The Rambling Runner Podcast

Matt Chittim
  • 4.8 (497)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

A podcast about dedicated and motivated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results.

  1. 1D AGO

    #738 - Laura Pifer. 3rd Masters Woman at the Boston Marathon Behind Sara Hall and Des Linden

    In this episode, Laura Pifer shares her remarkable journey from her early days of national record performances in high school to running her first marathon at age 40, culminating in a third-place finish at the Masters Division at the Boston Marathon. We delve into her life balancing family, her creative endeavors with sewing and upcycling, and her fresh approach to running in her 40s. Also, Laura shares the remarkable story of her husband offering up his gps watch to Sharon Lokedi on the bus to the Boston starting line! Key Topics: Laura Pfeiffer's high school running success, including a national 5K record Transition from collegiate athletics at Colorado to family life and less structured running Her late start in marathon training, debuting at age 40 with a 2:45 finish Recovery from illness during taper week leading to her Boston race Boston marathon race strategy: conservative start, feeling great in the second half, negative splits The mental and emotional boost from passing runners late in the race Unique story of her husband's watch being borrowed by Sharon Lokedi on race day Perspectives on aging in running and the importance of health, nutrition, and consistency Laura's entrepreneurial journey: founding and growing Trash to Couture, her upcycling fashion blog 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min

  2. 4D AGO

    #737 - Esteban Trujillo: From Oregon Walk-On, to Quitting Running and Moving to Alaska, to an OTQ and Second Masters Runner at Boston

    Join us as Esteban Trujillo shares his inspiring story of returning to marathon running after a seven-year break, fueled by a passion for pushing limits and defying age. From his Oregon cross country days to ultra-competitive Masters racing, Esteban's journey highlights resilience, strategic training, and living the sport authentically. In this episode: Esteban's early days at Oregon with stars like Galen Rupp and Matthew Centrowitz The dramatic story of quitting running at age 27 and living in Alaska How he rediscovered his love for racing and transitioned back into competitive marathon running His approach to training, injury prevention, and mental toughness as a master's athlete Insights on his recent performances, including CIM sub-2:15 and Boston Masters placement The role of coaching with Brad Hudson and the significance of athlete-supported programs like Puma Project 3 Future goals leading to the 2028 Olympic Trials and beyond Unique perspectives on balancing passion, health, and ambition in master’s athletics 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 5m

  3. APR 24

    #736 - Damian Hall: The Secrets to Becoming an Ageless Athlete

    Discover how top ultra runner Damian Hall challenges age-related decline in his new book Run Forever: The Secrets to Becoming an Ageless Athlete. Damian's book includes exhaustive research into many topics that can help runners of all abilities and ages. This episode dives into science-backed strategies for runners looking to stay strong and motivated. In this episode: Damian Hall's journey from late start to ultra legend The role of adventure and curiosity in building endurance Critical insights from Damian’s new book, Run Forever The importance of strength training, sleep, and nutrition for longevity Examples of athletes thriving into their 60s and beyond Practical tips for incorporating speed work on safe platforms The mental side of aging and how perception impacts performance Personal stories of late bloomers achieving competitive success Run Forever: The Secrets of Becoming an Ageless Athlete by Damian Hall 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    48 min

  4. APR 22

    #735 - Finding Joy and Purpose in Running – Jess Sikorski's Inspirational Journey

    In this episode we learn how to unlock the power of running as a source of joy, community, and meaningful impact. Jess Sikorski shares her personal transformation of using running in a way that negatively affected her health to running with purpose for charity and mental health. Key Topics: Jess's journey from health struggles to joyful running The evolution of her big "why" for running The importance of community, social running, and making fitness accessible Inspiring stories of fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Tips for integrating enjoyment with health and performance goals The role of therapy and self-redefinition in overcoming food and body image issues Collaboration between run clubs and local fitness communities 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%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min

  5. APR 14

    #734 - Martin Dugard - The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool

    In his newest book, The Long Run: Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and the Decade That Made the Marathon Cool, U.S. Track & Field Foundation board member, life-long runner, high school track coach, and bestselling author Martin Dugard takes us through the historical moments that sparked the running boom across America, including Frank Shorter’s Olympic marathon win in 1972, Steve Prefontaine’s career that ended too soon—and not to mention Greta Waitz and Joan Benoit, both with their own historic marathon wins that inspired women all over.  Along the way, Dugard shares the history of the sport—from the myth that originated the modern marathon, to how it became 26.2 miles (and how the British Royal family had a hand in it), how the sport saved NYC from bankruptcy, and more! Martin's perspective and research into the race we love is awe inspiring and worth a read (or listen if you're an Audible fan like me). 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%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min

  6. APR 9

    #733 - Bill Volpe: From Novice to Nationally Ranked Runner at 60

    Catch the remarkable story of Bill Volpe, who at age 60, achieved a Boston Marathon qualifying time and 3:11 marathon, after starting his running journey at 52. His disciplined approach to training, nutrition, and mental resilience exemplifies that age is just a number when it comes to athletic achievement. In this episode: Bill’s initial foray into running and how he transitioned from no running to marathon success How disciplined routines and strategic pacing contributed to a marathon PR at 60 How hiring a coach helped him step up his training and confidence The evolution of his competitive mindset and his goals for the future Discussions on aging, motivation, and staying injury-free The importance of mindset, consistency, and seizing opportunities in athletic growth 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    47 min

  7. APR 3

    #732 - Dan Montgomery: A 15 Min. PR and 3:11 Marathon at 51

    Join us as Dan Montgomery shares his remarkable evolution from casual runner to competitive marathoner over 25 years - including a blistering 3:11:53 at the McKirdy Micro Marathon at 51 years old! Discover how disciplined training, strategic nutrition, and unwavering commitment transformed his body and performance. This episode offers valuable insights for runners of all levels aiming for continuous improvement. Main Topics: Dan's unlikely start in running and early marathon experiences His journey through injuries, nutrition adjustments, and body composition changes How working with a nutritionist and focusing on macros improved his marathon times The mental shift from health to performance goals The discipline and routines behind his race day success Strategies for sodium management and fueling in cold weather His ambitious long-term goals, including chasing the marathon majors record The importance of mindset, consistency, and trusting the process 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%. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    39 min

  8. MAR 31

    #731 - Jesse Gauf's Inspiring Journey from 340 Pounds to Endurance Racing

    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

    58 min
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4.8
out of 5
497 Ratings

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A podcast about dedicated and motivated amateur runners who are working hard to get better and achieving inspirational results.

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