Running On Om

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ROO #88: Julia Bleasdale on Running on Track and Trails

JUL_BLE052 copyJulia Bleasdale is a professional runner from Great Britain and Olympian.

In the episode, Julia tells her story of how she got into running from balancing her passions for running and music in her youth to running competitively at Cambridge University. She reveals the challenging transition to professional running and how she overcame injury. Julia reflects on her incredible experience running in her home country for the 2012 London Olympics and her racing strategy behind running both the 5k and 10k at the Olympics. She discusses what inspired her to first travel to run in Ethiopia, including advice for training at high altitude and her personal training philosophy. Julia shares her love of trails, from her recent trip to Italy to run with Salomon’s trail running team to a recap of her recent win at the Greensand Trail Marathon. She explains how to balance periods of rest and recovery in one’s training and offers her unique viewpoint on the pros and cons of not running with a watch. Julia explains her perspective on why Ethiopian runners are among the best in the world. Lastly, Julia previews what she is excited about in her progression to the 2016 Olympics.

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ROO #87: Rene Kalmer on Loving Running Throughout One’s Lifetime

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Rene Kalmer is a professional runner and Olympian from South Africa.

In the episode, Rene tells the story of how she got into running, from her first cross country race at the age of 10 to her breakthrough running year at the age of 16. She reveals the secret to her longterm success as a deep love of running. Rene recounts her dreams of becoming an Olympian, watching fellow South African female runners Elana Meyer and Zola Budd from a young age. She explains how she transitioned from running the 1500 meter at the 2008 Beijing Olympics to running the marathon at the 2012 Olympics. Rene shares details of her marathon training, including key workouts and her relationship with Christine, her sister and training partner. She provides insight on the importance of listening to your body and how she practices this on a daily basis. Rene discusses why she left teaching to pursue running full-time. She recaps her recent experience at the Berlin Marathon where she placed 9th in a time of 2:29:27. Rene describes how she overcomes the mental challenges that are experienced during a marathon. She reflects on her three-week stay in Ethiopia, including her most memorable run and her perspective on why Ethiopian runners are among the best in the world. Rene notes the support of her family as paramount to her success. Lastly, Rene previews her journey in qualifying for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

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ROO #86: Joseph Kibur on Running as a Business and Life Path

Joseph ROOJoseph Kibur is a runner, founder of the Yaya Village and cofounder of the Yaya Girls Running Program.

Joseph was born in Ethiopia and moved to Canada at the age of 11. He had tremendous success in the Canadian running scene, where he at the age of 16 set the then North American 1500 meter high school record and in 1993 was the Canadian Cross Country National Champion. After his time running at Simon Fraser University, he launched NetNation Communications, Inc., a Vancouver-based web hosting company. He has since returned to Ethiopia with his family and continued to develop various businesses and charities in his home country, including the Yaya Village Hotel which is a premier high altitude training center and home to the Yaya Girls Program.

In the episode, Joseph tells the story of how he got into running, from his first race to how running kept him out of trouble in his youth. He recounts how his 1993 Canadian Cross Country National Championship win was unexpected. Joseph discusses the logistics of running competitively at Simon Fraser University with only three days a week of running training due to his injury-prone history. He reflects on how the lessons he learned from running helped him establish his successful NetNation Communications Company. Joseph describes his return to Ethiopia and his journey starting the Yaya Village. He explains why he choose to focus on helping female runners with the Yaya Girls Program instead of male runners. Joseph offers his unique insider-outsider perspective on why Ethiopian runners are among the best in the world. He provides insight on the power of letting go in finding one’s work-life balance. Joseph honors two of his mentors, including his Coach George Gluppe and fellow Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie. Lastly, he reveals races on his bucket list and upcoming projects.

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ROO #85: Ashton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton on the Journey of Training Together

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Ashton and Brianne Theisen-Eaton are a powerhouse track and field athlete duo.

Ashton is an American decathlete and Olympic champion, who holds the world record in both the decathlon and heptathlon events. Brianne is a Canadian heptathlete and pentathlete, who is an Olympian from London 2012, holds the Canadian record for the indoor pentathlon, is a heptathlon silver medallist from the 2013 World Championships, and a pentathlon silver medallist from the 2014 World Indoor Championships.

In the episode, Ashton and Brianne describe each other in three words. They explain how they cultivate a competitive, yet supportive mindset in their training together. Ashton and Brianne recount the story of they met. They discuss the logistics of training together on a daily basis. Ashton and Brianne reveal their favorite and most challenging events in their multi-sports. They reflect on the proudest moment they have experienced when watching each other compete. Ashton and Brianne recap Ashton’s world record decathlon, including the nerves they both experienced with his 1500 meter event. They provide a glimpse into how they unplug in their offseason. Ashton and Brianne preview their upcoming calendar as they prepare for the 2016 Olympics. Lastly, they offer wise advice on staying injury-free.

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ROO #22: Ryan DeBell on CrossFit and The Movement Fix

1780688_1387481761524354_335874739_nRyan DeBell is a CrossFit athlete, chiropractic doctor, director of Pacific Sports and Spine, and founder of the Movement Fix.

Ryan is a life-long athlete and found CrossFit during college. After studying business in undergraduate, Ryan went on to complete his masters degree in sports and exercise science and received a doctorate of chiropractic degree. He was inspired to open his own sports medicine clinic in Washington state called Pacific Sports and Spine that works primarily with CrossFit athletes. Ryan developed The Movement Fix to share his ideas and courses that he teaches on CrossFit and functional exercise.

In this episode we discuss Ryan’s athletics background and how he was first introduced to CrossFit. Ryan shares his thoughts on CrossFit, from the difference between training and competing to what injuries are most common among CrossFit athletes. Ryan discusses he Paleo diet and his relationship with it. Lastly, Ryan reveals whats ahead for 2014 and advice for those interested in trying CrossFit.

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