Episode 74: New York City Marathon & Achilles International, with Blair McConnell

Episode #74 can be found most places podcasts are heard, and topics can be explored more through the links below!

Achilles Athlete Blair McConnell in Center,
Guides Anton to left and Mark to right

The TCS New York City Marathon is a race like none other, and many train for years in expectation of being able to take part, including this episode's featured guest Blair McConnell of New Zealand, who came as part of the Achilles International Delegation from his home country. Having been thwarted by the pandemic in 2020, he waited three years longer to run his ultimate destination race, and first marathon, through the 5 boroughs: starting in Staten Island and proceeding over the Verazzano Bridge into Brooklyn, then the Bronx, Queens and Manhattan. In this episode, we have a few live clips from just before and just after the marathon alongside Anton McLean (his guide from Christchurch) and Mark Lane-Holbert (myself, guide from USA). However the majority of the episode is recorded with Blair a few weeks after the marathon with him back in Christchurch, adding some perspective. 

Blair was recently featured in a local Christchurch article also, you can read here. 

Achilles Tent/Prep area just before start of the 2023 TCS NYC Marathon,
Verazzano Bridge sunrise in background!

In this episode, we explore what it's like to join an Achilles Chapter and why he runs with them, how he found his guides, and several high points and considerations of traveling internationally for a marathon. We also discuss some of the challenges of being a visually impaired running in a crowded big city marathon, but alongside this the joy and thrill of immense crowds along the course, with music and languages from many different cultures represented in NYC. We also touch on the phenomenon of Park Runs, his recent accomplishment of 100 Park Runs, and his upcoming adventures. If you would like to explore Achilles International, you can visit their website.  Here, you'll find chapters around the US and the world, and find out more about both athlete and guide opportunities.

If you have a corner of running culture you are exploring or would like to, share with us on Facebook or Instagram. Until next time, Happy Running!

Episode 73: Running with Richelle Weeks, Physiotherapist

 

Richelle Weeks, Physiotherapist, MSc.

Our guest this episode is a talented Physiotherapist and accomplished runner in her own right who has helped many reach their full potential and stay happy and healthy in their running, who also happens to be running the Chicago marathon this week! Richelle Weeks specializes in the treatment and prevention of running injuries and has her own practice in Ottawa, Canada. She is trained in Physiotherapy (Masters degree from Dalhousie Univ.), and also holds a degree in Kinesiology degree. Her dual loves of running and Physiotherapy fermented in 2009 as she combined her passion for running with her career, and began focusing almost exclusively on helping runners achieve their best and avoid injury. She started a popular training program in person and online to help individuals prevent injury, which is how we found her. She also practiced in Goose Bay, Labrador for 10 years at a rural hospital, then in 2018 I moved with her family to Ottawa where I began working in private practice.

As we all know, distance running can strain and damage soft tissue like tendons, ligaments, smaller muscles and nerves. An expert sports physical therapist or physiotherapist can perform soft tissue treatments to relieve swelling and pain in these areas and increase functionality for better running, and can provide elements of strength training and "pre-hab" to prevent injury in problem areas. They may also advise runners on proper form, training methods, strategies for preventing injuries, and proper shoe selection and work with them to develop a plan, tailored to their specific needs, for successful running. This is ideally done in tandem with a trained distance running coach, and in some cases, like today's guest, may be one in the same! She loves finding solutions for others and helping others to become more patient runners, to meet their goals via small pieces in each build. She also helps runners to making running "sustainable, consistent and see the big picture". 

We hope that all runners find a Physio or PT they can trust, that specializes in running or can relate as runner to the struggles we have!  This episode may be the beginning of the journey. Please feel free to reach out to Richelle with any questions:

Instagram: 

https://www.instagram.com/runningwithrichelle/

Facebook: 

https://www.facebook.com/ottawarunningphysio

Facebook Strength Series: 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/4045984508874158

** People need to email me or write on FB to join. It'll be open for another 6 weeks. 

Website: 

https://ottawarunningphysio.org/

Instagram: Richelle Weeks (@runningwithrichelle)

Email Holistic Wellness Physiotherapy: rweeks@hwhealth.com

Episode 72: Cross Country Training Tips, and Transition to Collegiate Running

Episode 72 can be found nearly anywhere you find your podcasts, including Apple & Spotify.

College XC Teammates at Emory, "Tents and Trails"

KJ Karver's High School accomplishments

An Ode to Cross Country: 

On grassy fields, golf courses, wooded paths, around ponds, in the mud, in the rain, in the snow... Moving fast and past autumn leaves, wind blows through my hair around each bend as my shoes grip the curved earth.

We raise our spirits as we empty our lungs. I stretch to keep the pace with finish line in sight.
As soon as I cross, I cannot wait to run again.
And I know I am right where I'm meant to be.
-by Mark Lane-Holbert, Inspired by Rock Creek Runners

This month we dive into the joys of cross country and collegiate running in general, especially training tips, in an interview with KJ Karver, a successful high school runner who is starting his collegiate running career at Emory. Flashback 4 years: We had the pleasure of first meeting him on Running Anthropologist just before he entered high school, in an interview with his training partner and father, Dr. Marc Karver. Since then, he has won multiple awards and was among the best cross country athletes in the state of Florida, and now seeking to be the best in his NCAA division. He has had several private coaches but still trained and run with his dad often until leaving for university, and this relationship has instilled a sense of dedication, sometimes friendly competition and always a safe place for conversation.

September 2023 NCAA competition

In this interview with Kirin solo, we spend a great deal of time discussing what went right in his high school career, what he learned the hard way, and what he would recommend doing differently. He gives some simple tips that represent a treasure trove of knowledge in training for any age, including for the unbounded energy of high school runners. We also touch on some youth-specific topics, including the basics of college recruiting and how to think about the process ahead of time. Hope you enjoy this peek into what makes a successful runner transitioning to college, both in attitude and practical skills. We are very grateful for his time and wish KJ luck in all his endeavours! 

Please leave us a message about your favorite collegiate runners and cross country courses, below or on FB/Instagram!
Here are a few resources to read more about cross country in general, from Runners World and Marathon Handbook: 

Another great resource for workouts and coaches is LetsRun.com

Until next time, wishing you and yours Happy Running!

Trail Running Film Fest Global Tour, Mathias Eichler

 Episode 71: Trail Running Film Fest Global Tour, with Executive Producer Mathias Eichler, is available just about anywhere Podcasts can be heard!

 Do you ever wish you could get a birds-eye view into all the unique stuff going on with trail running around the globe? The Trail Running Film Fest thought of just that, and has films from independent filmmakers covering people in every walk(-run) of life! In this episode, the Trail Running Film Festival's executive producer Mathias Eichler and I discuss it  all, how it started and he shares about the "why" behind their work. We also discuss how it all comes together, and a bit about the films featured this year.

This year, a focus on diversity both in terms of runners culture and geographic landscapes makes for a beautiful lineup. Many stories and voices that are not traditionally found in the cinema can now be seen in cities everywhere through their host-sponsored Global Tour. Check the website for a location near you, 50+ cities including Tampa Bay's USF in mid-April. After the tour ends at the end of April, one can also purchase a home pass and watch the entire film festival from the comfort of home, if you cannot make it to one of the theater venues.

Mathias also shares his own background and how he got into trail running and fell in love with the pacific Northwest of the US. He gives us the best places to run and some insider tips for how to avoid crowds and find the best trails at two national park areas in Washington state, near Olympia!  Below is a quick announcement of what you can expect in the film fest this year:

"The Trail Running Film Festival is back on tour around the world, and coming to somewhere near you for a great night of films, inspiration, and community.

You're invited to celebrate with us running as a universal practice. Come explore our collective and individual potential, and let's pursue our wildest dreams. 

We're excited to bring you stories from around the world by filmmakers sharing their work of adventure, inclusivity, wilderness, art, and diversity across the trail and ultra community!

More information at: trailfilmfest.com

You can also of course find us and message us about unique corners of running culture, or your favorite trail runs, at @runninganthropologist on IG or Facebook!  Until then, Happy Running!