Extraordinary Strides

Christine Hetzel
  • 4.9 (48)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the podcast that celebrates the spirit of running and the inspiring stories of those who lace up their shoes and hit the pavement. Here, we dive into the heart of what makes running an extraordinary adventure. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, Extraordinary Strides is your go-to source for expert tips, motivational stories, and the camaraderie of the running community. Our episodes feature seasoned runners, coaches, and everyday athletes sharing their triumphs, challenges, and the joy they find in every run. Join us for casual, uplifting conversations that will leave you excited to put on your running shoes and hit the road. We believe that every run, no matter the distance, is a step towards something greater. So, subscribe now and join our community of runners who are making every stride extraordinary. At Extraordinary Strides, we're here to inspire, motivate, and celebrate with you every step of the way!

  1. 5D AGO

    Mayday Miles: Day 5 Finish Line Field Day

    You made it to Day 5 of Mayday Miles: Finish Line Field Day! ✨ Today we are celebrating every small win, because you did not have to do this week perfectly for it to count. Your mission: choose your celebration movement. Walk, run, run-walk, stretch, strength train, dance walk, recovery stroll, playlist miles, or anything that helps you finish this week feeling proud. Today’s add-in: add joy. Wear something bright, take a scenic route, listen to your favorite playlist, move outside, celebrate a small win, or invite a friend into your next chapter. Check-in prompt: My Mayday win was ________. For June, I want more ________. Suggested playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email. To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective. Prize winners will be announced on Memorial Day Monday during a LIVE. You do not have to attend live to win. Winners will be contacted by email. Mayday Miles was the trailhead. The trail continues into June. Join here: https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    1 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Mayday Miles: Day 4 Trail Buddy Thursday

    Welcome to Day 4 of Mayday Miles: Trail Buddy Thursday. ✨ Today is all about movement plus connection, because support makes consistency so much easier. Your mission: add intentional movement with a little connection. Walk or run with a friend, text someone before or after your workout, post your check-in, share a photo, cheer someone else on, or invite a friend to join. Moving solo? That still counts. Add connection through encouragement, a shoutout, or your check-in. Today’s add-in: add support. Check-in prompt: Today’s Trail Buddy shoutout goes to ________. Featured playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email. To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective. Tiny June hint: team spirit may be entering the chat soon. 👀 You can still join Mayday Miles and be eligible for the days you complete. Join here: https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    1 min

  3. MAY 20

    Breathe Smarter On Every Run

    Your breathing is not just background noise. It is a lever you can pull to change your heart rate, calm your nervous system, and stay in control when a run starts to feel “spicy.” I’m joined by Lynn Kinney, LCSW, longtime endurance athlete, and the steady voice behind our Mindful Moment Wednesdays. Together we unpack breathwork and meditation in a way that actually fits real life: quick two to three minute resets, guided options for racing thoughts, and a simple rule that makes breathing practices more effective for stress and recovery. We also talk heart rate variability (HRV) and wearables with a healthy dose of perspective so you can use your data without giving up your own intuition. Then I take it straight to the roads and trails. We dig into nasal breathing as an easy-run and zone 2 intensity check, plus what to do when nasal-only breathing is not realistic because of allergies, congestion, or a deviated septum. You’ll learn practical, run-specific rhythmic breathing patterns (3-2 for easier efforts, 2-1 for hills and intervals), how to avoid panic breathing, and the form cues that make better breathing feel more natural: tall posture, relaxed jaw, soft shoulders, and a steady exhale. If you want better endurance training, smoother pacing, and a stronger recovery routine, start with the one tool you always have with you.  Subscribe, share this with a running friend, and leave a review so more everyday runners can find these simple breathing strategies. Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    52 min

  4. MAY 20

    Mayday Miles: Day 3 Wind-Down Wednesday

    It’s Day 3 of Mayday Miles: Wind-Down Wednesday. ✨ Today is your permission slip to let your body and mind exhale. Your mission: add gentle movement, mobility, or recovery. Try a recovery walk, stretching, yoga, foam rolling, mobility work, or a few easy movement snacks throughout the day. Today’s add-in: add stress release. That could be breathwork, meditation, journaling, a breathing break, quiet time outside, legs up the wall, gentle stretching before bed, or choosing the lower-pressure version of movement today. Check-in prompt: Today I’m winding down with ________. Suggested workout playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email. To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective. Recovery counts. Gentle counts. Breathing counts. Not signed up yet? You can still join and be eligible for the days you complete. Join here: https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    1 min

  5. MAY 19

    Mayday Miles: Day 2 Fuel & Flow

    Welcome to Day 2 of Mayday Miles! ✨ Today’s theme is Fuel & Flow, because we are not powering through Maycember on stress, vibes, and leftover coffee alone. Today’s mission: add easy movement or a strength snack. Walk, run, run-walk, stretch, do mobility, strength train, or sprinkle in exercise confetti throughout the day. Today’s add-in: add fuel or hydration. That could be protein, produce, extra water, electrolytes, a balanced snack, or a real meal instead of the classic “standing in the kitchen and calling it lunch” situation. Check-in prompt: Today I’m fueling with ________. Suggested workout playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email. To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective. You can still join Mayday Miles and be eligible for the days you complete. Join here: https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    1 min

  6. MAY 18

    Mayday Miles: Day 1 Mayday Mission

    Day 1 of Mayday Miles is here! ✨ Today’s theme is Mayday Mission, and we are starting exactly where we are. Your mission: add 10 to 30 minutes of intentional movement. Walk, run, run-walk, stretch, strength train, dance in the kitchen, or sprinkle in exercise confetti throughout the day. Today’s add-in: choose one thing you want to add this week to feel more supported. More water? More protein? More sunshine? More movement? More recovery? More consistency? More connection? More grace? Check-in prompt: Today I’m adding ________. Suggested workout playlist is included with today’s Mayday Miles email. To be entered for today’s prize, complete the prompt and check in by 10 PM ET by replying to the daily email or commenting on the dedicated daily thread in The Stride Collective. Not signed up yet? You can still join and be eligible for the days you complete. Join here: https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    2 min

  7. MAY 12

    Mayday Miles: A Free Five Day Reset For Maycember

    Maycember hits hard, so we build a free five day reset that protects your rhythm with small movement and small add-ins that actually fit real life.  We trade perfection and restriction for support, community, and a plan that helps you feel better heading into summer.  • Why May feels like “Maycember” and how calendar chaos derails routines  • What Mayday Miles is and what it is not  • The “add instead of cut” question for movement, hydration, fuel, and grace  • Flexible options for walking, running, run walking, stretching, and mobility  • The five daily themes from Monday through Friday  Community, accountability, celebrating small wins, and why prizes are included  Join Mayday Miles here: https://runningnewsletter.myflodesk.com/maydaymiles You're welcome to invite a friend. In fact, please do.  Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    5 min

  8. MAY 12

    Hollarhype: A 30-Second Message Can Help You Keep Going

    Your toughest mile rarely needs a lecture. It needs a voice that cuts through the noise at the exact right time. Coach Christine sits down with Emily, co-founder of the Hollarhype app, to talk about what happens when encouragement stops being a post-run comment and becomes real-time support that lands in your ears mid-hill, mid-workout, or mid “I might quit.” Emily explains how Hollarhype works: you go live before you start, your people get a notification, and their short voice messages stream over your music without you touching your phone. No typing, no scrolling, and no pressure to respond. We unpack why the one-way design is the secret sauce for accountability and motivation, especially for runners who want community but do not want another chat thread to manage. If you have ever wanted race-day energy on a random Tuesday track session, this is for you. We also go deeper than running. Emily shares how the same real-time voice messages can support someone through weekly medical treatments, caregiving, and other uphill moments when in-person connection is not possible. We talk about the practical side too: how choosing the right group, adding an honest status, and giving a little context helps your hype squad show up with more personal, meaningful messages. Then we look at how nonprofit endurance teams use tags and shared communities to connect runners across races and fundraising missions. If you want a smarter way to stay consistent with training, mental health-friendly movement, and real community support, hit play.  Join the Extraordinary Strides Hollarhype community here. Subscribe, share this with a friend who trains alone, and leave a review so more runners can find the encouragement they need. Have questions or want to chat? Send a voicemail! Support the show Join the newsletter list for updates, special offers, and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Join fellow pod and running enthusiasts at The Stride Collective community on Facebook or follow us on Instagram.

    34 min
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Trailers

4.9
out of 5
48 Ratings

About

Welcome to Extraordinary Strides, the podcast that celebrates the spirit of running and the inspiring stories of those who lace up their shoes and hit the pavement. Here, we dive into the heart of what makes running an extraordinary adventure. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just starting out, Extraordinary Strides is your go-to source for expert tips, motivational stories, and the camaraderie of the running community. Our episodes feature seasoned runners, coaches, and everyday athletes sharing their triumphs, challenges, and the joy they find in every run. Join us for casual, uplifting conversations that will leave you excited to put on your running shoes and hit the road. We believe that every run, no matter the distance, is a step towards something greater. So, subscribe now and join our community of runners who are making every stride extraordinary. At Extraordinary Strides, we're here to inspire, motivate, and celebrate with you every step of the way!

Information

  • Creator
    Christine Hetzel
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    257
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Extraordinary Strides
  • Show Website
    Extraordinary Strides

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