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What makes a marathon truly iconic? Is it the history, the challenge, the crowds — or the story behind the miles?

In this episode, Lewis and Mitch explore the most historic and legendary marathons from around the world. From the ancient origins of the race in Greece to modern greats like Boston, London, Chicago, and New York, they unpack what makes these events so meaningful to runners everywhere.

🏛️ The Ancient Athens Marathon — where it all began
🏃‍♂️ Boston & Yonkers — America’s oldest races
🌍 London, Chicago, Marine Corps & more — global legends with timeless appeal
💬 What makes a race worthy of every runner’s bucket list?

Join the conversation and tell us — which marathon do you think has the most history or heart? Drop your answer in the comments, and maybe we’ll feature it in a future episode.

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In this episode, Lewis survives grasshopper season 🌱🦗 and discovers a wild new fitness challenge — combining golf and an ultra run. Yes… someone ran 92 miles and played 810 holes of golf in 24 hours. New life goal? Maybe. 😅

Meanwhile, Mitch celebrates a BIG win — not running today — and reflects on rebuilding fitness, embracing rest, and hitting his first 5-mile run again. 👏

Then, we dive into the Running Paradox: how different cultures view running — from spiritual journeys in the Himalayas, to barefoot ultrarunners in Mexico, to elite Kenyan and Ethiopian communities, and the disciplined relay traditions in Japan. How does our Western, tech-heavy running culture compare?

Topics in this Episode
🏃‍♂️ Mitch’s comeback + rest day success
🦗 Lewis vs. grasshopper season
⛳ Ultra-golf challenge (92 miles + 810 holes!)
🌍 Exploring global running cultures
🧠 Running as lifestyle vs hobby
🎧 What would runners from other cultures think of our GPS watches, headphones & Strava obsession?

Challenge for listeners:
Try running without your watch or headphones this week — and tell us how it went! 👇

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Like, subscribe & share with a running friend
Join us on Patreon to keep the podcast growing!

👇 Comment of the Week

Why do you run? Community? Fitness? Adventure? Therapy? Let us know!

🎙️ Thanks for listening to the I Don’t Know Running Podcast — where we share what we love about running… and all the things we still don’t know.
Happy running! 🏃‍♀️💨

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This week on the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Mitch shares his journey back from injury using a run-walk approach and the lessons he’s learning along the way. Meanwhile, Lewis dives into his 100K training, the grind of running in the summer heat, and why Zone 2 training has become the key to staying healthy.

We also cover:

Injury recovery, knee pain, and learning when to actually rest

How slowing down can make running more enjoyable (and social!)

Stretching & recovery routines that fit into real life

Fueling & hydration mistakes (and fixes) for long runs

The thrill of watching athletes push through at the final hours of an Ironman

Jeff Garmire’s unsupported Appalachian Trail FKT attempt

Whether you’re new to running or a seasoned ultra veteran, this conversation is packed with relatable stories, lessons learned, and reminders that—no matter how long you’ve been running—we’re all still figuring it out.

👉 Who do you think this podcast is for—beginners, veterans, or both? Drop your thoughts in the comments!

#Running #TrailRunning #Zone2Training #Ultrarunning #Podcast

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We all reach it at some point in the north. The dreaded winter blues. We talk about a few things to help kick you out of that at least with regards to running. Also...vote on the beard!!

Check us out on Patreaon!! Help support the show or join for free. We want to build a team there. Check it out!

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PLEASE!! Share this podcast with someone. Help inspire and motivate others.

Join us on a journey to see what it's like to compete against the toughest Ironman course in the world along side the top athletes in the world. Team Agar is an inspiration to all. Not just athletes or people who do endurance sports but rather to everyone! They embody the spirit of not setting limitations on yourself no matter what your circumstances are. Sit back and listen to the story of Johnny Agar and his IMPossible Mile. Check out the book he and his mother, Becky, wrote. You will come away with a new sense of purpose in your life.

The IMPossible Mile book on Amazon

Please consider helping to support Team Agar here
Checkout more about Johnny Agar's story here

Thanks so much for listening and sharing the podcast. As always be sure to check us out on Facebook and Patreon. If you like the podcast consider supporting us so we can continue to grow the show. 

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We are partnering with PT Sports Pro to bring you these Wednesday episodes that we hope will actually teach you something. Join us as Terence and Dave tell us a little about what gear you need to get started for your first race. 

Have a question? Write it in the comments or shoot us an email to either Idontknowrunning@gmail.com or info@ptsportspro.com. Be sure to like and share this episode with someone. Also subscribe to the channel so you don't miss the next one!

Join our Patreon! Become part of the team and join our patreon. 
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Ever wonder how many cups go the the landfill after a marathon? Or how many make it to the landfill after you plane ride to and from the marathon? Well that's what Kristina Smithe wondered too, and it was way too many, so she started a company to STOP just that. Welcome to the amazing company called, Hiccup Earth. 

Please take a minute and share this with the race director of your favorite race. Send it to all who want to do a little something to help make our planet cleaner and produce less waste. 

Thanks all for listening and sharing the podcast. Take a quick second to like, subscribe and share this episode. It really only takes a second! Also go check out our patreon and consider joining the team. 

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Why not get out and join a group? Running groups and communities are a great place to get started or continue to advance your journey with running. You can find so many welcoming and supportive people in some of these places. We list some of the groups you can join in the west Michigan area in this episode. 

Thanks so much for listening and supporting the podcast. We appreciate all you do to help share and grow the podcast. Check us out on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Patreon. 

Patreon Link: https://patreon.com/IDKR?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

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We have a great talk with a friend on his new goals for 2024. He'll be running farther than he ever has and is going to share his experience along the way. This will be an intro into some short updates we'll be getting along his journey this year. All the highs and lows from training to the finish line of some of these adventures. 

Thanks so much for following, listening, and sharing the Podcast with others. Please take a minute and like, subscribe and share this episode. 

Become a member of our Patreon group. For as little as FREE you can join the team. We're looking forward to so much this year and the Patreon group is part of what will help make it all happen. 

https://www.patreon.com/IDKR

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It's the time of year where we take a look back and we excited look forward. We'll review what happened in 2023 and look at some of those numbers. We'll also talk about what's to come for the podcast in 2024 and we are VERY excited about that. 

Check out our Patreon where you can subscribe for free or choose to help support the show in a financial way for as little as 10 cents a day to the Ultra level where we just can't say thank you enough! 

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Thanks so much for following and listening to the podcast. Please be sure to like, subscribe and share this with someone else that enjoys running.

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We have all been there or ARE there. What does it take and what should you look out for when starting to run. If you're new to it or coming back from a break, we talk about a few of the things to be thinking about and watching for. 

Be sure to like, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family. Also go check out our Patreon and help support the podcast. 
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It's Christmas time, and we've got you covered. If you haven't gotten your runner a gift yet, this is the episode for you. We'll cover the small stocking stuffers to the BIG ones too big to fit down the chimney. 

And if nothing above seems right, I'm sure your runners would love to subscribe to our Patreon. Just click the link and get them a subscription. 
patreon.com/IDKR

Thanks so much for listening, sharing and subscribing. 

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Well it's that time of year where we look at how to run in the frozen north. We'd love to hear how you dress for the lowering temperatures we get to run in. How do you dress for 30, or 20 and is it tights, pants or shorts no matter what? 

Thank you to our Patreon supporters!! We appreciate what you're doing to help grow the podcast. 

Please like, share and subscribe to the podcast. 

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In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis and Mitch dive into the unspoken (and sometimes ignored) rules of trail running. From yielding to uphill runners and bikers, to respecting horses, hikers, and even wildlife, we unpack what it means to be a good steward of the trails.

We also share stories of surprising encounters, muddy mistakes, headphone mishaps, and why respecting closures is so important for preserving the spaces we love. Whether you’re a seasoned ultrarunner or just hitting the dirt for the first time, these trail etiquette tips will help you stay safe, show respect, and keep the running community strong.

👉 Topics we cover:

Yielding: who goes first (uphill runners, hikers, equestrian, bikers)

Passing safely and avoiding surprises on singletrack

Headphone and dog etiquette on the trails

Protecting trails from erosion and respecting closures

Practicing Leave No Trace and giving back to the trail community

📢 Share in the comments: What trail etiquette rules drive you crazy—or which ones do you wish more people followed?

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share to support the show. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Spotify, and Patreon to keep the conversation going.

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If this is your first race, then listen and pay attention. If this is your 100th race and you still need to hear this...come on!! Stop it and pay attention. For real though, let's all pay a little more attention to those around us and focus on how we can make THEIR race better. 

Thanks so much for listening and supporting the podcast. Please like, share and subscribe. Also, we have some new supporters for the podcast. 

Half Marathon Supporters: Chris Denham

Check out our Patreon if you want to support the podcast. 
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Let's take a step back and remember some of what we've shared on the podcast before. Time for some reflection and some updates on the podcast. 

We now have Patreon! Go check it out. We'll continue to develop this and make things better as times goes on. 
patreon.com/IDKR

Thanks so much and don't forget to like, subscribe and share!!

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That's right!! We have Terence Reuben joining us again on the podcast and he's going to give us an update on PT Sports Pro. We have some other announcements as well. Lot's of exciting stuff happing in the coming months. 

Thanks so much for listening. Please like, share and subscribe.

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We know...we can't believe it either. We're so excited to be back in the studio recording more podcasts. Here we are going to just quickly go over where we've been and where we are going. We hope you will enjoy and come along with us. 

Let us know what you want to hear on the podcast. We don't care of off the wall you may think it is either. Share with us what you want to hear as long as it has a little to do with running.

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It's summer time and that means it's time to take a break and recharge...for everyone. Get out there, enjoy a run, run how and what you want. Let the stress go and just enjoy being outside and running. 

We have many things planned for the fall and we're excited to get it rolling. 
Thanks for listening, sharing and subscribing to the podcast.

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Marc VK joins us and talks about his Bayshore Marathon and if he qualified for Boston or not. 

Thanks so much for listening and please be sure to share this with someone. 

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Here's another favorite from last year that got a lot of listens. If you know of anyone that likes the Triathlon arena be sure to share this one with them. Brad does a great job talking about his race and the experience that is Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. 

As always thanks so much for listening. We'll be back with more new content soon!

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A replay from the most listened to episode last year. If you haven't heard it, give it a listen and if you have, listen again. This was a really fun episode. 

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What is it like to crew for a 100 mile trail race. We talk with Senez Rodriguez as he gets ready to crew for the first time. What does it take and what to expect. Lots can happen and you need to prepare for as much as you can. 

Thanks so much for listening and please, like, share and subscribe.

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Let's talk about what it takes to get in your runs during the summer heat which is quickly arriving and hitting us. This is an episode we ran last year but thought it was a good idea to share it again as things start warming up. 

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In this episode of I Don’t Know Running, Lewis and Mitch sit down with Nick, who’s about to tackle his very first full Ironman after starting from ZERO just a year ago, and Susan, a legendary triathlete with over 130 full-distance races under her belt (and 400+ triathlons total!).

We talk training highs and lows, race-day nerves, unexpected challenges, and why the “witching hour” at the finish line is pure magic. Susan shares wild and hilarious stories from two decades of racing (including racing in heels!) and Nick reveals how he went from a 5K runner to preparing for 140.6 miles.

Whether you’re a triathlon veteran, a first-timer, or just love inspiring endurance stories, this episode is packed with laughs, wisdom, and a whole lot of heart.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Welcome & Guest Introductions
6:12 – Susan’s Journey to 130 Ironmans
16:47 – Nick’s First Year of Triathlon Training
29:03 – Race-Day Nerves & Unknowns
41:55 – The Magic of the Witching Hour Finish
55:20 – Nutrition Wins & Fails
1:10:00 – Goals Beyond Sunday’s Race

👍 Subscribe for more running & triathlon stories!

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Joining us this week is Brandy Loseke from Colorado. Another kidney donor athlete to share her experience. She has a great story of her donation along with what she's been able to do with running since then. How about doing the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim, or qualifying for Boston and more. 

Thanks so much for listening, sharing, subscribing and liking this episode of the I Don't Know Running podcast.

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Mitch and Brian talk about running a back to back (double) marathons. We'll talk about the races and what it feels like to run back to back days for a marathon...or longer. This isn't as straight forward as you might think. From travel to how the muscles feel, there's a lot that goes into running the double.

Please listen, subscribe and share this episode of the I Don't Know Running podcast.

First State Trail Race 50k website
York Marathon and Half Marathon website

Thanks so much for being a part of the podcast!!

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This week we talk with Tracey Hulick the founder of Kidney Donor Athlete, and Pete Bartels a kidney donor and athlete. If you have ever wondered what donating a kidney would do to your running or endurance sport, listen to this podcast. 

Please go and check out the Kidney Donor Athlete page at: https://kidneydonorathlete.org/
Check out Tracey's story here: https://kidneydonorathlete.org/founder/
Check out Pete's story here: https://kidneydonorathlete.org/2019/08/14/pete/

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It wouldn't be right to not discuss the Boston Marathon race this year. It was very exciting to watch and see all the drama unfold among all the races. 

Hope you enjoy and please subscribe, like and share the podcast with someone. 

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Who doesn't like learning a little about history and your town? If you join us and listen to Caroline Cook, that's just what you'll get. She is the founder and owner of Grand Rapids Running Tours. She loves sharing the history of this great city with all that want to learn a little more. 

Check out the website at: https://grandrapidsrunningtours.com/

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It's time!! Marathon race season is under way and there is no shortage of races to jump into. We talk about just how many there are just in the midwest alone...and that's a LOT. So get out there and enter to run your first, second or 100th marathon. 

As always thanks so much for joining us along the way and if you like what you're hearing, please consider subscribing, sharing and liking the podcast. 

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We talk about our experience we had while at the Boston Marathon during the 2013 bombing. This was an intense experience for us all and one we will never forget. The discussion here is just a quick memory of what actually happened on that day 10 years ago. We hope and pray for nothing but healing for anyone involved or affected by these events. 

Thanks so much for listening to our podcast. Be sure to like and subscribe to hear more of our experiences in running.

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We talk with Dan K. about running near 2:30 for the marathon and how he does it. Also what that kind of speed can offer a runner, like free race entries.

Check out Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Arizona here

Subscribe and share the podcast with someone. Thanks!

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We talk with Terence Reuben about the new company in town called PT Sports Pro that treats ALL athletes like they are elite. We only brushed on so little of what is to come from this amazing new approach to treating athletes for all their needs. We have more to come soon and we are so excited about it.

Check out the PT Sports Pro Facebook page here

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We talk to some people from the Amway Riverbank Run. Some runners, some charity partners and more! This week we talk with Lauralee with the River Bank Run. She's been with the race for over 35 years. She knows a lot about it and shares it with us in this episode.

Charity Partner Links below.
The StoreHouse
Family Futures
Paws With A Cause
Still I Run

Check out more about the race here
Register here

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Would you pop a blister mid-race? Drain a hematoma on the trail? Peel off a black toenail just to keep moving? In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, we dive into the wild (and sometimes gross) things ultrarunners do to get to the finish line.

We’re talking toenails, vomiting stories, hallucinations, dehydration struggles, and the fine line between being a badass and being reckless. Plus, we throw in a little Michigan accent lesson and a reminder that safety always comes first (even when you're tempted by the communal M&M bowl at an aid station).

🎧 Tune in, laugh with us, and let us know in the comments: What’s the dumbest thing YOU’VE done to finish a race?

👍 Like, 💬 Comment, 🔔 Subscribe, and Happy Running!

#Ultrarunning #TrailRunning #RunningFails #BlackToenails #IDontKnowRunningPodcast

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We talk to some people from the Amway Riverbank Run. Some runners, some charity partners and more! This week we talk with "The StoreHouse" and "Family Futures" along with Will who is the Director of the Amway Global Brand.

Charity Partner Links below.
The StoreHouse
Family Futures

Check out more about the race here: Amway River Bank Run
Register here: Registration for the race! 

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We talk to some people from the Amway Riverbank Run. Some runners, some charity partners and more! This week we talk with "Paws With A Cause" and "Still i run" along with Tracy who is the charity partners coordinator. More to come next week!

Consistently ranked as one of the premier road racing events in the United States, the Amway River Bank Run is the site of the Men’s 25K American and Course record (1:13:47; 2019); Women’s 25K American record (1:24:36; 2012) and former Men’s 25K World record (1998). The 25K has been the site of the USA 25 km Open Championships since 1995.

Check out more about the race here: https://amwayriverbankrun.com/
Register here: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/GrandRapids/AmwayRiverBankRun

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We have been talking about this a little bit on the last few podcasts and wanted to give it a dedicated podcast. We're only scratching the surface here and it would be great to see a big push in volunteers showing up for races. If you run races you should consider volunteering at one soon. The reward is so worth it!

Consider volunteering for a couple races coming up:
She Runs Grand Rapids 2023
Tri Del Sol Triathlon 2023
Or maybe one of the other races we've talked about. 

Thanks so much for listening and sharing this podcast!

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Race Director Ron Knoll joins us on the podcast this week to talk about some races and what all it takes to put a race on.

Check out his races here:
Bear Lake Tri and Du
Armed Services Marathon
Grand Haven Triathlon

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We have some experienced runners join us on this podcast and they have seen a lot. Listen and learn as they share some things on how they've made running fun and enjoyable for so many years. 

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We sit down and discuss the last weekends Groundhog Day Marathon, Half-Marathon and the 1/6th Marathon World Championship. Freezing temps, snow packed trails, some whiskey shots, boos and more.

Checkout our YouTube channel here. Click the like, subscribe and share it with someone! Thanks so much. 

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Join us as we discuss what all these have in common with Patrick Dunning of the West Michigan Whiskey Rollers. They have a couple or races local to Grand Rapids, MI.

Check out there website.

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We talk with Marathon Don, race director for the Grand Rapids Marathon and the Groundhog Marathon. He shares some of what it took to start his first Marathon and how that transitioned into starting more.

Sign up for the Groundhog Marathon
Sign up for the Grand Rapids Marathon

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We have some fun and exciting things happening for the I Don't Know Running podcast in 2023...and it starts here! Join us on the adventure. 

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Adventure racer and Ultra Runner Ben Braman shares his journey to becoming a pioneer trail builder in Kentucky. See what it takes to dig in and build a trail where one does not exist. He has a real passion for his work and for his town and area. 

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In this episode of the I Don’t Know Running Podcast, Lewis shares how one small heart rate monitor issue spiraled into a full-blown shopping spree—including a new Garmin watch, trail shoes, and more (thanks, Mark 😅).

Then, we break down the ultimate race research checklist—everything you should know before signing up for your next race:
✅ Where to find legit race info
✅ What every race website should include (but often doesn't)
✅ How to avoid race-day surprises (like no bathrooms or mystery start lines)
✅ Course maps, aid stations, crew rules, and more
✅ Swag, finish line vibes, and what really makes a race worth the entry fee

Whether you're running your first 5K or training for your next 100K, this episode is packed with tips, stories, and a few rants to help you prepare smarter and race better.

👇 What do you always look for when researching a race? Drop it in the comments!

📍 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or right here on YouTube.
📲 Follow us on Facebook, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & more.

Until next time—happy running!

#RunningPodcast #Ultrarunning #RaceDayTips #GarminWatch #TrailRunning #IDontKnowRunning #MarathonTraining

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We have Brad Pruim join us again on this episode to ask him some questions about the Stryd foot pod.

Check out the Stryd Pod for measuring power during your run. We dive in a little deeper and see what this little thing can do for your running. 

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We talk about what happened in 2022 and we discuss what's going to happen to the podcast in 2023. 

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We talk with Catra Corbett about her story and a lot more! This is a great discussion of everything life and running. Real, raw and vulnerable is all over this discussion. I hope you enjoy it and share it with someone.

Catra Corbett website
Catra's book Reborn on the Run

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