In this episode we get a chance to speak with Megan DeHaan, a mother, rancher, ultrarunner, and race director. Megan shares her unique journey from her first-ever race postpartum to directing the challenging Crazy Mountain 100 ultramarathon in Montana. Balancing life on a ranch with her passion for running, Megan discusses the realities of motherhood, ranch life, and the thrill of ultrarunning. Her story is a testament to the strength and resilience of running moms everywhere.

Key Takeaways:

1. Motherhood and Running: Megan highlights how running helped her combat postpartum depression and find a community.
2. Ranch Life: Insights into the demanding yet rewarding lifestyle of ranching in Montana, including balancing work with running and family life.
3. Ultramarathon Journey: From her first trail race to directing her own 100-mile race, Megan's ultrarunning story is filled with determination and adventure.
4. Race Directing Challenges: Behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to organize an ultramarathon in the rugged Montana mountains.
5. Community and Support: The importance of community in both the running and ranching worlds, showcasing how support systems are crucial for success.

Welcome to another episode of Run Hard Mom Hard! Our guest, Rachel Drake, shares her insightful journey through pregnancy, postpartum, and her return to competitive trail running. As a professional athlete sponsored by Nike Trail, Osprey, and Spring Energy while simultaneously pursuing a Ph.D., Rachel opens up about the challenges and triumphs of being a mother, athlete, and student.

Key Takeaways:

1. Mom Guilt and Training: Rachel talks about the reality of mom guilt in training and balancing family life with her passion for running.
2. Training Through Pregnancy and Postpartum: She shares her experiences training during and after pregnancy, including dealing with injuries and adapting her routine.
3. Professional and Personal Balance: Rachel discusses how she balances her professional commitments with her personal life, emphasizing the importance of taking care of oneself.
4. Future Goals and Races: She shares her upcoming goals, including her aspiration to participate in the Western States 100 and her training approach for the Black Canyons race.

Notable Quotes:

1. "It's important to trust your body and intuition postpartum; don't rush the process." - Rachel Drake
2. "Having kids does make you a better athlete in a lot of different ways." - Rachel Drake
3. "It's okay not to 'bounce back'; embrace the journey of getting to know your new body." - Rachel Drake

Links Mentioned in Episode:

• Nike Trail: Nike Trail Running
• Osprey Packs: Osprey Running Packs
• Spring Energy: @spring_energy
• Rachel Drake's Instagram

Rachel Drake's story is a powerful testimony to the strength and resilience of mother-runners. Her journey offers valuable insights and inspiration to mothers who are navigating the complex world of parenting and pursuing their passions in running and beyond.

----------- Subscribe to Run Hard Mom Hard for more inspiring stories. Share your own experiences and thoughts on this episode using #RunHardMomHard on social media. Stay tuned for our next episode!

Nicole is a mom, dental hygienist, and passionate ultra runner. She has completed four 100-mile races in the last 2 years, including the Arkansas Traveler 100 where she set a new course record - beating Ann Trasons record! Nicole is definetely someone to keep your eye on because she's taking this sport to a new height

Nicole shares her journey as a mom and ultra runner, discussing how she got started in running and her transition to longer-distance races. She provides insights into her training and preparation for the Arkansas Traveler 100, where she set a new course record. Nicole also shares her experiences during the race, including the challenges she faced and the mental strategies she used to stay focused. She offers valuable advice for moms who want to get into ultra running, emphasizing the importance of finding balance and not comparing oneself to others.​

Key Takeaways:

• Nicole's love for running began in college and gradually evolved into a passion for longer-distance races.
• She prioritizes effort and fueling during both training and races.
• Nicole faced challenges with hydration and the urge to pee during the Arkansas Traveler 100.
• She recommends getting a coach and finding training partners to make the ultra-running journey more enjoyable.
• Nicole emphasizes the significance of not comparing oneself to others and finding joy in the process of running.

​**Quotes:**​-

• "No matter if you were winning or if you were dead last, do you still love it? Would you still be choosing this? And the answer is yes." - Nicole
• "You have to compete with the best to be your best." - Nicole
• "It's not about the pace, it's about the effort." - Nicole

Today, we have a special announcement - Ashley Nordell is going to be a guest host while Nikki is studying overseas! We're going to miss Nikki so much, but SHE WILL BE BACK!

On the podcast today, Ashley and Stef are talking about their 100 milers or attempts at one. Listen in to get all the details!

We're here this week with some life updates - Nikki's upcoming move to the UK, Stef's daughter's health struggles, and we also hear about Stef's latest 50 mile race and how her training is going for her upcoming 100miler in September! Tune in and enjoy! Lots of love to you all out there today!

We’re back this week with an awesome conversation with Martha Slocomb - an ultrarunner, mom, ordained minister, and yoga instructor out of Omaha, Nebraska! We talk with Martha about (all the) things like how she became who she is today, the integrated connection between body and soul, and how “we were made to run - mind, body, spirit” because of the healthy, rejuvenating place it puts us in as humans. Martha shares a saying from yoga, “May all beings benefit from this practice”, which can be applied to our running and how it is a ripple effect. If you do something that makes you feel whole and calm, everyone you interact with afterwards will benefit from your calmness and maybe become more regulated themselves. We also hear how running can be a spiritual and mindful practice by shifting our attention to the present, slowing our breathing, and being curious and noticing (not judging) what is around us and the feelings inside our bodies. While training and racing, we can take our focus off achievement - instead, tuning into gratitude and seeing races as opportunities, recognizing that not all opportunities work out or can be taken as parents but opportunities flow and we can believe that more will come down the road. We also hear about some of Martha’s FKT endeavors and she encourages women to get out and try it - especially routes that have never been logged by a woman (you don’t have to be fast, you just have to be first)! They are fun, low pressure challenges that set the stage for other women doing FKTs too. It was really enjoyable having a chance to reflect on our relationship with running, ponder why we do it and wonder how we could be more intentional about it. Huge thank you to Martha for giving us her time and wisdom!

Resources: Calm appTonies meditations for kids Balance app with kid meditations Circle round stories/ podcast Cosmic Kids YogaHunt, Gather, Parent book Snoop dogg meditations/affirmations song

Sponsors: Treeline Coffee - pick up a bag of our YOU GOT THIS coffee blend KÜHL - check out their lightweight, technical outdoor clothing! We love their water resistant Weekendr Tight for anything and anywhere!

This week we get to talk with Melissa - a Canadian ultrarunner and mom of two living babies and one, Baby Googoo, in the heavens

Melissa connects with people on and off the trail who are living with grief. She is a great resource and advocate for women that have experienced pregnancy and infant loss - or grief of any kind (as Melissa says, though our stories might not look the same it doesn’t mean our feelings aren’t relatable). She is creating the kinds of safe spaces where women can talk about loss, find support for mental health and stop apologizing for crying when they’re sad. As moms, we can feel the need to protect our children and the people around us, often times from our own feelings when in actuality it’s ok to be sad and honest about our emotions and it shows our kids that they have permission to be human and feel all their feelings too. Melissa reminds us that grief and happiness can coexist and she shares how she has found healing through trail running, learning to trust her body again and reuniting with her Algonquin Métis roots that encourage her to be more present and a part of the interconnectedness of nature.

Melissa finds a way to dig in and help with things she’s passionate about. What I mean, is that she is an ultra runner, but also became the VP of the Association of Canadian Ultramarathoners supporting Canadian athletes. She suffered pregnancy loss, but also heads the social media and marketing team for the Pregnancy And Infant Loss Support Centre in Canada. You get the gist, she’s a mover and a shaker and doing amazing things that reach out into many communities!

A huge thank you to Melissa for being vulnerable with us and inviting us into the hard and beautiful parts of humanity! Listen wherever you find your podcasts, don’t forget to share this one with anyone else who might need these powerful messages! Thank you!

Show Notes:

Follow Melissa on Instagram

Check out Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Centre (counseling is free even for people in the US!!)

Book Recommendations from Melissa:

Braiding Sweetgrass

We Are Water Protectors

Pick up a bag of our YOU GOT THIS coffee from Treeline Coffee using code RUNHARD10 for 10% off your order!

Hi friends!! This week we have a riveting story hour with Ashley Nordell! Ashley tells us about her November Unsupported FKT attempt on the Ozark Highlands Trail in Arkansas, where there were no dull moments to say the least! Tune in for some suspense, some laughter, and some lessons on rolling with the punches, the true power of sleep deprivation and how women in our sport might go about tackling their own trail adventures! It's always a pleasure chatting with Ashley, hope you enjoy this convo as much as we did!

Show Notes:

Follow Ashley Nordell on Instagram

Ashley coaches with TeamRunRun

Pick up a bag of our "YOU GOT THIS" Treeline Coffee Blend and use code RUNHARD10 for 10% off!