The Hobby Jogger Podcast

The easiest way to sabotage a marathon isn’t missing a workout, it’s making a tiny race day choice that snowballs. We pulled 252 responses from our WeViews “Race Day Insights” survey and sat down with returning guest Elizabeth Clore (Boston Bound author and a multi-time Boston Marathon finisher) to translate the data into decisions you can actually use on your next start line.

We dig into the hot-button topic of carbon plated running shoes and why 63% of marathon respondents race in them. We talk real benefits, real risks, and why stability can matter more than hype depending on your gait and terrain. We also get into brand talk, including the Nike Boston sign controversy and what marketing outrage cycles say about the running community, plus why some runners stick with reliable models like the Saucony Endorphin Pro even when flashier “super duper shoes” show up with $600 price tags.

Then we go deep on marathon fueling strategy and logistics. Elizabeth shares what she used at Boston: a smart mix of Maurten gels, UCAN pre-race carbs, Honey Stinger chews for when gels get hard to swallow, and Skratch Labs hydration for electrolytes plus carbs, along with how she carries a handheld bottle early and switches to aid stations later. We wrap with pacing strategy, A-B-C-D goals, Garmin screens that keep you honest, and the most common race day mistake we all make: going out too fast.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a training partner, and leave us a review. What’s the one race day decision you want to get right next time?

Injury prevention isn’t about collecting gadgets—it’s about timing the right habits so your body can adapt, not break. We’re joined by Dr. Bonnie Wilder, DPT, for a clear, no-drama playbook that helps you feel better between runs and stay consistent through a training block. From simple desk routines to smart use of compression, heat, and ice, we map out what actually shortens recovery without creating new problems.

We go deep on the tools everyone debates: percussion guns, fascia scrapers, massage balls, and e-stim. You’ll hear when a massage gun makes sense, why scraping can help scar tissue but won’t solve root causes, and how to avoid overdoing pressure on the foot. We also unpack recovery shoes—why plush options like OOFOs reduce load after big mileage—and share an honest take on supplements. Magnesium often improves sleep quality, electrolytes should scale with heat and distance, creatine is an individual call, and ketones remain a cautious maybe until stronger evidence lands.

Sleep rises to the top as the biggest, most ignored advantage in your corner. Better rest boosts tissue repair, steadies your mood, and turns workouts from grindy to productive. We’ll help you pair smarter sleep with gradual training progress, not reckless jumps. Curious about cold plunges? Start warmer, go short, and use them to reduce that hot-weather puffiness if you respond well; hot soaks still win for relaxation and routine. We close with yoga and stretching that actually support running: dynamic before, static after, and consistent enough to matter.

If you’re ready to trade random fixes for a reliable system, this conversation gives you the blueprint—simple moves, better timing, and recovery choices that fit your life. Subscribe, share with a training friend, and leave a review to tell us which recovery myth you want busted next.

Connect with Dr Bonnie on her social channels @bonniewilder.dpt on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok & YouTube.

When Grace Myers laces up her running shoes, she's not checking her GPS watch or loading up on the latest sports nutrition—she's tapping into something more fundamental. On this episode of The Hobby Jogger, we meet a runner who qualified for Boston Marathon without using a single calorie of race fuel, who pushed strollers through training runs until the tires literally wore out, and who found her way back to the trails after surviving a terrifying assault.

Grace's running journey spans over two decades, beginning as a 13-year-old running loops in her parents' yard. Her unconventional approach continued when she qualified for Boston Marathon at the challenging Akron course, only to miss the adjusted qualifying time by one second. In a remarkable twist, Sam Adams Beer Company offered her a sponsored entry—though COVID ultimately transformed her Boston experience into a virtual run around her neighborhood.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Grace courageously shares the story of being assaulted during a run just over a year ago. With remarkable candor, she discusses how this traumatic experience changed her relationship with running without breaking it. "I didn't want that taken from me as well," she explains, describing how important it was to remain the same person her children had always known despite the trauma.

Today, Grace has found renewed joy in trail running, recently tackling the challenging first leg of the Laurel Highlands Trail relay and contemplating her first 50K ultramarathon. Drawing strength from her Polish heritage and the example of her grandfather who ran into his seventies, she embodies a resilient spirit that sees running not as a competitive pursuit but as a lifelong companion through all of life's challenges.

Whether you're a seasoned runner or just beginning your journey, Grace's story reminds us that running offers not just physical benefits but profound emotional resilience. Subscribe now to hear more inspiring stories from everyday athletes finding extraordinary strength through running.