Run Farther & Faster — The Podcast with Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper

Run Farther & Faster
  • 4.9 (302)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper provide tips and tricks for running farther, faster, and stronger. After running the Boston Marathon 32 times collectively, Julie and Lisa, along with weekly guests, provide advice for training and racing. While specific to Boston, this podcast is appropriate for runners of all levels and ages.

  1. 5D AGO

    Episode 281: Hot Takes in Running and Podcasting with Cherie Louise Turner

    We share a deep love of all things running with our dear friend, Cherie Louise Turner, and decided to get together and talk running and podcasting. We had so much fun! Cherie is the host of Women’s Running Stories and a competitive masters runner. In this episode we talk about our podcast journeys as women with running podcasts, and we talk about some of the trends we're seeing in the running world. We also have a brief conversation about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). We had so much fun in this episode that we decided to save talking about our own running and racing for a part 2, which we will publish next week.  Enjoy this fun and lively conversation!  Mentioned in this Episode Blanche Moila on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blanche-moila-comrades-marathon-inspiring-change/id1495427631?i=1000473773849 Lisa on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lisa-levin-over-25-years-racing-and-still-as/id1495427631?i=1000735267498 Julie on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/julie-sapper-returning-to-marathons-post-acl-tear/id1495427631?i=1000735267620 Chérie Louise Turner on Run Farther & Faster: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-166-exciting-boston-marathon-update-with/id1438350876?i=1000605849254

    1h 13m

  2. APR 28

    Episode 280: Boston Marathon Live Show with Mary Ngugi-Cooper and Lisa Weightman

    We loved co-hosting another live show at the Boston Marathon with our co-host Cherie Louise Turner, host of Women’s Running Stories. Our phenomenal guests this year did not disappoint. Two days after our live show, Mary and Lisa raced the Boston Marathon. Amazingly, Mary was the third woman to cross the finish line on Marathon Monday, finishing in 2:20 at age 37! Lisa crossed the finish line in 2:32 at age 47! More about Mary and Lisa: In addition to being internationally competitive runners, Mary and Lisa also have careers outside of running, and they are moms: Mary is the founder of the Nala Track Club for girls in Kenya, and Lisa is a banking executive. We were excited to explore not only the expertise these athletes possess in running, but also their experiences and perspectives as role models, leaders, and moms.  Among the topics we asked Mary and Lisa about: how their running and non-running careers have influenced each other; how they approach and structure their training while managing obligations outside of running;  how they manage stress and expectations, particularly in competitive situations; and much more. We also learned about their running backgrounds and their leadership roles outside of running.  You will be inspired!  Mary Ngugi-Cooper first started running in primary school, and has been competing internationally for 20 years. Among her many accomplishments, Mary earned a bronze medal in the 5000 meter event at the world junior championships in 2006, and then in 2014 she earned silver at the world half marathon championships. In 2016 she won the prestigious Houston Half Marathon, and in 2019 she debuted in the marathon here at Boston. With this year's running, Mary has competed in the Boston Marathon a total of seven times: she has always finished within the top 11 runners, and with this year's 3rd place finish, she's been on the podium for a total of three times: in 2021, 2022, and this year, 2026. These days, Mary, who is now 37, continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, going after her own personal goals and also to inspire the girls she coaches, as well as her daughter. Lisa Weightman has a long career as a marathon runner: she’s represented Australia at that distance four times at the Olympics—her first Olympics was in 2008. Lisa has won several marathons, including the Melbourne Marathon and Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon, and she’s been on the podium twice at the Commonwealth Games. Lisa continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, now at 47 years old, and she has a passion for, as she says, demonstrating that perseverance leads to real change and leadership is about leaving a lasting legacy. How to Keep Up with Mary Ngugi-Cooper and Nala Track Club Mary on Instagram: @maryngugi Nala Track Club on Instagram: @nalatrackclub How to Keep Up with Lisa Weightman Instagram: @lisaweightman Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster  Instagram: @runfartherandfaster  Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster  Website: runfartherandfaster.com  Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories  Instagram: @womensrunningstories  Website: womensrunningstories.com WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠ Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠

    50 min

  3. APR 22

    Episode 279: Our 2026 Boston Marathon Recap

    Less than 24 hours after we raced, we recap! We ran, we conquered, and now…we sore! Highlights include—some interesting and new logistics, our fueling plans, and how we handled tapering during our busiest weekend of the year. We know this course, yet each year, we learn something new about the race and ourselves. Congrats to all who ran this storied course on Patriots’ Day! You did that! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at @runfartherandfaster. Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com. Please follow, share and review our show!

    2h 24m

  4. APR 9

    Episode 278: Everything You Need to Know to Run Your Best Boston Marathon-2026 Edition

    In this episode, we break down everything you need to know to run your best Boston Marathon—from race-week preparation to smart execution on race day. With Boston around the corner, we walk through how to approach the course with confidence: how to handle the early downhill miles, when to start respecting the Newton hills, and how to adjust your effort so you don’t leave your race on the first half of the course. We also cover pacing and how to stay mentally locked in from Hopkinton to Boylston. We dig into the details that matter most in the final days before the race: tapering mindset, fueling and carb loading, weather considerations, and how to avoid the most common mistakes runners make in the final 10K. You’ll also hear practical tips on race morning logistics, gear choices, and how to respond when the race inevitably feels harder than planned. Whether it’s your 1st or 20th Boston,, this episode is designed to help you show up prepared, patient, and ready to execute your best race. Join us for our live show at the Expo on Saturday 4/18 at noon and our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website.

    1h 3m

  5. MAR 27

    Episode 277: Tips for Spectating the Boston Marathon with Darren Sapper

    After providing some key taper advice, we welcomed back a very special guest, Darren Sapper (Julie’s husband), who has spectated the Boston Marathon ten times. Darren provides guidance on getting to the spectating spots and how to navigate Boston while with kids. We appreciate Darren’s support of the podcast and our running and coaching pursuits. Thanks to Darren for joining us. Darren’s coordinates for spectating spots: Mile 6.5 in Framingham: 16 Concord St, Framingham, MA 01702 (north side of the route, runner’s left) Mile 13 in Wellesley: 13 Central St, Wellesley, MA 02482 (north side of the route, runner’s left) Mile 20 in Newton: 638 Commonwealth Ave, Newton, MA 02459 (south side of the route, runner’s right) Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 2m

  6. MAR 20

    Episode 276: Boston Marathon Race Director, Dave McGillivray, Shares How We Can All Finish Strong

    We’re so thrilled to welcome back the legendary Dave McGillivray, who has served as the Boston Marathon race director since 2001. Dave breaks down the key changes to this year’s race, offering clarity into what runners can expect with six waves, rather than four, and how to adjust accordingly. Dave also offers course insight and guidance, along with how he’s training for his 54th consecutive Boston Marathon, which he will run with his three children and astronaut Sunita Williams. As taper begins and nerves set in, Dave shares thoughtful words of encouragement to help runners stay patient, confident, and ready to embrace race day. More about Dave: Dave is the founder and president of DMSE Sports, Inc., a full-service event-management organization. McGillivray has directed or consulted on more than 1,400 events throughout the world including the Boston Marathon, the Beach to Beacon 10K, the ASICS Falmouth Road Race, the Mount Washington Road Race, the Olympic Marathon trials, and the Olympic Games. Dave is also the founder of the Dave McGillivray Finish Strong Foundation, which seeks to inspire and empower youth to increase physical activity, expand literacy, and build community and self-esteem through running, reading, and acts of kindness. Dave has completed 173 marathons, including 53 consecutive Boston Marathons. In 1978, he completed an 80-day trek across the United States, running the 3,452 miles from Medford, Ore., to Medford, Mass. to benefit the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Dave is on Instagram @dmsedave. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 11m

  7. MAR 14

    Episode 275: Setbacks Provide Data, Not Failure: A Conversation with Tokyo Marathoner, Beth Colling

    This week we are joined by Run Farther & Faster runner, Beth Colling, who at age 57 ran a 3:43 at the Tokyo Marathon, earning her Six Star Medal. But Beth’s journey to that finish line was anything but straightforward. Just one year ago, after a life-altering health setback, she wasn’t sure she would ever run another marathon. Instead of stepping away from the sport she loves, Beth turned that uncertainty into opportunity. Through patience, determination, and the support of her community, she rebuilt her fitness and confidence—ultimately crossing the finish line in Tokyo in 3:43, tying the personal best she set four years earlier. Beth lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she trains with an incredibly uplifting group of masters women who help make the miles joyful and meaningful. She shares how that community, along with a renewed perspective on gratitude and resilience, shaped her comeback. Beyond running, Beth is an accomplished attorney with more than 25 years of experience who has traveled to six of the seven continents, working with organizations to help create infrastructure in developing countries. She’s also a mom of three, who originally began running longer distances after the birth of her third child as a way to carve out a little space—and sanity—amid the chaos of a busy household. In this episode, Beth reflects on perseverance, purpose, and the power of believing that your best days might still be ahead. Join us for our shakeout run in Boston on Sunday, 4/19 at 8:30 at a new location—338 Newbury Street in front of Trident Booksellers. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 19m

  8. MAR 5

    Episode 274:What Happened at the Atlanta USATF Half Marathon Championships? Allison Mercer Explains

    This week we’re joined by Allison Mercer, a Team USA ultrarunner, championship competitor, and thoughtful voice in the running community, to unpack the controversy that unfolded at the 2026 USATF Half Marathon Championships in Atlanta. Allison is an accomplished distance runner who has represented the United States at the ultrarunning world championships and competed at national championship events herself. Allison is also a leader in the Atlanta running community and served as the three-hour pacer for the marathon event, which occurred on the same day. On race day in Atlanta, chaos erupted in the closing mile when the lead vehicle directed the front pack of women — including Jess McClain, Emma Grace Hurley, and Ednah Kurgat — off the correct course. The mistake dramatically altered the outcome of the national championship and raised serious questions about race organization, athlete fairness, and accountability.  In response, Allison wrote a widely discussed op-ed for Outside Run analyzing the incident and the reaction that followed. Rather than simply assigning blame, she explored the deeper structural issues behind championship road racing — from course control and race operations to governing-body policies — while urging the running community to pursue accountability without losing perspective on the people involved. In this conversation, Allison brings her experience as an athlete and community leader to share how we can better respond to mistakes in our community. We appreciate Allison’s insight! You can find Allison on Instagram @onewomandanceparty Follow us on Instagram and Facebook Interested in hiring a coach? Email us at julieandlisa@runfartherandfaster.com or head over to our website. Please follow, share and review our show!

    1h 1m
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About

Coaches Lisa Levin and Julie Sapper provide tips and tricks for running farther, faster, and stronger. After running the Boston Marathon 32 times collectively, Julie and Lisa, along with weekly guests, provide advice for training and racing. While specific to Boston, this podcast is appropriate for runners of all levels and ages.

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