Introducing the Run Hard Mom Hard PODCAST

by Nikki Parnell — March 24, 2020

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So… I have an announcement! My new friend Stef Wenninger and I are starting a podcast. A podcast you might ask? You’re either thinking, “Oh cool!” or “Really? Everyone and their mother is starting a podcast.” Let me explain.

The seed first touched soil back in October of 2019. Chase was a guest on Ultra Runner Podcast (if you haven’t heard the episode give it a listen here). Chase was talking about me and my perspective as a mother runner and the host, Eric Schranz literally said, “Encourage her (Nikki) to start a podcast, please, we’ve been talking about it for years…especially with a focus on that (the struggles moms face in training for and racing ultras)… we need more of that perspective… I hope she does it.” 

It turns out that there’s not much content out there specific to mamas trying to run ultras. There are mother runner podcasts, like Another Mother Runner, but as I’ve mentioned, it’s not focused on ultra running, which is a unique sport with its own set of challenges. Any time a mom keeps running after having a baby is positive and should be majorly celebrated no matter how far she’s going, but with the significant time and energy it takes to run ultras, it requires a different space and support than training for a 5k or half marathon. 

So once Schranz said that blip on the air, we got an email from one of our early Treeline Journal patreon supporters, Stef. She echoed the importance of having something like this available to moms and that she would be more than willing to help in any way to make this podcast concept a reality. She even started a podcast once for a company she used to work for so she had some basic knowledge on the editing/producing side of things. 

I on the other hand am the least techy millennial you’ve ever met. I have zero clue about any of it. I’m comfortable in my word docs and I can use the internet. That’s where any tech savvyness ends. So the thought of starting a podcast was daunting for me to say the least, but I was open to it. That seed began to sprout as Stef and I discussed what an ultra running mom podcast could really look like. I saw the potential for how much fun it could be to have an excuse to sit down with other mothers and relate with one another. If we could come together and share stories of motherhood and life from the trails then that would be my jam, a breath of fresh air, and worth having out in the world. My insecurities and fear of technology pale in comparison to that! Plus, that’s where Stef comes in! Co-host, podcast editor and producer extraordinaire! Thus, after many phone calls and planning, Run Hard Mom Hard Podcast was birthed into existence (pun intended). 

Stef lives in a very different place than me. She lives in Minnesota – flat land, country roads, not many moms around to run with, yet she still kicks butt and trains for 50ks and 50milers. I live in Bend, Oregon with the Cascade Mountains beckoning me to come play on their trails and an incredible running community at my side. I have mamas to do long runs with when kid schedules allow. The intention behind this podcast is to create a feeling like you’re joining in on a conversation with your trail running mom tribe while you go for a long run. No matter where you live.

To start, our podcast trailer is already up! Go ahead and search “Run Hard Mom Hard” wherever you get your podcasts and SUBSCRIBE now! The plan is to do one season – eight episodes. The first episode is a simple introduction to Stef and I, and the other seven episodes will be interviews with other ultra running mamas who are experts in a particular field. We will be releasing our first intro episode and our first mom interview episode this Friday!

We’ll cover all kinds of topics that mother runners naturally face – like balancing the miles with mom life, nutrition, recovery, postpartum returning to running, nursing, fatigue, unique yet relatable challenges we face, why mamas run, etc. etc. etc. The special thing about having a mom tribe is the fact that you don’t need to explain yourself to another mama. We get it. And even if our life experiences and family dynamics are different, there is still a basic understanding, acceptance, and solidarity between us. 

Will every episode be perfect? Heck no! That’s not what the world needs and that’s not the game we’re trying to play. We’re working towards wholeness and honesty, not perfection. You’ll hear all my “yeahs” and “ums” and mom brained tangents and if you listen to the episode long enough you’ll hear some funny blooper snippets at the very end. Stef and I aren’t perfect, we’re not famous and we’re not elites, but we’re real and I’m proud of that! Like I’ve said, the goal is to empower women to continue doing what they love even after having babies. If we can inspire one mama to get out the door or sign up for that race or make that long run happen, then we’ve succeeded. We believe in the badass mom strength of mother runners everywhere and are so excited to grow our mom tribe with you all! 

If you have any comments or suggestions for us, or any questions or topics you’d like us to cover, please let us know! Either in the comments section below or email runhardmomhard@gmail.com! 

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We are so excited for you to join us on this podcasting journey. Now go ahead, RUN HARD MOM HARD!