TalkJogRun Running Podcast

This week I had the pleasure of interviewing with four members of the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics. This organization consists a great group of people of all ages who simply love to run. The organization is internet based, and many members meet through Facebook or noticing another member at a race wearing a shirt.

• Heather Zeigler, Marathon Maniac #3086 and Half Fanatic #1343
• Diane Miller, Half Fanatic #1842
• Bob Miller, Marathon Maniac #3875 and Half Fanatic #506
• Abbi Florence, Marathon Maniac #5102, and Half Fanatic #933

If you've never heard of the Marathon Maniacs of the Half Fanatics, you probably don't know what any of these numbers mean. The Marathon Maniacs are a group of people who love to run marathons. The same follows for the Half Fanatics, but they prefer half marathons. Those who are a Marathon Maniac and Half Fanatic, are called double agents. The organization is international, and if you send in your race date information you get assigned a number which shows what number you are within the organization.

It was great getting to talk with these Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs. I was curious about the organization since meeting Bob at the Fox Valley Marathon Expo in 2011. He was there sporting his Half Fanatics jacket. You can see him with us in the photo below.

In this episode we interviewed Erin Henderson, a mother with 12 children, 9 of whom were adopted. She is also a fairly new runner. Erin has made big strides since going out for her first run three years ago. She has greatly improved her pace, run multiple marathons, including Boston as a qualifier. She is now sponsored by Brooks and part of their Team program.

One of the most interesting aspects of Erin's life is her schedule. She wakes up every morning at 4:00 to go running. That's right, she runs every day.

The main focus to most of our blogs and podcasts is running. Well, there is a three sport event that includes running, biking and swimming. The sport of triathlon! This week I spoke with Kristy Petrillo, an experienced triathlete with tons of tips for newbies. Her introduction to athletics started with the triathlon. Since beginning to compete, she has run a few half marathons.

For her, the triathlon is a great way to fit in cross training. I think she's right! The triathlon is something we should all try at some point, even if it's just the sprint distance. The triathlon is an easy way to train different muscles, as each sport focuses highly on a different muscle.

This is our 25th podcast episode! We are so excited to already have 25 episodes. Be sure you tune in to the podcast to hear about a special giveaway in honor of the 25th episode!

The diet of a runner is very important. Food is what keeps our bodies sustained to run all the miles we do. We've talked to many runners on the WalkJogRun podcast who have shared their views in conversation from everything from eating meat, to eating vegetarian.

Many people have big goals when it comes to running. Some of us hope to get to Boston someday, while others of us simply wish to compete in the local 5k at the end of the month. This week we interviewed Katie Visco, who ran 3,200 miles in nine months. She ran from Boston to San Diego and became the youngest female to ever run across America.

Many companies are taking great efforts to ensure that they foster health and fitness in the workplace. Some are thinking of new and innovative ways to support employee exercise and overall well-being. Sitting at your desk for eight hours a day isn't exactly the best for your health.

A recent study by the University of South Carolina looked at the effects of sitting all day. Those who sat all day were much more likely to die of heart disease. NPR wrote a great article on the study.

Epidemiologist Steven Blair, a professor of public health at the University of South Carolina, has spent 40 years investigating physical activity and health.

"Let's say you do 30 minutes of walking five days a week (as recommended by federal health officials), and let's say you sleep for eight hours," Blair says. "Well, that still leaves 15.5 hours" in the day.

So if we know all of this about the risk factors of sitting all day and the health benefits of exercise, what is being done? Many businesses are taking health and fitness to work. This week we interviewed Gus Isacson, Executive Director of the Central Lakeview Merchants Association. He is taking health and fitness into the workplace by conducting board meetings on the run. That's right, board meetings on the run!

Beer running is getting pretty popular. I interviewed The Beer Runner who told me all about his run streak and beer streak. The Beer Runner started his streaks on October 04, 2010 and since has not missed a day of running...or drinking beer.

For all of us who participate in races, we may have never thought about all the hard work put in by those behind the scenes. Marathons can have thousands of race photographers, all present to try to take the best, most attractive photo. This week we interviewed a photographer who has been taking photos at races since 2005.

It's podcast Friday! This week I learned so much from The Run Commuters who explained everything they know about running to work. Running to work is gaining popularity, and The Run Commuters blog about their experiences on their website. In this podcast they explain how they got started, and how you can too!

Starting a run streak is a great way to commit yourself to running. Stuart Calderwood, Senior Editor at New York Road Runners, recently hit a 25 year run streak milestone. The United States Running Streak Association, Inc. compiled a list of people who run every day. The record for running every day is currently 43 years, set by Mark Covert of California. There is also an international run streak list.