Keeping Track

Catching Up With Amy Yoder Begley

The Mother's Lane with Makenna Myler

Molly and Alysia introduce Keeping Track X &Mother's newest partnership: The Mother's Lane; a series keeping up with athlete moms . We're going deep on the topics around the intersection of motherhood and sport with some of the amazing Mom's on the track, roads, sport leadership spaces and beyond. We'll talk about things like training while pregnant, post partum return to running, and a variety of challenges and topics cantered around thriving in career and motherhood . Come join in the conve...

Marathon Trials Spotlight: Sergeant Elvin Kibet!

 Our final installment of the Marathon Team nTrials spotlight is Seargent Elvin Kibet Elvin was a 6 time All American while at the University of Arizona graduating in 2015 -you can read more about her story and her childhood in Iten Kenya in the book All In Stride by Johanna Garton which comes out this spring! Its about the journeys of Elvin and her husband (US Olympian Shadrack Kipchirchir) as they come the the US and chase Olympic dreams in the WCAP program via the US Army. Elvin Is debutin...

Marathon Trials Spotlight: Fiona O'Keeffe !

Our second installment in our miniseries of spotlights around the women of the 2024 USA Olympic Team Trials Marathon is Fiona O’Keeffe. As a 6 time all American at Stanford graduating in 2020 Fiona got to chase some fast women on her own team in the middle distance events. She steps up to the Marathon as one of a few women debuting in the distance at the trials. Since joining the Puma Elite running team with coaches Amy Hastings Cragg and Alistair Cragg, Fiona has run great times as the event...

Marathon Trials Spotlight: Erika Kemp!

In Erika's debut marathon this past spring she became the fastest American Born Black Woman Marathoner, she's also a two time USA road Champion and fresh off a big half marathon PB. She tells us about her preparations for the upcoming Olympic Team Trials Marathon on Feb 3rd -spoiler it's going well!

Live With Canadian Olympian Malindi Elmore

Alysia and Molly have a conversation with Canadian Olympian (2004 and 2021!) and former record holder Malindi Elmore on her journey in the sport: takeing a step back during a burned out phase, exploring other sports and kinds of training, becoming a Mother and finding herself in a while new event and more Olympic berths at age 43! This was a live podcast from Oct 24th and there are some great listener questions at the end.

Natoya Goule-Toppin

Molly chats with Natoya about her off season plans, breaking her own National record at the Diamond Leage Final, her philanthropic goals, how she's getting faster with age and how injury and a car accident almost derailed her 2023 season.

Tori Franklin Has Announcements!

We last spoke to Tori in early 2022 and a lot has happened since! She is publishing her book You Anthem, building a non-profit and heading to the World Championships in Hungary as the US Champion and 2022 World Championship bronze medalist. Listen in on what's going on off the track and how she stays motivated on the track. You Anthem LiveHappyRetreats on instagram @livehappii_retreats Follow Tori on insta @livehappii and here

Justine Fédronic : Stepping Into The Other side Of The Sport

Be an Underbird with Oiselle! Apply today! We catch Up with Justine in Hungary leading into the 2024 World Athletic Championships and speak on her Hungarian (and French/ Caribbean) background , how she has "pieces of her heart all over the world", her athletic carreer, her creative work, her work with Oiselle and her hopes and goals for the sport of Track and Field!

Athlete Mental Health with Roisin McGettigan-Dumas

Molly interviews Ro about athlete Mental Health. Roisin McGettigan-Dumas is of course our Co-Host, but also: a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (and 2012 Olympian in Track and Field!) and also coaches athletes on sport performance psychology. We chat about the information Ro Learned from the IOC's new course on Athlete Mwntal Health and share resources for athlete screening. Ro also talks about how she found her passion for this field, working with young athletes, barriers to seeking a provid...

Angel City Elite's Grace Gonzales

Check out their website for inquiries on joining or supporting! Social media announces events: @angelcityelite Angel City Elite is a women's running group based in the Los Angelese area. Their athletes have competed at the US Olympic Trials Marathon and other track and road races around the country. They are a small group of runners now but hope to support more women who want to contitnue to train at a high level post collegiately and also offer support to youth athletes as well as host commu...

Women Of Liberty Athletic Club

Liberty AC is the oldest all women’s track club in the country, celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. I speak to president of the board Viki Bok and official- unofficial team historian Alda Cossi (both women are competitive members of the masters running scene). Liberty has run through the gauntlet of sea changes in society via womens sport: It began as a new england sports club for young boys, and soon also became an opportunity for girls in sport when there were none-as schools did n...

Catching Up With Julia Lucas on Coaching

Julia Lucas was a multi time All American at North Carolina State and Professional Distance runner for 8 years. She talks about how that's informed her own coaching approach and she tells us about the 2 NYC groups she is guiding and some other stops along the way on her coaching journey: Julia is currently working with the womens Elite Group Atalanta , the Atalanta community group training team online which you can join, a few private clients and the No Name Program (@thenonameprogram) commun...

Creating Community With TrailBlazHers Run Co

Molly Talks to co founder Abeo Powder and Run LeadHer Alia Qatarneh about Boston Based women's running group TrailBlazHers Run co . They touch on topics like their big event -The Bra Run- their weekly events and other activations and how they are crearing a welcoming space for women to enter the running world and find community through all paces and levels of running. As they say they "Value and nurture the diversity in sisterhood!"

Catching Up With Betsy Saina

Molly will also link the resources mentioned in the National Women and Girls In Sport Day recap on www.keeping-track.com , but here is more info on Vaughn Childcare Fund for college Mothers Books: Good For A Girl How She Did It Sites: Voice In Sport online mentorship program for girls Womens Sports Foundation Molly catches up with Betsy Saina on her new journey as a Mother and American Citizen who has stepped from the track into the Marathon and road race world.  Betsy recently signed with A...

Lauren Fleshman

Molly, Ro and Alysia all speak with their mutual friend Lauren about her new NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING BOOK Good For A Girl: A Woman Running In A Man's World. They talk about how the system (from NCAA to the professional side) could better serve a women's life cycle, body and needs and how playing in a system built by men for men has harmed women athletes by minimizing or not adequately addressing common pitfalls that young women athletes encounter, like eating disorders, negative body imag...

Aisha Praught Leer - Getting Back On Track

We talk to Aisha Praught leer off of her recent Jamaican Indoor record in the 5000m. We caught up with Aisha as she’s coming off of a long journey with major knee surgery that happened the week of the Tokyo Olympics- she speaks on how she faced uncertainty and starting from zero with her fitness. She talks about some other exciting things she’s a part of off the track too like fundraising for the Sachs Foundation in a super cool High School mile PR meet and about her work as an Athlete repre...

Emily Sisson- 2:18!

Ro and I chat with friend of the pod Emily Sisson a few days after her amazing second place, 2:18:29 American Record run in the marathon-only her third crack at the distance, and talk about the build up, the race, recovery from covid, and how she’s grown as an athlete with her mental approach toward high pressure situations.  Emily is a long time talent-from racing internationally at Pan American and World Jr championships in XC and on the track as a young athlete to winning indoor and outdoo...

Alison Mariella Dèsir's New Book Running While Black

Alison Mariella Dèsir Author of Running While Black : Finding Freedom In A Sport That Wasn’t Built For Us Molly and Alysia speak with Alison about the process of writing her book, who she hopes reads it, how she hopes it affects the running industry, her love of running and her approach to the disruption the book may stir. Alysia reads you a few sneak peeks from the book that are particularly powerful so tune in!pre order now, release dat OCT 18 and meet Alison on Tour here!  Links- Book! Buy...

Women in Coaching Series: Hannah Chappell-Dick of Brown University

Grab your 80$ credit at The FeedLink-Hannah’s website: Schooloftrack.org for aspiring track and field coachesHannah Chappel-Dick Brown University Womens Middle Distance and Cross Country CoachOn being brought on for her first coaching position: "That's why, as a coach now I try to do as much shoulder tapping as possible. If I see that (potential) in someone I try to mention it right away because I think a lot of women maybe don’t naturally form that confidence without hearing it from someone ...

The First Female Middle Eastern Winter and Summer Olympian: Chirine Njeim

Thanks again to the Feed.com for supporting content this month! They also want to give you a gift: use this landing page to claim $80 of Feed credit today! Molly Speaks with Olympic Alpine Skiier and Marathon Chirine Njeim about her start in skiiing, how moving to Chicago inspired her love of running and how a hobby became another Olympic berth.Chirine talks about challenges she's faced in the sport, her love of her home country Lebanon and speaks briefly about her recent survivial of a plane...

Dena Evans: Her Journey in NCAA and High Performance Coaching

We Speak With Dena Evans formerly of the National Championship Stanford XC/T&F Program, Currently coaching with Peninsula Distance and USATF Teams Dena speaks about challenges faced by coaches, especially women in the NCAA who also have families. She also talks about the need to expand our hiring pool into more diverse communities in regard to the sponsored high performance team coaches in the US. “That can be exhausting (piecing together your own network for childcare)...we need to figure ou...

The Winning Ways of Women Coaches with Dr. Cecile Reynaud

We speak with Dr. Cecile Reynaud: long tenured women’s volleyball coach and professor in Sport Management at FSU about her recent book speaking to some of the most successful women in coaching across the NCAA and professional teams and about the state of women in coaching today : how are the numbers and what does she think we need to do going forward?  Book link to Winning Ways of Women Coaches Link to She Can Coach WeCoach website  Her volleyball books As always check out more notes and quo...

Own Your Story Panel Discussion with Alysia at REI x She Is Beautiful 5k/10k

This is a prerecorded episode that occurred in March at the REI /she Is Beautiful event which included a 5k and 10k run and a panel discussion in Santa Cruz from some amazing women in sport: Alysia moderated the discussion called “Own Your Story”  with athelte author and advocate Alison Desir, 2019 Team USA member in the 1500m and founder of the pride 5k Nikki Hiltz, trail running coach/ outdoor guide and author Kriste Peoples, and Kim Woozy who is involved in events that empower women and gi...

Catching Up With Kim Smith

The Catchup: Link to pre-order the book Arrival Stories Alysia’s Marathon and Every Mother Counts fundraising page! &mother and EveryMotherCounts have partnered They raised $200,000 through the marathon alone for a new ambulance at a secondary all girls school in the Kilimanjaro region Link &Mother Mom forward virtual 5k, coming May8th! Alysia’s marathon run down- hard terrain, running with Christie Turlington on her last Marathon, experiencing an African city  Introducing Kim Smith: 4 time N...

Tori Franklin: Jumping, Writing and More

We talk to Team USA Triple Jumper and and 2 time American Record Holder Tori Franklin about her start in the sport, her plans for the future and all she's doing outside of it to be a whole person. We drop a lot of links in the intro:Support Alysia's Marathon Fundraising for Every Mother CountsWomen's Running Article :  What has changed in the 2 Years since Ahmaud Arbery's Murder Tracksmith Foundation Shoutout! Books!Preorder Alison Desir's Running While BlackMore books in this Memoir list by ...

Sara Slattery And Molly Give A Glimpse Inside The How She Did It Book

How She Did It Book Talk: HSDI website Co Authors Sara Slattery and Molly talk with Ro about who and what's in their book due out March 8th. Pre order today to get it on International Women's Day! Todays topics: Should you specialize in sport early to be the best? Sharing interesting chapters What Would Sara ,Molly and Ro want for their daughters ? Are women and girl's peaks in distance running later than we think? What was the inspiration for the cover? See more on our blog here! and sta...

Sara Slattery And Molly Give A Glimpse Inside The How She Did It Book

How She Did It Book Talk:HSDI website Co Authors Sara Slattery and Molly talk with Ro about who and what's in their book due out March 8th. Pre order today to get it on International Women's Day!Todays topics: Should you specialize in sport early to be the best?Sharing interesting chaptersWhat Would Sara ,Molly and Ro want for their daughters ?Are women and girl's peaks in distance running later than we think?What was the inspiration for the cover?See more on our blog here! and stay tuned for...

Live with Alysia and Shannon Woods , On Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Running And Outdoor Industries

Today we are sharing the second episode Alysia recorded live from TRE earlier in the month as she spoke with Shannon Woods, who is currently the senior manager of DEI at Brooks Running among other things. Shannon tells us how her own upbringing as a mixed race woman and the experiences of both herself and the experiences of her parents during the civil rights movement as well as her own experiences as a mother who wanted to make sure her kids learned diverse histories she didn’t in school all...

Viola Cheptoo Lagat on the NYC Marathon and Ending Gendered Violence in Kenya

Today we have a surprise guest hostess (Marielle Hall!) as we talk to Viola Lagat, also known as Viola Cheptoo  Lagat, who you may know as recent second place woman at the 2021 NYC Marathon (and maybe you’ve heard of one of her many talented runner siblings, Bernard Lagat?) She takes us through her family’s deep running roots, what her training is like, how she spends time between the US and Kenya, her journey from being a1500m runner to nearly beating the Olympic Champion in her debut marath...

Live With Alexi Pappas & Alysia At The Running Event

Alysia talks to Alexi Pappas live at the 2021 TRE expo in Austin, Texas. They talk about being new teammates for Altra Running, about giving yourself permission to be more than an athlete, for example how creative projects energize and motivate Alexi rather than take away from her performance, the power of your inner narrative, Alexi's unique experience running vs racing  the NYC Marathon, her projects as an author and director and more!As always it was a refreshing and uplifting perspective ...

Mary Ngugi and the Women's Athletic Alliance : A Female Empowerment Movement In East Africa

We talk to Mary Wacera Ngugi, who most recently finished 3rd at the 2021 Boston Marathon, about her start in the sport, how Kenyan camp systems work and her journey to the marathon. You may be surprised to hear who is coaching her now!  We also talk to Mary about her brave and impactful efforts to help women of Kenya find confidence and escape abusive marriages. She recently started the Womens Athletic Alliance as part of the movement that has gained volume in East Africa following the tragic...

Kori Carter and Natasha Hastings Talk TrackGirl Summer and More

Ro and I do a 25 min catch up on fall action (there has been a lot of it!) so feel free to fastforward to the GOOD STUFF aka Kori Carter and Natasha Hastings talking through some of the struggles they had this past year, what helped them through and tips for anyone dealing with similar things, plus we talk about the success, origins and future plans of their Youtube Track and Field talk show TrackGirl Summer. Check our blog for more links but some mentioned in catch up and episode are here:Fo...

Celebrating Patti Dillon At The Boston Marathon

Fall Marathons are back! The 125th running of the Boston Marathon is being held on Indiginous People's Day,  October 11th,  in Massachusetts.  We talk to one of the best road runners in American History, Patti Dillon, about her career, being the fastest Native runner in history and how she is staying connected to the Native Community. Patti also talks about the power of the mind in running, her unique journey from smoker to Marathon champion and how healing trauma is the way forward in life. ...

Muffet McGraw on Hear Her Sports Episode Swap!

We're doing our second episode swap of the season-this time hilighting Hear Her Sports with Elizabeth Emery. Elizabeth was a professional cyclist in the 90's and now is on the other side of the game as a content creator with Hear Her Sports podcast, "Hear Her Sports is the podcast where female athletes share stories of breaking barriers, speaking up, and living with power and confidence in today’s changing world. Every guest does amazing things."website: heresubscribe on Apple Podcasts here H...

How Mary Cain Is Changing The Game

Molly Ro and Alysia talk to prep phenom Mary Cain about the struggles and abuses she faced as a young track star under now banned (by USADA and Safe Sport)  coach Alberto Salazar. Mary tells us how this journey inspired her to start a unique women's track club called Atalanta,  what her future running and racing plans and dreams are, and other experiences we'd like to not see affect women in sport in the future. 

Conversing With 800m Runner Kate Grace

Friend of the Podcast Kate Grace is back to chat about how she's found her power and found herself leading the Diamond League and setting PR's this season after narrowly missing the 202one US Olympic Team. Kate tells us how she went from a well rounded Yale Student -athlete to a focused pro, and we hit on topics like the business side of track and field, spike technologies,  how she learned to listen to the voice inside saying "the 800m is your best event!" plus we dispel some Olympic "myths"...

Conversing With 800m Runner Kate Grace

Friend of the Podcast Kate Grace is back to chat about how she's found her power and found herself leading the Diamond League and setting PR's this season after narrowly missing the 202one US Olympic Team. Kate tells us how she went from a well rounded Yale Student -athlete to a focused pro, and we hit on topics like the business side of track and field, spike technologies,  how she learned to listen to the voice inside saying "the 800m is your best event!" plus we dispel some Olympic "myt...

Wadeline Jonathas: An Olympian Telling Her Story

Ro and Molly talk with newly minted 400m Olympian and 2019 World Champion 4th place finisher Wadeline Jonathas.We spoke about her Covid Year, graduating from University of South Carolina,  and insights on media coverage and storytelling of professional athletes. Also check out our blog for all the links and show notes!www.keeping-track.com

Amy Hastings Cragg: Racing, Retirement and Coaching

Thanks to Whoop (link) use code Track for 15% off and recover smarter today!As always thank you to Saucony for supporting season 2 ok Keeping-Track!Visit www.keeping-track.com for show notes and links from the episode! We talk to Amy about her resillence, her best race, what she' s learned as she enters the coaching world, and even dive into topics like shoe technology and social media . “For every high that I’ve had like that there has been an equal low- I think every runner and every person...

Bonus Episode: Alysia And Molly Talk Anti-Doping

 Molly and Alysia talk anti-doping. We’re speaking on doping cases like Shelby Houlihan’s recent case where accidental contamination is named as the cause. How are the many cases like these in the USA alone over the last few years potentially affecting clean athletes and the progress toward anti-doping? We talk about the concerns around setting a precedent for escaping a ban, on trying to avoid our own biases, exlpain more about the AIU, learn of Alysia’s experiences fighting for clean sport ...

Keturah Orji-More Than An Athlete

We talk to Keturah about  her Covid Year, why mentorship is important to her, Rule 50, her training , her challenging moments and the mantras they taught her, what it's  like to train with a legend like Brittney Reese and why it's important to know Keturah is more than an athlete. Thanks to Whoop for sponsoring this episode! Head to whoop.com and use code TRACK for 15% off a recovery band!also check out Keturah's great blog keturahorji.comand thanks to Saucony.com for supporting our season 2 ...

Episode Swap With Strides Forward Podcast feat. Courtney Dauwalter with Cherie Louise Turner

Our first women's sports pod cross promotion is with Cherie Louis Turner's Stride's Forward Podcast. We sent her our Dawn Harper Nelson Episode last month and we host her interview with ultra running star Courtney Dauwalter.Big Thanks to WHOOP for sponsoring this episode. use our code "TRACK" for 15% off!Annnnnd anyone needing motivation to race-check out these two virtual events supporting maternal health causes like Every Mother Counts!EMC Global Run Challenge which ends June 2!Also the Mad...

Michelle Carter: Three-Time Olympian, American Record Holder, and Rio Olympic Champion in the Shot Put

In this episode Ro and Molly talk with Michelle Carter who is a three-time Olympian, American Record Holder and Rio Olympic Champion in the shot put. She tells us how this past year has gone, how she harnesses her confidence, her plans outside of track, what it was like during that gold medal throw, her special relationship with her coach and sports star Dad, and how she’s thrived by as she states it by "embracing all of who she is." How to follow Michelle: Instagram @shotdiva Facebook @Sho...

Mary Cullen: More Than A Survivor

We talk to Irish record holder, mama, cancer survivor and our good friend Mary Cullen about her start in the sport, her days at Providence College, her pro-career, injury struggles and recent battle with cancer which occurred during her pregnancy with baby Ellis. Mary has always been a strong one, and we hear it from her today. Thanks for Keeping Track! Intro: Molly and Alysia intro Mary and Alysia has some shout outs: You can support &mother as they support Mother-athletes chasing Olympic D...

Michelle Wheeler: Wheelchair Racer, Mother, and Mental Health Counselor

In this episode we talk to Michelle wheeler. She is a wheelchair racer in the marathon on the roads and Paralympic hopeful on the track. We talked to her about her life as Mom, as an athlete and as a professional mental health counselor. She tells us how she has been doing over this Pandemic year, and we discuss how Paralympic athletes could be better represented and supported as well as how she has been a role model for other kids to enter the sport.  See our website (https://keeping-track...

Michelle Wheeler: Wheelchair Racer, Mother, and Mental Health Counselor

In this episode we talk to Michelle wheeler. She is a wheelchair racer in the marathon on the roads and Paralympic hopeful on the track. We talked to her about her life as Mom, as an athlete and as a professional mental health counselor. She tells us how she has been doing over this Pandemic year, and we discuss how Paralympic athletes could be better represented and supported as well as how she has been a role model for other kids to enter the sport. See our website (https://keeping-track.co...

Joanna Harper On Sporting Gender

We spoke to scientist, distance runner and trans woman Joanna Harper about her book Sporting Gender. In it she covers the history and science of DSD and transatheltes in an interesting read that gives deeper information on the discussions about women’s sport you likely have seen in recent news as well as an inside view of some of the IAAF rulings on DSD and Trans athletes. We also hear from 800m runner Kate Grace (as well as Alysia) on their perspectives in an event that has seen dominance by...

Weini Kelati Showing What's Possible

The gals catch up for a bit then we talk to newly professional runner, NCAA XC and 10,000m champ Weini Kelati. We talk about her recent year during Covid times at school in New Mexico, her decisions to go pro and where to go and who to sign with, and then we delve into part of Weini’s backstory . She tells us about how she found running in her rural Eritrean village, and how she hopes to inspire a wider view of  what’s possible for women back home. Catch up:  0-6 Alysia’s Diastasis Recti surg...

Brittney Reese: Decade of Long Jump Gold

Today Alysia, Ro and I catch up then Alysia and I talk to USA Long Jump Legend Brittney Reese. She is a 7 time World Champ gold medalist , 2012 Olympic champion and 2016 silver medalist, and indoor American record holder. We talk to her about her pandemic year, training at the Olympic Training Center, life with her son, how she is giving back to the kids in her Mississippi home town and what she has planned for the future.  0-4:  Ro and Alysia catch up-juggling kids during Covid and working ...