PreRace Podcast Adam Hughes

In S4Ep10 of the PRP, Adam gets educated by blossoming long distance runner, emerging entrepreneur and DPT extraordinaire, Eliana Lin who has been preparing for the Bayshore Half Marathon on Saturday May 25th, 2024. Austin Lin, former track aficionado, aspiring PhD candidate and Eliana’s better half joins the show to offer his take on all things strength, business hustle and bananas. 



Rubber meets the road immediately in this unique sode as the PRP listenership is enlightened with the origin stories of Up & Running Performance, Ann Arbor’s newest strength and physical therapy gym, owned and operated by both Eliana and Austin. Eliana discusses the intricacies of navigating the fine line between being both a healthcare provider and an entrepreneur and provides some amazing insight for athletes about how to traverse the early onset of potential injuries. 




Things get vulnerable when Eliana reflects on the reality she has been faced with - launching a new business venture while training for a race. Naturally, bandwidth for good, consistent training has been low as has been working tirelessly to build the early stages of a successful business brick by brick. Although she’d love to beat her half marathon time from Bayshore last year, Austin is quick to remind her that she’s made the right decision to prioritize getting Up & Running Performance, well, up and running. A good reminder for us all about the seasons of life and that it’s ok, and in fact healthy, to prioritize other passions and endeavors outside of the performance world from time to time. Embrace life and race with what ya got in the tank, you’ll probably end up having more fun that way anyways. 



We team no swass up in da house, say whaaa?! B-day blasting?? What on earth is a strength hall pass and how can you earn one?!  What the hell does calorie to coin mean?! Texas Instruments?? Podcasting in the shower?! Errr, soooo, what are we? Blankets in the summer?! Nanner trinkets?? Pole vaulting, rigatoni and rom coms oh my! 



This and so much more in this educating, revealing and good vibes episode of the PRP!



Explain that Strava section:

Eliana's Strava Activity

Austin's Strava Activity



Sponsors

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Recorded Wednesday May 22nd @ 3:00PM EST 


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In S4Ep9 of the PRP, Adam breaks bread with seasoned long distance runner, eccentric Afghanistan native, passionate women’s rights advocate and charismatic socialite extraordinaire Zahra Arabzada, who has been preparing for the Colorado Marathon on Sunday May 5th, 2024.



Zahra opens up and provides the PRP listenership with some eye opening insight surrounding what it’s like to come from a culture that has a different outlook on running than most of the world. In her home country, running and movement aren't things that are prioritized, encouraged or celebrated, especially if you’re a woman. As such, Zahra reflects on what running has come to mean to her over the years and explains how powerful her sense of gratitude towards it has become.  



Things get vulnerable when Zahra reflects on the collective strength it has taken to get her to the place she is now. From her amazing parents, who prioritized their children’s access to education above all else, to the mass evacuations of her family from Afghanistan in August of 2021, Zahra has not only held on to her identity as a proud Afghan woman, she has embraced it and leveraged it to help spread awareness and raise money for a variety of different women’s rights organizations. Her tremendous courage, her unique outlook on life and her ability to embrace her realties while holding on to who she is and what she represents all whilst empowering others through the sport of running is something we can all learn from. Her story, among other things, serves as an important reminder to us all that next time you’re down out and about your relationship with running, remember what a blessing it is to have access to this wonderful sport and shift your perspective to realize just how lucky we all are to be part of a society that encourages us to participate in it.



Ski masks in race pictures?! Altitude or attitude, who do ya got?? Was Zahra once the Kobe of Afghanistan?! Ice Hockey?! #vibequeen?! Protect those flip flops at all costs!! Acadia National Park?! Harbor hopping?? The Michigan? What the hell is the Manhattan Perimeter Project?!



All of this and so much more in this inspiring, enlightening and important episode of the PRP!



Explain that Strava section:

Zahra's Strava Activity



Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Recorded Tuesday April 30th @ 5:30PM EST 


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preracepodcast/support

In S4Ep8 of the PRP, Adam symposiums with seasoned marathoner, courageous LGBTQ+ pioneer, Brooks Running Collective constituent and overall good vibes ambassador Michael Stickel-Reed who has been preparing for the Pittsburgh Marathon on Sunday May 5th, 2024. Tyler Stickel-Reed, running free spirit, established creative dance director, and Michael’s better half joins the show to offer his take on running for wellness, pizza sauce and the wonderful world of Disney.



This conversation gets vulnerable from the jump as the PRP listenership is regaled with the tales, trials and tribulations that both Michael and Tyler have been forced to traverse when attempting to live their authentic truth. Navigating family, friends and relationships in general has always come with the caveat of managing other people’s thoughts, feelings and opinions about their sexuality. The boys offer some key insight into both the mechanics of longer lasting relationships that have been lost as well as day-to-day interactions that are accompanied by anxiety of acceptance and safety.  They then help educate the PRP listenership on what it means to be an ally and why even the smallest signs of support can mean so much.



The conversation then migrates to the incredible chronicles of the role that running has played in the lifespan of their relationship. From their first date, to their proposal, to quality time that they now spend together, running has been there and provided a conduit to strengthen their love for themselves and their love for each other. Although these incredible culture breakers run and live life with their own unique style, one thing is for certain - their commitment to authenticity, vulnerability and bravery is something that each of us can learn from and be inspired by. 



Are the boys out here elite Disney adulting?! World or Land, who do ya got?? Are the lads planning to get litty in Pitty? Plant daddy say whaaa!? Wait wait wait…. proposals during long runs?!?! Prom King??? Valedictorian?! LYTB? Oh shit we double duecin on the daily? IT’S COSTUME WEEK!! Red sauce purism?? Are we all really just aspiring dancers?! Is Michael an esteemed steward of the manner?? Why the hell is Tyler piddlin’?! Wolverines, sneezing and banana cake oh my!



This and so much more in this inspiring, educational and fantastic episode of the PRP!



Explain that Strava section:

Michael's Strava Activity



Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Recorded Sunday April 28th @ 11:00AM EST 


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In S4Ep7 of the PRP, Adam chatters with seasoned running socialite, impassioned banana-based baker and pediatric nurse extraordinaire Tess Nicholas, who has been preparing for the Glass City Half Marathon on Sunday April 28th, 2024. Adam Good, ambitious budding marathoner, mathematics enthusiast and Tess’s better half joins the show to offer his take on all things MRUN, banana muffins, and of course, running around town half naked. 



The convo kicks off with the recent graduates, and former MRUN cabinet members, reflecting on the challenges they’ve faced over the past couple years as they’ve transitioned from college running to adult running. Having been part of a group that has six different options for group runs each week for the past four years, it has been a big change of pace (pun intended) for them to adjust to far less social running opportunities. As such, they were forced to do some research and find the most fitting local running groups to pledge their allegiance to. From Bad Decisions Track Club to Bandit Racing Team, both Adam and Tess credit their new found social circles for providing them with a sense of belonging as well as encouraging them to reach heights in the running world they never thought possible. 



Things get vulnerable when Tess shares insight into her relationship with the sport and explains how she lets running be for her what she needs it to on any given day. Most days, it’s an excuse to be social. Other days, it’s a chance to destress. But her underlying theme remains constant - running is a source of wellness and it can be different things on different days. Utilize it, leverage it, and most importantly, don’t take it too seriously.



Is Tess bringing back neato? Scandal in the cabinet, say whaaa?? What the hell is RAM?? Beer ball?! Doughnut shorts?! Is Adam prepared to become of steward of the nanner?! True crime? Book queues??? Is Tess really just out her baking for her buds?! We avoidin nuts?? Running to Rick’s?? Math wizards, tortoises and burner phones, oh my!



This and much more in this endearing, gentle and peaceful episode of the PRP!



Explain that Strava section:

Tess's Strava Activity

Adam's Strava Activity



Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Recorded Friday April 26th @ 12:00PM EST 


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preracepodcast/support

In S4Ep6 of the PRP, Adam prattles with seasoned long distance runner, aspiring physical therapist and prominent Madeline Island native Alexis Griggs, who has been preparing for the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon on April 28th, 2024. Yanni Bills, emerging hobby jogger, interventional radiology resident, and Alexis’ better half joins the show to offer his take on all things Griggsy, ploutfits and, of course, feta. 



This rambunctious conversation takes flight immediately, as the three cronies struggle to maintain their composure as they work through small talk and introductions. From learning about Yanni’s Greek culture to learning about his robot coach Greg, Alexis does her best to lasso the lads and reel the unhinged dialogue in.



Things settle down and get vulnerable as the PRP listenership is regaled with the tale of how Alexis has leveraged her passion for running to help navigate all of the transition she has undergone over the past few years of her life. From moving to a new state totally alone to pursue a career, to finding love, to discovering community, to pivoting her career path and choosing to go back to school, she has been forced to adjust on the fly and embrace the ever-changing tides that life has thrown her way. Although a lone wolf in the running world for several years, in the past 12 months she has really pushed herself out of her comfort zone and undergone a beautiful community-induced metamorphosis. She credits establishing herself in the local running community as a major benefactor in her growth and performance as a runner, but more importantly, her evolving growth as a human being.



Ooo we talking Greek-lish?? Was Alexis a teenage halfer?! Where the hell is Madeline Island?! What breed of dog is Yanni? Ummmm, driving on an ice bridge?? Double nut redemption?! Hot girl stomach problems? How high on life can we get?! Errrr, did Alexis throw up in her mouth and then swallow it? Lawless Canada?! When in doubt, add more feta?! Is Alexis coming into the culture?? Who is carb loading at baseline? Nerves, tryptophan and Viagra, oh my!



This and likely more than you’re interested in listening to in this unhinged, hilarious and rambunctious episode of the PRP!



Explain that Strava section:

Alexis' Strava Activity #1

Alexis' Strava Activity #2



Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Recorded Sunday April 21st @ 3:00PM EST 


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preracepodcast/support

In S4Ep5 of the PRP, Adam babbles with carefree runner, aspiring gymnast and all around impulsively enthusiast 2nd grader Zella Hughes who has been preparing for the Reid School Fun Run on Friday April 19th, 2024. Olivia McMahon, former Fun Run champion, impassioned artist and Zella’s big sister joins the show to offer her take on all things jingles, candy bars and of course, Taylor Swift. 



Buckle up for this audacious episode as chaos ensues from the onset! The gals cover a range of topics as they traverse their way through the traditional PRP script, providing some surprisingly refreshing perspective on movement as it relates to physical health. Are us old folk overthinking this whole running thing? Is it more simple than we are making it out to be? Stop asking so many questions and just go outside and play, duh!



Things get vulnerable and extra cute when the sisters express their love and support for one another towards the end of the ‘sode. A good message and reminder to us all, that at the end of the day, loving and supporting one another is a whole lot easier and far less intricate than we make it out to be sometimes.



Reeses vs Kit Kat, who ya got?! Did someone say SOLAR ECLIPSE?? How much money would it take to get Olive to run a marathon? What in tarnation are the mini mini olympics?! How did sissy lose her AirPods? Who the heck is Claire and why is she so darn fast? Errrr, how far into the Swiftie hole has our little Zel fallen? Chill inducing jingles! Laps in PE? Wait, what are we supposed to do with the yellow snow??! 4th grade math?! Who’s got Barbie vision?? Warming up with the Macarena?! Spiders, bubbles and edgie wedgies, oh my!



This and lots more chaos in this unhinged, youthful and refreshingly sincere episode of the PRP.



Sponsors

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠



Recorded Friday April 5th @ 4:00PM EST 


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/preracepodcast/support