Through Their Stride

Does a sickness late in a nearly perfect training block derail your entire marathon plan? We're about to find out.

In this solo episode, I talk about how my marathon build to a potential 3:30 at the Fort Worth Marathon has gone, what it looks like bouncing back late in a training block after getting sick, and what my plan is for race day execution.

I also offered an apology to my loyal Through Their Stride listeners for my inconsistency in publishing over the past couple of months. You all mean so much to me and I am so grateful for your support. Going forward, starting last week, I plan to have an episode every week, whether it's solo or with a guest.

I have four interviews lined up for next week, so a lot of great episodes are coming soon! I can't wait for you to hear them and again, thank you so much for all of your support!

When Bruno Artacho combined his passions for endurance sports and AI science, he was able to produce one of the most in-tune AI coaching platforms out there.

Bruno started in the endurance space as a young adult, finding his way into triathlons. He chased some pretty big performances in the space, but after having kids, he found that training 20-plus hours per week just wasn't as sustainable as it used to be.

So, he switched purely to the marathon, and progressed quickly. Today, he boasts a PR of 2:29 and a top-three finish.

With the experience he gained from the space and with his knowledge of coding and AI science, he decided to create a product that would new athletes train better and become more in-tune with their bodies. That result? Athlete Space.

Athlete Space is a free online coaching app that tailors a plan specifically to your goals, experience, and time. You can find it at https://athletespace.ai.

Bruno is proof that when you decide to lock in and chase your passions, anything is possible.

Houston runner, coffee-roaster owner, and music lover Alan Ortega joins the show to share the story behind his first-ever marathon build.

Alan began running in 2017 alongside the woman who is now his wife. What started as a shared hobby steadily became a meaningful part of his life — taking him through years of progress, consistency, and a near-sub-1:40 half marathon in 2025. Now, he is training for the Chicago Marathon with an even deeper motivation behind every long run.

Alan is running for BandWith Chicago, a nonprofit that helps connect young people with opportunities to learn, create, and participate in music programs. From band and drumline to jazz, hip-hop, guitar, vocals, and community ensembles, BandWith Chicago works to make music accessible to more kids.

In this conversation, Alan talks about:

• How he and his wife found running together in 2017
• The gradual progression that led him close to a 1:40 half marathon
• What has surprised him most during his first marathon-training cycle
• Balancing running, family life, music, and operating Fermata Coffee Roasters
• Why running for BandWith Chicago has strengthened his "why"
• How he feels sharing his journey on Instagram can help other runners see what is possible (a big credit to his wife for the stunning cinematography

This is a conversation about patience, purpose, community, and embracing the long road toward a big goal.

Follow Alan on Instagram: @ortegaontherun
Follow Fermata Coffee Roasters on Instagram: @fermatacoffeeroasters
Learn more about BandWith Chicago: @bandwith_chicago

Jason Schwarzer only started running a few years ago, but has instantly become one of the biggest builders of the running community. Co-host of the Runners Like Us Podcast, Jason has found that while he loves what he gets to learn about himself during tough ultramarathons and training blocks, he finds the most joy in sharing the stories of other runners and building them up.

During tough workouts or long runs, Jason often finds himself cheering on the other runners on the trails around him. He does this because for some of them, it might be the only word of encouragement they hear today. And that could change their entire life.

Jason's story shows us that even if you're struggling, never be too selfish or prideful to lift someone else up.

• Follow Jason on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goforyour30/?hl=en
• Listen to the Runners Like Us Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runners-like-us-podcast-a-safe-place-for-all-runners/id1809260322

In Episode 50 of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Elizabeth Clor, competitive marathoner, running coach, author, and creator of the Racing Stripes blog.

Elizabeth shares the story behind Boston Bound, which follows her seven-year journey to qualify for the Boston Marathon. The conversation explores how perfectionism, anxiety, and putting too much weight on one outcome can become obstacles, and what changed when she learned to stay steady-minded, focus on controllable, and commit to the process.

We also talk about the 10th anniversary of Boston Bound, lessons Elizabeth still carries from her pursuit to Boston, and practical perspective fro runners chasing a BQ, PR, or any meaningful goal.

If you've ever felt that your running goal has become bigger than yourself, this episode is for you.

Connect with Elizabeth Clor

• Book: Boston Bound — https://www.amazon.com/Boston-Bound-Overcome-Barriers-Marathon/dp/1530680581
• Blog: https://www.elizabethclor.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethclor/

#runningpodcast #bostonmarathon #bostonbound #marathontraining

Natalie Lutz is a running coach, mom, full-time employee, and multi-time sub-three-hour marathoner.

At the 2023 Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, Natalie ran 3:00:10 — just 10 seconds away from breaking the three-hour barrier. That near miss gave her a glimpse of what was possible, and she went all-in on the pursuit. Over the next 12 months, she raced five marathons before finally breaking through one year later at the Chicago Marathon.

In this episode, Natalie shares:
- What it felt like to miss sub-3 by 10 seconds at Chicago
- Why she chose to run five marathons in 12 months
- The training, mindset, and persistence behind her sub-3 breakthrough
- How coaching runners fuels her own goals
- Balancing high-level training with motherhood and a full-time job
- Rebuilding her relationship with running after collegiate burnout

If you're chasing sub-3 or any goal that feels out just out of reach, this conversation is a reminder that a near miss can become the start of a breakthrough.

Subscribe for more conversations about marathon training, running culture, and the stories behind big goals.

Follow Natalie Lutz on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/multisportmama/

#running #marathon #marathontraining #chicagomarathon #sub3marathon

Chiara Bondi is a sub-3 marathoner, but this conversation is about more than a finish time.

In 2025, Chiara ran under three hours at the Eugene Marathon and continues to chase big goals in distance running. Later that year, she received an autism diagnosis — an experience that helped her better understand herself and recognize that she was never broken.

For Chiara, running and training have provided an important routine: a way to feel structured, grounded, and regulated throughout daily life. But in early 2026, a stress reaction forced her to step away from running. In this episode, she shares what recovery taught her, how she navigated a difficult season, and what it has meant to return to the sport with a renewed perspective.

Chiara's next race will be the London Marathon, where she'll be running to raise money for Ambitious About Autism. If her story resonates with you, please consider supporting her fundraiser here:

https://2027tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/chiara-bondi?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&utm_id=97760_v0_s00_e0_tv3

Follow Chiara Bondi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nuttyfitbondi/

Five months ago, a police officer in California decided to lace up a pair of running shoes. Today, that man is a triathlete and cofounder of a triathlon endurance club in California.

When Trent Herzog began his hybrid athlete journey, he didn't know how far it would take him. But after finishing in the top 10 in his first-ever 10-mile race, he knew he was on to something. He fell in love with triathlons shortly thereafter and is now training for his first-ever Ironman. But he won't be doing it alone.

He and his two friends, Juan Meza and Adolfo Hernandez, he cofounded Forge Endurance Club in Fresno, California, with the mission to show people what they are capable of. And that's exactly what Trent's mission with his endurance chase and content reaction is about.

Trent wants to show people that if you drop the excuses and just start working steadily toward your dreams, you may surprise yourself about what you're capable of.

Follow Trent Herzog: https://www.instagram.com/trent.fitnesss
Follow Forge Endurance Club: https://www.instagram.com/forge.endurance/?__d=1开盒社工库✔%EF%B8%8F%2Btianchacha.com%2B银行预留号查对方征婚平台账号超牛的机房

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Tennessee-based marathoner Laura Pett to talk about her journey from collegiate cross country to chasing a sub-3-hour marathon.

Laura made her marathon debut in 2017 at the Atlanta Marathon, tackling a tough course and running 3:40. Since then, she's steadily improved — qualifying for the Boston Marathon multiple times and lowering her PR to a 3:04.

We dive into what's helped her make those gains, what it takes to close the gap to sub-3, and how she balances training with family life and a career.

Laura also shares how she uses her Instagram platform, @lpett.running, to connect with other runners, offer practical advice, and build a supportive community.

If you're chasing a big goal while juggling real life, this one will resonate.

#running #marathontraining #sub3marathon #runningpodcast

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sat down with Adriana Ducharme (@runningthelife_ on Instagram) to unpack a journey that many runners experience but few talk about openly.

Adri shares how a toxic college coaching environment led to burnout and a loss of identity within the sport – and how stepping away from that structure helped rediscover what running could be. Through joining a club cross country team at the University of Georgia, she rebuilt her relationship with competition, community, and herself.

That renewed perspective translated into serious performance gains. Adri went from a 3:14 marathon debut to a 2:54, proving that growth doesn't always come from pushing harder — it comes from finding joy again.

We also talk about balancing competitive goals with a full-time teaching career, and how Adri uses her platform to show that chasing big goals is still possible, even with a busy life.

This episode is for anyone who's felt burned out, stuck, or unsure of what's next – and needs a reminder that a comeback is always possible.

#running #podcast #marathons #teaching #trackandfield

It started as a way to become a better version of himself after gaining more weight than he felt comfortable with. Now, he's a 3:28 marathoner pursuing a Boston Qualifier in the near future.

As a kid, pursuing fast times in marathons, half marathons (he's a sub 1;28 guy), and 5Ks (he's also an 18:46 guy) wasn't something he ever thought he'd do. But once he started back in 2020 just for health, he soon became quite the fan of the sport.

Now, not only is he pushing himself to do hard things, he's also inspiring his wife, who finds joy chasing her own PRs, and his kids, one of which is doing triathlons at 7 years old and another who can ride a bike without training wheels at just 3.

Niko's a perfect example of when you make the choice to get consistent and put out that energy, not only will you change your own life, you'll inspire those around you to chase theirs.

If this episode inspired you to do something hard today, let me know in the comments and share it with a friend. Thanks for listening to Niko's story on Through Their Stride.

In this episode, I sit down with marathon coach and "Busy Runner" Justin Cannon to unpack how he went from a 4:34 debut marathon to a 3:06 in his very next race and then to a PR of 2:39. That kind of leap didn't just change his PR; it changed his entire mindset, making him want to "get greedy" with his goals and see how far he could really go.

We dig into what shifted his entire mindset between each marathon, how he balances big dreams with real-life responsibilities, and why that transformation pushed him to start coaching and helping other runners chase their own breakthroughs. If you've ever wondered what's possible when you stop playing it safe and start getting a little greedy with your potential, this conversation is for you.

#marathons #marathontraining #running #chaseyourdream #runningpodcast

As life piles on, it can be easy to escape into bad habits. But sometimes, all it takes is seeing your own child muscle up the courage to do hard things for you to start chasing your dreams again.

For Jim LeRoux, that's exactly what happened. Jim was a well-respected competitive runner in high school, but college studies, family building, and the grind of everyday life led him to become a tad overweight, out of shape, and with unhealthy blood pressure numbers. He had a hard time finding the motivation to chase that childlike self again, but when his own daughter picked up cross country, it reawakened something inside of himself.

Seeing his own daughter chase fast times and first place finishes made him want to get back into shape so that he could run with her. He's done just that, and now has impressive times of sub-19 5Ks, sub-40 10Ks, and even a marathon PR under 3:15.

Jim's story proves that if you say yes to committing to your own promises, anything is possible. I hope this one inspires you to take on something hard and show up for yourself even when no one is watching.

#running #dohardthings #motivation #texasrunners #runningpodcast

In this episode, I'm joined by Heather Rosemand, also known as @heatherrunstexas on Instagram, for an honest conversation about healing, growth, and what it looks like to rebuild your life one step at a time.

Heather shares how she got out of an unhealthy relationship, changed her relationship with alcohol, and found something life-giving through running. We talk about the role running has played in her healing, how it helped create a stronger version of herself, and how it's connected her to a community that continues to support and inspire her.

This episode is about choosing yourself, doing hard things, and discovering that a new life really can begin with one brave decision.

#running #runningpodcast #runningmotivation #changeyourlife

Andie Cozzarelli's journey back to the Olympic Trials marathon standard is one of the most powerful stories I've heard.

After debuting in the marathon at the 2016 Olympic Trials and not finishing, Andie spent years fighting to get back. The road was anything but smooth, filled with setbacks, hard lessons, and moments that tested her patience and belief. But in 2026, she broke through in a big way, winning the Glass City Marathon in 2:36:59 and earning the OTQ standard.

We talk about what it took to stay in the fight, how learning to truly listen to her body changed her approach, and how those experiences now shape the way she coaches others. This conversation is about perseverance, perspective, and what it means to keep showing up for others.

#running #olympictrials #OTQ #marathontraining #runmotivation #runningpodcast

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Arizona-based runner Aly Kozar (@runswithheart on Instagram) to talk about what it means to keep showing up when life doesn't go according to plan.

Aly shares the ups and downs of her marathon journey, how she's learned to get back up after hard seasons in running and in life, and the deeper personal road of walking through infertility and PCOS. Our conversation centers on resilience, perspective, and the growth mindset that has helped her keep moving forward with hope, honesty, and positivity.

This is an episode about endurance in every sense of the word, whether it's chasing finish lines or learning how to keep going when the path is unclear.

#running #motivation #PCOS #infertility #runningmotivation #runningpodcast

In this episode of Through Their Stride, I sit down with Robert Jackson for a conversation about running, grief, and what it means to keep moving forward after loss. Robert shares how running became a place to process sorrow after losing family members, and how the sport has helped carry him through some of the hardest seasons in life.

We also talk about his marathon journey, Boston, the people who have helped shape him as a runner, and the role his support system has played along the way. This one was especially personal for me too, because after losing my mom earlier this year, I was able to connect with Robert as a runner and as someone who understands that grief can change the meaning behind every stride.

If you've ever used running to work through something heavy, or if you just love hearing honest runner stories, this is a conversation I think will stay with you.

What does it mean to run for something bigger than yourself?

In this episode, I sit down with Carlie Bixler, a marathoner and key part of the Run Uplifted community in Georgetown who's taking her running all the way to the Copenhagen Marathon as a charity runner for #StacheStrong, raising money for brain cancer research.

Carlie shares how her perspective on running has been shaped by the people in her life, from family members affected by cancer to her mother's ongoing recovery from a brain aneurysm. Her story is a powerful reminder that running can be about so much more than pace and performance. When you run for others, you learn more about resilience, gratitude, and showing up while you still can.

We talk about community, purpose, and what it looks like to run with meaning behind every mile. If you've ever needed a reason to keep going, this one hits.

• Find more about Run Uplifted: https://www.upliftedmovementpt.com/run-uplifted
• Donate to Carlie's endeavors: https://www.givengain.com/project/carlie-raising-funds-for-stachestrong-113543
• Follow Carlie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlierunsamarathon/

#running #podcast #runner #runningmotivation #texasrunners

When taking on something bigger than yourself, Six Star World Marathon Majors finisher Dorina Carrillo has two pieces of advice. Make sure it's something you're passionate about and do it with all your heart.

Dorina first got into running in 2012 as a way to do something hard while her mom was battling breast cancer. After her mom's passing, she stepped away from the sport. But in 2016, a friend helped her find her way back. What started as a personal challenge turned into something much bigger.

Since returning to running, Dorina has completed all six World Marathon Majors, raised thousands of dollars for cancer research, and inspired countless others to take their first steps into the sport.

This conversation dives into grief, motivation, community, and how running can become a powerful outlet for healing and impact.

If this episode resonates with you, don't forget to leave a review on Spotify, share it with someone who needs to hear it, and follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode.

As an adult, you get the privilege of choosing a running coach rather than having one assigned to you. And one of the best coaches to choose from is Jeff Cunningham.

In this episode, Jeff Cunningham, founder of Cunningham Running and Bat City Track Club, as well as host of The Consistently Good Podcast, discusses what it's like preparing 15 runners for the Boston Marathon, the philosophy that guides his coaching, and why he values staying grounded and living in reality when it comes to the process of training. It's a great look into the mindset of a coach who cares deeply about the athletes he works with and the journey they take to get to the start line.

Listen to The Consistently Good Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0ZePWjQ89Yg094167R1bpo
Learn more about Cunningham Running: https://www.cunninghamrunning.com/about