Time for Brunch

2+ hr. Spring(time) across the pond to London Marathon with Kristen Gordon & Stephanie Diaz

April 21, 2023 Season 1 Episode 73
Time for Brunch
2+ hr. Spring(time) across the pond to London Marathon with Kristen Gordon & Stephanie Diaz
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Show Notes Transcript

Hello, friend, 

Welcome to this week's episode for a hearty, long bRUNch a 2+ hr sure to spark joy in your heart, and lightness in your feet. 

Today, we will be recapping the runDisney Springtime Surprise weekend with Girls on the Run of Central Florida SoleMate Kristen Gordon, Coach Shelby, and Coach Christine. Later in the episode, we will also be joined by Stephanie Diaz, a running coach and podcast host of the Runner's Roundtable, who hopped on a plane to go run the London Marathon.

Endurance Block: Recap of runDisney Springtime Surprise Weekend with Girls on the Run of Central Florida's Kristen Gordon.

In this segment, we will hear from Kristen Gordon, Coach Shelby, and Coach Christine about their experiences at the runDisney Springtime Surprise weekend. They will share their thoughts on the course, the weather, and the event's overall atmosphere. They will also talk about the importance of the Girls on the Run program and how it has impacted their lives with a few announcements for the SoleMate program.

To learn more about SoleMates and fundraising bibs for the new 23-24 runDisney season, reach out to elizabeth.santiago@girlsontherun.org

And, if you are local to Central Florida and want to volunteer at the Spring season celebration race for Girls on the Run, sign up to join the Track Shack Run Nona 5k fun here >>

The halfway point: Pace Change 2 minutes

Endurance Block: Stephanie Diaz of the Runner's Roundtable joins us before heading to the London Marathon.
 
In this segment, we will welcome Stephanie Diaz to the podcast. Stephanie is a running coach, mother runner, avid yogi, and podcast host who is currently in her taper week before the London Marathon. She will share her love of running, connecting to the joy of movement, how she prepares for race weekend, and why she believes it is important for women to support other women!

She will also talk about her experience as a running coach and share her coaching philosophy and advice for runners no matter where they are on their journey.

Cheer here on via her Instagram: @thecookierunner
Listen to Coach Shelby on The Runner's Roundtable episode.
Listen to Coach Christine on The Runner's Roundtable episode.  

Thank you so much for joining us! 

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Shelby Schmidt:

Hey friends, Coach Shelby and coach Christine welcoming you in and letting you know it's time for brunch, whether it's always open table, a hot cup of coffee and endless running funds to keep you moving and grooving. So lace up those shoes, put a smile on your face be happy. It's not a to am Disney wake up and let's log some miles. Gonna start off with our stretches here. gonna stand up nice and tall. Put your hands on your hips to give them a little shake, shimmy sway. And let's get in some leg swings going to do side to side or a lateral leg swing in three, two. And one if you need to put your hands on a chair, your running buddy or maybe the wall in front of you that is a Okay, taking your right leg swinging it across your body. Feeling that lateral movement if you have any tight spots, maybe linger there for a second before you let that momentum, bring it back the other way. Going to get a couple more on in here and switch to the left side here. Again, doing the same motion on the other side. Maybe the sides a little bit tighter. Maybe it's a little looser, either way a breathe into it. And yeah, first of Sasson to it shake those hips feel good because this is gonna be a great one. Gonna go ahead and bring it on up and out to our side stretches in three, two, and one taking your right arm up above. I'm going to reach over to your left side. I'm doing this as I'm explaining it, it feels so good. Feeling your rib cage really open up, help to stretch out those side muscles. Maybe help with any of those sides stitches if you are prone to them. But we're going to go ahead and nice and slowly own Ravel come back to center. I like to do a little shoulder roll or two to reset myself and work my left arm up putting the air within like I just don't care and reach all the way over to my right side. Again, repeating feeling that ribcage area open up feeling that side body really stretch out. If you are prone to side stitches or or you're not feeling like you're getting that full body stretch. Go ahead and take a really big breath, hold it for a second, release it and then again shake out into our last stretch those forward lunges in three, two, and one I like putting my hands in front of me kind of putting my right hand over my left fist, making sure to keep my elbows tucked in. When to lunge forward starting on that right leg, bending that back knee, making sure that we are putting the pressure into our heel in that front foot having a nice strong base, bringing it back to center repeating on the other side, making sure that while this is a stretch, we are not lunging too far to where you are feeling like you're overextending yourself is like a rubber band just giving a little stretch but not too much that snaps back right in place. Get a couple more on in here taking that beat big deep breath really connecting with our body. And as you will get the whole theme of this episode we get to do this. We don't have to do this. So with that, shake it out. Taylor Swift it out maybe if you're feeling it, no, she had some great concert. And let's go ahead and get into our walk and warm up in theory to lung coach Christine. I feel like I am channeling the Disney fireworks all over again. Today

Christine Hetzel:

you are a coach and today we've got so much into this episode. I'm not even sure how we're fitting it all in. But friends we are quite chuffed to be sharing some amazing guests with us today at the brunch table. So we're going to introduce a chief tufts versus Chase tough to means crowd and a little bit of a UK slang. So that's a hint hint for what we're going to be talking about today. While taking the Mickey for us may mean runDisney which we will definitely be talking about today. Taking the Mickey over in the UK for London Marathon weekend actually means to tease someone quite a bit. So friends in that newsletter you should have seen your kind of little play for the day. And we'd love to have you share some of your favorite slang interpretations from maybe what you hear over in London marathon or what you want to hear if you're going to be participating in the marathon in the future. Or maybe you just want to just do your own runDisney speak we are going to have the official runDisney recap with of course coach shall be her very very first official friend Disney we can experience because you've you've joined me in the past you've joined our brunch crew and our athletes for a Expo de but this was your first full running the distance experience.

Shelby Schmidt:

Now I feel like I have to be hip and use all my my good slang. It was on fleek no calf. I like how your face was like What are you saying?

Christine Hetzel:

No without even translate to in like in London? I don't think they say on fleek. Do they?

Shelby Schmidt:

Do you don't know cat means? Do you ever know what it means? And in American English? Yeah,

Christine Hetzel:

I do. Oh, yeah, of course you have learned not lying at all about the experiences that we had at run Disney, we are definitely going to bring you guys 100% of the truth here. We'll be talking turkey but not taking any Mickey. And just a few more minutes as we roll into this really mega packed, Uber long run. So we can't wait to get into the renter's aspects. We also can't wait. Later on, we have a welcome pups upon pond and experience a little bit of London with our later guests as well. And I think that there was a really good as you mentioned, Coach during the warm up, overall theme that permeated the entire conversations that we had with everyone for this run was again, bring it back and we say it often. But there's a reason. And it's really reconnecting with your joy, and running. And I think you've had an extra pep in your step. You've had a lot of record reconnection to your joy and love of running, you want to share that looks like a couple of minutes before we bring on our first guest.

Shelby Schmidt:

I've missed it. I really have. And it's hard. I think when you want to feel that love, you want to feel that joy, you want to feel that connection. And there's just something missing. And I'm very lucky, I have the community behind me. I have my coaching knowledge, I have your coaching knowledge, which I definitely take advantage of. But for me, it was that x portion that had to come from me as the runner and really connecting back with that, and you'll hear more about it in this episode. But I will have a little side spoiler that it was super fetch, because I think that she was British, right?

Christine Hetzel:

I don't I don't think so. I don't think Well, I

Shelby Schmidt:

thought that was the light in them. Okay, they may have just misquoted a movie mark this day down. But yeah, it's it's very humbling to feel connected with my running again. And that's the best way I can describe it. And I'm just very, very thankful it feels like coming home again, of just being happy in that run.

Christine Hetzel:

Does it feel like runnings become again where Bob's your uncle? What Yeah, I don't know. That's definitely I saying from the UK, it basically means effortless, or emphasizing how something feels easier or you can

Shelby Schmidt:

achieve it by um, I don't know my friend. So I have a lot of uncles but none of them are named Bob.

Christine Hetzel:

Bob's your uncle means you did that effortlessly. It feels very easy. Friends, if you're from the UK,

Shelby Schmidt:

like you made these

Christine Hetzel:

would not make these up. But I do feel like now I need to have this. This entire episode, checked and edited by my friend from the UK, she did pop in to our brunch crew to bring some of her British knowledge. But aside from that, let's get right to business. Let's go into our very first endurance blog friends. Let's be tall, proud, being quite chuffed of our effort that we're going to bring in in three, two and one. Hey, friends as we pull into this endurance block, we are so excited. You know her you love her. You've had her here on the podcast before, but this time we get to chit chat a little bit more with her. We're gonna welcome on and Kristen Gordon, she's a long serving board member of gaudir Central Florida, one of our absolute favorite nonprofits. She is what I consider the soulmate extraordinaire, she's a fellow runDisney enthusiast maybe that might be a little not sufficient of a title, but more importantly than anything else. She is Coach Shelby's brand newest bestie from his past previous run Disney weekend. Welcome on. And Kristen is

Stephanie Diaz:

thanks for having me again. It's so good to be here and maybe just adding a little bit of background about myself. So I am obviously one a lifelong Disney fan. So I've been going since I was a little girl and being able to live in the backyard of Disney has like been a dream come true for me for forever. In terms of my background with Girls on the Run, so I actually got connected to Girls on the Run through my day job. We are a sponsor of Girls on the Run nationally. We've been a sponsor of Girls on the Run nationally. And I was asked In the area to take on our volunteer opportunities at the five K's. And that expanded into being able to join the board and really get more ingrained and in building out the strategy here in Central Florida. And now I'm both a board member and a three to four times soulmate. Now I've keep losing track of where we are, and really just being engaged and generating funds to be able to have programs that serve all these girls in our counties here in Central Florida. And I really wanted to start by saying, and I'll say it probably a few times during today's show, thank you to all of our soulmates. It was so incredible this is by far this has been my favorite. And not just because I got a new bestie and coach Shelby runDisney weekend. I personally have never had a runDisney weekend where I wasn't running by myself, I didn't really know people. And when people have said runDisney really is a community. I have seen it, but I never felt it. And this was the first time I really felt it. And so thank you to the soulmates who were out there. It was so great to meet so many of you. And before the races during the races, I saw people on the course and we're cheering them on, after the races at our meetups. It was just so much fun. And I can't, we can't do it without you guys. And certainly thank you to both coach Christine and coach Shelby for making all of that happen. It was truly incredible.

Shelby Schmidt:

It was so much fun. And I love how like this was your best one. It's like this is my first one. So I feel like I set the bar so high. I don't like oh man, I already started telling Christine like, Okay, I'm like, I knew I would like it. But I didn't think I was going to feel so at home because it really is like It's the epitome of what I love about the running community. Everybody's so fun. And you really do bond extra special at those early wake ups because you know, everybody like you see the personality because no one's faking anything at 234 AM. And not only I got a new bestie a new but I also got to see coach Christine grumpy for the first time and it was hilarious. I've warned

Christine Hetzel:

people that I have a grumble Lena and she usually comes out early in the morning. But I don't think that anyone has had an opportunity to really interact with her because I usually kind of keep her under wraps. But this time after that third early wake up call she definitely came out to to run the race. And I don't think that actually she went away until like after the entire race. But what did not or what helped me get past the rumble. Lena was a great Christmas Spectacular soulmates, seeing them come out. And the joy and pride that they had in representing Girls on the Run Central Florida knowing how transformational is that's what really made those miles extra extra magical. So we were so excited to meet a few of you guys. We can't wait to meet more and more of you. There's definitely no no doubt on that. I will say this real quick and we'll talk a little bit more about it. Because we want to recap of course coach Shelby's first run Disney. If you've been on the fence with either a runDisney race or doing it for fundraising, especially through Girls on the Run center, Florida don't really hold back. It is one of those experiences that will absolutely change your life. And I think that having that little extra magic of fundraising for such an incredible organization is really what does it

Shelby Schmidt:

Yeah, I would totally

Stephanie Diaz:

agree. I would agree. And I think when it comes to being especially a beginner runner, there's nothing like being in a place where everyone just feels so encouraging and you know, runDisney races exactly, we're gonna find that it's fun. There's no pressure I mean, we can talk about the balloon ladies all you want to we can talk about the people who are dressed in costume is balloon ladies, freaking everyone out and earlier Chorale. But in reality, if you're gonna do a run for the first time, and you really want to just fun encouraging, inclusive environment, I can't stress enough and obviously, as coach Christine said, we would love to have you as a soul mate. And, you know, I know as much as we're here to promote soulmates doing it for any charitable cause in the Central Florida area or nationally who is able to participate in this? I mean, every great cause deserves great folks behind them. So not just to plug soulmates, but just in general, I think we all appreciate anyone giving to whatever cause speaks to their heart.

Christine Hetzel:

Absolutely, absolutely. Everybody was

Shelby Schmidt:

so that was as early as you would think everybody was a new build that you would think that everybody like you know that new runner magic that everybody has because they're so excited. Even meeting the soulmates meeting other runners everybody had that sparkle, that magic and maybe it was just the water at Disney. I'm not sure what they put into it. But either away, it was just, it was electric. I'm getting goosebumps. And I'm, I'm having to wear my springtime surprise little Jersey because you know, good karma. But it really, I just it. Like you said you got to do it at least once you're gonna do it more than once. But if you're, if you're really on the fence, just just pull the plug and do it.

Christine Hetzel:

I actually have an email that you guys can reach out to if you're considering pulling the plug. Well, we'll talk about that in a little bit. I do want to actually ask coach Shelby, when did it feel to you as your first run Disney Experience? We've talked at nauseam about run Disney. You know my love for it. You've gotten a chance to meet soulmates virtually you got a chance to chat with Kristin. I know you're excited about it, but when did it feel magical to you?

Shelby Schmidt:

In all honesty, I think it was the 10k and I've shared my love for 10 K's in general because I really that's my my cherry spot of a distance. Because it's it's a little bit longer, but it's not so long that you're praying for it to be over like pristine did at 10 miler not to throw some shade. But it was that 10k I felt it. And I said I remember finishing it's like this is where I'm supposed to be. This is this is home. And I've shared on other episodes that I decided to forego my spot in the New York City Marathon to do wine and dine. And it was a gamble. Because I hadn't done a runDisney race, I was sure I was gonna like it. And I remember turning to you in the car and saying, I am so thrilled with my decision. If I would have gotten done with this weekend, I had not made the decision to do wine and dine, I would have regretted it because this is what my running needs. This is what my soul needs, what my heart needs. And I left this week and feeling like a new runner. And if it was like the last few pieces of the puzzle just kind of clicked and solidified. Yeah, that's a long winded way of saying 10k Has my heart that's gonna

Christine Hetzel:

be a common theme in today's entire episode, friends is while you're rolling through there is really sparking that joy. You've heard us say it ad nauseam before but we cannot express sufficiently how that makes such a huge difference. So now I want to ask Kristen, tell us more about your actual like, how did you come to running? Was it through run Disney? Or were you an avid runner in school? And then kind of rekindle How did that happen? Yeah,

Stephanie Diaz:

that's a really fun question. So we both

Christine Hetzel:

came to running a little later in life,

Stephanie Diaz:

I will say say and we'll get we'll I'll cut to the chase. They're saying it was also a later in life type thing for me. Growing up. I played a lot of sports. But I was always like, on the attack side, right. So when you're training in attack, you're not doing distance running, we actually used to in college, we would do a fundraiser, which was a fun run. And because I lived in northeastern Pennsylvania, the fun run was usually just running around your gym, like the gym, like the school gym might be three school gym for an hour. As like our distance run, it was boring. We got to create our own little paths through the gym, but bass fish ran for 60 minutes as a fundraiser for our spring break trip. And that was really the most endurance running I would ever do. Because everything was sprinting. For me. When I think about my running journey. I mean, I think for me, I just started doing it as a way to sort of get some mental clarity. You know, I think people a lot of times, treat running as something they have to do, and not something that they get to do. And realize, but it's just something that like, we're able to do every day. It's like the easiest way walking and running and just getting out and being with yourself has become for me just such a, like a like a soul satisfying experience and treating that as real me time. So for me, it's like it's pure therapy. Right? It makes me feel good. I get to think I get to listen to what I want to listen to. But you know, it probably is all really happened over the last two to three years. More so than anything else for me too. So I wouldn't cop to being a distance runner. I'm still you know, I think Coach Shelby same with you. I think 10k is like probably the perfect distance. It's not too far but it's not too short. And we've got to see Oh no, I'm not gonna go there because I know we're going to talk about the 10k but we got to see someone some something really special that I my inner teenage boy band loving heart, freaked out about a little bit but

Christine Hetzel:

I know I know which By the way, my introduction to that specific was through coaching Girls on the Run, I had no clue about that entire character or characters I should say, until I went and coached the local club or a local middle school. And they basically told me that I had homework that night, and I had to go home and watch the specific Pixar theme. So let's roll it back. Friends, you guys probably heard us talking about it a little bit last episode. For the long run. We were looking forward to this specific springtime surprise run Disney weekend was Pixar themes, which I think that for everybody on this specific call right here. And now we were super stoked about it. Because I feel like you've got some favorites, Kristen at Pixar. I know Coachella, you do. And I am all about the Pixar shorts. They are just everything I could ever want and more.

Shelby Schmidt:

But here's like what's gonna make me cry. I baby to watch too. And I'm like, great. Now I miss my kid. And I miss my husband. Thanks, Christina

Christine Hetzel:

is so adorable. And they're perfect for like my little attention span. But let's take it back because we are very privileged to have Kristen with us. Because not only is she passionate about Girls on the Run, not only she's passionate about soulmates and fundraising, but she really knows her Disney whenever I have any kind of like confusion like What's this? I know, I can count on Kristen, let me know all about what it is and fill me up on a history on it. So she also knows run Disney. What are some of your takeaways? Kristen, with the expo and Coachella I'm going to ask you to since you've experienced Expo before, but this was your first time as an actual participant. Yeah.

Stephanie Diaz:

So I know that when we did the live last week, one of the things that I was interested in checking out was the virtual queue, I'm gonna say much easier to get on a virtual queue for the expo than for Tron or guardians was great, a lot less stress, I actually was able to get in pretty early because of that. Still a bit of a madhouse in there. But I would say if you are really interested in the merchandise, I can't stress enough, get in there early. And I'm really taking the time. But I would say that just in general to the expo, it's gonna be what you make of it right? You may just be there to pick up your bid and leave. And that's all you have time for. And that's great. But I think for me, the expo is all about what you want to get out of it. I personally ended up somehow being there for four hours. I don't know how it happened. But I looked down and was like, Oh, I've been here for four hours. And I just had such a great time meeting people and checking out all of the vendors. And just spending time getting to know everyone a little bit more so. And obviously shopping. did run runDisney runDisney does a lot with a wallet too. But in a good way.

Christine Hetzel:

It does. It does.

Shelby Schmidt:

I met Kristin in the actual merch area. And she has all these shirts. Like I'm getting some my friend. I'm like, Aha, I'm like, where's this thread? She did. I have a friend though, in full disclosure, who was actually very lovely. And I got to meet her many times over this weekend. But yeah, it sucks.

Stephanie Diaz:

And I'm very, very, very, I want to say right now for the record. I'm very proud of both Shelby for wearing that spirit jersey, like already getting some miles out of that thing. You know, it didn't take a lot of convincing to buy it. But it took a little bit from Christina.

Shelby Schmidt:

Yeah, it's super comfy, too. I thought about that, as I was putting it on. I'm like, oh, yeah, I'm like, I'm happy with my life decisions right now.

Christine Hetzel:

So I'm gonna ask you about that. In a second coach, I'll be like, what was your takeaway from the expo of your life decision? I think I know the answer. But I do want to go back to that virtual queue for just a moment. Now we don't know for a fact that the virtual queue is going to stay on forever because it was introduced post pandemic. But what we have come across is that it's been here for I think the last two to three runDisney weekend events. And while there was a lot of scuttle button, it seemed very confusing. I think people are starting to come around. The one small takeaway tip that I think I can speak to at this point is that it does appear to have a geofencing of some sort. And if you're closest to the ESPN Expo location, you seem to be able to get into that virtual queue a little bit with a boarding call a little bit earlier. I don't know that for a fact. I don't know that Ron Disney is willing to tell us that. It just seems like based off of what we're hearing from everyone who's been in it who all goes in at the same time to get into it. But the location does seem to play a bit of a factor. It's it's my hypothesis, and I'm sticking to it as long story short, so if getting, if it's, if it's important for you to get into that Expo virtual queue ASAP, I would suggest trying to be a little bit closer to actually ESPN. If not do what we did and make a day of it. They've got Jeffrey's coffee there. They've got ESPN grill a tons of food the official weekend beer of the day. race weekend all the different fun not to mention some great vendors. So Coach Shelby, tell us what would you suggest for maybe a runDisney newbie or a runDisney person who hasn't really fully leaned into the expo, what is one of your takeaways is something that everybody should experience?

Shelby Schmidt:

Oh, I think even if you're not interested in purchasing the merch, still go and look at all of it. And just kind of let yourself be enthralled because I don't know if new runDisney ears know this or not. But in where the main merch is, there's also the photo opportunities to take the pictures with the numbers. And I know one of the soulmates was super excited to be able to get her she does every time she goes to the expo. And it's air conditioning, which is also very good.

Christine Hetzel:

Climate control, I'm

Shelby Schmidt:

in control. And I did I restrained myself, I bought two things at the merch area. But it's one of those where if you're going to go experience it, especially if you're going to make a day of it. And again, like Kristin pointed out, if you just have time to get your bib, get that done, make sure you're set. But I'm actually a big fan in general in Disney of not necessarily doing parks and doing all the extracurriculars. So I would go into that same mindset when you do the expo and experience all the extracurriculars and just let yourself kind of relax and not feel like you always have to be on the go. And again, grab a coffee and just stroll around a little bit because again, it's so much fun. You'll see all the influencers, you'll see people that you haven't seen before people are still dressed up even at the expo, which I did not go on that level this time around

Christine Hetzel:

this time around, but I can already tell that wine and dine weekend it's calling to Yeah. Yeah, I agree. I definitely think there is a lot to be said. Now, again, with anyone who's tackling a bigger distance over the weekend, if maybe you do need to rest of your feet. It's also something taken consideration of getting into the expo a little bit earlier and planning for some downtime afterwards, as is always important. But Expo was a lot of fun. We had a little bit of a breather came home, rested up and then woke up at the crack of dawn the next morning for the 5k which was cars themed. So do you guys want to tell us a little bit about what your takeaway was for the 5k and maybe expand on those costumes? Kristen, I feel like you've been practicing your entire life with this particular costume.

Stephanie Diaz:

So my favorite I think we've talked about this on my favorite Pixar film and one of my favorite films just of all time is up. And so I'll I'll shout out to my my coworker and dear friend Mandy, who was my running buddy all weekend. Mandy is about six feet tall, and I'm about five feet tall. And so we tried to play to that as much as possible this weekend. And my my inner rustle needed to come out my Wilderness Explorer need to come out this weekend. And so, you know, I dressed as Russell and Mandy dresses, our favorite bird friend Kevin. And we just had a great time. But I think my favorite part of the 5k honestly was yalls costumes because shout out to Shelby I mean that's my if I had to take away from the rocking at all that I need to contract out some work to Shelby for the run.

Christine Hetzel:

And who does it for their first run Disney weekend out of the like gate like the first run Disney we can usually you're still trying to figure out like where to go.

Stephanie Diaz:

Oh, hi shelving got to understand that now.

Shelby Schmidt:

I should have slowed played this a lot better. But I will say with Mandy's feathers on top of her head as Kevin, that was the lighthouse in the crowd of people. Like anytime we would lose you. It's like okay, just look up, like where are the feathers? But then you'd have realized how many people are dressed as Kevin. But her she had distinct feathers. So it really it worked out? Well. Even a shorty like me like I could actually look Kristen in the eye. It's really nice to use Christine, I have to look up.

Christine Hetzel:

I think my favorite quote of that specific race morning was can you get a picture of my tail? Because again, it's all things that you would only hear in runDisney where it would be appropriate because so many people had such great, wonderful costumes. And Mandy went all out with her Kevin costume. It must have been a lot

Stephanie Diaz:

of a lot of volume to that tail, that's for sure. It was good, though.

Shelby Schmidt:

Gave us like cheap.

Stephanie Diaz:

Backing in COVID times when you had the social distancing markers at Disney. She was just forever everyone around her. She had six feet around her at all times because of her adversary.

Christine Hetzel:

It was absolutely wonderful. So Coach Shelby, I think it's only appropriate that You tell everyone all about the costumes and maybe give us a little bit of information as to how you construct them over the weeks leading up to it.

Shelby Schmidt:

I constructed them on a wish and a prayer. And I'm pretty sure I infiltrated my nostrils with spray paint accidentally. Which fun fact apparently got carded for spray paint now did not know that. Thankfully, even though I look about 16 I am of legal age to buy spray paint. But shots my husband he got me these boxes and I made of Mater and Lightning McQueen for us. And it was down to the wire of adding little different touches. And I remember I asked Christina Mike, who do you want to be? And she goes, Listen, you're making them you get to decide. And then the they held up for the most part because this was all cardboard and paper. Even though we did have our working lights and the morning of we had a catastrophe and Mater's nose headlight fell off. But it was so much fun, especially because the 5k if you've not done res design before the five K's pretty much a walk. There are some people who definitely do run it. And that's totally good. But I would say for the 5k go out with your costumes, whatever you think you can't run in, use them that day. But it was so fun. Because even though there's an overlap of people dressing up as the same character, seeing the different applications is perfect. And even Kristen and Mandy got to actually see Kevin, on the actual course. And I'm pretty sure Kristen, you might have died a little inside.

Stephanie Diaz:

A lot inside. It was it was the one we definitely needed to have a photo up and ran into, you know, a car roll or two on the on the course making sure he didn't need assistance to borrow. We haven't had a great time. It was a really Yeah, the I think, as we were talking about earlier, the challenge is the five day forces just it's so short it. The nice thing about it is for the 5k it's all really just Epcot focused. And so yeah, it was in the morning, at five o'clock, six o'clock in the morning, game with the monster Darren see World Showcase lit up, it's just it's stunning. That's like, to me always, the best takeaway from the five guy is just looking around and taking it all in. I know I talked about running being therapy earlier. But like just being able to like kind of be in a moment of kind of awe and wonder. And just like how lucky we are to get to do this kind of stuff is just pretty cool.

Shelby Schmidt:

And it's really pretty, like you got to actually even though you're doing the race and everything, and the crowds can still be a little bit it's nothing compared to being there during regular Disney hours. And you really do get to appreciate how awesome it is. And I'm not like an architect by trade or, or anything. But I was geeking out and like, Wow, that really does look like X, Y and Z area.

Christine Hetzel:

So, a couple takeaways for 5k. I agree, Coach Shelby, this is a bigger costume day, because it is a shorter distance. It's an untimed event. So take your time, have fun, take advantage of all of those wonderful photo stops, and character stops and really just enjoy doing exactly what Kristin would did, which was have fun with the characters, you engage with them quite a bit, they usually are very well ready to receive any questions or kind of play along and have a lot of fun. And I personally love the cultural representatives being back at Epcot because I miss them so much during COVID. But having them out there during the race did feel extraordinary special. Another reminder and takeaways at the 5k is probably when you're going to feel your sprite liest or at least it was for me. So just taking that into consideration of measuring goes downhill fast measuring your inner your energy stores don't necessarily take the rest of the day for our day to go out and do all of the things because if you're doing a challenge, or you still have a few more races for the weekend, it definitely evolves which brings us to our 10k The following day, both of your favorite distance and it's spectacular with this theme Monsters, Inc. I mean, we're all huge fans who doesn't love Monsters, Inc. So what are your takeaways for the 10k It's a second early wake up might be feeling a little bit readier more ready to run. What do you guys thinking there?

Stephanie Diaz:

I mean, say it with the everyone for town.

Christine Hetzel:

Okay, so I will say that I was shocked to see them and I don't know if 100% Put it together. It's from turning red. And if you guys have wincing turning red, absolutely adorable. I think that you either need to be a pre adolescent, for really hearken back to your days of pre adolescence for that movie to really resonate with you. But that was the particular movie that I was given homework from the Girls on the Run. And they told me all about how great it was. And so I came home that very same night because I take my homework seriously when it comes to our girls. I mean, talk about the best homework ever. So yes, for town blew my mind that they had thought that through and how and you kind of called it Kristin, you willed it into existence,

Stephanie Diaz:

I like to think I did it for everyone. While we were getting ready to go out on the 10th floor, you know, you know, you're coming in, they were in Canada, you're coming around that corner, I specifically remember hearing in sync, and then sync song. And just thinking like in sync was such a, it was such a formative part of my teenage journey. And I was just getting down to that. And then when I looked up and saw that they had 14 on there. I mean, my mind was blown. I was so excited about that. Because thinking about Pixar theme weakened, right? There are some pretty obvious places that they can go with that. And this is, I would say slightly obscure reference. You know, they were a big part of turning red, but they were not the main character. They were more of a side character. And obviously, if you've seen turning red, you understand their significance in the movie to the main character, but my gosh, I think my I was my like I said, my inner teenage boyband loving heart was just a flutter. At that point.

Shelby Schmidt:

I was just singing along right.

Stephanie Diaz:

And I think I had heard I think I was so just gobsmacked from seeing them that I wasn't listening anymore. But I had heard some folks saying that they were singing some of the songs from the movie and putting running words into it and things like that.

Christine Hetzel:

They did. They did because when I first when we first ran up on them, they were singing a song from the movie. And evidently the one that also the girls like to use as their celebration, dance after the training that we did throw that because they were obsessed with turning red. And of course the internet lost its ever loving mind. And I think that like every runDisney account, or every influencer populated at all weekend long because it was, as you said, very unique of an experience. And kudos to the runDisney architects and geniuses that helped this happen, because I think that was so much fun. Now, Coach Shelby, you also willed into existence, your favorite character we're sitting around, we're kind of chillaxing I'm like, so yeah, let's play it tomorrow. Who are you willing to wait? In those lines? For no matter what. And who was it coach Shelby?

Shelby Schmidt:

It was Frozone for me Incredibles because my husband and I quote, the part in the first movie, where he's looking for his super suit, and he's arguing with his wife, and she'll say I'm the greatest good that you're ever gonna get. And so I quoted it back to him. Because I don't think for the 5k we stopped for any pictures. I think I was so overwhelmed. And I just miss

Christine Hetzel:

Well, we were in boxes. Like we were quite literally like, we were in a pie in size boxes. So that may have been harder. But also I think for the 5k the entire Epcot is like a big photo pass photographer, because I feel like every single country had some really great opportunities. But yeah, I think we're still taking it into the 5k. So you were super excited when you saw and you willed into existence for his own. You had your own dialogue conversation? And was that what clinched it for you right then in there? Or was it a different part of the 10k that made it magical for you? Ah,

Shelby Schmidt:

well, I will say you losing your wig in the first 10th of a mile was I'm never gonna let you look at that. And it was so nice. And I was like, Oh, you lost you were you're like I did. Okay, and you're just like, do you watch her and backward? You're like, No, I have one trajectory like we're just going oh, yeah. But now that you say that I think maybe soaking in and actually stopping for a character stop kind of solidified how different of an experience it is from a right now now looking in hindsight, that probably had a lot to do with it, of just feeling part of versus just an observer of the race. So very deep and philosophical.

Christine Hetzel:

I love that and I think that that is one of the very unique experiences of run Disney. I also love the dichotomy and I mentioned over the weekend of being on stage and seeing like the forward facing what we usually see when you go about the theme parks, but getting to running behind and seeing kind of the nitty gritty of what it takes to put everything together on the front. So I love that aspect of it. The 10k course is just a really great course as well. So realize you

Shelby Schmidt:

actually aren't supposed to take pictures or film in the back area. I saw on Instagram, somebody got yelled at for it. And I'm like, Oh, that is not adequate than I would have known. So FYI, if you don't want to go to runners jail, don't don't do things in the backlog. It's funny

Christine Hetzel:

that you say that because there's I know that I'm a little bit different when it comes to rules. But the rules that I do observe greatly are anything that has to do with Disney because I would be absolutely mortified. If my annual pass got pulled or I wasn't able to run Disney again, it would absolutely break my heart. So follow the rules. Friends, there are quite a bit of little like tiny fine print in the run Disney website that we're happy to help point you to. But in the meantime, knowing that for the most part, it is pretty casual, just kind of use the typical runner etiquette and then being a bit more cautious of not destroying the magic for people that may be out there and not quite so prevalently into the back part of things like I am so I think that's what it comes down to is don't do anything that would help that would destroy the magic of Disney for other people, especially for kiddos that are experiencing it. So we get through the 10k Now it's too early wake ups and we have a great soulmate experience. We get to meet some more soulmates that day. We go home and go to bed get ready for the 10 miler which is one of my favorite distances, themed toys. I love the 10 miler absolutely love the 10 miler, do I like a 10 miler at three o'clock in the morning? Absolutely not. But that's neither here nor there. So I have my parents with grumble Lena, you guys have Toy Story. Tell me about your race morning at the 10 miler.

Stephanie Diaz:

Well, I'm gonna give a shout out to my husband who stitched my bow piece off the night before he stayed up until 1am fastening lace on do a Nike topple I went to bed and he did a great job of shout out such a key first for doing that for me. Again, just like some really, you know, we didn't talk about what the 10 here I'm gonna go back to this real quick. Some of the costumes that people had for the 10k for monsters and convulsive University. They had a whole Uzma kappa alumni go thing going on. So good.

Christine Hetzel:

That was probably my favorite.

Shelby Schmidt:

I think that was Christine's one regret is not asked me if she could play golf with them.

Christine Hetzel:

I am actually I think my biggest regret was I never thought of leaning into like a sequel, like creating your own universe almost like your own Fandom of beyond the movie experience because that's what they essentially did. It was by far and there were some phenomenal costumes. But that one was probably my favorite because it was so realistic as to what what you would see happen in a fraternity or sorority down the road.

Shelby Schmidt:

I just kept yelling, we're okay. Some people got really into it. And then it took everybody else a couple of seconds to get the reference. And I'm like, No, you're really okay. Like, it's fine.

Christine Hetzel:

I want to talk about that with the 10 mother to coach but I do want to first give a shout out to Chris as well because it was so good. Christina. I thought you had purchased it that way. So that's maybe between coach Shelby and Chris we've got like we can do their marketing. Just let them go out there and do the creations.

Stephanie Diaz:

Shelby and Chris are the other end the modes of our Yes.

Shelby Schmidt:

That's the nicest thing anybody's ever said to me.

Stephanie Diaz:

You guys are just crafty as all get out and we appreciate it. I have not a craft my body so I definitely appreciate it. But yeah, no, so sorry to go off of the 10 miler, but 10 miler was, for me pretty challenging. It was very, very humid. And as a matter of fact, it was the only race of the weekend we had a yellow flag on the course for to start out just with increased heat, humidity expectations, and really just making sure stay hydrated and fueled appropriately. You know, for me, big tip for me, I would say anytime I was stopping in a bed tent, bathroom, trying to take a paper towel and try to get the sweat off of me as much as possible. Karissa Galloway kept mentioning that when it's humid, your sweat can evaporate stay hot. So just a tip for anyone just go to the med tech and ask for big towels and try to get her off do the best that you can to let your let your body cool off a little bit there but the course was good. Again, 10k still has my heart from a course perspective. But the 10 miler was fun because we got to run through Hollywood studios and And from a Pixar and specifically a Toy Story theme 10 miler being able to run through Andy's backyard made the photo ops pretty incredible. From the Cudi bathroom, to the giant, Woody statue out front to Slinky Dog and alien swirling saucers so many good photo opportunities for anyone dressed up in a Toy Story costume, so and not to mention, I will say I successfully got my jump shot, heading towards Tower of Terror and got off the ground and got a good one. So shout out to that Disney PhotoPass photographer for catching me midair thankfully, and not hurting myself in the process. But

Christine Hetzel:

oh, we need to see that if you can, if you can send us that because I want to see because coach Shelby definitely knocked her run Disney jump shot again right out of the first weekend out of the gate. So we're gonna have some words about that coach Shelby, this is a particular race it for me, I've always known that three early wake ups in a row would not be my best showing of you know, just that really upbeat individual that I pride myself on being after 7am. So this was definitely a bat friendly reminder. I am generally hesitant to have coffee on these race mornings because I miss my tummy doesn't know what to do. It's usually just like, Why are you awake and human being when you should be asleep? So I'm, I'm a bit more conservative with any kind of caffeine. And evidently, my personality is 99.9% Caffeine related. So absolutely, a little bit grumpier, but you coach Shelby, I think he was saying, for the entire first mile. Are you sure I did. And you all,

Shelby Schmidt:

I was terrified of the 10 Beyeler because I, I was very honest, I did not get proper training runs to prepare for the 10 mile or so it was the one I was dreading because I'm like, if I hit the wall, it's gonna be this run. And I will report I'm happy to say I felt amazing. After all of these runs, and I my probably my favorite portion of the 10 miler was we were in our corrals, and we were waiting, you know, they're doing the staggered start, and two rows behind us, they take the really pretty runDisney tape, and they're stretching it out. And I'm freaking out. I'm like, Christine, we could do the tape, we could do it. And I'm like, let's go back. And she's like, Yeah, and I looked at her dead serious. And I go, you know, you're gonna regret this when you're awake.

Christine Hetzel:

So much it did. Now, we are going to report that we did not fall back because mainly from consideration of the other runners that were already handed the tape and may have been excited. But Coach, I do want to touch a little bit on it. If you're okay with us getting into it. I think that when you hear yellow flag conditions, like Kristin mentioned, you hear humidity that you may not be used to or maybe the training cycle didn't go according to how you wanted it to be. I feel that you did probably what we would have preach our entire times on the podcast, or we're talking to our athletes, which was to be more conservative with your race strategy. So do you want to talk a little bit about that? Because I feel like that may have been a game changer in terms of helping you feel strong for the entire 10 miles that in all the character stops? And the same? Yeah.

Shelby Schmidt:

That's a really good point. So you and I had actually had conversation because I we do we collectively go over everything. It makes us better coaches just to have kind of that Think Tank. And I had started really focusing on doing a strong run, walk, knowing that to try to run the full way. I was not prepared for that it was had a really high chance of injury. And it was something that I wasn't willing to to put myself in harm's way for. Because I had said on the previous episode, I wanted to PR and fun. So you and I talked and I had been using a 230 ratio two minute run 32nd Walk and felt good. And as you and I were looking at the weekend and kind of going through all of it. It wasn't voting well to do the 230. And that was one of those times where we always tell our athletes kind of taking that that mindset of what you thought it was going to be kind of letting go of that ego a little bit and realizing Okay, I have to run smart I have to run to where I'm going to put myself in the best position. So at your suggestion, you would said let's do a 60 3060 run 30 Walk and giving ourselves the game And where if that still didn't feel so great, we would switch to a 3030 and even ratio. And it honestly made the weekend I had not run three days in a row before like that. I had not been up to peak training to get to a 10 miler. And I credit that whole heartedly to how good I felt after to wear even that Monday after running three days having that really wakeups I wanted to go for a run. And even even a couple of days out, I went for a run still did the run walk ratio, I feel great. I mean, genuinely, yeah, you have soreness, but even walking around the next day, I remember telling you know, it, I feel scarily Good. Well, little scare floor as quote there.

Christine Hetzel:

That's so funny. So I think that you, Kristen, and Mandy, also, were you in your run, buddy, Mandy, we're utilizing run walk as well. And you too, pulled back a bit more conservative on those run walk intervals, and maybe even extended the walks if needed during the run Disney weekend, especially with again, those yellow flag conditions. Is that right? salutely.

Stephanie Diaz:

I mean, I think it was almost a necessity at a certain point this weekend. And I agree, I think you do absolutely need to let your ego go in those situations, I know all of us want to be doing the best that we can. And sometimes we have to recognize that the best we can isn't going to be a PR every time in time. But if you're peering and fun, I love that quote, that's awesome. But if you're peering and son, you know, like, hopefully at the end of all of this, you are finishing these races feeling good, like the last thing you want, you know, they were saying at the beginning of the race to like they want to see everyone finish. Right. That's what he Yeah. And you I agree with you like setting up your strategy to make sure that you just get done safely. And, and whatnot. Is is key. And I think to your point shall be I said on Monday when people were checking in to see how it went. Besides my besides my heels. Well, we can talk about that or not talk about that at any point in time. But I felt great. I mean, like my legs felt great. I, you know, was I could have gone for a run if I was hurtin on the hill.

Christine Hetzel:

But I do want to talk about your heels, is it because of the amount of time on your feet that you spend? It's because that's something that I would like to kind of draw attention to, I think that people should consider the fact that it's not just the runDisney distance. So being a bit more conservative on those race days. It's not that any of us just did 10 miles, I think we all clocked in probably over 40,000 steps over the course of just that Sunday, and the amount of time you have on your feet. But is that what happened for you for studying that. And I

Stephanie Diaz:

would also just be conscious of like also understanding how much training you need before a race. Right? I know there are programs out there that are meant to help you get conditioned. At a certain point. I think I was conditioned enough. And I overtrained and I think it started well before this race weekend. And having those races back to back to back just didn't help so. So I think that's another thing I would just say is like you're going to know, to some degree when you feel ready. And I probably should have stopped when I said I can do 10 miles. And I didn't and that's on me. That's why I just agree with like letting the ego go a little bit and just knowing what's best for you.

Christine Hetzel:

Well, with that said, friends, we're gonna go ahead and bring your attention and awareness back to your maybe checking in with yourself, is it time for you to switch into something that's a bit more conservative for this long run? Do you need to pull back the pace if you've been picking it up a little bit and easing back into your conversation? But I also want to check in with both Kristen and coach Shelby, maybe some of your favorite form tips that came to mind over that race weekend that you'd like to employ in your long runs as well. Yeah, for me, Chris, and I'll go with you. For me I

Stephanie Diaz:

was gonna say I think like the big thing is especially going out the gate and even when I'm in the middle of a run when he zone out or when you're really like excited to get out. They're just really like relaxing. I know they you know, like, even just in general, working and stuff like we need to let go of our shoulders a little bit unclench, like relax the breathing a little bit to not have that panicky breath. So for me, relaxing and my favorite thing. When they tell you to like hold up. I don't know who runs around with potato chips in their fingers. They say to have like a potato chip.

Shelby Schmidt:

We had a runner who actually did do that how you

Stephanie Diaz:

continue to have a paid trip to your fingers when you're out there but you know, like, yeah, I

Christine Hetzel:

would definitely eat it.

Stephanie Diaz:

There's no way that it's or anything like that. Just try to stay loose the best that you can and that usually helps with everything else.

Christine Hetzel:

Good. And Coach I'll be I'll have you give me some of your favorites too.

Shelby Schmidt:

I will say especially coming off of this weekend, for those who are doing the run, walk, I can't stress enough paying attention to your transitions. Whether you're experienced with run, walk or not, it's so easy to let those transitions hurt by pushing off too hard in your run, and not kind of coasting yourself up and likewise, coasting yourself down in the walk. You almost have to really picture that car of like pressing on the gas and slightly getting into that incline of the run. And then when you're pulling back into that walk, I almost pictured my body compressing and shrinking back down. So that that way I let my momentum take me back versus forcing my legs to stop turning over.

Christine Hetzel:

Is that a Lightning McQueen car that you're pressing up? Or is that a tomayto?

Shelby Schmidt:

I am pressing up as Lightning McQueen and I'm pulling back is made or grown that hook let it I had my back, which was a great space, like barrier, I will say, and I'm like, oh, sorry. I'm like, just don't mind my hook and somebody got too close. They were coming for a tow.

Christine Hetzel:

Well, friends with that said this is our official springtime surprise. This is the end of this specific runDisney season. But of course we are looking forward to the next season. Because we want to announce our official partnership with gaudir CFL girls with a run of Central Florida where we are going to be tackling some of the training programs, I should say all the training programs for the soulmates. So we are looking very much forward to again continuing to support the soulmates because the soulmates make everything for Girls on the Run possible, or a majority of it possible. They really, truly change lives. So we cannot thank them enough. We look forward to supporting them every step of the way, both training and on runDisney. So we're looking forward to those weekly premium workout podcasts, the monthly workshops, helping with fundraising workshops and support encouragement, because that's the ultimate at the end of the day. The most important part that I think is a takeaway from Girls on the Run is just encouraging to empower. And, of course supporting on those runDisney race weekend events. As of this very moment. Wine and Dine weekend and marathon weekend are pretty much those bibs for our Girls on the Run of Central Florida are spoken for. But we're going to ask you if you guys are interested in either of those weekend's to reach out to Elizabeth and I'm going to have her email actually in our episode notes. Because she'll add you to the goto CFL waitlist in case anything comes up and a bit becomes available. And if you're considering snagging a spot for Princess because we are all I think you're super excited about Princess 2024. If you're considering snagging a spot, don't wait until the registration process that can drive you absolutely muddy. Go ahead and snag your spot with a fundraising bib, especially for those really hard to come across the five K's. I mean, all of the princess weekend ones are really really hard to get to be honest, it's I think they're one of their biggest weekend's. So I would suggest taking minimizing the pressure and go ahead and grab your bib. But if you're also looking at springtime surprise, the waitlist has already been started to go ahead again, reach out to Elizabeth make sure you add your name to it. It's as you could tell from our recap, one of the most fun races of the entire season. But ultimately, what makes it the most fun is as Kristen started this off and kick this off is the community and I think that that's really what we're looking forward to mostly in the partnership is making sure that soulmates feel that extra dose of magic that they bring to the table for every girl in the run participant. I also Kristen want to ask you a little bit more about some other wonderful ways that people can support Girls on the Run of Central Florida because we've got season and 5k coming up. There's there's just so many different opportunities. So you want to speak to that a little bit. Absolutely

Stephanie Diaz:

we do our season ending 5k is actually going to be in conjunction with a track shack event. So if you're local in the Central Florida area, we'd love to have you out either as a volunteer or if you even are planning to do the run on a 5k Saturday May 20. In it's actually an early evening race I believe, which is different than our five K's a lot of times we're out there very early like these runDisney races getting set up and ready to go. So it'll be nice to have a little bit of a reprieve from a setup perspective. But I would also say you know, check come check us out at the 5k I think the greatest thing about our program is you know week talk about it a lot. But seeing the girls in action, and really seeing them celebrating what they've learned, the confidence they've built, the community they've built, I feel a lot of similarities with what we're talking about here with the runDisney community, as well with what we're trying to build with soulmates, you know, raising each other up, building that sense of camaraderie, and just really building confidence in each other. I see that a lot with our programming, too. And so I'm really excited about this partnership as well, I think it's gonna be so cool to see what we can build together. And please come out to the 5k and see what it's all about. I guarantee you, when you see the faces of these girls and their faces, their grace is contagious. I mean, that's how I fell for that place, volunteering and an event and just really feeling incredibly tied to the mission right off the bat. The other thing I would say too, is So Christina mentioned Elizabeth, in the episode too, but this is also our program

Shelby Schmidt:

director and

Stephanie Diaz:

live in Florida. Honestly, if you're listening to this from far and wide, getting comfortable in whatever way that is, or we or our society. You don't necessarily have to go to school, traditional programs in life are from any other place, environment where they're programmed and whatever that looks like to you, and is what it looks like. You don't have to necessarily just to run this program is the umbrella part of our fundraising program soulmates just I think materializes most of us here through our runDisney races. But if you are doing a an Ironman, or if you are doing a spin a THON, or if you're doing if you're playing you know, doing hopscotch for an hour or riding a Disney ride for you know, the entire time of park is open, you can do and sign up to fundraise as a soulmate in any of those capacities. And you will be welcomed with open arms into our family. So for more information, reach out to Elizabeth, you'll work with me and obviously Christina and Shelby through the process. And we are looking forward to that.

Shelby Schmidt:

I'm so excited. Not only are we very pro running pro girls, pro women, but on a personal note as a mom to it's one of the most rewarding things to see that next generation and growing up with the love of running and the love of movement and using it so, so cathartically. So just learning to love the movement and not again, like you had said before Christen something we get to do not something we have to do. And being able to be part of that, whether by fundraising by us Coaching By supporting just on the races day itself. It's leaving a really big impact for not only filling our cup, but raising a whole other generation of girls to be stronger, be more confident and to really own the space that they're taking up in the world and being an active participant in it.

Christine Hetzel:

I love that so much and I feel so strongly connected to Girls on the Run. I'm also going to say really quickly on the soulmates if you are at all wanting to fundraise but you already secured your bid for the runDisney season that's coming up, or bibs for the weekend. You do not have to secure your bib to become a soulmate just as Kristen mentioned spin a THON, maybe want to do a crafting session with Coach Shelby whatever the case may be. But if you wanted to go ahead and participate in the soulmate season, and join in on the TFB training that we're going to be doing and all the special exclusive events and support that we're going to be lending for soulmates you can do so you could still fundraise separately of having the bib. And again Elizabeth can provide you that information that is going to be in your episode notes. And if at all you guys have any questions are always welcome to reach out to coach Shelby myself, and we'll make sure to point you in the right direction as well. But beyond that, Kristin We really do you want to know if your team's sweet or team savory?

Stephanie Diaz:

Gosh, this feels like I know.

Shelby Schmidt:

It won't affect our bestie friendship. I promise you I can I can help I've ordered my heart.

Stephanie Diaz:

Um, God, I really feel this is gonna be the cop out of all cop outs but I really feel very strongly about both camps. It typing Okay, hold on. We have savory and we have sweet can I be like sour? Can I like be the third grade for a brunch?

Christine Hetzel:

What would you have? It was brunch. It would be sour.

Stephanie Diaz:

Well, that's gonna sound weird. I'm like, I love like briny. Things like, artists,

Shelby Schmidt:

though. Like a pickles and

Stephanie Diaz:

olives and stuff like that.

Christine Hetzel:

Okay,

Shelby Schmidt:

I like she's savory. She just doesn't want to break your heart. I'm

Christine Hetzel:

sorry. It's okay. When

Stephanie Diaz:

I talked about brunch. The last time I was on, I do, like a good avocado toast. So I think I've ended up more, but I mean, I could.

Christine Hetzel:

I could, okay,

Stephanie Diaz:

I could. I don't some french toast and pancakes and stuff, too.

Shelby Schmidt:

We'll get you some pickled pancakes. That way you can have the best of both worlds. I just

Christine Hetzel:

need to find the right thing that resonates with your childhood. Yeah, of course. That's what brunch is all about. But I feel like maybe it's a whoopie pie. Since you said you grew up is that not something that's really like specific to Pennsylvania like whoopie pies and like, Amish country.

Stephanie Diaz:

We do love. Whoopie Pies like an taky Oreo, right. So talked about being a little Oreo sandwich here today. So yeah, I like I said, I love.

Christine Hetzel:

Yeah. Well, of course, we all love brunch at the end of the day, and we love Girls on the Run. So Kristin, thank you so much for joining us for giving us this recap. I feel like it was incredibly detailed and love getting both of your perspectives today. So friends, if you have any questions reach out to us. If you want to keep in touch with Kristin. Maybe you want to have your own conversation with her during soulmates because she's going to be joining us now exclusive live. So with that said, thank you again, so much, Kristen, for joining us. And friends, it is about that halfway point of today's long brunch. So let's go ahead and pull it back into a walker pace change in three, two, and one.

Shelby Schmidt:

I seriously do love Kristin, and I don't think I'll ever look at Russell from up the same ever again. She's infiltrated every time I see anything to do with up, I immediately hear her Are you in need of assistance, it was just the inflection she puts into it.

Christine Hetzel:

She's so good. And she really is absolutely one of the I knew first of all that you guys were going to be besties I had no doubt on that. And I feel very secure in our relationships. So I was okay with sharing the love so that we can keep expanding it because that's the thing with the running community is all about, I love to not only she passionate about Girls on the Run, and when she passionate, quite much we could see she loves herself some Disney. But I love how she really just embraced and leaned in to having such a phenomenal transformational experience with leaning into that community at runDisney. And that's really what it's all about. So whether you are at runDisney, or like our next guests that we're bringing on who actually was a soulmate herself. She's not fundraising for Girls on the Run for this particular London Marathon weekend. But she is absolutely making her steps extra magical as she fundraise for another nonprofit that's near and dear to her heart and helped her reconnect with her joy. So we are super excited to welcome to the brunch table, a fellow coach, a fellow podcaster. And just somebody who really speaks to our heart because we both had an opportunity to meet with her and go on her podcast. And I think the hardest part of our conversation with Stephanie is actually bring it to an end because there's just so much to talk about. Wouldn't you agree?

Shelby Schmidt:

Oh, yeah. She's She's a great, great addition to the brunch table. And I'm so excited. Because I now I kind of want to run London. Yeah, we

Christine Hetzel:

should. We'll friends. We'll talk. We'll talk all about that here as we bring and welcome Stephanie on in and three, two, and one.

Shelby Schmidt:

All right, everybody, as we settle into your party pays here, a little Party in the USA paces. I like to call it we are welcoming in a special guest to the brunch table. Stephanie Diaz, her coach Christina and I have both had the pleasure of speaking to. And now we're having her here because we didn't want the party to stop. We wanted to pull up that coffee. She is a fellow Floridian. And she is getting ready to go and run the London Marathon. So Stephanie, welcome on and we are so excited to have you today.

Stephanie Diaz:

Thank you so much for having me. I truly cannot think of a better thing to do during taper week. I have been looking forward to being here because I'm like, wait, okay, I can talk about running even if I'm not running. This will be my opportunity to kind of take a break from going a little bit crazy. And I don't know if you've all ever heard this term called paranoia. Have you heard that term before?

Shelby Schmidt:

No, Christine's like, Yes, I'm like, No, but I love it. I learned

Stephanie Diaz:

about this in my charity group, we have a whatsapp chat. And the fitness coach for our group sent us a video. And he's like, I know the paranoia setting in and I'm like, Wait, what is Marin Moya? And I guess over here we call it the tape are crazies, but over there, it's paranoia. It's the combination of Marathon and paranoia. And I'm like, Yep, I have been feeling that worried about traveling, thinking of all the things that not that they'll go wrong, but maybe we'll go as soon as possible. So I'm like, Oh, the paranoia needs to chill. So I'm glad that I'm here in company of other runners, and that I can take a little bit of a break from the chatter that's going on in my brain as I threatened to travel to London.

Shelby Schmidt:

So before we unpack your carry on, we got to roll it back. So you are a runner, you're a mom, you're a coach, you're all the things, but let's bring it down to when you started, and how you got into running. And then we'll we'll fill all the ads and ads and how you got to this point. Yes. So I was not an athletic person. And I would go to the gym and jump on a treadmill, because that was what was available, I would do 30 minutes, and then I would hop off and none of that I was just like, Okay, well, here's

Stephanie Diaz:

the gym, let me go do that. Then I became a mother. And I am a mother of two girls. And once that fully settled that I'm a mother of two girls, I started thinking a lot about what I could do as their mother to prep them for all of society's expectations and messaging. And for some reason, running was the thing that came to me because I could pop them in a stroller I could do that whenever I wanted, I was a stay at home mom with little squirrels. And I figured that if they saw me being active, then they would grow up seeing active as a lifestyle and not necessarily being active as something they did to lose weight or to fit into a dress or because they have this big event coming up, I really wanted to combat that. And again, I thought that if they saw me living it, then they would just know it and do it themselves. Somewhere along the line. I fell in love with running and the process of running, I was able to link up very, very early on with Galloway run group here in Miami. I'm In Miami, Florida. And that was just such a game changer for me I was partnered up with with incredible people to run, I had never ran any distance beyond 30 minutes, whatever you could do in 30 minutes on a treadmill. That was all I could do. I did a couch to 5k program that I met up with this group. And it was just there's something so special that happens when you spend hours running next to someone and you it's instant best friends, I don't know, there's it's just magic. It's just magic to share those miles in the dark next to each other your breathing and sharing all bits of life and get for me I was very fortunate that two of my initial running mentors, whenever I would tell them, Oh, I don't think I can do this. I have two young kids, I don't think it's possible. They both challenged me on that. So I'm realizing now that I'm a big fan of tough love. And that really propels me to see myself differently. And I had these two women that one of them said, My sister has kids and she's running now. So like, don't let that limit you. And then the other woman said, I have kids and I'm doing this. So you need to do it too. And I feel like that was the beginning of forever for me now. I just view myself this the runner identity has become such a big part of me. And now everything I do and how I run is very much so with how can I keep doing this? How can I keep building community? How can I use running to experience the world a little bit differently. And to meet people again, it's the I don't know, there's just something so special that happens when it's five o'clock in the morning and you're running with people. And it's the sweat, it's totally the sweat, it bonds you like if you can stink that bad next to somebody else, you're gonna be friends for life. It's actually

Christine Hetzel:

a little bit of brain chemicals that are released, but shall we will go and Corson would swear because a little bit of that is probably the pheromones that are released. But actually, there is I'm sure Stephanie you've read Born to Run. Their latest updated version of it, which is more of a training plan has an entire chapter dedicated to this. And so I'm so passionate about people running with others because of it. Quite literally science shows that we our heart rate gets lowered our blood pressure gets lower. We're able to run faster and longer with minimal aches and pains when we run with others. So it is absolutely super Rational. And hence, I think why all three of us are so much on the same page of this can change your life, it is not just an a way to, you know, stay fit or trim or to look at any of those things. It's quite literally the most transformational. So congratulations on having that opportunity. But also, you didn't just stop there, you didn't just become an avid runner, your mission is to maybe encourage a whole new generation of runners along the way would that be? Like, correct for me to say that?

Stephanie Diaz:

Yeah, and I feel like, definitely want to encourage runners. And I'm incredibly passionate, which I know both of you are as well of figuring out the ways in which we can make the writing community more accessible and more inclusive to other people. So this is very much so tied. I mean, it's it's walked alongside me as a runner, the idea of being more than just the run itself, or being more than any of the pieces that we drive. And that's where that's where I'm at right now, where I'm like, Wait, how am I caught? And I think, maybe to kind of go back where I find that with myself. And I'm really curious if this is the same for you all, where I'm constantly redefining my relationship with running. So the reason why I started with running was because I wanted to be a role model for my daughters. And part of that is still there, but it has evolved. And it continues to evolve. And the runner I am today is she still has the memories of the runner, I was back in 2012. But she's still very different. And even then when I look at 2012 to 2023. Now I feel like there have been so many different iterations. And this entire time, it's been being honest with myself and asking myself, okay, so why am I doing this? Why am I doing this? Why am I showing up? Why am I continuing to do the hard thing that is running because I am one of those people that I always tell people, it doesn't get easier? What changes is your perception of the effort. So running is hard, it is hard work. But what changes is how we perceive that hard work, how we perceive ourselves doing that hard

Christine Hetzel:

work.

Stephanie Diaz:

But I think a lot of that comes back to how much are we talking about running and the realities of running and the different trajectories that we can all take as runners right when I started running. And I feel like I started before Instagram became this big behemoth that it is I started running and I was just so curious as to what I could do. I mean, I had no clue what a runner's high was, and then I experienced it. And I was like, Oh my gosh, is this so funny feels like. And over the course of time, I thought that to be a runner. And this is kind of where I'm at right now, right where to be a runner meant I always had to be progressing. I always had to be getting faster, and paces, paces, paces paces. So I went from being an off of what I could accomplish to thinking that what added value to me as a runner was being able to run fast. And I did that. And I honestly, I burnt out as a runner, and really felt heartbroken by running because I felt like I was giving so much to running. But it wasn't returning back to me with the desired finish times. And it had to, I had to step away from that. And honestly, I've spared this for anyone who's listening. I feel like I've spent like the last four years, really dissecting what that means. And trying to reconnect with that new runner, who was just impressed with my ability to show up and trying,

Shelby Schmidt:

right. There's so many good things out of that. And I can relate because I to the past couple of years kind of gone through that. That progression, if you will, of where am I going? What am I doing? What type of runner am I settling into? And I think it's something a lot of runners can relate to because like we said, we're not the same people we were when we started running in any way, shape or form. And it's kind of like our why it's ever changing. And I think accepting that it's always good to change is the first step and allowing yourself to really live running as a lifestyle. And as a part of you versus the ultimate end all be all definition

Christine Hetzel:

Absolutely. And I think what I love so much to Stephanie, about your mission of helping these sports become more inclusive is that you also help it to be. First of all, I know you've mentored other coaches, you are there for your athletes. But I also love how you really put an emphasis on balance with your yoga spaces and your real big emphasis, which I think is something that I haven't necessarily seen quite as much. But I even love your go to, which is run yoga and rest. And I love how you put so much balance into the way that you approach your running and how you work, I assume with your athletes as well, or your groups. So tell us a little bit more about that. How did you come to your yoga aspect of your life, were you a yogi before runner or a yogi after a runner?

Stephanie Diaz:

Alright, so this is a fun story. So I actually found yoga because I was injured from running and I couldn't run. So again, when I first started running in 2012, and I met up with the group. Y'all don't do this, I learn from my mistakes. But I fell in love with the process of reading. So I found a group that was so incredible. I had signed up for three half marathons within six weeks of each other before I had even ran a half marathon. Okay, so y'all do not do this. But I just loved the process of training with my running group. And I thought, oh my god, it all runs feel like this. And I think that happens to a lot of us when we're new to the sport. It feels hard, but then it feels good. It's this weird sensation. So I had these three races, I ran them all, no problem, that third half marathon, I ran it. And then I tried to go for a run a few days later. And I couldn't because it band syndrome, it hit me so hard. I couldn't even run a block. And it was so disorienting for myself because I had just ran these three half marathons I had been training I had felt really good. And then afterwards, I learned Oh, there's there's a thing called to overuse injuries. There's a thing called doing too much too soon. So I had to take about six weeks off of running. And during that time, I had fallen so in love with moving my body that I didn't know what to do with myself. And this was in the day when and it's still popular. But you know, Groupon and all those websites, there were a bunch of yoga studios on there. And I remember texting my aunt and asking her Hey, have you ever tried yoga, there's a group on for this studio. I think it was$39 for one month unlimited. And she told me, I don't really like yoga, but I recommend you try it twice. And then she explained to me you try it once to see if you like it, you do it a second time to confirm that initial impression. Best advice I've ever been given. I always try to pass that advice on to people. So I bought the pass. And I told myself all right, a drop in is 20 bucks. So if I can just go to two classes, I won't have paid my group on off, I just need to commit to two classes. I went to the first class, it was an 8:30pm class I'll never forget

this is an 8:

30pm class because I went after putting my kids to bed. My husband was home. So I was able to go to a class which I was not able to do during the day.

Shelby Schmidt:

Solidarity there. So yeah.

Stephanie Diaz:

It was a dark class. There was music. It was hot is it was a power vinyasa class, got here in Miami, Florida. When I finished that I had no clue what just happened. But I had that same exhilaration like that physical exhilaration of running of, you know, when you're like breathing fast, you're like, I don't know what's happening. It felt like a speed workout, right? When you're like in that speed interval, you have no clue what's happening. You feel like a wild horse trying to tame your pace. That's that first yoga class belt. And when I finished, I said, Oh, this there's something here. There's something here because it brought up that same level of physical exertion, that same level of having to be present, and of not letting the outside world come in which again, that's what I experienced when I was running. Because when you're running it's you really can't think about too much outside of the running particularly as a new runner. So that is what I did for those six weeks that I couldn't run. And then once I started running, I incorporated more yoga. We moved to Chicago for a year in was 2014 to 2015 is when we moved to Chicago. And that's where I say I truly fell in love with running. And I fell in love with yoga. Chicago's just has such an incredible running community. And there's just so much there's, there's so many different events that happen in the city. It's just, it's incredible. And yoga, there was very different than yoga in Miami. And all of a sudden, I realized, oh, people teach yoga differently. People practice yoga differently, they focus on different things. So when we moved back to Miami, my husband had a month off of work. And I thought, hey, he's got a month off, he can be with the kids. Let me take advantage and find a yoga teacher training and see if there's one that fits within that schedule. And very serendipitously, there was one, and I did my teacher training, which is funny, because I did my teacher training. And as soon as I finished, I went to Berlin, to run the marathon. And then once I came back, that's when I really dove into teaching yoga. But I would say I and I always say running is my first love, yoga is a very close second. And I feel that there are two movement modalities that very much so complement each other when implemented in a way that allows runners in particular to explore full range of motion because as runners we move so linearly, and yoga is an opportunity to move laterally to add a little more flow to the body that we don't necessarily get when we're writing. So that's the story of yoga and running and how those two came together.

Christine Hetzel:

And all of your Yogi wisdom of try things twice.

Shelby Schmidt:

That is a really good rule of thumb, though. It's kinda like the first mile, like the first mile might lie. So just go for the second mile, just in case. But I love how you talk about the community in yoga, the community and running, and you really do live and breathe that mindset. Because even on your podcast, which we were lucky to be guests on for runners roundtable, you, you opened up that community to other female coaches. And it's something that we all talked about, we're very passionate about continuing to support one another and make sure that those strong female voices get heard. So I do want to talk about that too, about your love for coaching your love for the community. And you had talked about how we want to all open up our sport more and make sure that the sport really is inclusive in all the regards, and kind of where you're going with that and how it's tying into your identity as a runner. And as a coach now.

Stephanie Diaz:

Oh, yeah, there's a lot there.

Shelby Schmidt:

I know, it's a super easy question. Just you know, a light, like brunch question. That's,

Stephanie Diaz:

that one's just, you know, it's just, it's so light. Um, so I think I always come back to the importance of conversation and the importance of communication. Because a lot of it, I can notice something pristine, you can notice something shall be you can notice something. But if we're not sharing what we're noticing, it's really not going to extend beyond us. So I find that oftentimes, we need to reach out to people open up that vulnerability in order for that vulnerability to expand so that people can so that people can realize, Wait, I'm not in this experience by myself. So as I try to pick apart that question, in general, for me, it's always been very important to amplify Tango voices. Because we've got a lot of wisdom and we know a lot. So even when I was doing season two runners roundtable. I mean, every podcast episode that I have, if you go back and you look, it's always with females, it's always women's voices that I want to hear that I want to speak to. And it's nothing against men. There's nothing wrong with that. It's more just they've had the mic for long enough. So let us let us you know, come up here and speak a little bit because I think that there is this perception that women are constantly competing against one another. And that's part of what I'm trying to do is show that no, we're not we actually we want to work together and when we work together and when we collaborate, again, that message gets expanded and more ears are reached more people see themselves in whatever it is that we're talking about. So this idea that women compete against one another. To me, it's more where was that planted and who planted At right, like, I honestly think it's not innate in the US, it's very much so society and the culture that that says we need to compete with one another. So that's something that's really important to me of realizing that we all have a very unique voice, we all experience the world in our experience of the world differently. And there's space for all of that, right, we've got a planet of 8.1 billion people, there are enough people for you, there's enough people for be. And I really, really do believe, and this goes with coaching. And with the yoga teaching, as well as that, there is a coach for every athlete, and there's an athlete for every coach, there's a teacher for every student, and there's a student for every teacher. Now, it might take us a while to find each other. But we will eventually eventually. And again, it comes back to that how deeply are we talking to one another? How deeply are we amplifying one another? That to me is, is again, how we grow, that's part of how we grow the sport of running is by saying, Hey, we're all here. And we can all take up space. And it's beautiful, because we're all different. And we all have something wonderful to offer the world. And if my message isn't for you, that's totally fine. Totally by, there's someone else out there for you. And if my message is for you, then that's awesome. Let's keep talking. So I think, trying to think of all the different questions you asked there. But I tend to do that. Like okay, so what is it I'm like, so first, it's very important for me to amplify the voices of women. Because, again, there is that that is a unique experience that we all have. And even, I always look to my bookshelf, in particular with the running books. And I believe I've mentioned this with both of y'all, right, where it's like, it's all wonderful, these bookshelves are great. But when it comes to the majority of the books that are written about running, and training plans and whatnot, they're written by men. And that's fine and dandy, but we're women and women have very, very different experiences in their bodies. And we just need, we need something different. We can't. I feel like we're always in a rush. Not we I just mean like the collective the enterprise to make things easy, and to make things streamlined. And when we do that, we don't see the magic of the individual. And we don't create an opportunity to celebrate how individual we are. I mean, I think of I'll use myself as an example here, right? So when I was training, when I first started training, I was training by myself, and it was my first few marathons, I use the Hansons marathon method. That's what I use. And I was doing it, I was trying to do it. And again, I just burnt out because one I live in a lot. Yeah, I was trying to do all the mileage, trying to hit the paces trying to do the workout here in Miami with having two young kids and all these life stressors that the book just doesn't capture. It doesn't capture any of that. So after a 20, the 2017 Chicago marathon, I had a really bad experience. And after that experience, I was like I need a coach, I need a coach I need someone that's going to help me and for me it was really really important that it be a female coach because I wanted someone to understand again my experience as a woman, my experience as a menstruating woman and half that impacts my training, how that may impact my ability to rest and recover how me being a mother because God I don't want to cause any controversy here but my experience as a mother is very different than my husband's experience as a father right so I

Christine Hetzel:

know controversy we talk about this all

Shelby Schmidt:

the time I know same I will go on the record be like same it's vastly different there's no shade with it just from your experience my experience is just facts. It is what it is

Stephanie Diaz:

I was like I don't want people coming coming at you all with with something that but

Shelby Schmidt:

but we got this deal must be of an issue we're always willing to.

Stephanie Diaz:

I'm willing to talk about it too. But that was something that was really important to me where I'm like no no, I need someone who's walked through this life as a woman and who understands that the demands on me and the expectations on me are going to be different than they might be on a man and it's something as simple which I've gotten really really really heavy into is safety on the road right? For us women safety on the run looks very different than a man i i tell my husband this all the time that you know when I leave the house if I say it silent prayer that I make it back seats. And because I don't know what's going to happen out there, I want to make it at home back home to my husband to my kids. And I go through moments of feeling very angry that that's the case because I'm like, Oh, if he walks out the door, he doesn't have to worry about that. And then I go through moments of feeling very empowered by it. Because I feel like every time I go out for a run, I'm standing up to the people who try to scare me from running. And that every run is proof that us women can go out and we can do it. I had a few weeks ago, or months ago, I had posted something about safety on the run. And someone responded with a comment of this is why only go out during the daytime? Something like I don't know why people why women run before when it's dark, something along those lines. And I'm like, How do I respond to this in a in a very kind of way. But my response was, essentially, not all of us have that option, right? Like, not all of us have the option of let me go in the middle of the day to do my ride, or let me wait until the sun is up to do my ride. Not all of us have that option, I have a husband, I have a support system for my children are older. And yet I still do my runs early in the morning, because that's when it makes sense for my life and my schedule. So there's so much privilege that comes into running that we don't even realize it. And I think a lot of the conversations that I try to have, or if not a lot of the thought processes that I have are that both and mindat mentality of weekend both celebrate running and how incredible running is. And we can also see where things can improve so that running is safer, and a better experience for everyone who wants to try it out.

Christine Hetzel:

We love that so much. We're big proponents of it here. So we're gonna take this as an opportunity, because you mentioned being safe on the run. And form check for everyone out there that it is partly to do with making sure that we're being very aware of our surroundings are keeping my head up. And as we learned in one of our previous episodes with Nicole, smell of girls fight back, it's really important that as you're rolling through there, that maybe you keep your head up high, not just from a forum standpoint, but to be able to look others in the eye as you're rolling through this run. Because we learned that we have to take up our own space, and you have every right to take up your space while you're out there friends. So Stephanie, you said so much that I don't know how we could even I feel like we're gonna have to have a multi part Stephanie conversation because you talked a little bit ago when Coach, I'll be asked you the multi part question you did. You did touch on, culturally, women are seen as competitors, or that's something that we maybe have innately. Do you feel that you have a different perspective. From a cultural perspective, being from a more matriarchal society being Hispanic, I know that you work very much at a lot like elevating the voices of maybe societies or cultures that aren't represented quite as much.

Stephanie Diaz:

Ooh, that is such a complex question. Because I and I love this saying because it applies to everything where it's like Latinas, that Hispanic identity, it's not a monolith. And it's so different for everyone. So my own personal. My own personal story is that for a very long time, I viewed the women in my family as very powerful, incredibly powerful. And you would hear my dad would talk about his mother and his grandmother, and he, he spoke about them as if they were just massive life, horses. So I would hear about the elders in my family and think, Okay, those are in Spanish, right. And when I will have to do that, like that is a tough woman and not like physically tough, but like, to her heart tough. And then I have also this contrasting experience of my parents are divorced. And when my mother remarried, she entered into a very, very traditional Marchesa, like, very masculine dominated relationship. So I grew up I feel like with very, very mixed messages, on the one hand, I would hear stories of strength on my father's side of the women. And then on the other hand, I was experiencing very much so in my own house, my mother deferring to her husband, and like, I would add an example would be, I remember asking my mother whines for money for something for school. And my mother growing up was the breadwinner. She's the one that worked the job. Our insurance was for her, like through her. So she was the breadwinner in our household. And her response to me was, I have to ask my husband, I'll let you know if I can give you the money. And that to me was very, very, again, very strange. Her husband never went into the kitchen, never cooked, never cleaned after himself. So I had both of these messages. And both on both sides of my family, it's Colombian. So that's why I say there, it's not a monolith, because both sides of the family were Colombian. And yet they were communicating very different experiences to me. So the answer to that question is, I don't know. I would say the answer to that question is, I don't know. But I would see in my own life, the way I received those experiences was, you know, I love my husband, everyone, I love my husband. But it was very much so I didn't want to fall into the role that my mother fell into. Now, don't get me wrong, we still have very gendered roles in my household, I am the mother, the pandemic has given me the gift of not cooking, which is great. That was wonderful. During the pandemic, my husband's like, oh, cook. So now he does the majority of the cooking I made because once a week, which is great. But I am still called, I call it the available parent. So I'm the parent that if any of the kids get sick, or if they need to go to school, or they need to get taken out, or they need to go to the doctor, or the dentist, or whatever it is, it's on me because I have a flexible schedule. And even I laugh at my husband all the time. And I tell him like, this was last week, I told him, I'm like, I want to be you. Because you don't check the school emails, you have no clue what's happening. So I'm like, so I'm a little bit jealous of you. But at the same time, I feel like such a badass because you trust me so completely, that you don't even check any of that stuff. Like he is just so comfortable and so confident in my ability to take care of our children. So I'm like, again, it's mixed, where I'm like, Oh, I wish my brain had a break like you did. But

Christine Hetzel:

the burden of competence you've like exceeded all expectations of competence. So it's kind of like, well, of course, why not let her do it. Let's just defer to her. She already knows what's going on.

Shelby Schmidt:

I feel like you were listening into the conversation that coach Christina and I have this weekend because I swear to you, I have the same thing. I'm like, I wish I could just turn off for a second. But at the same time, I'm like, it's almost like a superpower. Because it's like, I've got this on lock. Like I might cry a little bit in my coffee. But I've got this like Don't get it twisted.

Stephanie Diaz:

Absolutely. Absolutely. Where I'm like, you know, again, like I told him that I'm like, I'm jealous of you. But at the same time like you married a good one. I don't don't like props to you for recognizing it. Like it's amazing. But you're welcome.

Shelby Schmidt:

Yeah, every morning, wake up and say You're

Christine Hetzel:

welcome.

Stephanie Diaz:

I always tell we're in the process of a big home repair, renovation remodel. It's been a three year long journey. And I always joke I'm like, I want a statue. I want a statue of me at the front of the house. So that when people come they can you know, bow down and and bless me for doing everything that I've done. So

Shelby Schmidt:

yeah, tell him we will sign that petition. We support that endeavor. And like if all I'm thinking about is like when Maribel the end of incognito gets to put the final door knob. I'm like, You need a door now. At least if you don't get the statue you need the doorknob

Stephanie Diaz:

totally Dorna. Even with like maybe my initials in it, I don't know something something Yeah, that ever went something like say yes, yes, the queen is here. Let us pay our respects. That is truly how I feel. And I think it's, it's part of that. And so kind of going back to like the story of my family life. And my my family of origin life was that realization of I don't want to be like my mom. And there's nothing wrong with it. I've had many years to kind of go through therapy and work through it. But she did the best that she she could with what she had. But I never want it to feel that subservient to my husband. So again, even though we may have gendered roles, I never wanted it to be like, oh, I need to check in with my husband for everything that I do. And thankfully, my husband is not like that. But I think that's part of where even into my parenting and where that has been reflected. And even now, where that is reflected in a lot of the work that I do in terms of focusing on empowering women to see themselves as more more than the mother more than the worker more than the woman that they are they are a person. And so yeah, so culturally, I would say it's really confusing for me.

Christine Hetzel:

economy because there isn't I agree there is not a monolith. But there is definitely a dichotomy, that scene where the although it's a very matriarchal society and a lot of kowtow into a will, as in the medina that there's still a little bit more of that misogynistic aspect as well. I'm fascinated and can't wait to see how that continues to unravel, though, because I see women like yourself, and our peers that are really working on changing that for the younger generation. And I think it's kind of taking the best of both worlds as we move forward. So it's exciting. Which brings us to even

Shelby Schmidt:

mentioned it, I got a one last thing I gotta mention it too, because you had mentioned your influences when you got into running about saying, Don't limit yourself. And I thought that was a really empowering way to put it. And you really are living that. And instead of it being like the Oh, push past your shoes is like no empowering it and saying don't limit yourself. So I just want to draw that parable. And now I'll let you talk, Christy because I have a queen of interrupting. I'm like, Oh, wait, wait one more thing? Well, because

Christine Hetzel:

there was so there's just so much good stuff here like and that's again, why when we both had the opportunity to speak to you at runners roundtable, I think we both walked away with feeling like we had embarked on a conversation with somebody who was a fast friend, just because so much relatable aspects of conversations of how we feel why this is so much more than just putting one foot in front of the other very, very simple at its core of running. But it quite literally gives you and it was gives me goosebumps to think about, but it's like your shoes unlock the magic of your potential within. It's like always coming back to that. Which leads us to the next really big excitement. So friends, we have Stephanie with us, right on the cusp of her going out to the largest annual fundraising event in the planet, otherwise known as London Marathon. But the reason why I think London is so special, more so than maybe quite a few of the other marathons is because this is one of the races that prides itself on it being available for everyone, as long as you're willing to make your miles a little bit extra magical, a little bit extra more special by really focusing on charity fundraising at the same time. So it sounds like you did that? Do you want to talk a little bit about how this training cycle may have been different? Knowing that it is such a big fundraising aspect as well.

Stephanie Diaz:

Okay, so I'm gonna be honest with you all and tell you that I didn't know it was the biggest fundraising day. I had no clue. I had no clue I was I ran the 2021 Chicago marathon. And when I finished I said never again, I don't want to run another marathon again. And I feel so bad for my family, I really, really do feel bad for them because I finished that race. And I'm like, Don't ever let me do that. Again. If I say I'm gonna do that, take my credit card away. I mean, it doesn't matter. I have my credit card number memorized or really even. So I'm finished. And I was like, never again, I don't want to do that again. And the more I kind of sat with it, I think I even had a dream. I don't even know it's been it's a journey again, like I hope if you take anything away from anything I say it's this understanding that running is a journey, and that who you become as a runner constantly, you are constantly in a state of becoming. And so I ran, I ran that race said I never wanted to do it again. Fast forward to 2022. And I thought, there's something missing for me. When I first started running. I loved the challenge of a marathon. Even if it's often it was hard, and it hurt. I continued to do it. So 2015 i So 2014, I ran my first marathon in 2015. I did three marathons and 150 K in 2016. It was two marathons. So I had these periods of time where I was doing it a lot. And I thought, Wait, where did that person go? Weird? Did that person go? And that was my pondering last year of how can I fall back in love with the process of running a marathon? Because I did it before and it was there. So what within me has changed? And how can I reconnect to whatever it is that was changed? Or how can I find what I lost. And I had a friend who was getting her six star and Tokyo as well. She was just so excited. She was sharing so much and I thought Wait, I think I want to do that. I think I want to do that if I'm gonna get back into marathoning it has to be something that's really really special. Because it has to be has to be more than me. That was just like if I'm going to do this, I know that I can't do it for myself. Because if I do it for myself I'm gonna get caught up in numbers and in PRs and all of this other stopped, which for some people, it's very motivating. I don't want to take that away from anyone. But for me, that's what led me to feel burnt out by running and heartbroken by running. And I did not want to return to that space. So I entered the lottery did not get selected through the lottery. And I had about 24 hours to fake. How badly do I want this. And if I really want this goal, and if I really want to do this, I've got to fundraise for a charity. Do I want it bad enough to fundraise for a charity? Because I don't know if your listeners know this. But when you're fundraising for a charity, you're doing twice the work. You're training for a race. And you're trying to fundraise. Which

Christine Hetzel:

fundraising is hard.

Stephanie Diaz:

Oh, it's so hard. It is so hard. So much work. I feel like I'm a nap or like a mosquito all the time telling people Hey, fundraise. I'm donating, please come on, give me give me give me. And so I had 24 hours of that. I sent my coach, a text message of this is what I'm thinking about doing? What do you think she responded with the most excited text message that I was like, I have to do this now. Like if she's excited, and she believes there's something there for me, let me start believing in that too. So I went the route of looking at all the charities, I picked a charitable organization, rays of sunshine. And the way I picked them was so serendipitous because I had decided if I'm going to run London, I need a theme. I need a word for London. And for me that word was joy. Because I wanted it to be that every run, I had sparked joy in me, not the entire time. But I at least wanted to feel some kind of joy at some point.

Shelby Schmidt:

You're still a human.

Stephanie Diaz:

Like, I'm like I just need even if it's just like, just like a second where I'm like, Okay, I'm doing this. So that was what I had decided, like joy is going to be what's going to carry me through this training cycle. As soon as I went to the rays of sunshine, their whole thing, it's a sun, it's about brighten the days, and the lives of children. I'm like, what doesn't get more joyful than that? Like, it's literally a son, and it's yellow. And it's joyful, and it's happy. So I applied, they interviewed me. And then I was asked to be on their team. And again, it wasn't until later that I realized this is the largest fundraising day. And they kept seeing that messaging of, Hey, your miles being more, because they're going to ripple out beyond to you. And that is something that I took into my training where, first of all, I told me that I told myself, I could not complain about running. Because in previous marathon cycles, there's always a point where I'm like, this is hard. Why am I doing this? And I told myself, nope, if you're making this choice, to do this, you got to commit to it, and you just got to own it, own it, do it be done with it. And that was the journey of this training cycle. So this training cycle for me was the fastest feeling training cycle ever. I'm in this space of feeling like I'm ready, but also feeling like I didn't have enough time, even though I know I had enough time. But it just moved by so quickly. And I think the reason why it moves by so quickly is because I brought so much more intention and awareness to each of the runs. But beyond that, I told myself or promised myself or challenged myself to not hold on to the runs. So do the run, do my best. Let it go. Because that's something that I feel like has happened to me before. And I know it can happen to I'm sure we've all experienced it with our athletes where they have one workout, it doesn't go to plan, and then they somehow think that they're a bad runner, or they're not good enough for that training has gone to crap. And it's like no, actually like, you gave it your best. That's what you had in yourself that day. And I realized too, that if I was actually able to step back on those days where I had quote unquote, bad runs, that was probably a day where a child woke up in the middle of the night. I did not eat as much as I should have eaten the day before. I did not fuel how I should have fueled I didn't drink as much as I should have drank. Or I was stressed out with my house. I was stressed out trying to figure out fifth grade math, like there's all these things that kind of come into it. So that was that was part of it. So for me it was the training went by really quick. And my focus on the train during this training cycle is very different from other training cycles in that I My main main goal was to fall in love with the process of training for a marathon. So every run I went into, it was very much so that reminder of I'm choosing to do this. And because I'm choosing to do this, I get to do this. Nothing is a sacrifice. I'm not sacrificing anything, when this is the choice that I'm making. So I would say it's, it's been a big, I've been working on just mentally shifting

Shelby Schmidt:

from the act of accountability, the act of the act of really being present of owning, active ownership. That's what I was trying to say. Yeah.

Christine Hetzel:

So I'm curious, do you feel like you're successful? Bringing back joy to marathon training?

Stephanie Diaz:

Oh, yeah, listen, I had a run. So I had told my coach, and y'all, I don't want to plug this, but I'm totally gonna plug this, if you're listening to this, get a coach, get a coach, get a coach, because coaches are so important. And they are your biggest cheerleaders. And my coach understands me better than that, my family that I spend the majority of my time with, when it comes to running big. My family just thinks I'm out there. And they, they're like, Wait, we're on a roller coaster, we have no clue what we're doing. But we're here for the right type of thing. Whereas my coach is like, all right, she's the conductor of this ride. We cut through all of it, all of it, all of it. So early on, I'll give this example early on in the training process. I told her I want to run a 22. I want to do a 22 mile long run. And she said, Are you sure? And I'm like, at this moment? I am, I am fully aware. Yeah. So I was like, I'm gonna be honest. And I told her, I'm like, I am fully aware that a 22 mile run for me physiologically will have no benefit, because it's gonna take so long to do it. Physiologically, I know it will have zero benefit. But this run and this training cycle, for me has been about my mental state with it. And if I can finish a 22 mile run in Miami, Florida, still smiling and saying, I can't wait to do this marathon, I have won this entire training cycle. So I do this 22 mile run, which I started at 4am. Because I knew it was just gonna take me a really long time to do it started off early, I read with friends throughout different parts of it. I would say at my own 19 of that run, I wanted to stop. I was like, I'm done. I can just walk this, I can just walk this. And in my mind, I said no, I'm gonna say this in Spanish. But in Spanish, I kept telling myself get their mind that like Who told you who told you to? And it was one of those things and like you said, active ownership, it was very much so that's get their mind. I was like, Who told you to ask for this? Who told you to do this? Who told you to tell your coach, you wanted to do this? And in my mind, I was like, wait, I did. Like I told myself to do this. I asked for this. So whether you've got to take walk breaks, whether you're going to stop and think about stopping for good. You're gonna keep going. And when I finished that run, I mean, I must have I must have looked so unhinged. Because I smiling so big. Because I'm like, I did it. I did it. And I think this is something we all talk about, within ourselves with each other with our athletes. Running is so mental. And if you can come to that space of meeting your biggest inner critic that tells you you're not enough, you have to stop. You're not strong enough to keep going if you can meet that critic, and continue going. That's it. Like to me that that any training cycle, any run is a complete success. Because it trickles to every

Christine Hetzel:

part of your life. That's where the magic happens. Absolutely. Yeah,

Shelby Schmidt:

yeah, exactly. That is where the magic is just pushing

Christine Hetzel:

because like you said that it goes from there's that phrase, I think it's on a t shirt. I run this body. It's I run my mind. And so many times our mind is playing tricks against us, especially in those later miles. So I love that you brought it back to I'm in charge. And I can keep moving forward. So that's that is. That's like mic drop moment right here friends. So hopefully you all are continuing to move forward and putting a smile on your face because if you saw Stephanie's joy, if some people call it a ninja, that's okay. As long as you're gonna go train for

Shelby Schmidt:

a marathon like that's how well like I know you're not trying to sell it, but that's how well you sold it. It's like, alright, what marathon am I doing now? Let's let's, let's have some active ownership and let's really just dig in deep and I love

Stephanie Diaz:

that and you know, even when you said the word like, Christine, when you started talking about London marathon, I was like I'm gonna cry like I'm just gonna, I'm just gonna cry all day. Since I'm going to anytime I feel like that's going to be those two words together are going to make me cry getting on the flight, I'm gonna cry getting there, I'm gonna cry because it really is. I just, I cannot. I don't think I can fully communicate who you become when you're training for a marathon. And for some of y'all, it might just be a half marathon, right? Like, whatever, whatever you think your limit is training for that and meeting all those points of doubt. But still showing up and trying, like you've said, like, that is where the magic happens. Because out there when you're running. And it's the same thing with yoga, I always tell people with yoga, right, we're like, you're the one that's doing the work. It's not me, it's not the person next to you, it's you. And even something I'm going into London with this awareness that even though there's 1000s 10s of 1000s of people that will be running as well. Even when I'm surrounded by people, it's still going to be this conversation that I have with myself, as to my belief in my ability to keep moving forward. And I say this to for myself, where it's like, I never doubt that I'm going to finish. I know that physically, I can do it. What I question is the negotiations I'm going to have to make with myself in order to get it done.

Christine Hetzel:

Yeah, absolutely. What I love about what you're saying is that, while yes, I 100% agree that reading and our love of reading is an evolution. Sometimes there's not as much love in it. But what I feel like what I'm hearing you say is that this training cycle was about reclaiming and reclaiming sense of self, sons of self confidence, self love, self appreciation, self awareness. And I think that if we think about stripping it back, though, we've evolved, it's also going to a simpler time in life where we actually did believe in ourselves before we were bombarded with negativity. So again, every time we talk to you, I feel like I get chills, because it's just such a phenomenal conversation. Friends, if you want to hear more of Stephanie, and you want to hear more about London, we're gonna definitely send you on over to the runners roundtable podcast. And she's got a bonus episode all about that pre London Marathon questions answered. But we also invite you, as you're rolling through this, send her some love on her Instagram, because she is going to, you're likely going to be listening to this as she's preparing to embark on her 26.22. I was I had that point too, too, all the time. So you want to to to, it could be I see her. We want to send her a whole lot of love. So much so that she feels like all throughout that marathon. And we'll add this into Episode notes. But it's at the cookie runner, which I feel like, let's go ahead and mark this right here. And now you have an invitation to come back. Because we want to probably spend an hour on that Instagram handle that we may not have time right now. But friend, I want to thank you so much Stephanie, truly for for not just injecting joy into this conversation, but injecting joy into the world around you. So we appreciate having you here with us.

Stephanie Diaz:

Oh, thank you for having me. And running is awesome. And it's, I've said this before. And I just want to I want these to be my last words here on this podcast that we're all just one connection away from falling in love with this sport. And here, I'm just so grateful that I got to spend some time with two of my connections that have inspired me to keep showing up because that's what we do for each other. We inspire one another to keep showing up in our authenticity in our truth in our joy. And in the reality of this sport. That's beautiful. But it's I always think of Brene Brown, beautiful, right where it's like brutal and beautiful. So thank you for having me and for just being two more sparks that make this sport so wonderful. All right, well, while

Shelby Schmidt:

you might not have tackled 26.2 on this run, it is time to pull it on down. So let's bring it to our walk and warm warm up to the warm down in three, two. And one. I still think I'm catching up on sleep.

Christine Hetzel:

I can't imagine why I can't imagine why but for three nights in a row.

Shelby Schmidt:

I actually napped and that was groundbreaking. So I respect Stephanie with the jetlag that's about to occur and if you are like us and still recovering from the runDisney weekend basically no matter what let's get some hydration let's take a nap let's just you know snuggle with our running shoes and have a good cold cool down here are with

Christine Hetzel:

our trainers as they would say in the UK which isn't meaning smuggle with their actual code. trainers like that's what they call their running shoes. I'm on HR

Shelby Schmidt:

nightmare.

Christine Hetzel:

I'm on fire here, folks with the UK slang. I'm just going to keep it going all the way through. But I don't want to annoy our guests, so I didn't bring it to the table there. I'm just keeping it for you coach Shelby. However Friends, we want to thank you so much for joining us for this incredible recap weekend. As you guys can tell, we were very excited to bring it to the table because it was quite magical weekend and we were so excited to share the news. Joining in as the official training partner for Girls on the Run of Central Florida soulmate program. Again, reach out to that link with Elizabeth to find out more, especially if you want to be in our training groups, which we have some more exciting announcements about that. We're just we're gonna put a pause on the excitement for one episode. So just stay tuned friends sign up for our newsletter for not on it already. Because trust me, you're gonna want to hear about these details coming on up. And we're also including all the myriad of ways to catch up to Stephanie. Maybe if you want to track rat London if you want to send her some cheering and supporting on her Instagram. We'll include that in episode notes. You saw it in the newsletter as well. Of course, if you're already signed up, you could join us on the Facebook group community page so you could talk to your fellow runners, whether they're across the pond in your backyard or yet to become your future bestie because there's so many great ways to stay in contact. I want to ask you though, coach, with a few minutes left during this cooldown. What was your most favorite standout memory of the entire run Disney weekend? Yes, you can only pick one I'm going to be I'm going to be mean because I have a little rumbling of vibe still.

Shelby Schmidt:

Okay, if I had to choose which you were making me do, I'm still salty with you. You fed me too well, and I didn't get a try the official fake plastic cheese of runDisney. UK, but I'll let it go on a couple of years. My best standout moment was us after a day of FOMO which is fear of missing out in case anybody doesn't know of getting our picture with Wally. We got Wally picture. And as we're walking away he does the Wow. And we both screamed and shrieked like little children and it was the purest moment of the entire weekend. And if there's one thing I will remember it's just our faces looking at each other like to just happen.

Christine Hetzel:

Yeah, it was absolutely incredible. i We didn't bring that up during our recap because oh my gosh, there was just so much but that was a big takeaway too, is that those race morning lines for the characters if it's a theme character of that specific race, those lines can get super long. So we found that it was probably best to go to the other race day character so basically like the cars day, that was the perfect opportunity to go meet the Monsters Inc or the other characters that weren't necessarily on theme. Now. I think though on the final day both you and I decided that they were going to get our we're gonna get our photos with every opportunity possible. So I think that was the day that we stood in the longer lines and we were willing to do it because they do go by quick. And we realized that that's really what it's about is capturing those memories.

Shelby Schmidt:

Even though I had to push you to leave me at a certain point I'm like Christine, Phil, love that is all Disney. Please go and I think I left you at the Tower of Terror because I was not near one of the runDisney approved restrooms and I did not want to use a porta potty. And I'm a scaredy cat so I did not want to add some extra hydration to the Run Disney course and yes I just went there people

Christine Hetzel:

well that's okay. I mean there's that's that's that's possible to happen friends. So with that said, hopefully you've made it back to home so you can participate in your own loo break. I'm I can't stop now that I started the UK slaying I cannot stop. I love it. But friends, we want to thank you so much. It was an absolutely fabulous workout. Hopefully you feel that extra pep in your step you got a little bit of extra Joy hearing from our wonderful guests with Stephanie and Kristen, and of course hearing a little bit about the magical miles that we participated in. But we want you to give yourself that high five, give yourself that pat in the back. Make sure that you're rehydrating your refueling with your brunch, tastic favorites while you're recovering, resetting for your next run. We would love if you take the time to head on over to wherever you listen to us via Apple Spotify. Maybe you're checking out our YouTube, go ahead and subscribe and rate time for brunch. Because we want you to keep sharing so we can grow this community. Because as you heard, the common theme was how important it is to really embrace and lean into your community, be it virtual or in person. We want to make sure we continue growing and allowing people to come in and feel welcomed. That's really important to us. So we're going to see you again. When it's time for branch we're going to be serving up more miles with

Shelby Schmidt:

you Aside of smiles