Finish Lines & Milestones: Episode 86

This is a Sandy Boy Productions podcast.

Welcome to Finish Lines and Milestones, a podcast that celebrates the everyday runner.

I'm your host, Ali Brettnacher.

Whether you're a season marathoner, half marathoner, ultra marathoner, prefer shorter distances or just getting started, if you run, you are a runner and every runner.

0:22

Has a story.

Join me each week as I share these stories and we cross finish lines and celebrate milestones together.

This podcast is brought to you by Fringe Heels.

This is a new partner of the Sandy Boy Podcast Network.

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2:52

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And again, it's Fringe heels.com code Ally ALOY 25.

Hello, and welcome to episode 86.

This is Ally Brett Knocker.

Thanks again to our new sponsor, Fringe Heels.

3:09

I'm so excited to be part of the Sandy Boy Network and have opportunities like this one to try amazing products.

And then please share, rate and review this podcast if you have been listening for a while and haven't done that yet because it helps more people find the show.

3:25

So thank you so much.

Happy 30th birthday to Gabby Baer, who was actually last week's guest.

She just turned 30 and she's running 30 miles for her 30th birthday.

And my friend Becky, and I hope to join her for a few of those miles on Friday the 13th when this comes out.

3:44

Congratulations to episode 37, Michael Hartnagel, who also is the founder of Metastatic Mission, where he honors his dad by helping cancer patients.

And he ran a marathon every single month this year at or around a Cancer Center in order to help support his mission.

4:03

And he just did his last one.

So congratulations to Michael and then Steph Woods.

Stephanie Woods is my guest this week.

And last week, she was at Jackson County Ultra in Southern Indiana, where she, for the first time, helped pace another guest of mine, Ashley Haynes, who was episode #38 right after Michael, actually.

4:25

And congratulations to everyone else who ran.

There were so many past guests there.

I was bummed that I didn't end up going.

I had every intention of trying to take the girls down to spectate, but it was almost two hours away, and I just couldn't make it work.

So congratulations to Christy D, who was episode 3 of this podcast, and Lindsay Welty, who was episode 25.

4:49

They completed the 50K Shay Aquilano from the trail team was episode 60 of this podcast and she crushed it, finishing second overall and first female in the 100K.

And then Cameron Balzer who was episode 75.

5:04

He recently ran around the perimeter of the United States.

He DNF the 100K due to health.

But I know he'll be back doing amazing things very soon.

Same with my friend Gordon Strain, who was supposed to do the 50K and was unable to.

I'm sure he will do one in the future.

5:21

I'm excited to continue to to cheer him on as well.

And then my friend Brittany Kother from Chaos Crewing, she was episode 63.

She was down there spectating so, so many people that you should go back, listen to those episodes, and then continue to cheer them on in all that they do.

5:39

And someday, perhaps I will at least spectate or perhaps join these crazy people who love running trails in the winter.

So Congrats again everybody.

And I'm proud to say that at the end of this episode, Steph and I talk about how we should plan to meet up and run together.

5:56

And we have that on the calendar for next Friday, December 20th.

Her and Ashley are going to Take Me Out to Eagle Creek.

Becky might join us and run some trails.

So who knows, I may be a trail runner yet.

So without further ado, I am just so excited to introduce you to Steph Woods.

6:15

She's married to Timmy Howard, who was episode 54.

He took pictures actually down at Jackson County Ultra.

So he was down there too.

And he was episode 54.

And I knew that I had to meet Stephanie and hear kind of her side of his story, but also just get to know her.

6:34

Stephanie has just been through so much in her life and a lot recently too, so I'm just so happy that I get to know her and now call her a friend and I know that you will enjoy hearing her story.

Hey, Steph.

Hey, Ally.

It's always like, I have the most awkward introduction when we've spent the last 10 minutes talking and then we get set up and then it's like, oh hey, talking to you like I'm just now seeing you for the first time.

7:00

I'm so glad you're here.

Me too, it's exciting.

Huh.

It's exciting.

Finally, life's been shitty.

Life has been shitty.

So you're here now though, and we're going to have fun talking about running and I can't wait me.

Neither Let's let's.

Do it, OK.

7:16

I want to start out by congratulating you again on your first place finish at the Tecumseh 50K.

Yeah.

Thank you.

OK, so tell me all about it.

Well, my race recap on Instagram, I think said I got up, I ran, I won, I was.

7:34

Like OK.

No, I was just, it was a really good day, just a really good day.

I was super happy to be out there.

It's, you know, one of the best trail events that we put on in the state.

And it's always fun going there, seeing all your friends, whether they're writing or volunteering or your husband who does the photography.

7:52

That's always nice.

Bonus, bonus.

And yeah, it just felt really good that day.

I was really happy with it.

Where is Tecumseh?

I was there as a kid.

Actually.

I went to camp Tecumseh.

That's what I was thinking of.

But how far away is it from Indianapolis proper?

Right.

So Tecumseh Trail actually runs from Morgan Monroe Forest to Yellowwood State Forest.

8:12

So it goes there.

There's some issues that have been there.

So they've had to reroute the 50K in Marathon and all the distances.

So it actually is just housed in Yellowwood State Forest, OK.

Which is where?

Just West of Nashville off of 46.

8:31

OK gotcha.

Yep.

So it's not flat then?

It is hell.

No, it is.

It is not.

Flat far from flat.

Far from flat, we do have hills here in Indiana.

Right, people don't think that.

We people don't think they Yeah, but it's great though.

8:47

It's it is such a good trail.

It is a mix of hiking, hiking trails and then some horse trails.

There's camping there.

Hilarious story.

I've always just loved the area.

So in 2021, when Timmy and I got married, that's where we got married.

9:03

You did, yes.

I didn't know that.

Yeah, that's.

Cool, we got married.

We did a trail run prior to our wedding.

Of course you did.

He got how far?

I think my group, because we didn't get lost.

I think we only ran like 7:00 or 8:00, but then they got lost and got like 11 or 12.

9:19

Oh boy, he was literally like.

Running back yet?

Back to the altar, yeah.

Oh wow that would be wild if they got lost and like missed the entire wedding.

Yeah, there were some phone calls, some dropping up.

Like, yeah, yeah.

9:36

Are you running away?

Where are you?

Right, right.

Wait a minute.

This is not how this ends.

What's happening?

Know it was a great morning though, so yeah, great, great spy.

If you ever you know want to go camping, hiking, they have a lake there so you can go kayaking.

9:52

Stand up paddle boarding.

Fun.

Yeah.

So if you want to like go for a trail run and then do stand up paddle boarding, I recommend it.

Sounds easy.

My legs already shake when I just stand on a paddle board.

But then after running I'd probably be in trouble.

Yeah.

So you done other distances at that race before?

10:08

I have run the half marathon a couple of times and then last year decided to go ahead and do the 50K.

It wasn't my first 50K, but I was like, OK, like I'm ready to get back into that.

And yeah, it was very similar in weather, just sunny, cool in the morning, warmed up just enough.

10:28

So I felt like I learned a lot last year, just how to take the course, what to do, what not to do.

So this year I made like some minor tweaks in my hydration and nutrition and then just made sure that race prep like okay, just it is what it is.

10:45

Go out and have fun.

Because let's be real, we run because I think we run because it's fun.

But it's a stress reliever and all the components.

So might just go enjoy it.

And you did.

And then and then.

Cherry on top.

Yeah, cherry on top.

Cherry on top.

11:01

So OK, is it a looped course for the 50K there or how does that work?

Yeah.

So it's a little bit of a popsicle in a loop.

So you popsicle, so you go out loop, come back, but then as you come back, instead of going all the way back to start finish, then you do this the second-half essentially where it's just one giant loop.

11:22

And I feel like to me that's that's really where the fun starts.

The 1st 1820 miles is very, very runnable.

And then you get into the Carter hiking trails and we walk in ultras.

Yeah, I know it's hard for me as a like Roadrunners, right?

11:40

Like I don't stop.

And I mean.

We like to, ideally.

Don't walk.

We like to call it power hiking, but let's be real, we're walking up hills to save our energy.

So then we can run when it's flat and things like that.

Or sometimes you're walking downhill because it's super steep.

11:55

Yeah.

So it's both of that, yeah.

It's wild.

I I someday, someday perhaps do it, you know, after, I mean, talking to people like you and everybody who does ultras, I'm like, I get to start to get the itch to be like, could I do that?

If you if you can run a marathon, you can run an ultra if you can get paced by Ashley, right?

12:17

Right.

So I know she paced you for Bonnie Bell.

Yeah.

Yeah, you got it.

Well, let's be real, she slowed down to pace me for sure.

And then we made it so that her watch would beep when we we're going too fast.

So it pretty much just constantly beeped at us, which was good.

12:32

But it, you know, so that way we didn't, yeah, go too fast because Ashley is very speedy.

She's a beast.

Yeah, and yeah, just a beast.

So, OK, so that wasn't your first 50K though.

So when was your first 50K?

I actually did dances with dirt down and so Nashville has been where I started it and have done my most recent.

12:53

So I did that one back in 2018 that I, I decided prior I was like, oh, I'm I want to try an ultra.

I had never run a marathon.

The longest distance I had done was 1/2.

OK.

13:08

And then you went straight.

To an ultra.

OK, I, I'm not saying I recommend it, but when training smart, which I feel like I'm just a very type A and I, you know, have a whole spreadsheet and I journal everything.

13:24

Yes, I'm one of those people.

It, it really helps cuz then you know, like, OK, I'm not running too much.

I can push here, pull back here, just keep track of everything.

And I, I loved it.

I enjoyed it.

It was a hot mayday, so I have learned from that.

13:40

I do better in cooler weather, yeah.

Same.

So I think this was my this was my fifth, but only like Circumsa was this past fall was my fifth, but only my third official, if that makes sense.

Like I have done that distance.

13:57

It just wasn't an official race.

Thank you, COVID.

OK.

Right.

Why so?

And then one time, a friend and I, we ran 31st, 30th.

Oh, OK.

Cuz why not?

Why not?

Well then?

Well then that's such an irritating distance cuz like 31 point whatever is like 50K but you stopped at 30.

14:18

We stopped at 30, but it's still an ultra.

I mean, it's of course.

Anything further than a marathon, right 20. 6.3 it's an ultra well and people.

Joke at right?

Exactly.

People joke at monumental.

GPS is always further than 26.2 typically.

So people are like Oh well I ran an ultra today.

14:35

Yep, Yep, we did.

Side note too, for people who are Indiana people, we've said Nashville a couple times.

There is a Nashville IN which I think Indiana people obviously know our Brown.

It's in Brown County.

Brown County, Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

It's like our Brown County and the hills down there is known as like the Little Smokies.

14:54

Little Smokies, Little Smokies, I've never heard that.

That's pretty good.

Little Smokies.

So people who think that Indiana, you can't get hills, just go down there, do that.

Just go down there.

Yeah, I can show you them.

Yeah, So how did you celebrate your victory?

15:12

That's a great question, I have no idea.

I think did you?

I'm trying to.

Remember, like I came home, I was tired, obviously.

I believe the next day we went out for a long walk, got some coffee and I I definitely sat in the compression boots for a while.

15:29

Oh yeah, I'm so jealous.

So that was that.

Was are those yours?

Do you guys own those?

That's key.

I didn't know if they were the gyms and you get to have them sometimes, but you like have them have to yes a good investment after all of.

It, it truly is.

You guys tackle?

Yeah, yeah.

Someday I should have got them when I had a discount at the running store.

15:47

That would have been smart.

Really smart.

You can still they are FSA or HSA approved.

I was just talking to my husband.

About that, Yep, that's how we got ours.

Yeah, just kind.

Of like saved up to having medical bills and it was like, oh, OK, let's go ahead and do this.

16:03

That's smart.

Yeah.

Pro tip, everybody, pro tip.

But if you don't know the boots, they're like the Normantech compression, like they go all the way up pretty much.

Have you ever done the hip ones?

I have not.

And then Timmy had one where kind of went behind your back.

16:19

It was something that they were trying out for his work for the gym and I did try it, but.

Yeah, I did it at, there's a recovery room here and I, I've done the hip ones and like the leg ones and the hip ones are pretty nice.

Yeah, too.

16:34

Kind of same concept, just up higher too.

It kind of feels like wearing a giant dice that squeezes you.

They do make sure you use the restroom before so that you don't pee.

You don't pee yourself, like or them, Yeah.

Exactly I could see me do on.

That yeah, right.

You're like, I gotta say there.

16:52

Oh gosh.

So before you are running ultra marathons, yeah, okay, let's back, let's back all the way up.

Yeah, who?

Who is Stephanie?

Stephanie, where are you from?

Tell me.

So I'm from here, from the Indianapolis area, grew up on the South side in Greenwood, never was really in sports that just which.

17:13

I love about you.

I would have never guessed.

Yeah.

Which is funny.

Like people who know me now, they're like, really?

And I'm like, no, I did some dancing, gymnastics, right?

Like when you were five years old, you're like, let's learn to tumble.

Ice skating was actually kind of my one throughout elementary school was what I did.

17:31

OK, Can you still can you still skate?

I can still skate, I just don't, I mean, I just don't go.

Yeah.

It's been a minute.

And then, you know, college came.

I mean really, honestly, besides doing the one mile test that you had to do in middle school and high school, like I never ran.

17:49

Yeah, right.

Because why?

Why else would you?

Yeah, so I was heavily involved in music.

So I grew up playing instruments, singing.

You said flute.

Yes, flute and then classically trained and flute and piano.

Piano.

I think there's a piano.

No, there's not in here.

There's one in the other room.

18:05

Yeah.

And singing.

OK.

Yeah, so I actually like went to school for music education, switched to elementary Ed.

But like my first job, my first teaching job, I was an elementary music teacher.

So a lot of people like don't realize that I'm like, I know that's actually where I started.

That's like my teaching roots, yeah.

18:23

But during that time like of getting out of college and.

Where'd you go to college?

Bethel College, Bethel.

I've heard of that.

Yeah.

Up north in Mishawaka.

OK, Yeah.

Yep, Yep.

Moved back down here and it would have been March April of 2011.

18:40

My first husband and I rescued a black lab.

OK adorable but if you know anything about labs they love food and this one being about 15 months they had just let him eat.

No.

18:56

He was 110 lbs and he should have been about 80 ish.

Yeah, so.

He was chunky.

So the vet was like he, he has to lose weight just for like longevity, for health's sake on his joints.

19:11

And I'm like, OK.

And we had just moved into Fountain Square and this is like before the cultural trail existed behind you, like all these pieces that are now there.

And I just started running him like 2 miles here, 2 miles there, 3/4.

19:27

Not just walking because you're like did the vet specifically be like you should do more than walking?

Like he's going to need some.

You know, they didn't, but I think I just had started enjoying running as a way of de stressing and I just, I got into it and I got into it with him.

19:44

So he became my first original running buddy, Yeah.

What was his name?

Pongo.

Pongo so here's my baby yeah yeah.

And then it just I felt like it just kind of took off from there you know I got to know some people who were, you know, into running and like would run with thumb and then in 2014 I actually did my first half marathon at Monumental.

20:10

OK and really loved it, just enjoyed it but I started on Sundays going to.

Local park and just doing some trail ready, just letting Pong go off leash or, you know, running with him and just OK, like let's just try something different.

20:27

And I, that is truly where I fell in love with being on the trails, being out in the woods, seeing different places.

And then I got the itch to do trail races.

So I did like a few here and there.

And then that's where I went from doing a trail half marathon.

20:45

And then I immediate was like, I'm going to, I'm going to run an ultra.

There you go.

Yeah.

Trail half marathon.

Where was that?

Eagle Creek or somewhere?

Actually, it's funny.

The trail half marathon was north of Springfield, IL.

North of Springfield is Springfield's in southern central.

21:00

I don't know.

Where Illinois like central Illinois central.

OK, yeah.

So I just randomly found one.

I was like, cool, let's just run out of state because did you have people?

Like running friends that went with you, no.

Just me, myself and I.

Yeah.

Did your husband at the time, did he run at all?

21:16

No.

No, no, yeah.

So I think that's just what's kind of interesting.

And then, yeah, from there, it just, I don't want to say it became an obsession.

It became an obsession.

How do I explain this?

How do I explain?

This If you are an endurance athlete, you know what I'm talking about.

21:34

You're like, it's just a marathon.

Like just do one.

No, no, no, no, no.

That's a bunch of shit because, you know, you like, get hooked.

Yeah.

It's like a drug, let's be real.

Yeah.

No, But I I totally just got into it.

And I think now, and I think part of it, I'm thinking back because I just recently returned from Kansas and I just look at this, you know, 10 years later, running my first half.

21:54

I just, I love running and running in different places and seeing different parts of the country and whatever it looks like.

I, I was kind of amazed.

I mean, I know people are like Kansas really.

I'm like, if you saw my Instagram, the sunsets and sunrises were beautiful.

22:13

It was so quiet.

Yeah, it was flat, but it was pretty.

Like there's a there's a beauty to it to it all.

And you know, I just, I really enjoyed that about it.

Yeah, I feel like that's what people say about Indiana, right?

Kansas, Indiana Corn Flat.

It's like, oh, there's nothing there.

22:30

But then there is, yeah, I think that's part of it, like with the trails, like you find the places to go off road and away from civilization, to get out there and to explore something that can only really be explored maybe on your two feet or a mountain bike or horseback, what, you know, whatever it is.

22:48

And and that's where I think you can just see a lot of the beauty of the country.

Yeah.

So during the same time that you started running like doing your first half and then you're in at work like working as an elementary school teacher, as a music teacher 1st and then.

23:07

Yeah, a music teacher 1st and then went into classroom teaching and then I, I kind of, I say I struggled a bit in the 20 tens.

I taught for a bit, pulled out and then did a second bachelors program.

23:24

So I have a second bachelors in speech language pathology.

Interesting.

Again, unless you know me professionally, most of my friends are like what you're like, yeah, so I'm just, like, full of all this weird information.

So did that.

23:39

Then I was like, no, I wanna go back in the class through and I did for a couple of years and then I kind of slowly filtered out.

I was a reading interventionist, so working with kids who struggle as readers and was, you know, I'm a dyslexia specialist, so have certifications and all the all the training and whatnot.

24:03

And then currently work as a training support specialist, or TSS as we call them.

For the Indiana Literacy Cadre.

It's this giant, almost $200 million program that the state is doing to increase literacy scores across the state.

24:18

Cool.

So wait, are you so you state like government employee or are you not?

Not a state government employee.

I work for one of the education service centers.

Gotcha.

But it's probably a good thing.

I don't know.

I mean, yeah, yeah.

So it's still like nonprofit.

24:34

It's still like feeds into all of that.

So I've never, yeah, I've never really worked for like, for profit.

I've always worked in the education system somehow through all this, but I am changing jobs soon, so I have no idea when this podcast is coming out.

But yeah, soon.

Wednesday.

24:50

Wednesday.

I start in January.

Yeah, this will be out.

Before.

Before then.

Yeah, so I actually did just recently accept a position with the Department of Education, so.

Congratulation.

Now you're so now you're like, now I'm a state.

Never.

Been employee.

I will be a state, never employee.

Yeah, for better for I don't.

25:05

Know I'm like great, I'll be working downtown.

The canal is right there.

Like, why is it our minds go to, OK, I can run there, Yeah.

It goes, that's how it goes.

That's how it goes, right?

You're like, oh good, there's I could pop out for a little.

Little job.

Yeah, Timmy is right down the canal.

25:22

Uh huh.

Going northern?

Right.

Yeah.

Surprise, honey.

Yeah.

Oh, that's cool.

Well, Congrats.

That's exciting.

Yeah.

So will you have extended time off then over the holidays?

I will, I'll have about a couple weeks off to switch.

25:37

I'm so new job, new house.

Right.

Yes.

So let's let's throw more.

On on new dog.

Yeah, new dog is, yes.

How new?

We've had him eight or nine weeks.

Okay, okay, this is a little hard.

I love him.

25:53

Yeah, what's his name?

I forget the new ones name.

Savo.

Okay, actually let's take this time I run through all them.

We need to know the herd.

The herd, we called them.

We call it the herd herd.

So, okay, so yeah, so we talked about Pongo bit and.

When did you lose Pongo?

Pongo passed away in February of 22.

26:12

OK cuz I cuz Timmy knew Pongo.

Yes, yeah, yeah.

Timmy, Pongo and it, it was interesting.

So, like, went through divorce and Pongo was, you know, starting to get older.

So in 2018, when Timmy and I got together, we started dating.

26:28

He we were talking about getting a second dog and we did look at different breeds because at this point we were both super actively running and we're like, OK, let's let's pick a breed of dog that we want to have.

26:44

So we looked at what dogs are good for endurance running.

OK, so I'll like go through this because I'm I am a dog mom.

Yes, you are.

So I need.

Yes, this is it, all the deeds.

So we looked at you know, you have your smaller like your Aussie shepherds, right?

27:01

And and like there's a couple other breeds.

German short haired pointers is 1 and we were like, maybe, but we knew they also were super hyper, very energetic dogs and I and we looked at Weimaraners was on a list too.

27:17

And we're like, I mean, OK, but they're like ultra big.

And then, and then that's when we found them, the Rhodesian Bridge.

Back the redheads.

The redheads and which you can't see Stephanie, she's in fact a redhead as well.

27:35

So yeah.

So crazy enough we were like OK, but we wanted to go in making a well informed decision about bringing another dog in the house.

So we started watching videos on YouTube of a guy named Will who's still on Instagram.

27:55

Like we follow each other, we chit chat and talk all the time.

And, and if you're interested, look him up on Instagram.

It's called marking our territory.

OK, OK, super great guy.

But I started watching his, his YouTube videos because you talked about like this is what it's like having a Ridgeback.

28:14

And we fell in love with the relationship that he had with a dog.

So we we find the first one, we drive to middle of nowhere, Arkansas, Arkansas.

And when I say middle of nowhere Arkansas, we had to park our car because I drove a Ford Focus at the time.

28:33

Oh, and the guy had to come down and get us because we didn't have a four Wheeler like a high.

Yeah, yeah.

OK, wow, that's a good adventure.

So then Timmy and I were like, Oh my gosh, we're going to get murdered in the Ozarks.

Because we don't know these people.

Yeah, no, but great dog.

28:50

So our first one, our girl is Atlanta.

It is the Greek goddess of running.

Oh, I mean.

Come on.

Atlanta.

Atlanta, look it up.

Okay, great guy.

I don't know how to spell that.

It's like Atlanta with some.

29:05

With an extra With an extra AATATALANTA.

Atlanta.

Atlanta, yeah, but we just say Atlanta for short.

We almost never call her.

Her full name?

Unless she's in trouble, she's in.

Trouble.

So we're like, yeah, yeah, yeah, this is great, this is great.

29:23

We picked her up.

It would have been fall of 2018, so 2019-2020 goes by.

Were you able to run with her like right away?

Like how do you 'cause some dogs like I have a goldendoodle.

I had to wait for a year till his hips were all good.

29:38

Yep, Yep.

So how old was she when you picked her up?

And then were you she?

Was about she was a little bit older, she was about four months and and we waited like I, I was pretty good about teaching her from a young ish where she might just run like half a mile with me.

OK, Or we would do like those walk jogs, like just learning to have her in a heel position.

29:59

It's kind of funny.

I never taught her like the sled dog commands, but I started using like, right, left, stop, go slow, straight.

Yeah.

I have like even little hand signals for them.

So they can they can look.

I know, like I said, so great.

30:16

I've been doing this for a few years.

Yeah.

So like really taught her.

Loved the breed.

We were like, she is amazing.

So then in 2021, we got married in May, you know, had this amazing honeymoon out West, blah blah blah.

30:32

We come back August, we're meeting up with our friend Luke for a trail run.

I'm not kidding.

This is the story.

It's hilarious too.

We're meeting up with him, we get to the site, he calls us.

30:47

I got a flat tire and we're like, well shit, you know, it happens.

It's Sunday morning though, so we're like, we need to help him out because not everywhere is open.

So we go and Long story short, I'm just hanging out in the back of the car with nothing to do because we're trying to find a place that's open, trying to get his tire fixed, blah blah blah.

31:05

And I started looking on Facebook at a breeder that I had followed this.

Is dangerous.

This is dangerous.

And I was like, she has puppies.

Oh.

Timmy, Timmy, do you think we could get a third one?

31:23

Well, his dumb ass wasn't thinking.

He's like, yeah, yeah, sure, whatever.

Whatever you want.

About that flat tire.

Yeah, right.

Needless to say, that is how we got ridgeback #2 which was dog number three.

That is how we got Leander.

31:39

Leander.

So Leander and Lanta, OK.

Where's Leander come from?

Leander comes from the UP of Michigan.

Oh, so Lanta, I think it is her mom came from that breeder in the UP.

So we realize they're they're like they've got like the same grandparent.

31:59

So they're like distant cousins.

Just kind of cute.

Even from Michigan and Arkansas.

Yeah, that's wild.

Yeah, so yeah, we went and picked up his furry little butt.

Lanta was not amused.

She's.

Like she was like what the hell is this?

32:15

Hated him for a week.

OK and then they have been best butts.

How what did hate look like that sounds?

She's hard if you know anything about having a female dog.

Yeah, I do.

We grew up with two of them.

One of them almost killed the other one at one point.

Right, right.

So anytime his little furry butt would get closer, she's just kind of hurt, OK.

32:34

And he'd be like, what?

You don't like me?

What's going on?

And.

Then a week later she was like, fine.

And then they they seriously, they are a bonded pair.

They are inseparable at this at this point and.

What did Pongo think of this Pongo?

Was he like so old?

32:50

I mean, he was old, but he was like, cool, I've got a playmate.

Now that's nice.

Yeah.

So we always felt like Pongo passed on a lot of good qualities to both of those.

Too, Yeah.

Because he was the original.

So it's funny, even though he's passed, we see little things from Lanta and Leander that they they do that were like, that's a Pongo thing.

33:12

They learned it from him.

So it was really adorable to see those, those pieces.

And then so that was 21 and we were like no more.

This is enough dogs.

Yeah, 3 is enough.

And Pongo passed away.

33:27

No, it was.

Was it 22 or 23?

I take that back, I think.

No, it was 23.

I apologize.

It was 23 because I was like, we're coming up on two years this year at like in February.

Yeah.

OK.

So yeah, Leander got to grow up with Pongo, learn the ropes of being the man of the house.

33:49

Pongo passed and we're like, we're not.

We're not filling the void.

We're just going to let it be.

Sometime past summer 24 comes by and I was like hey, I'm going to maybe do some volunteer work.

There is AUS Ridgeback Rescue.

34:06

OK.

They are not a breed for the faint of heart.

You need to be responsible but also an experienced dog owner for them.

They're very stubborn, but they're also independent at the same time.

Are they super?

Smart.

They are smart.

See that?

34:22

Yeah.

With the stubbornness, that's hard.

Yeah.

And and that's what they're they're, they're a working dog.

So they're meant to, you know, go off and do their own thing.

And so you have to know how to work with.

And I was like, well, you know, maybe we could Foster and maybe I can just help transport because that's also a big part of, of working with rescues.

34:42

So I talked to this lady over the summer, great conversations, didn't hear anything.

So like, that's fine, no big deal.

Well, end of September comes along, I get a text from her and she's like, hey, we have a potential foster.

35:00

He's up in Michigan right now.

The owner is surrendering him because the owner is a nurse and just with that 12 hour shift, just he's like, I don't have the time and was going through some other things.

So I like, I don't, I don't fault the owner.

35:16

I'm glad that he realized I can't do what I need to do for the dog.

So I need to provide for the dog.

And so I was like, hey, babe, there's this foster situation.

And he was like, no, said.

35:32

But he looks like he would be a really good fit.

He's 2 years old.

He looks like a big sweetie.

I wish you could see stuff, puppy.

Doggios.

Because it's like, yes, OK.

Here's a photo of him.

So he's like, if you do it, it's on you.

35:50

You're like, I'll leave the I'll leave the decision up to you, but we're probably going to keep him.

Like I don't, I don't foster.

I don't foster.

So we go up, we meet the guy.

Fort Wayne.

This is, it's funny.

This was the Sunday after the Fort Bend.

36:06

The Indy half.

Yeah, the Indy half.

Yep.

So the day after we drive up there and guy pulls in, he opens the door and we just looked at each other like he's so big, he's so cute and now we have 3.

36:25

And the newest was Sabo Sabo.

So did you rename Sabo or is that his name?

Sabo was the name that he came with, and I just, I, I respected the name.

I mean, yeah, we could have renamed it, but I was 2.

Years is kind of hard.

That's a long time.

I was like, no, I'm not going to worry about that.

And it's, it's a African language.

36:42

I'm not sure, I don't remember exactly, but it does come from an African language.

Ridgebacks do originate from the continent of Africa.

Typically they say like about South America and that area.

So we were like, oh OK, no, we'll keep the name.

So now we have three of them is almost 300 lbs of dog for all you wonderful, amazing listeners.

37:01

I do walk all three at once and I do run all three at once.

Wow.

It's a lot of work.

Yeah, but it's fun, yeah.

Wow.

Takes a lot of train and he's learning.

You know, Lance is great, Leander's great.

37:17

He's learning the ropes, so it's nice to have two who know.

What they're doing?

Just watch these ones.

And then he's just like, oh, OK, this is what we do here.

Great.

Yeah.

Wow 3.

Ridgebacks.

Wow.

Yep.

Yeah.

You got to bring him out to the doggy dash or next for the mile, the Dog Mile.

37:37

Did you bring him out last time?

Well, no.

They don't.

OK, so why not?

OK, so here's here's the thing, Lance.

She'd be like, Nah, fine.

You just kind of have to coax her if you want her to speed race.

But she could she can we actually have done it?

OK, We did it the first year.

37:53

This was the third year for it.

We did it the first year.

So we were like the course record Center for the women.

Yeah, there you go.

And thank you, Monumental, for the tennis balls that that's what you win.

Yeah, I love it.

But Leander is a little bit of a speed demon.

38:12

And when I say speed demon, I I can't run physically as fast as he can.

I would be on my face.

Which is why I can't believe you run all three of them at once.

Are they leashed to you when you run or you go to a park where you know you can have them just like around you?

38:28

Both so cities obviously like anytime I'm running a city or Rd. they are on leash with me.

If we go to a park, they all three have E collars so you can use the vibrating or the electrical.

38:44

So.

And it it does, I know some people have opinions about it.

We learned with, you know, a trainer how to do it correctly and they respond really well.

Like Lianta, I almost never ever need to use it.

39:00

Leander, he's my, he is the most stubborn 1 Savo's just like I don't want to feel that so and he doesn't like them vibrating.

So if you just barely vibrate him, he's like, OK, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

And, and, but, yeah, I mean, they do great.

39:16

And that's the thing.

They're like, meant to be off leash.

Like they're meant to be working in a pack with hunters on horseback.

So they are the type of dog.

They're very loyal.

I run in the opposite direction.

They are going to follow me.

39:32

Yeah.

So I don't have to worry about them running away from me.

Yeah.

Well, and what I'm thinking now too, like I hate to even bring this up, but like runner.

Well, actually, you know, what is a good Segway?

Sort of, I was going to say runner safety, right, right.

So like being with them, and I mean like physical safety.

39:49

If if someone were to hurt, come hurt you right, you have 300 lbs of dogs around you.

Right.

Yes.

So that's nice.

It is nice.

I feel like.

Yeah, I feel like.

People don't miss.

Right, right.

Like good luck.

Just.

40:04

Like this little, this little endurance runner just like running around.

They're probably like, how in the hell does she handle that?

It was really funny like yesterday where we were running over towards the new house.

I ran by a school and these two kids, like middle schools, like a 6th, 7th grade, they step out of the car and they just see me running with the three of their eyes get super big.

40:25

And they're just like, we want to say hi.

Oh, so that's also like a part of it too.

I just don't think people see that.

But you know, they are.

Yeah.

They're great dogs.

I love having them.

Lanta and Leon, The highest we've gone is 17.

40:42

I haven't gone any higher with.

Them.

That's pretty high.

It is pretty high.

You have to think about things like trail running gap.

We're moving slower, but where's water access?

Yeah.

So you have to think about specifically where am I going to be at?

I bring treats for them afterwards so they at least get some calories.

41:02

And then I make sure, just like we do, right?

Like if we run a lot of miles, we have to eat more food.

Yeah, they do too.

Yeah, right.

It makes sense.

Yeah, so there's, I mean, there's a lot with it and it, it really is like working together as a team.

Like when you're running with all three of them or even like the two when I've done long distances, it is like, OK, I I can't just pay attention to my needs.

41:22

And what I need is right here.

I have to pay attention to them too.

Yeah.

So.

Yeah, my goldendoodle, he's gone up to 10 with me, OK, but he is now 10 himself.

And so, yeah, he's gotten, he's, he ran 10 miles with my father-in-law.

But my father-in-law is like, you know, it's like Doug's like walking my dog.

41:40

Doug is my dog.

He's like walking with him running.

So it's not super, it wasn't super strenuous for him really.

And then but I did make the mistake of, of running with Doug and I hadn't in a while and his paws got destroyed and I felt like the worst dog mong on the planet.

41:56

So now he has these little booties that he kind of hates, but they protect his paws so they don't get all torn up.

So.

Yeah, we have.

They have strong calluses.

Yeah, I bet they do.

Yeah, it's amazing.

Yeah.

Oh my gosh.

Here we are.

Yeah.

42:11

I didn't know this was where my life was going to lead, but here I am.

Like, you know, dog mom of three Ridgebacks.

And I read them and I love it.

And we snuggle.

Oh my gosh, yeah.

Lots of love, lots of drools.

And you guys aren't going to have human kids, right?

Correct.

42:26

So you have now you have like, yeah, you have the kids.

We have kids, they're a little hairier.

They're their kids.

Gosh, so it's you guys are so cute.

The cutest family.

Hey, I want to go back and talk about Timmy and how you met Timmy and kind of your story there.

42:44

And for anybody who doesn't know Timmy Howard, his episode was 54 of this podcast.

So go listen to that to get to know Timmy's story.

But I'm curious, I want to hear kind of how you met and like kind of the parallel of your side of the of his story kind of because yeah, holy shit.

43:02

Holy shit, indeed.

Yeah, absolutely.

With him, like anybody I ever meet who's like either listen to one one of the many podcasts he's been on and or seen the documentary with him.

They're just like his story, his wow, his story.

43:18

And again, if you have not listened to it, definitely go inches.

To Miles is the documentary I watch that Yep Yep.

Through Athletic Brewing.

You can find it on YouTube.

Yeah.

So it is kind of funny because I was going through a divorce at the time.

We met through November project though.

43:36

And when I say we met through a November project.

And what is November project?

Oh yes, a free workout.

That means Wednesdays at 6:00 AM and Fridays at 6:00 AM.

Wednesdays we meet at the Indiana War Memorial.

Friday's location changes usually somewhere in like the downtown Indianapolis vicinity.

43:55

I'm just use of open public spaces and it's I say it's kind of like a hit workout.

We do some pretty, we do body weight type exercises like burpees, push ups, setups, like all those kinds of things.

I mean, honestly, that's how I've met a lot of my.

Close.

And this is a national thing too.

44:11

It's not just.

International.

Oh, it's international.

Oh, yeah.

OK, yeah, this is an international thing.

International.

Yes.

So which is really, really neat about it.

So we met, but it was more just like, I really don't remember, like the first time probably at the workout because you know, you're meeting people and you're like, I don't know.

44:33

You're there to work out and.

I just, I just know he started following me on Strava.

Stalking you on Strava, Tammy.

And I'm just like, oh, he must have been somebody I met.

So he's, this is funny because like, we're all in this endurance.

44:51

He's giving me kudos.

I'm giving him.

Kudos.

That's so cute.

That's so funny.

And then I remember in December on Wednesdays, they go to breakfast afterwards.

And that was the first time we actually had a conversation and just talking a bit about, you know, just.

45:10

Hey thanks for the kudos man.

He was like.

I want to get into trail running.

And for those who, if you don't know his story at that point, he had been about maybe like 8:00 to 10:00-ish months sober off of heavy drug use.

45:27

So he was still in this like, I'm trying to figure out who I am.

I'm trying to like be involved.

I'm trying to do these things.

And I didn't know that at the time about him.

And so we hung out a few times.

My, my favorite story is when we went to Fort Bend for a trail run.

45:45

And I was like, hey, like what?

What's kind of your pace on trails?

Oh, I can run like like eight 30s, OK, if you don't know trails, that's fast.

And I was like, OK, and I just start taking off in about two miles and he's like, like you can just hear him breathing so heavily.

46:08

He's like, can we can we slow down just a bit?

So for anybody who wonders, I kick his ass and anything distance.

Yeah, mile.

He has me every time.

Yeah, anything past a mile, his ass, his ass is.

Grass.

Yeah.

Oh my gosh.

46:24

Anyway, so you know, a couple of those things and whatever.

We started talking and he did tell me his story about that he used to use.

But what does that mean?

I don't know like right, OK.

Did you ever know anybody in your life?

No.

46:39

Yeah, because I don't.

I don't.

Know either No.

Yeah, it's like interesting to think about.

Like what do you mean use?

OK.

So you like experimented a little bit or?

Right.

And I think that's where my my brain went.

And it wasn't until we were together for longer that I went, oh, like you did some stuff and you lived a life.

47:01

And at what point did you know he was homeless for a time?

I think he.

Had told me that somewhere early in the beginning.

But I'll say this as a public school teacher and working in urban areas, I thought, I know students who have been homeless.

47:17

I've known parents who have really struggled.

I've talked to parents who have really struggled and been homeless or have been drug addicts.

So I think in some of me there was like a lot of empathy and understanding of like, OK, you've clearly made some poor decisions, but you're trying right now.

47:34

So I think like, in my my teacher brain, I was like, yeah, like, OK, what I didn't know was the depth of it.

And it can't.

And it has come out over the years we've been together.

But then also, you know, as he was trying to find his place within community, that was where we both realized the struggle with alcohol was also an issue.

47:59

Yeah.

And that kind of reared its ugly head.

And we had to deal with a lot of pieces with that in 2019.

And I mean, it was a huge learning lesson for both of us, you know?

So if you've ever been on that side where you have watched a loved one go through that, it is like the hardest thing you'll ever go through.

48:22

And it's just so many emotions all at the same time.

You don't know how to process it, and you don't really even know what to do necessarily.

But I just knew, like, I knew who he was at the core.

And I was like, if he can just stop.

He is an incredible human being.

48:39

So that's what I love about, like, people like you, Ally, you've never seen that side of him.

Yeah.

And so like, he is this incredible human being and this amazing, I mean, wonderful man.

I I feel like I'm just like boosting his ego.

Hey, Timmy.

48:55

Hey, babe.

No.

But it's just, it really is like this incredible piece about him and just his understanding of human nature and just wanting to help people and being apart.

But.

But we had to go through a lot of shit and crap and figure it out.

49:13

And to this day, I mean, we still work on those components.

Yeah, we have to.

So yeah.

Which is crazy too.

I think, you know, he gets clean from drugs.

You just assume then, oh, he's so then he got clean and then, you know, he never dealt with addiction again.

49:30

Great.

No, you know, then he then he was like, well, you know, I just want to be able to go out with people after a workout and just have a beer.

Surely that's not going to, you know, and I can only imagine, you know, being with someone who's an alcoholic and what the day-to-day struggle of that is like and how hard that was.

49:50

And the fact that you guys, that you stood by him and, like, made it through that is a testament to your human character as well, right.

Like you just said, you knew, you know, that he's an amazing human being.

So like being there for him and seeing that through.

50:06

Yeah.

And it was just, it was such a crappy time and my life and a crappy time in his life.

So I, I always think back to that five years ago and I'm just like, we can get through anything, right?

Like we literally can't get through anything.

Buying a house, getting a new job, having a third dog, like stresses out our works.

50:25

Cool, great.

And it always cracks me up because sometimes I'll be like, are you OK?

Like, are you doing all right?

There's a lot happening right now.

And I think I asked him that like a week or two ago, right?

We check in and he looked at me as like, I've done worse, Like I've been through worse, right?

50:41

And then I'm thinking, yeah.

Good point.

You've eaten that at dumpsters.

Yeah, true, seems worse than this.

Yeah.

Yeah, exactly.

Although I'm sure he has to even remind himself of that at times, right?

Because you know, you start, you get into it and then you're, you know, of course you're going to care about the little things in life when you're not in that place anymore, but.

50:59

Absolutely.

Yeah, it's a lot.

Which is just, yeah, so amazing where you're at now in your relationship, married.

Right.

It'll be five years then, this coming May.

It'll, well, it'll be. 21 We.

51:14

Got married in 21, so it'll be four years in May.

We've been together just almost seven.

I have to think about this 7 seven.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

And sometimes it's like, oh, wow, it's only been 7.

And you're like, Oh my God.

51:31

Really.

Yeah, you.

Know how that works?

Yeah, I've been married 10 years and yeah, Yep.

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51:48

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So what's it like having your husband as a race photographer because it's so nice as his friend?

Right, so, so it's kind of funny because I, I always like to boast like the reason why you're a race photographer is because of me.

52:07

And it is because I race directed OPSF 5050, just the race down in Owen Putnam State Forest, hence the OPSF.

There's so many races I know, I still don't know what.

They are a very old one that Indiana Trail Running puts on every March.

52:23

Hard, hard because it's usually stupid muddy, but fun.

And it's just a fun, fun weekend out out in the woods, right?

And I was race directing and, you know, Co race directed a couple years and we have one person who does photos for us.

52:41

But it was like, hey, let's get 2.

And Timmy had had some of his photo equipment.

He was just kind of playing around and he said, well, why don't you do it?

I'll pay you, you know, 150 bucks or something like that.

Just like, come down, take some photos.

And that is legit how it started.

So he started there and then they asked him to do Tecumseh because they liked his work.

53:01

Yeah.

And so then has literally exploded.

Yeah.

He does.

He's at every race.

I feel like yes, for me is great.

I should always just like my stipulation should be, is Timmy taking photos at the race?

Because if so, I'll be there if not.

Yeah, I'm out.

I'm.

Definitely not buying the photos if he's not taking them.

53:19

Right, right.

And it's just, it's great.

I I think.

And I've told him, you know, throughout the years of just watching him too, like you are so much better.

Yeah, you've gotten better.

I mean, yes, your equipment's better, but like, he's gotten better.

And he just loves it.

He loves just being out there.

53:35

And it is really funny.

I know you've only been at Rd. races with him.

That's very true.

Oh my gosh, At a trail race, he is that a hole photographer that will like hide behind a tree when you're going uphill and you're like dying in your face.

53:51

And he's like, yeah, I.

Thought you were going to say and like jumps out and like scares the shit out of you because that would scare me too.

Like if you're like in the zone and all of a sudden it's like, hey.

He's just like, standing there creeping, like, I'm not kidding, like the man will like lay on the ground.

Yeah, well, shoot, he does that at Rd. races like in the heat, like laying on cement.

54:09

He's got, he's got how many cameras hanging from him?

And he's like riding a bike holding the three backpacks, fake cameras.

You're like.

I know.

Wow.

That looks harder than what I'm doing.

He was actually really tired after money at all.

He came home.

He's like, I'm sore tired, I bet like he should be.

54:27

But then you look at the work that he puts out and it does show the essence of like the running community here in Indiana and like the fun that we we do have and just like all those pieces.

So I do appreciate like, he is able to capture everything from the joy of running to the crappy times to that I'm flipping you off because I hate this woman.

54:50

Yeah.

And, you know, that's, that's part of it.

So I like seeing when his work gets splattered throughout like different things and and social media and whatnot.

Yeah, yeah.

What other races have you done over the course of being a runner?

55:07

Yeah, yeah.

So yeah, 'cause you've been.

I did Boston.

I know the Boston.

I have the jacket.

Every time I wear the jacket, he's like, did you move Boston?

That's not fair.

You're not to make fun of me for running Boston.

55:24

I totally, a lot of it's fine.

It's real.

I mean, it's kind of like a thing if you're in the running world, right?

You know it's a thing.

Yeah, I wanna have a Boston jacket.

Shit, I don't have one.

I can't make fun of anybody for wearing theirs.

Should have worn mine today.

They should have, it's like that subtle flex you give every once in a while.

55:42

You're like, I'm just going to just going to put this on.

Just let everybody know.

So, you know, trying to think like, yeah, so I, you know, I talked about starting ultras in 2018 and 2019 was hard because, well, the spring of 2019 was good.

55:58

I I had a good trail marathon up in Michigan and won.

And then a couple months after that was the accident.

So that kind of threw me for a loop for a while.

The.

Accident The accident.

Which is insane.

Which?

Is insane and then 2020 with COVID.

56:16

That was when my dad passed away and so then I ran a 50K in October and raised funds for Simon cancer cuz that's where he was taking care of in downtown Indy.

And it was nice too cuz like you can specifically have the funds go to what research you want it to go to.

56:35

So we had everybody donate specifically for stomach cancer cuz that's what he had passed away from.

Stomach cancer, That's not super common one.

Not a common one and.

How long did he fight that battle?

Just under two years.

She's.

That's and that's the thing with why we wanted to raise money was because it's it's not common and when you are diagnosed it usually is in those later stages because of the way they sometimes present themselves because you can.

57:04

Talk it up to being like, oh, you must have a stomach.

Bug.

Yeah, or like, oh, I just have heartburn because I'm in my 50s or 60s or I'm just getting right.

I'm just getting older and can't handle my stomach hurts, whatever.

It's just some some of those kind of symptoms.

57:20

So when he was diagnosed, he was diagnosed with stage 4 and.

What was that tipping point for him to go in finally like and get it?

He, yeah, he had had, he had had like an injury.

He had fallen.

And this is crazy, like fallen and bruised or ribbed and realized it wasn't healing.

57:40

And my mom finally was like, we didn't figure out what's going on because this is unusual.

Well, stage 4 cancer, it's metastasized.

So it had spread into bone and this this place mild.

57:56

And that is how they figured it out.

Yep.

And so then once you get, you know, for most folks, once you get a stage 4 diagnosis, you're just playing with the clock and playing with time at that point.

And so that was rough.

And so like that diagnose happened.

And then did they, where did, where did they live at the time?

58:14

Greenwood, Okay.

Still in Greenwood, Yeah.

So still in Greenwood, so a lot of trips to Simon and going there, right?

Yeah, Simon.

And yeah, and yeah, but then December 2019 once and this was like after like such a crappy summer and Timmy and I were finally like doing a lot better.

58:34

He was sober.

That was when they told my dad he had three to six months and that sucked.

So then.

I can't with your life right now.

So I never ever wish it on anybody.

Your life just so last Oh my gosh.

And we haven't even talked about your OK just.

58:52

So, yeah, but I mean, you know, it was.

And the pandemic like on top of that.

Yes.

So he passed away.

Like when people always bring it.

Remember when everything shut down like that one weekend?

I was like, yeah, that was the one my dad died.

So we didn't really have a funeral because we couldn't and, you know, just all those things.

59:09

So like processing that was was a lot like processing it for my mom was a lot.

And you know, yeah, we're we're almost what, five years later.

But it took, I felt like a long time to really get through some of those components.

But.

59:24

And, you know, for people who have like lost a pair, they know, they understand like it, it is just an up and down roller coaster for years.

Was like, do you ever?

Yeah.

I don't think you can ever fully, yeah, access that, especially in that not having a funeral.

59:40

Yeah, yeah.

Yep.

So, yeah, sorry, yeah, I've just, you know, a little bit of this and a little bit of that and just done the things and, and just just, and I just still run.

I just still run 'cause I'm like, oh, it's a stress reliever.

People are like, you're nuts.

59:59

I'm like no, no, no, no, no, no.

Like, no, I'm nuts if I don't run.

That's what keeps me out of jail.

Right.

Yeah, that's what.

Keeps me sane.

Yeah, I said this to my sister.

You know, my husband doesn't always love my running addiction.

And because we have young kids and it can be hard and.

1:00:17

And she goes well.

Well, what does he want you to do?

Just be nuts.

Like I'm like exactly.

Thank you.

Because yeah, if I'm not running, that's not going to be fun.

I think for a lot of folks it provides a routine and a structure for us.

Yeah, Like this morning I got up and I'm like, OK, I'm going to get a few miles in.

1:00:36

I mean, now that I have a herd, I have to, like, set everybody's stuff out.

Herd dogs.

No herd dogs, But you know, it Just it, it sets me to me.

It sets me up for success.

I'll wear it in the morning and I'm like, OK, I feel ready to conquer the day and like go through the things I need to do because I'm mentally prepared.

1:00:54

Yeah, that's how I look at it.

Yeah.

So side note, do you know Michael Hartnagel?

Have you met him before?

No, he has.

Metastatic Mission is his nonprofit that he started with his family.

His dad was treated at Simon Cancer Center for prostate cancer, I believe.

1:01:14

But anyway, so you've got to meet him.

That's side now Dinner.

Do you see to him?

Because they, like, he literally did a marathon around the Simon Cancer Center.

Yeah.

And now each month this year, he's done the same at a different Cancer Center.

Oh, interesting.

Yeah.

It's OK.

1:01:30

I like that.

Yeah.

So let's talk about 2019 and your insane accident that happened, because I have thoughts about that freaking intersection.

Yeah, so geez.

Yeah.

So that was that.

1:01:46

That was a rough day.

It was just a rough time, right?

Like Timmy was doing, doing things probably should have been doing.

My dad was dealing with cancer, you know, a lot of life changes within that realm.

And I just, I went on a run July morning and you know, it's just really one of those things like it just, it happened, thought she saw me, she didn't see me, whatever, right?

1:02:09

Like just it happens.

And just for those of you just got hit by a car on a run, I don't recommend it ever.

I truly sometimes have always wondered how I lived through that.

I don't talk a lot about the specific details of it.

1:02:27

It's pretty traumatic, but what I do remember, I do remember getting hit by the vehicle.

I remember waking up and I was halfway underneath a dump truck who had stopped.

How the dump truck never hit me I have no idea 'cause I was like under the truck.

1:02:45

So you wake up was your were your head was underneath it?

No, my head was out.

So the rest of your body is under it.

You wake up and you're like.

And I couldn't feel my legs when I started screaming.

Yeah, that's, that's traumatic.

So.

And so this is you were running on the Monon.

Yes, it was this 161st.

1:03:02

Is that where it happened?

Yep.

They they need a freaking something there.

They had construction going on there the other day and there's like a flagger.

And I said, thank God you're here.

This is great.

And she goes, you have no idea how many people have told me that today.

It's because that people don't slow down.

1:03:18

They they don't and, and I'll be honest, you know, I, I had never run there before.

I think if I had known how dangerous that intersection was, I would not have run through there.

And I think just going forward and in my life and you know, I do this, you know, I was talking about like running in Kansas recently.

1:03:37

Yeah.

I I look at like Strava heat maps and Garmin heat maps because I want to know where where are people ready?

Where are they like, is this safe?

I will satellite image does this does this street have a sidewalk?

Right.

Like I do all those things and I, you know, I have, I use the road ID app so.

1:03:58

Do you have a bracelet?

I have AI have a bracelet, I do have the road ID bracelet and I do use the app as well.

Did you have that before your accident?

How did I did not have this?

How did they figure out who you were?

So this is kind of where I don't know if this is like the trauma brain, but all I remember was waking up and I kept yelling like call Timmy and I just kept repeating his number.

1:04:21

So he like I know he could probably tell you more about I think for some reason, like obviously they called 911, but they also called him because I just kept saying it.

Well, also like how you know his number by heart is.

Awesome.

Yeah.

Know people's numbers.

I know, I know.

My husband's by heart.

And my kid has since memorized my phone number, right?

1:04:38

Because I'm like, yeah, yeah, his is probably one of the only phone number at my husband's is like one of the only ones I know.

Yeah.

But kind of for that.

Yeah.

You got to.

Yeah.

So it's so smart that your brain like, remember that way.

Yeah, yeah.

And I have no idea why.

No clue.

And truly, it could have been much, much worse than it was.

1:04:59

You know, I hear about it in Marion County with the pedestrians and the issues that go on there.

And I am very, very cautious.

And you can ask any of my friends who run with me, very, very cautious now.

Headlamps, reflective gear, The dogs have reflective gear, the dogs have lights.

1:05:20

Like very, very cautious now.

And I never assumed somebody is stopping for me, never anymore.

I think a lot of us were like we're on our run and blah, blah, blah.

And I'm not seeing like it's not a problem for for you.

1:05:36

But the problem is they don't always see us.

They're not always paying attention.

And we know this.

And you know, you know, I've seen it a lot downtown, you know, people sliding through red lights and or thinking that they're the ones who have the right of way when they don't, right.

1:05:57

So again, like I just have always assumed like if you're not stopping for me, yeah, and I will stare at people.

Like if you're going straight, but people have a right turn, I will turn and stare to make sure like you see I'm here, right?

1:06:13

Like.

We're looking at each other right now.

Right, right.

And then still to this day, I've actually like in Garfield Park in our neighborhood, I have been as a as a Walker, even runner a couple times like somebody has stopped for me and this tells you how people don't pay attention.

Somebody has stopped for me to allow me to cross and the person behind them didn't stop.

1:06:32

I've had I've literally, I don't want to say I've cause, but I've seen three accidents because of that three.

That's crazy all in the same.

Intersection.

Yeah.

It's, you know, and this when when you and I originally were going to record this conversation.

I lost a friend of mine from high school.

1:06:47

Yeah.

Who was out for a run.

Yep.

It was night time.

He.

I found out later was on the incorrect side of the road for a runner and that made me I'm like what are you thinking, Mike?

But it was somewhere he ran all, all the time, according to his family, like as close to where he lived, he ran there all the time, even at night.

1:07:05

And you know, he probably wasn't wearing reflective gear, right?

Invincibility of like this is where I live.

I do this all the time.

But, you know, it's a narrow country Rd. and people are going fast.

People aren't paying attention.

Yeah, I mean, it's just horrible.

1:07:21

But I remember I I reached out to the local news station about it and.

And they're like, yeah, we're seeing unfortunately, like, yeah, we're seeing this a lot in our area and community.

And so it's just an important reminder to pay attention if you're freaking driving, but like as a runner.

1:07:39

You're a damn phone.

Yeah, put your phone down.

I see that.

And I mean, my husband can say that, you know, tell me you can say that too when he was cycling to and from our house to.

The cycling is even to.

Workplace, I mean, we're literally using just trails, like city urban trails.

1:07:55

And I've almost been hit on a bike.

Yeah, I've almost been hit.

I've watched people and if you know downtown Indy well enough, Washington and West Street.

Yeah, right there by the JW.

In the state, yeah, that one's awful.

By Fogo de Chao.

That's like the Virginia and I hit a biker there, tapped, tapped a biker.

1:08:15

It was the worst thing ever.

I was trying to go like inch out and like I was looking to the right because it was a one way and I was trying to turn left.

And so I'm watching this way and a biker is coming from my left and he, you know, clearly didn't didn't see that I didn't see him.

1:08:32

But that's not his fault, right?

It's my responsibility.

But yeah.

And then I just was edging out.

And then I heard and I saw him and, you know, I hit him enough to where he, like, stood up off of his bike and gave me some, you know, much colorful, you know, deserved words.

1:08:48

And I felt.

But that changed.

I was just like, Oh my gosh, what if I wouldn't have been edging?

What if I would have been gunning it to go right, right.

So I.

And I think that's why, like I'm very, I don't, I wish maybe maybe one of these days I'll speak out more about it.

But that's one where I think we just need better education.

1:09:07

Yeah.

Because, I mean, it can happen, too.

I mean, I, I've done the same where you're kind of edging.

You just don't see somebody, I mean.

You see them at the last second, you're like, Oh my gosh, it almost didn't see that.

Yeah, and I do appreciate like that's why they do have the no turn on red downtown now.

It's not because we're trying to like, oh, sorry people, you can't turn on red anymore.

1:09:24

It's like, no, it's to protect the pedestrians because it is a very heavily trafficked Gary on foot.

But then also, you know, I think of the sidewalk issues too.

You know, Indianapolis, because we have the entire county technically as Indianapolis minus a couple little spots.

1:09:45

There are a lot of streets that don't even have sidewalks and that's a problem or they don't have things down as you're crossing the roads.

So, you know, OK, like this is a crosswalk.

So I just, I see it a lot.

1:10:01

I think there just needs to be more education and more understanding.

And I always urge people like when I have talked to, you know, people in I see like the State House, but you know, people who are at least more on the political side, I feel like you need to go out and walk.

You need to go out and run or be a cyclist and go see what we actually do deal with.

1:10:22

Because like I said, like I lived from mine, there are a lot of people who've done it.

And I know sometimes like it's it's frustrated me because I'm like, why did I live?

And, you know, my dad passed away from cancer, but I'm alive.

And what, what also is crazy is like I had two very minor broken bones.

1:10:41

I had a cracked big toe and then my thumb broke.

That was it.

My my femur, my hip, which is where I took the bulk of the hit.

Yeah, I have some issues there running wise, you know, just like, you know, tendons like my issues, but nothing else.

1:10:57

Concussion staples in the head.

Cool.

But I I mean I have heard and you read about it like person instantly killed or succumbed to their.

Injuries or you can't ever walk again.

To your point, like waking up and not be able to feel you're like, is there a time where you didn't think you were going to be able to walk again or is that something that once you got to the hospital?

1:11:18

Once I got to the hospital, it was just, I think it was the trauma and the bruising and swelling.

It was just that like traumatic response from your body.

But again, like this is, this is something I really haven't even told a lot of people.

But the first few days, because I took it in my left leg, I would have to pick up my left leg with my hands and place it down on the ground because I couldn't like activate like any hip flexor, quads, none of that.

1:11:44

So I'd have to pick it up to get it on the ground, swing my right leg over and then slowly stand up.

Yeah.

So that was like the first week and then 8 weeks later I was just starting to get back into a little bit of running.

1:12:02

Now there was still a lot, I mean there like there was a lot of healing that was still going on.

Like don't get me right.

It's it's taken a long time and I've also had to learn how to adapt, but it could have been a lot worse.

Well, and your mom, I'm just thinking, OK.

1:12:19

Mom.

OK, your husband's, you know, dying of cancer, and then you get a call that your daughter, yeah, was hit by a car.

Yeah.

And they came to the hospital.

I mean, they were there.

So that was that's hard.

That was rough.

1:12:35

Yeah, that was rough.

Yeah.

Heavy, heavy, heavy.

Stop.

It was so heavy and then next thing you know, here we are.

No.

And then now we're here and I'm smiling.

Everything fine?

Great.

Everything so easy now.

1:12:52

No, it's, I mean, it's taken a lot.

I mean, I was, you know, that that was the thing, you know, going through that with, with myself.

And my dad was dealing with cancer and had had brain surgery 3 weeks prior to that happening to me.

And then Timmy was brain.

Surgery.

Yeah.

Because did it metastasize all the way to his brain?

1:13:08

Yep.

So was it basically everywhere at that point then?

That's horrible.

Yeah.

So the.

Yeah, so we had that and then Timmy was going through his stuff.

So I always say, like, summer of 2019 was just ugly.

But, you know, again, just, I don't know, maybe like in running my analogy, like you're always going to have a low time.

1:13:29

And it really was like, just keep going to the next day.

Just keep going.

Like it will get better.

Things happened.

And it was like, OK, And, you know, then, yeah, my dad passed away in spring of 2020.

And it was like, OK, like, how do you deal with this?

1:13:44

Just keep moving one step in front of the other.

Like seriously, mentally and emotionally.

It was really it was and then I felt like, you know, I say like once we got married, but like once 2021 and we got married and and those pieces hadn't have been about a year and a half to two years from those things, then it was like, okay, the traumas in the past I was going to.

1:14:09

Ask.

Yeah, well, aside from running.

Physical and mental therapy for both of us.

And, you know, I look at us now and I'm thinking like, yeah, that was a shitty time, but we made it through.

And we had, like I said, we have to work on it all the time and.

1:14:26

Have you guys done couples therapy?

Therapy together, No.

No, we actually, it's kind of funny.

We haven't, which is fine, but you know, we are good enough to have like solid open communication and dialogue with each other.

Yeah.

Hey.

These are like a lot of the battle.

1:14:43

These are right, right?

Like communication issues, like, hey, let's just talk about this.

Like yesterday I was just feeling all the feels and just like super irritated.

And at one point he's just like, well, why don't you blah, blah, blah.

And it looks right at him.

And I was like, you know, those reels that you see where sometimes we just want the guy to listen.

1:15:01

Just listen.

Let me vent.

Let me just get it out in the world and then I that's it and that's it.

That's all I need to.

Do I need to, do I have to say that to my husband?

Like I don't need a solution because he is a yes, Yeah, he's a problem solver immediately.

1:15:17

Like what can I do?

Yeah, or why don't, why don't you do this?

Or yeah, why don't I tell you how to solve the problem and you're?

Just shut up.

Listen to me complain please.

All I need is all I need.

Even if what I'm saying doesn't make any sense to you and you don't understand, just just pretend that you do.

Yeah, OK.

1:15:32

Yeah, it's all I.

So, yeah, I mean, it's like despite like the, the lows, we've also had like incredible highs.

You know, I, I think to our, I think like, OK, we got married, we had a dog #3 you know, Leander came in the world.

Yeah.

And then, you know, watching Timmy go from being this sober person and trying to figure that out to being offered an athletic brew by Luke, you know, on his podcast and then like, fell in love with the brand.

1:16:05

He becomes an ambassador.

And then next thing you know, he's like, hey, I'm going to apply to do Lake Placid.

I'm like, great, baby, you do that.

I'm so supportive.

I did not know what I was signing up for.

Right for like Placid Iron Man if for those.

1:16:20

Yeah, for those who might not know, like a full, like full, full.

Iron Man.

At Lake Placid.

At Lake Placid, which is not flat.

Yeah.

And then it was, hey, they're, they're, you know, looking at doing a documentary, blah, blah, blah.

1:16:37

They're looking for athletes who have some stories.

And I was like, well.

Well, you got some of those I.

Was like, you've got a few, you might as well do that.

And then like here, here we are.

And it was just like, it was so incredible to like watch him do that.

And then and knowing like all of that was being filmed and done and then it was like nothing fall into winter of 23, right?

1:17:02

They're they're editing and cutting and doing all the things.

We have no idea what's happening.

And then we got like a raw cut of it to provide some feedback.

But then it was so neat because like, he got to go out to San Diego for the world premiere, which of course, he brought his little photo equipment with him.

1:17:21

Shocking.

And like, that was good for him because that was like the first time he had just really done something like that as an adult.

Like, OK, I'm going on this trip to do this thing.

And I'm like, that's great.

I'm staying home with the dogs.

And then we had the premieres, which was just an amazing testament to like the community that's around us and the people who support us.

1:17:43

I mean really like that was probably some of the most fun I had was was being at Kankan and.

Doing those premieres, so cool to see.

Yeah, yeah, it.

Was just so fun.

So it's like, yeah, you have lows, but you also have these highs too, and it does all balance out in the end.

1:18:00

God, I just, yeah, you both are some resilient human beings.

And it's like, I don't know, I in some ways, I know people don't necessarily, you know, oh, you're so strong and inspiring and people are like, well, I don't want to be this way.

I didn't want any of this in my life.

1:18:16

And just to be clear, I cry a lot.

And I, I bent a lot.

Yeah.

I'm on medication.

Yeah.

Right.

Like I and, you know, and that's that's the thing too, you know, even with exercising, like, yeah, I take time off and, and whatever, like took time off after the ultra, but I was still like, I'm going to get up and just go for a walk.

1:18:38

Just, you know, just do it.

Like you have to do that and you have to find something that pulls you back in and really can ground you with whatever that is.

You know, everybody's different.

So that's just something I've learned about myself.

I'm like, no, This is why I like to be active.

1:18:54

And like I was saying earlier, now it comes down to like, I just like being in nature.

There is a calming aspect and a beauty to appreciate when you're out on a walk.

And like saw Fox last week.

The dogs didn't.

1:19:09

Thank God I was like.

Mama did.

And Mama's like, let's go this way.

But, you know, you get to see cool things like that in the urban and you, you know, you get to see all these, you know, these pieces and flora and fauna and sunrises and mountains and whatever.

But it's just like, that's what grounds me a lot to just have that space to breathe.

1:19:29

Yeah.

I don't want to stop talking to you, but you probably have some other some work to do actually.

I don't know.

I really don't.

Like.

We're good.

Yeah.

This is my last thing of the day.

It's your last thing of the day.

I mean, like, need to like breathe a little.

So so I'm going to ask you the end of the podcast questions now.

1:19:48

So scary.

First one, just two.

First one is what's your favorite running song and or mantra?

My mantra comes from Steven Mader, who is my original ultra training buddy.

I used to write it on our wrist, not we didn't tattoo like you did.

1:20:05

We were cool and just drew it with a sharpie.

Just fucking do it.

That's a good one, right?

I like that.

I know, right?

Honestly, I just keep moving forward.

Yeah.

And all the things that you do.

Yeah, keep moving.

Forward.

1:20:20

Just fucking do it.

It's great.

Just fucking do it, yeah.

Well, you're just talking about listening to nature.

So do you listen to music and stuff while you run I.

Actually, do not.

I listen to nothing.

Yeah, I just started the I my, the Monumental was the first marathon I've ever run without headphones.

Wow.

Yeah, it's.

1:20:37

I used to be it.

Used to be such a crutch and I started like when I was training on long runs, I was running with a friend and so I was like, well, I don't need my headphones.

Like I'll just whatever.

And then I just got used to it and then here we are.

And I thought, I mean, never in a million years would I have thought that I.

1:20:54

I'm going to take you through already.

Let's plan something, Ashley.

Thank goodness.

Yeah, you're going.

To just sucker me into this.

Hey, we'll come out next weekend.

I'll be at Jackson.

That's pacing her.

There we go.

So, well, perfect segue too, because I was going to ask you about your next finish line or milestone.

1:21:11

Well, actually, this is kind of exciting.

It's funny, Ashley and I really just know each other through, well, kind of through Timmy's photography.

He took photos of her.

They started.

Right.

I know.

I like couldn't.

I didn't know how she knew Timmy.

I remember when I met Timmy, I was like, I thought you're just Ashley's friend.

1:21:27

I had no idea.

And she's like, oh, I just knew him because he was.

I would see.

Him, I would see him, yeah.

And then it's funny.

Ashley knows a good friend of mine, Ian, who her and I know each other through running.

And then I was like, wait, Ian knows Ashley.

Ashley knows Ian, small world, small world and I love it.

1:21:45

But anyway, yeah, she talked about needing a pacer for the Jackson 5050.

She's doing the 100K.

And I was I was like, yeah, so I'm really excited because it'll be my first time pacing somebody in an ultra cool.

So I don't know what to expect other than just like keeping Ashley and a good There you go.

1:22:07

Fun.

You get to do for her what I what she did for me.

Yeah, yeah.

And that's just what I love about like this type of community, right?

We just give back.

We have fun making connections.

And so that's my next thing, OK.

And where?

Where exactly is that?

That is in the Jackson, Washington State Forest, so S further South of the Nashville area.

1:22:26

OK.

So like keep driving like down towards Seymour, OK?

Yeah, Ashley was trying to get me to come.

She wants me to like run something, but I'm like, OK, I'm not doing that.

But but you know, I had the girls out spectating the Zionsville half Marathon this last last weekend.

1:22:42

And then I was considered.

She's like, why don't you just come down?

Just bring the girls just like hang out.

So it would be fun.

I don't know how.

What's the weather looking like?

I feel like you don't check.

I'm like the true you are erotic Rd. racer.

That's like checking the weather when it's in, like whenever it enters the forecast.

1:22:58

I'm checking it.

We're just like trail runners on the other side.

We're just like, meh.

I mean, it could be 50°, it could be 30, it could be snowing, it could be raining.

You just dress for the weather.

Yeah, just right, just.

Whatever, Yeah, yeah, I love it.

I know I need to.

I will and do embrace more of like that mentality in my my road running life.

1:23:16

Although I did run inside yesterday because my Garmin I saw that is it working which is annoying.

I'm a little disappointed in you but I was like well forgive her because her garments not working.

Yeah, I know.

I'm like, can I just, why couldn't I just go run outside and like not even I know how to run 4 miles around where I live.

1:23:32

Why couldn't I just go run it and just not track it?

Why?

Because it would be out Strava, right?

And.

Then it wouldn't count, right?

So stupid.

Yeah, but you know, whatever.

Right.

Yeah.

So I'm excited.

I'm doing that with her.

That'll be fun.

And then finally, finally, finally, Timmy and I are going to do an ultra in May up in the Traverse City, MI area.

1:23:56

So we both have run on the trails where it's at and I knew they had an ultra up there and I was like, well, let's just go get it Airbnb for a couple days, bring the herd with us.

And I mean, they can't run it with us, but you know, they can hang out.

1:24:11

But he's, he's going to do it because he has not officially done one officially.

He he got injured on one and then he did run 34 miles for his 34th birthday.

So we've, you know, we do that game, but this will be this will be nice.

1:24:29

So this is his way of like, OK, after having like surgery and doing all those pieces and he's like, OK, I want to get back into.

It and do it, yeah.

So.

Fun.

Yeah.

Oh my gosh, Traverse City is so pretty.

It is so pretty.

It's hilly up there a little bit.

Nah, it's not that bad.

Not compared to Southern Indiana, OK, that's just fair.

1:24:47

Compared to southern Indiana, I'm like, oh, this is flat.

I told you all that the Carmel Marathon was flat and people were like, no, it's not.

I think it's flat, I know.

So it's all relative.

It's all relative.

Yeah.

And people like, no, those are rolling hills.

And I was like, well, there's like a couple.

There's like little bumps.

1:25:03

Yeah.

Yeah, I don't know.

But I guess if you literally are running on like no elevation at all then that could feel.

I know it is all relative to your experiences.

Yeah, well, thank you so much for doing this.

Of course.

It's so nice to sit down and get to know you better.

Good to see you.

1:25:20

I know, and it's good to get to know you.

I can't wait till we get to run together at some.

Point.

I know that would be nice.

Yeah.

When we're gonna make that, when we're done with those, we need to like, look at our calendars.

And and like, make a make a tie and you and Ashley can take me.

Out on our trails.

OK, Yep.

Deal.

All right, well, thanks to everybody who's listened to Yes, Happy running.

1:25:36

Happy running.

Yay, yay.

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Hope to see you again next week.