If the weeks leading up to Christmas and New Year’s feel overwhelming, stressful, or heavy, you’re not alone. In this episode, Trisha shares five practical mindset tools to help you release holiday pressure, reset your expectations, and create a season you actually enjoy.

Instead of chasing the “perfect” Christmas, this conversation invites you to shift your focus to what matters most: how you want to feel. Through personal stories, coaching insights, and gentle encouragement, Trisha helps you see that you can create your own joy, no matter what circumstances you’re navigating.

This isn’t abou...

In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha shares a heartfelt story from her granddaughter’s school Veteran’s Day program and the surprising mindset shift that came with seeing the same moment from two completely different roles.

As a former teacher, Veteran’s Day assemblies once meant schedule disruptions, logistical juggling, and trying to redirect energized students back into learning. But attending the very same type of program now as a grandparent brought an entirely different emotional experience: gratitude, pride, and the tender weight of watching multiple generations of veterans be honored.

This contrast became...

Episode Title: One Word, One Year: A Rhythm That Grounds Me
Podcast: Running to Myself with Trisha Stanton

Episode Summary:
In this reflective episode, Trisha invites you into the quiet rhythm that has shaped her life for the past decade: choosing a single word to anchor each new year. Through stories about taunting squirrels, emotional associations, and what it means to live “over the top,” she shares how this simple practice has evolved into something sacred—guiding her through joy, grief, growth, and everything in between.

Whether you’re someone who’s picked a word eve...

In today’s episode, Trisha dives into the holiday tradition of decorating for Christmas, and how our ideas about “the right time” have completely shifted over the years. From December-only decorating to the rise of November 1 trees, she shares stories from her own life about how personal preference has evolved across seasons, moves, kids, and emotions.

And more importantly… she uses this as a jumping-off point to explore a bigger concept:

How many of the things we stress about are actually neutral?

This conversation invites you to loosen your grip on the small things...

In this episode, Trisha is joined by her dear friend Josie, who experienced a profound series of losses in 2017 and 2018. Josie lost her husband and father within a day of each other, and only two days after Christmas the following year, she also lost her mother. Together, Trisha and Josie talk about the emotional reality of grieving during the holidays, why grief doesn’t follow a timeline, and how hope can slowly return through connection and small moments.

Key Themes:
• Grief is not linear — it often comes in waves, and those waves shift over time
• The holi...

💬 Episode Summary

We go into the holiday season hoping for joy, peace, and connection — but often end up feeling stressed, disappointed, or frustrated instead. Why? Because behind our holiday “hopes” often live hidden expectations.

In this heartfelt episode, Trisha shares what happens when we let go of those expectations — of our loved ones, of ourselves, and of what the holidays “should” look like — and instead choose connection over control.

Through real stories, relatable moments, and a powerful reflection on what she calls “the emotional scorecard,” Trisha invites you to release the mental scripts that keep you stuck i...

💬 Episode Summary

What do you do when life doesn’t turn out the way you expected?

Maybe the story you’re living looks nothing like the one you once imagined — and the disappointment feels heavy. You replay old decisions, question where you went wrong, and tell yourself that life should have gone differently.

In this honest and hope-filled episode, Trisha Stanton explores what happens when reflection turns into rumination — and how regret, if left unchecked, can become an anchor that keeps you stuck in dismay and defeat.

You’ll learn how to release th...

💬 Episode Summary

We often assume that if something is right, it will be easy. But what happens when the right path turns out to be hard?

In this episode, Trisha shares how adjusting her expectations, rather than abandoning her goals, completely changed her perspective. She tells the story of selling her farmhouse to move to San Antonio, a season that proved the path can be right and still be incredibly difficult.

Through honest reflection and practical tools, you’ll learn how to stop being surprised by hard things and start using them as oppor...

Have you ever noticed how tempting it is to skim the surface of life, staying in the “comfortable” emotions while avoiding the hard ones? It feels easier in the moment… but over time, it leaves us with a half-lived story.

In this episode of Running to Myself, I share a recent trip to Maui that became so much more than a family vacation. What began as a beach getaway turned into a vivid metaphor for the emotional landscape of life: rugged roads, stark contrasts, unexpected beauty, and unforgettable views.

Much like Maui, our lives are not on...

Episode Title: From Coasting to Choosing: Your Guide to Finishing Strong

Episode Summary:
How do you want to end this year’s chapter?
So often, October through December slips by in a blur of busyness…holidays, family gatherings, celebrations and we quietly let go of the habits and goals we committed to earlier in the year. But here’s the truth: the last two months of the year matter. They can either become a time of coasting and “starting over in January,” or a time of intentional choices that set you up for success in the year a...

When Habits Slip Away: How to Notice and Realign

Episode Summary
Sometimes the habits that matter most to us don’t disappear all at once. They slip away slowly. One small compromise, one busy morning, one season of change… and before we know it, a rhythm that once anchored our well-being is gone.

In this episode of Running to Myself, I share a personal story about losing one of my most life-giving habits, daily time outdoors, and how I realized it was impacting my mood, energy, and overall well-being. More importantly, I’ll walk you th...

Summary:
What do scorpions in San Antonio have to do with your mindset? More than you think.

In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton shares a true story about discovering a scorpion above her head in the ceiling fan—and how it led her to a powerful reminder about managing our minds.

Just like regular pest control doesn’t prevent every insect from sneaking through, our daily mental practices don’t eliminate every negative thought forever. The goal isn’t to stop the scorpions completely—it’s to know exactly what to do when they...

🎙️ Episode Show Notes

Episode Title: When Identity Gets in the Way of Letting Go

Description:
What happens when something that once defined you… no longer fits?

In this deeply personal episode of Running to Myself, I share a confession that’s been a few months in the making: I’m not running anymore.

Running has been part of my identity for nearly two decades. It’s given me joy, discipline, resilience, and countless finish-line moments. But recently, I’ve discovered that holding onto the label of “runner” has been harder than letting it go...

📓 Show Notes

Episode Title: Two Roads, Two Endings: Choosing the Story You’ll Tell Tomorrow

Episode Summary:
What if the hardest choices you face aren’t about right or wrong—but about which ending you’ll live with?

In today’s episode, Trisha Stanton shares a deeply personal story about the restaurant she and her husband once owned. It was a chapter filled with financial strain, emotional loss, and moments when quitting seemed like the only sensible option. Yet, one small decision to “give it a little more time” completely rewrote the ending of that st...

Episode Title: Pattern Interruption: A Shovel to Get Unstuck

Do you ever feel like your mind is running in circles—caught in the same cycle of negative thinking, with no way out? You’re not alone. In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton shares a powerful tool for moments like these: pattern interruption.

Pattern interruption is like grabbing a shovel when you’re buried in the muck. It doesn’t make the entire problem disappear, but it breaks the cycle, creates space to breathe, and helps you reconnect with hope.

Through a person...

🎙️ Episode Title:

Sneaky Thoughts That Hold You Back — “I’m So Behind in My Life”

Episode Summary

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, “I’m so behind in my life”? That quiet thought can hit like a thunderclap—leaving you anxious, unsettled, and even tempted to give up before you’ve begun.

In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton unpacks the sneaky thought of being “behind” and shows how it keeps us stuck in fear, shame, and inaction. Using her own story of running late—and the stress spiral it triggered—she draws powerf...

Episode Title: Your Label is Your Limit: Breaking Free from Self-Imposed Boundaries

Host: Trisha Stanton

Episode Overview:

In this powerful episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton dives deep into the self-imposed labels we all carry and how they can keep us stuck. From the labels we’ve adopted about our abilities to our identities, these stories often hold us back more than we realize. Trisha shares how these limiting beliefs define us before we even give ourselves a chance to break free and how we can start recognizing and dismantling these boundaries to...

Episode Title: Caring for Others Without Losing Yourself: Mindset Tools for Caregivers
Podcast: Running to Myself
Host: Trisha Stanton

Episode Summary:
In today’s episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton speaks directly to those in caregiving roles—especially those who never signed up for the job. Whether you’re caring for a loved one with a terminal illness, mental health struggles, or chronic medical needs, caregiving can be both sacred and heavy. Trisha shares three powerful mindset tools to help caregivers take care of themselves, offering practical strategies to reconnect with their own needs...

🎙️ Episode Title: Where Do You Need to Raise Your Standards?

👋 Episode Summary:

In this thought-provoking episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton explores what it really means to "raise your standards" and it’s not about hustle, perfectionism, or doing more. Instead, it's about grounding yourself in intentional choices that align with who you're becoming.

Through powerful reflections and coaching-inspired questions, Trisha invites listeners to consider where they might be settling, what beliefs are quietly shaping their lives, and how self-compassion, not criticism, can be the catalyst for meaningful growth.

If you’ve ever...

🎙️ The Power of Shifting Your Focus: Why Small Adjustments Lead to Big Growth

📌 Episode Summary: In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha Stanton shares how a small shift in focus during a gym workout led to a powerful mindset revelation. Whether you're lifting weights or navigating a challenging season of life, where you place your mental attention matters. Trisha explores how we often stay stuck, not because of what’s happening around us, but because of the stories we keep believing. She unpacks how small mental shifts like focusing on the process instead of the outcome or noticin...

The Cost of Growth: Why Inconvenience Might Be the Sign You’re on the Right Path

✨ Episode Summary:
We live in a world built for convenience—but real growth doesn’t happen when everything is easy. In this deeply personal episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what growth actually looks and feels like, and why inconvenience might be the clearest signal that you’re headed in the right direction.

From mountain climbs to messy emotions, this episode is for anyone who’s stuck in the “middle part”—the place where it’s not shiny anymore and...

✨ Episode Summary: Feeling stuck?

Overwhelmed by decisions, transitions, or the unknown?

You’re not alone—and you’re not doing it wrong.

In this episode, Trisha shares a powerful coaching principle that helps women move forward when life feels cloudy or confusing:

💬 What’s my next right step?

With coaching insight, personal stories, and practical tools, Trisha explores why we get stuck—and how one small step can shift your momentum, build self-trust, and help you reconnect with clarity, peace, and purpose. 💡

In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why most stuc...

🎧 Episode Summary: How many times have you told yourself, “I’ll take care of me once life calms down?” You’re not alone.

In this episode, Trisha unpacks the belief that self-care is something we have to earn—and replaces it with a powerful truth: You don’t need more time. You need permission.

Trisha shares personal insight, client stories, and three practical mindset tools you can start using today to stop postponing your well-being. This episode is an invitation to stop waiting for perfect conditions and start honoring your needs—right now, in the middle of real li...

🎙️ Episode Title: Scared, Queasy, and Still All In Episode Summary: In today’s episode, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s really like to walk through personal growth—especially when it stops feeling fun and starts feeling frustrating. From sea planes to jet skis to tech headaches, I’m bringing you stories from my own life to show that discomfort is not a sign to stop... it’s often a sign that you're becoming. Whether you're learning a new skill, stepping into a new season, or feeling like your nervous system is on fire from doing hard things—you’r...

🎧 Podcast Show Notes

Episode Title: The Secret to a Well-Lived Life (Hint: It’s Not the Beach)
Host: Trisha Stanton | Life Coach | Marathon Runner | Mindset Mentor

Episode Summary:
We’ve been sold a version of the “good life” that looks like a beach chair and a piña colada—but what if the secret to a truly well-lived life isn’t about escape at all? In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha breaks down the myth of the perfectly curated, stress-free existence and offers something much more meaningful: alignment.

✨ What You’ll Hear in Thi...

🎙️ Episode 34: Control What You Can: How Small Choices Shape Powerful Outcomes

Description:
On a day when the humidity was off the charts and storms were threatening, Trisha made a small but powerful decision: she changed her route, controlled what she could, and got her run done. This episode uses that story to explore a deeper truth about life, mindset, and growth:

You can’t always control your circumstances—but you can control your response.

If you've been feeling stuck, waiting for better conditions, or using your circumstances as an unintentional excuse—this episode is...

🎙️ Episode 42: Routines As a Tool—Not the Goal
Welcome back to Running to Myself, where we explore how movement, mindset, and real life all weave together into the story of who we’re becoming.

In today’s episode, we’re breaking down the role of routines in our lives—and how they can quietly shift from being supportive tools to unrealistic measuring sticks. You’ll hear real-life examples, coaching insights, and reflective questions to help you reset your routines in a way that feels aligned and life-giving.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:
💬 Why routines...

🎙️ Running to Myself

Episode Title: When the Old Plan Stops Working: What Running Taught Me About Evolving

Episode Summary: In this episode, Trisha shares a powerful story from her running journey—how stepping into the world of trail and ultrarunning revealed a deeper truth about life: sometimes, the plans that once served us can’t support the season we’re in now. Whether you’re navigating change, feeling stuck, or simply sensing that what used to work no longer does, this conversation will encourage you to check in with your habits, mindsets, and expectations—and gently ask, Is...

🎙️ Episode Title:

Holding Both: When Joy and Pain Show Up Together

🗓️ Episode Description:

In this deeply personal episode, Trisha shares a story from a recent run—one that included a phone call full of good news, a rush of unexpected emotion, and a literal faceplant. Through the lens of seasons and the unpredictable nature of life, she explores what it means to live in a “winter” season, long for “spring,” and still celebrate others along the way.

If you’ve ever felt the ache of watching someone else receive the very thing your heart is lo...

🎙️ Episode: Journaling to Get to Know Yourself

Podcast: Running to Myself with Trisha Stanton
Episode #: 38
Release Date: 5/19/25

💬 Episode Summary:

In this episode, Trisha shares one of the most powerful (and practical) tools for developing emotional resilience and mental clarity: journaling—not as a productivity hack, but as a way to discover your thoughts, process emotions, and deeply know yourself.

You’ll hear how a simple daily practice of writing can help uncover hidden thoughts, release mental clutter, and reveal truth that leads to freedom. Whether you're feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply re...

Episode Title: The Power of the Daily: Why Small Habits Matter More Than Big Goals

Episode Summary:
In this episode, I share a personal story from my early running days—how I once needed big goals like races to stay motivated, and how that mindset shifted over time. What started as a means to an end eventually became a life-giving practice, not because of the finish lines, but because of the daily miles.

We’re talking about how small, consistent habits—not flashy goals—are what truly build our wellness. Whether it's your physical health...

🎙️ Episode: What Else Is True? Changing the Stories We Tell Ourselves

Podcast: Running to Myself with Trisha Stanton
Episode #:37
Release Date: 5/12/25

💬 Episode Summary:

In this deeply reflective episode, Trisha invites you to take a closer look at the thoughts you believe about yourself—and consider whether they’re actually true. She shares a personal story about a belief she carried for years, and how one simple question changed everything.

You’ll walk away with a powerful mindset tool that will help you shift negative self-talk, access new perspectives, and begin rewritin...

🎙️ Episode: Why You’re Not Reaching Your Goals (And What To Do Instead)

Podcast: Running to Myself with Trisha Stanton
Episode #:36
Release Date: 5/5/25

💬 Episode Summary:

If you’ve ever set a goal with genuine excitement—only to slowly drift away from it—you are not alone. In this episode, Trisha breaks down the most common reasons people fail to reach their goals and shares the mindset shift that changes everything.

From cherry-picking parts of a plan to underestimating what’s really required, this episode offers clarity, grace, and actionable truth to help you...

🎧 Episode 35: The Work Is the Shortcut
📅 Running to Myself with Trisha Stanton

Episode Summary:
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of something hard—whether it’s a workout, a project, or a season of life—and wondered, “Why isn’t this getting easier?” In this episode, Trisha shares a powerful moment of clarity that came in the middle of a brutal workout and how it applies to life, growth, and transformation.

She unpacks the truth behind our desire for shortcuts and reminds us that the very resistance we’re facing is the path to becoming...

🎙️ Episode: The Season That Seems Small

Podcast: Running to Myself with Trisha Stanton
Episode #: 34
Release Date: 4/21/25

💬 Episode Summary:

In this heartfelt episode, Trisha shares the often-overlooked power of consistency, presence, and purpose in the small, repetitive seasons of life. Drawing from years of running and coaching experience, she compares the significance of short daily runs to the quiet, behind-the-scenes roles many of us live every day. Whether you’re raising kids, caring for a loved one, supporting others at work, or simply wondering if your small efforts matter—this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Episode Title: What If You Got Closer?

Podcast: Running to Myself
Host: Trisha Stanton
Episode #: 33
Release Date: 4/14/25

💡 Episode Summary:

In this episode of Running to Myself, Trisha shares a simple moment from a run that turned into a powerful metaphor for life and mindset. What looked like a squirrel from far away turned out to be something entirely different—a fallen tree branch. This experience invites us to reflect on how often we misjudge people, situations, or even ourselves simply because we’re observing from a distance.

What if the clarity...

Episode: From Stuck to Strong – Embracing Your Progress

🎙️ Episode Summary:
Have you ever felt stuck because you weren’t where you thought you should be? In this episode of Running to Myself, we dive into the power of meeting yourself where you are—whether in running, personal growth, or life itself. I share my journey from a beginner runner to chasing Boston Marathon standards and how unrealistic expectations can hold us back. You’ll also hear a powerful story about the impact of acknowledging progress rather than dismissing it. If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “behind,” this epi...

Hello! I’m excited to be back from my longer than intended hiatus from the podcast world! What was intended to be a short, two week break from my schedule of creating new episodes somehow turned into a solid two months away! Yikes!

Today let’s take a moment to consider the idea of taking notice of the behind the scenes benefits of past accomplishments and the opportunity to use them to propel you toward your next version of yourself, whatever that might be. 

Have you ever had a moment where you suddenly noticed just how m...

Join me as I share my transition from being very afraid of experiencing pain, to learning that I need not fear pain and that pain and peace can coexist. 

Do you struggle with decision making?

Do you find yourself needing other people to weigh in on what you should do?

Do you have a lack of trust in your ability to make decisions?

Does your brain seem to resist decision making?

You are not alone. Let’s talk about it.

Like it or not, decision making is an essential part of life. The decisions we make greatly impact the direction our life takes. Developing a strong inner voice  will help you become a confident decision maker. 

Join me to learn Part 1 of Developing Your Inner Voice. 

As I look back, there were some pivotal points in my life that worked together to move me from being someone who avoided making decisions to being someone who does not shy away from making decisions. One of the most impactful changes in how I make decisions came from ident...

If you struggle to “get out of your own head” or to let go of a story or situation that is keeping you stuck and in pain, this is the episode for you.

If worry is what is keeping you stuck, this is for you. If fear has its grip on your thoughts, this episode is for you.

Last week I shared six steps to processing your emotions.

Today I am going to give you some practical ways to direct your thoughts when you feel stuck in your pain.

The shortest and healthiest way through the pain is to process it, not to hide from it.

You may be thinking, that’s great, but how do I do that?

How do I process my pain in a healthy way?

You’re in luck because that is exactly what we are going to be talking about today.

As time seems to slow Between Christmas and New Years, I find it to be the perfect opportunity to reflect on the year that is coming to an end and set my intention for the year ahead. Before blazing into 2025, I will take a good hard look at 2024, the good, the bad and the ugly, the parts that were within my control and the parts that were outside of my control. Specifically, I will examine my actions throughout this year and the outcomes they produced. Join me today as I share eight questions I have been reflecting on this...

 If the weeks leading up to  Christmas and New Years have been stressful or overwhelming in some way this year or in years past, this is the episode for you!

I am going to share 5 practical tools to increase your joy and decrease stress through Christmas and New Years. 

This is your opportunity to transform your thinking and how you experience the holiday season.

If you are a unicorn in a family of unicorns and your adult kids are still able and willing to show up when you want, for as long as you...

Is there something good that needs to be set aside to make room for what is best? 

Sometimes seeing the difference between what is good and what is best is obvious. Much of the time, it is not. We settle for good, not even realizing that we are missing out on the best. Often, the good is comfortable, familiar and easy. Best requires something different. Sometimes it requires more of us. Oftentimes it requires that we leave our comfort zone. 

If you like this episode, check out some of our other favorites here:

Ep...

Sometimes unmet expectations carry a gift in disguise. A gift in a different form for later.🎁

Join me as I share my favorite Christmas memory of all time. It has absolutely nothing to do with running, but it is a story that MUST be told.

If you like this episode, check out some of our other favorites here:

Episode 21 Holiday Reflections 🦃🎄

Episode 11 What's Your Superpower? 

Let’s Connect!

Follow the podcast to never miss an episode! 

Running to Myself 🏃‍♀️

Find me on Facebook: Trisha Shipley Stanton...

I’ve been thinking a lot about expectations and flexibility during the holidays lately.  If you are in a season of life where the holidays are delightful and exactly what you pictured all your life, enjoy every minute of it! I had many years in that season and I soaked it all in and loved every minute of it. But if you are in a season of change or unmet expectations, you might want to lean in because I have been there and I promise, there is a way to salvage your holiday cheer or at the very least pre...

In this episode I share a new fitness journey that I recently began. After many false starts over the years, I finally committed to taking the necessary steps to improve my overall health. 

Today I’ll share the one change I made that supports me in my fitness journey to show up and push through the discomfort in pursuit of my health. The physical discomfort is nothing compared to the emotional discomfort that comes up when we know we need to make a change!

Tune in and learn a simple process I use to discover the...

In this episode I share a story from a run that could have ended as a medical emergency. All because I didn’t listen to what my body was telling me. 

Do you ever find yourself ignoring clear signs in your life that something isn’t right? Do you wonder why that happens?

Join me as we explore four common reasons we ignore what is right in front of us and one transformational concept I teach my coaching clients.

If you like this episode, check out some of our other favorites here:

🎙Ep...

Join me for a short episode about listening to your inner voice.

Last Sunday I found myself with some unexpected extra time for my run. I was so excited. It had been quite awhile since I had had enough time to complete my neighborhood trail all the way to the end and back without rushing or cutting it short. The weather was nice, no need to rush. Lots of podcasts downloaded. I was really looking forward to the next few hours. Several miles into my run but also more than a mile before the turnaround, I got...

Join me for a short episode as I share how I found myself in an unhealthy relationship with my running data. I think you will find some valuable take aways in today's life coach connection.

This past Saturday was full of firsts for me. I hardly know where to start in telling you about it. I guess I will pick up where I left off in last week’s episode. In case you didn’t catch Episode 15, I shared the story of my son, Chris, and I running the annual Rocky Horror Trail 50k last fall. It was his first 50k and my 3rd. Since the very end of last year’s race, I have been asking him if he was ready to sign up for this year’s race, which was updated to reflect...

At the time of this recording, I am just a day away from running my favorite trail race at Eisenhower Park here in San Antonio. Knowing this race is coming up, memories of my past race experiences there have been on my mind a lot the last few weeks. By the time you are hearing this episode, I will have had another new experience in a new distance there and this time with most of my family participating as well. I can’t wait to tell you all about it next week. For today, I am going to take yo...

A few years ago I found myself signed up for a local 50k and drastically undertrained. I had run this same race two years prior and it was such a fun experience the first time, that I really wanted to do it again, fully trained or not.

The year was 2013. I had set my sights on qualifying for the Boston Marathon. A goal that stretched me and tested me in ways that I had not experienced before. Life is going to offer up both good and bad circumstances and sometimes at the same time.

What happens when you spend several years doing something you love and it starts to move into other areas of your life? Well, if you are anything like me, it becomes part of your identity. A big part of your identity. And that’s fine and mostly good until it isn’t. Tune in to hear about how running broke up with me.

When I set my sights on trying for a Boston Qualifier, I knew I would need to be about 20 minutes faster than my previous marathon. I wasn’t confident that I would be able to achieve that, but I had no reason not to try.

Self awareness can be your superpower too. Developing self awareness can benefit all areas of your life.

Link to my  Reclaim Your Life Without Abandoning Your Loved One Workshop: https://youtu.be/L5JEMYC2AA0

Join me for a short, fun episode that includes an appearance from my bestie and running partner, Jacki. If a picture is worth a thousand words, this is THE picture to represent the story for this episode and every race that Jacki and I have run together. In fact, it was seeing this picture that gave me the idea for today’s topic. It’s funny how pictures from long ago can bring up such distinct and specific memories. In case you didn’t notice the picture for this episode, I want you to pause right now to look at it...

Sometimes you share an experience with someone that takes on a life of its own and becomes one of your shared core memories in your relationship with that person. That is what I have for you today.

The race was over, now what?

We are taking a little side trail on today's episode. Get something to write this down, I think you are going to like it!

Race day was fast approaching and as we prepared to fly to Washington D.C., I was experiencing a mix of nervousness and excitement. I had never been a spectator at a marathon, let alone an athlete, so I had no idea what to expect.

Other than the marathon itself, the 20 mile run is the biggest milestone of a traditional marathon training program. And the time for my first 20 miler was getting close. We had it all planned out. What could possibly go wrong?

I did NOT want to do it. I worked really hard to avoid it, but she caught me and convinced me to give it a try and ultimately I’m so glad she did.

The story I am going to share with you today encompasses one of my biggest areas of personal growth since I began running. The title, Taking a Leap When You Don’t Feel Ready says it all. I used to avoid putting myself in situations where I lacked confidence. I can see now that this habit of shrinking back prevented progress in my life at times. Like many people, I didn’t want others to see me fail. This episode is about how that showed up as I began my running journey.

Welcome to Episode 2 The Long Run.  In episode 1 I shared about how I woke up one day as a person who did not run and by the end of my lunch break had signed up to run a marathon with my husband just five months later. Now the work would begin! Join me for a story about growing your capacity to attain new skills.

In October of 2008 I ran my first marathon. I have run many marathons and several ultra distance races since 2008, but none of them have impacted my life in the same way as that first fateful race. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that this process changed the course of my life. You may have heard of “Couch to 5k” running programs. Well I went from “Couch to 26.2 miles” in six months. As a run coach I would never recommend that to a client as a safe or smart route to take, but it is the route I took and...