The Rambling Runner Podcast

In this episode, Claire Bartholic shares her inspiring journey from running a sub-3:00 marathon despite starting her running journey later in life to redefining her relationship with running, emphasizing the importance of joy, adaptability, and perspective as athletes age. We explore how athletes can find fulfillment beyond peak performance and embrace new goals at any stage of life. Main topics covered: Claire's transition from competitive running to a more relaxed, enjoyable approach The significance of redefining success and setting micro-goals in later years The mental and emotional aspects of aging as an athlete How to maintain motivation when peak performance is no longer the focus The role of physical activity as a vehicle for overall health and happiness Comparing athletic identity and dealing with the loss of former self Strategies for staying in love with running and avoiding pressure and burnout The value of trying new sports and activities for variety and fun The concept of running as a lifelong, adaptable journey, not just a race to the finish Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. CurraNZ - CurraNZ is a natural runner’s recovery supplement made from New Zealand blackcurrant extract, with over a decade of peer‑reviewed research showing real‑world gains for everyday runners – better performance, smarter fuelling, and faster muscle recovery. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠curranzusa.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to learn more, and use the code RAMBLING20 to receive 20% your first order from their website. Tailwind Nutrition - Tailwind set the standard for running nutrition and hydration. Head to ⁠⁠⁠tailwindnutrition.com/RAMBLING ⁠⁠⁠or use code RAMBLING20 to save 20% on your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how Jesse Gauf turned his life around within a year, shedding over 100 pounds and conquering marathon distances, all while sharing his progress openly online. This episode explores the mental shifts, practical strategies, and community support behind his transformation. In this episode: Jesse recounts his fitness journey starting from Navy days to weight ballooning over 340 pounds Emphasis on focusing on personal versus comparative progress as a key motivator The importance of consistent habits like walking, training, and strategic goal setting Overcoming mental hurdles related to masculinity and body image, especially for men How social sharing has fueled Jesse’s accountability and inspired others The role of rest, recovery, and strategic nutrition in sustainable progress Setting ambitious goals like Ironman 70.3 while embracing the process The power of embracing discomfort and pushing through adversity in endurance events Recognizing that ordinary stories of perseverance resonate more deeply than superhero tales Practical tips for beginners on starting with walking, mindset shifts, and setting intentional goals Follow Jesse at www.instagram.com/jesse.in.motion. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit ⁠themarathonproject.com⁠ and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover the remarkable story of Wilbur Vale — from struggling with his health and weight as a child to becoming a dedicated runner and advocate for holistic wellness. In this episode, Wilbur shares how faith, community, and resilience propelled his transformation and how he uses his journey to inspire others to live healthier and meaningful lives. Key Topics: Wilbur’s pivotal moment: a challenging hike in El Salvador that revealed his pre-diabetic condition His childhood influences and family culture around food and survival The mental and emotional challenges of gaining weight again and self-compassion strategies The importance of community in endurance sports and personal growth How faith shapes Wilbur’s approach to setbacks, goals, and perseverance The 90-day challenge focused on physical, mental, and spiritual renewal Tracking progress with body composition scans versus scale weight Tips for integrating faith and community into fitness pursuits Wilbur’s current focus on sustainable health practices and goal setting Follow Wilbur’s Instagram Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Canyon Woodward has progressed from casual runner during his college years to one of the best trail and ultra runners in the world. It is a remarkable rise for a Harvard educated political operative who balances a calm equanimity with a passion for competition. In this episode, Canyon describes his rise from living at the doorstep of the Appalachian trail to a Western States golden ticket. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code RAMBLING to save 10% on your order. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Abdul Said shares his transformative journey from a sedentary lifestyle and health scare to running his first marathon in Osaka. Discover how he shifted his perspective on food, incorporated running into his daily routine, and embraced the vibrant Japanese running culture along the way. You can follow Abdul at www.instagram.com/osakamiles. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discover how Laken transformed her life from weighing 290 pounds to conquering a half marathon in 2:05 (9:34 pace). Dive into her mindset shifts, actionable habits, and the power of perseverance that can inspire anyone on their health and fitness journey. You can follow Laken at www.instagram.com/laken_40. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Fooster - Check out the player in the online sports nutrition retail world - Fooster! While you're at it, you can pick up the new Rambling Runner Pack to try a variety of sports nutrition options and use code "Runner" to save 15% on your order at ⁠⁠www.thefooster.com/products/rambling-runner-pack⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join me as I chat with Josh Lerch, whose running journey is both inspiring and unconventional - and lead him to a 2:30 marathon, and 6 minute PR, at Surf City last weekend. Starting in Michigan, Josh unexpectedly found his passion for cross country, learning crucial lessons from a memorable bonk at the state meet when going after one of the best runners of our generation. It's a story you won't want to miss! His path led him through college challenges and into the vibrant New York City running scene, where he rekindled his love for the sport. Life took another turn as Josh moved to California, discovering trail running and surfing, which reshaped his relationship with running. He shares how career changes and life transitions influenced his athletic pursuits, emphasizing adaptability and joy in the journey. Josh's approach to nutrition, training, and mental resilience in marathons and ultramarathons offers valuable insights. A key theme is the role of relationships, coaching, and goal-setting in his evolution as a runner. Josh candidly discusses overcoming setbacks, including postpartum depression, and finding renewed purpose. His future plans are ambitious, with high-speed track races and trail adventures ahead. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kim Urmaza shares her inspiring story of turning her life around through endurance sports, the importance of listening to your body, and evolving from a competitive mindset to one of sustainable growth. You'll learn how her approach to training and racing shifted from metric obsession to intuitive efforts, emphasizing mental resilience and self-awareness - resulting in 3:10 marathon at Houston. Sponsors Mount to Coast - Explore the H1, one the most critically acclaimed running shoes of the past year, and all of its road or trail glory, at ⁠⁠www.mounttocoast.com⁠⁠. Amazfit - The GPS running watch I trust is Amazfit. It is loaded with features, top tier GPS technology, and is incredibly well-priced. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://bit.ly/47AOxzW⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for more and use code RAMBLING to save 10%. Rocket Money - Rocket Money has saved users over $2.5 billion, including over $880 million in canceled subscriptions alone. Their 10 million members save up to $740 a year when they use all of the app's premium features! Go to ⁠www.rocketmoney.com/gorun⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices