Here's a link to listen to this week's episode.
Guest: Stephanie Perry @stephannperry
Show Notes:
Stephanie Perry is the Assistant Director of Community & Public Relations at the City of Fishers. After 18 hard months, Stephanie became a marathoner at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon last November 2024, something she never thought was possible.
During this episode, sponsored by Previnex, we talk about:
- Having imposter syndrome about being a runner since she doesn’t run fast
- The Indy Mini that just happened on 5/3/25 and how she doesn’t love it
- A little bit about my Mini with Ainsley’s Angel
- Mom life and having a husband who also runs
- Why she signed up for her first half marathon
- Starting an informal run club at the City of Fishers where she works to run during lunch
- How we’re both over going above and beyond to host parties (Thank you, Mel Robbins)
- Running at Lake Wawasee in Syracuse, IN and our love of vacation runs
- Nutrition and how she used to refuse to stop for water during races
- Her 18 month marathon training journey
- The 8 Hour Endurance Race around Butler University
- Life outside of running working for the City of Fishers (where she lives)
- The Geist Half Marathon
Sponsor Details:
- Previnex - Use ALLY15 for 15% off your first order
GoFundMe for Patrick Holden who passed away after the Indy Mini
Episode Transcript
[00:00:00] This is a Sandy Boy Productions podcast.
Welcome to Finish Lines and Milestones, a podcast for the everyday runner. I'm your host, Allie Brett Knocker, and if you run, you are a runner and every runner has a story. Join me each Friday as I share these stories and we cross finish lines and celebrate milestones together.
I am still riding such a big high from the Indie mini marathon. That was this past weekend in Indianapolis. It is an iconic half marathon and 5K that goes through downtown. Also runs around the track at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is where the Indie 500 takes place, and I have so much to say about this weekend.
That I cannot put it all into this episode. So I'm working on a recap, which always takes me [00:01:00] forever, but I will get there. So I did the expo, I had an event, and I also ran the race. It was a ton of work, but it was so rewarding and it was the best. I cannot wait until next year. So first, before I forget, I wanna thank everybody who is involved in the, I'll have another live show with Lindsay Hein who came in town.
And we had an event at the Bottleworks Hotel, so shout out to Bottleworks where we had a live podcast featuring Cameron Balzer, who's been on this podcast before. Go listen to that episode. And then Kim Conley, a two time Olympian. Cameron was the one who ran around the perimeter of the United States, by the way.
So we had two incredibly different and very impressive runners. And a room full of some of my most favorite people. So it was simply the best thank you to everybody who helped make it possible. Bottleworks Brooks running athletic annex athlete bouquets. That's my own business. Bittick proven [00:02:00] x, transcend training and performance.
Project Lean Nation and Stretch Lab. So if you were at the event and didn't have time to dig in and chat with our sponsors, please go show them some love even if you weren't there. These are great organizations, both local and national that you can support. And thank you of course to Lindsay for allowing me to do this with her.
it's all because I'm now part of Sandy Boy Productions podcast network that I get amazing opportunities like this and we hope to do it. Who knows, year over year. And then congratulations to. Alan Eric Ello, who won our onsite giveaway that we forgot to give away in person.
We pulled the attendees and did a random spin after the fact, and Alan happens to be the president of the Fisher's Run Club, which is very relevant to today's conversation, which we will get into. And he's also going to be on this podcast very soon, so stay tuned. You'll get to know Alan better. He was on crutches and in a boot at the event.
So thank you, Alan, for coming out. And then a couple other things I wanted to talk about. So, Ainsley's Angels, which if you're watching the [00:03:00] video, I am in my hot pink sweatshirt, which I now wanna live in. Ainsley's Angels is an organization that helps give people the opportunity to experience a finish line without being able to run.
So. I pushed with my friend Ashley Schwab, who did it with me last year, and then her friend Lindsay joined us as well. There were three of us, which helped share the load, and then my friend Alyssa, and then, Christy D and Rachel Senders, they all pushed as well, and they got to push. The twin sister to our girl.
So our girl's name is Lin. , Their twin's name is Kaylin, and their mom is Renee. She has an incredible story all on her own. Again, I could go into this here, but I'm gonna save it for my recap. And just looking back at the pictures of Lin's Smile. Fills me up. And if you have any interest in running with Ainsley's Angels, you can go to their website, ainsleys angels.org.
You can join and that will get you information about upcoming events that you can participate in with them. And I found out that at the Marine Corps [00:04:00] marathon that I signed up to do with Ainsley's Angels, there's not two runners. There's one. So I'm panicking a little bit about my training. Marine Corps is a hilly race, but it's so iconic and it means a lot to Ainsley's Angels.
I got to meet her dad and talk to him, and so I'm just feeling even more inspired and called to participate in a full marathon with Ainsley's Angels. So I. Another thing you might've heard about if you're local is that a young man sadly passed away after running the Indie Mini. He was only 29. His name's Pat Holden and he leaves behind a wife.
They just moved to New York City. He had a job with Eli Lilly where he was. Working on cancer stuff. I mean, what a great human and so horrible to have lost him so young. So there's a GoFundMe for his wife and family that I'm gonna link in the show notes. So if you feel called to support his family, please go do that.
And then last but not least, a congratulations to my friend Gordon Strain, who was on this podcast a while [00:05:00] back. He crushed the Flying Pig Marathon, which was Sunday, the day after the Indie Mini, and I'm so proud of you, Gordon. I hope you are still celebrating. I. So this week I have Stephanie Perry on the podcast.
Stephanie just ran the Indie Binny as well, and she's been running for about seven years now. We talk about how she got into it, and now she works for the City of Fishers, which owns another local race of ours called the Geist Half Marathon. So we talk all about that, how she became a marathoner last year after taking 18 months.
To get there and you'll just really love her energy and the support she has for this running community is really inspiring. So enjoy this conversation with Stephanie Perry.
Ally Brettnacher: Good morning, Stephanie. Good
Stephanie Perry: morning. How are you? I am good. Thanks for having me on. This is so fun. Oh, absolutely. It's my favorite thing. I could talk about running all the time.
Ally Brettnacher: I am still on such a high from this weekend.
Stephanie Perry: You had such a busy weekend with your BOTTLEWORKS event, and then you have a birthday party.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, [00:06:00] my daughter turned four. Oh gosh. Last week as well. Gosh. And how you
Stephanie Perry: did that? I don't
Ally Brettnacher: either.
Stephanie Perry: That's amazing.
Ally Brettnacher: I did though, and I didn't even get sick. Knock on wood. I was thinking I would just run myself the ground. Hopefully.
Stephanie Perry: Hopefully you're okay. Yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
Stephanie Perry: You and you pushed right with, is it Ainsley's Angels or, I love that.
My husband's very intrigued to try that. Yep. Next
Ally Brettnacher: year for the 50th mini,
Stephanie Perry: oh man. We want
Ally Brettnacher: 50 teams, so,
Stephanie Perry: and you've done it a few years now, right? Twice. This is my second year. Yeah. Oh, it looks great. I watched your video at the finish line when you were tearing up. I was like sobbing. I can't wait
Ally Brettnacher: to, I just watch it whenever.
What a cool experience though. It's great. I highly recommend it. Yeah. Yeah. You and Josh should do it together. Oh, oh yeah. 'cause you have, uh, because you have, uh, two people typically. That's nice. We ended up having three because of whatever reason. But I love that.
Stephanie Perry: It was
Ally Brettnacher: nice.
Stephanie Perry: That's awesome. Yeah. You had a jam packed weekend.
The event looked amazing. It was so good on Friday. Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. So, so fun. Thanks to everybody who came. Yes. It was so fun. 'cause there's so many people At the beginning I said, who's been on the Finish Lines and Milestones podcast?
Stephanie Perry: Oh, it was like [00:07:00] half
Ally Brettnacher: and I swear like half them raised their hands and I said.
So the rest of the room, I'm coming for you. Yes. Because you're all runners and you know, we need to celebrate for sure. Every kind of runner. I love
Stephanie Perry: that. Yes,
Ally Brettnacher: for sure. Which I am excited to talk to you about today because you said you have imposter syndrome about being a runner because you don't run fast.
Okay. Which I think people relate to a lot.
Stephanie Perry: Yes. And I think this is something I'm working on, but so much of my friends who don't run, they're like, I can't get into running. I'm not fast, or I'm scared to run outside. I don't want people like seeing me struggle, you know? Yeah. I have to stay on my treadmill and it's ridiculous.
And I think even with myself, you know, I do these races and I'm like, oh my time's so slow. And you know, my husband's a much faster runner and I have friends who are faster runners, but then I'm like, okay, but I ran a marathon and, and an ultra marathon and yeah. And so, I think that that's something that keeps people from running.
And so no matter what, you're a runner and Yeah. You know, speed isn't everyone's goal. And I, I was just thinking about that. I was like, what's my next running goal? 'cause mm-hmm. It was conquering [00:08:00] the marathon and for a long time it was getting faster. And now I'm like, well, that, it's unrealistic. You're gonna PR every race.
I'm not a point in my life. Right. I'm gonna PR And so speed isn't really in my goals right now, so why let that hold me back mentally? Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yes. I It's so weird how we do that to ourselves.
Stephanie Perry: It is. It is. And yeah, I think you find the, the goal and the distance that works. I really enjoy the long runs.
I love running slow, just, tuning everything out, having my alone time. Yes. As a mom, just the mental health break and yeah, speed works great and it's important, you know, with training, but I would much rather do those long, slow runs and that's what keeps me excited and passionate about running.
Yes. so yeah, I just, I always tell my friends, they're like, I could never do what you do. It's like, well, years ago I could never run more than three miles. Yeah. And even if you're out there and you're just doing a mile, you're still running. Right. So,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Yeah. I love all the memes that it says, you know, a 15 minute [00:09:00] miles the same distance as a six, six minute mile kind of.
Yes. You're like, yeah, it is. It's true.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Well, and then I like to like, make myself feel better, and I'm like, well, I actually ran longer than this person.
Ally Brettnacher: I ran for four hours. Yeah. Instead of two. So when I
Stephanie Perry: was training, my husband and I were both trained for the marathon. He's much faster. And so. You know, I was like, okay, I'm on my feet a lot longer.
and it's a different approach to training when you're gonna be on that, your feet that long. Yeah. But, yeah, I mean, obviously, approaching my second marathon this year, I'd love to PR because I only have one to compare it to. Yeah. But you know, more than that, I really wanna tackle a 50 K and, get even further and longer.
So, so cool. Yeah. I love that.
Ally Brettnacher: So let's talk about the mini since we just had it. Oh
Stephanie Perry: my
Ally Brettnacher: gosh. It was, so how many times have you done the Indie mini.
Stephanie Perry: So I have done it. I think this is my fourth year. I've only really gotten into running, seven years ago when I turned 30. So this is my fourth time doing it.
It was canceled like two years, right? With Covid? Yeah. Yeah. 20 and [00:10:00] 21. And so, honestly, I don't really like the Indy Mini. I feel it's very controversial to say, it's, you know, I, it's never been my race. It's never been a race that I've done great at. It was my first half. So it has that special place in my heart.
And it was the year it down poured. I'm trying
Ally Brettnacher: to remember.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah, I think it was like night 18 or 19. It literally
Ally Brettnacher: rained the entire time. I think that's the one where I have these after party photos where I'm wearing a trash bag. Oh yeah. I'm pretty sure that was the year it
Stephanie Perry: was my and I.
But you know what, I made it through. Yeah. And so it does have a place in my heart. I ran it this year with some friends who have never done a half. Oh, that's so fun. And you know, it's such an iconic race, but, monumental. That's my, that's my race right there. Yeah. You know, I love caramel, but this honestly was my worst half marathon.
Ally Brettnacher: By time or experience or Yeah, both.
Stephanie Perry: Both. It was, you know, time was not great. It was not my day. It was like everything went wrong. And I say this I'm lucky, you know, I didn't get hurt.
Ally Brettnacher: [00:11:00] yeah,
Stephanie Perry: you know, I'm able to race, I'm healthy. But, starting off I looked down at Gear Check to put my gels in my shorts.
I wore the wrong shorts. Like, how do you wear. Oh, the wrong shorts. They were laying right next to my race day outfit, so I didn't have the pocket that I was gonna put my gels in. And so, you know, start, start it off. And I was running with those you can edge gels. Those are big. Yeah. Yeah. They have a more than like the goose.
And so I stuffed them in my pocket with my phone, so it's like jam full, you know? Yeah. And then at some point during the race, I lost my last gel because I took my phone out and it must have, I have no idea where it fell out. I went to take it. So that threw me off. my water bottle handheld leaked everywhere.
It was a new, Nathan's handheld to buy
Ally Brettnacher: Nathan's leaks. I don't know, swear. I, I mean they make nice products. Okay. But like, the one I have, I, what's wrong with, with it nuts. And I was running
Stephanie Perry: and I was like, why am I getting wet? Is it raining? Is someone like spilling their water? And I looked down and my handheld at had been full [00:12:00] 'cause I had been pouring the water cups into it.
Completely empty. I'm like soaked with water. So obviously that threw me off. At one point I dropped my headphones and this guy's like your headphones, so I have to go back. Oh my gosh. Um, so it was just lots of little things. And then this is the first half I've had to pee like I had, I was like, I gotta stop.
Yeah. And then you waste, I counted, it was like nine minutes standing in. Oh no. The porta potty line. Just watching. Where did you stop to use the bathroom? So it was like right before the track?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: mile. What is that? Like five? Yeah, five. So it's like in that building? No, I didn't go to the building. I stopped before you go Main Street Speedway.
Because I was like, is the building gonna be crazy? 'cause everyone stops rights? Yeah. You'd rather not have a four to five there. But the first few miles, the line was long. I was like, okay, I'm gonna wait. And usually I'm like, I'll just keep running. I won't have to pee anymore. But no. So then I wasted nine minutes and when that happened I lost my friend.
and it was her first half and she crushed it, but I couldn't catch up to her. Right.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: And [00:13:00] so worst time, lots of little things and then you just get in this like negative head space. Yeah. And I was texting my husband 'cause he was already at the finish line 'cause he is fast and he's like, you need to like fix your attitude.
I'm like, I know, but you know, you know you're not going to catch up at that point. Yeah. so it wasn't great to answer your original question. Yeah. But you're raised, I mean, what an awesome experience
Ally Brettnacher: to be able to do that. Yeah. That, so that's another opportunity to plug Ainsley's Angels because actually, okay.
So I've never. Used a port of party in a race ever. Did you have to this time? And I didn't. Oh. But our girl did. Yeah. So we, for people who are catching up or may not know, so Ainsley's Angels is an organization where you can push people who can't run. Mm-hmm. And so our girl has Down syndrome and she, her name's Emmalyn and she's 13 and she has a twin sister.
And they were the best, absolutely the best. Oh. So anyway, she's like, you know, smiling from ear to ear. Yeah. And then all of a sudden she's not, and I'm like, something is [00:14:00] wrong. I don't know what's wrong, but I could tell she was unhappy. Mm-hmm. And at first I thought it was the sun in her eyes because the sun finally came out.
Mm-hmm. And so we're like, do you want a hat? Do you want our sunglasses? And I could just tell like that. Okay. That wasn't it. And so finally I'm like, we've been giving her water and Gatorade every time we passed an aid station. Oh yeah. And I was like, do you have to go to the bathroom? And she did. And I'm like, okay.
So we, were lucky and there was like literally right up ahead there were porta-potties, but so we stopped and I got to pee too, which was kind of nice actually. Yeah. Yeah. Uh, but she locked herself in the porta potty, Stephanie. And we were like, what do we do? Because I don't know how long it's supposed to take her to go to the bathroom.
Oh my gosh. Or if she meets my boss. Oh my gosh. And she wouldn't let us go in with her. And so we just kind of stood outside the porta-potty, in a panic. okay, what happens if she like doesn't come out? Or, you know,
Stephanie Perry: did you know she was locked? 'cause she was like banging on the door.
Ally Brettnacher: No, she wasn't like trapped inside, but she was just doing her thing.
Right. But we're just like, does she need our help? [00:15:00] Yes. I mean, she's 13. Yeah. She's, you know, but, but we don't know. And so that was pretty wild. And it was an interesting experience. I had called her mom in a panic and she couldn't hear me. 'cause there was like a DJ right next to us.
Mm-hmm. Anyway, it was quite an experience, but what was cool about that? Mm-hmm. It was like up until that point. My friend Ashley, who I ran with last year as well, was like, come on. Like, she's like trying to get me to go fast and I'm like, slow down, I'm gonna die.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. And I've had
Ally Brettnacher: such a weekend.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: but you know, it humbles you when you have to stop and take care of someone else and you're just like, yeah, this is what matters.
Not the time. Yeah. And so it was kind of cool to pause and, you know, just realize that
Stephanie Perry: yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: it doesn't really matter. The time doesn't matter. That's not why we were out there.
Stephanie Perry: Well, and that, I think embracing that, like so often I don't let myself have fun because it's like, I'm not kissing the bricks, I'm not taking photos.
you know, that the previous years I've done it and I kind of kicked myself this year. Last year I got a donut from Dave Cobra. Oh
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
Stephanie Perry: And it was fun. But then I kind of regretted [00:16:00] eating the donut, uh, later in the race. I was like, Ugh. Was
Ally Brettnacher: it a full donut or donut bowl? It was a
Stephanie Perry: full donut last year.
Okay. But, Yeah. I think that's the thing is like when I ran the monumental, my first marathon last year, my goal, I had no time goal and it was like, let's just have fun. And because of that there, it removed that pressure. Yeah. And I was like, I think I need to start approaching that more with these halves because every half, in the back of your mind it's like I want a PR and just having fun is what it's all about.
And you know, and so I should have had a better attitude. I shouldn't have let it get to me. But
Ally Brettnacher: you know, I mean that's so much easier said than done. Especially in the moment, especially when it sucks when you're on the track because the track is two and a half miles. I know. It feels like forever. For sure.
At least the weather was really good.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Yeah. The weather was good. I was, it was a little humid at first. It was hot, but then it like cooled down. Yeah. Yeah. And the mini's always a little tricky. 'cause sometimes it's hot. Yes. Sometimes it's cold. and that's another reason I think the monumental, I love, I'm like, usually it's [00:17:00] always kind of brisk.
Yeah. Like. You kind of know what you're getting. But, Carmel also, were you supposed to run Carmel? Right. So, got canceled.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. That was such a bummer. I decided not to run. Okay. Which was a big deal for me because I was signed up for the half. Oh, you were? I really wanted to. Okay. And, but then the race decided that they were gonna put me at mile 20 for like a cheer zone.
And I'm like, you know what? I can miss a year. It's not a big deal. Yeah. And I can just focus on cheering. And I was doing the expo too. So again, kind of like my weekend with the mini, there was a lot of stuff. I was like, something's gotta give. I'll just, I won't run. And so thankfully sort of, I wasn't planning on running, but I had met so many people at the expo.
Yeah. Like their first marathon or, you know, you name it, love that love and you're just like, man,
Stephanie Perry: those are the people I was thinking about that morning is like, it wasn't a race I was really trained for. I didn't have to travel for it. It wasn't my first, half or full. Right. Yeah. And I just, ugh.
My heartfelt for those people that no, you know, had trained so much for that day and, but so many other local [00:18:00] races with like the discounts and community. Yeah, they did a good job. Community support,
Ally Brettnacher: figuring out how to find was great. Find people a replacement race. I know a lot of people for sure, went to Illinois.
Yes. Glass City in Ohio. There were, you know, some good options, thankfully. So, yeah. In the mini
Stephanie Perry: then it sold out right? Because it was two weeks later, right? Yeah. Yeah. I mean honestly I was ready to do like I was gonna do it, but I was not trained. Yeah. To the point. And even this mini, as much as it wasn't a great race, I really wasn't fully trained and I had had back to back trips, I had gotten sick for a week.
I had taken a whole week and a half off running right before Carmel, which is not usually something I do. Yeah. And so, that's the other thing is life is unpredictable and uh, one of my trips was to Colorado for the first time and I've never run an elevation. And that was. A whole experience because I had in my plan, I was like, I'm gonna go out, I'm gonna do, you know, six miles.
And I started running. I was like, this sucks.
Ally Brettnacher: So humbling.
Stephanie Perry: It is [00:19:00] humbling. Yeah. And so, you know, yeah, it is what it is and I'm really excited to try some different races. I've always done the local races and I think, you know, doing some more outta state, some destination races would be really fun. That's another goal.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I love that. For you, there's so many. I
Stephanie Perry: know. Well, I applied for Chicago. Okay. And like so many people I did not get in. my husband and I both applied and so that was gonna be kind of my first out of town. But, if I had done that, I probably wouldn't have done the monumental. So it's just, you know, a chance to do another race I love.
But I'm eyeing a few for next year. I kind of need to decide. Where I wanna go. And you know, with the lotteries, you know, if you do a lottery, you know where you can get in. Yeah. but because I've always done mini, I've never done flying Pig. Right. And I used to live in Cincinnati. Oh. So next year I'm thinking, you know, I've had, I've, I've done the mini now, you know, it's not my favorite course.
Maybe I will do the Flying Pig. Yeah. So, yeah. And that's hilly. So I don't know. We'll see. Yeah. [00:20:00] There's a lot of
Ally Brettnacher: people, I shouldn't say a lot of people, but there are people Yeah. That go from the mini to do Flying pig
Stephanie Perry: in the same weekend. Yeah. That's crazy.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Stephanie Perry: I know. Well, a few years ago, do you remember when the Flying Pig had like all that flooding?
Yes. And oh my gosh. Have you done the race? No. Okay. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I'm interested, but kind of for the same reason. It's always the mini weekend and so it's, I just haven't, it's hard. I mean, can you imagine with my schedule, how it's been at? It's like, I can't imagine then turning around and going to Cincinnati.
Although throwing a four year old's birthday party is probably similar. Oh my gosh.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Having that all on the same weekend is rough. Yeah. It flew by though. Mom life.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. It's like one thing at a time. Yes. Run the mile you're in.
Stephanie Perry: For sure. Yeah. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So
Stephanie Perry: balancing mom life and running is a whole adventure.
Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. In
Stephanie Perry: itself. how old are your kids? Uh, so four gonna be five next month and seven, five, and,
Ally Brettnacher: okay. So we're really similar.
Stephanie Perry: Yes. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. It's, you know, they're finally to the age where I [00:21:00] feel like they're a little more independent. Yes. You know, especially my 7-year-old.
But, for years it was like, my husband's a runner too, so it's like, how do we run together? Yes. So we got the double stroller and he pushed it because I'm like, you are faster, you're stronger. but now, you know, up until a few months ago, he could still push them both. And it was like laughable. 'cause my seven year old's huge and so tall.
And then you have this like, you know. 50 pound stroller. And so we started trying to make him bike with us. Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. That's amazing. Which is like a
Stephanie Perry: game changer, but he can't do like a long, long run. Right. You know, you can do a few miles. Yeah. But then my 4-year-old, she still has like her training wheels on.
So just trying to figure that out
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: Is an interesting dynamic. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: But yeah, that is tricky. I signed up to push for the Marine Corps marathon this year. Oh, awesome.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And I was like, oh cool. Like it'll be great. I'll have somebody do it with me. It'll be so great. Yeah. And then I found out that it's a one to one.
Oh wow. I was like, [00:22:00] oh shit. So, so I'm like, okay, well that changes it in my mind a little bit in terms of how I'm gonna really need to focus on being able to train differently. Yeah. And so I was just talking to somebody yesterday, I'm like, I. Got rid of my jogging stroller. Mm-hmm. So I think I'm gonna have to either like find somebody to let me borrow one for a while.
Yeah. But yeah, my seven, almost 8-year-old, she can bike with me. Yeah. And do a bike run. Yeah. And she can go up to like six miles I'm sure.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. We
Ally Brettnacher: can grow into further distances. Yeah. But then I'm gonna really have to have my 4-year-old watch a movie and have me like, do my stuff. Like with the stroller.
I didn't think
Stephanie Perry: about that. Like, did you train with
Ally Brettnacher: a stroller this time? No. Around. Okay. Mm-hmm. Because with the mini, you know, it's not in quotes, like just a half, you know? Yeah. It's still really a challenging thing.
Stephanie Perry: Mm-hmm.
Ally Brettnacher: But being able to trade off with somebody, especially two people.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: That's nice.
You know, it was, it's, it's pretty nice.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. One to one that's, that's pressure. But yeah, I'm like, okay, so cool. But it's like a challenge for yourself, right? It's like a whole new, so it getting more and [00:23:00] more excited about it. Yes. I'm like a challenge.
Ally Brettnacher: This is a really, yeah. A whole new challenge. That's so exciting Because to your point. You can't PR every race and I really don't have a desire to pr every race. Mm-hmm. Because I'm afraid that if I do that, I'll put too much pressure on myself and burn out, which I do not want. 'cause obviously running is like my life. Yeah. So I keep thinking of ways to make it, you know, enjoyable, different, but still challenging and Yeah.
Now that I've, I, I met Ainsley's dad at the expo. He was in town this year for the mini Love that. And it was just like,
Stephanie Perry: what a cool
Ally Brettnacher: experience. Yeah. I mean, amazing. Yeah. Amazing organization. Yeah. So I'm so excited.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah, I know. That's such a good, yeah. It's like what is your goal and. Why, why do you run?
Mm-hmm. And I think about that and like races kind of keep me accountable, you know? Yeah. If I, if I don't have a race, I kind of let the, the running go. But it's like I run for my mental health, I run for mm-hmm. This hobby that I love and for, you know, the experience and the journey of the run. And that's [00:24:00] not always about speed, but it's easy to forget that when you're comparing yourself to, right.
Other, other people. Everyone going through Strava, other, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yes,
Stephanie Perry: yes. And sometimes like, you know, I'm embarrassed. I'm like, oh, my time isn't really good. But then to your point, it's like, well, I still ran 10 miles, you know, even if it's not fast. So Yeah. I don't know. It's just this whole new world that's opened up to me in the last seven years since I got into it.
Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So what made you first. Sign up for the, the mini that you did first? Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: So, had my first son, um, right before I turned 30, and my husband, uh, who actually had barely ever run in his life, just decided he, you know, just kind of going through this transition as a new parent in the stress. He was like, I'm gonna, you know, try to do this.
He didn't really have like a hobby at the time.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: so he just started running and, you know, I was at home taking care of a baby, but then he convinced me, to sign up for the Wishbone 5K, the, um, okay. Fisher's YMC a's Thanksgiving race. [00:25:00] And I was like, okay. You know, and I had run, through the years, but strictly for fitness, like more than him, but it was always like three miles.
and so the fact that I saw him who could barely run like a 12 minute mile, one mile out there, and he was getting faster and he was getting better and he lost 50 pounds, 50 pounds running. And so, he went from, you know, a 12 minute mile to like, he could do a seven minute mile. And so that's good. He really inspired me.
And so we did the wishbone together and it was so fun. You know, that's such a fun, like, you know, everyone's dressed up as turkeys and so he's like, we should do, caramel. I found this caramel race that's in a few months and he really wanted to do his first half, and I was. Very intimidated. So I was like, well, I'll do this 10 k distance that I've heard about, but I had never run more than three miles.
And I still remember the first time I ran four miles and I was like, oh my gosh, we're in four miles. and so I did [00:26:00] Carmel, the 10 K, and I was on a high, and I was like, I'm gonna do a half in a month. And so I signed up for the mini, a month later and did it in the rain. And something inside of me is like, I cannot believe, I never thought I could run.
A half marathon. and so it became this like shared hobby as new parents during a time when I was trying to like rediscover my identity as a mom. I've always been very independent. And so running gave me that me time that mm-hmm. A lot of what I lost. but to have something with my husband that we joined Fisher's Running Club.
we started listening to podcasts. We got a Runner's World subscription. Yeah. We were like all in, you know, got new gear together, had recommendations, and so it's just become this like shared hobby. Like when we go on vacation, we're like, Ooh, where do we get to run? That's the
Ally Brettnacher: best.
Stephanie Perry: Let's plot our running route. And, doing the races and then seeing my friends. Like we convinced our friends to do the 3 1 7 races last year. Yeah. 'cause they're so accessible and fun. And so [00:27:00] getting my friends into it and. it's just become such a huge part of my identity and it's so weird to think about, you know, that up until seven years ago, I hated it.
Like I was out of breath. and it's like you just discover the why and you discover the kind of running that works for you. Because before I was trying to run like fast, it was like, I gotta sprint a mile. Yeah. and the whole idea of running in a low heart rate zone was like, what? Like why wouldn't you just go as fast as you can?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: so yeah, it's been a journey and having Josh to go through with has been really fun's. So cool. You
Ally Brettnacher: guys should start a podcast
Stephanie Perry: together. Oh yeah. Because you're adorable.
Ally Brettnacher: That's so fun. Oh
Stephanie Perry: no. Yeah, we always joke 'cause we don't agree on all of, the. Approaches to running and training. Yeah.
which is, makes it fun too. But like seeing him do his first, he's done several ultras. wow. He's done the full mode the last few years and he wants to do like a hundred, you know, mile race and Wow. just kind of going on that together. Keeps it fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. my [00:28:00] husband and I trained for and ran Chicago together when we were dating.
That's awesome.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Oh, fun. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And that's when I knew he was a keeper because I was like, Hey, I'm signed up to run this marathon, would you wanna do it with me? Oh, so he
Stephanie Perry: wasn't even
Ally Brettnacher: gonna do it until, okay. He wasn't a runner. He had never run more probably than three miles in his life. Yeah. but I had been, I'm trying to remember how long I had been running since before I met him, probably about four years.
My first mini marathon was in 2007. Okay. And then my first marathon was 2010, and we did, I believe, the 2011 Chicago Marathon together. if I remember, did you run
Stephanie Perry: the whole time? But we did. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: together the whole time? But we did. Yeah. Wow. And he surprised me with like having shirts made.
Stephanie Perry: Aw. Yeah. It was amazing. That's
Ally Brettnacher: so fun.
Yeah, it was great. And so we, I mean, you learn a lot about each other as you're running. Yes. 17 miles, like, you know. For sure. So it was, it was a really great experience. I miss it now. He doesn't run Really? He even didn't do the mini this year. Yeah. Because last year it was super hard. 'cause he doesn't train.
Yeah. So he'll like run six miles and be like, I'm
Stephanie Perry: ready. I, yeah. [00:29:00] And then as
Ally Brettnacher: you get older, that doesn't work so
Stephanie Perry: well. Yes, yes, yes. Yeah. So.
Yeah. So.
Oh, that's so fun. Yeah. So do you enjoy running with someone and talking or are you like, we could run side by side, but let's not talk?
Ally Brettnacher: I think it depends at this point on the workout, because I use a coach.
Yeah. And so every Friday now I run with my friend Becky Riley. Okay. She and I met through this podcast actually, and she, I. We just chat and it's usually an easy run.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Sometimes when we'd have workouts that like include harder stuff, we'll just chat for the easy recoveries and then we'll just get down to business when we do any sort of speed.
But because my schedule is so flexible, I tend to run mostly by myself because you know, I'm like, Hey, anyone run, run at 10:00 AM in the middle of a weekday. People are like, we have to work.
Stephanie Perry: That sounds amazing. I wish I could run at 10:00 AM Yeah. I
Ally Brettnacher: mean, so that's the luxury is that I don't have to get up to fit it in.
Yeah, for sure. There's been times in my life where I have had to do that. Yeah. And I've run [00:30:00] 15 miles before work at 8:00 AM
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: But that is not the season of life I'm in now. Yeah. Both my girls are outta the house during the day. and my husband does the gym in the morning. So
Stephanie Perry: that is the one thing, finding the time of day.
Mm-hmm. That works for you. 'cause I used to have to. Always for years if I worked out, it was before work and I hate the mornings and so it made me like hate working out. Yeah. And hate running. And then I tried the run after work for a while and it was like, I am tired. I'm done with my day. And then I found my sweet spot with the lunch run.
The lunch run like changed everything for me, and I haven't done it as much in the past year, but a few years ago I work at the City of Fishers. I started an informal lunch run group and
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, that's so
Stephanie Perry: cool. Other employees, it was a very, it was like an open invitation. There were maybe. 15 to 20 of us that would kind of like come and go, but it was just a standing lunch run every Friday.
And we would just do the nickel play trail, which is right there, you know, three to four miles, and everyone would just kind of go at the slowest person's [00:31:00] pace. So there was never the pressure, but it made me be able to run and talk to people. Because up until then, even when I'd run with Josh, we would like usually start arguing because he's like running my pace and he, you know, and I'm like pushing myself, right?
And I was like, I can't talk. And so running with people and they all had done so many races and they supported me so much through my first marathon training and then. You know, you kind of all of a sudden find yourself running faster to keep up with them. And so doing that in the running club made me like running with people.
Mm-hmm. But for a long time, I was like, I can't run, I can't talk. And that's probably 'cause I was running too fast, like, you know what I mean too. So, I love the lunch run and even now if I can get away and run at lunch, it's great. But those midday runs in the night run, I'm a big fan of like the eight or 9:00 PM.
Oh, run like after the kids go to sleep and it's just so calming and quiet. Yes. And so, yeah, that's, yeah. Finding when it works [00:32:00] for you, I think is key.
Ally Brettnacher: Right? Well, 'cause people are like, oh, I don't have time. is hard because you can make time for stuff that you want to prioritize. Exactly. And sure there are seasons of life where maybe you just don't want to prioritize it.
Yeah, that's totally fine. And that's okay.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Well, and honestly that's what prevented me so long from trying to do a marathon, was I hear these people and they're like, you know, you need 40 mile weeks, you need to run six days a week. And so I was like, there's no way that with my job and the things I'm involved in.
and we're traveling a lot on the weekends. Like, I'm not gonna be able to make that work. And then, I finally, you know, I, I was going to PT for my hip and my PTs a runner and he does a lot of ultras, but he only runs three days a week. And that's like, his thing is like, it's, it's hard on your body.
And dealing with this injury I had been trying to run like five or six days a week. And so he really helped me realize like, okay, you can do this. He helped me make a schedule and I was like, I know I'm not gonna be able to get, you know, 40 mile [00:33:00] weeks and that might mean that I'm not gonna be as fast or as trained, but I did it and I did it without pain and I still had fun doing it.
And so I'm like, oh my gosh. Like to your point, I would love to be the runner that's out there every day, but right now, you know, three days a week with dealing with an injury and my life is what works and makes it so fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: And so, yeah, that's another thing with like the imposter syndrome.
Like, I see people on Strava like every day and I'm like, oh shoot. Like, you know, I'm not a real runner 'cause I was not there today. Right.
Ally Brettnacher: I know. It's so hard. And I, I've actually talked to people who have deleted Strava for that reason. They're like, it's the, the pressure. Yeah. It's just not healthy for me to compare myself to all these people.
And I don't want people to be able to see my times and then think something about it. And it's just, for me, I just have gotten to a place where I don't, I don't care.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
So,
know, it's, so, it's, I love it because it's empowering. Mm-hmm. And it's inspiring and it's fun like. People giving you kudos and Right.
You know, I, [00:34:00] I love it. But yes, there is that pressure and, but it's only the self-imposed Yeah. It judgment. Exactly. Exactly. And that's what I tell my friends. I'm like, the running community is so welcoming. So encouraging. Yeah. And they're like, I don't wanna run and someone's gonna see me struggle. And I'm like, none of the runners are judging you.
Someone sitting in their car who's not running. Yeah. Might judge you, but Everyone is so supportive. Yeah. And we've all fallen apart on a run. And so, I don't know, it's just such a great community and you know, being part of a running club and meeting people through races mm-hmm.
It's like this whole new world that I didn't know about. So you
Ally Brettnacher: just made me think about a book I'm listening to. Are you into Mel Robbins at all? I've read some Mel Robbins. Okay. But
Stephanie Perry: yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: I'm listening to the Let Them Theory.
Stephanie Perry: That's okay. That's on my to read. Yeah. Highly recommend. It's like I'm, I'm a big library fan.
I think I'm like 50th in line to get it.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. So, yes. Yeah, I, it is funny, I was, I mentioned Becky, my running partner on Fridays. We were like running and, and I was [00:35:00] talking, she's like, how are you doing with this weekend? Yeah. Leading up to the mini, all the things and Yeah. You know, I was like, these, the birthday party decorations, I was like, I'm just gonna do minimal because like, does your
Stephanie Perry: kid care?
They're just excited. It's their birthday.
Ally Brettnacher: And it's like, if, if there's a parent that's like, oh, like she didn't do this. Okay. So like, let them think that I don't, I mean, it's just that the amount of effort I think that it takes to make a Pinterest worthy Instagram worthy party, it's just. Yes. It's all just kind of like for what?
Yeah. So I, I realized, yeah. My four year old's gonna fricking love this. Yeah. She had a Pink Pony Club party. It was amazing. Oh my gosh. And she wanted a Beauty and the Beast cake. So guess what? We had a Pink Pony Club party and we had a, it didn't even have to be a thing. I know. It just doesn't even matter.
Stephanie Perry: I know. That is so true. For years in my twenties, I was like the, the hostess, like I would have these parties and I would go all out and I had all the special like, entertaining, you know, serving wear Yeah. And themes and things to do. And, you know, I would [00:36:00] hire a professional photographer to come to party.
Don't be wrong.
Ally Brettnacher: That's freaking amazing. Stephanie.
Stephanie Perry: No, but like, then I had kids and I got a new job and I got into running and I got into reading books and it was like. Now I'm like, here are my paper plates and everyone's still, I have a better time, honestly. Yeah. And the kid doesn't care. And so yes, like the let in theory, I mean, I know enough about it, right?
If you listen to
Ally Brettnacher: our podcast or read some of our other stuff, I love that you kind get the idea. But
Stephanie Perry: yeah, applying that to running, like, yeah, and I, again, I think we're the ones that put those, those fears and judgements on ourselves. Like no one cares. And then my other friends who aren't even running, like they can't even believe I'm running a, you know, marathon or half, they don't know.
They don't know anything about like my pace or comparing me. They're like, I can't believe you went out and did that. And so,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah, after doing the Caramel Expo, I made a jar for my mini marathon booth that said just the 5K put a dollar in the jar. Yeah. And it didn't work as well at the mini, because [00:37:00] a lot of people are running the half marathon, but at Carmel, everybody kept saying, oh, I'm just doing the 5K, I'm just doing the 10 k, or just doing the half.
And it's like. You need to put a dollar in this jar. Yeah. So it was kind of funny. I actually had a couple people put a dollar in the jar. That's so funny. But it was the concept of like, yeah. Yeah. It's not just anything. For sure. You're out there, you're doing it no matter what. People are gonna judge you.
Yeah. No matter what you do.
Stephanie Perry: Well and honestly, like maybe that's your competitive distance. Like maybe you're gonna smash that 5K and just because you're only running a short distance doesn't mean you're doing any less effort.
Ally Brettnacher: Absolutely not. Like
Stephanie Perry: I personally, I still do plenty of five Ks, you know, especially like for holidays or fun days.
Yeah. Or like run 3
Ally Brettnacher: 1 7, like you mentioned, run
Stephanie Perry: 3 1 7. But it is not my distance because I don't like to run fast. I, I think it's harder than Air Airline. You feel like you have to, and you don't run along enough to get that high. And so like that runner's high. And so I do not like the five Ks. And I think that a lot of times they're harder.
I couldn't more, and I'm way [00:38:00] more tired. I feel like I'm gonna puke at the end of a 5K. And so
yeah,
the fact that people are like, I've only done five Ks. I'm like. You might feel better actually if you need a 10 K. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I mean, they're fun though and they are a great way to get your friends. That's how I've gotten all my friends to actually run with me is to get them to sign up for a 5K.
Yeah. so yes. Love through one seven. I love the Thanksgiving Day races. I think those are so fun. Wawasee We gotta talk about C races because you have done that 4th of July race. Yes, I've done it. I, I can't remember how many times total I've
Ally Brettnacher: done that race.
Stephanie Perry: And you like placed like first your age group.
Oh yeah. In my age
Ally Brettnacher: group. 'cause it's a small race, so, and you got like this awesome prize. Yeah, I love talking about that. So I, yeah, I got like a blow up an inflatable pirates booty boat. That is amazing. But my kids were like obsessed with Yes, yes. This last year I got a lantern. I mean, just random stuff
yeah. I don't, but that's honestly better than like best. I don't, yeah. I mean, I do love a trophy. Okay. Don't get me wrong. Yeah. Or like an extra or whatever. Oh gosh. That's so fun. But it was just, it's really fun. 'cause I'm always curious to see [00:39:00] Yeah. What it's gonna be. Yeah. And I love that race. I love running up there.
I've spent many summers training for the Chicago Marathon up at Wawasee.
Stephanie Perry: Ugh. I love, so I grew up, my parents built a house, uh, on Wawasee when I was five. Wow. So I've been going every summer now for 30 plus years. Oh my gosh. Um, and, my mom was a teacher, so she had the summers off, so we would almost like live up there.
Yeah. but since I've gotten into running, it is like my favorite place to run. Like when I get to do that Syracuse, Wawa sea loop and go around the lake and, it's hot. Like, especially like there's like the wetlands. There's no shade. Yeah. But I've never done that race because usually I. I am either like, oh, I need to do this many miles and you know, I don't wanna do just a 5K or no.
I said, yeah, a 5K. but I really think it would be super fun to do. And so it's a blast maybe this year. 'cause they have like an eight mile. Yeah, there's a, it's a, what is it? It's I think a four mile and an eight mile. A four mile. Yeah. Yeah. So, but it's like a really, [00:40:00] like one year I was like, how do I register?
I was like, send a check to this man's house. I know. It's like
Ally Brettnacher: hilarious. I know.
Stephanie Perry: And I was like, is this legitimate?
Ally Brettnacher: They finally, now it's been upgraded where it's like, run by a like an actual, like they have a run sign up. Yeah, yeah,
Stephanie Perry: yeah. That's so I love, like we were talking about this, running in new places, like for years.
before I got into running I was like, oh, I'm vacation. I don't have to work out. Like that's the exciting thing is, you know, you just get to rest. And now it's like I get to run more 'cause I'm on vacation and I get to run in these amazing places. Right. And I love like mapping out where I'm gonna run and
yeah.
it's, and I just had a friend who traveled and she's like, I didn't run.
'cause I was on vacation and I was like, no, you get to run. 'cause they're on vacation. I know. Vacation
Ally Brettnacher: runs are the best. They're
Stephanie Perry: so
Ally Brettnacher: fun. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. It's nice to have friends that will run with you on vacation too. Yes, for sure. Yeah. We, we do a Mexico trip every other year with a big group of people. Oh, that's fine.
And uh, and I, my friend Ashley, who I pushed with Yeah. With the mini her and I will always be [00:41:00] the two that'll run. My friend Alyssa. Alyssa will do it. Like, there's a few others that'll like work out on vacation, but it's like, I need that to like run off. Oh, for sure. Yeah. Steam and to like keep my, it sounds weird, but like to keep my energy up like I need to.
Do that. Yeah. And it's so fun, like you said, being able to explore somewhere.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. It's like a whole new view of the place that you're at.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. What's your favorite place you've run? Or like, give us some examples.
Stephanie Perry: So when I first got into running, for that Thanksgiving race, my husband and I did a just US trip to Hawaii.
Oh yeah, that's, it was amazing. we've been to Maui in Oahu and we did Kauai and it is like, it's like Jurassic Park. That's where they filmed Jurassic Park. Yeah. So it's just amazing. So we were staying at a resort that had like this, like golf course and it had this trail through on the coast. And so that's how he kind of like convinced me to get into running.
'cause he's like, you can stay here in the room or you can come on a run with me. And just, that was my excuse to take in the scenery. so we go to Florida every summer and it is [00:42:00] so hot. 'cause we go July. I was gonna say, every summer. Where do you go in Florida? We go to Indian Shores. Okay. So it's kind of by Tampa on the Gulf side.
but we go at the end of July. We go right before back to school. And so the humidity is crazy, but that's
Ally Brettnacher: insane.
Stephanie Perry: I also forcing myself to run and that was like the best for marathon training. Like That's true. Fall races. That is why I love a fall race. Because you train in the heat.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And
Stephanie Perry: then you run and it's chilly.
Ideally. Yeah. It's
Ally Brettnacher: cool.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. And so even though it sucks, like I'd start my morning, and we couldn't run together 'cause we had the kids, right. We didn't have the stroller, but there was like this like Parisian bakery randomly, by our sign me up for that resort. So on the way back I'd get my coffee and my Parisian suites and you know, you just see everyone out doing their morning walks and the waves coming in now the beach, oh my gosh.
I'm not running on the beach. No, I don't do that. I don't
Ally Brettnacher: really, Josh will do that. And I'm like, I need my cos not to be like torn apart. Yeah. Like if you run on the beach. In softer sand. Yeah. Like I'll run on the beach if it's that like really hard, flat packed sand. [00:43:00] Yeah. You know what I'm talking about?
Yes. That I can do, but not like in the sand. And I'll do a few miles, but I'd rather walk on the beach. Yeah,
Stephanie Perry: yeah. For sure. And that's the other thing, walking is like caught cross training. Like I always used to be like, I can't walk, I have to run. And now I work right off the nickel plate trail and so if I can't run over lunch, I walk.
And that's been amazing just to like keep my steps up. And for race recovery. Yeah, right. Like being sore, like walking. And so walking is like, training is something that's kind of new to me, but I really enjoying it.
Ally Brettnacher: I've seen so many people now with weighted vests. Yes. Do you know what I'm talking about?
That's like a thing. I think TikTok started that. Yes. I, my sister does it. We
Stephanie Perry: do have a weighted vest. I have not walked far in it. It seems very heavy. Um, it's terrifying. But yeah, it's like, I mean, so good for you. Yeah. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: My sister says that it feels so good when you take it off. Oh yeah. I saw a guy at the indie mini finish line.
That had a weight to best on. And I said, how many pounds is that? And he was like, I think it was like 20 or 30 pounds.
Stephanie Perry: Oh my gosh. And
Ally Brettnacher: I was like, good job, man. [00:44:00] Did you
Stephanie Perry: see a woman at the Indie Mini who ran with her kid on her back the whole time?
Ally Brettnacher: No.
Stephanie Perry: So Josh saw her at the finish line and he was like, I don't think she had her kid on her back the whole time.
Like I, maybe it was last mile. Yeah. And then we were watching the coverage because the next day we always watch like THR post their, oh, that's fun. Four hours of race coverage. Yeah. And we try to find ourselves, and you saw her on the track just running along and her baby's just B And I was like, is that okay for the kid?
But also like, wow, that's impressive.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, yeah. Right. Like is the kid gonna get like, yeah, I don't know.
Stephanie Perry: But you see those people like holding the flags and the people that run like, yeah, shout out to Jay. I don't know for that Jay, love Jay. Yes. Like, and then I think of myself and I'm like, wow, I need to be doing more, you know?
Ally Brettnacher: No, see that is the thing. You always compare yourself to others and it's like, but
Stephanie Perry: it is amazing to see as a guy who ran in the race helmet. With the tiny Whites. Did you see him? Oh
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. I feel like I saw that guy and he said he does that a lot or something. I was like, gosh.
Stephanie Perry: Or even the costumes. Have you ever done a costume?
Ally Brettnacher: I've never
Stephanie Perry: done a costume.
Ally Brettnacher: I don't think I've ever worn a costume.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Like the people that do those, like [00:45:00] Wow. 'cause some of those look hot.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Well, like Timmy Howard, do you know Timmy Timmy's dressed as Mario? Yes. Like inflatable costume. He is got like four. I saw him four cameras and youre like, I saw, yeah,
Stephanie Perry: I saw him off to the side at the, the mini.
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. So I've never
Ally Brettnacher: done a race in costume that's probably, that needs to be on my list to do something. Like I haven't done a Disney race. I'm always intrigued by that, but I'm also very intimidated by the registration process and like
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. All
Ally Brettnacher: the things. but I'm sure I will at some point.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Yeah. It's like the fun races versus the serious races too, because I don't know, I think di, I mean, Disney could be fun. It's not like my bucket list race, but.
That's
the one where you can like ride rides too, right? Totally. Take pictures, like you can just stop and ride. Ride. I would get so distracted.
Ally Brettnacher: I would find that very hard as like a very Yeah. Uptight roadrunner. I like stopping. Yes. You know, like I said, I'd never stopped at a port potty for God's sakes. Yeah. Like, it's like it,
Stephanie Perry: it throws you. Yeah. Well, bro, so, my physical therapist, he does trails and so he is like, you should get into trail running if you love slow [00:46:00] long runs.
Yeah. And so that's another thing I'm kind of interested in, but it's like, then you have to find the trail locally. Mm-hmm. Um, and a lot of those I know you have to travel for, but trail running, I think I could maybe get into that 'cause you know, it's a little slower, a little easier mm-hmm. On your, your body.
But I just don't wanna like wipe out
Ally Brettnacher: like, well I think that's probably like the rite of passage. Yeah. I have, I have dabbled in trail running, dabbled. I even own a pair of trail shoes now. Okay. Yes. Because I went to an event and Athletic Annex was offering like 20% off or something and I was like, okay, just give me some choices.
I, yeah. You know, for the one trail race that I've done, which is the holiday park trail run.
Stephanie Perry: Okay. Fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Which is amazing. Highly recommend. It's a great way to like dabble in trails dab. Yeah. Because it's not crazy, but it's challenging. What month is that? Um, March. March. Oh, that's a good month. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
It's like a perfect time to, as people are itching to like run Yes. Do a race. Yes. It's like the perfect time of year for that. And then I've gone over to Eagle Creek before, which is just beautiful. That's a
Stephanie Perry: big place to go. Or Fort Bend. Yeah. People go over there. Yeah. Which I [00:47:00] love.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I love Fort Bend.
Yeah. but yeah, trail running I think you would enjoy for the reasons you mentioned. You like
Stephanie Perry: well running Yeah. And Chain of Lakes up by Walla Sea. Oh, okay. Has, uh, that they have like a hundred mile race, but then they have some, they might have a 50 K and it's in October. Oh. And Josh and I went to Chain Lakes and we were just at Wawa C one weekend and like hiked.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: but I was like, okay, this could be fun for like trail running. It is just a whole different experience. It really is. and that's the thing Even just thinking of like these longer runs, like learning more about nutrition, learning more about forcing myself to like, take walking breaks and drink more water.
Yeah. It's just been like when you're running short races, like I used to never do gels. I used to never drink. My thing was like, I don't have to ever get, get water. My first half I refused to stop for water and I was like, this was stupid.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: And so, yeah. Now I took a nutrition for runners course. Oh, you did?
Where recently? , It's through, sports performance ascension sports performance at Clay Terrace. So that's where I go for physical therapy. Okay. And they're um, that's right by
Ally Brettnacher: DSW? [00:48:00] Yes. Right by DSW.
Stephanie Perry: So, the woman, she's like, Trainer. She works with like the Bengals and different sports teams. Okay.
And so she's a runner. And so it was like a six week course and it was all about nutrition for your races. And it was so interesting. Um, six weeks. Six weeks. But it was virtual. You go in person. Okay. So it was over lunch. Okay. It was actually 12 weeks, but it was every other week. So you had six, was it virtual, was it live
Ally Brettnacher: like you joined at noon?
Yes.
Stephanie Perry: Okay. Zoom. And so it was a small group, so we, it was very like interactive and very personalized. Mm-hmm. that is when I was starting to deal with knee issues. So they gave me like supplement recommendations Right. And kind of helped me through that. And anti-inflammatory food recommendations. But like learning, like really the calculations, so much math of like what you really should have.
I mean, it was overwhelming, but it was very eye-opening. Right. Because it was like, wow, I'm doing everything wrong. And how much of a difference could this make if I actually followed? Right. You know, and I mean, sometimes [00:49:00] it's. the amount of carbs, it was like there's no way I'm gonna be able to consume this many carbs four hours before my race.
But just knowing that like, okay, maybe my one little like protein bar isn't the right answer. Right.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: and I never used to eat after races. Like I would wait a while and they were big on like, you need to have this much protein and this many carbs. 30 minutes from finishing. I probably, I probably
Ally Brettnacher: don't do that
Stephanie Perry: very, but like I started doing that and I was like, oh, I feel so much better.
Right. And I recover better. Right. And I started like the tart cherry juice after long runs. Oh yeah. And that's been great. Yeah. So that was a side of running that I just did not think about, but especially as you train for those longer distances mm-hmm. It becomes like more important.
Right. And so I highly recommend the class. I think they do it every year or two. and there was a discount for like running clubs and That's cool. Yeah. It was awesome that it was small 'cause we could all talk and like we were sharing Tips for like the best belt to carry your gels on.
Sure. Yeah. Yeah. So
Ally Brettnacher: that's really fun.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I didn't even know that that existed. I mean, we've got [00:50:00] some great, like nutrition What do you call that? Dietician? Yeah. Diet. Yes. Right. Like working with Yes. Dietician.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: people like that, which I've had small introductions to.
Yeah. Enough to know, oh wow. Yeah. I haven't been doing this. Right. I know. Like the idea that carb loading is more than just eating spaghetti the night before. For sure. Race. Like for sure. You're gonna never want to eat a bagel ever again by the time you eat enough
Stephanie Perry: carbs. I know. And yeah, like they talked about like the night before, they're like, don't get spaghetti and like meatballs.
Like, don't have the meat. Like, yeah. Don't waste time on protein. Right. And you're like, I
Ally Brettnacher: thought I needed
Stephanie Perry: both. I was having, like, when I first started running, I was having cliff bar before every race. Yeah. And now I'm like, okay, well that's maybe not what I should be doing. And so my friends were making fun of me before the mini and Josh too, because I was like, I'm gonna have my pretzels and then I'm gonna have my bagel.
Mm-hmm. And then I need to have the apple juice 'cause that has car, right. So he's like, you need to calm down. It's like, no, this is what makes me feel good. Yeah. It was very, and just the different supplements like. That you can get on. Like, I started glucosamine for my knee and I've been on it for probably two months and [00:51:00] it's already, I can tell it's making a difference and like, wow.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: So just learning about that has been, and water. You do like a sweat test in the class and so that Oh, that's learn about like how much water specifically to you you should be drinking. Yeah. Which I was severely under hydrating. Oh yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I'm, I did a sweat test with, they sell like Gatorade patches you can wear.
Yes. Those are supposed to be like really, like accurate to Oh yeah. I, I feel like I, I, it came in a pack of two. I wanted to do it again. Yeah. To see. but it's kind of fun to see. I do sweat a lot, so I know a lot of water. Love lots. Well, and it's so
Stephanie Perry: hard in the summer to figure out like when you're doing these long runs,
Ally Brettnacher: well how, yeah.
We're, we're right up my water, like a wall seat.
Stephanie Perry: It's like, okay. Like I know there's a water fountain here, but like I have a friend, he goes and he drops water bottles. Right. You can every, but Especially if you don't want to just be doing loops or like an out and back. Yeah. And then the bathrooms, it's like, okay, we're like, the Monon is great or the play trail 'cause there's the restrooms.
But yeah, it's a whole different ball game. Yeah. Have you used a running coach before?
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Stephanie Perry: Have you used a running coach before? So I have, a few years ago I used soulmates coaching with Sarah and Tracy. They're awesome. I met them through running club. but that was actually when I started to have my hip issues. So they were helping me train for my first marathon and about two months out we realized I probably wasn't gonna be in a good spot to do it.
And so that's when I actually started seeing a PT and decided to drop down to the half. and they were great. They really got me the confidence and like the framework of what marathon training could look like. but then I really spent the next year rehabbing my hip. And so it was an 18 month journey from when I first started marathon training to when I [00:54:00] ran.
Wow. Um, and I really used my PT as like an informal running coach because he's a runner, he's done a lot of distances and he knew the issues I was having. Mm-hmm. And he was like, I want you only running three days a week and here's the mileage I want you to do, but I took a really long time to build up.
It was like a 24 week, you know, plan or something. And so it worked for me. And then that's when I also realized, I was like, okay, I don't have to run six days a week and you know, get these crazy high mileage. Right, right. So yeah, I would love to use a coach again, I think, especially when I kind of figure out my next goal.
But this marathon cycle, I think I'll just kind of. Do what worked. Yeah. Um, and try to do a little more speed work and try to, cut off my time a little, but, going gentle Yeah. On your body. Right. Because now I'm dealing with knee issues and that's the other thing. It's like, it feels like there's always something.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. That's frustrating.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So you, so were you supposed to run the monumental in 23 then?
Stephanie Perry: In 23? Yeah. Yeah. [00:55:00] Okay. So I had signed up, I started training with them in May, for the November race. And we did the plan exactly until about September. and so then I dropped the half and I've done that half before.
I love that half. But it was super disappointing, especially when you're like telling people, you're like, I'm training for Marathon. I know, right. This is
Ally Brettnacher: my first one. It's my first one. Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: but that made, doing it in 2024, like so much sweeter because I also felt like it was something I'd worked towards for so long.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: But I think it was almost, it was a good thing because I had my hip under control. And I would've been in so much pain. my last long training run, before I decided to drop down in 23, I was like on the side of the road crying 'cause I couldn't even walk and Josh had to come get me. Yep.
Ally Brettnacher: Yep.
Stephanie Perry: And then I was like, why am I doing this to myself?
Like, it's not worth it. And that's when they were like, you really need to go see someone. And then, I went and Louie who, Louie Langley is my pt, love Louie. met him through running, but he was like, immediately he [00:56:00] took a video of me running. He's like, yeah, I can see like your gates off your hurting your hip.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Stephanie Perry: so we do dry needling. I still go and do adrenaline every, I was doing it weekly. Now I do it every other for 18 months. It has made such a difference though. and then strength, like he's helped me become so much stronger. Mm-hmm. on that side. But I know I hate needles, Something about it, it just makes a difference and you don't really see it.
'cause it's like, you know, over on your hip and back.
Ally Brettnacher: I know, I, I, I did that while I was pregnant. I was having some nerve issues. Yeah. It didn't, it didn't fix the problem I was having. Yeah. So that was just a whole nother thing. But yeah. I don't like needles, but I could, I could endure it. I was like, if this is gonna make it better, I'm willing to try it.
That's for sure. Yeah. Yeah. That's
Stephanie Perry: the other thing I feel like I've discovered about running is you're probably always gonna have something that's bothering you. Yeah. , Even if you, you know, even if it's like blisters on your feet. Mm-hmm. And so understanding that there's always gonna be something, but how you can work through it.
Right. And you just don't wanna like, actually like really mess yourself up.
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Funny story. So two [00:57:00] funny stories. One, I dropped a drill battery on my toe the day before or two days before as I was like getting all my stuff together for the expo. this year for the mini? Yeah.
I dropped. Oh my gosh. Uh, it was pretty big. Like a size of a, I don't know, not a brick, but it felt like a brick. You know, you Yeah. Those are are heavy. Yeah. Yeah. So I dropped it right on my big toe. I was so mad. Geez. And then it hurt for days. Oh my gosh. I was like, did I break my toe? Yeah. Thankfully. It's fine because I did something else that made me forget about my toe.
So I, in the morning bef of the race. Oh no. You know what the chirp, like a chirp is? Like the brand that's, it's not a foam roller, but it looks like a wheel, essentially. Oh, okay.
Stephanie Perry: Yes. I've seen those and they're flat. And so
Ally Brettnacher: I was like, oh my gosh, my back is so tight. Yeah. From being on my feet for like three days straight.
Oh yeah. And like lifting stuff, whatever. So I'm like on this thing, rolling on my back. It feels great. Oh no. And then my irco to reach for my phone, which was like next to me on the bed, and I lean over and it flips to its side and I [00:58:00] slam my back down on top of like the edges of it. You should see the bruise on my, my ass.
Oh my gosh. It is awful. But it hurt. So bad. It hurts so bad. I'm like, I'm such an idiot. I was so pissed at myself. and I just was like, well, yeah, what am I gonna do?
Stephanie Perry: It's so mental too, right? are you gonna dwell on it? I know. Yeah. But then you forget
Ally Brettnacher: about my toe. So there was that.
There is always something know, always simple.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Always, always something. And I feel like, you know, I'm lucky that I haven't had to have surgery or, you know. Yeah. But, yeah, it's, I used to think like, oh, if something hurts when I run, like I, you know, I'm doing it wrong. It's like, no, like your body's gonna hurt you're
Ally Brettnacher: brain.
Yeah, yeah. Especially when you're marathon turning.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah, for sure. At some
Ally Brettnacher: point. you, you realize as you do it more and more like what you're training for is how to endure the hurt. For sure. That's the whole thing. For sure. How do you learn how to sit in discomfort? Like that's what you gotta learn.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Yeah. And after Butler, actually, last year I did the eight hour, and I remember the next day I. I was like, I'm not gonna be able to [00:59:00] walk. Like, and then I was like, I'm not gonna be able to go to work. but then learning to recover too is like, wow. I used to never like foam roll. Like I didn't own a foam roller or stretch or, and so kind of knowing what to do, but after that race I felt like I had the flu.
Like I thought I, it was like, this is bad. But yeah, my coworkers are used to now to me coming in on like a Monday kind of And hobbling.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. They're like, oh, stiff. How long do you run this weekend? Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. The
Ally Brettnacher: eight hour. Tell people what that is. Oh my gosh. What now? My gosh.
Stephanie Perry: so that's at Butler and it is essentially eight hour endurance race.
So you run a loop, for as many miles as you can get in an eight hour period. They have a two and a three mile loop, so you can kinda alternate or pick. but it is, I'm not. Familiar with Butler. Really? But it's like right where the athletic center is. , So there's like indoor restrooms and showers and air conditioning, and then it's like a Tet Village, which is really fun.
So everyone brings their tents, food fans, hammocks, people like go to sleep. Yeah. [01:00:00] In between. And you run the loop around the campus. some of it is on trails, which I did not know when I went into it. You're literally in the woods and at the end of every loop you have to go up a hill in the woods.
That's fun. Have you done the race since? No. I
Ally Brettnacher: spectated for a little bit last year though.
Stephanie Perry: Okay. Yeah, there's a hill, but that race that is honestly, as much as I love the marathon, that race like changed everything for me. I. Went into that. I was in the middle of marathon training and I was due for a 16 miler and I had never run more than 15 miles.
And so I was like, I'll do this race, because of course my husband wanted to do it. It's in July. It's so hot, so hot. but I was like, you, you do your thing. I'll do my 16 and I'll just hang out. And then I got into the zone and like, I don't even remember what hap, I don't even remember half there. I was just so focused and I was just like round and round and ended up doing over a marathon.
so I think it was at like 28 miles or something. And [01:01:00] I don't even know how I did it. And the fact I had never run more than half that. And that's like what happens is like, I think because I approach that race with no pressure, no expectations. Yeah. Like literally no, really, I didn't like overstress about the route.
I didn't even know really what it was gonna be like. and the camaraderie of that race, because you're on the same loop. Mm-hmm. Usually I never see Josh in a race. He's like way ahead of me and Oh yeah. This way, like all the people I knew through Running Club Louie, my PT was out there and like, you would like on the loop, you'd see someone, you'd run with them.
Everyone's struggling by, you know, six, seven hours. Everyone's so hot. and just the support that's out there and like how you get to just kind of all be together was my favorite thing. So immediately as soon as I opened registration, I signed up again. And now, now that I know, I'm like, I hope I don't hate it this year.
Yeah. Because Josh did not like it. And [01:02:00] he was like, I can't believe you loved that race so much. And I'm like, it's just because I was so just in the zone. Mm-hmm. And I just didn't. Have any pressure on myself. Yeah. And so I'd love to do a 50 K at Butler this year. I don't, I mean, training wise I'm not gonna be there.
But you know, I wasn't there last year, so. Right. Yeah. We'll see. That's really cool.
Ally Brettnacher: So I wanna ask you more about. Your life outside of running too. Yes. Yes. Because you have a really cool job. You get to work for the city where you live.
Stephanie Perry: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Yes. So you're from, you're born and raised in Cincinnati or No, fishers.
You were born and raised in Fishers. Yes. But you lived in Cincinnati after college? After college,
Stephanie Perry: yeah. My first job after college, I was out there for a few years. Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. So you're originally from here?
Stephanie Perry: Yes, I am. Where did you go to undergrad? Um, I went to Purdue. Okay. And that's where I met Josh. Okay.
Um, but we both actually went to the same kindergarten through high school in Fishers and never met.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, so you have the photos Well, so he was a year younger. Okay. Ooh.
Stephanie Perry: Very, very [01:03:00] controversial. Controversial scandal. I know. Um, and HSE is like a huge school system, so we had kind of people who knew each other, mutual friends, but never hung out.
We're very different cliques. but found out after we met at Purdue, we met through a friend from high school. and then it made dating grade. 'cause we come back, we have the same hometown. And then both of our parents actually were Carmel High School sweethearts and moved to Fishers from Carmel. And so our parents' families kind of knew each other.
We found out. So it's like this crazy small world that's like the dream. I, it's funny. And like they grew up, like literally his uncle and my dad were friends in high school and so they had like stories about each other. It was really weird. That's how it all came together. Yeah. But yeah, born and raised in Fishers.
Went to HSE, went to Purdue and then was in Cincy and then made my way back. Lived in Carmel for a while off Main Street. Wow. Um, and then went back to Fishers. And I love, love working for not only my hometown, but where I'm raising my kids. Yeah. That's really cool. All these years later, helping them
Ally Brettnacher: like make it a better place for your kids.
Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: [01:04:00] And yeah, it makes your job. So like everything I do impacts, you know, those around me in my life. Mm-hmm.
Ally Brettnacher: But
Stephanie Perry: it's changed so much. I mean, I was born in 87 and Fishers was like. So new. And my parents moved there 'cause they were like Carmel's getting too crowded and they moved off Allisonville Road and it was like completely country like.
And I graduated before Fisher's High School was built, so I went to HSC and yeah, now I'm like, oh my gosh, this is such a cool place with Fisher's district and the event center and Topgolf and just everything we have is And a Shake
Ally Brettnacher: Shack. A Shake Shack. I mean, every time I go over there, Stephanie, it's, yeah, okay.
I've never been to the Ikea, I've never been to an Ikea in my life. You have to go. I know that's what people say, but I'm like, I feel like I need to be mentally prepared and have a plan. But it can just be like a
Stephanie Perry: walking workout. It's so big. And just walk, walk, walk.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. Sounds like it's gonna cost me a lot of money though, based on
Stephanie Perry: everything's cheap.
It just adds up when you buy a lot of it,
Ally Brettnacher: right?
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. But every time I go over to Fisher's, there's something new. It's so incredible. Yeah. What all happen there? Love [01:05:00]
Stephanie Perry: and just like. Working with the other Hamilton County, like the other cities. Right. And municipalities is so cool. And what we've been able to do in Central Indiana.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah, totally. Yeah. So what did you study in college and what was your first job outta school and What was your path to working for the city? Yeah,
Stephanie Perry: so communications was my major. Okay. I didn't really know when I was going into college what I wanted to do, but I've always loved talking to people.
I've loved writing, love, being creative. So I was like, I'll just sign up for this major. This sounds fun. for a while I thought I would to be like in tv like a journalist, either a journalist or an anchor. Cool. I did some mass media, but then I really loved the pr like strategy side of marketing.
And, , I graduated and I always have loved museums. Art history is my minor and family friend was working in Cincinnati at Cincinnati Museum Center and I didn't have a job. Oh. And he was like, Hey, we have a marketing position open. It made like very little money, but I was like, great. I didn't know. I'd never been to [01:06:00] Cincinnati.
The only time I went was to interview and then I got this job. I didn't know anyone, like I said, I've always been kind of independent. It was like my cool, like I'm on my own. Right.
Ally Brettnacher: Totally. Where was Josh though at this point? Yeah, he
Stephanie Perry: was still at Purdue. Okay. 'cause he was a year younger.
Oh, okay. So he just came and visited me. We did along distance thing. , But I, I loved it. it was like grad school, like I was just thrown in there and I had to find organizations and ways to make friends, like young professional groups and Yeah. , But it was fun. He would come, we'd explore the city and then we got engaged and he was trying to find a job, couldn't really find anything out there, got a job here and I was like.
I wanna come back to Indiana. so I came back to work at a PR agency downtown. Okay. Which one? Bolson group. Okay. And had all sorts of clients in all different industries. then went to the art museum, which is now new fields. Oh, cool. Yeah. Which was one of my dream jobs because I studied art history.
Right. Um, and I was there about four or five years. I was there when we like launched winter lights in the beer garden and [01:07:00] really made that shift to make it like more cool. Yeah. Great work and fun. Yeah. and then I'd always thought it'd be really fun to work for the city. I'd done the museum thing. I'd actually applied in the past, and didn't hear anything and I saw, that an assistant director job was open and knew someone who knew someone.
And so I was like, can you like pass my resume? And, hit it off with Ashley, who's the director still. We still work together. Our teams really stayed solid and I've been there seven years this week. Wow. , And I, I mean, it's perfect. It's five minutes from home. Oh,
Ally Brettnacher: that's
Stephanie Perry: the day, you know, new fields. , Part of the reason I left was I had just had my son.
The commute was a lot. Yeah. I was working a lot of, nights and weekends. Right. And the events
Ally Brettnacher: side of things. Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: And we still have that at the city, but it is so family friendly. You know, the mayor has young kids, a lot of the leadership team. so it's very flexible. Yeah. And living right by there.
I'm going to the farmer's market with my kids, like I'm going to the events that we're hosting so it doesn't feel like work. Work. [01:08:00] yeah. That's nice. So yeah, it's, it's been, it is like literally been the best job, especially for this, this point in my life. Yeah. And yeah, I love it.
Ally Brettnacher: Side really quick side note.
Yeah. Because then we're gonna come back. We gotta talk about the geist stuff. Yes.
Stephanie Perry: Gotta talk about the
Ally Brettnacher: geist, but how was it running through new fields for the marathon? It was because our course
Stephanie Perry: goes through new fields. Yes. So I have to tell you, I. I thought that I was gonna run through the gardens. Like for some reason I thought that, I don't know if it used to go through the gardens, I don't know, but it just went through the parking lot.
So I was a little thrown off. Josh was like swore he ran through the gardens. So I don't know what happened. I ran through, it was like the Halloween. Yeah, yeah, no, they changed it or something last year because I was like, oh, I'm gonna run by the lily house and be so pretty. We ran in a parking lot, ran in one insurance and out the other.
Ally Brettnacher: That's right. You know, 'cause I did it. I was like, wait, where was I? I was there. I did it.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. Yeah. Such a blur. the other thing that cracked me up about new fields is being a slower runner. , People ran out of food. [01:09:00] And water. And I did not expect that. Yeah. And I, one of my naive first marathon, I was like, I don't need to like, bring as much nutrition, because I hear there's bananas and there's
Ally Brettnacher: pretzels.
Well, yeah. To be fair, there should be,
Stephanie Perry: well, I get there 'cause new fields is supposed to be, there was like a food stop and we're out. Yeah. And so that threw me. So it was a little, not a great experience because of that. Yeah. but it was so cool just because going there for years. Right. And I still, I still love the institution and everything they've done and I, I love to go back and go to, you know, the Christmas programs or different things, or not my kids, like on the cake, he wants to go to an art museum, so I'm gonna take him there.
Right. Because he wants to be an artist, so.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, that's fun.
Stephanie Perry: Yes. Yeah, mine too,
Ally Brettnacher: depending on the day.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah, I know. They change careers every day. Yeah. It's
Ally Brettnacher: funny. Okay, so back to Fishers and Geist though. Yeah. I'm trying to remember. Oh, I should have looked at my spreadsheet before this, the first year that I did geist.
It wasn't the inaugural year. I, no. Or it was, yeah. I [01:10:00] don't think it was the inaugural year that I did it. but I did it when it was May. In May. Yeah, in mid in May, which it was until three years ago. Yeah. Yeah. So I can't believe it's been three years. It's been in September. I know.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: That's crazy. So that race is owned by the City of Fishers,
Stephanie Perry: uh, three years ago.
Okay. So yeah, we took it over, what would that have been? 22, 23. , And it was run by a group of volunteers, really passionate geist residents who did it for a long time. Yeah. And were busy and had other jobs.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: And so essentially the city talked to them like, this is an iconic tradition. We wanna keep it alive, we have the resources.
Yep. And so we took it over and I told my boss immediately, I was like, I have to work on this project. I love running. This is like melding of two things I love. Yeah. Yeah. And so it has been so cool as a runner to be on the other side, not just for race day. , It's not like you're just volunteering, like doing the whole process for a year and then doing it.
This is our third year, , that [01:11:00] I'll do it. And I am in charge of all the marketing. So my job is really fun. So fun because I get to think of the people I know who love to run it myself and what would get us interested mm-hmm. And have us. Voice at the table and a spot at the table. And I mean, we're planning from essentially October through September.
Right. , So it's, it's really fun. And you know, on race day there's always little bit of like, oh, like I wish, you know, I'm standing there like with a radio watching my friends run by. Yeah. And it's like, it would be really fun to run, but it's so, it's so cool to be on the other side and to help keep this tradition alive.
Yeah. and I get to work with so many great runners and running groups. We have a great ambassador team. Mm-hmm. , A lot of people I mentioned Sarah and Tracy are our ambassadors and, I get to go to running events and work with Athletic Annex. Right. And like, you know, be on kind of that business side of things.
It's fun. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Stephanie Perry: yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I joined the board for Beyond Monumental Organization. I love that. I love, that's like, that's so cool. Yeah. And so I've been on our [01:12:00] board since 21. Yeah. So four years now. And it is, it's so interesting to be on the other side. Yeah. You have such a deep appreciation for volunteers and race organizers after you get a, a peak as to what it takes.
Oh my gosh,
Stephanie Perry: for sure. The volunteers, I mean, I think we have like 350 volunteers, for race day, and that doesn't even count, you know, people getting ready at the expo. Yeah. And yeah, we literally could not do it without them. Yeah. Yeah. It's so, and the fact that, you know, I always think that would be fun.
I'm like, I should like volunteer for a race. you should instead of run, just to be the one, like passing out the water, cheering people on.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. It's fun. Yeah. I think it's a good way to still be in the mix of the, in the mix. Yeah. What's going on and, yeah. it was hard for me, like I mentioned, Carmel deciding not to run.
I knew I was gonna have fun. Yeah. Yeah. And then of course, you know, I guess silver lining for me was that I got to do it virtually. Yeah. , But it's just, I, I highly recommend, and I can't say it enough, I've said it on this podcast before, that people should volunteer so they [01:13:00] understand for sure. I've only done a water station at our kids' race and it was at the finish line.
That'd be stressful. And I was like, this is so hard. Mm-hmm. The idea of thinking about like a major marathon, like Chicago or Yeah. You know, even, oh my gosh. Monumental at the marathon. Like I did it for this tiny. Kids race, which, you know, we had almost a couple thousand kids. This is not super small. Yeah.
But still it's like a sport in and of itself. Oh my gosh.
Stephanie Perry: I was thinking that, the mini is like how they stacked all the cups and we're coming by so fast, and they're like, here you go. Yeah. And then they're trying to sweep 'em all up and
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, and then I like totally spli mean you just get so cool.
Volunteer, I'm sure like, oh yeah.
Stephanie Perry: It is a, but they're so enthusiastic and you know, just the people that keep you going. Mm-hmm. so much respect for them. Yeah. Yeah. In the Gold Mile volunteers who stand out there, the Gold Mile gets me every time, every time.
Ally Brettnacher: It's so special every
Stephanie Perry: time. But yeah, those, the volunteers who stand out there, you know, the whole time and the people like Jay who carry the flags, like Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. For people who don't know what the Gold Mile is, tell people what it is.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. So it is a mile that, [01:14:00] remembers those who have. Died in the armed services. Mm-hmm. Um, so they have pictures of, their, their rank and their age and their name. And then the family members will be out there usually, remembering their loved ones.
And it's, it's really special. It's on the track. Yeah. So it's like the first thing you see when you go on the track. And, we started a Gold Mile in Geist. I would love it to get to that point. Oh, you did? Where we have the pictures. Mm-hmm. So we don't, we don't have the pictures there. but we do have the bibs where you can run an honor of someone.
Yeah. That's cool. And then we have an armed Services commission that, that goes out there and does water and has the flags. but yeah, it's, it's a really, special experience. Yeah. Every year to go out there.
Ally Brettnacher: Does your husband Josh, run then?
Stephanie Perry: then?
Run the geist. The geist, yeah. Yeah. So he, he has not, because he has had to watch the kids.
Oh, right. Um, 'cause it's a very long day for me. Yeah. But he always really wants to, so I maybe this year we'll see if, we're lucky both of our parents are, are I was gonna say, where are your parents at? I know [01:15:00] they do a lot of race babysitting. I bet. Yeah. I might need to. Yeah. A lot of race babysitting.
And so, his parents actually live right off ge, so they're actually blocked in during the race. But, it would be fun. he will run any race. Yeah. He can get, so, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I, I really love guys. People I would say might shy away from it because of the hills and I would hills I would just argue that Yeah.
I mean, yeah. It's, it's got some hills. Yeah. But. You gotta mix it up.
Stephanie Perry: It's got some amazing views, like, so pretty being out there, the sun's rising over the water. The first, you know, start is over that bridge Oh, wow. As the sun's coming up. And Yes, it is hilly. And that's something that, so the first year we really leaned into the hills and marketing.
Mm-hmm. And people got really scared.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: Um, especially at the expo. Like we were at the mini expo and we had like an elevation chart, like on display and people were like, uh, and so, uh, last year we really like didn't talk about the hills. Yeah. And then people were like, I didn't [01:16:00] know they came through the finish line and they were like, oh my gosh.
And so this year we've kind of balanced it. Yeah. And we kind of have a different marketing strategy for the half versus the 10 and 5K. Yeah. Yeah. So, you know, the 5K is family friendly, stroller friendly. it's not as hilly. It's, you know, really, it's fun. It's a great first race. And so. We kind of take that, perspective.
And then with the half marathon, especially in our regional marketing, we're like, this is really challenging. It's hilly, but it's this amazing waterfront race and it's a great way to challenge yourself. Great. And runners really respond to that. Yeah. So it's been fun. This is the first year we've really done a larger regional, marketing strategy.
Okay. Because Geist has kind of grown to a point where locally. if you're a runner, right? If you're a runner, you know about it, know about Geist for sure. and so how do we continue to grow this race beyond, you know, Hamilton County? Mm-hmm. , And it's not, you know, it's not just about traveling for the race, but all the things there are to do here.
Like, you can travel to Fishers [01:17:00] and go to an awesome concert at the event center, or, you know, a fuel game. and so kind of trying to sell the whole experience. Right. but yeah, we do have like a, a good amount of out-of-towners, but nowhere near, you know, what a mini would be. Right. Which we're never gonna be that.
I have dreams that we could have a marathon. That would be cool. That would be, that would be really cool. That would be cool. Yeah. And especially with the nickel plate trail, , now expanding into Indianapolis, the, yeah, I've
Ally Brettnacher: heard, yeah, I don't know. I, I need to look at a map of that expansion, but, well, so the Fisher's
Stephanie Perry: portion is 1 46 to 96.
Yeah. And then Indy has pretty much finished their portion, but we are constructing a bridge right now. Over 96. So right now if you need to cross, you have to kind of cross 96 on your own and then you can be on the indie portion. Got it. Which goes all the way down to connect to the Monon. Yeah. But once we have the bridge and then Noblesville has a portion that goes up to Midland Trace, I have this dream that like we could have this like huge race.
It's like a 40 miler, [01:18:00] right? Totally. Something around the mean Totally goes through the whole, yeah. Whole metro. And you know they have the full MO over on the Monon, so it's like, what about like a full N PT or something? Right? Like I think that'd be, 'cause nickel play trail is like my go-to. Yeah. Running spot.
I love it.
Ally Brettnacher: I know. I feel like Fishers to me is like Ohio.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Well there's like never not construction. Yeah. So I just don't go over there as much.
You know.
Stephanie Perry: There's a lot of construction. but it's really just in the time I've been there come a long way.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: but yeah, the trail, we have a Geis Greenway Trail now out on the east side.
so just having more trail connectivity and then connecting to other communities. Like we have a trail, , over in our heritage park that's gonna connect to Hazel Landing Park in Carmel with a bridge, over the White River. That's cool. So just all of the connectivity with the different cities. Yeah.
And that's fun. That's a fun part of my job is being collaborative, right. With the other municipalities. Yeah. I'm sure that can be frustrating at times too 'cause
Ally Brettnacher: you're like, you gotta finish it so that I can get, you know. [01:19:00] Yeah,
Stephanie Perry: yeah. Well there's always the friendly competition. Yeah. And people love to always compare us to Carmel.
Right, of course. Um, but you know, we're all kind of our own, our own vibes and our own, you know, Nobles. No Westfield, Carmel, fishers. And I think we all kind of own what we each do well and we don't always try to replicate, like that's not always the goal. Right. And we want our residents to enjoy the amenities of other, cities.
and I love running on the Monan too. Like I said, Josh loves doing the full Mo. I always spectate that I might try it sometimes.
Ally Brettnacher: Were you at the Fisher's Running Club spot last year?
Stephanie Perry: Um, I did stop by there, but I usually drop him off up in, what is it, Atlanta and Indiana or whatever, and then I spectate all down, so I'll like.
I always go to like Quaker Park and mm-hmm. Um, I'm just standing there alone with my son. Yeah. but I do think it'd be fun to bike it. We have a few people that like bike it and kind of help people out. Like, well that's cool, bring their water. But he really wanted me to do it this year and I was like, I am not in a [01:20:00] position, but maybe next year.
And it's June so it can be hot.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. That's, that's one of the things that Yeah. Scares me a little bit about that is, is the heat, but, it's, it's a different environment. Yeah. It's not the same as a road marathon, which is what I've been used to. And I think having spent so many miles on the Monan trail, I think it'd be a perfect, like foray into ultra marathons.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. It is an interesting race because. It's not like clothes. So you're running, you're like dying out there and there's people just walking their dogs running their coffee, right? Yeah. That's funny. And like as a spectator, I'll be standing there and I'll be like, woo, Josh. And like people are just staring at me.
They're like, who is this lady? So in some ways I think mentally it would be a hard race. Yeah. Because you are like, and you're probably not by other people. There's not a ton of aid stations, so you really have to be self-supportive. But that makes it more of a challenge. Right.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I hope to spectate again this year.
I was out by the Fisher Running Club last year. Yeah. [01:21:00] So, yeah. Oh, they
Stephanie Perry: always have like, such a fun, like one year they had like confetti and bubbles and Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I've learned that. I just really like spectating too. It is fun. It's own sport. It is. And it can be so much fun. Fun. It's
Stephanie Perry: tiring.
It's, it's, I was like, I was like trying to catch Josh. It was like running, you know? Yeah. especially on the Monan, there's not always like a great place and you're trying to track them.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: but yeah, spectating is fun. And if I live downtown, I'd probably spectate more downtown races, but Yeah. Yeah, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. so we're getting close to the end. I know. It's been so fun. It like flew by. So I, I think the end of the podcast questions will be good because I have some questions to ask you around one of them. Yeah. So the first one is, what is your favorite running song and or mantra? Okay.
Stephanie Perry: So mantra. So I love David Goggins.
Yeah. I feel like that's like, you know, some people love him, some people are thinking he's crazy. I love David and I've listened to his books on audio. I've read him and he has a [01:22:00] mantra around like, the one second decision. And so for my first marathon, Sarah Farney, she actually makes, bracelets, marathon bracelets.
Yes, she does. And she made me one, one second. And for me it's about how your kind of one second decisions build and culminate into this huge, you know, can change your life. Yeah. All. And everything is just a one second decision. It's one second. Am I gonna run today or am I gonna sit here when you're running?
It's about, am I gonna like stop and take a break right now, or I'm gonna see if I can go one second longer. And that really helped me through the marathon and through some tough runs. 'cause it's like, okay, I wanna stop. I wanna stop, but like, let's see if I can do it one more second. Or if I stop now. You know, I'm not gonna wanna start again.
Yeah. And so, I mean I think David has such an incredible story and he has so many great mantras, but I love that one. my running playlist is all over the place. Yeah. So smart. Like it is, it is nuts. It has musicals, it has Macklemore, it has Taylor Swift. I don't really have like a go-to song. [01:23:00] especially with those longer runs.
It's not all about getting amped. There's like some slow songs. Yeah, right. but I would say when I first started running, glorious by Macklemore was like my go-to
Ally Brettnacher: song. I love that song.
Stephanie Perry: And it's not a traditional running song, but there's a beat and then just the message. I'm like, no, it's great.
Oh yeah. I'm so inspired. Love
Ally Brettnacher: obsessed. It's definitely on my running fast.
Stephanie Perry: Okay. I'm glad to because I always feel like, I don't know, but that's been one for years. . Yeah. But it's a evolved. She, it's a
Ally Brettnacher: nice day. If it's like a nice day, you're just like, this is in the music video. It
Stephanie Perry: says, grandma gets me.
I know. I've seen, I just love it. Oh, I love it. I love
Ally Brettnacher: McLemore. So, um, me too. Yes. Those, those are probably, that's a good one. Yeah. I've never heard the one second one, so that's good too. Yeah. One
Stephanie Perry: second. I mean, yeah, David, David Goggins has a lot of mantras. Yeah. And sometimes
Ally Brettnacher: he does.
Stephanie Perry: I feel like runners are either like, oh gosh, it's David Goggins, or they're like, yeah, I love David.
But yeah, regardless, he has such an incredible story. And I think about him like when I'm injured or trying to run, it's like, okay, he was running his, knee was messed up, his feet were broken. Right. And
Ally Brettnacher: he,
Stephanie Perry: he had rhabdo, he's like, out there, figured it out, you know? Yeah. [01:24:00] So a heart condition. , So it was pretty inspiring.
Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. And then next finish line or milestone is where I wanna dig in a little bit, because Yeah. , We talked earlier about how you were thinking about destination kind of stuff. Yeah, yeah. Okay. So what's today is, it's what? It's may now. It's may, when's your, what's your next race?
Stephanie Perry: so Butler is probably my next big Ram one Butler eight eight hour in July.
It's and then I'll probably do Fort Ben half and then Yeah, you will marathon the full, the monumental, yeah. Yeah. So Monumental Butler are probably like two milestones. I'm doing, 3 1 7 Spark Fishers, five Ks, that kind of thing. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but this year I think my milestone, I wanna knock out a better time at the marathon.
I've only done it once. I wanna still enjoy it once. Mm-hmm. I wanna still enjoy it, but I think tied with that is, I would love to do a 50 K at Butler. I just don't know if it's in the cards this year. I think that's so
Ally Brettnacher: close. Last year it's like,
Stephanie Perry: it's Well, and last year I took a 45 minute break.
Because I didn't have a goal. Yeah. So [01:25:00] after I ran a half, I went inside, I changed my clothes, I sat down. Yeah. And I'm like, oh, if I wouldn't have taken that group break, like, so I think eventually a 50 K is on my list. Yeah. whether it be Butler or somewhere else, but right now it's those longer distances really building that endurance and mental fortitude too.
Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. But destination race would be fun. I think , that's a next year goal is to get outside of, you know, you start to do the same races and they're fun and they have that special place, but you're kind of like, okay, I've done this. so keeping it fresh. Josh and I are eyeing big sir.
That is a lottery and a hard race. Yep. So I do know a few people have run it. , Someone I know did it as her first marathon, which is, that's intense. Pretty incredible. I think that would be really exciting. Very. A lot of elevation. Um, that's
Ally Brettnacher: so beautiful. I mean, the
Stephanie Perry: pictures, it looks beautiful.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: , The time limits start to scare me because I am slower.
Yeah. Like, I'm like, okay, like what [01:26:00] is
Ally Brettnacher: theirs? Do you know? I think
Stephanie Perry: it's, I think it's six. Okay. So Al's eight. Yeah. And I finished in like five 50 or something. Yeah. So like, if I trained six wouldn't, but I'm like nervous. I'm like, oh, you at that?
Ally Brettnacher: Add to your race day. Nerves and anxiety. Yeah. Yeah. Um,
Stephanie Perry: Hawaii is a special place in my heart.
I love, I know some people have in Hawaii runs. Mm-hmm. Um, Maui Marathon, Hawaii. and then, I mean, less, exciting, but flying pig would be fun. Yeah. So just trying to like. Get out there and it's really about timing. All of the races are like in that April, may, October, November timeline, and I'm like, I need them to be split a little.
cause I still love, you know, monumental. Like I said, it's probably a bigger local race and I'd love to keep doing that.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Well, it's nice that you can do that. We have Fort Ben and guys so close together because you then have a race to go do for sure after you're so excited of your own events. Fort
Stephanie Perry: Ben is fun.
I love it. That was my second half I ever did [01:27:00] and I did not train on hills. I didn't really know, I mean, stupidly that it was hilly, but it's so pretty in October. Oh, it's perfect. October's my favorite season. It's beautiful. , And that's always fun. I have always done that race. either 10 k or a half.
Yeah. Yeah, it's a great one. It'd be fun if they had a full, but
Ally Brettnacher: I know 'cause they used to there. Yeah. Oh, did they? Uh oh,
Stephanie Perry: I didn't. Yeah, it used to
Ally Brettnacher: be, oh gosh, I don't wanna butcher this ' but it was, what was it called, like the Indianapolis Marathon? I don't know. But there was a full marathon there.
Okay. Yeah. Okay. And then when Beyond Monumental bought the race. Yeah, I think that's when it became the half.
Stephanie Perry: Oh wow.
Ally Brettnacher: And then we added the 10 k. Right. 10 K is great. That's a great distance.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah, we, it would be fun to have more 10 Ks locally. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: This will be our 30th year for, for Ben, so it's gonna be a big year this year for us.
Stephanie Perry: It's fun. And then you get to get the Indie hon medal, which is really exciting when you do both of 'em. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And we're gonna do a big a breakfast this year, I think. Poster release. What? Yeah, there's some really like a caramel
Stephanie Perry: type like pancakes and stuff like that
Ally Brettnacher: kind of vibe.
Stephanie Perry: [01:28:00] I love that is Me too.
That is, that is actually, I think monumental and caramel do really great after parties. monumental, you get like the free pizza, like Yeah. The amount of free pizzas I ate last year after I ran that marathon. Oh my gosh. I was like, but caramel with the pancakes, like the after party is key. Yeah, it is.
Yeah. It really is. And Fort Ben is such, I love it. 'cause it's small. It is not like overly crowded. Right. Josh and I had our wedding reception Fort Ben, so it's a special That's cool place.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: Um, but yeah, I, it's such a great tuneup for the monumental, so yeah, it's great.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I love it. I try to do. Like all of them.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. I, I gotta talk to you more about this beyond monumental board. That's really fun. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. It's, it's really fun. Yeah. It's, I love being involved and I love being able to share my ideas and, um, yeah. Well, I always
Stephanie Perry: see you like on the Facebook groups, like
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Answering questions. I know. I'm just trying to represent,
Stephanie Perry: I know the Indie mini Facebook group was blowing up.
It was, I
Ally Brettnacher: can't get
Stephanie Perry: enough
Ally Brettnacher: of it,
Stephanie Perry: and it's still blowing up. It's, I'm like checking it. Yeah. I know.
Ally Brettnacher: All these cool stories and it's, it's really cool. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm like, [01:29:00] hmm. Like I invited, I don't know how many people at the expo, probably three to be on my podcast. I met like this woman who had done the many, you know, 39 times in a while.
Oh my gosh. You know, there's just so many of those cool stories out there. So
Stephanie Perry: many, yeah. That I just love the expos are really fun. I've worked them a few times at the Geist booth. Yeah. And people are so excited. And then as a runner, I'm just like. Sorry, the rest of the geist workers, I'm like talking to this person about running for 45 minutes.
Right. Forever. Yeah, yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Oh man. And then you are on a hunt to, to go on all the national parks too, which Oh yes. Could incorporate some running potentially. Yes.
Stephanie Perry: This is kind of my new kick from last year. I've always been, we love to camp, hike, be outdoors. But, I started listening to some national parks podcasts, read some books.
I was like, oh my gosh, I wanna go to every park I gonna take, my kids have this like, you know, experience. Yeah. , Growing up seeing, you know, the natural beauty, right. Of
Ally Brettnacher: our own country. Of our own country. Travel the world. Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: For years I was like, we gotta go like outta the country. And so, we're [01:30:00] slowly getting there with young kids, you know?
Believe me.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Stephanie Perry: Because Josh and I will like, hike. Like, we'll be like all day, like loading up and these kids cannot handle it. Yeah. So. I don't wanna go too many cool places until they can like, handle them. Yeah. So we did the Smokies mammoth cave. We're doing the Badlands this year. Oh, cool. , So I've never been to South Florida.
Is Dakota, is that south? Okay. I was like south or north. Yeah. And they have wing cave out there, but I'm really eyeing for next summer Yellowstone. Mm-hmm. Or Rockies or maybe the Utah Parks. Sorry, I keep hitting your micro. I'm just so excited about the National Parks Utah. Uh, yeah. With my kids, so That's great.
It'd be great. I, yeah. And there are races out there, right? I know they do like, well, I mean that's a whole different thing like racing at elevation and stuff.
Ally Brettnacher: Well, I've done one in Salt Lake City, the run Revel. Oh, awesome. Where they bus you up a mountain and you run down. And then I really wanna do, I turned 40 next year.
And so I really am eyeing There's a Ragnar in Zion.
Stephanie Perry: Yes. That would be amazing. You did a Ragnar last year, right? Yes. Up in Michigan. Yeah. I've [01:31:00] never done one of those.
Ally Brettnacher: It's cool. It's a really fun experience.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So anyway, I could talk to you all day.
Stephanie Perry: Yeah. So that's awesome. I'm so
Ally Brettnacher: glad we did this. . Thank you so much for doing this. Thanks Sally. , And happy running to everybody who's listened. Yes.
Stephanie Perry: Happy
Ally Brettnacher: summer running. Happy summer running. Yes. Let's go. All right. We did it.
If you enjoyed this episode of Finish Lines and Milestones from Sandy Boy Productions podcasts, please go share rate review. That's the biggest thing you can do to help. Also, if we aren't already friends on Instagram, you can follow me at Ally @allytbrett_runs See you next week.