In this week’s episode, I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Dr. Kate Edwards, a physical therapist with more than 15 years of experience and someone who brings so much compassion and clarity to the running community. From the very beginning, I knew this conversation would resonate deeply with runners who struggle with identity, injury, stress, or the constant pressure to “do it all.”

Kate shares how her journey into running medicine was shaped not only by her clinical background but also by her own experiences navigating significant health challenges. That perspective gives her a rare depth of understanding — one that so many runners will feel seen and supported by.

We spend a lot of time talking about athletic identity, because it’s something I see runners wrestle with every single day. It’s so easy for running to become the biggest part of who we are… until something shifts. Injury, life changes, burnout, or even a tough training cycle can shake that identity. Kate and I dig into why building a more balanced sense of self not only supports your emotional well-being but also plays a major role in injury prevention and longevity in the sport.

We also explore the true complexity of running injuries, RED-S, stress, fueling (especially for female runners), and why understanding yourself as a whole human — not just an athlete — is essential for long-term health. Kate does an incredible job unpacking these topics in a way that feels both empowering and practical, giving runners a clearer picture of how their body, mind, and lifestyle all fit together.

If you’ve ever felt “less than” when you’re not running your best, or if you’re craving a more sustainable, joyful relationship with your training, this conversation is absolutely for you.

Connect with Dr. Kate Edwards:
https://www.fastbananas.com/
https://www.instagram.com/katemihevcedwards/

05:22 The Importance of Athletic Identity

12:01 The Impact of Injury on Identity

13:41 Finding New Outlets and Coping Strategies

23:00 Understanding Running Injuries

26:30 The Role of Physical Therapists

28:13 Stress and Its Impact on Runners

35:51 Understanding Relative Energy Deficiency in Sp

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

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Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

December has a way of shining a spotlight on our default habits. With holiday schedules, travel, celebrations, and a million extra to-dos, it’s easy to feel like your running routine gets thrown off track. But here’s what you might not realize: December doesn’t break your consistency— it simply reveals the defaults you fall back on when life gets full.

In this episode, we talk about how to shift those defaults so you can stay connected to your identity as a runner, even in the busiest season of the year.

You’ll hear us dive into:

• Consistency over performance — December isn’t about PRs; it’s about showing up in small, doable ways.
• Minimum viable dose training — How to keep your body and nervous system supported with simple, intentional movement.
• Adopting new, supportive habits — So you don’t feel like you’re “starting over” in January.
• Simplifying your routine — Letting go of perfection and choosing what matters most.
• Small wins to build momentum — Because they count (and add up).
• Guidance for January racers — How to stay focused without overwhelming yourself.
  
  

This is your reminder to give yourself grace, move with intention, and stay rooted in the identity of “I’m a runner,” even when the month gets busy.

Tune in and let’s make December work for you, not against you.

01:18 The Challenge of December for Runners

02:59 Maintaining Consistency Amidst Chaos

03:41 Reframing December: Protecting Momentum

06:07 The Impact of Stress and Routine Disruption

12:08 Overcoming All or Nothing Thinking

15:46 Shifting Focus: From Performance to Consistency

17:44 Minimum Viable Dose Training

21:01 The Intentional Mile Challenge

22:11 The Benefits of Outdoor Exercise

23:12 Maintaining Routine and Identity

24:11 Always Something: Alternatives to Running

25:47 Consistency and Its Long-Term Benefits

29:02 Training Through December: Practical Tips

33:52 Preparing for a Race in December

39:27 Setting Intentions and Practical Takeaways

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

This week’s episode is all about something we all need a little more of—gratitude, grounding, and giving ourselves grace through the holidays.

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, we’re diving into simple, practical ways you can weave gratitude into your running and daily life. Not in a “force yourself to be grateful” kind of way, but in a gentle, real, “let’s slow down and notice what’s good” way. From a 30-second pre-run gratitude pause to a post-run cool-down chat with yourself, these tiny practices can completely shift your mindset, your training, and honestly… how you feel about your body.

We also talk openly about something many runners struggle with but don’t always discuss—holiday food anxiety. The pressure, the comments, the guilt, the urge to “earn your food”… we’re not doing that this year. I walk you through how to approach holiday meals with more compassion, less fear, and a lot more presence so you can actually enjoy the season without feeling like you’re betraying your goals or your body.

And because consistency can get tough this time of year, we share strategies to help you stay connected to your training without feeling rigid or overwhelmed. Spoiler: flexibility and grace are part of the plan.

We also introduce our brand-new 30-Day Running Reset inside the new RLR app, built to help you rebuild your foundation, reconnect with your body, and fit running, strength, and mobility into real life—even during the busiest season. The app makes it easy, doable, and supportive, so you don’t have to figure things out alone.

As always, we close with a huge dose of gratitude for you—our community. You’re the reason this podcast continues to grow, and it means the world when you leave a review or share the show with another runner who might need it.

Take a breath, take a moment, and let’s step into this holiday season grounded and grateful—together.

01:28 The Power of Gratitude

06:19 Gratitude in Running

13:45 Thanksgiving Food Anxiety

22:09 Reprogramming Your Relationship with Food

22:27 Fueling Your Body for Performance

24:32 The Myth of Ketogenic Diets for Athletes

25:39 Enjoying Holiday Meals Without Guilt

27:55 Training Through the Holiday Season

33:49 Maintaining Consistency and Identity as a Runner

Join the 30 Day Running Reset and get a plan that will help you build a strong and injury-proof body by combining running and strength training in a way that actually works for runners like you.

Gain access to my new secret podcast, Unbreakable: The Runner's Guide To Injury-Proofing Your Body After 40. Click here: https://www.realliferunners.com/secret

Join the Team! --> https://www.realliferunners.com/team

Thanks for Listening!!

Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!

Come find us on Instagram and say hi!

Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.