#283 Rachel Abernethy: Running Major Marathons, 150 Park Runs, Building a Running Community and More

This week on the Any Given Runday podcast, we welcome Rachel Abernethy (@runnergirlrach on Instagram), an accomplished runner with multiple marathons and ultramarathons under her belt. Rachel shares her journey into running, the importance of community, and her experiences with major marathons, having run London (twice!) and Chicago. 

She discusses the role of Parkrun in her training, her major marathon goals, running the San Francisco marathon and the joys of running as a lifestyle. Rachel also offers insights into her goals for upcoming races, her role with Asics, the Phoenix Flyers Run Club and encourages new runners to join the community.

11:30 Introduction to Rachel Abernethy
12:37 Rachel's Journey into Running
15:23 The Evolution of Running Passion
17:09 First Half Marathon Experience
20:01 Transitioning to Marathons
21:45 Experiences at Major Marathons
23:42 The Excitement of Major Marathons
24:54 Goals and Motivation in Running
26:21 Running with a Partner
28:35 Comparing Marathon Experiences
30:29 Favorite Running Locations
32:50 The Importance of Parkrun
34:32 Encouraging Newcomers to Parkrun
37:20 Building Community through Running
40:42 Becoming an Ambassador for Running
42:20 Navigating Social Media and Brand Ambassadorship
48:37 Running as a Lifestyle: Mental and Physical Benefits
49:53 Racing Insights: Recommendations and Experiences
52:04 Training Strategies: Balancing Goals and Recovery
61:55 The Debate: Pace vs. Intensity in Training
67:45 Exploring Ultra Marathons: Challenges and Joys

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