Julie Sapper, Lisa Levin, and I share a deep love of all things running, and we've never interviewed each other, so it's about time (we have had each other on our respective podcasts in the past; see links for those below).

Both Julie and Lisa are competitive masters runners and they share a love of the Boston Marathon, having run it over 35 years combined. They are also outstanding coaches, having coached together for years, guiding hundreds of runners through their running journeys.

In this episode we talk about our own training and racing, as master runners who love to compete (we are all over 50). Julie and Lisa focus much of their efforts on marathon and longer road distances, while I focus on track racing and short road races. It was really fun to share our different passions for this sport!

Lisa Levin on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lisa-levin-over-25-years-racing-and-still-as/id1495427631?i=1000735267498

Julie Sapper on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/julie-sapper-returning-to-marathons-post-acl-tear/id1495427631?i=1000735267620

Chérie Louise Turner on Run Farther & Faster: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-166-exciting-boston-marathon-update-with/id1438350876?i=1000605849254

Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster
Instagram: @runfartherandfaster
Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster
Website: runfartherandfaster.com

Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories
Instagram: @womensrunningstories
Website: womensrunningstories.com
WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠
Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠
To support WRS, please rate and review the show
iTunes/Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠
Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠

Julie Sapper, Lisa Levin, and I share a deep love of all things running, and we've never interviewed each other, so it's about time (we have had each other on our respective podcasts in the past; see links for those below).

Both Julie and Lisa are competitive masters runners and they share a love of the Boston Marathon, having run it over 35 years combined. They are also outstanding coaches, having coached together for years, guiding hundreds of runners through their running journeys.

In this episode we talk about our podcast journeys as women with running podcasts, and we talk about some of the trends we're seeing in the running world. We also have a brief conversation about hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

We had so much fun in this episode that we decided to save talking about our own running and racing for a part 2, which will publish next week.

Enjoy this fun and lively conversation!

Mentioned in this Episode

Blanche Moila on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blanche-moila-comrades-marathon-inspiring-change/id1495427631?i=1000473773849

Lisa Levin on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lisa-levin-over-25-years-racing-and-still-as/id1495427631?i=1000735267498

Julie Sapper on WRS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/julie-sapper-returning-to-marathons-post-acl-tear/id1495427631?i=1000735267620

Chérie Louise Turner on Run Farther & Faster: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-166-exciting-boston-marathon-update-with/id1438350876?i=1000605849254

Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster
Instagram: @runfartherandfaster
Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster
Website: runfartherandfaster.com
Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories
Instagram: @womensrunningstories
Website: womensrunningstories.com
WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠
Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠
To support WRS, please rate and review the show
iTunes/Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠
Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠

In addition to being internationally competitive runners, Mary and Lisa also have careers outside of running, and they are moms: Mary is the founder of the Nala Track Club for girls in Kenya, and Lisa is a banking executive. We were excited to explore not only the expertise these athletes possess in running, but also their experiences and perspectives as role models, leaders, and moms.

Among the topics we asked Mary and Lisa about: how their running and non-running careers have influenced each other; how they approach and structure their training while managing obligations outside of running; how they manage stress and expectations, particularly in competitive situations; and much more. We also learned about their running backgrounds and their leadership roles outside of running.

You will be inspired!

Mary Ngugi-Cooper first started running in primary school, and has been competing internationally for 20 years. Among her many accomplishments, Mary earned a bronze medal in the 5000 meter event at the world junior championships in 2006, and then in 2014 she earned silver at the world half marathon championships. In 2016 she won the prestigious Houston Half Marathon, and in 2019 she debuted in the marathon here at Boston. With this year's running, Mary has competed in the Boston Marathon a total of seven times: she has always finished within the top 11 runners, and with this year's 3rd place finish, she's been on the podium for a total of three times: in 2021, 2022, and this year, 2026. These days, Mary, who is now 37, continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, going after her own personal goals and also to inspire the girls she coaches, as well as her daughter.

Lisa Weightman has a long career as a marathon runner: she’s represented Australia at that distance four times at the Olympics—her first Olympics was in 2008. Lisa has won several marathons, including the Melbourne Marathon and Nagano Olympic Commemorative Marathon, and she’s been on the podium twice at the Commonwealth Games. Lisa continues to compete at the highest level of the sport, now at 47 years old, and she has a passion for, as she says, demonstrating that perseverance leads to real change and leadership is about leaving a lasting legacy.

How to Keep Up with Mary Ngugi-Cooper and Nala Track Club
Mary on Instagram: @maryngugi
Nala Track Club on Instagram: @nalatrackclub
How to Keep Up with Lisa Weightman
Instagram: @lisaweightman
Ways to Connect with Run Farther and Faster
Instagram: @runfartherandfaster
Facebook: facebook.com/RunFartherFaster
Website: runfartherandfaster.com
Ways to Connect and Engage with Women's Running Stories
Instagram: @womensrunningstories
Website: womensrunningstories.com
WRS Instagram:⁠⁠ @womensrunningstories⁠⁠
Website:⁠⁠ womensrunningstories.com⁠⁠
To support WRS, please rate and review the show
iTunes/Apple: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-running-stories/id1495427631⁠⁠
Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/4F8Hr2RysbV4fdwNhiMAXc?si=1c5e18155b4b44fa⁠⁠