Don't call it a comeback! Once again, I'm joined by Emilia Benton who guest-hosts. In this episode, we discuss what I've been up to since running the Houston Marathon and also delve into what's been happening in the Houston running scene including the change to the local elite program for the Houston Marathon and the last minute change to the Houston Half Marathon course. I'm then joined by Houston Half pacer Sara Hudgens to chat through what race day looked like at this year's Hou Half. Instagr...
Oct 31, 2022•1 hr 52 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Meet Jay Perkins aka @j_runs_. A fixture on the Houston running scene, Jay first moved to Houston in 1998 but didn't get into running until about 2015. Now the co-captain of Black Men Run, Jay has run multiple half marathons, one full and is plotting his return to marathoning. Listen in as we talk about how he got started, what running has looked like for him these last few years (aka the pandemic) and what he's looking forward to. Instagram - @j_runs_ SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Insta...
Feb 24, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Meet me - @vickyoddi. I will apologize in advance for the length of this episode but can't thank Emilia Benton enough for her guest-hosting duties. In this episode, we discuss how I first got into running, my collegiate experience as a pole vaulter and how that eventually led to my focus on distance running. We also chat about my extensive background in the running industry that includes stints at USA Track & Field, NBC Olympics, the Houston Marathon and Komen Houston. Instagram - @runnersof...
Feb 03, 2022•2 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Meet Regina Massingill. She got her start in 2013, quickly ran her first marathon, ventured into the world of Ironman and tried her hand at trail racing. Listen in as we talk about how she got started, how the pandemic led her to chase FKTs and what it was like to run two marathons and a 133 mile FKT over three consecutive weekends. I still can't believe all the stories Regina shared...she's crazy, amazing and such a talented runner. Instagram - @massingillregina Strava - Regina Massingill SHOW ...
Jan 27, 2022•1 hr 19 min•Season 1Ep. 46
In this week's episode, I sit down with my Houston Harriers training partners Emilia Benton, Veronica Goebel and Jessica Mayon to chat about all things related to the Houston Marathon. We talk through how our training has gone, what are plans and goals are and so much more. Emilia Benton - @emmiemarieb Veronica Goebel - @vgoebruns Jessica Mayon - @jessrigmayon SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU Facebook Group - Runners of HOU Friends Twitter - ...
Jan 06, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Meet Sara Hudgens! I first met Sara maybe seven years ago through Lukes Locker and the Houston Marathon Ambassador program. She also paced the 1:45 group that I ran with at the Hou Half in October. In this episode, we talk about how she first got into running, what it was like when she ran Boston, NYC, Chicago and CIM, how she got to run through the desert with The Speed Project and what that was like, and what it was like to work for Strava. And make sure you wish this Christmas baby a Happy Bi...
Dec 23, 2021•1 hr 42 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Meet May Shek! May first started running in 2009 after moving to Canada for work as a way to expand her friend group. In this episode, we talk about how May went from hating PE to loving running, why she signed up for her first marathon, why finding the right coach is important - FYI she is currently working with Get Running Coaching Services and pro runner coach Neely Spence Gracey - and why paying it forward is important. Instagram - @mayshekrun Strava - May Shek SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runne...
Dec 16, 2021•1 hr 41 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Meet Daniel Dannug! A sports chiropractor and acupuncturist by day, Daniel is also the co-founder of the Champions Running Association as well as a lululemon and Houston Marathon Ambassador. In this episode, we talk about how Daniel first got into running, why he felt the need to form the Champions group, what it took to go from 2 hour half marathons to a 1:35! and why he keeps going. Instagram - @ddannugchiro , @championsrunning and @myhealthpro.chiro.htx Strava - Daniel Dannug SHOW SOCIAL Inst...
Dec 09, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Welp. I did it. I finally signed up to run a full marathon. In this episode, I will talk about what got me to this point, why I finally signed up and what I hope to achieve at the 2022 Houston Marathon. SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU Facebook Group - Runners of HOU Friends Twitter - @runnersofhou Sign up for the newsletter!...
Dec 02, 2021•19 min
Meet Rebecca Garza! Rebecca first started running in middle school but was sidelined her junior year in high school with an ACL tear. It wasn't until after the birth of her first child that Rebecca decided to start running again. First, she was hooked on the competition and challenges of Orange Theory. But there was no turning back after he husband surprised her with a treadmill for Christmas in 2018. She ran three half marathons in 2019 (the one she ran for fun ended up with her nabbing a then-...
Nov 18, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Meet Jon Perz! If you are a trail runner, are interested in trail running or just love a good story, this is the episode for you. Jon went from "literally hating running" to running 100 mile races in just a few years. It started with his first road 5K in 2011. By 2012 he had run a trail and a road marathon. 2013 saw his first 50 miler and, after ramping up with four 60Ks in 2014, Jon ran his first of many 100 miles races in 2015. And at every one of his races, Jon has met someone that is still i...
Nov 11, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Just a few more days until the Houston Half! Today, it's just me talking about how my training has been going, what to expect on race day and where you can find me race weekend. See you all out there! SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU Facebook Group - Runners of HOU Friends Twitter - @runnersofhou Sign up for the newsletter!...
Oct 28, 2021•6 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Meet Jacqueline Stephens aka @ jacque_istheone on Instagram! A Heights native, Jacqueline now lives in Missouri City and didn't really get into running until her 50th birthday. Twenty plus half marathons later and I think it's safe to say she has found her place. In this episode, we talk through what first got her into running, how she chooses her destination races, and why she keeps going even when everyone is telling her to slow down. Instagram - @ jacque_istheone SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runn...
Oct 21, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Meet Laura Mantilla! Originally from Cartagena, Colombia, she moved to Houston 10 years ago. A self-proclaimed tiny but mighty endurance junkie, Laura is a full time mom, consultant, coach and athlete! So busy! In this episode, we talk about her virtual 2021 Houston Marathon, that she ran in 3:13! and what it was like to compete at the 2021 Half Ironman World Championships. Laura also takes me through the differences for training for everything from a half marathon to a full Ironman, why her fav...
Oct 14, 2021•1 hr 22 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Meet Julie Nguyen! Julie took time out of her day on her BIRTHDAY to chat with me, having just returned from running a 30+ minute PR at the Berlin marathon! Julie first got into running just under 10 years ago as part of rehab for a knee injury. After initially hating it, she found a couch to 5k program, signed up for a race...and never looked back. Julie says her first race - the Houston Turkey Trot - was the gateway drug to running for her. Julie is now an officer in the Sugarland Running Club...
Oct 07, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Meet Fredis Benitez! Fredis is the Vice President of the Houston Harriers, is coached by Cal Neff of Hardloop, and is a member of the Brooks Run Happy Team. In this episode, we talk about how he first got into running at 16, how meeting Starla Garcia brought him back to running, his quest for an official sub 3 hour marathon and so much more! Instagram - @fredis_b Strava - Fredis Benitez Portfolio - fredisb.com SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 11 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Meet Louie Zuniga. Louis is a pilot, member of the City Centre and Freaks Running Clubs, and Team Catapult Ambassador. A Katy-area resident, we chat about his run club obsession - seriously, he has a run club every day of the week and more on his schedule - what being a pilot does to his training, and his five-year goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Instagram - @captlouruns Strava - Louie Z SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU Facebook G...
Aug 26, 2021•54 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Welcome to Ask Me Anything! For my first edition, we've got questions about what my running journey has looked like, if I'll ever let anyone interview me, how do I fuel and what's my favorite workout, what it was like to work for USA Track & Field, which fall marathon I'm most excited for, and what races are on my bucket list. Thanks to everyone who sent in questions. Enjoy! If you want to be a part of future Ask Me Anything episodes, shoot me a DM or email at runnersofhou@gmail.com. SHOW SO...
Aug 19, 2021•45 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Meet Andrew Torma. A Rice University grad student studying Applied Physics, Andrew moved to Houston in 2019. A soccer player growing up who first got into running in undergrad, it wasn't until he moved to Houston that Andrew really started logging the miles. In this episode, we chat about his move to Houston, how he started running long - and by long I mean the random, unplanned marathon! - why he will never do the Goggins Challenge again, and so much more. Andrew is currently training and fundr...
Aug 12, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Originally from California, Caroline moved to Houston two weeks before Hurricane Harvey. Having grown up a swimmer, she didn't get into running until 2019. She then ran her first half marathon in 2020 and never looked back. Listen in as we talk about what it looked like when she first started running, how she got involved with the BON Running Club, what led her to the trails and how much fun we're going to have at the in-person activation in Houston for the 2021 Lululemon Seawheeze Virtual Half ...
Aug 05, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 30
A Houston transplant, Correy found his running family at Zone Fitness Training. He grew up playing the typical American sports and found running in college and started consistently running after graduation. We chat through his intro to running, when he joined ZFT, the gains they've seen in the last three years, and what he has planned for 2021-2022. Instagram - @unocp_ SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU Facebook Group - Runners of HOU Friends T...
Jul 29, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Veronica Goebel started running in 2016 when her cousin, Aracely Richardson (episode #23), convinced her to run a marathon! Over the last five years, Veronica has run three marathons, 13 half marathons, become a member of Champions Run Club and the Houston Harriers, and cut over an hour off her marathon PR. With a new goal of running sub-4, Veronica has now also joined Hardloop and is coached by Cal Neff. Listen in as we also talk about her time as a #HouMarathon Ambassador, what that was like i...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Hung Cao is everywhere. The president of the Kung Fu Running Club, Hung has run 33 half marathons, 23 marathons, and all the Ragnar and Texas Independence Relays. He is a three-time Houston Marathon Ambassador, is actively involved with Lululemon's Run Club, and now is branching out with Flux Fitness and Recovery . Instagram - @housecao Strava - Hung Cao SHOW SOCIAL Instagram - @runnersofhou Instagram - @vickyoddi Facebook - Runners of HOU Facebook Group - Runners of HOU Friends Twitter - @runne...
Jul 15, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Pretty new to running, Roger Cruz ran his first 10K, then completed his first tri and immediately signed up for the 2020 Ironman Texas. His first half marathon (the 2019 Houston Half) and first marathon (2020 Houston Marathon) were just three months apart and he was ready to go for Ironman Texas when the world shut down due to covid. Now that things are opening back up, Roger is gearing up to guide/pace Patrick Pressgrove at the Boston Marathon this fall with Team Catapult and hopefully, finally...
Jul 08, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Courtney Dunham, aka @ insydegrind80 , is a published author, caretaker, mother, sister, aunt, and now...a runner. Courtney first really got into running when she decided to run 2.23 miles in honor of Ahmaud Arbery. She ended up running 3 miles, got hooked, and never looked back. Within a year, she was running her first half marathon. Listen in as we talk through her joining Champions Running, what her training looked like, how she parlayed her first-ever half into an ambassadorship for the Hous...
Jul 01, 2021•50 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Born and raised in Mexico, Juan Ruiz - aka @kermittherunner - first moved to the States in 2007 to live in Detroit, but it wasn't until he moved to Houston in 2012 that Juan was first introduced to running. In this episode, we talk through his weight loss journey (90 pounds!), his first-ever race - the 2020 Houston Marathon and when, exactly, he found out just how far a marathon is, everything he accomplished in 2020 and so much more! SOCIAL Instagram - @kermittherunner Strava - Juan Ruiz SHOW S...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Aracely Richardson's first race was the 2016 Houston Marathon, which she signed up for after a friend talked her into it. Cely was so new to running that she didn't know she had just committed to running 26.2 miles. After running that first race in just over 5 hours, without her friend who didn't make it to the starting line, Cely was hooked on the distance. And over the next two years cut one hour and 48 minutes off her PR! Cely talks about how joining a running club was a game changer for her,...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Welcome Calum Neff to the Runners of HOU show! Cal began running at the age of 4 and has been enjoying everything running has to offer ever since. In this episode, we chat about his debut marathon - the 2014 Houston Marathon that he entered and placed 29th in! - how he keeps running interesting by doing things like running the Paris and NYC Marathons for fun or running 211 laps at the Armory chasing the indoor marathon world record, what it was like to pace Sara Hall at the Marathon Project and ...
Jun 03, 2021•52 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Excited to kick of Global Running Day week with Starla Garcia! One of, if not the fastest female marathoner in the Houston area, Starla is a Registered Dietician, owner of the Healthy Shine, a 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, and a body and cultural diversity advocate. We talk about what life was like for Starla growing up and running in the Rio Grande area, how she ended up at the University of Houston, the differences between eating disorders and disordered eating, qualifying for and co...
Jun 01, 2021•1 hr 47 min•Season 1Ep. 21
In the first ever multiple guest episode, Patrick Pressgrove and Sam Robles chat with me IN PERSON about what Patrick has going on as a @lululemon ambassador, how Sam is recovering from knee surgery, what races they both plan on running this fall, what to look for in a running club, and so much more. OFFER The Run to Attack Poverty presented by The Kinne Group is happening Saturday, June 19th at the Friends of North Richmond Community Center in Richmond, Texas. With 5k, 10k, and Kids k options, ...
May 27, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 20
