Mile After Mile Podcast

My guest today on the Mile after Mile podcast is Ruth Rickey.   Ruth and I met through the Coeur Sports ambassador team. Here are some of the things we chat about in this inspiring story: Getting started in triathlon and running.  Baking beautiful cakes.   Overcoming health challenges while chasing Ironman finish lines. Special Ruth hashtags including #chasingmikereilly and #shoplikeruth  Lawyering and taking the bar exam while training for Ironman We talk a little bit about the Coeur Sports Ambassador team. Ruth’s upcoming goals and the extra obstacles the pandemic created? Home decorating pandemic projects You can find Ruth online as Ruth Rickey and she has a blog at www.relentlessruth.com  Thank you Ruth for being a guest on the Mile after Mile podcast.  _________________________________________________ The Mile after Mile Podcast has a website you can find it at www.mileaftermilepodcast.com  Keep up with the host Amy Stone at www.amysaysso.com Looking for Podcasting Gear? Here's what I use to record the

My guest today on the Mile after Mile podcast is Nikos Snyder.  We talk about a long triathlon the Florida XTreme Triathlon.  We talk about how Nikos and I know each other.  You can listen to when I interviewed Fred Sommer a few weeks ago here https://www.mileaftermilepodcast.com/?p=657 How he heard about the race. How he trained for the Florida XTreme Triathlon. We chat about his support crew and how much gear he packed.  We hear highlights from all 3 days. The highs and lows.    You can follow Nikos on instagram @nikossnyder   Thank you Nikos for sharing your story with the listeners of the Mile after Mile Podcast.   The Mile after Mile Podcast has a website you can find it at www.mileaftermilepodcast.com  Keep up with the host Amy Stone at www.amysaysso.com Looking for Podcasting Gear? Here's what I use to record the Mile after Mile Podcast. These are affiliate links.  Audio Technica microphone Adjustable Mic Stand Headphones Editing Software from Audacity (it's free) Zoom video conferencing software (n

In this episode I reflect on the year of 2020 as a podcaster and blogger.  If you are interested in learning my methods of looking back over  a whole year of racing you can find that here: https://youtu.be/bKquNmUs5eU I also look forward to what might happen in 2021 and what I hope to accomplish in 2021.  Thank you for listening in 2020. Seriously, thank you! I'll see you next year.  Amy Stone www.amysaysso.com www.mileaftermilepodcast.com 

My guest today on the Mile after Mile podcast is Corey Harrington. Corey and I connected on Facebook which is how we do things in 2020.    Corey shares with us where he calls home and some of his adventures before he was chasing Ironman Triathlon. Corey was a professional baseball player and we do talk about that because it’s not everyday that I get to interview a former pro athlete. Corey raced Ironman Florida which was the only full Ironman to happen in the US in 2020. We talk about that and his training.  Part of Corey’s path to Ironman includes beating a long time opioid abuse cycle. Corey had kept this personal story to himself but he hopes that by sharing his journey he can inspire others along the way.  There is a strong connection between clean living or sobriety and endurance sports and we talk about that.  Corey takes us through his training. He trained almost entirely by himself.  We talk about his race day and how his race went.  I ask Corey if he now has the Ironman bug and whether he’ll do anot

This is the story of an epic adventure in the Grand Canyon. I chat with Cathy Yndestad about hiking rim-to-rim-to-rim. Which is sometimes abbreviated r2r2r. We are going to talk about hiking in the Grand Canyon and how and why Cathy did that in 2020. Cathy shares how she planned her trip including all the important details.  We talk about Phantom Ranch. She shares what gear she took. She shares how she prepared for the hike. It can be hard to find information about planning this hike and Cathy shares a lot of important details that she learned in planning and then executing the plan for this hike. We talk about how long the entire trip took and what her recovery was like after. Thank you Cathy Yndestad for being a guest on the Mile after Mile Podcast.  You can find some amazing pictures of her journey on her instagram account @cyndestad  --------------------------------   Keep up with the host Amy Stone at www.amysaysso.com Looking for Podcasting Gear? Here's what I use to record the Mile after Mile Podcast

Today on the Mile after Mile Podcast is race director Fred Sommer. Runners and Triathletes in Florida may recognize the name Sommer and Sommer Sports Events.  We talk about how Fred got his start in racing and producing races. He’s been producing events for 37 years.  One of the fantastic things about this interview is that Fred Sommer has been a part of triathlon since pretty much since the beginning of the sport.  He shares a story about setting up the tri club Central Florida Triathletes (CFT). And working with Tri Fed which existed before USAT. He also talks about the USTS series.  Putting together races before there were even bike racks or chip timing. He describes it as the “wild west” but says that it was fun.  We talk about what races used to cost in the 1980s.  We chat about many of the races that Sommer Sports produces which includes the Great Floridian which has been around since 1990 Florida Challenge which includes the Intimidator which started in 1985. Florida Xtreme Triathlon which is a multi d

Frankie Ruiz is born and raised in Miami and if you don’t know him let me share that he’s passionate about running.    He is one of the founders of The Miami Marathon, he coaches a local high school cross-county team and he leads a large group of very popular community run clubs, AND he’s the Chief Running Officer at Life Time Fitness.   We go back in time and chat about Frankie’s start as a runner and how it came to be that he was part of the team that started the Miami Marathon. He also shares some of the local Miami Marathon history which is fun for any locals.   We recorded this episode in November 2020 and it’s been a very challenging year for people who plan live events.    In this episode we chat about some of those challenges from the perspective of an organizer who is managing the expectations of a vibrant running and triathlon community and trying to balance that with being a race director in charge of a major marathon and other live events in Miami all of that during this crazy year filled with unc

Today’s guest is runner Mirna Valerio. We talk about her start in running. Mirna goes way back to when she first really discovered her love for fitness. Then she shares how she rediscovered running as an adult and began to move from 5ks to ultrarunning. Did you know that Mirna was a singer … she sings for us just a teeny bit. We talk about blogging because blogging was a part of Mirna’s journey.  The original blog http://fatgirlrunning-fatrunner.blogspot.com/ Where you can find Mirna online today https://themirnavator.com/    Mirna shares what it means to be one of the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year winners. MIrna leads a vibrant FaceBook group that goes by the name of her original blog Fatgirlrunning we talk about how that came about and how she keeps it positive and productive. We talk about diversity, equity and inclusion within running and endurance sports. This is something that Mirna does not only in her own running communities but also in her corporate work experience.  This is a wonderfu

My guest today is a running friend of mine in Miami.  Miami is a city famous for its large and vibrant international community and our very close proximity to Cuba. I found out about this story when somebody posted a photo of Alexis Garcia in a kayak. It’s an amazing story and one that I’m happy to be able to share with you today.  Alexis and I discuss how he traveled from Cuba to the United States.  We talk about his start in running. We discuss how he moved up to distance running and ultra marathons.  We chat about how he got the idea to go back to Cuba and run across Cuba.  I interview Alexis in this podcast but you will hear him speak often of his wife Marlene who is a big part of his story of running across Cuba.  We also talk about what big goals and challenges Alexis Garcia has coming up.  After listening to this interview it is almost definite that you will want to see the movie they created about his run across Cuba. It is named Run Across Cuba. Please reach out to them at runacrosscuba.com and they

My name is Amy Stone and my pronouns are she/her. My guest on this episode is Patti Flynn (she/her).  The first time somebody asked me my pronouns I thought I had accidentally scheduled myself onto a grammar class show. Grammar is not actually my favorite thing. In fact, I have a lifelong aversion to using commas correctly. After a moment of scrambling to remember what pronouns were and how we are supposed to use them I stammered something for an answer that I don’t remember now. Fast forward a few years and I’ve learned some since then including why not making assumptions about pronouns is significant.    In this episode of the Mile after Mile Podcast I interview Patti Flynn who is a transgender runner and triathlete.   Patti shares her background in sport.  We talk about favorite races and what makes them favorites.  We talk about inclusivity and safety.  We talk about representation.    This is an amazing conversation. Thank you to Patti for being my guest on the Mile after Mile Podcast.    Here are some r

Denny Krahe goes by Diz and DizRuns. Years ago I was a guest on the DizRuns podcast and today I finally have the great treat that he is a guest on the Mile after Mile Podcast.  We talk about running.  We talk about running at Disney.  We talk about ultrarunning. We talk about run coaching.  We talk in depth about the random things Denny sees in his neighborhood while running.  We talk about virtual racing and some amazingly cool things that Denny is doing.  You can find Denny Krahe online everywhere as DizRuns. www.DizRuns.com 

I have heard about a lot of ways to get started in endurance sports but this is the first time I’ve interviewed somebody who got started with Roller Derby. This is a very fun story.  We talk about how and why Robin started in Roller Derby.  From Roller Derby Robin found Spartan Obstacle Races and she has completed more than 60 of those including an ultra.  Robin also ran the LA Marathon this year and we chat about that.  Robin is a podcast host. You can find her show at SeasonedAthlete.me  Robin coaches women athletes and you can find information about her programs at www.robinlegat.com

Every so often I like to check in and chat directly with the listeners. I call this a solo episode.  In this episode I update you with what I'm up to and what some of my previous guests have been up to. Enjoy and I'll be back next week with more amazing guest interviews.  www.mileaftermilepodcast.com  www.amysaysso.com

 Paul Aloe lives in New York and he runs the NYC marathon every year (that it’s offered).     In fact, he and his wife might have the longest running NYC marathon streak for a married couple.    We talk about what got him started in fitness and running.    Paul has also done several triathlons including Ironman Lake Placid which he’s also signed up for in 2021.    We talk about triathlon returning to his neck of the woods in New York.    Paul shares what keeps him motivated to keep his streak of NYC Marathons going.    Thank you Paul for being a guest and sharing your story.    You can find all the episodes of the Mile after Mile Podcast at www.mileaftermilepodcast.com    You can find Amy’s adventures and advice at www.amysaysso.com 

This interview was originally recorded as part of a livestream on the Mile after Mile Podcast Facebook page.  Bill Christy and Jillian Wilkins from Challenge North America join me to chat about the Challenge Daytona and Challenge Miami races.   Bill and Jillian tell us what makes Challenge Family unique. We talk about the format of the Challenge Daytona races including all the different events that happen. We talk about RVing in the stadiums. Seriously, how fun is that?   They share some of the really fun things they are able to do as part of the relationship with Nascar and the unique locations for these triathlons.   Bill Christy explains what the PTO is and how it relates to the Challenge North America races.   Jillian shares with us how age group racers can qualify for the Medium distance championship in Slovakia.   Thank you Bill Christy and Jillian Wilkins for joining me today on the Mile after Mile Podcast.   You can find information about Challenge Miami and register at www.challenge-miami.

Note: Some of the topics in today’s episode  include mental health and substance abuse, addiction and self harm. I tell you this in advance.      The featured guest on Mile after Mile Podcast episode 102 is Tim Davis, triathlete, ultrarunner and author of the book, Tripolar.   We get to know Tim and learn about his early life and his start in substance abuse. Tim shares his struggles with addiction and recovery. Tim shares his mental health diagnosis. Tim shares what a Bipolar diagnosis means. Tim shares how he got his start in endurance sports and how they help him maintain his stability.  We talk about some of the longest endurance events he’s done and some that he hopes to do in the future. Tim shares open and honest stories about his sobriety and relapses.  We talk about staying med-compliant and the stigma of a mental health diagnosis We chat about staying motivated and training during the pandemic with fewer races. I ask Tim what his favorite format for ultramarathons is. Tim has written a book called

Episode 102 is so much fun. I got to chat with Jeff and Hunter Leininger about adventure racing, the World’s Toughest Race Eco Challenge Fiji and their adventure racing company ARGeorgia. Jeff and Hunter Leininger are a father-son pair and they talk about how they each got their start in the sport together and separately.  Jeff Leininger is a race director so I ask him to teach me some general stuff about adventure racing. He and Hunter share a lot of information that is super helpful for anybody who is curious about adventure racing. Jeff explains about USARA http://www.usara.com/ which is the United States Adventure Racing Association and ARC which is Adventure Racing Cooperative https://www.arcooperative.org/ which are two resources for people interested in Adventure Racing.  Hunter Leininger holds 4 national records (so far) in adventure racing and he shares what those are and how he got them.  Jeff and Hunter talk about what skills are needed or desired to get started in adventure racing.  Jeff explains

Sonja Wieck was on episode 17 of the Mile after Mile podcast back in 2016. We chatted about her Norseman race. It’s a fantastic story. Today we are going to talk about what she’s been up to since then - there’s been some big life stuff and some big fancy TV stuff.  Sonja Wieck is the first podcast guest to come on the show TWICE.  Sonja updates us on who she is and her amazing story in Ironman Triathlon racing. We chat about building her coaching business and what happened there.  We talk candidly about mental health and she is very open about her healing path.  We talk about her amazing family and their love for National Parks. We talk about her experience on the recent Amazon series the World's Toughest Race. Sonja shares behind the scenes stories from applying to be on the race, training for the race, actually being in the race and finishing the race.  Sonja has a new podcast of her own called Tales of Toughness you can find that wherever you listen to podcasts.  You can also find her at www.gosonja.com  B

If there is one thing I think we all know it’s that 2020 has been a crazy year. For people who participate in live sporting events it’s been unlike any other year I have ever known.  There have been a lot of cancellations. A lot of doubt. A lot of uncertainty.  In this past week in Miami where I live there has been a sudden and interesting shift. After 6 months of cancellations and deferrals all of a sudden race companies announced new races in Miami for 2021.    Today on the podcast I’m happy to talk to local race producer Robert Childers about his new company Integrity Multisport and their tentative 2021 race schedule. Rob is not new to producing events in Miami. So we start with a trip down memory lane and talk about when he started producing events and how long the different events have been around in Miami including the Trilogy Series on Key Biscayne and MiamiMan by the Zoo. Rob Childers innovated triathlon timing in Miami and we talk about that and I ask him how that has changed since he started in the

Episode 99 of the Mile after Mile Podcast is Estate Planning Attorney Deanna Eble.  As endurance athletes we spend weeks and months and years planning for our best race day. Today I talk to Deanna about how endurance athletes might want to  plan for a worst case scenario that could happen during training or racing. It’s not the easiest topic to talk about but it could be important.  Deanna has a personal connection to endurance sports and she shares that with us.  One of the resources she shared is the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys which can be found at www.naela.org  Deanna is in New York and you can find her at www.VJRussoLaw.com ======================================= Be sure to subscribe to the Mile after Mile Podcast through your favorite podcast player.  If you love the show please share it with a friend.  Join the online community at www.facebook.com/groups/mileaftermile  You can find all the episodes and show notes at www.mileaftermilepodcast.com You can find the host Amy Stone and her adven