how runners of all abilities can harness their potential.


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#579 - Gabi Rooker: From All-American Gymnast to Elite Marathoner

Jereny Rivera is back on Road to the Trials and she has an important story to share. At the beginning of this year Jereny was experiencing significant physical symptoms that were impacting her training and her life. Extreme fatigue, hair loss, brittle finger nails, and loss of motivation were among them. These physical symptoms soon began weighing on her mental and emotional wellbeing. After months of searching for an answer she finally found one - low ferritin.
In this episode, Jereny details the process she went through, why runners (especially female runners) can be prone to low ferritin/iron levels, how she is rebounding, and much more. We also talk about here journey back to racing and what she may have up her sleeve for the California International Marathon next month.

Sponsor:
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#578 - Road to the Trials with Jereny Rivera: Navigating Low Ferritin and its Significant Symptoms

In another evergreen coaching episode we talk about how best to race a marathon in the heat. We recorded this episode because this the Marine Corps Marathon will be held this weekend in less than desirable conditions and we want everyone to be at their best on race day! In this episode we cover pacing adjustments, cooling strategies, and nutrition recommendations. 

Sponsor:
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#577 - Racing a Marathon in the Heat

Polly Moody is one badass runner. The full-time teacher and mother of two suffered a massive knee injury two years tearing her ACL and meniscus. The surgery to repair both left her wondering how she'd rebound from a serious surgery as a masters runner. Little did she know that she'd return better than ever! Polly just ran a huge PR of 2:46 at the Chicago Marathon, placing 9th in the 40-44 age group in one of the most competitive marathons in the world.
You can follow Polly at www.instagram.com/mommytosubthree.

Sponsor:
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#576 - Polly Moody: Massive Knee Injury to a 2:46 at Chicago

Last weekend I had the immense privilege of watching nearly 40 athletes earn an OTQ marathon time at the McKirdy Micro Marathon. One of those athletes was Alex Burks.
In one of the most insightful and powerful conversations we've ever had on this this, Alex describes the last four years in which he persevered through challenges, worked is butt off, fell short many times, and eventually earned his lofty goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials.
Below is the text from an Instagram post that Alex wrote after the experience that touches on the emotions of the day:

"2:17:13
I don't know if there's an adequate way to put into words what today feels like and means to me. As I'm sure you all know by now I've taken several attempts at qualifying for the Olympic Trials, and have failed each time. [The day before the race], I woke up with a tight chest and fever. My 4 mile shakeout at 7:20 pace felt miserable. I called up my coach and we talked about other race options, but after that conversation was over, it was all business with still making the most out of race day.
I've grown so accustomed to disappointment. I've considered giving up and throwing in the towel too many times in the past year and a half. However, and I genuinely don't think I can express this enough, I am beyond blessed to have SO MANY people in my life that continue to believe in me, support me, and give me the strength to carry on.
[Raceday] was a test of belief in myself. I had the fitness to run an OTQ, I just needed to keep calm, and not let what was in between the ears be my downfall.
And it wasn't.
I don't think I changed pace by more than 2-3 seconds for every lap of the course. Even the last 3 miles I didn't even consider speeding up. "Just don't slow down, stay calm and patient".
Then I crossed the line. Every time I failed, every time I felt not good enough, every time I considered giving up, it all washed away - and I cried.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love and appreciate you all. You make this worth it. You make this mean something. Never give up on that dream, ever."

You can follow Alex at www.instagram.com/alexander.burks.

Sponsor:
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#575 - Alex Burks: D3 Runner/Science Teacher Snags an OTQ

It was a honor (and a blast!) to have Danni McNeilly on the show! She became the 31st U.S. born African-American women to break 3:00 in the marathon at Chicago two weeks ago. It was a result ten years in the making and one that put her in the history books. She also became the fourth women in the Black Roses running club to make The List - an incredible achievement for a single club.
Here is a what that day meant to Danni in her own words (via her Instagram):

"I’ve been struggling to find the words to express the feelings I have about yesterday.
In my second favorite city. In the year of our Jordan (phrase coined by Tim). On the 45th running of the Chicago Marathon (Jordan’s other number). After 10 years of marathoning parallel to the 10 years I been repping Roses.
I ran my first sub 3 marathon and made The List.
It was my time. It wasn’t supposed to happen any other way.
To know me is to know that I train hard so performance is never really a surprise. However, I also run heavily on vibes and that will always dictate how my race goes. Times be damned. If I want it, I’ll get after it. If not, well that’s that.
I’ve said before that sub 3 was never an earnest goal but this time I changed my tune. I stopped introducing hypotheticals. No trying, no attempts. I said I was going to break 3 in Chi. I didn’t give life to failure. I spoke this win into existence. Words have power and mean things.
It’s been a hard cycle during which I pushed my body to unseen limits. At some points I felt unsure but in the last phase of training squad held me down and made it apparent that I was more than capable. Everyone said I was ready. Knox [Robinson] said it was my day, and it was.
The job is done and now we rest."

You can follow Danni on Instagram at www.instagram.com/vexyspice.

Sponsor:
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#574 - Danni McNeilly: The 31st U.S. Born African-American Women to Break 3:00

When Bridget Chamberlin ran her first two marathons in her early 20's she was confident that there were two types of runners: The fast runners (which included her college running friends) and slower runners (like her). She was happy and content with that segmentation and loved running for what it was and how it made her feel.
However, over the next decade her ability and preconceived notions of what was possible started to change. Her marathon times, her race of choice, started to get faster and faster. From 6:30, to a 5:30, then into the high 4:00's, and finally into the 4:10 range. With that progression came a concurrent increase in her love for the sport, training, and the formerly dreaded speedwork.
Then, two years ago, after becoming a mom of two and battling injuries, Bridget decided to go for it!
In this episode Bridget details the entire journey and shows us all what is possible.
You can follow Bridget on Instagram at www.instagram.com/brichamberlin.

Sponsor:
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#573 - Bridget Chamberlin: Evolution From a 6:30 Marathon to a BQ

Mike Obara is a tough and fast masters runner who has run over 20 marathons in the last seven years and a number of ultramarathons. He also has type 1 diabetes. Mike was diagnosed when he was a college soccer player who suddenly lost 25 without explanation. Since then Mike has learned to manage his disease, become an endurance runner around the age of 40, learn how to manage the tricky fueling process, and power his way to some extraordinary results.
The first 15 minutes of the episode Mike describes his condition then we dive into his training and racing.

Sponsor:
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#572 - Mike Obara: Excelling with Type 1 Diabetes

In this coaching minisode I dive into the factors necessary to run your best marathon, the "dream day" fallacy, and what is the biggest hurdle to racing up to your fitness and potential on race day.

Sponsor:
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#571 - Running Your Best Marathon (Minisode)

Omar Stanley Posadas started running three years ago as a masters runner. In that very short time he went from novice to a 3:01 marathoner! I couldn’t wait to get Omar on the show to talk all about his incredible improvement, love for the sport, and lessons he’s learned along the way.
You can follow Omar on Instagram at www.instagram.com/omar.runs.napa.

Sponsor:
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#570 - Omar Stanley Posadas: Novice Masters Runner to a 3:01 Marathon in 3 Years

Today I am joined by Laura Galeazzo to talk about how athletes can handle the Boston Marathon qualifying process. This evergreen episode is for athletes who failed to reach the qualifying standard, those who met that standard but were not accepted into the race, and those who qualified were accepted to run Boston.
This year we saw the second largest qualifying buffer ever - 5:29. Over 22,000 runners were accepted into the race and just over 11,000 qualifiers were denied admission. When the news broke on Friday, September 29 it was the news of the running world and I'm thankful that Laura, a sub-elite runner and running coach at McKirdy Trained, shared her insight to help runners in all three categories.
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