We love all of those ‘running gifts’ we got for the holidays, but you’re not alone if you didn’t get everything you were looking for under your tree. Our next guest can help! Chris Elkins owns Run for Your Life – a store we’re very familiar with here at the Running Around Charlotte podcast – and he’s here to tell us what the hot trends are this year, and what folks like you are looking for.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:44 — 16.3MB)
All runners everywhere were HORRIFIED to hear what happened to Ahmaud Arbery nearly 2 years ago, in February 2020. He was simply doing what so many of us do – taking a run through a beautiful neighborhood, taking in the local scenery with awe and curiosity. Except HE was chased down and shot, as 3 neighbors assumed he was there to commit a crime instead of just running.
The outcry led to a lot of social justice movements, and the leader of one of those is with us today on the Running Around Charlotte podcast. Tyrone Irby is a certified personal trainer and sports performance coach, and former strength and conditioning coach at NC Central University. But he’s here with us today as the founder of Together We Stand, a statewide effort to have conversations about race with a good run and a tasty beer. The annual Maud 2.23 run is coming up here in Charlotte, and Tyrone joins us to talk about the run and the movement – welcome Tyrone!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:55 — 15.1MB)
If there was ever a guy who could “walk the walk” AND “talk the talk,” it’s our next guest on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast. Cornell Jones has a resume of work at the Charlotte Hornets and ESPN, and can “talk the talk” about sports. He’s also a runner – and he’s “walking the walk” by bringing hundreds of runners along with him on his daily runs, both in person and across the country.
It all started with a New Year’s Day decision 3 years ago – to run a mile a day, every day. Yes, Every. Single. Day. And he’s done it! The promise turned into a movement, and the daily jog turned into a Tuesday group run that encourages others to learn, get healthy, and go for goals. Cornell is here to tell us how he’s doing, starting year 4 of the “Mad Miles Club.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 18:56 — 13.0MB)
We know running can be good for a lot of things at any age — health and fitness, our minds, and our confidence, to name a few. So when a running program for girls spread like wildfire across the nation, one of their coaches here in Charlotte thought something similar would be good for boys.
Working on a degree in Sports Science opened Ashley Armistead’s eyes to the role mental and emotional health play in overall wellness. As a running coach and mom of two boys, she was aware of the “Boy Code” that sometimes stifles boys’ feelings and emotions. The result of Ashley’s efforts was Let Me Run, a running program for boys that also lets them know it’s okay to have feelings and lean on each other for support. Ashley joins us now to bring us up to date on a refreshed, post-pandemic Let Me Run program – which just finished its first post-pandemic 5k. Welcome!
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 22:43 — 15.6MB)
One of the best-known charity fundraisers in Charlotte rides in circles every July in Myers Park. And this year, the 24 Hours of Booty celebrates 20 years of rounding the famous Booty Loop to raise money for cancer navigation services at Atrium Health.
If you know of the 24 Hours of Booty, you probably know its founder, Spencer Lueders. But did you know he’s also an engineer, attorney, entrepreneur, business owner, and former D-1 soccer player? There’s a lot to Spencer, and we’re honored to have him here on the Running Around Charlotte podcast to tell us what he’s up to next.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:11 — 15.9MB)
You’ve heard us say it before – it was really nice to be back under the sunshine and crisp fall air of the Carolinas at our in-person Novant Health Charlotte Marathon this year. We had a great turnout for the marathon, half-marathon, and 5k … and our women’s winner was a name that should be familiar to runners across the Carolinas.
Mimi Smith was first over the line at 2 hours and 48 minutes, and if her name sounds familiar, it’s because she ran cross-country and track for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons for 4 years. Now she’s over at Duke University and joins us here on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast to let us get to know her a little better.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:39 — 14.9MB)
We hear some incredible stories in the running community about the life-altering effects of running, but this one will blow you away! Jason Gardner was always the “big kid” — you know, a little extra hefty. At his heaviest, about 10 years ago, he was 426 pounds! He decided to make a change. It started with diet and exercise… and now includes running. We’ll let him tell you how he did it — and where he ended up in his “1 man, 1 year, 150” personal goal.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 24:03 — 16.5MB)
If your back hurts, everything hurts. And if you’re one of 65 million Americans who suffer from back pain, you know how important it is to get relief. A chiropractor can help! Whether you’re a serious runner or just a weekend warrior, your back will need care to keep it strong and healthy so you can stay fit.
The Novant Health Charlotte Marathon is proud to partner with one of the premier chiropractic clinics in the Carolinas — Greenapple Sports and Wellness. Dr. Doug Bradberry is an athlete himself, who has worked with Olympic-bound athletes from the U.S. and Canada. His partner, Dr. Eric Goodman, is an active crossfit athlete who has worked with a number of professional and collegiate athletes. Both perform at the highest levels with athletes and regular folks alike. They’re going to help us help YOU stay fit and healthy with some insight about proper back care.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 20:10 — 13.9MB)
Running a marathon is tough, and training for it can be a real challenge — We know that, right? Now imagine training for a long race or a triathlon if you are visually challenged. How would you do it? You would need a great training partner and coach, for sure.
In Charlotte, you’re in good hands. Para Guides offers a training program for athletes at any level of fitness and ability, who need guidance because of a visual disability. Shannon Houlihan was inspired to start Para Guides in 2017 after working with a similar service at her training group in Texas, and now she oversees training for dozens of visually impaired athletes here. We’re honored to have Shannon with us today on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast, to tell us about Para Guides and how you can be a part of them.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:23 — 14.7MB)
It was great to be back! We’re talking — of course — about the Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. After a year of running virtually because of COVID, it was really nice to be back under the sunshine and crisp fall air of the Carolinas at our in-person race. We had a great turnout for the marathon, half-marathon, and 5k … and we had a new winner, too!
Adam Jones crossed the finish line first in 2 hours and 23 minutes, and we bet we’re going to hear his name a lot more now. He was a runner at both Samford University in Birmingham and at Iowa. He joins us here on the Running Around Charlotte Podcast to let us get to know him a little better.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 21:15 — 14.6MB)
