Extraordinary Strides

Maycember hits hard, so we build a free five day reset that protects your rhythm with small movement and small add-ins that actually fit real life. 

We trade perfection and restriction for support, community, and a plan that helps you feel better heading into summer. 
• Why May feels like “Maycember” and how calendar chaos derails routines 
• What Mayday Miles is and what it is not 
• The “add instead of cut” question for movement, hydration, fuel, and grace 
• Flexible options for walking, running, run walking, stretching, and mobility 
• The five daily themes from Monday through Friday 

Your toughest mile rarely needs a lecture. It needs a voice that cuts through the noise at the exact right time. Coach Christine sits down with Emily, co-founder of the Hollarhype app, to talk about what happens when encouragement stops being a post-run comment and becomes real-time support that lands in your ears mid-hill, mid-workout, or mid “I might quit.”

Emily explains how Hollarhype works: you go live before you start, your people get a notification, and their short voice messages stream over your music without you touching your phone. No typing, no scrolling, and no pressure to r...

Coming back to running after a break can mess with your head in a way nobody warns you about. You’re not just rebuilding fitness, you’re facing the memory of what running used to feel like and the fear that maybe you “lost it.” I’m Coach Christine, and I’m back behind the mic after my own unexpected hiatus to say the quiet part out loud: most of us don’t quit, we just lose momentum, and once it slips, everything starts to feel harder than it should.

We talk about why that happens, how the running ro...

What if collecting your stars didn’t require juggling hotel hunts, expo lines, and start-time puzzles? We sit down with Destiny2Sport founder Victor Ortiz to unpack a smarter way to run the world; from Berlin’s fast streets and Chicago’s walkable logistics to New York’s electric maze, Tokyo’s quiet precision, Boston’s legendary grind, London’s all-out roar, and Sydney’s shiny new major status.

As a former soccer player turned triathlete and marathon tour operator, Victor shares the practical moves that save energy when it matters most: stay near the start in Tokyo...

Ready to start 2026 on your terms—with movement, magic, and a community that actually feels like you belong? We’re hosting a curated Central Florida retreat built around three themes: epic adventure, extraordinary movement, and pure celebration with fellow Extraordinary Strides podcast listeners!

Think flexible dates, thoughtful resort choices on the Skyliner, and a weekend you can shape to your energy: group yoga, a medal-earning 5K, Epic Universe thrills or relaxed resort time, and a flat, friendly race in the town of Celebration.

We brought in Ashley from Mystical Dream Travel to make plan...

The Ghoul-Friend Gauntlet: The Coven Clash Challenge is a 31-day movement challenge designed for runners and walkers who start strong but struggle to maintain their momentum. This October challenge pairs you with one teammate in either Team Luna or Team Shadow to create accountability that prevents you from ghosting yourself.

• Walk or run at your own pace every day for 31 days
• Get sorted into a coven (Team Luna or Team Shadow) with one accountability partner
• Receive guided audio workouts, weekly playlists, and fun pop-up challenges
• Limited spots available - already over 50% full
• Challenge focuses on...

Sydney Marathon beckoned as the newest World Marathon Major, and I couldn't resist answering the call after earning my six-star medal in Tokyo. This Australian adventure would become my seventh major—a milestone I never expected to reach when I started this journey.

The electric atmosphere at the expo set the tone for the weekend, with volunteers and organizers proudly showcasing Sydney as the latest "world wonder" in the marathon circuit. Abbott created special photo opportunities for seven-star finishers, and I was thrilled to see strong female representation among participants. While the expo ran smoothly on day tw...

Jet lag isn't just feeling tired—it's a temporary circadian misalignment affecting hormones, temperature, digestion, and athletic performance that runners feel particularly strongly.

• Endurance performance depends on precise timing of biological functions that get disrupted during travel
• Core body temperature minimum sits 2-3 hours before wake time and is key to understanding light exposure timing
• Morning light moves your clock earlier, evening light moves it later
• Delay path (treating destination as behind rather than ahead) is usually faster and kinder for adjustment
• Time-shifting apps like TimeShifter and FlyKitt provide personalized schedules for light, darkness, an...

We take you on a satirical journey through Taper Town, a psychological landscape every runner visits during the final weeks before race day. Through humor and relatable anecdotes, we map the strange mental territory where reduced mileage creates increased anxiety.

• Exploring the "Weather Bureau" where runners obsessively check forecasts and compare contradicting weather apps
• Visiting the "Taper Diet Diner" where hunger is constant and every nutritional choice feels monumental
• Navigating "Phantom Injury Lane" where mysterious aches appear out of nowhere
• Surviving "Retail Row" with its panic-driven purchases of unnecessary gear
• Managing the "Domestic Affairs De...

Coach Christine shares how she tackled Sydney Marathon training during a chaotic summer filled with caregiving responsibilities, relocation, and constant travel, discovering that romance novels became her unexpected training partner and source of resilience.

• Trading structured training schedules for flexibility and adaptability
• Finding companionship in audiobooks during solo runs in unfamiliar places
• How to pair different types of runs with the right audiobook experiences
• Reviews of Abby Jimenez's books including The Friend Zone, Happy Ever After Playlist, Life's Too Short, Part of Your World, and Say You'll Remember Me
• Learning that training success doesn't re...

We saddle up for a journey through Disney's Frontierland, exploring its rich history, hidden details, and Western-inspired magic that can transform your next run into a frontier adventure for runDisney's Big Thunder Mountain Virtual Summer Series.

• Frontierland was one of Walt's original lands when Disneyland opened in 1955, designed to transport guests back to the 1800s
• The wooden fort walls at the land's entrance were made from real ponderosa pine trees
• Mark Twain's riverboat was technically the first working Disneyland attraction, hosting Walt and Lillian's 30th anniversary four days before opening
• Tom Sawyer Island was the only...

The countdown to race day brings a unique cocktail of nerves, excitement, and questions. What's really happening to your body during taper? Should you squeeze in one more long run? How do you handle those phantom pains that suddenly appear?

Drawing from decades of experience and my personal journey completing all six World Marathon Majors, I've created the ultimate 30-day race countdown guide that transforms pre-race anxiety into your secret weapon for success. This comprehensive roadmap breaks down exactly what happens physiologically and psychologically during each phase of your final month before race day.

We...

We’re lacing up for a sweaty sleigh ride through Christmas in July, a 30-minute express workout that brings festive fun and fierce intention to your training. Whether you're chasing a PR or just showing up in the middle of summer chaos, this workout proves that short can still be extraordinary.

Coach Christine leads you through a power-packed interval session built around effort-based training that blends endurance, strength, and mental grit, plus just enough sparkle to keep it fun.

🎄 Here’s what you’ll experience:

Summer running presents unique challenges, but with Coach Christine's comprehensive survival guide, you can transform these obstacles into opportunities for growth and resilience.

• Protecting yourself from bugs with appropriate repellents and permethrin-treated clothing
• Conducting thorough tick checks post-run to prevent complications like Lyme disease
• Avoiding poisonous plants by staying centered on trails and wearing protective clothing
• Applying and reapplying broad-spectrum sunscreen to prevent painful sunburns
• Adjusting pace expectations during extreme heat, potentially running 60-180 seconds slower per mile
• Incorporating run-walk strategies to manage summer heat stress
• Creating personal aid stations with cold drinks, f...

Ready to take the plunge with a race day proposal? This special bonus episode offers everything you need to create an unforgettable finish line moment without the potential pitfalls that could turn your romantic gesture into a viral disaster.

Coach Christine delivers eight essential tips for crafting the perfect race proposal, starting with perhaps the most crucial advice: timing is everything. Before planning that finish line surprise, understand your partner's race goals. Interrupting a Boston qualifying attempt or long-sought PR might transform what should be a joyous occasion into an awkward moment. Instead, learn how to read...

A true Disney fairytale unfolded at this year's Run Disney Springtime Surprise weekend, as Cole orchestrated a finish line proposal to Ashley that will leave you believing in happily-ever-afters. Their story perfectly captures why Run Disney events are so much more than just races – they're moments where memories are made, milestones are celebrated, and sometimes, lifelong commitments begin.

Cole shares every heart-pounding detail of his proposal planning, from timing the ring delivery perfectly to the nail-biting decision to run the entire 10-mile race with the precious jewelry secured on his pinky finger. The tension builds as he ca...

Step aboard our adventure-filled podcast as we navigate the fascinating world of Disney's Jungle Cruise—from its humble beginnings as one of Disneyland's opening day attractions to its global status as a beloved cultural icon.

You'll discover how Walt Disney's original vision for a realistic wildlife experience transformed when Imagineers like Harper Goff and Bill Evans created a convincing jungle through innovative techniques—including flipping orange trees upside down to create instant exotic foliage. We explore how the initially serious, educational tone evolved into the pun-filled, skipper-led experience that guests cherish today, sharing some of the most groa...

Grab your running shoes and pirate hat as we embark on a swashbuckling adventure with our Pirates of the Caribbean-themed, totally unofficial companion podcast to the runDisney Virtual 5K Summer Series!

This treasure-filled episode takes you deep into the history of one of Disney's most beloved attractions, the last one Walt Disney personally supervised before his passing. Our first mate, Lynn, charts the course through the fascinating evolution of Pirates of the Caribbean, from its 1967 Disneyland origins to its unique variations across global Disney parks. Did you know the ride was initially conceived as a walk-through wax...

Ever wonder what it takes to run 300+ marathons in full costume? Meet Charlotte, the runner who's redefining what's possible in both endurance and race day fashion.

Charlotte brings a refreshing perspective to ultra running that blends serious mileage with joyful celebration. Unlike many elite runners, she didn't start until her mid-30s after making lifestyle changes for better health. What began with simple run-walk intervals around her hometown loop evolved into an extraordinary journey through every U.S. state and beyond. Her approach to marathons—seeing "America 26.2 miles at a time"—reflects her philosophy that the journey matt...

We celebrate National Classic Movie Day with a runner's twist, exploring must-watch running films that capture what makes our sport so transformative and inspiring.

• Inspirational narrative features including classics like Chariots of Fire and personal favorites like Brittany Runs a Marathon
• Running documentaries that showcase real stories from Spirit of the Marathon to the cult favorite Barkley Marathons
• Ultra and trail running films that capture the extreme side of endurance sports
• Films that highlight running as a tool for social change, redemption, and personal transformation
• Movies that capture both the physical and mental journey of...

Ever wondered what the Met Gala would look like if it were designed for runners instead of celebrities? Picture the World Marathon Majors as fashion houses, each with their signature aesthetic—Boston's traditional navy and gold, New York's urban grit, London's royal elegance. This playful reimagining opens the door to something deeper: how what we wear impacts how we run and feel.

Welcome to the world of "dopamine dressing," where bright colors, bold patterns, and joy-sparking outfits can genuinely transform your running experience. This isn't just fashion advice—it's grounded in the psychology of how visual cues affe...

What belongs on every runner's bucket list? From triumphant finish line moments to the not-so-glamorous reality of forgotten anti-chafe, Coach Christine counts down 100 running experiences worth having at least once.

This episode celebrates the full spectrum of running life – the magical, the messy, and everything in between. Whether you're searching for racing adventures, travel opportunities, gear recommendations, or mental milestones, this comprehensive list covers it all. You'll find suggestions for racing in costume, volunteering at a race, running in different countries, and discovering your perfect fueling strategy.

Coach Christine highlights those powerful firsts that shift a...

There's a powerful truth about running that rarely gets discussed: getting older doesn't mean getting slower – it means leveling up differently. As our bodies change, we unlock new capabilities that can make running even more rewarding in our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond.

Coach Christine, your "fairy run mother," breaks down exactly what changes with age (like that 1% VO2 max decline annually after 30) and what actually improves (hello, mental grit and endurance capacity!). She presents ten game-changing practices for older runners, from prioritizing strength training to hydrating smarter as our thirst response dulls. For female athletes navigating pe...

The TCS New York City Marathon stands as the crown jewel of marathon experiences, combining breathtaking urban scenery with unparalleled cultural immersion across all five boroughs. Coach Christine and travel expert Ashley of Mystical Dream Travel break down this iconic event from every angle - revealing why it's simultaneously the most coveted and logistically challenging marathon in the world.

From its humble beginnings in 1970 as a Central Park loop to today's massive five-borough celebration drawing over 2.5 million spectators, we explore what makes this race truly special. You'll discover the dramatic Verrazano Bridge start, the electric...

Transitioning from winter's cozy layers to spring's sunny miles demands more than just switching your wardrobe—it requires understanding how your body adapts to rising temperatures. This comprehensive guide unpacks the science of heat acclimation, revealing how your body undergoes physiological changes that take 7-14 days to complete, from increasing plasma volume to developing more efficient sweating patterns.

For runners facing the classic spring dilemma—training through cold months only to race on unexpectedly hot days—we provide actionable strategies that could save your race. Rather than blindly pushing through heat, learn to pivot with grace: run by eff...

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is one of the fastest, most iconic races in the world, and today, we’re diving deep into everything you need to know! Whether you’re racing this year, working on your six-star journey, or just love a good marathon breakdown, this episode is packed with insights, logistics, and fun Chicago history.

Joining Coach Christine is Ashley Lucas of Mystical Dream Travel, an expert in runcation planning and travel logistics, to help navigate the best places to stay, eat, and expl...