Episode 8 - How My Running Journey Continues to Shape the Way I Coach

Episode Summary:

In this episode, Alison shares some of her running journey and how it continues to shape the way she coaches. From starting at an early age with her mom, to becoming obsessed in her 20s after, to struggling to find her way back postpartum, and running through grief after the loss of her daughter, each experience shaped the way she coaches. That last part is a big reason why she now integrates both mental and physical well-being into her coaching, emphasizing breathwork, nervous system regulation, and progressive training that respects the body's unique needs.

Key Takeaways:

• Running is a lifelong journey: Running, how it feels and what it means to you can change over the years. Let yourself and your training evolve with it.
• Pregnancy often reveals the invisible ink: Pregnancy often exposes pre-existing but unnoticed weaknesses and imbalances in a runner’s body, offering an opportunity to revisit the foundations and improve your running overall.
• Running can be a powerful coping mechanism for stress but can also tip the scales in the wrong direction in periods of intense stress.
• Holistic coaching philosophy:  Training is not just about the miles, paces and biomechanics. It’s important to include mental and physical well-being, focusing on breathwork, nervous system regulation, and adapting training to account for life's external stresses.

Time Stamps:

[00:00] - My early years of running.

[04:52] - Becoming obsessed and the path toward making coaching my career

[10:09] - Postpartum struggles and pelvic floor dysfunction.

[21:00] - Running through the loss of my daughter 

[28:28] - My coaching philosophy and programs/resources offered

Resources Mentioned:

You can find all of the coaching and resources mentioned HERE.

Quotes:

After my first full and a few beers, I was presently surprised by my performance and I asked my significant other at the time if he thought I could qualify for Boston. I ”only” had to shave 20 minutes off my time. Well, long story short or long story longer, it depends on how you look at it. I think that's where my real obsession began because that dude laughed at me and it was on after that.”

“I was so anxious to get back to running. My identity is so wrapped up in being a runner and has been for my whole life. It's my stress relief. It's my me time. It's the source of most of my friendship, my main mode of physical fitness.”

“I mean, in many different ways in all of my life, and even especially this time, I tried to use running to escape the pain, which is impossible to do. When it comes to life stress outside of running, you cannot outrun them."

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