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Michigan Runner Girl

The 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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Now displaying: December, 2015
Dec 30, 2015
Episode #22: Shoe Year's Day Virtual 5K + Exploring Michigan State Parks
 
Get ready to start planning your 2016 outdoor adventures -- you'll definitely be inspired after listening to this show highlighting a new year's virtual run organized by Ann Arbor-Based Epic Races and benefitting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Heather's guest -- Maia Turek, statewide recreation programmer for the state's DNR -- shares details about the Shoe Year's Day Virtual 5K that kicks off January 1 (register by 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31) and also gives the inside scoop on all things relating to Michigan state parks and the countless ways to get outside and enjoy our state's beautiful landscapes -- what Maia refers to as "MI Big Green Gym." Maia knows our state parks like the back of her hand and isn't shy about sharing great ideas for fun adventures. She talks about which ones are her favorite parks as well as offers up lesser-known and hidden areas we all should check out. Reservation tips also are shared (have you ever camped in a yurt? You'll want to give it a try after hearing from Maia). Michigan has 102 state parks, with more than 2,000 events taking place in these spots each year. The partnership between Epic Races and the state Department of Natural Resources also includes the Heart MI Run Series. Join Heather and Maia in signing up for the Shoe Year's Day Virtual 5K!
 
Links:
 
Shoe Year's Day Virtual 5K: http://epicraces.com/event/shoe-years-day-virtual-5k/
 
Heart MI Run series organized by Epic Races and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources: http://epicraces.com/event/heartmirun/
 
Michigan Recreation Passport: www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport
Dec 24, 2015
Runner Justin Craig joins Heather on this episode about running in the D and how his running specialty store -- RUNDetroit -- offers a unique GPS demo program to runners. With GPS watches a significant investment for runners, the program's goal is to help make that decision easier by allowing runners to test the watches on a rental basis and find the perfect one for them. RUNDetroit is the city's only running speciality store, and along with offering your typical running store items, it also has become an integral part of the local running scene. The store offers group runs and training plans and support, and also helps organize Michigan races. Justin also shares with listeners his own running journey and what's next for him.
 
Link: www.run-Detroit.com 

 

Dec 17, 2015

If you're looking for a late spring/early summer race -- a race that places you on scenic trails in northern Michigan -- you'll want to tune into this episode featuring the North Mitten Half Marathon & 10K. This Memorial Day weekend race takes place on Sunday, May 29, 2016. The races are held each year at Crystal Mountain, a four-season resort in Thompsonville, Mich. Heather welcomes two guests to the show to talk about this race: Keli Elphinstone, a runner from Davison, Mich. who ran the North Mitten Half Marathon this past spring, and Race Director Janice Davidson. Keli, who started running about 6 years ago, shares why she signed up for the race in the first place (hint: the cool finisher's medal played a big role) and she also talks about the benefits of signing up for trail races like the North Mitten. Janice, who also serves as director of recreation at Crystal Mountain, gives the inside scoop on the 2016 event and shares her own running journey (she's signed on for a half marathon this spring and also has found a love of coaching young runners). Be sure to listen to the end of this episode to hear the two winners of the YakTrax giveaway!

 
Link: www.crystalmountain.com 

 

Dec 10, 2015
Heather Quinlan on Running Toward a Healthier Life
 
Heather Quinlan, a runner in Sterling Heights and known by many in the Michigan running community as the author of the Finding Her Happy Pace page/community on Facebook, talks with Heather Durocher about her health journey and how running has helped transform her life. Heather Q., a 34-year-old middle school reading specialist, shares how she began her running journey by walking. This eventually led to running, then racing (hear why the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon is so special to her) and significant weight loss (she lost 100 pounds through exercise and altering the ways she viewed food.) She's open and honest about her journey, including the challenges she's faced along the way. She also talks about what is keeping her motivated now -- she remains committed to losing additional weight, and most importantly, staying on a good path for overall health and well-being. In recent time she's taken up strength training, and she talks about that as well. Whether you're new to running or you've been at it for years, you're sure to be inspired by this runner.
 
Links: www.facebook.com/findingherhappypacehttps://findingherhappypace.wordpress.com
 

 

Dec 2, 2015
Though our winter so far has been mild, colder and snowier weather is surely coming -- and we've got you covered for running outdoors throughout the next few months. Heather Durocher and co-host Cassy Stone talk about their love of winter running and have a great conversation with fellow winter running lover Susan Hoddinott, assistant store manager at Gazelle Sports in Grand Rapids. Susan shares her vast knowledge of essential clothing and gear to have for your outdoor running adventures. The trio talk about the importance of layers, and Susan explains why merino wool is great for your head and feet. Traction for shoes (and the right shoes to keep your feet dry) also is part of the discussion. One new product Susan mentions -- a headlamp for your early morning or evening runs -- gets Heather and Cassy thinking about their holiday wish list (you just might do the same). And to wrap things up, Heater announces an awesome giveaway perfectly suited for winter running: two free pairs of YakTrax to two lucky listeners. Tune in for all the giveaway details. Whether you've run outside throughout winter in the past, or you're thinking of giving it a try this year, you're sure to be inspired to stay active no matter the weather. 
 
Make sure you visit the Michigan Runner Girl website to check out the store for holiday gift ideas!

 

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