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Guest: Caitlin Johnson @caitlinnn_12
Show Notes:
Caitlin (Walsh) Johnson is the Head Coach for the Ball State Women's Field Hockey team and a coach at Orangetheory Fitness.
During this episode, sponsored by Amazfit and Cure, we talk about:
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Her new last name - Johnson - her maiden name is Walsh
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Being a coach - Head Coach for Women’s Field Hockey at Ball State and an Orange Theory Coach
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How she got into the sport of field hockey
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Her fitness coaching era - CycleBar, OrangeTheory Fitness, F45
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Signing up for her first ever race - the Philly Half Marathon and then doing the Philly Marathon
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How she met her now husband, Drez
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Working with Matt Ebersole (EP 89) of PBT to PR her half in Napa and heading into the Boston Marathon
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Pacing a marathon after only running one marathon herself
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Her Boston Marathon experience
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Becoming an ultramarathoner at The Full Mo
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The injury she’s been struggling with heading into the Monumental
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Running the Indy Mini half marathon as an elite
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Her tattoos
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Her dog, Zane
Sponsor Details:
- Amazfit - Use code ALLYB for 10% off your order
- Cure Hydration - Use code ALLYB for 20% off your first order
This is a SandyBoy Productions podcast.
Episode Transcript:
Ally Brettnacher: Welcome to Finish Lines and Milestones, a podcast for everyday runners. I'm your host, Ali Brett Knocker, and if you run, you're a runner and every runner has a story. Join me each week as I share these stories and we celebrate finish lines and milestones to together.
This week's episode is brought to you by our friends at Amazfit. it is a global, smart wearable brand that designs smart watches. Fitness trackers and health technology for active lifestyles, they have a slew of different products all in the same ecosystem. I have the balance too for a GPS watch as well as the helio strap that I wear to track my sleep, and they also have a ring, they have headphones and it's all in one place.
They have an app called the zep Health app [00:01:00] that has everything. All sink together. The pricing is more competitive than the big brands that you're used to. Anywhere from $99 to $399, and you can get like a thousand dollars worth of value for half the price. So I just recently wore my Balance 2 for the CNO Financial Indianapolis monumental half marathon, and I absolutely love it.
I don't have to worry about it dying. It has 21 days of battery compared to the garment I have, which has about four. And it also has no subscriptions, so there's not additional fees, on top of. What you already get. So if you would like to check out Amma Fit, go to their website, use code Allie, B-A-L-L-Y-B, and you'll get 10% off of your order.
Thank you so much to Amma Fit for supporting this podcast.
And now for my guest this week, I have Kaitlyn Johnson, previously Kaitlyn Walsh, and she just ran a 3 29 45 at the monumental marathon. [00:02:00] It was not what she wanted. She wanted, as you'll hear later on in this episode, she wants to have a sub three marathon under her belt. Which I know she will get, but she's been dealing with an injury and so then she thought about a three 20 to time qualify for Chicago, but given the pain, it seemed like she went through during this race.
I'm so proud of you, Caitlyn, for not giving up and for finishing, and I loved cheering you on just before that last turn. Congratulations. This episode was actually recorded before I even did the Marine Corps Marathon. So if you want all the nitty gritty details about Marine Corps and my indie monumental experience, you can go to my blog or check out the race recap episodes that are on the podcast feed.
So my blog is@athletebouquets.com under more, and you'll find my blog there. Or if you prefer to listen like you are doing on this podcast, you can hear it in the feed. So I don't know if I'm gonna do that for every race. It takes me forever, but I feel like it's nice to have it all somewhere that I'll be able to look back at and remember [00:03:00] what an incredible weekend both of those weekends were for me.
So with Kaitlyn, I got a chance to finally sit down and get to know her. I've met her. A couple times briefly around Indie, but I loved getting a chance to hear about what field hockey is and how she ended up in the sport. She's now the head coach for the ball state, women's field hockey team.
We also talk about how she's. A coach from the fitness side, she's an orange theory coach. She's also coached cycle bar F 45, so we talk about that. We of course then talk about her running journey, her signing up for her first half marathon at Philly, going back and running the full at Philly, and we talk about Dres, her now husband, how they met, a little bit about his running journey as well.
How she's worked with her own coaches pacing a marathon after only running one marathon. We talk about her Boston experience, how she is now an ultra marathoner, and I think you'll really be inspired by Caitlin, who perhaps at some point will be a running coach too. I was like, you're a coach of all the [00:04:00] things like when are you gonna be a running coach?
So we'll see. She's got a lot on her plate. So thank you so much, Caitlyn, for coming on, and I hope you all enjoy this conversation with Caitlyn Johnson.
Caitlyn Johnson.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: How do you like the sound of that?
Caitlin Johnson: Um, it seems like a very basic last name now, but I feel like it's easier.
Kely Johnson. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: People are like, is it Walsh Johnson? And I'm like, maybe for like ball state coaching for a little bit for like the transition. But yeah. Kelyn Johnson.
Ally Brettnacher: It's so exciting. Okay. What was the date that you got married?
Caitlin Johnson: Remind me. So we got married October 11th, so last Saturday.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh.
Last Saturday. I swear I've seen a million pictures. It feels like it was a month ago.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Uh, yeah. It's crazy. So the photographer that we used did our engagement photos, she's really sweet and it's funny 'cause when she left the wedding, she's like, I'll get them to you in a couple weeks. And I woke up the next day with like, here's a sneak preview.
I couldn't help myself.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, that's the
Caitlin Johnson: best. Which, it was awesome. And they were beautiful and I can't wait to get the full album, but Oh
Ally Brettnacher: my gosh. She looked incredible.
Caitlin Johnson: Thank you. Thank
Ally Brettnacher: you. Oh, and where, where did you get married?
Caitlin Johnson: We got married at Mel Top in Noblesville.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, [00:05:00] I've never heard of that.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. And so with that venue, they can have like.
Three weddings at a time, which seems really crazy.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, it
Caitlin Johnson: does. Yeah. And so we originally, were gonna get married this spring of 26, but my dad's not doing so well. He has dementia and so, oh, I'm sorry. It's okay. We wanted to like expedite things a little bit. Mm-hmm. So that we can make sure that he was there.
and so it ended up being 50 people, and their skylight room, which is beautiful 'cause it obviously had like the natural lighting coming in. Um, but it was honestly the best day. Like the weather was perfect, so I know.
Ally Brettnacher: Yay.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, it was exciting.
Ally Brettnacher: Well, congrats. Thank you. So do your girls as a coach, do they call you Coach Caitlyn?
Do they call you Coach Walsh? Do they call you Coach Johnson now? Like, how's that gonna work?
Caitlin Johnson: It's funny because I really didn't like being called Coach Walsh when I first got hired. I was like, I don't, it just sounds like old. Makes you old. Yeah. Yeah. It sounds old. Sounds like either call me Caitlyn or Coach, or Coach Caitlyn if you want.
So, and a lot of them, like if they're messaging me or texting me or emailing me, they'll say like, coach Caitlyn, or just coach. So. I don't know. They like, they wanna call [00:06:00] me CJ for, oh, for Kailyn Johnson. I'm like, okay, if you want, I don't really care. But, um, that's, yeah. Okay. So it's pretty much coach or Coach Caitlyn.
It really is ever a coach Walsh. So I don't know if they'll start to say Coach Johnson. But it's funny 'cause we've been, we had a couple games since and when they do the announcements and I'm like, and the head coach a ball state is Walsh, they're all like turning around like giggling. Like, no, it's not likes on.
I'm like, okay guys. So yeah, we'll see.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh, that's so fun. I went from being hill to being Brett knocker.
Caitlin Johnson: Oh gosh. You went
Ally Brettnacher: the opposite direction. Yeah, I went way opposite. So, yeah. So at least, I mean, easier, but that's
Caitlin Johnson: easier. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I just feel like it's so basic. It's like, oh, you're a Johnson.
Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I'm sure people, so, 'cause I always, I don't know why I wanna say like, there's Johnson and John. Yes.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Which I feel like people will still butcher, even though Johnson Well, some people didn't know. It's so easy.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Some some people didn't and they were like, is it Johnson or John? I'm like, then they had me questioning.
I'm like, it, it's Johnson.
Ally Brettnacher: You're like, I don't know. Well say whatever you want. I don't care.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Oh my gosh. [00:07:00] So I just touched on Coach, that your coach, you're also not just the head coach for Ball State Women's Field Hockey, but you're also an Orange Theory coach.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: You've been doing that for quite a while.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. Yeah. So, I wanna say it's like four years. A couple of them I spent, when I was an assistant at Kent State in Ohio, that's when I started my orange theory coaching journey. Okay. And I've always been a member, I was a member since like 20 15, 20 16. Whoa. I know. Crazy. So I've always loved it. And so I eventually made the change to becoming a coach.
and it made the transition really easy when I. Got the head coaching job here for field hockey to just continue coaching Orange Theory.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I say it's like my fun job.
Ally Brettnacher: Right. Well, I mean also saving so much money Yes. For getting paid to do it. Yes. Yeah. Instead of the other way around. I've tried Orange Theory and I, do love it.
I just have to curb my spending on all the things. Fitness, that's, so I work workout at home for that part, but, at least I'm self-motivated, so I know that I get a better workout when I'm in group fitness kind of format. [00:08:00] But for now, my husband does F 45, which I know you've co have you coached at F 45 as well?
Yes. Okay. he loves that, but so he's doing the group fitness while I'm in the basement, which is fine. It's fine for now because I'm mostly be
Caitlin Johnson: running. So motivation is good. I feel like if I, I mean, I have a bike at home and sometimes I'll use it, sometimes I won't. It's just if I am motivated that day, I will.
But
Ally Brettnacher: yeah, it depends. So, I mean, in seasons of life too, depending on Yeah. What's going on, how you can fit it in. Yes. All of the things. So. You're not originally from this area?
Caitlin Johnson: No.
Ally Brettnacher: Which I find fascinating, which also makes sense with the field hockey thing. Yeah. Because I don't know anything about field hockey.
I didn't know we had field hockey in Indiana. Yeah. So I went to Miami of Ohio, which is a big hockey school, and
Caitlin Johnson: their field hockey program's really good.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. I was gonna say, I'm sure we do have field hockey. Yes,
Caitlin Johnson: yes.
Ally Brettnacher: But I'd never, knew it existed, really. So tell people what the heck field hockey is and how you got into it as a kid.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. so I started in third grade. it is big on the East coast, so yeah, it, no one in Midwest knows what it is. They'll [00:09:00] lack. They'll ask me like, field hockey, what is that? Is it lacrosse? I'm like, exactly. Yeah. Is it like lacrosse? No, it's called field hockey. But um, I say it's kind of a mixture of soccer and lacrosse in a sense.
Okay. Um, so there's 11 players. You play with one side of the stick, which is kind of strange. So there's a flat side and round side. So you can only play with one side and there's only. I guess people say, oh, it's not really for lefties 'cause you can't really hold a stick that way. Oh, interesting. So it, it's made one way.
It's very, it's such a weird sport. I don't really don't know how I got involved. Um, and we play, at least in college level, you play on an AstroTurf, which we water. So we have like water cannons that water the turf, which basically keeps it a little flatter and smoother.
Ally Brettnacher: interesting. 'cause obviously it's not like growing,
Caitlin Johnson: right?
Yes, exactly. So, we water turf and we play, yeah, we play vidak on it with a round hollow ball. but yeah, I started it in third grade and I feel like it was one of those where it's super big on the east coast. and all my friends were like, we should play vidak. And I'm like, sure, why not? Yeah. Okay.
So I mean, at that point we were playing all the sports and all the things. and I really [00:10:00] enjoyed it and started to get really good at it and started to play travel. and then it was one of those where like, oh, I could actually. Go to college for this. And so, yeah, I fell in love with the sport completely and now it's my life and what brought me into the Midwest.
Yeah. So, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So, okay. So for field hockey is the goal, what is the goal? Like?
Caitlin Johnson: So it's a square goal. It's a little bit smaller than a soccer goal. Okay. So soccer, I feel like's more like rectangular, like hockey's more square.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Um, and yeah, you can put it in
Ally Brettnacher: the air and,
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: but
Ally Brettnacher: is it the same, what are the, are the lines at all, are they completely different from soccer and lacrosse?
Yes. Like the lines on the field?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. So we have, we play over a hundred yards. There's a 50 and then we have two 20 fives, and then from there there's a circle. And so the circles like 16 feet out from the end line. And that's the shooting area. So you can only score in the circle.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh
Caitlin Johnson: yeah. And we still have like short corners and stuff, which kind of like soccer where it's like a corner kick.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Um, where we have like four defenders coming out with like masks on and the goalies wear these big pads.
Ally Brettnacher: [00:11:00] Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: It's such a weird sport.
Ally Brettnacher: It, I'm like, it's fascinating. I've never watched it so
Caitlin Johnson: weird.
Ally Brettnacher: I need to like, go look at, I need to go watch videos of it or something. Yes. To like familiarize myself.
'cause I can't even really, but like the stick is like a hockey stick looking. Yeah. But you, like you said, side, there's one side is flat.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. And that's the only side you can use. So like, you can, you have to like turn your stick
Ally Brettnacher: over ball. So you accidentally, if you accidentally hit it with the round side, what happens?
Caitlin Johnson: It's a foul. And that's other team's ball.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh
Caitlin Johnson: yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. And so do you only wear a mask when you're on defense? Or do you always, does everyone wear masks?
Caitlin Johnson: So you wear a mask just on the corners. So defensive corners. So that's it. And then,
Ally Brettnacher: okay. Is that position, that's a position.
Caitlin Johnson: So that's when Yes. It's when there's a corner kick and the defenders run out.
So that's the only time that they can wear masks.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: And so the other time, I mean, I've gotten stitches before and our face is really common.
Ally Brettnacher: oh.
Caitlin Johnson: But yeah, I mean, yikes. It's dangerous, but it's fun and there are a lot of rules and I still feel like parents, and even us as coaches are like, what was that called?
So right. Yeah. It's just one of those where, but once you do pick up on it, it is fun to watch and. Yeah, it's now my [00:12:00] life.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And okay, so third grade. What age is that? What? My daughter's in second. So what is that, like nine? Yeah. Or 10.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, probably nine or 10. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And do you have siblings?
Caitlin Johnson: I have a younger sister.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, so she's three years younger than me. and so it's funny 'cause I feel like we didn't necessarily get along growing up, but then once I was old enough to start thinking about college and moving away and going to college and everything, I feel like we started to become really close. Yeah. and she's a big basketball player.
Okay. And so I played basketball as well, so we would play together, play one-on-one of course. But, but yeah, she's more the basketball star of things and I went the field hockey route, but,
Ally Brettnacher: and then you went to Old Dominion? Yes. For undergrad? Yes. how did you make that decision?
Caitlin Johnson: So, I mean, I feel like when I was in club it was.
I wanna go play at the best program that I could play at. I feel like it was like, oh, what do you wanna study? I don't know. I wanna play field hockey. So, ultimately at the time we were a top 10 program and so it was one of those schools that I really wanted to go to. And so I took a visit and fell in love with campus and the coaches.
[00:13:00] And so yeah, it was an easy decision for me. it was hard moving away from home because Dominion's in Virginia Beach area.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: And so I'm from Pennsylvania. Okay. So it's about like five, six hours, which to me is a huge difference. Right? Um, and so we also trained year round, so geez, I would be there, which is kind of fun though, 'cause in the summer we would.
Do classes and then train and go to the beach all day. So,
Ally Brettnacher: so
Caitlin Johnson: it was kind of like the life, but that's a
Ally Brettnacher: nice bonus.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. A nice bonus. Um, and so yeah, it was a great experience there and I started coaching club during my career there. There's a local club team and I also fell in love with the coaching side of things and knew that I wasn't ready to give it up.
And so,
Ally Brettnacher: my gosh. Yeah. So you've been coaching for a long time.
Caitlin Johnson: Since I graduated, which is kind of crazy.
Ally Brettnacher: That is really crazy. Yeah. That's so cool. Clearly you were born to be a coach. Yeah, I feel like it does. It takes a certain, you know, personality and mentality. Yeah. So what age did you start coaching?
Like what age of girl? So do you coach the club side? Yeah. Which was like high school age.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Yeah. So club was like high school, middle [00:14:00] school. Like, it kind of just depended on the age group. So anywhere from like. I didn't really like coaching the u twelves and u fourteens 'cause I feel like the patience level for me is not there.
But yeah. Um, but then I got to go to the high schoolers where they think they know it all and their half their parents make them be there. Yeah. That's fun too. So I feel like, yeah, so I would say U 16 to U 19 age group. And then, when I graduated ODUI started at Davidson and was thrown right into coaching college athletes who were basically my age.
Yeah. Or a couple years younger, which I feel like that transition period was, I don't know, it was challenging, but like knowing that okay, I'm now a coach, but also like these girls are my age. So kind of
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Finding that line of coaching but also being relatable. So,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. And so, and then going from being like a paid coach versus like a volunteer, did you volunteer.
At first, like as a club coach, or did you always get paid to be a coach?
Caitlin Johnson: So got paid as a club coach. That's cool. It was like cool. Yeah, it was really cool. But it was more of like, I don't know, like when you're like babysitting, you know, like, like a
Ally Brettnacher: retail type. Like you're not like making
Caitlin Johnson: a salary
Ally Brettnacher: necessarily.
Caitlin Johnson: It was just like, yeah. Enough money. Like [00:15:00] obviously our college kids don need extra money is nice. and it was just cool because I also thought it made me a better hockey player too. 'cause you're like coaching the game and seeing it from different aspects and understanding how club athletes think and how maybe your teammates think.
So I feel like it also helped me grow as a player too. Yeah. but yeah, so it was like. Money, just extra money as a college kid. But then after graduating, then getting a full-time assistant and being like, oh wow, like this is my life. Like this is my job. Yeah. Which is fun. But also it's a lot, I feel like people think coaching sometimes is just, oh, you go to practice and that's it.
I'm like, that is the easy part. Like, yeah, that's the easy part. The hard part's, the administrative stuff, all the planning and traveling and, and all that stuff.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And I'm sure dealing with parents at times can be really hard. and do you have any like certifications or ongoing education? I mean, I think of.
People who've gotten into run coaching as an example. Like, I mean, even group fitness, right? So what did that look like? did you go take like get a certification for that or like how did Yeah, so
Caitlin Johnson: coaching, not really. I mean, I [00:16:00] was, my major was sports management and I minored in marketing, so I had some type of background in that in terms of just like for more of the administrative side of things.
Mm-hmm. And just knowledge in that. but aside from that, I mean there are stuff that we do like ball state's in the Mac conference, so there's different, I don't know, trainings and seminars and stuff that we can do, just more so not necessarily for certifications, but just for your growth as a coach in person.
Mm-hmm. and then obviously Orange Theory, we had to have our personal training certification, obviously C-P-R-A-D, stuff like that, which is also helpful for being a coach for field hockey.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Caitlin Johnson: Um, but no specific like coaching certification necessarily.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. Gotcha. Okay. So Old Dominion was where, again?
Caitlin Johnson: Virginia Beach,
Ally Brettnacher: Virginia, that's right. By the beach. And so when you graduated. Were, were you still in the Virginia Beach area?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, so I was in Virginia Beach and then Davidson is in North Carolina. Okay. So I feel like people are like, oh, that's where Step ua. And I'm like, yes, that is our claim to fame. Oh, see, I know nothing.
Yes.
yeah. Go sports.
Go sports. Yes, go sports. So, um, that's like in and around Charlotte. So it's in [00:17:00] Davidson, which is New York, Cornelius. okay. And so I lived basically right near Davidson College. and I was there for quite a few years before I then moved to Kent State, which is in Ohio. So. Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: And then you're
Caitlin Johnson: getting closer.
Started just moving. I'm closer.
Ally Brettnacher: Getting
Caitlin Johnson: closer to Midwest.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. And so that explains why you had a picture with Steph Curry on your Instagram. Yes. Yeah. Yes. So did you, were you there at the same time?
Caitlin Johnson: So he, how he is? Yes. Well, he comes back every year. So he comes back every year. Okay. And like. I think he really loves Davidson.
so he'll come back and his coach was still there at the time, so he would come back every year and do this whole athletics thing. So all of his coaches were able to meet with him and everything. Not that I'm sure he has no idea or remembers who I am, but at least I have a picture
Ally Brettnacher: of him. That's pretty, that's pretty cool.
Caitlin Johnson: Pretty cool. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. That's really cool.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Wow. Yeah. Especially as, you know, a basketball player too.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. That's really fun. Okay. That makes sense. 'cause I was kind of like, okay, yeah, there's just a random photo of you, right? Yeah. That's not correct. Friends. That makes sense. Not so random. well you've met him then multiple times.
Caitlin Johnson: Just one time. [00:18:00]
Ally Brettnacher: Really just, but yeah, just one
Caitlin Johnson: time
Ally Brettnacher: when he came back,
Caitlin Johnson: but
Ally Brettnacher: well still, but he is count. Definitely counts. what was life like living like, you're not a college student anymore. But you're like by a college.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Was that hard?
Caitlin Johnson: I think it was hard. And also like the head coach that I worked under, she was great.
And I felt like she was almost like my mom away from mom type situation. Yeah. So, she kind of took care of me and like definitely helped me. And I feel like Davidson was a stepping stone, for younger coaches. So I feel like I was able to meet other young coaches who, like, I actually lived with like the lacrosse assistant.
Mm-hmm. So I was able to make friends that way. and actually two of my bridesmaids who were in my wedding, I met when I lived in North Carolina. Oh, that's cool. So, and they had no like. Association with Davidson, but that's when I started getting into like my fitness coach era. Yeah. And so I met them through that and I think it's really cool that obviously they're two of my really good friends now.
but I definitely think that the players that we coach at Davidson were different caliber than the ones that I were surrounded with at old Dominion. So I feel like that was [00:19:00] also hard. Yeah. Um, but they were great and I feel like they respected me as a coach, but also as someone who the kid they could come to if they needed advice with hockey or just life.
So,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Okay. And then. So during that time, was that your cycle bar area?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. Okay. Yes. So
Ally Brettnacher: I loved your psych. I loved looking at
Caitlin Johnson: Bar. I know. Okay. Yeah. I feel like I've so fun. Been, I don't know how, I think my head coach at the time at Davidson got me into that. She was like, she got me into Orange Theory.
because I didn't really know what Group Fitness was. I was like a college athlete for the last four years. So I had a strength coach who told us what to do. Yeah. Yeah. Um, and I, I don't know, weren't sure. I feel like it's just that competitive nature still in a way, where you can chill, challenge yourself, push yourself, and so it was a great fit for me.
And then I started Cycle Bar, which was right next to slash near Davidson. so I was able to coach classes, which is also helpful being young right out of college, making more money. Right. So, right.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And being able
Caitlin Johnson: to stay in shape out. Yeah. Yes. Working out
Ally Brettnacher: great.
Caitlin Johnson: Getting paid to teach a cycle class and take it at the same time.
Yeah. So, [00:20:00] And that was really an easy transition for me to, when I moved to Ohio as well. So,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Did you, okay, so you did cycle bar when you moved?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. So I moved to Ohio, did cycle bar, coached at Kent State, and then I also got into Orange Theory. Okay. And then when I moved here to Indiana, I also worked a little bit at the Fisher Cycle bar before they shut down.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Which is really nice. I do miss it a lot. But yeah. I also don't think my body could possibly continue to do that and train all the things. And run all the things Yeah. And operate. So,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I feel like it might've been a hidden blessing, but
but yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And where, okay, so I'm trying to remember when Peloton became a thing because it was before the pandemic that I got the bike.
But not by, I was like in 2019, so it must've been around for like a year. So this,
Caitlin Johnson: I feel
Ally Brettnacher: like it was
Caitlin Johnson: fairly, yeah,
Ally Brettnacher: because your cycle bar, bar era was like well before, right? That
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: do you remember like when Peloton started? Were you working at at Cycle Bar? I remember I was, I remember
Caitlin Johnson: at Kent State, 'cause I was in Ohio and I knew we had a couple of members who did do the Peloton but also still would come take classes just for like again, the group fitness [00:21:00] atmosphere.
Right. Um, but I feel like it probably started getting big around the time when I was there.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: So I do remember that. but I still feel like we had so many people still involved in psych or, which is good.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I would be curious what that number looks like now that there's so many things that Peloton can offer, which is think is amazing, but
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
But it's also like. A lot of people like my husband, like he needs to be out of the house with other people. Yeah. Like, he does not like being alone in the basement. That's not his jam for me. I'm like, sweet. See,
Caitlin Johnson: I feel like I would enjoy that.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. It's love it. My
Caitlin Johnson: alone time.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. Well, especially when I do it when the kids are not there.
'cause then when the kids are there,
Caitlin Johnson: then
Ally Brettnacher: it's, it's a different story, but it's fine. So I have like a baby gate that I put around my treadmill,
Caitlin Johnson: like, leave me alone.
Ally Brettnacher: You stay here. Yeah. You just don't get close to it. Yeah. So, and then you did F 45 at one point too?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. That was before, that was in Ohio before Orange Theory.
Okay. Coaching. I was still a member at Orange Theory. I feel like I was poached to become a coach there. Yeah. Um, and I, I mean I think we were talking a little bit about like what fitness
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Like
Caitlin Johnson: how do you pick for most people. Right. And so, like [00:22:00] F 45, I enjoyed taking their classes, but I don't think it was as good of a fit.
But I can see why people enjoy it. Yeah. You know, and so I felt like Orange Theory was more kind of my streamline of things. but yeah, I feel like there's so many different. Fitness studios. Totally. And things happening now too. And I feel like there's trends and I don't know, it's really just whatever you enjoy doing.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. It's like, do you like the lights on or off?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: That narrows it down. Right? Like, do you wanna like really loud music? Like there's just so many different experiences and you now, there's so many different kinds of opportunities that you could pick what really is best for you.
Caitlin Johnson: Right,
Ally Brettnacher: right. Exactly.
Totally. Exactly. Yeah, I, like I said, I loved Orange Theory. I love the treadmills. They're so
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: nice.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, they're so nice. They're so nice. And the Flex
Ally Brettnacher: sticks
Caitlin Johnson: on
Ally Brettnacher: them
Caitlin Johnson: so nice.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, I feel
Caitlin Johnson: like, I know. It makes me appreciate them. When I go to like the hotel and I have to be in the treadmill there and I'm like, oh my God, I can hear myself and
Ally Brettnacher: yeah, my
Caitlin Johnson: shoes are crying.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. This like P Yeah. I've run on many a treadmill and they're not all great at Equal. Yes, yes. That's for sure. Oh my gosh. Okay. how old were you when you moved here? What stage in [00:23:00] life?
Caitlin Johnson: I wanna say I was probably 28.
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: When I moved here.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: I would say, yeah. Which it was crazy. I didn't even, like Ball State called me up and we were like, Hey, like we're looking for a head coach. Do you wanna come interview? And I was like, it's always been my goal to become a head coach for field hockey. And they were in our conference, so we would really just come to the field and play field hockey on leave.
So I really knew nothing about Ball State. Yeah. And I was like, oh, it's in Indiana. Mm. And my goal is to get back to the East coast. I'm going the opposite direction. but Sure, why not? Yeah. So, um, I came on my visit and honestly I fell in love with the campus. I feel like it's a hidden gem that not many people know about until you step foot on campus.
Yeah. and then just the opportunity and knowing, The administrators and how supportive they were. I was like, okay, like yeah, like let's do this. And so moved further this way.
Ally Brettnacher: Now you're in India. Is it still your goal to get back to the East coast?
Caitlin Johnson: Um, yes it is, but I've also said like, I also try to live in the moment type thing.
I think like in the future, like yes, I've always said like [00:24:00] getting back to the east coast or coaching on my alma mater would be something amazing. Oh yeah, that would be so cool to do. but like if I can build something up Allstate that's lasting, then like that's great too. Yeah. So it's kind of one of those where like make the most of where you're at and so I don't know.
We'll see. It's always like, I feel like a goal to get back there, get back home. I love the East Coast and obviously hockey's more big over there.
Ally Brettnacher: Right? When you say what you do, people are like,
Caitlin Johnson: what? Huh? Yeah, exactly. So
Ally Brettnacher: that's a sport.
Caitlin Johnson: So, um, you're
Ally Brettnacher: like, yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Could be the goal, but I'm also, I'm okay where I am right now, so,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
So how many years have you been at Ball State? Ball State?
Caitlin Johnson: Um, this is my fourth season.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And you've done really well, right? Your team?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. I feel like we're having not so good of a year this year, but they're getting better and I feel like we're just young in terms of experience on the field. but.
I feel like with the way that NCAA sports is going, there's no rebuilding years anymore. It's just you are fighting to do the best that you can that year. So, but yeah, we've, since I've been there, we've been in the Mac tournament two times and we've beaten [00:25:00] Indiana, which was huge for us, like being a Big 10 team as Little Mac School.
So, yeah, we're doing good. And I, I mean, I enjoy them. They're such a good group and I feel like they work really hard and they care and they wanna be there. So How many,
Ally Brettnacher: how, how many women on the team?
Caitlin Johnson: we're small. This year we have 20.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Because
Ally Brettnacher: there's, you said 11 on
Caitlin Johnson: the field. Yeah, there's 11 on the field.
with the ncaa we really can't have more than 27, but I would never carry that much anyways 'cause that's just so many.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: and of course I'm recruiting 'cause I want players to play. Yeah. So I feel like 22, 23 is kind of that sweet spot. So, I mean, it's been great with 20, I feel like as long as we're healthy, which we have been, it worked really well.
Yeah. But, um,
Ally Brettnacher: are any of the girls runners too?
Caitlin Johnson: Um. Some of them are, I feel like they don't realize it until after I've had some who have graduated and who have I've been following and they've been getting into half marathons and stuff. And you're like,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I'm like, I love this. Um, so yeah, some of them aren't, I feel like they'll realize it afterwards.
I feel like you always say that when you're playing of, I can't wait to be done. Like my body's hurting. Like I won't do anything. And then they're like itching to do something and so they fall in love with [00:26:00] running or they still play hockey. So, I have a feeling some of them will continue to, to stay active well past their career.
Ally Brettnacher: Well, and you like growing up, I mean, playing basketball, playing field hockey, like, and a lot of people I talk to, it's like running was more the punishment. Like, you're running laps or you're doing conditioning and people don't like, like it at all. How, in in Orange theory, like did you, have you always liked the time on the tread or
Caitlin Johnson: not, or, yeah, I have, honestly, I've never, I mean, I never ran track at all.
Like, so I never like. Ran, I guess you could say. But I played midfield in college. Yeah. So I feel like I was always running and at that time we played 2 35 minute half, so I was literally playing an entire game. Yeah. Just running up and down the field. So I feel like I've always enjoyed it. And then when I did get into Orange Theory, I always loved starting on the treadmill and getting miles in.
I really didn't start running until I feel like, obviously I feel like everyone says once COVID hit, I started running more. I Makes sense. I's a lot. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: but then when I moved here, I feel like is when I really started running.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. what got you to sign up for your first [00:27:00] race?
Caitlin Johnson: I wanna say, I would say a lot of it has to do with the Orange Theory coaches. I feel like when I got here, the community that we have within our ownership group, I feel like they're all runners. Like we're doing five Ks, we're doing 10 Ks, halfs and fulls. And I'm like, what is this like racing like I, I truthfully had no idea anything about it.
And so, I also think my sister talked us into doing it. 'cause we were like, we should sign up and do the Philly Half Marathon. And we're like, it's back in our hometown. Like, how fun would that be? Oh yeah. Yeah. And so myself and two of my friends, and they're also Orienter coaches, were like, let's go do it.
So, and my sister and her now husband also ran it. and I enjoyed it. I didn't even remember the first half of the race 'cause I was just so like, I don't know. In awe of everything. Like the atmosphere. Yeah. What was going on. I was like. What is this? We're racing with bibs on. Yeah. Where are we running to?
Like, I don't know. It was just really cool experience and then I feel like I got the bug and
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. You did.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: You definitely did.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: And okay, so you mentioned the OTF ownership group that you're part of, [00:28:00] which locations here locally? So
Caitlin Johnson: locally it's, I, I work at the Fisher's Geist location. Okay. there's also Nickel plate, Carmel West Carmel.
Which one? Which
Ally Brettnacher: one? Okay. It was like
Caitlin Johnson: both of them. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: So both GE or both Fisher's location? Both Carmel's, Ironworks, broad Ripple are also a part of our ownership group, Noblesville. so those are the kind of ones that are local. and so we kind of share if we need to sub in places. So I feel like we're a big, a big coaching community.
Ally Brettnacher: And coach Katie Tel. Yes. She was on this podcast. Yes. Like it feels like forever ago now. Yeah. but yeah, she's the reason I tried Orangetheory actually for the first time. 'cause I was like, okay, like fine, I'll go Yes. See what it is. And I knew I was gonna really like it. Yeah. I like, why
Caitlin Johnson: did you do this
Ally Brettnacher: way?
I was like, I know I'll like it. It's not that. It's, yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: It's the other part. It's, but now I wanna keep doing
Ally Brettnacher: it. Yeah. Yeah. So did you go to Philly with Coach Katie? Yes. Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. And she actually was my coach at the time because at that point I. It was new to running. I was like, what is this run coach thing?
Like, do you need a run? Like, I was like, cool. Oh,
Ally Brettnacher: she was your running coach?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. So she was someone who, she had her own clients that she worked with, and she was [00:29:00] like, yeah, like, let's do it. So she and my sister both used her. Actually, I think my sister didn't use her for the half.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: But, so I used Katie for the half.
Ally Brettnacher: for your very first, my first one. First phrase.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. My very
Ally Brettnacher: first phrase. This is, that is a really important thing to point out. Yeah. Because obviously there's a through line in your life of coaching, but most runners probably, well, most runners probably don't have a coach, first of all. Yeah. But like, people like me, I mean, I ran for, I don't know, 10 years before I got a coach.
Like, I never thought that that was something that normal, average, right. People. Would do. I thought it was just for elites would have coaches. Yes. So that's so cool. Yeah. That you've been coached from, and
Caitlin Johnson: I have no idea. Yeah. I had no idea what to
Ally Brettnacher: expect. Which makes sense too. Yeah. Because you value coaching obviously.
It's like,
Caitlin Johnson: right. And I was like, sure. And I also had no idea where to even begin. Like, how do you even go about training for something like this? And I'm the type of person, and I hate it because I've struggled with pacing myself. But I would be like, well, I'm always like, go, go, go. So I'm like, okay, well if I get to start landing and I go like, let's just do it.
And I'm like, well, what happens if you die halfway through? Who cares? You just keep going. You just, you just go. You [00:30:00] figure it out. It's so, it was nice to have her. Um, and I used her, I then ran Nashville, the rock and roll with her. Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: and that's the St. Jude one, right?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. Which was amazing. Oh, love.
So, so much fun. Love. But it was really hilly, but like, I didn't even care. Yeah. Like it was, it was so cool. and then. We, my sister and I both used her when we ran the Philly full. Okay. Which was the following year. Okay. Which my sister, I blame her for doing this because she was like, we should run the full.
And I'm like, Colleen, are you serious? Like, if you're doing this, like you have to, like, not gonna change this. That
Ally Brettnacher: was your first full? Yes. Who was that? Philly
Caitlin Johnson: was Philly. Who? And like, I think it was like also the fact that we had such a great time for the half that I was like, let's do the full.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: but yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I'm trying to remember what year. I never, I remember what year it was, but I, the only DNF that I have is at Philly because I did the half instead of the full. And so it was on a day or a year where they were, they were on the same day. Now they separate them. Yeah. But it was literally like, I had done Chicago and then was gonna do Philly.
It was the first time I've ever tried to do two and first and only time I've ever [00:31:00] tried to do two full marathons a season. Oh gosh. And I was not coached at the time and I. Was so sick. I had no business running at all that day, but I was very stubborn. So I I get
Caitlin Johnson: that. I get that. I would
Ally Brettnacher: be the same way.
And I was there with all my girlfriends. They were there. I was like, I'm gonna do it. but like, I remember I was so cold. I like picked up somebody's like, throwaway shirt off the side of the road and put it on. Oh God. That's how desperate I was. And I was like, there's no way I'm gonna do this.
And so I just, I at the halfway point I'm like, yep,
Caitlin Johnson: nope. Yep,
Ally Brettnacher: you I'm gonna go this way and I'm gonna finish. And uh, the chicken,
Caitlin Johnson: well I guess it's a good thing that it was that they're both on the same day.
Ally Brettnacher: Amen. Just like
Caitlin Johnson: seriously.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, because I had that option. Because at
Caitlin Johnson: least you could have. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
I mean otherwise it was gonna be brutal. Yeah. And um, the chicken broth at that race, I've talked to our team at Monumental. I'm like, we need chicken broth.
Caitlin Johnson: It's awesome.
Ally Brettnacher: Makes sense. It brings you back to life.
Caitlin Johnson: Makes sense. Yeah. And I mean the weather, I feel like for both the half and the full, we got lucky on like, is little chilly of course at the start.
But I feel like it always like beautiful by the end of the day
Ally Brettnacher: because Philly is a little later in November.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Like the week before Thanksgiving or something like that. Exactly.
Caitlin Johnson: It's like before Thanksgiving. 'cause I feel like my family's always like, can [00:32:00] you stay? I'm like. I wish, but I can't stay like a whole week, whole week through.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, that would
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: be
Caitlin Johnson: nice. I know. It would've been really nice.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: but it was so cool. And then Dres came with us the, when I ran the full heated the half.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Um,
Ally Brettnacher: nice.
Caitlin Johnson: Which worked out really well. And the fact that they're on two different days, so we could all just support each other. And Katie and my other friend who ran the half with us, they didn't run the full, but they came and supported, which I thought was really fun and really cool.
Ally Brettnacher: Yes. Yeah. So
Caitlin Johnson: they had a fun time spectating, and I feel like it was pretty easy for them to navigate and kind of figure out like where they could meet us multiple times throughout the, the course, but
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Well, there's, I don't know. I was like, isn't it like looped up at one? It
Caitlin Johnson: of loops up and like goes near the zoo and then Yeah.
It's, it's kind of hilly, but I don't know. I, I enjoy it and I feel like. The Philly streets are awesome and like, there's so many fans and they, like, you go through University City and all the marching bands are out there. I dunno. It's just a cool, cool environment.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I, I need to, I almost need to read you 'cause it just like, it was such a blur.
Caitlin Johnson: I keep telling people like, if you want a good half or a full, like go to Philly. Like, it's just such a, [00:33:00] especially if you've never been to the city and like, it's so historic and everything. Like, it's just, maybe I'm biased, but
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. One of my running friends, Kim Bowers, she's the one, she, we went there because she lives there.
and so it was nice to have like, yeah. I mean, experience her city though. Yes. And like she knows.
Caitlin Johnson: She knows
Ally Brettnacher: all the pieces. Yeah. Stuff and yeah, it was, it was great. We need to do that again if Kim, if you're listening, yes, we need to do it again. Maybe I'll have, maybe I'll just do the half and just like, not even all that.
I don't know that I need redemption for the full, I, you know, it just is what it is. But yeah. Okay. So you mentioned Dres now, so now we have to hear the story about how you guys met.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, so we met through Orangetheory. I feel like it was one of those where I first came here, we all, all the coaches met at some point, whether we were doing a workshop together or working out at different studios.
So I feel like we knew of each other but didn't really know each other. and then I feel like a little help of our coaching friends made this whole spark come alive.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. So tell me like how much help?
Caitlin Johnson: Um, well, my one bridesmaid coach Lu might be listening as well. Um, I feel like [00:34:00] she was like, well, what about dress?
And I'm like. sure I'd be open to the idea, like, whatever. Um, and then Dre's best man, Jake, I feel like gave him a little bit of courage to text me and say, Hey, do you wanna go to dinner? And then, yes, we started dating two Julys ago or around probably June, before July happened. and yeah, we started dating and then he asked me to be his girlfriend on July 4th.
Oh yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: That's so sweet.
Caitlin Johnson: Two years ago on July 4th underneath the firework set nickel play amphitheater. So it was really cute. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And then, yeah. And then that's where he proposed to
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. Yes. He proposed to me, the day before my birthday. My birthday is March 31st, so it was March 30th. And he had already made dinner plans.
We were gonna go to Ocean Prime, which I love seafood. And so, we already had that decided. so I really didn't think anything of it. I was like, oh, we're gonna, a nice dinner. Like yeah, we'll get dressed up. And it's a Sunday. And he says, okay, well I have to go drop something off at the post office really quickly.
And I'm like, J is Sunday.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh yeah, it's [00:35:00] not okay.
Caitlin Johnson: But like, I was just like, he was like, oh, I'll just drop in the Dropbox. Like it's a Pokemon card that he has. He's like, loves Pokemon. So he needed to ship this card. And so I was like, whatever. Like I really at that point, still didn't think anything of it.
And so, it's also about to storm, like it's about to thunderstorm, it's windy and everything. So we're driving towards nickel plate and he like drives right by the turn. I'm like, you're supposed to turn there. He was like, shoot. I was like, oops, oops. So I was like, okay, just pull into the fire parking lot and then like, we'll turn around.
So he pulls and he parks. And at this point I'm like. I'm not walking there. I'm like, I have, I have heels on, my hair's done, like what is happening? It's about to storm. and so he got outta the car, he like grabs my hand and then I, it kind of starts to click in my head. 'cause I can see like a setup on the amphitheater with like a whole picture saying like, will you marry me?
And like little champagne and everything. So it was really cute. And so of course Laura and Jake are two who made this all happen in the first place. Were there like, they had like Bundy cord stuff. They were like holding it. 'cause the wind's going,
Ally Brettnacher: oh [00:36:00] my gosh. They're like
Caitlin Johnson: coming up. It's outta a movie.
Yeah. So they're like, gosh, hurry up. The storm's coming. And so we're like walking towards everything and then it finally kicks in my head. And then yeah, he proposed where he asked me out, which is really cute. Aw. And then we had little firefighters in the back over the intercom saying Congratulations.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, that's really
Caitlin Johnson: cute. Yeah, that's really cute. That's so fun. Um, and then we had to like quickly get out, go to dinner because our reservation and also 'cause the storm, but
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
oh, that's so
Caitlin Johnson: fun. It's sweet. It was really sweet. I love that. And very thoughtful and definitely something that I feel like is definitely him, like something thoughtful like that.
So it was really sweet.
Ally Brettnacher: So did you always, did you coach, you kind of like knew of each other? Did you coach at the same location?
Caitlin Johnson: So he coaches at Ironworks and Broad Ripple. Okay. Are his main two studios. and I'm more GE and sometimes all sub at Carmel.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: so we don't really, we didn't really cross paths that much.
we, I feel like we would cross paths more so at Iron Work just because I'll work out there sometimes 'cause it's closer than going out there at Broad Ripple necessarily. so yeah. Crossed paths, but weren't never at the same studio.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I feel like I see, I saw him a lot this training block on the Monan Yeah.
In Carmel.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Which was unexpected. Yes. Because does he [00:37:00] like just to, or I don't even know, would he have like run all the way from Fishers?
Caitlin Johnson: So he, I mean he did great during his training block this, the season. He really wanted to his marathon and he used Chrisy di as his coach and did amazing. And she was great for him.
Um, but I feel like he, the Monon iss easy for him with like, working at Ironworks and just being able to run straight down the monon, whether it's at Nora or over Aurora Road, so.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Um, but yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. 'cause we would, I mean, on Friday mornings we go to Aurora Road and Run and so he would usually be finishing
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: When we were starting and I'd always be so jealous, but like in passing we'd be like, yay.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. And you're like, oh my God, I still have 10 more
Ally Brettnacher: miles. Yeah. I'm like, great, I'm just gonna go run 20 miles now. You're done. That's, you know how it goes. But yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. I feel like I used the Monan a little bit, but I feel like I started running a little bit more towards guys every now and then.
So
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. I don't know. The network of trails as much out in that area, especially since it's been growing so much. I can't keep track of like, what's going on.
Caitlin Johnson: No, I'm, I mean, I'll sometimes run on nickel plate, but I'm also, I'm directionally challenged, [00:38:00] so if you give me a route, which is awful, being a runner, like I can't, like I run now I've started to run at 5:00 AM with like Rob and Brendan and Guyer sometimes.
Yeah. But thank God for them because I mean also when you're talking in a group at 5:00 AM you don't even know where you're going. Like it's dark out. So I'm like, whatever. As long as I'm with them, they'll figure out the route and I'll just get back to my car somehow.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Caitlin Johnson: yeah. Um, which is nice. so I've started to do that, which has made it one easier 'cause you just get up and you get it over with.
Mm-hmm. Um, 'cause I'll never run at 5:00 AM by myself in the dark as a female especially. Right.
Ally Brettnacher: But, right. Yeah. Yeah. No, I. Those times have passed where I would feel any sort of, yeah. Like invincibility.
Caitlin Johnson: Right.
Ally Brettnacher: Thank you. It's, it's like, no, I'm good. I'll run on my treadmill yes. Or Yeah, wait till it gets light out, which I'm fortunate enough to be able to do.
Right. okay, so you mentioned the guys, Guyer, Brendan, Rob.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: They're all so speedy.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: you're speedy. When did you find out that you. Could run like kind of fast.
Caitlin Johnson: I mean, to be fair, well I didn't even know, like when I ran my first half, I didn't even know what a [00:39:00] quote unquote good time is.
Right. Which is all relative, but like of
Ally Brettnacher: course, of course.
Caitlin Johnson: I really had no idea. And I also didn't have any background in how to train or train properly, especially with fueling too. I was like, am I supposed to stop at water stations or like, when do I know when I need to? Right. It's like, what are you talking about?
Um, so I feel like once I figured out how to properly fuel and train, I started to think, okay, like. I could shave time off of my half. And then, I mean, we kinda had a big, we had a big goal for my first full. We're like, well, I think you could get around three, which was stupid. Like, no, I'm not running my first full marathon at three hours.
But of course, Kelyn thinks someone says that she thinks she can. So I'm like, I'm gonna try. So I'm like, I found the three hour pacer I died, which my first marathon, which is crazy because I was like, I was slowly slipping away. Like I was on track for probably the first half, but then I was like, no, yeah, this isn't gonna work.
which I still finished at a three 12 in my first marathon, which crazy, because I was thinking, that's crazy. I could get anywhere close to a three. but then I started to kind of figure out how to properly train, especially with the [00:40:00] coach and everything. and so I feel like having those guys, like, yes, they're speedy.
So by me running with them, I mean, I'm doing like easy runs with them, which are, or they're easy paces. Yeah. For both of us, which sometimes they're slower, probably. Slower for them than they want to, but Yeah. Yeah. Um, or like if we go to the track, it's like we're at the track at the same time, which I don't know, like I'm running with a group like that who like, of course they have banter between themselves mm-hmm.
Which is all healthy and friendly, but it's nice because like they also like to see each other win and do well. Totally. So like for them to be like, come run with us, like, I don't know. It's really cool to have them supporting you and saying like, Hey, it's so cool. This is like, you're doing great. Or like, we're running around the track and someone's like, on an interval you're just saying like, you got it.
Or, good job. So, I don't know. It's a fun, it's a fun atmosphere to be a part of. And so they're fast and. I mean, Rob always says like, surround yourself with people like that. 'cause it's gonna make you better.
Ally Brettnacher: Right, totally.
Caitlin Johnson: So
Ally Brettnacher: I mean, being able to like, yeah. Chase down some people like that or just be like, you know, on the track, being able to watch and be motivated by people like that think's really cool.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Or the [00:41:00] ones who are like, who's writing at 5:00 AM Or like, I don't want to, but because you ask now I feel like I have to Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: That
Caitlin Johnson: like obligation to do it,
Ally Brettnacher: so. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah. Now I remember the time that you and I first met in person was at, when Jenny Simpson was in town. Yes. Yes. At Athletic Annex.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: And I remember I was talking a little shit to Robin, Brendan, because who was I running with? Christy D We had turned around early and so we were like running in front of them. I'm like, look at me, I'm in front of you guys. It's like the only time in the whole like, you know, ever that I'm ever in front of them.
Mm-hmm. and we were trying to, I don't know why we were trying to go back fast, but we were, and so it was just kind of funny. Yeah. But yeah, I can't fathom like even easy runs with them would be like. Really tough workout for me. But like you said, it's, it's all relative, right? Like Yeah, no, yeah. I totally understand.
But I think it's really cool that you have that, that crew.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: so you started coaching with Katie and then you were with Matt Ebersol for a while too, right? Yes,
Caitlin Johnson: yes. So I used him, after the Philadelphia full. I [00:42:00] didn't really, I mean, I didn't even really, I just wanted to qualify for Boston just because I thought that'd be cool.
Ally Brettnacher: You
Caitlin Johnson: didn't
Ally Brettnacher: edit three 12?
Caitlin Johnson: I did.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. I was like,
Caitlin Johnson: Jesus Christ. Well, that, well, that was my only goal. And so at that point I was like, okay, like I wanna, I really just wanted to run Boston. I really didn't have a goal for that time. Mm-hmm. Um, and I loved Katie. I loved the training that she did, but like, you only know what, you know.
Yeah. So I was like, oh, like, let's see. And so, I asked around and people had nothing but great things to say about Matt. Mm-hmm. And so I used Matt and ended up. Going and ping in my half. Okay. At Napa, which that course was beautiful. Of course you're in fricking California wine country. Yeah. Yeah. Um, but so I ended up finishing at a 1 24 there, which was like a four minute PR for me.
Wow. Yeah. Which was crazy, especially for half. And so, training with him was great, and a different experience in itself. And so I pretty much like that was my main thing with him. And then I'd used him through Boston as well. Okay. And so within there, like there was nothing really that I was like going for PR [00:43:00] wise or anything.
And I truthfully don't have any desire to be our more on my half, at least not right now. Right. I say that, but that could change.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: and then I paced a little bit through Matt, so he Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Right.
Caitlin Johnson: Asked for Pacers and I was like, sure. Like the one who can't pace herself, let's go pace other people, but yeah.
Yeah. It sounds like a great idea. Well,
Ally Brettnacher: and I wanted to talk to you about that. Well, 'cause I think too, it like ties into the coach in you partially, right? Yeah. But yeah, obviously pacing is. A whole nother animal. So what race did you first pace and like what time?
Caitlin Johnson: So I believe the first that I paced was with Brendan and it was Fort Ben last year.
Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: The 1
Caitlin Johnson: 45. Okay. Which I felt comfortable doing that, because that was significantly different than my PR for my half. So I was like, this is great. Like first time pacing a race, I feel like confident that I can do this and especially having someone else with me Yeah. Who's never done it before, we're like, uh, we're winging this.
A
Ally Brettnacher: good blind leading the blind.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, exactly. which was great. Fort Bend was awesome and we had a lot of fun doing it and I was like, okay, like I enjoy this. Like, it's so cool. Like being able [00:44:00] to support people trying to achieve their goal. Yeah. And helping them get there and like motivating them. And so Matt also asked for Pacers for Monumental for the full, and this one scared me a little bit 'cause I was like, I've only run.
One full marathon.
Ally Brettnacher: That is what I think is nuts. Caitlyn. It's
Caitlin Johnson: I, it was nuts. It was nuts. That's
Ally Brettnacher: crazy.
Caitlin Johnson: And I didn't pace like I died, so I was like, what do you mean you want me to paste this? Like, and I, at that point I was like, Matt, do you think I can? Because I was like, I truthfully don't know.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: And it was at 3 25, which.
That's pretty. And it was the BQ for the women
Ally Brettnacher: women. Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: And I was like, that's pretty thankfully. Again, I was with someone else, which made it seem a little bit better. who did you
Ally Brettnacher: pace
Caitlin Johnson: with? Um, will Kendrick. Okay. He works at Fleet Feet in Indianapolis, in Broad Ripple area. Okay. So that was the first time meeting him too, but he was great to run with.
and I thought we did a really good job of handing the stick off and just making sure both of us are it nice. You don't
Ally Brettnacher: to hold that stick the whole
Caitlin Johnson: time. Right? Right. Yes. Yeah. Um, and so we ended up crossing at 3 23, which is amazing. And I felt so strong pacing and it was just so rewarding. Yeah.
Watching all those [00:45:00] females bust their busts to try and get that time and to have like runners come up after saying like, thank you. And it's like, you don't need to thank me. Like you did the, like you did it. Yeah. Like you just had to stay with us and you did it. But I don't know. It's again, the coaching you where it's like, this is why I coach.
Yeah. It's like the reward of your athletes and runners and everyone else who you support, so. Mm-hmm. but yeah, I was crazy. I was like, okay,
Ally Brettnacher: so why aren't you a running coach?
Caitlin Johnson: I don't know. I don't think I have enough hours
Ally Brettnacher: the day for that. I was gonna say that's, that is a fair answer to that, but it's also like, seems like it would fit in pretty nicely with all,
Caitlin Johnson: all the coaches.
I'm trying to figure myself out too, because I still feel like I could do better with pacing and everything like that. Sure. So I'm still figuring, uh, how to properly train and all
Ally Brettnacher: that. We could al always tell people what to do Yes. Differently than what you do yourself.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, exactly. Exactly.
Ally Brettnacher: That's funny. Well, I was just thinking, gosh. Yeah. With all that you have with all that. Maybe at some shoot who mean? You never know. It could happen someday. Like Yeah. Who knows. okay. So let's talk about your experience then at Boston.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Which year did you run
Caitlin Johnson: this
Ally Brettnacher: past [00:46:00] Boston. This past Boston?
Yeah. This year.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. It
Ally Brettnacher: was okay. How was it?
Marker
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This past Boston?
Yeah. This year.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. It
Ally Brettnacher: was okay. How was it?
Caitlin Johnson: The most incredible experience ever. And so, I knew right away pretty much that I would be fine with the time that I had. 'cause at the time I needed a three 30. Okay. And I was at three 12. So, um, well, yeah. And at that point, Matt and Katie, both my previous run coaches were really confident.
They were like, yes, great. So I kind of jumped the gun and already booked an Airbnb 'cause I knew it would be crazy and everything. So, we sit in Walton, which is a little bit outside of [00:48:00] where the heart of Boston is.
Ally Brettnacher: Right. That's gotta be pretty strategic in terms of where you stay because. Starter finish line.
I don't know, like
Caitlin Johnson: Right. It was kind of freezing. And again, I didn't know what to expect. So I'm like asking around and like, my sister has friends who live in Boston. I'm like, I don't like, this is a first experience for me. And so, we booked an Airbnb, booked our flights, and it was the most incredible experience ever.
And Dres even had the time of his life as a spec spectator.
Ally Brettnacher: I bet.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. So we got there, and we went to the expo the first day that we were there. and it honestly just felt like you were. I don't even know. Like you were at some type of big event and you were like, this VIP person. Like you're walking in, grabbing your bib and like the streets are all blocked off.
Like, it was so cool. It was so cool. And the weather was absolutely amazing. My goodness. I actually had two friends from Pennsylvania who were there, who qualified as well, and so we were able to run together. We were in the same corral, so Wow. We met up in Athlete's Village, which was so cool because that in itself is an experience like Yeah.
You're riding a bus with [00:49:00] strangers. Yeah. And you're like, oh, what's happening? And so an athlete's village is huge. Um, and everyone's just posted up waiting for their time Yeah. To start making their way and the then walking like almost a mile to get to where the start line is. And so we get to our crown, literally.
There's just so many people, so many people. Um, and then we take off and it's Boston's different in a sense of. Everyone's fast. So you're just in a blob of people the entire race, where like when other races you go to, I feel like there's little packs separate off you separate, which was also so cool.
Like there's people all around you and the streets are just absolutely aligned and everyone's screaming and cheering and like you can hear the roars as you're about to turn and all like the Nike billboard signs. Yep. Like, it's just so fascinating. It's one of those where you like really soak it in and I don't know.
the hills were pretty, I mean the course is tough, especially if we're running in Indiana Right. And running on the monon. It's like you're not really training that unless you are. Yeah. Um. But I feel like people are like, was Heartbreak [00:50:00] Hill really that bad? I'm like, I don't think it was Heartbreak Hill.
That was bad. Um, it's like the placement of where the other hills were in the race. Yeah. Um, it was tough. And I feel like crossing over the finish line, I was like in tears of like happiness of like, what did I just accomplish? Type thing.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: and so I also crossed the finish line saying I never wanna do that again.
And here I am like, oh my God, I think I could do it again. Yeah. Um, just 'cause it's so hard and just such an overwhelming experience. Yeah. Um, and I told Dre like, don't even try and catch me during the race. Like I had enough fuel on me that I would be fine. And I knew it would be a hassle trying to figure out the planning of that.
It was like, just meet me at the finish line. Like go enjoy being at the finish line. and so yeah, it was, it was so cool.
Ally Brettnacher: Did you have cool. A time goal going into
Caitlin Johnson: Boston. Um, going in, I really just wanted to finish under three 30, which was our time to qualify. I just wanted to, like, I knew I didn't wanna PR there, I wanted to enjoy it.
Yeah. and so I ended up finishing 3 25, which it was fine.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: So I was like, this is great. Like, weather was great, but I I, [00:51:00] the time of my life, and it's funny because I, at first like, you know, everyone's like the Boston jacket.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I wasn't gonna like, I was like, no, I don't want one. And Jess's like, oh my God, you have to get one.
I was like, a thing you're, I didn't know. Yeah. So he, yeah, he got one. So I do have a Boston jacket.
Ally Brettnacher: whew. That's
Caitlin Johnson: good. I was like, you're supposed to, I'm like, are you? I don't know. This is my first time here. That's so cool.
Ally Brettnacher: Well, yeah, I'm like, I guess, you know,
Caitlin Johnson: it's all,
Ally Brettnacher: how are you supposed to know? Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I was so naive.
I'm like,
Ally Brettnacher: okay. Well, I mean, do you remember how you first found out about the Boston Marathon? Like that you had to time qualify and what that looked like? Because I feel like a lot of people like either you know or you don't. I guess. I mean, I didn't
Caitlin Johnson: really know too much about it. Like, I know enough about it that like, I knew that you had to hit a certain goal and I feel like, I don't know.
I say that hold myself to such a high standard, and I feel like if I have a goal, I like, I want it and I'll do anything I can to get there. Yeah. So I was like, let's freaking do it. Like let's go for a Boston Marathon goal. Yeah. And so, I knew it was a prestigious race and I was like, that'd be so cool to do it.
And how there's only a select number of people that can get in. Yep.
Yep.
And so, yeah, I knew how big it was, but it was just, it was incredible.
Ally Brettnacher: Ugh. I [00:52:00] wanna go so bad.
Caitlin Johnson: Such incredible. You have to, you have to, you have to.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I'm almost 40, which makes it slightly easier, but they keep changing. I know. The time.
So I'm just like, I don't know. We'll see. We'll see what happens. I'm gonna chase my best and Yes. You know, my best will be,
Caitlin Johnson: need to keep working at it because it's, and I mean, even dress said like he doesn't really have any desire to I
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: was
Ally Brettnacher: gonna ask
Caitlin Johnson: himself.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Caitlin Johnson: I mean, I think he would want to, but he, I don't think he wants to do all of the things to get
Ally Brettnacher: to that.
I know you do. I mean, literally I'm like, I'll have to work for years.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Years. 'cause it doesn't happen just like overnight.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So
Caitlin Johnson: he, but he said that even as a spectator, it was. So cool just being there.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I've asked people if they think it would quote unquote, ruin the experience to go first as a spectator, right.
Or like save that for like when you're there to run it and people are like, oh no, just go if you have a chance to go. Go. Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: And I think like people say, do you wanna run it again? And I said like, I'm kind of torn because I really enjoyed the experience that I had. And I was like, I just want that to be a memory.
But it would [00:53:00] also be really cool, like I'm sure if the opportunity came up or if I raced and I did qualify, like yes, why not throw your name in and try and get in again? But I'm really happy with the experience that I had. So for now, I'm okay, but. If the opportunity comes up, of course. Like it'd be so cool to run it again.
Ally Brettnacher: It would be so cool. Yes. Yeah. Oh my gosh. I'm just really glad you got a jacket.
Caitlin Johnson: I know, me too. Me too. I'm like, now it makes sense why I should have just like, you're not coming home with that one. So you went and got me one. I was like,
Ally Brettnacher: okay, thanks. Was it the light blue year?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. It's light blue. Yeah.
I, I Have they shown the jacket for? I don't think so. I don't know when that happens. I
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: don't
Caitlin Johnson: think so.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, I haven't seen, anyway. It's such a big deal, having one. Yeah, for sure. yeah, I was talking, I forget who it was that I was talking to that does not have a jacket, and I was like, well, how do people know?
Caitlin Johnson: Right. Well now I feel like they need to go back and get one. They're like, yes.
Ally Brettnacher: So I have my t-shirts from, I'm like, okay, well, something, yeah. Something at something crazy to me. Yeah. do you and Dres train at all together? Do you do like easy runs with him sometimes? Or are you guys mostly like doing your own thing?
So
Caitlin Johnson: we're kind of, we're on different, we're on different paths. we're different paces, [00:54:00] but we do. We'll, like go for runs together at the same time. So like there'll be times where we'll be like, oh, like hey, let's go to the Mona, and he might have a 40 minute run and I might have. X miles where it like mm-hmm.
Lines up that we'll finish around the same time. So we're running at the same time sometimes. And there were a few times during both of our marathon blocks where he would bike with me and I would bike with him. Oh, that's nice. Which is really helpful. And I think, like for him, especially, like this is almost his redemption marathon block, so I knew that for him, having someone there during his long runs would be helpful, especially fueling wise and motivation wise.
Mm-hmm. And so it was really nice to like watch him crush a 20 mile that maybe he didn't get through in his last block, you know? Right. Yeah. So it was really nice. And being able to do that and knowing that. When you're going on your long runs, you're out there for like two, three hours of the day. Yeah.
And it's like, it's nice to have someone just there. So, um, we would pretty much bike with each other. or there were a couple times, like when we went just to Chicago for the weekend, or even in Boston, we would just run together just for like, for runs where it didn't matter. [00:55:00] so that was nice. And he's
Ally Brettnacher: probably like slow down.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. Well that's what he doesn't, he doesn't like going on the bike with me because he says that it's like a workout, which I can understand. So not That's kind funny.
Ally Brettnacher: He's, he's
Caitlin Johnson: a,
Ally Brettnacher: I
Caitlin Johnson: need an
Ally Brettnacher: e-bike, just get an E-bike.
Caitlin Johnson: And he's like, right. He's like, I'm wooing and this hurts.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, yeah, I could see that.
Caitlin Johnson: But you're supporting me and I love that.
Ally Brettnacher: Please. I love it. Thank you so much. And so You are also a ultra marathoner.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Full mo. It's like, okay, this is crazy. I mean, within the last five years Right. You've really, I
Caitlin Johnson: that I, I, yes. I can't even count on two hands, like how many races I've done since I moved here. Which is wild.
Ally Brettnacher: It is wild.
Caitlin Johnson: It's wild. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So which did you do first eight hour or the full mo?
Caitlin Johnson: So eight hour would've been first. The first year I did the eight hour I was on a non-competitive team.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Um, which was so much fun. It was two of our coaching friends, DRES and I. Okay. So this is the year that we first started dating Fun.
Yeah. It was so much fun. It was so fun. So we just really had the time of our lives. And then the next two summers, I did a cup team with Orange theory. So we put in a competitive team. The first year we lost to. [00:56:00] TJ Dailey's Track Club.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Caitlin Johnson: Mm-hmm. Um, and then the second year, this past year we lost two.
I think it was like Butler track alumni athletes. Okay. Like guys we're so close, but like why?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Um, and this past year there was like a big thunderstorm delay too. Yeah. Which is wild. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: That was crazy.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. But I don't know, the relay are so fun. They're so fun. And the fact that you just have tents posted up and you get to hang out with the other groups and people that are there.
Ally Brettnacher: Mm-hmm.
Caitlin Johnson: I dunno, it's just such a cool environment.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And for people who don't know what Eight Hour Dream is, you just run for eight hours as far as you can. Yeah. And so how many people are on a team?
Caitlin Johnson: So we were on a team where there were six of us. Okay. So when I did the non-competitive, you can either have teams of four or six.
Okay. It just depends on then which division they slot you into. But so you can either be on teams of four or six, which. Obviously with the six, you're running a little bit less. Mm-hmm. and there's two loops. There's like a long loop and then a shorter loop. Um, so I mean, I don't know if anyone's really figured out the strategy of which one's the better way to go.
I feel like it also depends on who's on your team Yeah. And kind of [00:57:00] where you are towards the end of the race. but yeah, it's fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And then the full mo is quote unquote just your, you know, just a 50 k
Caitlin Johnson: your casual 50 K down the monan. Yeah, yeah, yeah. So I don't know what made us decide to want to do that.
that would've been. After, so I ran, this has been 23 pro, or I guess 24 because I ran the Philadelphia full.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Then I went to Napa and then I ran the mini and then now the full mouse. So there's just like a bunch of stuff leading up. Yeah. Um, but that was really cool. So we started and Sheridan and literally just ran the Monan.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: And so Jess and I both did it. I, that was the first time I've ever run with like, any type of vest Oh, right. Water situation. Yeah. Because I mean, at that point, like there stretches where like you're not seeing any water. Yes. They did have stations lined up, but there are points where like you have to have fuel when you're running for four or five hours straight.
Yeah. Which was an experience.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. If, if I do an ultra, it would probably be the full mode. Just because, you know, for us, for anybody who's not local, it's a paved [00:58:00] rail trail. So it's like basically you're just running on a paved path. Yes. Like
Caitlin Johnson: straight
Ally Brettnacher: for the most part.
Caitlin Johnson: Right.
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Did you say you got lost?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. I, I would like put my foot in my mouth or I did. You just went straight or you just,
Caitlin Johnson: but this is why, this is why I am, I don't know. Okay. So there is a little out and back, which to be fair, I, I literally thought I'm running the full ball. I'm running straight down. Like, I'm like easy. I can't get lost.
Like, you're running down the monan? Yeah, like there's no, there's not even a turnaround. Like, but there's an out and back and so I didn't go the full out and back.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: So I, yes, I got lost somehow. And, but we made it to the end and then I had to then go back and get dressed. So I ran a little bit more, because he was, he was like, I need you.
And I was like, what do you need? Do you need fuel? Do you need water? He was like, no, I just need someone to run with him. Like, okay. And at that point, I'd taken my shoes off. I'm like, I'm done. So I'm like, hobbling back to get him. but it was a lot of fun, honestly. It's a good partner
Ally Brettnacher: right
Caitlin Johnson: there. Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: Whew.
Caitlin Johnson: Well, there's so many people that run it too. Yeah. And Orange Theory, and I know like Fishers Run Club, they all have tents out there too with water stations, so, [00:59:00] and I mean, it's the monon, they're all people just running normally. Yeah. Like, not normally, but like, I don't know. They're out and about on a Saturday morning, so like, it's fun.
Yeah. You see a lot of people just training runs,
Ally Brettnacher: right? Doing their training runs, doing their whatever. Yeah. Yeah. I brought my girls out this year and last year to cheer for a little bit, and it was fun. This year we were at like mile 27, and I'll never forget this guy, this guy was like, Hey, uh, how far is this race?
Caitlin Johnson: Don't worry about, just keep running.
Ally Brettnacher: I was like, what? You know that is the sign of an ultra runner right there. Yes. He's like, what is this? What did I sign up for? Like
Caitlin Johnson: what?
Ally Brettnacher: He's literally at mile 27. How far is it? What if I would've said 50 miles, man? Like,
Caitlin Johnson: right. Like, sorry guys. Sorry.
Ally Brettnacher: You're in it. You're, you have to keep going.
No, know, it's, I was like, it's like a, it's like a 50 K. That's like what? Like 31? He's like, okay, okay. Runners are nuts.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, runners are nuts. I don't know if, I didn't mind running that, like that distance, because it's one of those where it is truly endurance. Like it's, I don't know, it's like the half, I feel like that's hard because you're like [01:00:00] running really fast.
Yes. Knowing that, okay, if it's kind of a longer distance to do that, where. The marathon, you're pacing a little bit. And then the ultras definitely endurance is like, okay, what pace can I hold that I know that I can last for, you know? Yeah. so I don't know. I feel like I would wanna try one of those backyard ones.
'cause I feel like those are fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh yeah. Prairie on Fire.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Like Prairie on Fire stuff. I feel like that would be kind of our next thing to try.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: but yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I went out there this year for the first time just to spectate and like, the environment's really cool. Kinda like eight hour. You got all the tents everywhere and it's like people are just, yeah.
It's wild. Like the setups of these tents are pretty, like, people have like, you know, the shoe organizers of fuel and like,
Caitlin Johnson: I feel like
Ally Brettnacher: you have, feel
Caitlin Johnson: like that and like their chairs and blankets and everything. And like, okay, they're, they're they,
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. Like really? Yeah. All. Yeah. Very. There's. I feel like I would've to go again and spectate and then go again.
Like I'd have to really like take notes and figure out Right. Take notes of what
Caitlin Johnson: I need.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. Absolutely. So, man, so yeah. So now you have, this year you have monumental coming up.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, yes. I am coming back off of a nagging [01:01:00] injury, so unsure what that's gonna look like. Um, my big goal that I will probably have until I get it would be a sub three.
Like, I feel like that's kind of a next thing for me. that's a huge jump from coming from a three 12 type marathon. So I feel like I've talked with Guyer, who is now who I'm using for my run coach. Um, kind of about like, that's like. A huge goal. Mm-hmm. But like, what else? Building up to that, like a pr then maybe a 3 0 5.
So we have like the tiers of goals where honestly, anything better than what I did previously is great. Great. and so we might have to tailor that a little bit, depending on, I mean, we're like less than three weeks out from monumental. Yeah. And so I've been on the elliptical for some of my harder training runs right now.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh. Did, did Rob teach you his?
Caitlin Johnson: Unfortunately, yes. And I don't like it. It's like, I don't like the elliptical and there's nothing against it. It's just like, it's not for me. Like Yeah. But I also like, I'm at the point where like I tried running outside. I'm like, I literally am limping while I'm running.
Like, this is not good or smart. Oh. So yeah. So I'm on the elliptical for those. I'm able to do my [01:02:00] easy runs outside, which is nice.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: so getting some mileage outside today. I tried my longest run in the past couple weeks and felt Okay right now. So I'm hoping that that will be Okay later on and tomorrow.
Yep. so that I can at least get to the start line of monumental and confident enough because I wanna be able to at least. Put up a good race, right. If I'm gonna race it, you know?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Caitlin Johnson: yeah. Um, so we'll see.
Ally Brettnacher: Will you be around a PACE group at all? Do you have, are you gonna have your own plan? What do you,
Caitlin Johnson: so it's funny 'cause Matt Ebersol is looking for Pacers for that, but, um,
Ally Brettnacher: and you're like, no,
Caitlin Johnson: you're like, I'm okay.
so my first goal would be if I'm feeling up for it, that set three. But I feel like it might not be the race for that. And I have to, I've come to the like realization that there are other training blocks and this is not the end all, be all. I
Ally Brettnacher: know. It
Caitlin Johnson: just sucks when you
Ally Brettnacher: put in so much work.
Caitlin Johnson: And especially since this century kind of came out of nowhere and I was like building momentum and feeling strong and fit and I was like, wow.
Like I'm feeling more confident in this goal and so to have something like this happen, which is unfortunate, but, I'm thinking maybe streamlining [01:03:00] things and maybe just getting a qualifying, qualifying time for Chicago and then maybe using that as a build for. PR and sub three kind of goal. So we have different avenues and options to choose some.
It's kind of just what's going to make the most sense and be the smartest decision. Yeah. 'cause I know, like my stubbornness is saying, just go for the sub three. You'll find a way to do it, but it's also like, okay, but am I gonna injure myself more? Is that worth it? You know? Ugh. So I don't think it's so hard.
Yeah. So it's fine. I feel like I've come to the realization and doing what's best and so it'll be one of those, putting our heads together of myself, Guyer, and pt. Yeah. Like, okay, here's the outline. What should we do? Yeah. What should we do? Yeah. And it just sucks. 'cause I've, I've talked to quite a few people like Guyer and Rob, and saying how like injuries, knock on what, I've never had something where like, one, I didn't know where it came from and like Yeah.
How long I'd be down or, yeah. Tell people, tell
Ally Brettnacher: people what your injury
Caitlin Johnson: is. Yeah. So I'm having like glute medias tightness, so a lot of stuff in my glute hip and low back. So kind of in that area. [01:04:00] Um, and so at first I was really worried that it was some type of. Bone thing. 'cause every time I ran and the impact, it was like sharp pain in my head.
Oh
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: God.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. To the point where I was like limping while walking, not even running. Mm-hmm. So it's definitely made. A lot of progress since then. and so now it's, sometimes it's a good day, sometimes it's a bad day. So a lot of pt, a lot of soft tissue, dry needling, all the rehab stuff, prehab. so we'll see.
Fingers crossed.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. So hard as a runner too.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: But yeah, I mean, have you probably as a coach too, like for your field hockey girls Yeah. Like I'm sure plenty of them have experienced injury Yes. And had to like do the work to come back.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: So hard though to
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. It's hard. It's hard.
Ally Brettnacher: Be patient.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
To be patient and just trust and know that there are gonna be other blocks if it doesn't work out. Yeah. So trying to stay positive. All the things that I would say to someone else, I'm trying to believe in myself. I know you're like, even though like you don't wanna believe it, you're like, no, this is it.
Like this is the one time, it's like,
Ally Brettnacher: no,
Caitlin Johnson: you're fine.
Ally Brettnacher: I'm ready. It's, yeah. How am I gonna do this again? This [01:05:00] build like,
Caitlin Johnson: yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah, yeah. Well I was, I'm the dumb ass that didn't realize that I was doing, This block thinking like, oh, well I'm gonna have fun. I'm gonna do something for more of an experience.
not gonna really go for a time. Well, I didn't realize that I could have, could have done a build to attempt to BQ, because I'll be 40 next summer. Oh yeah. But for the next Boston round, like I would be 40 on race day, whatever that whole thing is, right? Yes. And I was like, oh, like I was thinking I had to wait one more year.
Right. Which I don't think, anyway, that I would've been able to, I mean, my PR is a , 3 44 31 . And so I need to, I need to knock off a lot. It's like that. 12 to three. Yeah. It's like there's a huge chunk it sounds like. Yes, yes. But it's, it's doable.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Given the right, you know, scenario and build, but I'm like, I'm okay being patient. Yeah. But it's, but yeah. And, and I'm probably gonna run the hardest marathon that I've ever run in my life. 'cause I'm doing Ainsley's Angels by myself. Yeah. That's crazy. That's, and there's hills.
Caitlin Johnson: That's harder. That's harder than trying to be QI think.
Like that's
Ally Brettnacher: hard. I [01:06:00] mean, I don't know. That's harder. I'll report back. Yes.
Caitlin Johnson: I need to know. I need to,
Ally Brettnacher: it's, I mean, doing it, it is inspiring doing it at the Indie Mini, It was an absolute blast. But I had, this year I had two other women with me. So we rotated every, I mean every three miles, right? So it's like that's really nothing.
and then the year before it was two of us. And same like, it was challenging, but like in a really fun way. And, but now like moving all the way to the 26 2 distance and then just doing it alone, I'm like, Hmm,
Caitlin Johnson: you got it. Honestly, when I saw you guys at the Indie Mini, I was like, this is so fascinating.
And it was like, same thing when I went to Boston. There was like visually impaired runners and I was like, this is
Ally Brettnacher: so cool.
Caitlin Johnson: Freaking like, this is amazing.
Ally Brettnacher: Yes.
Caitlin Johnson: I don't know, it's just so cool.
Ally Brettnacher: So that's a good reminder to talk about the Indie Mini because you ran.
As an elite.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: What was that experience like?
Caitlin Johnson: Um, it was really cool. That was two weeks after Boston, so I was
Ally Brettnacher: Jesus.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. So I had originally, and my elite time was through the Napa Valley.
Ally Brettnacher: Right.
Caitlin Johnson: So that
Ally Brettnacher: [01:07:00] Did you place at all in Napa? That's 1 24? I don't
Caitlin Johnson: think so. 1 24. I don't, I don't think I played, I would've remembered
Ally Brettnacher: women.
Women win in like one 20 some, right?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Yeah. Like, but I feel like that must've just been, I mean, it is a fast race too, so, right.
Ally Brettnacher: But still,
Caitlin Johnson: yeah. How, yeah. So, that qualified me to race as an elite, which I truthfully didn't even think about running an as an elite. But again, Rob Jackson, I will blame him for this completely.
He was like, oh, you should run as an elite. And I'm like, yeah, sure. Why not? That sounds like a great idea. Yeah. But I was like, honestly like one else, like would Yeah. Would be the opportunity. Yeah. So, um, I qualified to run as an elite. So you basically get your entry waived and you run and.
The aral
you take off as an elite.
And so, I'm not gonna lie, after Boston, I, my body was wrecked and I was like, good god. Like I have to run as an elite athlete in two weeks. Like I didn't even know what the expectations were. Like, I was like, I don't want to let this, the indie mini Doubt. Doubt. Yeah. Not being able to run as an elite, like slacking on it.
So, but it's really cool. Like it's truthfully not [01:08:00] so much different. You just get to run in the front, and get a little bit of VIP treatment. But, to say that you ran as male athlete, I feel like is really cool. And so, oh
Ally Brettnacher: yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: It's an experience.
Ally Brettnacher: And the bib is, I mean,
Caitlin Johnson: the bib is cool.
Ally Brettnacher: Do you do something special with it?
Caitlin Johnson: So I, I have it. I need, I wanna frame it. Okay. Um, DRES actually framed my Boston. He got like a book time and framed Cool. Framed my medal in there, which I was really appreciative of. so yeah, I saved my indie mini bib 'cause I was like, this is probably the one and only time I'll ever run as an elite. I don't know about that,
Ally Brettnacher: but still
Caitlin Johnson: maybe.
but yeah, it was really cool.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Caitlin Johnson: that is, it was such a cool experience.
Ally Brettnacher: That's
Caitlin Johnson: wild. Highly, anyone who's listening, if you have the opportunity, freaking do it. Like just to experience it is so cool.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. It's so cool. So what time is the qualifier for Chicago?
Caitlin Johnson: three 20.
Ally Brettnacher: Three 20. Oh, okay.
Caitlin Johnson: So three 20.
So that's why I'm like, if I can just, that
Ally Brettnacher: feels reasonable.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. So if I can just knock out at three 20 and then be okay and happy with that, and then try another build to get closer to a pr, then that might be, that might be the move.
Ally Brettnacher: Probably is the move.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: It's annoying.
Caitlin Johnson: I know it's annoying. Super annoying, but at least I know that I was [01:09:00] still doing the build and I can bounce back from especially the last couple weeks, so we'll see.
Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. And you just never know
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: What the day brings.
Caitlin Johnson: I know. You never know. I, maybe I'll
Ally Brettnacher: bring this thing off. So you just kind of just keep going. I mean, you know, you
Caitlin Johnson: never know. You never know.
Ally Brettnacher: You just never know.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So that's why it's so hard. It's like back and forth with yourself. You're like, yes.
Oh, but I could like, I mean, even I feeling
Caitlin Johnson: good
Ally Brettnacher: even for a race that I'm going to run for somebody else, like I still am trying to like, Ooh, I wonder if I could run it faster than I ran it 12 years ago.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
You go ahead.
Ally Brettnacher: I might be able to,
Caitlin Johnson: that'd be pretty cool with
Ally Brettnacher: 4 24 was my time.
Caitlin Johnson: Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: and so I'm like Hmm.
And my PR is like 3 45 ish, you know, so it's like that's a huge chunk of time. That's huge. Yeah. But with the elevation, I, who, who knows? I don't know. I'm just gonna go try to survive.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And have a great time. You do great. Like that's the whole point. And sometimes that gets lost. Yeah. let's transition and talk about some more fun stuff.
Caitlin Johnson: Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: cause you have a lot of tattoos. I do. So I think that the name of this episode's probably gonna be The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo because it just, I love that [01:10:00] makes so much sense.
but you have a ton of beautiful tattoos. Yeah. I am always just so fascinated by people's tattoos, like why they get them, which ones have meaning, which ones don't, to your point, like, I think that's really cool too. Like some are like
Caitlin Johnson: whatever. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: You know, just art too.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So tell people about some of your tattoos.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, so I have, I think 13, I'd have to probably recount, but, um, yeah, I have some of them have meaning. Some of them really truthfully don't. Um, so I have some of my favorites. I do have a leopard on my thigh, which I'm. Hoping working towards a full arm sleeve and leg sleeve. Um, so, Ooh. Yeah. My, um, tattoo artist, he's back in Pennsylvania.
so shout out to Jason, but he's, has he done all of your tattoos? Not all of them. Okay. But all of my, like, I would say left side and bigger pieces. Okay. Um, and he's an absolute artist and so, I went to him originally. I have a lion on my forearm. That's, that resonates with me a lot. I do like that one.
just with like, just what a [01:11:00] lion represents and obviously being a monarch at Old Dominion. So it has ties there.
Ally Brettnacher: wait, say that again.
Caitlin Johnson: The old Dominion Monarchs. So our, mascots a lion.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. When you say monarch, I think of a butterfly.
Caitlin Johnson: I know a lot of people think that. Yeah. But no, we were not the butterflies,
Ally Brettnacher: but Yeah.
'cause that doesn't sound so scary. No. What's Monarch is also another word for a lion.
Caitlin Johnson: A lion. I don't think it's a lion. I'm not really sure. It's not, it's not a lion.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: I'm really sure what it means, but,
Ally Brettnacher: okay.
Caitlin Johnson: Or the odium monarchs. And our big blue is our lion mascot.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. So it's just,
Caitlin Johnson: so, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: It's a cool lion tattoo.
Um, and so he started with that one and then I was like, I kind of wanna get a sleeve, but I have truthfully have no vision. Yeah. No vision. Like, no, like, yeah. I dunno. No, nothing. Yeah. I was like, so I would literally just go on Pinterest or find stuff that I really liked. Mm-hmm. And so he did this like rose flour with a mosaic kind of thing.
Um, arm mandala. And then we went into a, um, skull butterfly with a Ooh yeah. Neck.
Ally Brettnacher: Cool.
Caitlin Johnson: With a skeleton [01:12:00] neck. So God, he is so, so talented. I've literally given him free reign of like, I mean, he's so good with art and so I'd give him ideas of stuff that I like and he kind of went from there. And so, I don't know, this dragon theme was really cool.
Um, and I was like, I really wanted. Tattoo of a dragon and I wanna be known as a girl with a dragon tattoo. I feel like that's cool. So cool. So I was like, why not so cool. So I have a dragon on my, which a lot of people love the dragon. It's so beautiful. Yeah, it's awesome. And so I wish I could see it
Ally Brettnacher: right now.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Job. Great job. I can't see any of your tattoos. Um, I know I should have worn shorts in my running clothes from earlier, but, um, so those are probably some of my favorites. Um, I have this little heart rose on my hand that he did as well, for my aunt. She died of breast cancer, so that's just a little kind of like thing for her.
and then I have a couple, like really random ones. So there's one on my inside of my ankle that is a ghost tattoo of zero.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, right.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Yes. So this is Dres and I, when we were dating, I had this fun idea. I was like, it's Friday the 13th. And they [01:13:00] do. Like $13 tattoos or whatever it is. Like some tattoo shops open up and they're like, we're gonna have like $20 flash tattoos on Friday the 13th.
So I'm like, this could be such a cool date idea, let's go. And he's like, what
Ally Brettnacher: does he, did he have tattoos already?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Yeah. A couple. But like, he's just like, sure. So we literally waited in line for eight hours to get ghost tattoos. His is a dabbing ghost. That's
Ally Brettnacher: so funny.
Caitlin Johnson: You'll have to ask him about
Ally Brettnacher: it, but I need to like see it to fully understand.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. It's just a random tattoo. Yeah. Um, but yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And zero is the ghost. It's like the dog ghost. Yes.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Yeah. The dog ghost.
Ally Brettnacher: That's fun.
Caitlin Johnson: The dog ghost. and so those are pretty much some of my favorites. I And
Ally Brettnacher: then on your back, what's the one on your back?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, and the one on my back says she who is brave is free.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, so
Caitlin Johnson: cool. So yeah, just like a fun quote. but yeah, I'm, we're hopefully working towards that arm and leg. I kind of wanted to do like a rainforest jungle theme on my leg. Mm-hmm. So cool. But I don't know how long that'll take because of course he's back home, but, But yeah, I don't know. Tattoos are just fun.
I never thought that I would be the one to have tattoos or to think, think that I would want a sleeve. Yeah. It's kind of crazy, but
Ally Brettnacher: it is crazy. [01:14:00] I, yeah, I got a tattoo when I was 18. No, 21, my first tattoo. and it's on my foot and it's in tie and it says Allie, which now a fun party trick is you can use the Google Translate app and it, and hover over my tattoo.
No way. And it'll say Ally swear.
Caitlin Johnson: That's so fun. Yeah.
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: That's
Ally Brettnacher: so fun. So a guy who was giving me a pedicure taught me that, and I was like, this is hilarious. I had no idea you could do that. Thank you. and then, so then I have my husband and my, my oldest daughter, gosh. And then my youngest daughter, she's getting ready to write, be able to write her name.
Oh,
Caitlin Johnson: that's so sweet.
Ally Brettnacher: I love that. That's so sweet. This is my first fine line. And so now I'm like, Ooh, it's
Caitlin Johnson: addicting. It's addicting, it's bad. And it especi when you get to the point where you don't care what it is like. Yeah. I mean, I care to an extent, but I'm like, with him, I'm just like, placement and fine, cool things and I'm cool with it.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Well, I can see now. Why people say like find a style and an artist you like. Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: And then like really then it's truly art. And I now, I totally see that. And my neighbor's the one who used this girl, and I saw her tattoos. I'm like, I need to go to whoever that is. And so, but [01:15:00] now I've like seen other people with tattoos where I'm like, what's, who's that tattoo artist?
Yes. And I like, now follow a bunch of 'em.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes, yes. And you just find the style that they are like, I mean, there's some like styles of tattoos that I'm like, not for me, but it looks so cool on
Ally Brettnacher: you.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah, right. Like, which I love.
Ally Brettnacher: Right, right. I don't know that I would ever do color.
Caitlin Johnson: No.
Ally Brettnacher: I like, I like just black.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: and then for Lady Gaga, I recently went to the concert and I put a thigh tat on that I got on Amazon.
Caitlin Johnson: And Did you like it?
Ally Brettnacher: And I ki I you like, I kind
Caitlin Johnson: of
Ally Brettnacher: like, just
Caitlin Johnson: wanna keep it.
Ally Brettnacher: My friend Kate was like, does it make you want a thigh tattoo? And I was like, absolutely not. And then it was a few days and it was still there and I was kind of like, huh.
It is pretty cool. Yeah. 'cause it's like not something you see all the time.
Caitlin Johnson: No, exactly.
Ally Brettnacher: Like, but like when you're like running. Yes. And it's, it was, I had a, it was like a wolf, you know? That's so cool. Very lady gaga. Yeah. And uh, yeah, so I was kind of like, huh. I never thought that I'd like consider that it's that
Caitlin Johnson: they are, I'm not gonna lie, when my tattoo hair started doing my leg, I was like, this hurts like the shading.
But I was like, I'm in it now. So like
Ally Brettnacher: guess
Caitlin Johnson: this is, you don't really have a choice. But like, I would say, yeah, that was pretty [01:16:00] bad. That was probably my worst feeling. One, the shading on it. Okay. I was like, and now I have to go the whole leg
Ally Brettnacher: easier or harder than running a marathon. Oh God.
Caitlin Johnson: I don't know.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. The pain starts be
Caitlin Johnson: harder.
FLAMS - Caitlin W - 11:10:25, 7.19 PM: It
Ally Brettnacher: might
Caitlin Johnson: be harder. It might be harder. I don't know.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Like the sheeting and then the constant and just like sitting there and happen.
Ally Brettnacher: You're kind of in control of the pain Yes. When you run.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. So you can like kind of, I mean, I guess you can put your mind somewhere else with the tattoo too.
Yeah. But like, I don't know. At least you're moving, you can get distracted, but like if you're just sitting there
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Like watching them shade and you're like, I'm in pain. But
Ally Brettnacher: yeah, the fine line one on my forearm. Didn't hurt at all. It was crazy.
Caitlin Johnson: Really?
Ally Brettnacher: She's like, it's gonna feel more annoying than painful.
And it was true. Which makes sense because it's such a dainty thing, right? Versus like, I don't know, like more intense like true art where it's like, you know, really is the in Yeah. That's
Caitlin Johnson: how like, this one felt like, almost like a kitten scratching you. Yeah. I don't
Ally Brettnacher: know. It's
Caitlin Johnson: more annoying, but like Yeah.
The shaving's the worst.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. That's so cool.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh my gosh. I really want a running related one.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: but like, not like super, I don't know. I love my 26 2 diamond necklace and [01:17:00] I thought I could get, I would love to get like a 26 2, like as diamonds as a tattoo could be kind of cool. Especially if it was like, I don't know.
So anyway, I'm thinking about stuff. Yeah. Always thinking about stuff, but that's so cool.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I love the ghost one too. That's hilarious. So crazy. It's so crazy.
Caitlin Johnson: It's one of those that we'll not have a story to tell, but
Ally Brettnacher: Yes. Yeah. Right? You're like, we have ghost tattoos. Yeah. We have
Caitlin Johnson: random ghost tattoos.
Like, what? What is that? Oh, it's just random pride of the 13th tattoos.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. And then do you have one dog?
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Run me your dog's name.
Caitlin Johnson: Zane.
Ally Brettnacher: Zane.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Zane's
Ally Brettnacher: so cute. He's really cute. Do you run with Zane?
Caitlin Johnson: No, I do not run with Zane. No. Um, he's, he will be five. he's a Belgian Malal.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay. I've never heard that in my life.
Caitlin Johnson: They're very similar to German Shepherds. Okay. They're, because that's what I thought. Yeah, they're canines. So they're used for police officers in military. super energetic, super smart, super loyal. He's really sweet. I feel like he, I mean, he loves to run outside. He loves to run around, but I don't know how, and it's, I've never trained him [01:18:00] or had the patience to do so.
'cause I'm like, if I'm training, I'm running and
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: I don't need to mess me up. Don't Exactly. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Totally.
Caitlin Johnson: But I feel like he could be good, but I also feel like he wouldn't. You need to work on his endurance. 'cause I feel like he can go for a little bit, but then he gets tired. Yeah. And then he is ready to go again.
Yeah. So, but he's so sweet.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: He's so
Ally Brettnacher: sweet. Oh, he's so cute. Will you get any more dogs?
Caitlin Johnson: I want another one.
Ally Brettnacher: I know I do,
Caitlin Johnson: but I also kind of wish that I did it at the same time when we got Zane. I was like, oh, we probably should gotten another. So you had like a play playmate, but
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah,
Caitlin Johnson: yeah, yeah. Um, I mean he always just wants to play with the ball.
Ally Brettnacher: Did he like Dres from the get go?
Caitlin Johnson: Yes,
Ally Brettnacher: they were, they were buddies.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes. I think he likes them more than me now, unfortunately. Oh. But it's fine.
Ally Brettnacher: That is
Caitlin Johnson: they're best buds. That's great. But yeah, he's so sweet. He's so
Ally Brettnacher: cute. Uh, and then you got married October 11th, like you said. Did you do a honeymoon?
Caitlin Johnson: No.
Ally Brettnacher: Are you going
Caitlin Johnson: to Yes, we are.
We're going to a honeymoon in December. Okay. So we actually just booked it. We're gonna go to Puerto Rico.
Ally Brettnacher: Okay.
Caitlin Johnson: like this whole, my current visa or not Visa passport. My passport is expires in the middle of December.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh.
Caitlin Johnson: So it's one of those where like we have [01:19:00] to super annoying. I had to do that once.
Super annoying for Mexico. '
Ally Brettnacher: cause it,
Caitlin Johnson: well that's the thing I was like, ideally we wanted to go to Mexico or. Somewhere in the Caribbean. but because my, I was thinking ahead, thinking like, oh, like I'm gonna need to get a new passport anyways once my name changes. Yeah. Right. Let's just wait. And then I was like, well shoot, now we can't go because you have to, your passport can't expire within six months, which I think is the
Ally Brettnacher: dumbest thing in the world.
Right.
Caitlin Johnson: Well, I
Ally Brettnacher: thought, why, why not just have an expiration date then? That's like the true expiration
Caitlin Johnson: date. Yes, yes. Like, what's the point? Or like, have it be like the duration of your stay, which I know sometimes it is, but, 'cause if that were the case, then we could have gone to Mexico. So we're kind of going through loopholes and being like, okay, well we can go to Puerto Rico on my driver's license and idd.
so at least it's somewhere warm in tropical. I was like, that's all I care about. So,
Ally Brettnacher: and I just saw, I can't remember if, I think it was Puerto Rico that there's now a direct flight Yeah. From Indy.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. I think we actually connect through Charlotte, but
Ally Brettnacher: I mean, whatever. That'd But still,
Caitlin Johnson: still. That's nice.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. Yeah. I've never been, so,
Caitlin Johnson: yeah, me
Ally Brettnacher: neither. Report back.
Caitlin Johnson: So, yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I'll let
Caitlin Johnson: you guys
Ally Brettnacher: know. And December will be a wonderful time to get out of here versus [01:20:00] October. So True. True.
Caitlin Johnson: I know. I can't wait.
Ally Brettnacher: That'll be a huge Yeah. Celebration marathons behind you. Like weddings behind you.
Caitlin Johnson: Yes.
Ally Brettnacher: And which, um, which race did Dres just run?
Caitlin Johnson: He ran the mill race
Ally Brettnacher: That's right. In Columbus. Okay, okay. Yeah, I did know that. Which,
Caitlin Johnson: awesome. Which I feel like that was my first time truly spectating. I mean I spectated when he ran the half, but to like actually be a Sherpa for someone, for like a full, it was like really cool but also very stressful. I was like trying to figure out.
Yeah. How many times did you see 'em? Um, I saw 'em pretty significantly, but the mill race is hard because it's small. Mm-hmm. And so like, I don't know, with bigger races you kind of figure out where you, where you should go because you're like, oh, like that's definitely part of the course. 'cause there's people on it where like the mill race, I'm like, do they come through here?
'cause like there's not really many spectators. Yeah. So, but I mean, I think I probably saw him about at least three times and then again That's great. I finish. That's great. And I was able to refuel him and everything. That's good. so it worked out really well.
Ally Brettnacher: Nice. Yeah. That's
Caitlin Johnson: fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. One of the nice things about Ainsley's Angels is I will get to have pockets.
In the chariot. That's
Caitlin Johnson: true. [01:21:00] Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: So that's, you just like store everything out. So I'm like, what can I, well 'cause you know, I don't know if I'll do it for the full, but at the mini I had a speaker
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Playing music. Oh, fun. Yeah. For my writer.
Caitlin Johnson: Right.
Ally Brettnacher: so yeah, I gotta figure that out. But anyway, so that'll be nice.
That'll be nice. But it's, it is really nice. I've never had somebody like re like, bring other stuff for me.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I, I don't know, I think that would stress me out, not knowing for sure that I would get it.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. It, well it, I mean, it stresses me out as that person, right. Because I'm like, shoot. Like, and there's one point where he was like, thank God I had already planned to meet him somewhere, but he was like, I need this.
And I'm like, thank God I was there. Yeah. 'cause like, if not then, I mean, you're on foot trying to like maneuver through the race. I'm like, I, and at that point I literally was like limping. I was like, oh my God. Like, I hope I can get there for him. But, and there were so many other people I feel like within the community who are running it too.
So it was really cool to see people. But
Ally Brettnacher: yeah. That's fun. I've never gone down to that one, but
Caitlin Johnson: Me neither. I mean, that was my first time, but I thought it was really well run and I
Ally Brettnacher: was like, okay, maybe this. Yeah. People say great things like, especially for if you're looking to run fast. That's what I, that's what I hear.
I can't wait to cheer for you at monumental. So I'm there. I'm gonna be running the [01:22:00] half.
Caitlin Johnson: Okay.
Ally Brettnacher: And I'm running the half because it's, it's two weeks after my full. I'm like, but so I fully was like, okay, I'm just gonna volunteer. Yeah. Because I'm on the boards. I'm like, I'll volunteer all my time instead of running this year.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: Well then we announced our legacy program where you get a medallion if you've done five years of any, of any one of the distance.
So I've done, this will be my eighth, maybe half, seventh or eighth. And so I'm like, well now I have to register and sign up so that I can get my medallion. So I will be there for the half and then I'll probably stick around and spectate.
Caitlin Johnson: That'll be fun.
Ally Brettnacher: Be, yeah. So well
Caitlin Johnson: hopefully I'll it
Ally Brettnacher: for you.
Caitlin Johnson: Hopefully it'll be there.
Well, this fingers crossed
Ally Brettnacher: you'll be, I I'll be there. I'll be there.
Caitlin Johnson: I'll be
Ally Brettnacher: there. I'll be there. But yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Um, okay. So I'll ask you the end of the podcast questions then, I guess. Okay. Yeah, man, this flew by.
Caitlin Johnson: I know.
Ally Brettnacher: okay. So what is your favorite running song and or mantra?
Caitlin Johnson: Songs are hard 'cause I feel like I go through phases of, I love listening to the song when I run and then, oh my God, I'm sick and tired of hearing this song.
Yeah. Um, [01:23:00] so, and to be fair, I feel like I don't. Listen to a lot of music when I run, I feel like I'm more above a podcaster person. Mm-hmm. Um, but the mantra that I feel like, or at least quote that I really like is no risk, no story. Which I feel like it's just like, just challenge yourself and whether it works out in your favor.
Great. You have a great story to tell or you learn from it and it's still progress.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: So it's kind of, or you have a great
Ally Brettnacher: story to tell where you're like, I got picked up by the, I don't know, like
Caitlin Johnson: Right.
Ally Brettnacher: Exactly what other story it
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Like you have another story to tell or I don't know. It just uses that extra motivation for that next block.
So it's kind of something that it's like, take the risk and do it. And it's,
Ally Brettnacher: that's that. Be a good tattoo, Caitlyn.
Caitlin Johnson: Right. No risk in a story.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: Stop it. You're
Ally Brettnacher: eating my addiction. Yeah. I'm surprised you guys didn't have, like, have you seen the weddings where they have tattoo artists there at the wedding?
Caitlin Johnson: No. That would've been awful. That's such a great idea.
Ally Brettnacher: My fa my, our family, like my husband i's families would have like, been like, no, that doesn't. Work. anyway, so, okay. And now next finish line is monumental.
Caitlin Johnson: Yeah. Monumental. Hopefully, [01:24:00] um, at least qualifying for Chicago. Yes. And then going from there.
Ally Brettnacher: So yeah.
What are some of your dream races?
Caitlin Johnson: I mean, any of the majors really are some of my dream races. It is hard when I'm in season 'cause it, we play in the fall. So like getting to Chicago, New York is tough.
Ally Brettnacher: Right.
Caitlin Johnson: Which I already looked at 26 for Chicago. Yeah. And it lines up really well. So that's kind of something applying.
Okay. I mean, racing in Australia would be freaking amazing. Mm-hmm. Like, that'd be so cool. and Hawaii, I've heard great things about that too. Um, I don't know. I feel like destination races where like, you can also make, I'm totally
Ally Brettnacher: with you most of
Caitlin Johnson: it. Yeah.
Ally Brettnacher: I'm totally with you. I wanna like pick a place I wanna go and then find out when their marathon is.
It's
Caitlin Johnson: awful though. 'cause I feel like all my vacations are. Around races. It's like, why can't I just go on vacation to vacation?
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah.
Caitlin Johnson: It's like, no, you have to find a run to do so.
Ally Brettnacher: Yeah. I know it's hard when you're a runner. It's just kind of like how it goes'. Your nature. Yeah. You're just like, that's what I wanna do.
Yeah. Yeah. Oh man. This has been so much fun. Yeah. So glad we finally got to do this. Me too. We can't wait to cheer for you in November. It's so close.
Caitlin Johnson: Thank you.
Ally Brettnacher: Oh, and thank you to everybody who has listened [01:25:00] and happy running.
If you enjoyed this episode of the Finish Lines and Milestones Podcast from Sandy Boy Productions, please go share rate review. It means a lot. That's how other people find out about this show. And if you're new here, thank you. Thank you so much for listening, and I hope to see you next week. Bye.