Michigan Runner Girl
173 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsThe Michigan Runner Girl podcast is where you'll find a passion for running, hiking, paddling, and cycling crosses paths with a love of nature and outdoor exploration in the beautiful state of Michigan — and beyond. A mother, writer, gigantic Great Lakes fan, and book lover Heather Durocher, creator of the running and travel site MichiganRunnerGirl.com, hosts the show. Expect to hear informative, engaging, and inspiring conversations with others also on their own health and wellness journey. The Michigan Runner Girl podcast is about finding our way, through movement. Season One of 2022 now underway, with a theme of Reconnection.
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Episodes
Ep151: Going outside your comfort zone + winter running tips + a trip up north
February 05, 2019 22:45 - 7 minutes - 6.31 MBAfter a couple of weeks away from the studio (thanks to the extreme weather and, well, life), Heather is back behind the mic to catch up with everyone. She talks about her latest race, the Big Foot Snowshoe 10K in Traverse City at the end of January, as well as how training is going in the pool so far. We've definitely had our fair share of true winter weather lately (late January was a BEAST throughout Michigan and the Midwest) and Heather takes this opportunity to talk winter running tip...
Ep150:‘Enough is Enough’: What it takes to go from overweight and unhappy to strong and fulfilled
January 15, 2019 16:09 - 1 hour - 57.9 MBThough he grew up playing sports and being an active kid, Dave Hester found himself “always achy and miserable” during the time following his college years. “I layed around a lot, I worked a lot and gained a lot of weight,” said Dave, who is 6’6” and during this period weighed 270 pounds. “That was the only time [in my life] I had been like that. It was four or five years, I sunk into a depressive state. One day I said, ‘Nope, not anymore.’ I needed to turn my life around. I ate right and st...
EP149: Embrace Winter + Meet Fabulous Women at the 2nd Annual MRG Winter Weekend Getaway Feb. 8-10
January 07, 2019 22:15 - 49 minutes - 39.3 MBOn this very first show of 2019, Heather is joined by two frequent guests and friends Maia Turek and Pam Carrigan to talk all about the upcoming second annual MRG Winter Weekend Getaway in Roscommon, Mich. But before diving into the details of this amazing event (we’ve still got spots available!), these three catch up on one another’s holidays, the snow that (finally) has arrived in northern Michigan, how they’ve been (attempting) to stay active, Maia’s discovery of how not to pour drinks ...
EP148: Running Toward a Healthy + Happy 2019
December 26, 2018 19:10 - 7 minutes - 5.7 MBHeather shares some special MRG announcements in this short and sweet episode—the final show of 2018. * Special events where you can catch MRG (hint: the team will be traveling to a number of places across the state!) * The upcoming MRG Winter Weekend Getaway, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, taking place Feb. 8-10, 2019. * New and helpful info to look for on the web site, including delicious recipes and the MRG winter running guide. * Race and train...
Ep147: Nikki Derrick went the (Ironman) distance for her friend
December 18, 2018 16:09 - 44 minutes - 35.3 MBAnn Arbor triathlete Nikki Derrick wore race bib #1184 at this fall's Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii—the same number worn by her close friend Karen Perzyk in the 2016 event. Nikki, 47, requested this number as a way to honor Karen, a beloved friend and fellow Michigan triathlete, who died in January after a brief battle with stage IV esophageal cancer. Karen's death at age 49 was a devastating loss for Nikki, and for many others in their close-knit group of endurance athlete...
Ep146: Kicking Off Ironman 70.3 Training with Rebecca & Tony Venticinque
December 03, 2018 23:39 - 48 minutes - 39.1 MBIt’s about that time … time to get serious about starting training for Ironman 70.3 Traverse City, a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike and 13.1-mile run triathlon set for Aug. 25, 2019. Yes, this race is 8 months away. There is plenty of time ahead to get ready for this inaugural race. And yet, if you’re like Heather and this distance and event is going to be a first for you, you just might be thinking of getting things rolling in the coming weeks, as winter gets underway. For Heather, the swim po...
Ep145: Get Outside and Get Trotting this Thanksgiving
November 12, 2018 23:22 - 49 minutes - 39.5 MBNo matter where you live in Michigan, or where you may be visiting for the Thanksgiving holiday, a turkey trot likely isn’t too far away. In this latest episode of the Michigan Runner Girl show, Heather highlights several taking place around our beautiful Great Lakes State – all listed on the MRG Race & Event Calendar – and also sits down with the race organizers of her hometown turkey trot. The Up North Media Traverse City Turkey Trot, now in its 11th year, is a Thanksgiving morning trad...
Ep144: Apple orchards + grilled cheese sandwiches: inside the Bad Apple Ultra
November 05, 2018 23:48 - 1 hour - 53.9 MBMRG Contributor Ali Lopez is back on the show to talk about her most recent adventure: the Bad Apple Ultra, which takes place in late October each year in Greenville, Mich. near Grand Rapids. This Oct. 27 event is a timed ultra marathon event held at Klackle Orchards. A timed ultra—what does that mean, you may be wondering. You have the choice of doing a 3-, 6- or 12-hour run on a 4-mile loop through an apple orchard, pumpkin patch, wooded trails and a carnival! "When I tell most people th...
EP143: Enjoying Michigan craft beer + talking trails with Kelly Yauk & Maia Turek
October 29, 2018 23:20 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBWhen two of the funniest women you know get together—finally—to share stories of great Michigan trails to explore and fall races to run, you just know it's going to be epic. This is, of course, what happened when Maia Turek, statewide recreation programmer for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Kelly Yauk, e-marketing manager for the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa in Traverse City, joined Heather in the studio for the latest show. While they've all known one another for awhi...
Ep142: Inside this weekend’s Detroit Free Press/Chemical Bank Marathon & Half Marathon
October 15, 2018 22:28 - 27 minutes - 21.7 MBIt’s a big week for fall racing in Michigan with this Sunday marking the 41st running of the Detroit Free Press Chemical Bank Marathon and Half Marathon. Since 1989, Barbara Bennage has been involved with helping organizing this race tradition in The D. She’s served as executive race director of the event since 2014. “The best part about my job, aside from giving runners the opportunity to experience a unique race and change their lives, is I have the greatest staff in the world,” says Bar...
EP141: If Not Now, When? Thoughts on Getting Out of a Rut + Asking What's Next?
October 08, 2018 23:46 - 1 hour - 52.9 MBWhen was the last time you tried something different with your exercise routine, when you decided it was time to shake things up -- and then you went for it? Heather and co-host Cassy Stone dive deep into what it means to ask ourselves, "What's next?" as it relates to considering a big goal, whether it's starting to run for the first time, training for a first 5K, getting back into running after a break (due to injury, illness, or otherwise), or testing out a new-to-you sport. Heather and...
Ep140: Behind the Scenes of Next Summer’s IRONMAN 70.3 Traverse City
October 02, 2018 00:54 - 55 minutes - 44.8 MBNext summer, on Aug. 25, Michigan will get its second IRONMAN 70.3 – behind IRONMAN 70.3 Steelhead in Benton Harbor, set for June 30, 2019 – when Traverse City hosts the triathlon featuring a 1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike, and 13.1-mile run. Buzz around this new event has been significant, to say the least, with athletes throughout Michigan and beyond eagerly anticipating registration day last month. And when general registration opened on Sept. 25, the race filled up incredibly fast – withi...
EP139: Ideas for Your Next Traverse City Fall + Winter Race Getaway
September 24, 2018 20:16 - 40 minutes - 32.2 MBThinking about heading to Traverse City this fall or early winter for a race weekend getaway? Coryn Briggs, a northern Michigan runner and cyclist who works for Traverse City Tourism, gives listeners a preview of upcoming events and races taking place in the area over the next few months. Coryn, who is behind Traverse City Tourism's social media channels — she serves as digital marketing manager for TC Tourism — also shares some lodging specials you may want to take advantage of, whether y...
Ep138: Don Kern (324 marathons & counting!) on next month's Grand Rapids Marathon & Half Marathon
September 13, 2018 14:05 - 54 minutes - 43.9 MBAt age 62, west Michigan runner and race director Don Kern is going strong—he's running marathons (the East Canyon Marathon in Utah this summer marked #324), completing triathlons, eyeing a 4-mile swim across the Straits of Mackinac next summer, and race directing the event he helped start 15 years ago, the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay set for Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. Don talks about his own running and endurance sports journey over the years and how...
Ep137: Maia Turek has some ideas for keeping summer (and exploring) going
August 29, 2018 12:47 - 35 minutes - 28.8 MBListeners will be excited to hear from Maia Turek, our Michigan Department of Natural Resources State Parks guru, as she sits down with Heather to talk about upcoming happenings around the Mitten this fall. (As Maia puts it, “Hoop-la” season is about to get underway, everyone!) Along with sharing fun and interesting spots to explore, and cool events like harvest festivals taking place at our state parks – did you know we have 103 state parks and 138 state forest campgrounds? – Maia and Heath...
Ep136: Ali Lopez sees running (and life) differently now
August 19, 2018 23:00 - 1 hour - 50.3 MBThe summer of 2017 started out well for Ali Lopez, with big plans for triathlons as well as trail running and racing. But this all suddenly changed when she critically injured her left eye in an accident while at her home. Ali went from competing in a northern Michigan triathlon to the next day facing downstate surgeries and weeks of recovery. She couldn't be upright (no walking or running) and in fact had to spend significant amounts of time laying face down as her eye healed. Ali, a w...
Ep135: Summer Check-In (with Joe!) + Exciting MRG News + Race Deals
July 30, 2018 21:44 - 51 minutes - 41.6 MBIt’s end of July -- time for a summer check-in! Heather welcomes Joe (her hubby) back to the show to talk about his running and racing over the past couple of months, and new role with MRG (check out his happy smile on the new site here.) Joe’s racing has included the Bayshore 10K and helping cheer on Heather and Emma as they finished the marathon. They also talk about what they’ve been up to lately with their family (a day trip on the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail most recently). We'd love...
Ep134: Olympian Paul McMullen is inspiring young Michigan runners
July 24, 2018 02:25 - 38 minutes - 30.5 MB"I think the mile requires a hybrid type of athlete. We’re half sprinter and half distance runner. I think that the mile race itself is just long enough to create a dramatic anticipation for that last lap, and then this explosive finishing kick where really anything can happen. It’s a sort 4-minute story that’s really exciting to watch." ~ 1996 Olympian Paul McMullen, who grew up in Cadillac, Mich. and now lives in Grand Haven On this latest episode, Paul talks about the allure of the mil...
Ep133: Trail running for a cause—and fresh summer veggies!
July 17, 2018 03:12 - 49 minutes - 39.4 MBWest Michigan runner and race director Kevin Curley vividly remembers hearing fellow runner Veronica Constantine's journey of living with a chronic health condition. Her story, of continuing to be active despite having Hydrocephalus — which involves excessive accumulation of fluid in the brain— left a lasting impression. And when Kevin learned that Veronica and her family were behind a local race that raises money for Hydrocephalus, he decided to get involved. "Running has been her way of no...
EP132: Independence Day Running + Racing
June 18, 2018 16:46 - 49 minutes - 39.4 MBThe Fourth of July is almost here -- do you have plans for a patriotic race? One of MRG’s favorites: the super family-friendly Stars Stripes & Splatter, a 5K color run at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City. Color stations -- manned by volunteers who spread the cornstarch red, white, and blue love with runners as they pass by -- are located throughout the 3.1-mile course. The run, which is untimed, starts at Jazz Live Field on the resort grounds, and loops back to the start ...
Ep131: WANNABE's Sara Grey on Resilience and Tenacity
June 11, 2018 22:06 - 50 minutes - 40.6 MBLifelong athlete and former collegiate volleyball player Sara Grey unexpectedly became a mother at a young age, in her 20s just as she was preparing to apply to law school. She describes that time of her life as challenging, and yet she also persevered—having her son, working hard to obtain her law degree—and she credits the "resilience and tenacity" she learned through moment and athletics as helping her not only get through a tougher time, but to ultimately thrive as a young mother and law...
Ep130: Emma's First 26.2 ~ Bayshore Marathon 2018 Race Recap
June 05, 2018 20:54 - 1 hour - 67.8 MBFor months, Heather and Emma trained — as so many runners throughout Michigan (and beyond) did this spring — for the popular Bayshore Marathon that takes place each Memorial Day weekend in Traverse City, Mich. It would mark Heather's 4th Bayshore Marathon and 9th marathon overall, and for her daughter Emma, a 2018 high school graduate who celebrates her 18th birthday this month, the race would be her very first attempt at 26.2 miles following a 4-year high school cross country running career...
Ep129: Tri Goddess Tri Celebrates 10 years
May 30, 2018 12:07 - 48 minutes - 38.8 MBAnn Arbor-based race management company Epic Races is known for putting on, well, pretty epic races. From its flagship event Tri Goddess Tri each June and the American Home Fitness Detroit Women's Half Marathon, 10K & 5K in the fall, to a slew of year-round races and events for cyclists, skiers, swimmers, and runners, Epic Races provides myriad ways for us to stay moving. Eva Solomon helped start this company and she joins Heather on the show to talk about this year's events, including next ...
EP128: 3 Great Summer Races: Charlevoix Marathon, Cherry Festival of Races & Vineyard to Bay 15K
May 21, 2018 14:00 - 47 minutes - 38.2 MBScenic water views, Leelanau Peninsula wine, and cherries … all the makings of some fun and fabulous summer race weekends in Michigan, wouldn’t you agree? As we look ahead to summer – this weekend marks the unofficial kick-off to the season, or what’s known as the 90 days of summer – MRG provides a closer look at three awesome summer racing events worth checking out: the Charlevoix Marathon, Half Marathon 10K & 5K on June 23; the National Cherry Festival of Races Half Marathon, 15K, 10K an...
Ep127: {Live!} An Evening with Des Linden, 2018 Boston Marathon Champion
May 11, 2018 14:06 - 1 hour - 58.6 MB“If there was ever a year where I thought this was not my year, this was the one.” Elite runner Desiree Linden didn’t think she would win this year’s Boston Marathon, but in fact she did—and in doing so became the first American woman since 1985 to win the historic Patriot’s Day race that starts in Hopkinton and finishes 26.2 miles later in Boston. Des, who trains in Rochester Hills and lives in Charlevoix with her husband Ryan, had figured she was in a re-building year following some ti...
Ep126: City Spotlight: Summer running + playing in Traverse City
April 30, 2018 14:29 - 47 minutes - 37.8 MBIf Traverse City is among your summer travel destinations -- or you've been looking for an excuse to spend some time in this northern Michigan town on the shores of Lake Michigan's Grand Traverse Bay -- you'll love this episode featuring a conversation between Heather and Coryn Briggs, a runner whose enviable job is digital content manager for Traverse City Tourism. Coryn is a return guest on the show -- she previously was on to talk about destination races with Kelly Yauk -- and she has ...
Ep125: 3rd Annual MRG Spring Getaway May 4-6 (featuring Des Linden!)
April 24, 2018 13:01 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBSpots still remain for the 3rd Annual MRG Spring Getaway, set for May 4-6 at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, Mich. Heather is joined on the show by co-hosts Pam Carrigan, MRG event coordinator, and Meranda Lambert, who oversees events at Timber Ridge. The trio talk about the upcoming girls' weekend, which includes everything from running and biking and hiking, to dining and shopping downtown, to relaxation and sunrise yoga -- and lots more. They also share details (and their hard-to-co...
Ep124: Your chance to meet Boston Marathon winner Desiree Linden + other MRG updates
April 16, 2018 13:02 - 9 minutes - 7.72 MBWow, what a day! History was made when Michigan's own Desiree Linden, a 34-year-old runner who trains with Hanson-Brooks Original Distance Project in Rochester Hills and lives in Charlevoix, was the first woman to cross the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Her epic victory marked the first time an American woman has won this race since 1985. The first in 33 years! Des also demonstrated incredible sportsmanship when she slowed to make sure friend Shalane Flanagan (a fellow 2016 U.S. Olympi...
Ep123: What it's like to plan a race (as a college student). Inside this weekend's BIG Little Hero Race in Traverse City
April 09, 2018 13:52 - 30 minutes - 24.7 MBFor the fourth year, students in Kristy McDonald's business communications class are behind the popular BIG Little Hero Race at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. The race, which features a 10K, 5K & kids' fun run, is set for this Saturday, April 14. All proceeds of this run benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Michigan. As anyone who has planned a running event knows well, lots of time and energy go into bringing a race to fruition. Each year, a new crop of college s...
Ep122: Sara Plumstead and Amy Haenick of Run Strong Project
April 03, 2018 21:04 - 56 minutes - 45.2 MBSara Plumstead and Amy Haenick are friends who met through their shared passion for running and living healthy. And in recent time, they've become business partners -- the Detroit-area moms are behind Run Strong Project, which offers coaching and run-specific strength training. They join Heather on the show to talk about becoming friends (Sara also coaches Amy) and their interest in helping other athletes take their running and strength training to the next level. They also share solid tips ...
Ep121: Tackle Your First Triathlon This Summer
March 20, 2018 01:25 - 41 minutes - 33.5 MBEndurance athlete, personal trainer, and triathlon coach Rebecca Venticinique ran her first road race at age 7 and continued running and competing throughout high school and college, where she took on the heptathlon (this involves seven events: 100-meter hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200-meter dash, long jump, javelin, and 800-meter run). Rebecca joins Heather on the show to talk about triathlon -- she and her husband Tony coach athletes of all levels through their company Tri Again Fitness...
Ep120: It's All About the Runner's Experience at the Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon & 8K
March 13, 2018 13:39 - 1 hour - 48.6 MBEddie Kline started his early fall marathon and half marathon racing event in west Michigan with a few goals in mind: Make it like the Boston Marathon with a bus ride out and run back to town. Give runners a final opportunity to snag a Boston qualifying (BQ) time in west Michigan. Support local businesses and nonprofits in his community. Also, “I wanted my friends in Holland to have a hometown race where all of their friends and family could come out and enjoy the lakeshore together.” By a...
Ep119: Ready to Ragnar? Inside this fall’s relay from Muskegon to Traverse City
March 05, 2018 23:34 - 54 minutes - 43.8 MBAs Ragnar Relay Michigan gets ready to mark its third year in the Great Lakes State, an increasing number of runners are signing on for this 2-day, 200-ish-mile team running event that starts in Muskegon and ends in Traverse City. Team MRG participated in the inaugural Michigan race as well as last year’s event – and we’re planning to be there again this fall. It’s so fun meeting up with fellow Michigan Runner Girls and Guys – can’t wait to see you all there! {Be sure to use the special team...
Ep118: Mercy Health Seaway Run in Muskegon makes changes for 2018
February 27, 2018 18:58 - 37 minutes - 30 MBFor more than 30 years, the Lake Michigan coastal town of Muskegon has welcomed runners for the annual Mercy Health Seaway Run. In recent years, some 3,000 runners have made this an early summer tradition. Race Director Andrew Buikema joins Heather on the show to talk about this year's race, takes place Saturday, June 23. New this year: a 10K race option in addition to the half marathon and 5K run/community walk. Andrew shares all the details of this year's event (including why the 15K is no...
EP117: Sleep well, run happy: how to get better Zzzs
February 12, 2018 23:15 - 1 hour - 57.6 MBWe’ve all been told that regularly getting enough high-quality sleep is essential to running our best – and to living well overall. (That feeling of slogging through a day super tired, when there’s not enough coffee in the world to help? Pretty awful.) In an article about sleep and exercise on runnersworld.com, we’re told that while we sleep, hormones such as human growth hormone (HGH) that help us recover from training are released. On the flip side, when we don’t get enough sleep, levels...
EP116: Heather, Joe & Emma talk running, training + (forced?) family fun
February 07, 2018 14:45 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBMarathon training is well underway for Heather and her daughter Emma (who is training for her first 26.2, the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City, Mich.), and they sit down to share how things are going so far. Also joining them: special guest…Heather’s husband and Emma’s dad, Joe, who is planning to run the 10K at this Memorial Day weekend’s Bayshore races. What happens when parents and their 17-year-old daughter get together to record a podcast? Plenty of laughs, a little good-natured famil...
Ep115: Running 13.1 or 26.2 this year? These runners will inspire you.
January 16, 2018 01:25 - 1 hour - 63.6 MBIt's a new year (welcome to the first MRG show of 2018!) and you just may have a big goal race on your race calendar this year. Maybe you're going to tackle your first half marathon. Or you've decided to see what you've got in the marathon distance. MRG welcomes three Michigan runners (one of them a longtime coach) to the show to talk about the allure of distance running and racing. Eric Hansen and Candice Hamel both began running within the past four or so years. Their stories are quite dif...
Ep114: Desiree Linden, 2-time Olympian & Michigan lover, is ready for Boston 2018
December 19, 2017 00:42 - 1 hour - 52.4 MB{Special Episode note from Heather} Nearly two years ago, having watched on TV elite distance runner Desiree Linden place second at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, finishing with a time of 2:28:54, I marveled at her steady-strong pacing and cool-as-a-cucumber demeanor -- especially on what was an especially warm day in Los Angeles. I thought to myself, not for the first time, how I’d love the opportunity to meet her in person, to have her as a guest on my podcast. Not only because of her i...
Ep113: Robert Woldhuis: From Serving Time to Serving Others (And Running With a Tutu)
November 28, 2017 03:25 - 46 minutes - 37.2 MBIn the past 2 ½ years, Lowell, Mich. runner Robert Woldhuis has competed in almost 90 running events, including 29 half marathons, three 25Ks, four full marathons, a 50K trail race and, this October, his first 50-miler, which took place in Door County, Wis. Runners throughout the state know Robert, or are at least probably familiar with who he is, given he’s the friendly, outgoing guy wearing a colorful tutu and carrying an American flag during races. “The tutu for me is a reminder to not ta...
Ep112: Winter fun at Michigan State Parks + #OptOutside
November 20, 2017 21:24 - 53 minutes - 42.5 MBMaia Turek, a.k.a. the Michigan state parks guru, is back on the Michigan Runner Girl Show, this time to talk about ways we can enjoy our 103 state parks all winter long. From lantern-lit snowshoe excursions and "owl prowls," to DIY events like make your own snowshoes and special hiking and cross country skiing opportunities at cool spots (even a lighthouse!), there are lots of ways to explore outdoors, embrace the snow and cold, and feel strong and happy throughout the season. Indoor events...
Ep111: Get Winter-Running Ready: MRG + readers offer thoughts on staying motivated
November 07, 2017 00:17 - 1 hour - 55.3 MB"I feel a little tougher." Can you relate to this feeling, when you've laced up your running shoes and headed out the door for a run in the cold and snow? Finishing a run in the winter, especially when we've pushed ourselves to get outside, indeed can offer a certain kind of sweet satisfaction. This is what Heather and frequent guest Cassy Stone talk about during this episode that focuses on staying motivated once the temperatures dip, the days get shorter, and getting out of a warm bed to e...
Ep110: The Great Beerd Run on Nov. 11 in Traverse City
October 30, 2017 15:20 - 38 minutes - 31 MBIt's getting to be about that time...one of Heather's fall race traditions—the Great Beerd Run at the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa—is set for Saturday, Nov. 11. Joining Heather on the show to talk about this fun northern Michigan run: Kelly Yauk, a fellow Michigan Runner Girl and race director of this annual race that celebrates all things Michigan beer AND beards. Longtime listeners will be happy to hear from Kelly, who has been on the show in the past (and happens to be quite hilarious). Ke...
Ep109: Recap of 2017 Reebok Ragnar Relay Michigan
October 11, 2017 21:25 - 56 minutes - 45.5 MBYou couldn't miss Team MRG at this fall's Reebok Ragnar Relay Michigan, a 195.5-mile trek from Muskegon to Traverse City. And it wasn't simply because our team of 12 women wore matching blue Michigan Runner Girl shirts. Fellow Ragnarians grew to learn, over the 2-day race, that Team Michigan Runner Girl traveled in the two purple-and-pink-and-blue Muscle Milk vans—handing out Muscle Milk goodies along the way. MRG's partnership with Muscle Milk was new this year, but logging the miles on ...
Ep108: Kathrine Switzer & "261 Fearless"
October 02, 2017 16:08 - 43 minutes - 34.7 MBWhen Heather began her running journey about 10 years ago, she admittedly knew little about the sport, from what to wear and fuel with during a race, to an understanding of how women had only in recent history made strides in running and been recognized for their achievements. All she knew was that the more she ran, the better she felt about herself. Over time, as she ran with other women, created new friendships within the awesome running community, and ultimately realized logging miles and...
EP107: Rahaf Khatib on being a Muslim hijabi runner
September 19, 2017 00:01 - 54 minutes - 44 MBRahaf Khatib is a 7-time marathoner, training and living with her husband and three children in Farmington Hills, Mich. She’s also been in the national spotlight in the past couple of years—she was the first Muslim hijabi runner to be featured on the cover of Women’s Running magazine a year ago, and she also was selected as a top 10 finalist for Runner’s World cover running contest in 2015. Rahaf joins Heather on the show to talk about her start in running in 2012—her son’s gym teacher encou...
Ep106: Special mom-daughter episode featuring Heather and Emma Durocher
September 05, 2017 18:13 - 1 hour - 58.3 MBFall race season is upon us, and Heather kicks off autumn (yay for cooler weather!) with a summer re-cap/fall preview show with special guest Emma Durocher, her 17-year-old daughter. Emma, who is in the midst of her final high school cross country season, shares how she got started in the sport, the reasons she gave it up for awhile, and why she later decided to pursue longer distances (she’s completed four half marathons in the past year and a half!) in addition to her year-round cross cou...
Ep105: Olympic Triathlete Hunter Kemper returns to the Boyne City Triathlon this Labor Day weekend
August 21, 2017 21:40 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBFrom an early age, Hunter Kemper dreamt of one day competing against the very best athletes in the world. “Ever since I was a little kid—8 years old to be exact—I’ve wanted to be an Olympian. Growing up, I loved watching athletes from the USA compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage in the world. I had a hat that read ‘Goin For Gold’ which I wore everywhere. The Olympic flame, the American anthem, the Opening Ceremonies, the medals, the pageantry, the country flags, the ...
Ep104: Vicki Kavanaugh of Total Trek Quest talks empowering young boys through running
August 14, 2017 20:14 - 1 hour - 55 MBWhen Heather met west Michigan runner Vicki Kavanaugh at this summer's Mercy Health Seaway Run and Lake Michigan Half Marathon—Vicki stopped by the Michigan Runner Girl booth at this Muskegon race's expo and introduced herself—Heather knew she had to have Vicki on the podcast. Vicki is involved with Total Trek Quest, a program that assists third-, fourth- and fifth-grade boys in learning to run a 5K. More than 100 volunteer coaches facilitate 36 practices with these boys to prepare them for ...
Ep103: Julie Millen on running for others and logging 100 miles during Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend this October
August 08, 2017 01:06 - 1 hour - 53 MBEpisode #103: Julie Millen on running for others and logging 100 miles during Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend this October This October, during Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend Oct. 14-15, ultra runner and mom of five Julie Millen will take on her second 100-mile run—the Joules Athletics Warrior 100 Mile Run and Relay—to help raise funds for Brayden Trombley, an 8-year-old Mt. Pleasant, Mich. boy who has leukemia. This is not the first time (and definitely won't be the last) Jul...
Ep102: Fall Race Preview: Bridge Run 10 mile & 5K in Grand Rapids + Detroit Women's Half Marathon , 10K & 5K
July 25, 2017 12:53 - 44 minutes - 35.7 MBHeather catches up with two race directors of September events for this special Michigan fall race preview episode. First up: Kyle Cutler, race director of the 16th annual Lake Michigan Credit Union Bridge Run on Sunday, Sept. 17 in downtown Grand Rapids. This race features a 10 Mile and a 5K run/walk. Kyle is a marathoner and member of Run GR, the local running group that organizes the Bridge Run. Along with talking about why the Bridge Run is known as a "must-do race" in the Mitten State, ...