Ep. 45: From Burnout to 2:54: Adri Ducharme on Finding Joy in Running Again

SPEAKER_01 0:00

If you think you can't juggle it, you can. It's just figuring out what what that is for you. What is your thing that you want to do and it brings you joy? And the only thing holding you back is my schedule. Like that just sounds silly. Oh, I don't have time. No, you do have time. You make time for what is important. Just like there's moms out there teaching, training, being a mom, all of that, and posting on social media.

SPEAKER_00 0:26

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 0:26

Like they're making time for it because that's what makes them happy. I'm not saying you have to do all that, but like you will make time for things that, and like I said, you'll if you just try it and you start doing it, you'll see how it's not just you making yourself happy. You'll make others around you happy because you'll be the best version of yourself.

SPEAKER_00 0:52

Welcome back to Through There's Dride. I'm your host, Sam Sutton, and today I'm joined by Adriana Duchar, or Running the Life underscore on Instagram. In this episode, Adri shares a powerful journey through the highs and lows of the sport, from basing burnout after a difficult and discouraging college experience shaped by a toxic coaching environment, to rediscovering her love for running in a completely new way with a club cross-country team at the University of Georgia. What started as a fresh chapter quickly turned into something bigger. Adri found out not only joy again, but also serious potential in the marathon, debuting at three hours and fourteen minutes and steadily working her way down to an impressive two hours and fifty-four minutes. We also dive into how she balances chasing competitive goals while working full-time as a teacher, and how she uses her platform to inspire others with busy lives to keep showing up, stay consistent, and pursue their own version of excellence. This is a conversation about resilience, rediscovery, and what's possible when you rebuild your relationship with the sport on your terms. Alright, welcome back to Through Their Stride. I'm your host, Sam Sutton, and today I am joined by A Adri. Is that how you said it? Ducharm?

SPEAKER_01 2:07

Yeah, Adri Adriana. Adri for short.

SPEAKER_00 2:11

Perfect. Well, Adri, welcome to the show and thank you so much for agreeing to coming on and kind of agreeing to work with my hectic schedule. I was I know I had to cancel on you a couple weeks ago and with my sickness.

SPEAKER_01 2:22

I returned the favor, so don't worry about it. I was like, oh well. It turned out to be a good thing because I had lost my voice.

SPEAKER_00 2:30

Like oh no, yeah, because you were you were were you at a wedding last week?

SPEAKER_01 2:35

Um, my bachelorette.

SPEAKER_00 2:37

Bachelorette. Okay.

SPEAKER_01 2:39

Sorry, you as you know, we had fun and the voice was gone, but it was well worth it. But now it's back. So this actually worked out.

unknown 2:46

Perfect.

SPEAKER_00 2:47

So you're getting married soon?

SPEAKER_01 2:48

Yes, July 19th.

SPEAKER_00 2:50

Congratulations. That's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 2:52

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 2:53

Yeah, you got, I guess that's a month away. So the wedding jitters are starting to kind of come in.

SPEAKER_01 2:58

Yeah, yeah. It's it's weird. I'm like, am I really old enough for this?

SPEAKER_00 3:03

Yeah, I felt that way. I was uh 26 when I got married back in uh a few years ago, 2021. And uh I was like, I feel like I'm still a child. I feel like I shouldn't be able to do this.

SPEAKER_01 3:14

Yeah, I'm 25, he'll be 26, and so it's like, okay, this it's the the right age, but just doesn't feel like it.

unknown 3:20

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:21

Well, cool. Uh uh, Adri. So um I've I've been wanting to have you on for a while now. Um, I've been following your channel for some time and um find your your story and your journey pretty incredible. But for my listeners, do you want to kind of give a little brief intro to who you are?

SPEAKER_01 3:37

Yeah, so my name's Adri. I um am a middle school teacher. I teach science. I love science because it's so creative. And then also, like when you bring in the running and sports nutrition and sports science with it, I just ask my students, they know how to get me going on a tangent. And then I'm just off topic. So um there's that. I've been running for about 10 years. I did the whole soccer player to runner pipeline before that, tried every sport under the sun. Grew up, was always outside. At the lake, we'd go tubing, which is an Olympic sport in its own. Um boarding, all of that. So just very active and outside. When I was younger, I always said, like when I since I was in middle school, I want to live at the beach. And I ended up going to college, and I was like, time to graduate, and I'm a teacher, I can teach anywhere, so why not teach at the beach? And I found this little place, and the school's a mile from the beach, and it just all worked out. Told my boyfriend at the time, you're you can either come or not, but I'm going, and now I'm marrying him because he came with me. That's grief. So yeah. Um, I ran in college, um, didn't have the best experience, thought I was done with it after that, then kind of sparked my interest in this whole marathon thing, and I was like, Oh, that could be interesting. And ran my first one and was like, Yep, this is awesome.

SPEAKER_00 5:12

So kind of uh where did you go to college?

SPEAKER_01 5:17

So I went to um Georgia Southern University and ran two years there. And when you run in college, a lot of people don't know it. If you're not a distance runner, you're in season all year round. Like you run cross country, you run indoor track, you run outdoor track. Um and then when I ended up quitting, that that's kind of blurry if it was quitting or like kind of bullied off, but um, I was always wanted to go to UGA, um, University of Georgia, and both my brothers went there. So I transferred there and was gonna do the club soccer team. Their club soccer team is like almost as good as the school team. Like they're really good. So I was like, oh, I'm a little too rusty for that. They did have a cross-country team, and I was like, okay, and so they were so welcoming, reminded me of my high school cross-country team and just the vibes. Ended up running like a second off my college PR without like the training at all, and I was like, huh, maybe there's still something there. Um, and so that's what kind of got me into back into running after the break.

SPEAKER_00 6:27

Yeah. So you I mean, you went from a place where you were kind of bullied out of all the way up to Georgia where it was SEC. So that's pretty amazing.

SPEAKER_01 6:35

Yeah. Well, well, I was on the club team there.

SPEAKER_00 6:38

Oh, okay, okay, gotcha.

SPEAKER_01 6:40

But, you know, and looking back now, it's like where I'm at now, I'm like, oh, maybe I could have walked on if I tried. But I think the path I took was the best way to bring back the passion um for it. And then now I've rediscovered, okay, I'm not just doing it for fun either. I'm still ready to compete.

SPEAKER_00 6:58

So that's awesome. And yeah, you talk a little bit about um, you know, how you were bullied, and you're very open about that situation on your Instagram channel. And I know a lot of uh college athletes, uh, and I've had a few on this podcast, uh, I don't know if you know who Gabby Hintman is. Um, and he's she talked a lot about like having an eating disorder while she was at Oklahoma State. Um, and then like a lot of athletes I hear you're racing all the time. Like every weekend you have a race, and that can just get so daunting. So can you talk a little bit about what the college experience was like uh for you?

SPEAKER_01 7:35

Yeah, so um, and when I say like bully not, it wasn't by teammates, it was by the coaches. So um that's like a whole nother level of superiority. Um, but I it was like it was kind of funny because I like had done sports all my life and like I wasn't everybody was like like how are you gonna handle like doing it? I'm like, I don't know, like I just do it, I do it now. And so when I went into college, it kind of just was and Georgia Southern, if you don't know anything about it, it like that there's nothing to do either to party, sports, or school. Um, and so um I was totally busy with running. Um, I would like to say I was very good at balancing though, fun. I didn't room with other athletes. I roomed with um other one girl from my hometown who I grew up with, and then two other girls who were in sororities. So I like to say I got the best of both worlds. I was friends with all the athletes. They were friends with the sorority and fraternities, and we could like mix and mingle. And that's kind of how I've always been is been in multiple like friend girls. I'm just friends with anybody who I vibe with. Um, so that was awesome. But yeah, I just kind of rolled right into it. We had mandatory um tutoring and study hall hours, which most of mine went to math. I was struggled so much with math, but um, we had to outlets anyways, we had waits twice a week, um uh 6 a.m. practices, two times a week, they were at 3 p.m., which in South Georgia in August, doing your distance run on open dirt roads. Yeah, it's kind of like uh, you know, um Sunday mornings was um our long runs, which it's funny looking back now. I was gonna say they're they were only 10 miles, but now it's like I do that every day. It's it's so funny to look back on it. Um it's also hard to not look back on it and be like, okay, what if I like trained like I was now? But like I just wasn't in that place. I was having fun doing the best of both worlds and being um above a little bit above average running and enjoying it. So, and I think that kind of also is where the coach didn't like, but I was able to handle both and still like perform well. I don't know, it was a weird situation.

SPEAKER_00 10:03

Yeah, but like it's it's also really hard to perform when you're you know just hearing a lot of negative, you know, speak from other people around you who are supposed to be kind of your superiors, and then also just getting burned out from having to race all the time, like run all the time. It just it becomes it it becomes a drain on your life instead of something that's giving to your life.

SPEAKER_01 10:24

Yeah, and I hadn't done like I only did track senior year of high school. I only did cross-country sophomore, um, junior and senior year, and the other times I was playing school soccer during track season. So like I hadn't experienced that much running until I got there. And then of course, um spring of is it soft, no, spring of freshman year? I didn't even have an outdoor season. It was um COVID.

SPEAKER_00 10:52

Oh yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:53

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 10:55

Dang. Well, cool. And then uh when so you went over to Georgia and you started running uh cross country for the club there, uh, and that experience, the transition into that. Um, what was this what how did it feel life-giving? What kind of started giving you more joy of in the space of running in in in that team?

SPEAKER_01 11:14

So it kind of brought me back to my high school. Like I had an amazing coach in high school. He took so many teams to the to stay, and like he was the reason why he I got on, he was like, just come do it, just stay in shape for soccer. And I'm like, no, because my brother was really good. Uh, he was gonna lock on at UGA. Um, but he decided he was he was burnt out. But um, so he was like, No, and he knew it was there for me, and I was like, and sophomore year, I kind of just walked in the woods at practice and start running when I heard him. Um, but and then junior year I started taking it seriously, and he showed me my first like college letters from like a smaller school, but it was like I didn't know I could do that. Um so when I went to the club team at UGA, some of those like that feeling returned. It wasn't like this anxious, like um always trying to prove myself, never feeling like enough um towards the southern. And then at here, it was like the whole team. I always talk about this girl in high school. She ended up running, like she's really good. She ended up running at UCLA. Um, I'm not sure she's still there, but she would run, she went to state for the 400-meter um and the 400 meter horrors, but then could still go out on the cross-country course and run like um 19 to 18, high 18s in high school cross-country and like be that diverse. And I remember like in high school, junior year, like I was, I think I was first breaking 21. And like I crossed the the line after she just ran like sub-19, and she was like, You did so good, yeah. And like she was because we know as runners how hard it is mentally, like it doesn't matter anybody other anybody else's time, it's you versus you. And so getting back to like how supportive all those people were, regardless of what you were running. Um, it it was just that kind of sense of community.

SPEAKER_00 13:12

That's awesome. And I I do feel like, you know, the the teams who have the most success in, you know, in cross-country, but really in any sport and uh running or soccer or anything, it's the team where the players and the coaches are just supportive of each other and they just want to see each other grow and you know, and grow in in this sport or grow as humans as well. And uh that sounds kind of like what happened at Georgia.

SPEAKER_01 13:39

Yeah, yeah. And it was like, wow, like I'm back.

SPEAKER_00 13:43

Yeah. So transitioning into being back and after college. So you you continued to keep up running, obviously. What was running uh uh after graduation like for you?

SPEAKER_01 13:55

So um the year I graduated, that January, I graduated in May, that January before was when I ran my first marathon. And like I was like really, I was winging it. I ran, I listened to all the podcasts, did a lot of research, and for what I knew, I think I did pretty well. Um, I like knew like I needed to stack the miles. I had never ran like super high mileage before. Um, and so I didn't do a lot of workouts or anything. I would do like a couple like fast miles sprinkled into a couple of my runs a week, like, but that was pretty much it. I was just stacking the miles, which is what I heard to do, and just kind of and I did those long runs and just kind of doing my own research. And I ended up that where I lacked a lot was like obviously all the workouts and stuff, and then like nutrition um was a struggle, but I ended up running like a 314 and like smiling the whole time and was like having so much fun, and literally like mile 23 to the end, sprinted at the end and had to run to the portable. So I was like, okay, and all of that, and I saw to pee at mile seven, I was like, I I was like, I didn't that didn't hurt, like that was like fun. I was like, I could do that faster. Um and so then I was like, okay, like I want to get a coach. So um her name's Emily Knight. Now she's married, but she owns Nightfit podcast, Nightfit, all that. She is incredible, and I owe so much to her for part of it. Um, but she so I signed on with her, and so like the the big changes were like the workouts. Um she encouraged me with nutrition on how to like properly fuel and um prepare for the long runs and all of that. And I wanted to run sub three and I just knew all the things I wasn't doing already. I was like, I don't think like 14 minutes that's a lot, but I was like, I I like I think I could do it. Um I ended up running um oh what I should throw in there is growing up or in college too, I always did the 5k. So after that first marathon, I was like, I want to know about my 5k time because I have to be faster. I just ran like a 314 marathon. I had never broken 20 in college. Wow. Yeah, no, and I had never broken 20. Um, it was all like for me to say my PR now is 18 flat was like, like if you told me that in college, I'd like that's not me. That's what the fast girls run on my team, you know? Like that's so I was just like kind of imposter syndrome. But so I ran that first, my first 5k unattached out of me, and I ended up running like 1922.

SPEAKER_02 16:51

Thank you.

SPEAKER_01 16:52

So I was like, and I was so proud the way I ran it, I was in the back the whole time because everybody went out too fast, and then I I ended up winning the heat, like it was just like a such a good like breakthrough race, too. So then I trained for the um sub-3 and I ended up running a 302.

SPEAKER_00 17:10

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 17:11

I fell at mile 18, but I mean, even if I didn't fall, I think I still would run a 302. I um nutrition was a big struggle during that block. Um, did not fuel like I should, which like is bad, but it was also like, oh my gosh, if I fix this, like what could happen?

SPEAKER_00 17:31

Yeah, like the world is your oyster if you could if you could nail that, like yeah.

SPEAKER_01 17:35

So I um decided to do Boston, and me and my friend Lexi, um, who I met through running um when I moved here, she lives in Jacksonville, and so we go on runs a lot. We decided to do Boston together, and we're like, we're just gonna do it for fun. Like, I'm like the logistics, props anybody who tries PR in Boston. Like, I get it with the crowd, and I kind of do like the course with the hills. It's a really hard course, but I kind of like the hills. Yeah, um, but like I was like, that's not gonna work for me. That's that's too much stress. Um, so we're like, we're gonna do it for fun. During that block, I learned like, don't get me wrong, amazing experience, a dream, so glad I did it. But I learned I don't just want to do this for fun. And like, yeah. Yeah, yeah. I want to compete. Like, I was like, I'm going on the long run, but like I'm not gonna be trying to PRs. I'm like, what does it matter? You know, um, and during the race it was super fun, but same thing, I was like, man, I really wish I was like running right now. Um, but um, so that was kind of cool to learn that about myself too, that that was still something I wanted to do and strive for.

SPEAKER_00 18:44

This is a quick question. So uh what year was that that you did Boston?

SPEAKER_01 18:48

Um, that was not this past year, but the year before. So 2025? Yeah, 2025.

SPEAKER_00 18:56

Okay, wow.

SPEAKER_01 18:57

Yeah. So um, and it probably worked out great because that marathon where I ran 302 was in November, Boston was in April. So I mean, I could have tried to um race it, but I think with the hard training block I had just done, yeah, it also helped me work on that fueling a little bit. For sure. But um oh yeah, after the 302 though, I tested my 5k again. This is a little thing theme I got going on, and I ran in 1833.

SPEAKER_00 19:26

Yeah, that's awesome.

SPEAKER_01 19:27

So I was like, I was like, whoa, my my my um science if my science teacher brain was like, this is my hypothesis, let's test it every time.

SPEAKER_00 19:37

So a little a little uh kind of side quest here. Um so it's interesting because your marathon time, obviously to start, was a 314, which is incredibly fast, I would say, for anybody who's just starting out in the marathon, and then you said your 5k was not sub-20. Yeah. Yeah. Like it's funny because like I started out super, super like slow in the marathon, you know. Like I would say that I was I'm getting faster, but my PR is like a 350. Um, and I like my 5k was like 21 something or 2059. And it's so interesting how people are so different. Because like I was like, I feel like I'm like that short sprinter type, like, and I love that like this the speed stuff, and I still love the marathon, but I would say like a five could be in a five, 10k all day long. Like, I'll I'll rip it in a marathon. That's something like okay. This is dope.

SPEAKER_01 20:34

We are literally opposites. I was actually doing a 5k like a few weeks ago on the track, and I was talking to this girl, and I was like, she was like, I told her how I ran marathons because they are all like a lot of them are college athletes, so they had never even done that yet. And there, she was like, She's like, oh, and I was like, I much rather go out there and run a marathon right now than go run this 5k. And she was like, but it takes so long. I said, that pain, I cannot do that 5k pain for the I'm like, uh, Sancadu does. You like that slow build instead of I I know it's coming and then it's there, and like, yeah, it's painful, but it's dead, it's not like like 5k. Sometimes I feel like I'm gonna throw up and you know what at the same time when I see that arm for me.

SPEAKER_00 21:25

It's like you get that arm burn, you know what I mean?

SPEAKER_01 21:27

Like everything just burns, and it's like I'm gonna catch on fire soon.

SPEAKER_00 21:31

Yeah, my nerves are gonna burn out.

SPEAKER_01 21:34

Yeah, but yeah, exactly what you said because I remembered this girl that I had followed that um ran at um one of the colleges in our league. She ran like a 16 something 5K, and she was doing a marathon, and I was like, I am so curious to see what she runs. And like, not that this is like a bad time at all, just like considering her 5K, she ran like a 320. And I was like, wow, and like she was like, that was hard. And I Like, well, I don't think I'll ever get to a 16 something 5k, but never seen ever since I just ran, I finally broke 20 in the 5k.

SPEAKER_00 22:10

Uh this asked me, I ran 1949. Yes. Super excited. And I my coach uses the um the V dot app. I don't know if you've ever heard yeah and it it shows like what it your predicted pace or rate race times are based off what you've done.

SPEAKER_01 22:29

Oh, like the Garmin.

SPEAKER_00 22:30

Yeah, and based on a 310 marathon. And uh I talked to my coach, it's like, can we train for that? And she was like, You ain't running a 320.

SPEAKER_01 22:41

Let's chill out a little bit.

SPEAKER_00 22:43

Yeah, that's like maybe someday. She's like, maybe 2020 late 27, maybe early 28, we can get you kind of 310. But she was like, let's maybe shoot for a 330 right now. That's a little bit more realistic.

SPEAKER_01 22:56

Yeah, my watch was telling me I could run like a 1715 5k. And I was like, and my coach is like, because I ran in after this past marathon, I ran in 1801 and then 18 flat, and he's like, let's just try to run under 18 first, break that barrier. I was like, Yeah, and then like it didn't, it hasn't happened yet. So I'm like, okay, maybe I just need to wait till the next marathon.

SPEAKER_00 23:20

Yeah, yeah. Well, cool.

SPEAKER_01 23:22

So it's my 5k.

unknown 23:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 23:25

Well, so after Boston, um, so you you've broken sub three uh sub three at this point, right? You've pretty well broken.

SPEAKER_01 23:32

Um so after Boston, I was like, I'm going back for that sub three because that fired me up, and I was like, okay, I want to train. And um I dialed in a lot. There's still a lot, and that's the other thing. I'm like, there's still a lot I could do nutrition-wise. Um, but this this pass block was like the best nutrition-wise, more long-run workouts. Um I was all I never hydrated during runs, which is insane. So I started doing that and putting carb mix in that too with electrolytes. Um and um ended up, I was training for sub three, and I ended up running 254, and which is amazing. Of course, that's runners where I was gonna be like, that could have been 252, you know. But um what was what was reassuring about it was like I was when I finished that 302, I was like, I wasn't mad because I was like, that was all I had to give. Like I felt it. And then when I ran that 254, I was like, huh. Like like that hurt, but like and so yeah, unfortunately, my coach um who trained me for that, um, Emily, she ended up like having a baby and taking a step back, um, which is now I um why I have a new coach. And I think she's still like taking a time off. Um, so I was planning on using her again. Like she she was awesome. And um, so I got with a new coach, um Jeff Cunningham.

SPEAKER_02 25:08

Oh man, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 25:09

Yeah, yeah. So he's super knowledgeable, loves explaining the science, which I eat up, you know. Um, and he like is saying things to me that are like I'm like did not know that was in the cards for me. And he's like, no, and he's like, and I know what I'm talking about. I got people in the trials, you know? So that was like so like kind of like okay. And when I like was talking to him, he was like, Okay, so what all are you doing? And in my head, I'm like, that was the best training block of my life. Like, like, how could I get faster other than just stacking more um consistency and time and year, you know, and miles? I was like, how could I get faster? Because I peaked at 90 miles. Um, and so and had all those long-run workouts and everything. And I was like, I know nutrition could still be improved, it always can be with me. Um, but I was like, what else could I do? And like when I was telling him my workouts, he was like, he was like, Well, we can shorten the rest. He was telling me all the signs going on. He was like, he was like, No, you outran your training. He was like, You you probably could and were in shape for faster than a 254. He's like, you just outran your training towards the end, and you were still training for a sub three when you probably should have been training for like 250. Um, and so that was like kind of like, oh, okay, because I thought like I was maxed out, like I thought that was it. So that was really rewarding to hear too.

SPEAKER_00 26:38

Yeah, I had uh I had Jeff Cunningham actually on a few weeks ago on this podcast. I what I like most about him is like because he's so knowledgeable in the sport, he can see people's like potential way far ahead than we can even see it ourselves. He's got his root, he's kind of a running guru that way.

SPEAKER_01 26:59

Yeah, it and that was the other thing that like made me excited about him. It reminded me so much of my high school coach because that's exactly how he was. Like, I was walking at practice running 25 minute 5Ks, and he was like, No, you could run in college, and I'm like, What? So it like he's the um I I like to compare him to. I wonder if he'll hear this, but I like to compare him to have you ever seen the show Friday Night Lights? Yes, that that football coach, yeah, that's like that's him.

SPEAKER_00 27:28

Yeah, for sure. That's that's a good comparison.

SPEAKER_01 27:30

Yeah, like I was like, that's kind of like a good compliment. Like, I and that's the kind of coach I like because that's what I grew up with. That was how my high school coach was.

SPEAKER_00 27:39

That's awesome. Yeah, no, Jeff is great. And so you have you run a marathon with with him yet, um, since then?

SPEAKER_01 27:47

No, we started training together in March. Okay, and um, I ended up doing that 5k on the track, which was kind of a bad race. I turns out I had a sinus infection and I was just gaslighting myself. Like, I'm not throwing up and down bad by the toilet. So I'm I can I'm good, I'm healthy. It's just a cold. And he was telling me to go to the doctor, like he was like, there's something up because I was crushing workouts. And then the next week, like I was already a tape a little bit of a taper for the 5k, and like my tempo run, I couldn't even hit two of the miles at my tempo, which the week before I was hitting four with 400 meter repeats after and like all that. So it was like, what? Um, and yeah, it turns out I had a sinus infection, but I ended up running, I think like an 1840 something. And I'm like, I'm like, if that's my blow-up race, that's my dream time, like a year and a half ago, like what and who am I to be upset about that, you know? So I was just like, okay.

SPEAKER_00 28:50

Yeah, and I think that's the great thing. I think that's the great thing that we learn as runners um and chasing these big goals, is that like you learn to kind of like see yourself in a better light because you're like, you know, you run an 1840, 1844, we is that what you said?

SPEAKER_01 29:12

Something like that. Yeah, yeah. And then like I was like, okay, I I thought I was gonna run like in the 19s, maybe twelve. Like, I mean, I was feeling bad.

SPEAKER_00 29:22

Yeah. But you see an 184 uh 40 something, and you're like, like, for a second, you're like, oh, like that's not it. But then you look back and you're like, but look how far I've come. Like, that's my that's my dad day. You know what I mean? Like Yeah, exactly. Yeah, and so and it gives us, I don't know, that's just the I think the consist what the consistency gives you is just a better better view of who you are, who you've become and who you like through this training.

SPEAKER_01 29:51

Uh-huh. And I do have to credit that to part of my friend Lexi, who I said I met down here, her and her husband, she wasn't even running the race. They came to um the 5k because it was near them. And that that's what she said. She goes, but that was your bad day. And I was like, you're so right, you're so right. So uh that was really awesome. So that just goes back to also my main reason why I love Ryan so much is the community and the support, and like it's just it's much deeper than just running.

SPEAKER_00 30:21

It is, for sure. And then uh I wanted also to ask a little bit about your fueling and your uh your the nutrition. So you um you say that that's kind of been like an ongoing uh thing that you're still learning, and that's the best thing I think about marathon is that like we do get to learn so much, and like you you learn something new every build, like for real. I feel like you never know you can't ever say like I've got this, because it's like there's something that you learn from wins and losses every time. But what have you been kind of like tailoring and how what does your nutrition look like these days?

SPEAKER_01 30:58

So I've been more diving into like the science of it. Um, I do did get with a dietitian, she's actually one of my good friends. Um, her name's Sienna. She um is also works with a lot of the athletes at um UNF, which is a college that's kind of near us. Uh but I've really just kind of like I've always known that you've got to fuel, you know, but it was really cool looking at the science and how much better, like that last block I was telling you about, that was the best I've ever fueled, but there still was a bunch of holes. But like I was able to see the benefits of it. And I think I think what makes it so hard is just the well, I have a background with an eating disorder. Um back in back in high school, although mine I kind of like running kind of helped me. So the like lighter equals faster is an awful thing, but like that was never my issue. I think it was more of a control thing. And so kind of just wanting to take the power back and shift it. It's like, okay, if it's a control thing, let's control it right to give me the right fuel. And so learning that how much carbs that my body specifically needs, because everybody's is different per um gram of body weight, like making it just strictly numbers. It's science, you know, it's not it's not anything but that, and there doesn't need to be any feelings involved in your fuel, um, unless it's for fun. But um, so which I make my weird food combos, and that's when I make it fun. But um, yeah, just the science of how much carbs and fats and proteins you need at certain timings too, not just throughout the whole entire day, but breaking it down that way, like your pre-run, you want it in majority carbs, little fat as you can, a little bit of protein's not a problem, but the fats because it's gonna upset your stomach. And anytime I even try a little, some people can do the peanut butter on the toast or the banana. Anytime I try a little bit, my stomach uh hates it.

SPEAKER_00 33:03

Really?

SPEAKER_01 33:03

I want it so bad. So I just save it for I'm obsessed with peanut butter, and it doesn't hurt my stomach unless I have it before I run, which I'm like, oh, because on peanut butter on banana in the morning would just be amazing with my quality.

SPEAKER_00 33:20

Yeah, and that's another thing, right? Like everybody is different, like it's because like I can eat it. I I put peanut butter on an English muffin before a marathon, and I'm like, that's great, you know.

SPEAKER_01 33:30

So yeah, it was also cool because what I ate before my marathon PR and what I ate before I tried to eat something similar, maybe a little bit less before my 5K, um, sprinting to the finish, I was worried about some issues. My stomach was cramping in that 5k because you're doing totally different. So I was like, never again.

SPEAKER_00 33:55

Well, cool. So well, uh so going continuing a little bit, uh last thing I'll ask you for the marathon question. So are you what are you training for right now? What's uh what's what's kind of your goal these days?

SPEAKER_01 34:07

So I am training for Chicago 2026. Cool. I'm so excited. And I've been kind of in my head because there's been like some workouts I haven't hit and stuff like that. But then I the same thing we're just talking about, looking back at last year where I started my builds, I'm already way ahead of where I was. So it's just kind of like reflecting and remembering that. But um, so I'm saying sub 250 and as far under as we can get, you know. See what's there.

SPEAKER_00 34:39

254, you're so there, I feel like. So that's that's cool. I um actually talking about Jeff Cunningham, he uh had a podcast episode recently uh talking about the summer heat.

SPEAKER_01 34:51

Oh, he told me go listen to that right now.

SPEAKER_00 34:53

Yeah, I was listening, so this is so funny. I was listening to that while doing uh 600 meter repeats of the track the other day. Uh and like I did, I was doing it like six o'clock in the morning. It was still high humidity here in in Texas, and um I was running it and he was like, Don't you know, basically don't be doing your high volume, you know, hard marathon training right now. And I'm like, hmm, that's literally what I'm doing right now.

SPEAKER_01 35:18

I was like But it's so real because last Wednesday we had like a well, a cold front for Florida, but it was like it was mainly just the humidity being gone. It was like 70 74 and like the humidity was like 60, I don't know. And like I was like, I'm flying, I'm flying, this is it. I'm like, okay, we just gotta suffer like it will benefit. It's just hard to see your paces slower than what you think they should be, but really you're running at that same max capacity, and like it was cool. Like I said, the science really helps me. Like when he was talking about like your hemoglobin and all that, that like goes into it and how much like your body basically preps you for it. So it's like, okay, come October, we're gonna be we're gonna be cruising.

SPEAKER_00 36:12

Yeah, and I yeah, like it's funny to think about the heat too. It's so some people try to say it's the poor man's elevation training, but really uh like I feel like heat is like better than elevation training sometimes. And I feel like all of us who train in the South are way better, better off than a lot of us.

SPEAKER_01 36:32

Like when I went to visit family in Colorado, and like, yeah, I could feel it, but like not like this outside. Like, I'm like, I bowed to that. And then it was and it was 80 degrees, but it was no humid. So, like, I mean, I ran at three o'clock in the afternoon, eight miles and eighty degrees in Colorado, but like it was like barely dripping, and I was like, What? Because like here I look like I went for a swim and not a run.

SPEAKER_00 36:57

Yeah. I went to uh uh Lake City, Colorado, um, back in 2024, and I was in training, and I uh I ran my first day there, and I could really feel that you know that lack of oxygen.

SPEAKER_01 37:11

Yeah, like the breathing feels off.

SPEAKER_00 37:13

The breathing feels off, but once you do it a couple of times and like your body kind of gets used to it, then you've gotten used to it and it's cold, so you're like, I like I'm rocking these times now. So because I then like three days later I had five miles and I ran it and I was like, felt great, you know.

SPEAKER_01 37:32

Yeah, I I totally yeah, the first day I remember like my head was like kind of hurting a little bit after, like it almost felt like I'd ran in the heat. Yeah, that's where I can kind of see the comparison because it almost felt like I was running in the heat, but I wasn't. And then yeah, the next run, I was like, oh, this isn't so bad. What is everybody talking about? Elevation.

SPEAKER_00 37:52

Awesome. Well, and then I also wanted to talk a little bit about your teaching. So you're a teacher uh and you post a lot about that. So um was education kind of something you always wanted to pursue? And and what what's what was that journey like for you?

SPEAKER_01 38:06

So I've always like I grew up like babysitting, and um, I in high school I started nanning for this family um of this little girl, and they have their um their family's like special needs. And I just I've always loved kids and like just I've always loved learning myself, um, which is also why I love running the marathon. Um and then in high school, you know, when it's time to start thinking about what you want your major to be, there was a class that like you could go the first two periods of the day and go to like the local elementary school and help in a classroom and stuff. So I did that and I was like, oh yeah, like I could I could really like this. And also I want a big family and that's really good, you know, hours. Um, and so I was like, okay, um, went into college and when I got in my first middle school classroom, I was like, oh yeah, these are my people because I can be sarcastic with them. I literally can be my personality to them, you know, to a limit. Steal the teacher. Um, but like, and like just bonding with them, like I think a lot of people don't realize that they just want to be like respected the same way that you want them to respect you. So like I joke with them and I give them independence and stuff and the chance, and I tell them, I'm like, respect's the two-way street, though. You don't give it to me, I'm not gonna give it to you, and we're gonna treat you like you're in elementary school. Um, because at that age, they're going through so many like changes and stuff. Like, I hated middle school. Hate it, like I eighth grade, everybody's crying, we're going to different high schools, and I'm just smiling. I'm like, Yes, let me go to high school, get me out of here. Like, I just remember that, and I want to be that safe place and make it if I can make it slightly better, um, for somebody who's feeling that way in middle school.

SPEAKER_00 40:07

Awesome. Um, and I yeah, I I love that like how positive you are in the like in the videos that you show and the photos and stuff. Of course, like um like you don't show them, but you just show how positive you feel to like the positive you're able to bring to them. And I think that's something that like kids love, and like the you know, that you you can bring the positive energy, and it's just like what you said whenever you were uh in in Georgia cross-country club and in high school cross-country and track. It's that that thing of like if you're just supportive to them and you're like, I'm here for you, and I want to see you grow, and I want to work with you, like that's how teachers thrive too, and that's how classrooms thrive.

SPEAKER_01 40:48

So yes, and just like the creativity that comes with it is so like I'm such a creative person, and so being able to take that into my job and like especially science, which I have a degree in language arts too, love language arts, but I always tell my students are always like, Oh, why don't you teach that? And I go, I'm a lot better science teacher than I would be as a language arts teacher. Go look at a couple of my reels, people autocorrect me all the time. I know they're like, How are you a teacher? And you spell that wrong. He said, I'm only human. Everybody makes it yeah, I said I didn't claim to be a language arts, yeah. But um, like for science, we were learning forces in motion. One of my favorite things I did was I got a tug of war rope and we went outside and like we talked about like fruit how friction plays a role, how the push and the pull, the amount of weight you have on one side, the amount of people, the timing and all of that. And then they had to go in and like kind of explain it. So that was super fun. Um, just things like that where it's hands-on, and then they can go in and apply what they're learning in real life and making like real life connections to things. Like, I think so. What was it? And one student did it, and I was like, that was really good. And then I brought it into another. I was like, okay, somebody said this last period. If you're not like, if it's not clicking, it was something about I think plate tectonics, um, or boundaries or something where they like bounced off of each other and like would go the other direction, or something like that. It was some kind of concept with that. And someone was like, Oh, like the Roomba vacuum cleaner. And I was like, Yes, exactly that.

SPEAKER_00 42:31

That's awesome. Yeah, yeah. Well, cool. And then uh another thing that I really like about you is that like you're very like you show a lot on your Instagram about um your teaching and your running and how you kind of balance both of the two. And I think that's really important because uh I think there's a lot of people who have day-to-day, you know, daily jobs where they're at work all of the time, it feels like, and they're like, Well, I just don't, and then they have lives after work and say, I just don't have time to train. I don't have time to do this kind of stuff. And you're like, no, you do like look, like, and you get to kind of show a life of like, I have time to train and I have time for work, and I can find the joy in it. Uh, is that kind of why you started kind of sharing your story on online to kind of show people like this is you can do this, I can do this, you can do this.

SPEAKER_01 43:25

So originally when I started making this, it was kind of like like I said, I love to be creative. And um I also like wanted like a scrapbook for myself. So like I wanted like a digital running diary or something. And then um, as you start doing it and you see like like I didn't just start like gaining these followers till like recently, and I it was actually when I started sharing more and being more myself and being as cringy and corny as it is, you know, being just like yourself and just. Sharing like the random thoughts or like the funny things, and everybody's like, wait, no, like I literally thought that too. Or that, like, my weird food. They're like, No, that actually sounds good. I'm gonna eat that. Um, but things like that. I was just kind of trying to capture everything. And then when I just started doing it, I was like having fun doing it, and then people started relating to it, and I was like, Oh my gosh, this is fun. And then like I would get comments, like, I don't know how you do it. I'm like, no, you can too. Like, like, I'm not that's what a lot of people are like, we all have the same 24 hours in the day. I'm not saying that. Like, I'm not a mom, I'm a mom to a fur baby, I'm not a mom. So, like, moms have less time in the day, really, you know what I mean? So it's not that. I just want to show that like you can make it happen if it's something you want to do. I'm not saying it's easier or harder for anybody, but you can make it happen. And it should be something you if you're not enjoying it, then then it's not something you should do, you know? Like, then don't don't make it happen, you know what I mean? Um but it's something that makes me a better teacher, runner, athlete, um, fiance, sister, um, friend, person all around. Um, and a lot of my like it also really helps me connect with my students. Like they they I tell them not to follow me and I tell them they're not allowed to, but you know, they I can't control social media. Um but and I've had parents tell me, no, I want them to follow you. I'm like, okay, well, they don't need you, you know, I'm trying to work that way. But um, but they're like, no, like what you do, like I'm inspired and I want to follow you. Like a lot of my students' parents follow me, and I'm like, wow, you know, it's just really cool. And just the amount of people that relate to you and like you just start conversations. Like a girl came up to me out of 5K, and I'm like, I'm not like, what? Like, you mean? I'm like, can I get a picture with you? Like, you know, like I want a picture with you because you're awesome. And so it's just the community that is really like drawing me back into it. It is so it's so cool, and it gives you reassurance, like, because social media is gonna be there either way now, it's here to stay. And so, like getting to see the positives on it. Um, I started a YouTube channel and that's where I get kind of a lot of negative comments on like, which is weird because like Instagram, like it's super positive, but I guess it's like, you know, the weird people that are in their basement or whatever burner accounts, but like on the videos that like are of me like, um, I'm a teacher before 8 a.m. Come run, spend the morning with me or whatever. Um, there's like some nasty and weird comments and things like that. Um, so I just delete them as they come because they're just like, why would you even say that? Um, but like it's like you're not getting the whole point, you know, you're not understanding the whole point. And a lot of them are kind of funny, like they make no sense or they contradict themselves. They're like, they're like, why are you filming yourself doing that? I'm like, why are you watching? Why are you taking the time to comment? You know, it's like it's kind of like you're like, what did they say? Or like running is bad for me because I'm a woman. I'm like, that makes no sense.

SPEAKER_00 47:19

It makes literally no sense.

SPEAKER_01 47:21

Running is unhealthy, period, is like, what?

SPEAKER_00 47:25

Yeah. Yeah. I always think about that. I'm like, if you know, if you don't want to watch it, just go, just move on.

SPEAKER_01 47:31

Like just scroll. That's the whole point. You can just scroll. I think that's just how people um try to build themselves up. And that's kind of what I like try to do because I know like being the corny comment back that's like, um, Jesus loves you, which he does, you know, and so it's like I say, Jesus loves you. If it's something that I like, I'm like, and then that just makes them more mad.

SPEAKER_00 47:55

Yeah. Yep.

SPEAKER_01 47:56

Like, I I don't know what to do. You hate me, you know? Well, yeah, I don't know.

SPEAKER_00 48:02

Well, I was gonna say too though, uh, you said, you know, you like the kids follow you and the parents say, like, you know, I want them to follow you because you're a role model. And I I think that's so true because like the content that you post is like it's it's very inspirational because you're showing like you can find joy in anything that you love. Like, and if you love something that the the thing that you want to do is find joy in it and and chase and chase the joy in it. And that's what's gonna keep you, you know, keep you going in it, like and helping you find the time and helping you, you know, do what you love, because if you just stay keep a positive attitude and find joy in the heart, even when it gets hard, like it'll you you'll be sub you'll be surprised about what you can do.

SPEAKER_01 48:48

Yeah, no, I um I I think it was like one of the my students left me like a card at the end of the year, and they like just they actually wrote out like, I am so inspired by you, and I was just like, Stop! Like, because like you're coming from them, like it can come from their parents, it can come from but for a middle schooler to come to say that to you is just like you know, yeah. So and I found like it's funny because like I was kind of like, oh, like when I first got into teaching, like I'm probably gonna bond with the girls more, like it's middle school boys, they're like, you know, get away from me, whatever. But um, I have two older brothers, so I've like it's I've bond with like all my students and it's just finding out they're all individual different people and like the ways you can reach them. And a lot of it is just through being like relatable. Like sometimes they're like, I want my mom to come check me out. I don't want to be here. I said, Let me call my mom because I don't want to be here either. Like, you know, like let me go other it's so it's just like kind of like relating to them and like letting them know like it's okay to feel the way you feel, but we both gotta be here. So you know.

SPEAKER_00 50:02

Um it's funny, I had the same thing. So I get a lot of people who uh like I coach my wife's school's track team. Um and uh a lot of the track kids will follow me on Instagram and I'm like, oh, I just feel like I don't want that, but then they're like, Yeah, but like it you're you're like you're so interested. Yeah, it's like you're so cool and like like the stuff you post is so interesting and inspirational and fun, and like they're like, we like you because you're who you are online and here at this at the track, and I need to do that.

SPEAKER_01 50:33

That's so real. That is so that is it like the number one thing is like if anybody like sees my content and then meets me in person, like I want them to say, Oh my gosh, you're the same.

SPEAKER_02 50:43

Like you're really the same.

SPEAKER_01 50:44

So that's that's I think when I first started making it, I was and that's like everybody, you want to show the the best sides of you, but like we're not the best sides of us all the time. So like showing just like you know, there will be a video where I'm like talking and it has nothing to do with like what I'm talking about, but I'm like, ugh, I kind of don't look that good, you know? And I'm like, but I this is how I look right now, like post it, you know. Um, and so um just think, and then then you could post when you look really good, you know? Like it's it's like kind of just being real with that. And I think like sharing that. Um like I did a post today and I was just kind of like, this is how you see me on my 80 degree runs versus how I really am. And then it was like even our like it's like almost like even when we were failing, we try to glorify the failing, like make the failing look good. Like I failed, but like I tried and I did, you know, which is like human nature, and that's the good thing out of it because you did, you did try and stuff, but I just was thinking about it, I was like, that's so funny. Like, even when we do go the extra mile to show our failures, we're all we're also like, but look at this is so good out of it, which is the counter to it, you know.

SPEAKER_00 52:01

For sure. Um I've especially with running, I think sometimes like we'll have a bad work, I'll have a bad workout, and like I will have quote failed at that workout and like didn't have my paces, you know, like it was hot, had to walk the recoveries instead of jog the recovery, you know, something like that. Yeah, and but when I get finished with it, I'm always like, Yeah, but like I did it, you know what I mean? Like and now I'm probably a little bit fitter because of it.

SPEAKER_01 52:27

Yeah, that's that's what I always say. Like, you didn't those that training and those miles didn't just go, even like a bad race, like that was a workout in itself. Like that didn't just dislike your wall your body wasn't like, oh, you didn't do what you were supposed to do, okay. Scratch that, you didn't just work for that.

SPEAKER_00 52:43

You know, but no, that's not true.

SPEAKER_01 52:46

Yeah, it's so funny.

SPEAKER_00 52:48

Yeah, well, cool. And then so for you, uh, you know, actually as a teacher and as a uh runner trying to you know be competitive in this sport, uh, what is it like juggling all of that for you? And what are some is a little bit of advice that you could give to people who have full-time jobs and who are wanting to chase big dreams, whether that's running or you know, whatever it is, traveling, whatever, whatever it got on their on their goal list.

SPEAKER_01 53:15

Yeah, so like for me, it's kind of like sometimes like when people say, like, how are you motivated all the time? A lot of the times, like I know a lot of people are like, well, it's not motivation all the time, it's discipline, and like, but a lot of the times I am motivated. Like, I'm like, that's just very, very slim times where I'm not. It's that's just like I never want to be content with where I'm at. I want to always be growing and learning and evolving. And I'm a Christian and like God put us on here to do that, to glorify him through whatever that gift is of yours. And um, I just think why be complacent, you know? So if you think you can't juggle it, you can. It's just figuring out what what that is for you. What is your thing that you want to do, and it brings you joy. And the only thing holding you back is oh my schedule. Like that just sounds silly. Oh, I don't have time. No, you do have time. You make time for what what is important. Just like there's moms out there teaching, training, being a mom, all of that, and posting on social media.

SPEAKER_00 54:29

Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 54:30

Like they're making time for it because that's what makes them happy. I'm not saying you have to do all that, but you will make time for things that, and like I said, you'll if you just try it and you start doing it, you'll see how it's not just you making yourself happy. You'll make others around you happy because you'll be the best version of yourself.

SPEAKER_00 54:48

Yeah, I love that. And I actually am currently reading uh Sarah Hall's new book.

SPEAKER_01 54:52

Um, I'm listening to it on my run, on my long runs. I'm like, I gotta find something.

SPEAKER_00 54:58

I gotta get the audio book because like I'm just a horrible reader. Like, I I'm a writer for my day job, so like it's hard for me to read after already reading and editing. Yeah. But uh what I like what she says a lot in her she's a very, very faith-driven human, and uh what she uh talks about is like trying to glorify God through the sport and through her chase of the sport. And I'm always like, you know, it's just sometimes she struggles with a little bit of like how to do that, and really it is showing up and it is like working hard. Yeah, yes, and showing others like you can too, like, and that's gor that's glorifying God because you're showing people the lives that they could have, you know what I mean? And then then they start to get curious and chase it, and they're like, oh man, like and then they come to you and say, You inspired me, and that yeah, it's just like a big and then it's like a big community, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 55:55

I um that was one thing, like, because I'm like, well, I'm not a pro runner, I'm not that you know, um, like how am I? And like it's like there's a girl out there that's a graduating call, and I'm some of my athletes, like they're like, I came to you because I'm literally like about to graduate and become a teacher, and I want to keep running and doing all this. And I was like, like, I thought being a teacher who runs marathons was such a niche thing, and then I'm like, no, there's a plethora of them for a club. Um, so it was just like it's it's just the sense of community. Everybody wants to feel loved at the end of the day and supported. And so if that's through running or through silly um food videos or just random videos or just post and things like that, um, then that's that's the way to do it. That's I've learned like just being yourself and post like I literally I walked in the uh what was it, pet store yesterday, and I was like, I love the smell of a pet store. And I was like, I'm gonna there's gotta be somebody out there that agrees.

SPEAKER_00 57:02

Yep. It is kind of the best feeling. It makes me want to go uh to a pet store and get some maybe some snacks for my dogs.

SPEAKER_01 57:08

Well, I know I was looking at the treats and like the treats they have nowadays, like it looks like an edible cookie you could eat. Like I'm really tempted to eat that right now.

SPEAKER_00 57:18

It's like you're gonna give it to your dog. It's like maybe I want one too.

SPEAKER_01 57:20

I'm like, you're gonna look really good.

SPEAKER_00 57:24

Well, awesome. Well, we're about 55 minutes in, so I gotta wrap it up because I'm on lunch break. But um uh wanted to ask you just a real quick final question. So, you know, for those who are thinking about getting into running and maybe, you know, are scared to or don't really know how to or feel like they don't have time, what would be a piece of advice that you would give them?

SPEAKER_01 57:50

Um, why don't you just start? Like something that's always helped me is like like you can always go back to what you were doing before, right? But nothing changes if nothing changes. So, like if you don't change what you're doing now, you're gonna stay the same. You're always gonna wonder why. But if you change what you're doing now and you just start adding, I also say add little bits at a time. There's no reason to jump all in, there's no reason to go sign up for a race, just start going for a mile once a day or time or walk jogs and running like you'll be surprised your endurance builds like that. Yeah, that's why you sometimes you need a coach to guide you because your endurance might build, but your muscles and bones don't adapt as well, and that's where injury comes from because people get the runners high, they get the endurance, and they're like, wow, I can actually do this. And that's the beauty of running. But um, yeah, it's nothing changes if nothing changes. Change what you're doing. And if you don't like what's happening, go you can go back to where where you were before. Nothing's stopping you from that, right? So that's kind of my biggest piece of advice. Because the question isn't, can you do it? Like you can. It's do you want to?

SPEAKER_02 58:59

You know? Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 59:01

Well, cool. So uh well, thank you so much, Adri. This has been a real pleasure. I've I've really enjoyed talking to you. Um, and for my listeners who want to follow your journey and who love this, where can they where can they find you?

SPEAKER_01 59:13

Oh, thank you. Um, I'm on Instagram as running the life underscore. And the same on YouTube, except for running the life with I think three E's, two E's, something. You type it in, it'll come up. I it's my old YouTube had to change the name from from like middle school.

SPEAKER_00 59:32

Awesome. Well, thank you so much, Adri. Uh, and um stay on real quick because uh I'll have to have the files upload. But uh thank you so much for your time. I really appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 59:41

Okay, thank you so much for having me. This was so fun. Yeah.