Episode #29: Overcoming Mental Roadblocks in our Running

Running is as much mental as it is physical. We know this all too well through our training runs for big goal races, when we're actually out there running those races, and also during our everyday runs. It takes mental muscle to get out the door for our runs and push through the miles -- sometimes a lot of mental muscle, it seems -- and on today's show Heather talks with northern Michigan athlete, sports coach and mental health counselor Cassidy Fisher about the different mental roadblocks we may face and how to overcome these obstacles. Numerous MRG readers shared their own running-related mental hang-ups on the Michigan Runner Girl Facebook page, and Cassidy and Heather address several of these on this episode. (Thanks, everyone, for chiming in on this topic! It was a popular one.) The great news: we have the power to improve our mind-body connection. You'll learn different ways to build your mental muscle during this episode.

Ann Arbor-based race management company Epic Races is behind numerous events in Michigan, including Tri Goddess Tri, a beginner-friendly female triathlon held each June. Heather talks with triathlete Eva Solomon, founder of Epic Races, about this event (it'll be Heather's first swim-bike-run triathlon this summer!) as well as other upcoming races. Epic Races is behind the Goddess Race Series, a three-event series that includes Tri Goddess Tri on June 26 as well as the Ann Arbor Goddess 5K and Mile Run/Walk on May 8 Mother's Day and the American Home Fitness Detroit Goddess Half Marathon, 10K & 5K on Belle Isle on Sept. 18. Eva, who shares how she came to love triathlons as a mom of young children, also talks about a new cycling race coming up this spring, the Waterloo Grit & Gravel, 100K and 50K bike races and a 10-mile non-competitive bike ride, on March 19. Epic Races also is involved with the Ann Arbor Marathon, which takes place in April. A special race discount code is shared during the show, giving listeners 10% off race entries. 

 

Also in this episode: February races in Michigan to check out and an all-new show segment featuring Michigan runners sharing their favorite, go-to running places in our beautiful state.

 

Link: epicraces.com 

Your favorite running partner just might be your furry four-legged friend -- your dog. Heather, whose family recently welcomed a yellow Lab puppy to their family, and co-host Erin Henshaw, a fellow dog lover and runner who works at her husband's vet clinic in Traverse City, talk about the joys of taking their pets with them on runs. (Heather hasn't yet begun running with Ellie, their puppy, but has run many miles with their 7-year-old black Lab Max.) Eve Wrest, runner and owner of GR Dog Adventures, also joins the conversation. Eve, who lives and runs in Grand Rapids, started her company in 2013 to help dog owners keep their pooches happy and healthy. GR Dog Adventures provides dog walking, running and hiking. "I combined the things I love most -- running and dogs," says the mom of three. "I really wanted something that was a big part of the community. To me, that's the most fun part of the business -- getting to know the shelters and the rescues and the local businesses."