Running New Mexico Podcast

Episode 40 - Joe Whiteman

This week I speak with Joe Whiteman, retired radiologist, runner, bicyclist, hiker, swimmer, triathlete, and more. At 80 years old he didn't start running until he was 40 and has since completed several marathons, half marathons, and ran the Grand Canyon for his birthday 15 times. 

He has experience in the senior olympics and just keeps going. Even though he broke his hip 3 months ago, he is back running a couple of miles and is hoping to ski this winter as well as run the Grand Canyon for his 81st birthday, if the pandemic doesn't get in the way again.

Mr. Whiteman is someone I knew growing up and it was great to talk with him. Although there was some audio issues in this episode, I hope you enjoy his story. I surely did.

I hope you are all staying safe. Make sure to protect yourself and others, wear your mask, and keep running, New Mexico

Episode 39 - Chenile Benton

This week I speak with Chenile Benton. She has been running for just over a year and has moved into the ultra running territory. She has continued to challenge herself, stepping into more mileage and challenges. In a year without races, she decided to try a 50 miler. When her friend had a setback with her MS diagnosis, Chenile decided to dedicate the run to her and setup a donation page which you can find on her Instagram page.

We talk about her lead up to the challenge, running on the trails, and possibly meeting a bear. She has a relatable story for anyone trying something new and jumping in with both feet. She's had to learn what all of us have, that if you don't listen to your body, you'll get hurt, and it's ok to change your plans and take time off.

I hope you enjoy our conversation and that you consider donating to her cause.

In the meantime, stay safe, wear your mask, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico. We will come through this safely if we work together.

Episode 38 - Christian Gering

This week I spoke with Christian Gering. He is an ultra runner for Salomon USA and an artist currently with a fellowship through the Santa Fe Art Institute. We talk about running, art, and where they meet. He has an interesting story with an amazing first race experience.

We talk about the running community, feeling connected, not being connected, and finding it again. His path took him down many roads and he has used that to try and inspire others. I talked to him about being a representative for Native and Indigenous people in the ultra world and much more.

I really hope that you enjoy the conversation as much as I did. There was a lot we covered in this hour. Stay safe out there, do your part, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 37 - Sabrina Somarribas

This week I spoke with Sabrina Somarribas, local runner and teacher. We talk about her journey into running, struggles, and accomplishments. She talks about not feeling like a runner/athlete, yet has completed a ton of different event. We dig into her past and how running helps her decompress from work.

Sabrina talks about balancing her work and running, which is something I think a lot of teachers struggle with. We also discuss how she has had to change her view on food and staying healthy.

She has a lot of relatable information that I think will resonate with a lot people. I hope you enjoy the talk as much as I did. You can follow the link to her blog below. As we move into fall and winter and the number of covid tests are on the rise, please make sure to stay safe, stay positive, and keep running, New Mexico.

https://tritoruntheworld.com/

Episode 36 - Cheryl Lowe

This week I spoke with Cheryl Lowe. She has PRs of 3:07 in the marathon, 1:27 for the half marathon, and 40:41 in the 10k. Originally from Texas, she graduated from Texas A&M. She talks about trying to walk on at a DI school, how that led her to other options for running, and how she's used running to decompress and escape (not always a good thing).

We talk about staying motivated while running, staying busy, and not tying your whole identity to running, even if it is a large part of your life.

Is was a great interview with highs and lows of life. We talked about her father's passing and what she has learned from that and how that guides her through this tough time.

I hope you enjoy listening and learning. Remember to be there for each other, wear your mask, and to keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 35 - Norissa Valdez

This week I speak with Norissa Valdez of Los Alamos High School. As the defending 4A girls Cross Country Champion, I wanted to talk with her before the season (that is now postponed again) started. We talk about getting started in running, being a top runner as an 8th grader, bonding with her team, and getting through this time.

It was a fun interview that I hope you enjoy. We will get through this together if we all do our part. Keep going, wear your mask, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 34 - Daniel Otero

This week I speak with Daniel Otero the head cross country and track coach at Laguna Acoma high school. He has 4 state championships, 4 second place finishes, and 4 third place finishes as a coach there.

We talk a lot about expectations of runners, how his running has influenced his coaching, and his background. We also talk about getting athletes through this time. Laguna Acoma already cancelled fall sports and so he has had to come to terms with it for his team. There's a lot of content here and I am so happy that we were able to talk.

I misspoke in the intro when I say he had 22 titles. Obviously I was still referring to his years at Laguna Acoma.

I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I had interviewing him. Wear your mask, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 33 - Robbi Berry

This week I spoke with teacher and runner Robbi Berry. As transplant New Mexican, she has embraced the Land of Enchantment and the Organ Mountains in Las Cruces.

We talk about getting into running, teaching remotely, and combining those two passions. She talked about running early in the mornings to start her day and enjoy the quiet of the trails and how she encourages her students to get out and be active.

There is a lot of overlap in running and teaching that we touch on such as goal setting, perseverance, and being adaptable. Personally it was a lot of fun to be able to combine these two passions with a fellow elementary teacher.

Our numbers our rising, so be careful out there, wash your hands, and let's help each other out. In the meantime, keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 32 - Justin Hickey

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Albuquerque Academy standout Justin Hickey. We spoke about his second place finish at the New Mexico State Cross Country Championships as a junior, his goals as a senior, and missing out on track season.

He talked about learning from the upper classmen when he was in 8th grade and how things are different this year. He's excited to have an opportunity to run this cross country season and I hope we can all continue to do what we need to do in order for that to happen.

I hope you enjoy the episode and as always, keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 31 - Valerye Boyer-Wells

This week I had the privilege to speak wit 2002 New Mexico Sports Hall of Fame inductee Valerye Boyer-Wells. She started her career at a young age with the Duke City Dashers under Coach Jim Ciccarello. They worked together through her young years and into her high school time at Manzano High.

During her running career, Valerye was a part of US National teams, made Junior Olympics, and also two Olympic Trials. But through that, she had a goal in mind thanks to her coach. At 10 years old she made a decision that helped guide her through her running career and into the job she wanted. She talks about having clear goals and how that helped lessen the blow of her running accomplishments.

This is a story that I am very happy to share. I don't have enough praise for this amazing woman.

Let's keep doing what we're doing and stay safe, help each other out, and keep running, New Mexico.