Episode 1: Neely Spence Gracey - Breakthrough Women's Running

Ready to Run

Our first guest is Neely Spence Gracey. She is an American professional long distance runner. She attended Shippensburg University and won 8 NCAA Division II Titles. She was the top American female at the 2016 Boston Marathon. She currently lives and trains in Boulder, Colorado where she is a coach for Get Running Coaching, wife and mother of two children, and co-author of the book Breakthrough Women’s Running.

In this episode, we talk about Neely’s personal history as a runner, her experience and thoughts on coaching, and we dive deep into her book Breakthrough Women’s Running where we discuss goal setting, overcoming setbacks, and care of the postpartum athlete.

What we talked about:

2:15- Introduction to Neely

3:30- Some of Neely’s favorite memories in the sport

8:55- Mistakes that young athletes make

15:20- Her main philosophy as a coach

20:20- Process goals versus outcome goals

23:15- How different life changes have impacted her outlook on running

26:35- Naming her book, Breakthrough Women's Running

29:30- Postpartum running

49:35- Upcoming goals and race plans

52:25- Encouraging athletes to feel their feelings

1:01:40- Where to find Neely’s book

Show notes:

Get Running Coaching Website

Purchase Neely's book: Breakthrough Women's Running

Neely on Instagram

References:

• Donnelly G, et al. Reframing return-to-sport postpartum: the 6 R's framework. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2022;56(5):244-5.
• Goom T, Donnelly G, Brockwell E. Return to running postnatal - guidelines for medical, health, and fitness professionals managing this population. 2019.

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