Have you ever felt like giving up when life throws you a curveball? Amanda Hill's journey on the pavement tells a different story—one of unyielding determination and the life-changing impact of running. In our latest episode, we celebrate Amanda's transition from hesitant beginner, guided by the couch to 5K app, to a triumphant half marathon finisher. Her story isn't just about personal records; it's a lesson in resilience, balancing the roles of motherhood, healthcare professional, and many hats, all the while carving out her own "me time" with every stride.
Sometimes, the race isn't about the finish line; it's about the community cheering you on and the lessons learned along the way. That's the heart of our conversation as we recount Amanda's highs and lows, including the emotional whirlwind of training for the Wine and Dine race only to be sidelined by an injury. Yet, her tale doesn't pause there. Witness how she embraced the role of supportive spectator, underpinning the value of a solid support network during recovery, and how she made a comeback with a mindset as strong as her running cadence.
This episode isn't just Amanda's victory lap; it's a playbook for anyone inspired to pursue their running goals. We'll traverse the importance of listening to your body, the nuances of finding a run coach that fits like a snug pair of running shoes, and the shared joy of cultivating new friendships within the running community. Amanda’s experience serves as a beacon for anyone seeking motivation or contemplating the benefits of a personalized coaching partnership. Join us for an episode that's more than just a run—it's a marathon of inspiration, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of personal bests.
In this episode, you will also find the reasons why you should hire a coach and the key factors you need to consider before doing so.
Interested in learning more about 1:1 coaching with Coach Christine? Fill out the application here.
Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Want to become a member of Time for Brunch+ to show your support of the show? Join here.
Join the Brunch community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
Have you ever felt like giving up when life throws you a curveball? Amanda Hill's journey on the pavement tells a different story—one of unyielding determination and the life-changing impact of running. In our latest episode, we celebrate Amanda's transition from hesitant beginner, guided by the couch to 5K app, to a triumphant half marathon finisher. Her story isn't just about personal records; it's a lesson in resilience, balancing the roles of motherhood, healthcare professional, and many hats, all the while carving out her own "me time" with every stride.
Sometimes, the race isn't about the finish line; it's about the community cheering you on and the lessons learned along the way. That's the heart of our conversation as we recount Amanda's highs and lows, including the emotional whirlwind of training for the Wine and Dine race only to be sidelined by an injury. Yet, her tale doesn't pause there. Witness how she embraced the role of supportive spectator, underpinning the value of a solid support network during recovery, and how she made a comeback with a mindset as strong as her running cadence.
This episode isn't just Amanda's victory lap; it's a playbook for anyone inspired to pursue their running goals. We'll traverse the importance of listening to your body, the nuances of finding a run coach that fits like a snug pair of running shoes, and the shared joy of cultivating new friendships within the running community. Amanda’s experience serves as a beacon for anyone seeking motivation or contemplating the benefits of a personalized coaching partnership. Join us for an episode that's more than just a run—it's a marathon of inspiration, camaraderie, and the relentless pursuit of personal bests.
In this episode, you will also find the reasons why you should hire a coach and the key factors you need to consider before doing so.
Interested in learning more about 1:1 coaching with Coach Christine? Fill out the application here.
Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content.
Want to become a member of Time for Brunch+ to show your support of the show? Join here.
Join the Brunch community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.
Welcome back to another very inspiring episode of Time for Brunch, where every runner's story brings a new perspective on perseverance, triumph and the transformative power of running. Today, you guys hear me say the word excited quite frequently, but beyond ecstatic, because I get to introduce you to an absolute bubbly ray of sunshine, amanda Hill. I've had the honor and privilege of working with her on her journey and is nothing short of remarkable. But before I officially bring Amanda on and again, I cannot stress to you enough how inspiring her story is, how much it's a story full of resiliency and also focusing on how to continue making our goals a possibility, even when we're faced with obstacles. I want to chat with you a little bit about things that you should take into consideration before you decide to sign up with a running coach. One of the things that I hear in chatting with people is that they're not sure that they should dedicate some of their budget, or that they need to work with a run coach and it's true budget. Or that they need to work with a run coach, and it's true. You don't necessarily need to work with a run coach, you don't necessarily need to dedicate your budget for it. But there's some things that I want you to take into account and thoughts to have when you're considering working with a run coach. Some of the things and some of the benefits that you get is that you choose to have that investment of someone who's invested in you, someone who's there to support you, encourage you, provide you with the information that you need to help make your goals attainable, but also that gives you that personalized attention and support. Beyond that, you also get the extra layer of accountability and why a good run coach is always going to ask you to turn inward and to really focus on your intrinsic motivation behind why you are pursuing your specific run goal. We're also there to help provide an extra layer of accountability that we can so often need. A little extra push out the door, a little reminder that maybe that track workout that is going to be on our schedule is not quite so formidable that we have what it takes to be able to tackle it.
Speaker 1:I think one of the other things that I hear from a lot of the folks that I work with that they really enjoy in working with a run coach is specifically that we have very stressful lives. We are wearing lots of different hats from day to day, and it's great to know that somebody else is their job and their responsibility to figure out how to make your training the best that it possibly can, so that you just have to essentially follow the plan and, of course, reach out to your coach if you have any questions, which makes you more efficient in your training. You're not doing a little guessing game. I know that I've heard from folks there's a little bit of kind of bouncing around where you're kind of taking a little bit of a maybe a little bit of this training plan over here from the internet, a little bit of that principle from that other individual, and there's a lot of guesswork around it. So there's a lot of opportunity, unfortunately, to constantly doubt yourself throughout this process. So it helps to increase your efficiency of knowing that you're working specifically toward your goal with an individual who has been trained and has been able to show that they are able to have your priority of your best training with where you're at with your fitness goal and where you want to go. I personally love the aspect that you can improve not just your performance but the way that you choose to look at your goals and your metrics and having conversations with your run coaches A lot of times, while we are invested in your success, we're also impartial in terms of being able to help you kind of see externally how you are progressing in a way that maybe internally you're not able to see quite so much because you're in the day-to-day of the grind, versus where we can kind of help you see a more macro approach to your progression and your plan.
Speaker 1:Of course there's the great resource. If you're a questioner like me and that's a little nod to Gretchen Rubin's four tendencies you have a resource in your back pocket when you decide to work with a coach. If you have questions, if you want to know why you're running that style of workout, what that workout can do to help make benefits for you at where you're at, you're able to actually reach out to your coach and get those proper techniques, get those answers had, without having to spend tons of time Googling or figuring it out on your own. Additionally, most run coaches will also help to provide you with an additional community when you join their groups, in their roster and that social support. So, from the get-go, there are so many different ways of really seeing utilizing that run coach that you choose to work with and the reason why I'm having this conversation is because, amanda, before I bring her on, we had a consultation. We had a really long conversation as to what she was looking for, what she needed, and we were able to make sure that we, before we started working together, had that conversation. So we both knew what to expect. Okay, my friends, without further ado, I do want to bring Amanda on. I will let you know. On the other side of my conversation with Amanda, I'm going to tell you the key factors that you should be looking into when you are deciding on what run coach works for you. So stay tuned. You're going to be inspired. You're going to hear a lot of tales of triumph here, so stick around and also learn a little bit more about what you should be looking into if you are considering working with a run coach. All right, friend, I cannot wait to bring on Amanda. So, officially, I want to welcome her on in.
Speaker 1:Amanda is a devoted healthcare professional and mother. She balances her demanding career and family life with her passion for running. Her story took a dramatic turn last year when she was preparing for her first run Disney weekend. Well, a little bit of a twist of fate, unfortunately just before the event. That led to a very tough decision and you will hear from her why her very thoughtful and difficult decision that she had to make really paid off in spades. So, without further ado, I could gush and gush. I'm not gonna do that yet. Let's learn and hear from Amanda. Welcome on in, amanda, thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 2:I'm so excited, of course, like I listen to you all the time.
Speaker 1:Seriously, it's so. First of all, like from our very first conversation with Amanda. She is vibrant and bubbly and if you guys ever have the privilege of getting to run a race with her, or if you're local to her and you end up ever running with her, you will know that she's got this extraordinary spirit. She knows exactly how to motivate not just herself but those around her, because we're going to talk about the fact that you kind of help led someone to their PR as well at Princess. But let's get, let's go to the beginning, let's learn about Amanda Hill. Tell me, what was your foray? What got you started so?
Speaker 2:I know you and I have talked about this, but my uncle, um, he was a marathoner. He unfortunately, um, died on 9-11 and the trade towers so well, touchy. But he would always talk about running. I was like I'm glad, like why do you have a thousand pair of sneakers in your, in your closet? He's like they're only good for like 400 miles and I gotta get a new one. So he ran marathons, um, so he really it's just like he inspired me and then like continue on with his legacy. And then also it's just like that one thing that I can do for myself, I'm out there on the asphalt and just it's my me time because, like you said, I'm very busy with being a mother, healthcare professional, friend extraordinaire, your, your coach yourself as well coach too, so like I literally have like my four hours a week that I spend with running, that's, that's my me time.
Speaker 2:That's kind of chaotic.
Speaker 1:Yeah so, and I, yeah, and it found. Actually, I've heard there's been several weekends where we have to kind of make sure that that run happens before you go home, have like two seconds to shower and change, because you are going to be doing your own coaching that day and you need to be at the bowling alley.
Speaker 1:So there is a lot of juggling, and I love that. You make running kind of. You've reframed it as not a chore, not something you have to do, but something you get to do and get to spend time enjoying it yourself. So, with that said, absolutely beautiful legacy that you're honoring with your uncle. Where, though, did you start actually running Like? What made you decide, okay, I'm going to lace up, and what did that look like? I mean, did you sign up for a 5k? Did you just go out and jump on a treadmill?
Speaker 2:So, like everyone pretty much starts with the couch to 5k app I've seen it all on Pinterest. I'm like you know what, let's just do it. What's the worst that could happen? And this is me running in like Nike cross trainers that are like meant for weightlifting and going way too hard, way too fast. But I really, you know, I did that and then it was 2017. And I was like let me sign up for the Shamrock 8K. I'm like five miles, I can do this, no big deal. And then I never did that race because it was. I was too chicken. It was like pouring down rain, cold, windy. I'm like I never did that race because it was I was too chicken. It was like pouring down rain, cold, windy. I'm like I'm not doing this. No, absolutely not regretted not doing it, but, um, I just, it was just like that. One thing, like I can do this, like, come on running, it's not that hard. In hindsight, it's pretty freaking hard.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I mean, well, we all know, and there's days where it does feel like super effortless, and then those days just tease us, the rest of the times when it doesn't feel anywhere near as effortless, but we know that it's there, it's possible. We just have to capture it again. So what made you decide, okay, I'm going to go from I've done the 5k and I'm going I, you know, going to tackle a little bit of further distance. What made you decide to sign up for a half marathon?
Speaker 2:It was always just like a little goal of mine, like you know, like to run like a half marathon. I always put in my head like I'm not quite ready for a full marathon and like, if you're going to go big, go home. You know, like I'm just going to go for it. Like who's going to tell me I cannot just me. But then so yeah, signing up for a half marathon, I was like let's just do it. And so I initially signed up for the shamrock half marathon I think it was in 2022 and I got covered six weeks prior to completely sideline my training. So I was like I'll bump down to the 8k. That I never did in the first place. I I'll bump down to the 8K and I did it. I had a great time.
Speaker 2:And then after that, I'm like I have to do this half marathon. Like the atmosphere at a race, like just doing the 8K, was just fantastic. I can just imagine, you know, adding on some more distance and how I'm going to feel afterwards. And I was just like kind of chasing that goal. I'm like, and I was just like kind of chasing that goal and like, okay, like I can do this half marathon if I do a few half marathons, who knows what's in store for me. So I just definitely really wanted to go ahead and just hit that goal and just do it.
Speaker 2:So I was bummed when I got COVID, like you know what. It just made me hungry to go out there and do it, get that half marathon goal. So, like it really. You know, I took a break after the 8k and then got back into it and I did do the half marathon in 2022. It just wasn't shamrock, it was. It was a great half marathon and it was a great experience. And, like after I did the first time, like okay, I can see why people say I'm never gonna do this again and then sign up for race, like in the car on the way home I dread a red light like sign up for race.
Speaker 2:like in the car on the way home as you're at a red light like sign up for race charge card.
Speaker 1:Yeah, exactly. So that does fast forward us a little bit in terms. So so, 22, 2022, you tackle your first half. Then you go into signing up for your next half marathon in 2023. So let's take us through that adventure in terms of your training. You're still um progressing us through that adventure in terms of your training. You're still progressing. I also want to call out a couple of things that you said just here and before we do move into your 2023 half marathon you said who's going to stop me?
Speaker 1:The only person who can stop me is myself. That kind of friends. That's the mindset that you need to take into your training Because, with Amanda having and we're going to talk and touch on those a few obstacles that have come her way, this is the mindset she's taken to become resilient or to continue being showing her resiliency and her tenacity. It's the fact that she does say you know, okay, this, this has sidelined me, but this hasn't stopped me. So she continues to push forward and that's what I love. And, again, I feel so honored of getting to see your journey, because you do take these obstacles as sidelines, not saying that you don't feel. Your feels, girl, but you don't necessarily let them keep you down. So, from 2022, we do our first half marathon, we decide we're going to do it again. 2023, I think I know which one we're talking about at this point. I believe that it was right, before actually Wine and Dine, that you had this half marathon.
Speaker 2:Yes, it was actually my birthday weekend. It was Crawling Crab half marathon and I just wanted to do it because A the crab medal was so freaking cute. I'm like, all right, my medal's cute.
Speaker 1:And it's my birthday.
Speaker 2:I was like, let me just figure out the best way to spend my birthday weekend. Let's just do a half marathon's not healthy for people. Most people are like let's not run 13.1 miles on my birthday, but me I'm like it's no big deal. So I ran that with um. It was actually a little bit of a smaller race than what, um, my first half marathon was, but it's a little bit smaller just because of the area it was in it. It was great, um, right along the water and just. I remember when I was running and I was at like mile like eight or nine, I was like wow, like a year ago, this was so freaking hard Like I wanted to just walk off the course you know, at mile eight, my first half marathon, I was like this is so freaking hard, like how?
Speaker 2:and then this time I was like let's just keep going, let's see how we do, and you know, crossing the finish line feeling stronger because of you know, putting through the effort.
Speaker 1:Yeah, being consistent with your training, I was consistent throughout the entire summer.
Speaker 2:The summer miles really was brutal, but you know, it really made me a stronger runner and a stronger person at that point because I was like okay, so like, and again after I finished that the half marathon, like all right, who could stop me? Like nothing could stop me, like nothing shy of could stop me. At that point I was like this is great, like I can't wait for the next half marathon and I was just, you know, I was really hooked and you know know, being with a consistent training, sleeping, better nutrition, all the, all the things that come to play, I had a great time and like that was one of my favorite half marathons I've ever done. It was just the second one, cause the first one, like you never know what, you're not sure what you're getting into. The second one, I'm like, oh, this is great, like such a great point. So we have this is great, like it's great.
Speaker 1:That's such a great point. So we have this half marathon. It's the beginning of October, birthday weekend. We're celebrating, we're feeling high on life, we're thinking we're a month away from our very first run, about a month away from our very first Run Disney experience. You had signed up for Run Disney, clearly, because it always sells out quickly. What was your thoughts of going into Run Disney?
Speaker 2:At it always sells out quickly.
Speaker 1:What was your?
Speaker 2:thoughts of going into Run Disney. At that point, after I did a half marathon, I'm like, oh, this is fantastic, it's going to be a great party. Like I'm going to see a whole bunch of friends. This was the first time I was meeting a lot of my friends that I met in the running community on Facebook. I'm like, oh my gosh, I actually get to meet you, hug you, all those things.
Speaker 2:And then I was feeling great. I was like, okay, let's just keep, you know, a strong base, let's just keep the momentum going. You know you've got like three and a half weeks and then you can take a little bit of a break, a little bit of a breather. And so, you know, going into Shamrock, and I was like, okay, let's just do this. Like we got this, you know, just take it easy. Took a few days off after the, after the half, you know, just to recover. And then I kept my, my mileage. Like that first week I ran long runs, like four miles, and the next week was eight, and then back into taper and it was, I felt fantastic. Um, I recovered better. Walking down the stairs was a lot easier.
Speaker 1:Right, right. So I want to draw back on that for friends that are listening in and kind of maybe considering their first half marathon that there is so much value of definitely the consistency in training, giving ourselves more time, so there's really it's never too early to start working toward your base. Maybe you're not going to ramp up to such high miles as when you're actually in training for the half, but having that base, really a good foundation, set, helps to feel stronger, not just during the race but afterwards as well. Which leads us to we're now going into Halloween weekend, which is the official last weekend before Wine and Dine and completely normal. Most of us do have some really fun runs that we love to do, especially during that time of year. There's some great themes. Well, we have a Wicked 5K right, and why not do it? And I think that you did it with your kiddo, you had a great event, you had a wicked, amazing time. And then what happens after you cross that finish line?
Speaker 2:Cross the finish line, go to the after party. We're hanging out and waiting for some of my friends who did the tag tag and then we're walking to our cars. At the end of the event I'm 200 feet from my car. 200 feet from my car, my right ankle decides it wants to turn and sprain. I try to walk it off. Pretty painful that night. The bruising I was like oh crap.
Speaker 1:So, friends, we've all been there, right, if there's, if you're going to run long enough, there's going to have some point where something happens, where we all are hoping that the next morning we wake up and it was just a nightmare, we're fine, we healed perfectly overnight. And again, for you, you have wine and dine, and not just wine and dine, where you're tackling the half. You're actually talking the entire weekend. So the 5k, the 10k, the half, and you're flying out in just a few short days. So you're resting it up, you're trying to figure out where to go with this. What does that mean for Wine and Dine? Walk us through your thought process those days leading up to leaving, to actually come down to Orlando for Wine and Dine.
Speaker 2:So, regardless if I was running or not, I was coming down to Orlando.
Speaker 1:It was my first it was my first weekend away from being out, from being a mom.
Speaker 2:You know, like my first like mom's free weekend no kids I didn't have to worry about like, oh mom, I need this mom, I need that mom. Oh. So it was great. And you know I made these plans with all these girls, you know, months in advance. You know, paid off my room, all that. I was like, okay, I'm still gonna go, we're just gonna see how things go. Rest it up, ice um compression, all the, all the things you do for a spring. And so I was like I'm still gonna go, we're gonna see how it goes. You know, take it for a sprain. And so I was like I'm still gonna go, we're gonna see how it goes. You know, take it day by day. That's basically I was thinking like hour by hour at work, but like literally like day by day, like let's just see and how it goes. And we're gonna pray, light candles at church. You're like, okay, pray like ankle.
Speaker 2:I had all my, all my girlfriends do that Like for my ankle and um, yeah it, it wasn't pretty, it was not pretty.
Speaker 1:Yes, but I mean, let's talk a little bit about that too. So, friends, we do know, um anyone who is a big run Disney fan, that a lot of folks do come to run Disney, or a lot of these race weekends where you train so hard, you dedicated so much time, you spent so much money that you do want to at least try it out. But this is where the first thing kind of comes into play. That can start to impact. It is the expo itself. The expo itself is a lot of walking. So you have a lot of walking to pick up your bib. You're trying to still rest so that you can be ready for the 5k. Tell me, like, when did you decide I'm gonna try the 5k, I'm gonna walk it out? Um, I know the story but for the listeners, what, how, what's your thought process in this? Are you starting to get a little anxious after that expo? Are you starting to feel more comfortable after the expo?
Speaker 2:so I was thinking. I was thinking like, okay, I'm good, because, you know, walking through the airports I flew into some pretty well, I had like a pretty long walk from like TSA to my gate at my home airport and then, luckily, my walk in my connecting airport was literally like not even like 500 feet, so that was fantastic. But then, walking through Orlando airport, I'm like, okay, I'm great. And then to the resort, to the room to change and get to the expo, I felt okay, you know, like it was maybe just a high of like finally getting the well-earned vacation that got to me. And then, um, right, you know, we went to dinner. We walked the expo, which, you, it is a lot of walking if you're not used to walking. Uh, it's a lot of walking. If you're not used to walking, it's a lot of walking and a lot of bobbing and weaving because there's so many people there.
Speaker 2:So after we did the expo, we went to dinner at Wilderness Lodge and it was fantastic. And I went back to my resort and I was like, ok, let me just rest my ankle. It was about like 530, 3 o'clock. I rested my ankle and then got up the next morning for the um five K still felt good. Um, I had my ankle brace on at the time and I felt okay. You know, the worst part was just standing around the crowd waiting for the race to start, and I and also it was cold too, won't tell you that much- yeah, yeah, so we complete the Expo 5K.
Speaker 1:There's no medal for that, but you do get to pick up some shirts. But as we complete the Expo 5K, we do. You're being, you're playing it smart, you're trying to rest or, of course, elevating or icing, compression. You're doing the whole rice technology of it, or the aspect of treating it. You get up the next morning, you're meeting your friends. You guys have a group costume planned. You're waiting around for the 5K. You do walk the 5K, which, whether or not you're injured, friends, that's always going to be something that we're going to suggest around these here parks walking the 5K.
Speaker 1:It's untimed and it's actually a great way to actually see the park in a whole different light. So walking the 5, okay, you cross the finish line. Epic race finish photo. I feel like you should be teaching classes on these photos, because they're always phenomenal. You get a great photo, we see each other, and when does it start settling in that maybe it actually doesn't feel too great to tackle a future like the 10K.
Speaker 2:So I felt great you know the whole runner's high after doing your first run Disney race, got the medal, took all the cute photos. And then I get back to my resort and I was like, well, let me just check Disney Springs Because I want to go out there, I want to go to a world of Disney. And I'm walking around Disney Springs and it's starting to get pretty painful. I was like I did double the amount of walking yesterday and it shouldn't be like this. And then I was. I was like, well, I still want to. I wanted my goal was to go to Polynesian because I wanted, you know, just see that resort.
Speaker 2:So I took the bus to Polynesian and I was sitting in the quick service there and I was like my my ankle hurts so bad, like I cannot do this, I cannot even attempt to run a 10k because it might nap at that point. So I was crying in the quick service. I'm on the phone with my girlfriend, Rebecca. I was like I can't do this, I cannot, I cannot do the 10k. I I want to, but I literally can't. My foot hurts so bad. And she's like we're not gonna shame you for not doing it, you're smart for pulling out and I remember there were like three other runners that were there. You know they saw me crying, you know so hard and they're like we know that you're disappointed, but this isn't your last race. You're doing the smart thing Because had you started and then something bad happened, who knows what the future for running is.
Speaker 1:Right and for the record, I don't think that it could be said how difficult of a decision it is to make this Like there is not an.
Speaker 1:It's not an easy decision. It is actually a devastating decision. While this wasn't necessarily, you weren't there for that weekend to run the races specifically for time. You were looking to enjoy it. You were, I mean, you had let up, you had trained for it. So, again, making that super difficult decision. I want to talk a little bit about how did you start to change your mindset, to get through the disappointment and just allow yourself to enjoy being at Disney and then thinking about what was next for you, like where, where did you start to flip that disappointment into the next phase, or did you just kind of stay bummed?
Speaker 2:the entire weekend. I wasn't really bummed the entire weekend Like I I okay, I will say I was bummed because the 10K was the race I really wanted to do Disney's favorite movie. I was like so mad. I was like, oh my gosh. But then I'm like it's not the last Disney race and I was already signed up for Princess, so I'm like I can redeem myself. I'm like I will get through this. It's no big deal.
Speaker 2:But I flipped it to. Instead of me being a runner and everything, I was a spectator. I'm like I'm cheering you guys on tracking balloon ladies. For you know the girls in my group like okay, you're here. And I had girls in like one group chat tell me what characters are on the course. And then selfies from other people. Like I didn't feel like left out and I remember talking with you and you said, oh, we won't be sad if you don't come to the start of the 10k. I was like, no, I'm gonna come and it was. It was so much fun because after the runners got off, the characters came back out. I was able to take pictures, no line. I was like and you did, they were fantastic pictures too.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I'm here having a Joffrey's coffee, a muffin. We we're good. So it was. It was fantastic Cause I was able to still just be there for my running community and just see them. You know, see you guys all across the finish line. Like that was my goal, to see you guys cross the finish line, even though I couldn't do it. I'm like you know what I'm like someone's got to cheer for you. Like someone has to cheer for Christine, someone has to cheer for Rebecca. Like I'm going to be the one to do it. You did.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and you were. You were the most amazing spectator cheerleader of all. You PR'd in that for sure. I want to say, though, you didn't feel left out, because you didn't let yourself feel left out, you, you still got up, you still rode the bus with the other runners, you were still there supporting people before we actually headed to our corrals. Again, you engaged yourself like. You fully immersed yourself in that race weekend experience from a different perspective.
Speaker 1:Again, this goes back to I cannot stress enough, my friends how that mindset flip that she did is really what really really made what could have been the worst, most expensive weekend of all into still enjoying and having fun and getting out there and allowing herself to still connect with people and be in like the experience from a different perspective. So, in all of you at this point because I think it's truly one of the hardest things to do to decide to pull out in a race like this, or specifically a race weekend, you handled it like a total champ. You fly back the Monday after the race weekend. You, somewhere along the ways I don't know if it was on the airport or when you got home you had reached out to a doctor.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I had my layover in DC and I was like I don't know how the time is.
Speaker 2:I'm like not even 9 o'clock in the morning I'm calling. I'm like, hey, I need to get in to see Dr B ASAP. I have an ankle issue. They said we can get you in on Wednesday. I was like, perfect, I got in on Wednesday and I saw him in the sports medicine guy, the exercise guy. He's like you have a great two ankle sprain, dude. Like you walked around in disney with this more power to you, hey, um. And they're like you know what you got to do. I'm like I'm gonna go right there to physical therapy and book the appointments. Like I knew that I had princess already on the books. I'm'm like I have to do this race. Like I. I I paid for. My airfare room was already reserved. I'm not giving up my princess experience, so I so you advocated for yourself.
Speaker 1:You. You got in immediately. I mean like literally. I think that if you could have figured a way to have gone from the airport directly to the orthopedic doctor you would have. But you got there as close as you medical individuals, letting them know what we do, why it's so important to us and working with them and collaborating as to how we get healed up as quickly as possible or what our treatment plan is to be. So she literally said what can I do? What can I not do? She got a full treatment plan, collaborated and reached out to me to let me know what was the next course of action as to what you were cleared to do.
Speaker 1:And that weekend after starting PT, you were already focusing on your training from the perspective of healing as quickly as possible and minimizing any of the cardio or endurance kind of fallback. So you were cleared to ride your bicycle or to ride a stationary bike with your brace. You were cleared for core and upper body. You were cleared for PT and mobility. You were tackling meditation. You were doing all the things through this time. So, through this process, because you did not push into the 10K and you did not push the half, you were able to advocate for yourself with the doctor. Get in as quickly as possible. You're literally then cleared for a full return to running about a month later.
Speaker 2:Yes, right, um, pt was like let's do a few like test runs on the alter G, which, if you don't know what that is, it's a treadmill that can take up to like 70% of your body weight off of you, so you can just run and you know the mechanics. And then we did a few test runs on the treadmill inside the gym and he was like dude, you're great, like go do a test run this weekend before I discharge you from PT. And he said no more than 20 minutes of actual running, or no more than 10 minutes of actual running, so you know, throw in some intervals. I was like, all right, cool that I went out there and did it, no ankle pain. And I remember him saying to me he's like I wish all my patients were like you that actually listened to me and doing this, because they always didn't come back like two, three weeks later after I have to discharge them be like, oh, it's hurting again because I didn't do what you told me to do. So I was very diligent with my home.
Speaker 2:Uh, pt actually yeah, my home PT work and then like even at work, and making sure I wore the right type of shoes and everything of that nature. Um, and because my goal was to get back into running, because I knew I had princess right around the corner and we all know, after you turn 30, time flies even quicker.
Speaker 1:Especially during the holidays, especially as a mom during the holidays. Yeah, it's like it's going to go so quickly. So let's also talk about at this point you're, you also are still considering. At the same time we have princess, but you also had shamrock on your calendar. I had shamrock full on my calendar at that point, and yeah, so let's talk about that hard conversation that you had to have and listening to your.
Speaker 2:I was talking with my PT and I said, hey, listen. I was like what are your? What are your thoughts? He's like what do you mean? I'm like I signed up for the Shamrock full. He was like could you do it? Yes, he's like, but you would have the worst time trying to ramp up because for your first, first full marathon, you want at least, you know, five months of training. This is, we're coming up to Thanksgiving. I'm like I should already be, you know, kind of knee deep in training for shamrock. And he's like, if I were you, he's like best pull is not going anywhere. He's like defer that for a year. You want to do the half, go for it, but the full I do not think it's best for you because I don't want to see you back in here March 18th. Be like my ankle is effed up, dude.
Speaker 1:Or even before, when you're hitting peak mileage and then still not able to do the race. I'd really be mad.
Speaker 2:I'd be like oh, I hit 20 miles and I can't do this, Uh-uh.
Speaker 1:Right, right. So again it goes to share. Like it it was. We were faced with so many decisions as a runner and um, some of them are easier than others and this is yet again where we have another hard decision to make and you really like it was to me. On being on this side of it and hearing from you, it felt like you were very much staunchly in. Like I, I'm in this for the long haul. I'm making decisions that are going to help me to have the best race day experience possible and also to keep me healthy so that I can tackle other endeavors that I have in my life. So it wasn't almost there was, didn't feel like there was a lot of going back and forth. It felt very much from my perspective that you decided I'm going to make the tough decision now so that my life choices do become a little bit easier, moving forward in terms of not hurting myself, not having to go back to rehab all of that jazz.
Speaker 2:So I mean, like I, I struggle with it and I I know you and I talked leading up to it. I was like I'm like I really want to do the full. I'm like it's a great full in the area.
Speaker 2:And I was like you know, I I'm like I've battled back and forth and then I thought like what would I tell another runner who facing the same um problems and like on the Facebook feeds or you know anything, instagram? I would tell them like, pull out now, because if you just if you injure yourself or it, what would happen if I needed to have, like ankle surgery? I'd be out for six months to a year. Right, I'm like I don't want to do that. I do not want to do that. So I was like it was a hard decision, but it was a smart decision. If you guys understand what I'm saying Absolutely and again, yeah, that's.
Speaker 1:What I love is that you do think of the long run versus just what you want right then and there. So what would you suggest to folks that are faced with those kind of decisions? Maybe somebody who's listening, who's been ignoring that little bit of a niggle. Maybe they're hoping that if they don't go to the doctor, they don't get the MRI, that they won't have their worst suspicions confirmed. Well, how would you? What would you suggest to them right then there, since you said that you did think that as part of your process, what would I tell the runner?
Speaker 2:You're asking the wrong person. I'm like, I'm the healthcare professional, I'm like go to the doctor, like go to the doctor, but no, what's the worst that's going to happen?
Speaker 2:You go to the doctor and they say, okay, you have, like the great two, spraining your knee, ankle hip or you've got something going on. It may pause your goal for right now. It's not going to stop it. It may pause it until you get fully evaluated, because you don't want to be 40 years old and going in for a hip replacement because you let that hip strain go too far, or having an ankle surgery that'll take you probably out of work for six weeks because you can't put any weight on it, and then six months of rehab, like think about it for the long haul.
Speaker 2:You don't want to.
Speaker 1:I'm just saying medical bills too, because pc's expensive girl, I'm like I'm literally going to go grab another soapbox. I'm going to make sure that you have like all of it, cause I want to make sure that people do hear it and for myself included for the record, cause I talked to you about after goofy for myself, where I was sick and I thought about how you had to make a difficult decision for that weekend. So let's talk a little bit more about how was it. Coming back to officially training after you're cleared, are you? You make the decision not to do shamrock full. You decide to bring it back to the half. You do have, princess. What is your thought process? Is there some fear, some trepidation, some excitement? What are, what are all the emotions that you have starting your training again, knowing that you've got these tasks in your future?
Speaker 2:So I was nervous as hell with, like, my first couple of long runs. I'm like, oh my God, is my ankle going to be able to hold up for this? Because, like you know the first, you know the weekly maintenance runs range about between three to four miles. Like okay, that was great. I'm like, is this? Stop putting the fear in there. Like stop worrying about the ankle, just go out there and run. I think we did a test five mile run just before we did um full-on half training and I felt fantastic, cadence was was great and building and all that great, all that great stuff. So I just I had to like get out of my head. Because if you're an injured runner and you're like every little twinge or every like misstep, I'm like, okay, don't, don't hurt yourself, don't hurt yourself.
Speaker 2:Like make sure you do that yeah, but um, I just went in, you know, like head in head first, like let's just go ahead, let's do it. Like my body will tell me okay, let's not do that run, or maybe we should ease back on the pace, like something's gonna tell me something. You have to really like listen to your body. You can't just be like, oh well, a plan says do like five miles at half marathon pace and you're like wait hold on.
Speaker 2:Like my body's not feeling this. It's okay to like step back and like well, I'll just do the five miles to cover the five miles, but I'm gonna do my own pace.
Speaker 1:We did. We were a bit conservative. Bringing you back on Cause, I'm even looking at some notes and it cracks me up because there is a note here where you specifically like you start getting into all like I can see where you're no longer as worried about your ankle because you know that you healed well and you start getting into the typical concerns that we have with training and it's like, oh, I overdressed today or you know all these little different things. So it was like we start to see a conversation shift again. I can see that you're feeling more confident and comfortable with it. But one of the biggest notes that I love that kind of we walked away from your very first longer distance run.
Speaker 1:When you first get back in again, we're being very conservative, so it wasn't necessarily it wasn't into double digits, it wasn't peak mileage at this point, but still very first ones where you specifically said that I love the fact that I didn't lose too much fitness in this past month and I can't stress that enough because for somebody who has had an injury where I did have a full six weeks off during my, during that injury, it was very much me having to kind of restart and rebuild and because you did advocate for yourself so quickly, because you did go to PT, because you followed what your PT said and you still found ways to honor your aerobic fitness base with biking or cycling and doing all the core work. I think that that's I don't think I know that's what led you to have an on-ramp back again to your fitness base. That was so extraordinary. So again, we cannot stress enough You're hearing it directly from the proof is in the pudding listening to your body, taking care of yourself, making those hard decisions and being proactive will make the biggest difference as to how short your recovery will be and how quickly you're able to jump back into it.
Speaker 1:So let's talk about the fun. Let's talk about you get back into your training. You have princess on the horizon. We're able to start adding in a little bit of back-to-back simulations. We're doing it still conservatively, based off of the way that you tackled it. When did you start thinking this feels really good? I feel like I'm making a lot of progress. I feel like a pr is in my new future, or are you not?
Speaker 2:I wasn't thinking it yet up until like the new year. No, I, I don't think it was until like mid January, I think, after you finished, or you attempted goofy, um, which I was, I was heartbroken, I was like I was tracking, like she didn't start. I'm like she's not feeling good. I'm like it's okay and, um, I think it was just I, my runs just felt really good. Um, I was, I was hungry for it and I wasn't just saying like my long runs felt good, like all my weekly maintenance miles felt fantastic. I was, you know, getting up before the buttcrack of dawn to get those done and still doing a full workday.
Speaker 2:And I think what really like lets me like knowing that, like I was stronger this time around, it's like I did a 10 mile. You know, like knowing that, like I was stronger this time around, it's like I did a 10 mile, the you know the peak 10 mile run and walking around you know Walmart Target, walking down the stairs. It didn't hurt. I'm like okay, like, like the strength and the consistency and it really helped. You know, having also not only me being strong and consistent, but like having a consistent, you know, person to take care of my kid, Like my mom, was, you know, really there to take?
Speaker 2:care of my kid, like I never had to worry about like okay, like I have to get this run in and get my sons at home alone, or anything of that nature. So it was very, you know, I credit my success a lot.
Speaker 2:So, like my mom, you know, always being there to watch my son, always being there, yeah, like I wouldn't be able to do that Because if not it would have been a treadmill run and we both know how much I despise the treadmill you keep putting it on my, but you still do them, even when you don't love them.
Speaker 1:If there's no other availability to you, I mean I'm going to give you credit you still tackle it, even if you don't love it. I will say again, pulling back notes from that first, like the longer run before we are getting ready for Princess. Yeah, you said that. You know, not only did I tackle this double digit run, not only have I had a full, full week. It's like when we're in training, our life gets to pause. You're still working, you're still, as you said, having to be a caregiver, even with a community and your mom helping you. You still have your own responsibilities. And what you loved was that you were able to then go from that run and you had a full day. You had bowling coach duties, you had your kiddo needed a haircut and around this time you also meet a new oh, because that's also okay. So you meet a new bow writer. I think it's. We're starting. It's in like that january time. You guys first start talking, but I'm gonna let you tell me more.
Speaker 2:So we started talking in, uh, december, um, him and I went with my brother, um, to bush gardens with our children, um, for our christmas town, and we just hit it off. And the next day he um I always joke with him, I'm like you slid into my dms because he sent me an instant uh, not instagram a facebook message. He's like hey, how's your morning going? Did you get your coffee that you needed? Because it was like well, after midnight when we got home. And you know, we hit it off ever since, um, the following week, which was the surfing santa five miler race, which just so much fun to do at virginia beach. If you're ever here christmas time, do it, it's so much fun. And I had a date, literally like right after that race. I'm in the bathroom at the convention center and like baby wipes and like body spray and changing I do remember that now.
Speaker 2:Now, yes, and I remember there was also like the new year was on the horizon and there was so he was texting me that day of the race, you know, and he was like how are you feeling about it? I'm like you know, I'm feeling okay, I've done this race before. I'm not. I wasn't going for a PR because it was like my first, really like long ish run back from the ankle injury. He's like you're gonna do great regardless. You're gonna have so much fun, I'll see you afterwards. I was like okay, and I remember texting in the car. I'm like okay, I'm on the way to this date. Let's, let's hope it goes well. And I think I sent him like oh, I PR'd by four minutes on that, on that five miler, which is insane from having five weeks off. And he was like that's fantastic.
Speaker 2:I'm so proud of you and I'm like that's what I knew. I'm like, okay, like this guy, he's the one and the encouragement is not there because he's been supporting you all the way through.
Speaker 1:So we make it to princess weekend, same as before. Expo 5k is in the books because again you you're walking quite a bit, um, a little bit of a different experience because you brought your kiddo down with your mom, so it looks a little different for this race weekend. You tackle the 10k, so you're doing the fairy tale challenge, which is where you do the 10k one day, the half the next. Tackle the 10k, super strong pacing for the 10k. Where are you feeling for the half marathon the next day?
Speaker 2:in the back of my mind. I know you assigned paces. I was like I'm not, I'm not doing it. I know you should already know like I'm not doing it like. But to be fair, I ran the 10k with a new best friend and I will never forget her and we had so much fun we were running. We were like I was trying to listen for the cues for us to walk and we would go like a minute and a half without like walking. I was like I can't hear it, I can't hear it, we're just going for it. But we had so much fun and then I was like I felt really good after the 10K.
Speaker 1:For the record, that was your A goal, by the way, so I knew that you weren't going to listen to my specific, like you were not going to be conservative, because the weather was perfect.
Speaker 1:People. Just you have to take into consideration as much as you may have one specific goal race in mind. There are times where you may have just a beautiful everything. Conditions has presented itself and you have to go for gold, so you tow up to the start line. That's something that I also love too with our group is that we're able to find usually a corral buddy from the group, because there's such a wide variety of folks and all sorts of different cross. So you guys became official corral buddies, racing buddies, and then officially PR buddies. So at the half half you guys are tackling princess, you're enjoying yourself, you're living your best life. When does it hit?
Speaker 2:I am gonna freaking rock a pr I was talking with kristen and she's like I've never finished sub three and but at that point I was like we're getting here, that's up three I don't, I didn't care about my pr anymore.
Speaker 2:I wanted her to get her pr. I was was like you're working for this and I'm like we're going to go for it and we had a great time. I got smart. I got a gym boss. Instead of trying to listen with all the noise around, I will tell you, if you guys try to use your headphones at a run Disney race, you're not going to be able to hear it.
Speaker 1:You're not Absolutely agree. So either you need to set your watch to vibrate with your intervals which I don't necessarily recommend.
Speaker 2:So the gym boss is the way to go. Yep we're running through and then I think we hit like mile 11 and her watch shots. She's like I'm going off you for Pacey, I'm like, and I'm like and what's your PR? She's like I think I did it like at three, 15. I was like we're getting sub three. And then I was like, okay, let's do this and that home stretch coming through Epcot and as I like to, call the epcot ball, but apparently I'm wrong.
Speaker 1:It's spaceship, earth whatever, or the geoscience dome or the space cop. I mean, we're not here to judge. Like, whatever you want to call it, you're welcome to call it.
Speaker 2:And then she's like I'm gonna go for it because, like I think we had just hit mile 13 and you know the mile mark. I'm like go for it, fulsom, like your pr is different than my pr, and catching her going across it was like fantastic. I'm like go for it, fulson, like your PR is different than my PR, and catching her going across it was like fantastic. I'm like I knew I kind of wanted to PR because like the weather felt so great, it was nice and cool, it wasn't too humid at the start. Like I kept my sweatshirt on for the first mile almost two miles, and that's saying a lot coming from Virginia going down to Florida. I'm like it's cold, like I had hot hands, everything and I I just felt very strong and I was like let's just do this, let's like what's the worst?
Speaker 1:that's going to happen, I don't PR. Okay, then I still have shamrock, right, right. So with that guys she had a beautiful another epic finish line photo Because, again, I don't know, somewhere in her training she's training for this as well Super strong. You and Kristen have now become best of buddies because you shared that experience together. I'm going to tell you how. I know that you guys were on a mission and you were super serious.
Speaker 1:The one character that Kristen loves, that she seems to talk the most about, is Princess Vanellope, and she was actually on the course. I've never seen her at Disney World, I've never seen her on the course, and I for sure thought, like the minute I passed Vanellope I thought, ok, well, I know where Kristen's going to stop. And I asked her. I was like did you stop for Vanellope? She's like not only did I stop, I didn didn't care. Like I was so excited to be running um and running super strong and having this potential PR that I just because I guess there was a where she like called her out and you're like nope, we're not stopping, and she decided I'm just letting it go. So it was. It was beautiful to see you guys connect and have that super strong race finish together.
Speaker 1:And then here let's go again, as to the purpose of training isn't just to run the race or to race strong, it's to also feel good afterward. So you got done. You get back to your hotel, you've got your kiddo, you guys go to Magic Kingdom. You party it up, you get your finish line. I mean you get your medal photos at Magic Kingdom. I mean you're rocking the entire process. You even then travel back looking strong. And then we've got shamrock, where, just about two weeks later yeah, about two weeks later you have a super strong showing there as well. And now you've decided that you are officially going to do what for your next adventure?
Speaker 2:my next adventure is shamrock marathon 2025. Can't believe we're saying that and it wasn't a decision I came into lightly, because I like, I posted about it on my instagram. Training for a half marathon is like a part-time job because it and sometimes a full-time job, you know, with peak week and everything, and then training for a marathon, it is an additional full-time job and literally and I talked with my other half.
Speaker 2:I was like, hey, listen, like if I'm gonna go for this, like it's gonna be a lot not only on me, you know, with the miles and everything like that, but I'm getting up early or I'm getting my runs in after work or whatnot I'm like are you okay with that? He's not only am I okay with it, like I'll be there for you, like you need me to throw water bottles outside the house, or I will volunteer at aid stations.
Speaker 2:And I was like okay. I was like, well, why don't you really just ponder on it? He's like, stop pondering on it, go sign up. I was like all right. He's like you're gonna do this, you did well. And like he's always like in the back of my mind like you can do this, you can do this, you can do this. And I remember during shamrock and I'm like I knew my PR was kind of out the window at like mile 10. I'm like I'm not gonna hit the PR, let's just finish strong. And that's always like the sequel in any race finish strong. You know, have that strong finish line photo which somehow I perfected. I don't know.
Speaker 1:I don't know, you have you truly truly have even your shamrock photo. I'm like I think when you sent it over I was like, is this like gonna be on the cover of? It should be like a running ad. I'm gonna talk to my local running store.
Speaker 2:I'm like, hey look like you should like have this on your in your billboard, like here you go. But I I talked to him and I was like you know what? I'm like I can do this. And I was texting him like I'm like I'm at my all-time. He's like you're doing fantastic. He's like just a 5k left. You've got this. You run 5ks all the time.
Speaker 2:I was like okay, and once I finished, he's like I'm so proud of you. I'm like thanks. Like like having someone in my corner and he saw through the entire like half marathon training cycle. He's like okay, like she gets up, she's dedicated, she's in better shape than I am, because like I could not see myself running for three hours and you did that and then still carried on with your full day and all that like it's it's night and day, like when you have a very strong support system, because it's not only you know people at home watching your kids. But, come on, we as runners, we can be annoying. We're talking about like, oh, you know I had an eight mile workout, but it's one mile warmup.
Speaker 1:I have no idea what you're talking about.
Speaker 2:I'm like eight mile workout, one mile warmup, two miles at half marathon pace, two day half marathon pace, two miles a marathon pace.
Speaker 1:He's like it's fine. He's like I'll listen to it, no big deal. Yeah, oh, I love this. I love that you have such a great support system. I love that you have cultivated a strong support system, not just specifically with your friends, which you have your training friends and your significant other, your family, but also and your PT, your orthopedic doctor. Like you literally have surrounded yourself with the group of people who helped to propel you forward. So what are you most excited about in now moving forward toward this marathon? What are you hoping to like, learn or achieve during the training cycle?
Speaker 2:I mean I'm just obviously to get the marathon done, obviously, like that's it, like that's the end, all be all goal, but like I think it's just like learning more about myself, like pushing myself to the limit, like what can I do or what can't I do you know like I can do anything I put my mind to.
Speaker 2:So it's literally just like me against me. You know it's like, and I remember when we talked about because I said I was never thought doing this the share mark half, and I'm like I don't know why, because I've run on all those stretches of road before and it was just so weird because, like, that was the first race I had that like I didn't have someone running directly with me. I still did it. You know like, and I still rocked it. I'm like, yeah, seeing the, the journey unfold now, going from half marathoner to full marathoner, like that's that's what I'm most excited about, like seeing, like, what limits I can push.
Speaker 2:And I talked with someone like the other runners in the area. I was like, yeah, you know what I'm like, I'm ready for the full moon. They're like well, how'd you know you're ready? I'm like because I did the half marathon and like, not that I didn't get that runner's high, but I'm like I felt like you know what I could still do this, like I could have still kept running. I'm like, I'm like that's how I know. I'm like, okay, I'm ready, I'm ready. Now, what am I like? I've hurt me If I decided to try and veer off to the full. Oh boy, you're like, why are you running 26.2?
Speaker 1:I mean, I would have been a little freaked out if I hadn't heard from you and you were like a few hours after. We thought that we would be communicating. But that's OK, I feel a little bit like you're that. I don't know if you're familiar with a comedian, but she has a show that's called she's Ready and it's about she brings other female comedians out. That's how I feel about you, like you are so ready for this marathon, you're so ready to rock it and I'm so excited. Now we can't finish this conversation without at least one brunch convo. So, friend, if you could have brunch with anyone in the world after a long run, who would it be and what?
Speaker 2:are you Okay?
Speaker 1:Well, besides you, because I mean obviously we do well, girl, we do brunch all the time. Oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:So I would have to say it's a really hard question, but I would have to say who is it? The one that just did the 100 mile race, Jasmine Parks? I just just to talk with her because she's the only female who's ever completed that challenge.
Speaker 1:Yes, Finisher of the Barkley Marathon. I would have, I would have.
Speaker 2:I would have barked at her and be like okay, like give me, give me the knowledge, like pour it into my brain, because like, not only was that like a hundred miles, it was trail.
Speaker 1:Like mouth, it was trail. Like I can't see myself doing 100 right, and not just any trail.
Speaker 2:It's like it's like nonsense trail, like the whole process, like that really is like the hardest race.
Speaker 1:So, jasmine paris, what are you ordering? A little bit, I feel like she may be a pescatarian as well. I would probably do some sort of.
Speaker 2:I thought I saw somewhere egg frittata and but like throwing in like some mickey waffles. It's like you know, after a long run, like I really really realized that after I did the half I was like my friends was like give me the Mickey waffles and I Okay, so we're having a little bit of everything you deserve it.
Speaker 1:Okay, with that, amanda, I want to thank you and I can't drive home enough sufficiently, friends, that Amanda is such like this person that you hear here on this interview is what you get with her. She's bubbly, she's optimistic, she's not faking it just because we're on a microphone. She truly is somebody who looks at how she can make things happen for herself and if not today, she looks for how she can make it happen for in the future. So a lot of lessons to be learned out of this incredible conversation, and I'm going to invite myself to your brunch with Jasmine Paris Um and thank you so much, amanda, for joining and, friends, you're going to want to stay tuned. I am going to talk about what you should be looking for, a key factors you need to take into consideration when you decide that you are ready to take the plunge and work with a run coach. But before that, I do want to make another note and point out Truly, amanda is an absolute ray of sunshine. I think she made really difficult decisions that a lot of runners are faced with at some point throughout their running journey, and I cannot stress enough how acting as quickly as she did and choosing that hard really has continued to pay off for her. I also want you guys to send her some love as she starts to get ready and getting that mindset going as she ventures forward in her journey of tackling her first full next year.
Speaker 1:Now back to what are key factors that you should look for in a run coach, and I'm going to say right out of the gate that not every run coach is meant for every runner. I know it sounds kind of weird but, all things being equal, there's a lot of things that you need to take into consideration. First and foremost, the certifications and education and experience that you need. So clearly, if running is your jam, you're likely gonna want someone who maybe has a RRCA certification, usa track and field, a related educational background in exercise physiology, so you're going to want to take that into consideration. Making sure that they have the right certifications and experience education for you and your goals. Clearly, if your jam is that you want to nail your fastest 5k, you're likely not going to want to run or be coached with an ultra coach or a trail running coach. I mean vice versa as well. It doesn't always there's always exceptions to the rule but taking into consideration finding the right person for your specific goals.
Speaker 1:The next one that's really important right out of the gate, I want you to spend time communicating with this potential coach or this, this potential personal um trainer or whomever it is that you're desiring to work with, and ask them about their coaching philosophy and their approach. Lots of different coaches have whole lot of different coaching philosophies, lots of different approaches to how they train it, how they schedule the training plan, how they focus on on high mileage or others that maybe prioritize strength training and cross training. So it's very important that their philosophy aligns with what your goals are and what you need, along with your preferences and your lifestyle. Now, I will say you're not always going to get what you want. I'm just using quotation marks from your training plan, but it should be crafted with you in mind and also take into consideration your lifestyle and your unique day-to-day life communication. That's really important. Ask them how you communicate with them. Are you guys doing weekly calls? Do you communicate via the coaching software platform? Are you texting and just staying in that communication, making it sure that for you it fits the two-way street that you're hoping to have? And if that's not your soft communication, maybe you prefer texting or sending emails. It has to work for you and that it's something that you do feel also complements your desire of working with a specific individual.
Speaker 1:I've already kind of touched on personalization. I'm going to stress that again. You can always work with a coach on a group training plan. Please do know that if you're doing that, it's going to look vastly different than if you were working with them on one-on-one. It just truly is a pretty big night or day difference. Some coaches will be more involved, even for their group training folks, than others, but still, knowing that it's not quite the same as working one-on-one with the coach, I'm also going to suggest that you ask for references, and I feel that when I have conversations with people and suggest that, because I offer folks to be able to chat with some of my references, they have a hesitation around that. I think there's a little bit of a hesitancy. Just like you would look for references before you purchase anything off of Amazon or you want to read a review before you go to the movies, you should have references and reviews of that coach before you start working with them.
Speaker 1:This is a big one that maybe might be a little controversial. I'm going to go ahead on a limb and say that it's being compatible. The individual that you decide to work with does not need to be your bestie, does not need to be somebody that you absolutely love talking to, but it does need to be somebody that you feel comfortable enough to bring up your questions, your concerns, and that you feel compatible enough engaging in a conversation. Now, the inverse is also true. It also needs to be somebody that is still willing to have those tough conversations with you, because they're not entering into the position of being liked by you all of the time. It's more important for them to work for you and making your goals happen. So it's a fine line and maybe controversial, but I do believe it. Being compatible with your coach and feeling comfortable with them is very, very important.
Speaker 1:Next thing how adaptable are they Meaning? If life happens and you need to reach out to have something changed on your training plan, what is their specific protocol? Do they need to know two days in advance? Do they need to know a week in advance? Do they plan out your training run so that you need to let them know when they send you that email that your training plan is in right then and there, or is there some flexibility and again figuring out how important that is for the life that you lead. Of course, they need to have knowledge of injury prevention and nutrition, while, again, most coaches are not, in addition to that, as registered dietitians. They either need to have resources to assist with that or have a good working knowledge of what it takes to fuel you in your endeavors day to day.
Speaker 1:I think this is a big one that may be overlooked. How comfortable are they with technology? And by that I mean, are you a tech geek and you love all of the metrics and you want to discuss that and get into that nitty gritty with your coach? Or is this an individual who tends to still prefer maybe more of a spreadsheet approach where they print up a plan and you follow it that way, making sure that you line up again and being compatible with your technology use versus their technology use, and having that conversation with them? If you don't quite feel quite as techie as maybe they choose to pursue as to how they train, if you're training virtually with them which is the next question you can potentially say that you're the type of person where you know that you want an in-person coach versus a virtual coach, making sure that they have those parameters for you. They're willing to. If you feel like you need an in-person coach, that they are willing to either meet you you join them at the group run, whatever the case may be, if it's important to you, you definitely need to find that out and throw that out there to them as you're creating that conversation in your consultation.
Speaker 1:And my last one that is super important is how passionate are they about this life? That does not mean that they necessarily have to be running 200 miles every single week, but how passionate are they about the things that you desire to have in your life as well? Are they enthusiastic, if not necessarily for themselves, specifically enthusiastic about your goals? Because at the end of the day, it's not about what they have done or what their goals are. It's about your goals and crafting your plan to fit you. So they should be passionate about supporting you. They should be passionate about inspiring you and motivating you. It's absolutely contagious to have that enthusiasm to surround yourself not just with the coach, but the coaches, other athletes as well, that are going for gold and things that they enjoy and kind of making those big, audacious goals happen.
Speaker 1:So, friends, you heard from Amanda. I'm gonna again just give her some incredible kudos. I can't wait to continue seeing her evolve in her journey. As she said, too, she's learned so much about herself. And if you're ready and you are considering working with me as your one-on-one coach, I invite you to use the link in episode notes to fill out the one-on-one athlete application and then let's have a conversation, friends. So we're gonna have a consultation where I expect you to ask all the questions that I talked about here as to what to look for in the Run Coach, knowing that, again, you have to find a Run Coach that is perfect for you versus anyone else, and what you need right here and now. So I invite you to utilize that link and then let's get to chatting, but in the meantime, I hope you have a fabulous run, keep chasing after those big, audacious goals and, of course, stay sparkly.