We had a fun time recording our first interview this week!  Sure, we had a technical issue (Alex's mic was off) but we made the most of it.  Isn't that what you do when you have a run or race that doesn't go your way?  You get over it, you keep pushing on, and finish, no matter what it takes (excepting injury - but thankfully I wasn't injured 🤣).

Our new interview format is "On The Run With..." where we sit back and take some time with each person we talk to, as if we were just out for a fun run with them.  These episodes are a little longer depending on how much time our guest is willing to share with us.  Some podcasts only feature what the rest of the world calls "experts".  Our podcast, will at times feature those same individuals, but we want to feature an "expert" in a different light.  Each runner we encounter is an expert in their own light.  For example, Cassie shares with us some incredible motivational tips for all of us through her experiences and struggles she has had through her years of running.

We start off with me thanking Audrey for her encouragement this week.  I (Alex) am usually bound up in my home and stuck on my treadmill throughout the winter as my fear of slipping and injuring myself outweighed my love of being outside.  If that describes you, then no worries as I know the struggle is real!  But for a few different reasons, I wanted to change it up this year and set the goal to run outside no matter the temperature - as long as the roads were dry.  Feel free to leave a comment on our site telling me I'm a wimp; I'm ok with that. 😁  But this week with two snowstorms, Audrey encouraged me to come along and enjoy the snow - and I did.  It was such a blast to get out and the conditions were perfect!  She really helped motivate me to step a bit outside of my comfort zone.  I did and I loved it!

Next, we are so excited for our new website - motivatemetorun.com!  This site will allow us to post additional information that we want to share (like our Run With Us page where we share our future races hoping we can meet you there) and give us a bit better place to reach out to you.  We would love to have you come over and click on Don't Miss an Episode (or just click here) where you can start being notified each time we drop and episode and additionally get that extra information from us (like race coupon codes and more!) to give you that extra bit of motivation.

I won't break down the whole interview with Cassie here, but we really encourage you to listen in on the discussion! 

• She shares so much about how she struggles with her hypothyroidism (low thyroid) as it makes everything she does physically so much more difficult - not to mention how much more difficult losing weight is for her. 
• She digs into how other health issues prevents her from training like she wants
• We work through the differing personalities of runners and showing how runners who don't always "check each and every box in their training plan" (she asks, "What checkboxes?!" 😉) can have just as much fun as their Type A friends.
• Although she may struggle with her training she shares how she still makes racing (the 10K is one of her favorite distances) a part of her life
• She shares a tip on what keeps her going.  For just a hint, she mentions that it's something I've shared on this podcast before.
• Cassie shares that she has a complicated relationship with running.  But that conflicted motivation keeps her going and she doesn't give up. Ever.
• We break down Cassie's approach in races, especially when her training has been less than what she expects would be sufficient for a race.  Huge note here, for these races although she doesn't feel like she should be on the starting line, she is, still has a blast, and enjoys the experience!
• Cassie really gets into the idea on the differing types of people you'll find at your next race.  Getting to the starting line can be difficult with us sometimes thinking that "we don't fit in".  But we all do - all of us are there with the goals of enjoying that race and making the most of it, no matter our specific goals.  And yes, walkers, run/walkers, even to the speediest all can run on the same course and have fun at the same time!
• Cassie shares that speed walking is something she is really excited to try.  She speed walks faster than some people run and can definitely distance herself when she speed walks her with husband.
• Hear her huge announcement on the Dopey Challenge (a race held each year at Walt Disney World Resort where you run a 5K on Thursday, a 10K on Friday, a half marathon on Saturday, and marathon on Sunday) and her current thoughts on how she would break it down and work for her.
• What does she listen to when running?  And why?
• And much, much more!

Finally, we check in with her on our final three questions that we'll ask to each of our guests on our show:

• What has been your favorite race?
• What is your favorite running tip?
• What and when is your next race?

We really encourage you to check out our sponsor, Audible.  Even though January isn't yet over, I'm listening to my fourth audiobook (love them on my runs and my commute) and my third running audiobook at that!  Find out how you can get one book for free (with two Amazon Originals) just by signing up for their free trial.  Plus, if you sign up now, you still have enough time to complete their Audible Challenge 2020 (or new members and current subscribers alike) where just for listening to three books of three hours or longer you can receive a $20 Amazon gift card.  You know I'm going to get mine! 😆

Thank you again for joining us "on the run" and loving every moment of this episode!  If you've read this far or have already heard the episode, you'll find out soon that Cassie is my lovely wife and Audrey's most awesome mom!  Thank you so much to her for taking her time to share with us!  If you are interested in coming on our show, please write us at alex@motivatemetorun.com or come to our Contact Us page and let us know!

Come check us out on Twitter (@motivatemetorun), come join us in our Motivate Me To Run group on Facebook, get updates at our Motivate Me To Run page on Facebook, and even our show notes at motivatemetorun.com.  If you have any questions you would like me to cover then email me at alex@motivatemetorun.com.

Finally - if you have appreciated this or any of our episodes, we would love to have you stop by iTunes and leave your all-favorable review!  This will give us even more access to big name guests, sponsors with amazing giveaways, and more!  Leaving a review will get us that much closer towards those goals!  I’ll thank you in advance!

Thank you for listening and look forward to catching up with you next time!

Happy Running! 

Coach Alex (RRCA certified running coach) and Audrey

P.S. Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links with the hope that by using them you might support this podcast.  Thank you in advance!