Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast. In this podcast, I'll speak to runners who inspire and motivate me to show up as my best self. The discussion highlights back of the pack (BOTP) marathoners who run 26.2 miles in 5 or more hours. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun or TikTok @runstrongrun.About Stephanie:Stephanie is a marathon pacer, mom of four, elementary school administrator, and your number one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 34 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
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What does it take to go from your first marathon to becoming someone who helps inspire an entire running community?
In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with my friend Ivan Casillas, whose marathon journey began at the California International Marathon (CIM) in 2022 and has grown into something much bigger than chasing personal records.
Ivan shares how he went from training the hard way—believing every run had to be fast—to discovering that patience, consistency, and community are what truly make marathon training rewarding.
We also have a heartfelt conversation about losing his father unexpectedly and how running became an important part of processing grief while continuing to move forward.
Whether you're training for your first marathon, wondering if you're capable of running 26.2 miles, or simply need encouragement to keep showing up, this episode will remind you that every runner belongs.
In this episode, we discuss:
How Ivan found his way to his first California International Marathon
Lessons learned after completing four CIM marathons
Why marathon training rewards patience—not perfection
Running through grief after the unexpected loss of his father
The power of community and the Corremos Sacramento Run Club
Why slower runners deserve the same celebration as every other finisher
Fueling strategies beyond just gels
Why Ivan believes everyone should run a marathon at least once
How to overcome fear before signing up for your first marathon
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Running After Baby: How One Mom Overcame Postpartum Depression Through Running and Faith
In this deeply moving episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, Stephanie sits down with Noelani Fong, a wife, homeschool mom of four young children, and brand-new runner who completed her very first half marathon just three months postpartum.
After experiencing severe postpartum depression following her first three pregnancies, Noelani prayed for a different outcome after welcoming her fourth baby. She felt prompted to simply "move your body"—and that small step led her into the running community, where she discovered healing, hope, confidence, and purpose.
During the Kona Half Marathon, Noelani hit a difficult wall around mile 9 when Stephanie handed her an "All Runners Count" bracelet, a simple moment that became exactly the encouragement she needed to keep moving toward the finish line.
Together, they discuss:
Recovering from postpartum depression
Beginning a running journey after having a baby
Training for a half marathon with four young children
Balancing motherhood, homeschooling, and marathon training
The importance of community in running
Faith, perseverance, and trusting God's plan
Why every runner belongs
Whether you're a new mom, a beginner runner, or simply someone needing hope today, Noelani's story is a reminder that incredible things often begin with one small step.
Amazon Prime Day is the perfect time to save on running gear you'll actually use—but not every deal is worth your money. (My Amazon Storefront)
In this episode, I'm sharing the products I personally use as a marathon pacer, beginner running coach, and mom of two. From the Gymboss Interval Timer that powers my run-walk intervals to my COROS Pace 3 running watch, Brooks running shoes, HOVERAir X1 Pro drone, hydration gear, recovery tools, and protein essentials, these are the products I trust every day.
Whether you're training for your first 5K, half marathon, marathon, or simply looking for beginner-friendly running gear, you'll discover which Prime Day deals are worth adding to your cart—and why.
In this episode, you'll learn:
My #1 recommendation for beginner runners
Why I trust the COROS Pace 3 for marathon pacing
The running shoes I keep coming back to
How the HOVERAir X1 Pro helps me capture hands-free running videos
My favorite hydration, recovery, and strength tools
Which products are worth buying during Prime Day—and which you can skip
If you're ready to train smarter, recover better, and take advantage of the best Amazon Prime Day deals for runners, this episode is for you.
What if you started running at 44 and ended up completing 100 miles?
In this inspiring episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with Michelle Schroff, better known on Instagram as Waddell Running Lady. Michelle shares her incredible journey from reluctant beginner runner to ultra marathon finisher, proving that it's never too late to start and that running can transform far more than your fitness.
A note about this episode: This conversation was originally recorded in February 2025. During our discussion, Michelle briefly talks about her son, Austin, who was battling leukemia at the time. Sadly, Austin passed away in June 2025. As this episode is being released, Michelle is now more than a year into navigating the profound grief of losing her son.
While much has changed since this conversation was recorded, Michelle's words about resilience, courage, perspective, and perseverance are more powerful than ever.
In this episode, we discuss:
• How Michelle started running at age 44 • The mindset shift from weight loss to self-discovery • Balancing running with motherhood and caregiving • Why pace and body size don't define a runner • Building mental toughness through life's challenges • Completing a 100-mile race and what it taught her • Navigating social media criticism and staying true to yourself • Why it's never too late to begin your running journey
I had the privilege of meeting Michelle in person at Every Woman's Marathon in Scottsdale, Arizona, in November 2025, and she is exactly who she appears to be online—authentic, kind, encouraging, and deeply inspiring.
Whether you're training for your first 5K or dreaming about bigger goals, Michelle's story will remind you that extraordinary things can happen when you simply take the first step.
Sweeping the Big Sur Marathon: 6-Hour Cutoff, Hurricane Point Climb & the Truth About Marathon Pacing
What does it really take to sweep one of the most challenging marathons in the world?
In this episode, I’m sharing my experience as a 6-hour sweeper at the Big Sur International Marathon, including the strategy, strength, and mindset it takes to stay ahead of a strict cutoff on California’s iconic Highway 1 course.
After racing Big Sur in 5:27 in 2023 using my own 5:30 pace band, I returned for my third year as an official sweeper, holding a consistent 13:44/mile pace while supporting runners navigating one of the toughest marathon courses out there .
Inside this episode, I break down:
What it means to be a marathon sweeper and hold a strict 6-hour cutoff
The Big Sur Marathon course strategy, including the infamous Hurricane Point climb (miles 10–12) and descent to Bixby Bridge at mile 13
How to use run-walk intervals (90/90) for marathon success
Why even effort pacing beats even splits on hilly courses
The emotional reality of passing runners and supporting those near the cutoff
My training approach: strength training + running for endurance and power
I also share why walking with purpose is a strategy—not a fallback, and how strength training has helped me tackle over 2,000 feet of elevation gain on this course.
Whether you’re training for your first marathon, chasing a 6-hour finish, or dreaming of running Big Sur, this episode will give you practical pacing tips, mindset shifts, and real behind-the-scenes insight.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Could I really run a marathon?” — this episode is for you.
In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with Greg Zarco, who went from barely running to completing his very first marathon at the Los Angeles Marathon.
And not just finishing… absolutely crushing it.
We talk about:
What inspired Greg to sign up for his first marathon
How he trained while balancing work, family, and life
The mental battles every first-time marathoner faces
Why he chose the run-walk method (last minute!)
What race day really felt like—especially in tough conditions
How he pushed through the final miles
What he’s doing next (hint: he’s not done yet 👀)
This is a real, honest, and inspiring conversation that proves one thing:
👉 You don’t need to be an experienced runner to become a marathoner. 👉 You just need to commit.
In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with Sharon and Cia Galatas — a mother-daughter duo who flew from New England to California to run the full marathon at the Napa Valley Marathon.
What started as signing up for the half turned into a bold decision: “If we’re flying across the country… we might as well run the full.”
From snowy winter training runs in Vermont and New Hampshire to navigating race-day nerves, pacing strategy, walk-run intervals, and the infamous cutoff bus, this conversation is honest, funny, and incredibly inspiring.
We talk about:
Training for a marathon in snow and ice
Using walk-run intervals for marathon success
Race-day nerves and how to calm them
Running different paces as a team
The power of pacers in long-distance races
Why a 5:50 marathon is absolutely something to be proud of
Body image, movement as stress relief, and modeling healthy habits
Why running together strengthens relationships
And yes… they loved it so much they’re already signed up for the Vermont City Marathon — and heading back to Napa for the half!
If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “ready” for a marathon, this episode is your sign.
2026 is not a restart—you’re not starting over. You’re building from what you already started.
In the first episode of 2026 on the Run Strong Run Podcast, Steph shares a powerful mindset shift for runners who may already feel their New Year motivation fading. Instead of resolutions, she focuses on choosing a word for the year—rooted—and explains how staying grounded in who you are can help you build consistency, confidence, and joy in your running.
This episode is a reminder that all runners count, that progress doesn’t disappear when motivation dips, and that your running journey—at any pace or stage—is valid and worth celebrating.
Usha’s story is proof that our bodies — and our spirits — are capable of so much more than we think. In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, Steph sits down with Usha, a marathoner, mom, photographer, and all-around powerhouse who turned years of healing, two major surgeries, and motherhood into a powerful CIM marathon PR.
Usha first ran a full marathon back in 2018 at the San Francisco Marathon, finishing in just over six hours with minimal fueling. Then life happened: pregnancy, postpartum recovery, an ectopic pregnancy, emergency surgery, and later a second major surgery. Each time, she had to relearn how to walk before she could even think about running again.
Despite all of that, Usha set her sights on the California International Marathon — not just once, but multiple years in a row. In 2024 she finished just behind the sweepers at CIM and didn’t get an official finish time. In 2025, she came back stronger, ran in a saree that she considers a blessing from a sacred temple in India, joined a CrossFit gym to rebuild her strength, used run-walk intervals with Steph’s 5:50 pace group, and crossed the finish line with a HUGE PR: 5:48:55.
In this conversation, we talk about:
How Usha went from “gym regular” to marathoner
Navigating pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, surgery, and long recoveries
What it was like to run CIM in a saree
Using run-walk intervals and a Gymboss timer to chase a marathon PR
Mental tricks for getting through the hard miles (hello, “just get to the next tree”)
The power of supportive partners and family during marathon training
Usha’s encouragement for anyone scared to sign up for their first marathon
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really do this?” — this episode is your answer.
In this episode of the Run Strong Run Podcast, I sit down with new marathoner and mom of two, Vicky Hurd, a.k.a. @marathonmamav, who went from zero running routine to 26.2 miles at the Every Woman’s Marathon in just over a year.
Vicky shares how she went from running eighth-grade cross country “just to make the soccer team” to becoming a runner again after kids, inspired by everyday runners she saw online. We talk about her decision to run one race every month, the brutal first half marathon that almost broke her, and how she turned that experience into a full-hour PR at her next half simply by trusting her plan.
We also dive into what it’s really like training for a first marathon as a full-time working mom with a 3-year-old and 18-month-old, why she did most of her early miles on the treadmill out of fear and embarrassment, and how community—online and in person—carried her through the hardest miles of race day in Scottsdale.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I really do this?” when it comes to a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or full marathon, Vicky’s story will feel like a permission slip to start scared and show up anyway.
In this episode, we talk about:
How Vicky went from “not a runner” to racing every month for a year
The couch-to-5K journey that turned into multiple half marathons and a full
The disaster first half marathon that taught her to stick to her plan
Why she spent four months running only on the treadmill before braving the park
Training for a marathon as a working mom of two small kids (4 a.m. alarms and all)
The emotional highs and lows of the Every Woman’s Marathon
Vicky’s go-to gear and fuel: Goo Tane, Bonk Breaker chews, and Brooks Glycerin
Her advice to anyone afraid to take the first step: “Do it scared.”
🎧 Listen in if you need a reminder that you belong at the start line—no matter your pace, your age, or how long you’ve been away from running.
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Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who's training for their next race.
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
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Thank you for being here and for letting me be part of your running journey. Here’s to a rooted, strong, and steady 2026.
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
Welcome to the Run Strong Run Podcast! The show where I, Stephanie Dunlap, empower runners of all levels to lace up, chase their dreams, and cross every finish line stronger than ever. To join the discussion live, follow me on Instagram @runstrongrun, TikTok @runstrongrun, Facebook @runstephstrongrun or on my website at runstrongrun.com
About Stephanie:
Stephanie is a beginner run coach, marathon pacer, and your number-one cheerleader! Stephanie went from couch potato to marathoner in 2012 and "Run Strong Run" was born. Since running her first marathon, she's run over 60 full marathons! Stephanie believes that ALL runners count from the fast to the back of the pack. In Stephanie's words, "If you run, you are a runner!"
