Running New Mexico Podcast

Episode 87 - Matt Gonzales; 7xNCAA All-American & 2x Olympic Trials

This week I had the opportunity to talk with Matt Gonzales. He ran for St. Michael's and Santa Fe High and then UNM, with 7 NCAA All-American honors to his name at UNM. He also ran professionally for Nike and competed at 2 US Olympic Trials.

Matt talks about his influences, including his dad and coaches, as well as the relationships he built. He talks about his time running and the challenges he faced, but also that he has come out the other side. He talks about why he left competitive running and why he hasn't looked back.

Matt is very open and talks about loving competition and not so much the training, and so much more. It was a great time talking about his journey and his joy in talking about his sons. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I had recording it.

A lot of this episode is about finding peace within yourself. Your perspective has a lot to do with your outlook. So think about your goals and think about what is important. 

As the weather cools it's important to remember to dress in layers, get a good warm-up, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 86 - Kellie Nickerson, Teacher, Coach, Sole Sister

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Kellie Nickerson. She's a PE teacher and after school coach at Cottonwood School in Corrales. She is also a member of the Sole Sisters, a local running group. 

Kellie ran at Sandia High School and followed that up with a year running for UNM. She learned to train on her own and continued her running through the Runfit races. Her biggest goal is to keep running fun and she has been able to do that and be competitive.

This week, Kellie is also competing in Boston this week. I hope you tune in to cheer for her as she gets to compete at a unique Boston Marathon. We know that she is going to keep it fun and enjoy her time out there.

Listen to Kelly talk about teaching, her after school running group, and so much more. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did. 

This cooler weather is great for me. I love it and hopefully you are enjoying it as well. It's great to watch these fall marathons and the great performances and people able to be a part of them. So make sure you have those cool weather clothes nearby, check the forecast, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 85 - Keith Gerrard, Teacher, Coach, UNM Graduate, Former Great Britain Athlete

This week I had the opportunity to talk with Keith Gerrard. He is a middle school teacher, volunteer coach at Rio Rancho High School, private coach, a graduate and All-American for UNM, and a former Great Britain athlete competing at the European Championships and World XC Championships.

He has had quite the career and we dig a little into that, but really we talk about his journey to where he is now. We talk about his home country, the Isle of Man and the differences in running in the European system and NCAA. We talk about his transition into road racing (not his favorite) and where he is at now with his running.

Keith has a healthy view of his running and what he accomplished. He talks about running being a part of who he is, not his whole identity. We also talk a little about teaching and what his experiences bring to his coaching.

All-in-all, I really enjoyed talking with him and I hope you enjoy the conversation as well.

That crisp air is finally coming in. The leaves haven't turned, but you can feel it around the corner. It might not be time to break out the long sleeves yet, but we're getting close. So watch the weather, fuel up, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 84 - Andy Murray, Highland High School Cross Country Coach

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Andy Murray. Although doesn't doesn't consider himself to be a good runner, he is a fantastic coach. We don't cover it in the episode, but he has done a lot for the kids that he coaches, as most good coaches do. He started out his own running as an extension of rugby and soccer. When it was rainy in London, they would send them out on runs to save the fields.

He moved to US, met his wife and hasn't left. I think we're better for it. He's a fantastic person and I hold a lot of respect for him. We talk about his early years, getting into teaching, and a little rugby and soccer with the running. I hope you enjoy hearing a little about his journey.

The weather is just starting to turn, that means we are getting closer to championship cross country season. But it also means that marathon season is here and what a season it will be. Whichever you are looking forward to, make sure you eat right, stretch, stay safe, and keep running New Mexico.

Episode 83 - Gail Leedy, Ultra Runner, Search and Rescue Volunteer, Grandmother

This week I had the honor to speak with Gail Leedy. She's a Trail/Ultra runner, a retired professor, search and rescue volunteer, and grandmother. You can hear her passion for all of these endeavors throughout the podcast.

From her beginnings as a collegiate runner to where she is now, Gail has led an interesting life. She picked up running to fill a roster spot, then slowly got back into running with the help of her son. Later, she learned what search and rescue does, while getting lost. Her teaching and researching career was very interesting to me.

We cover a lot of topics, but it was fun to hear her passion about each one. I am thankful to have been given her information because she is not someone that was on my radar. So if you know of anyone I should speak with, reach out to me. There's so many stories out there that I'd love to share.

The mornings are getting a slight heaviness to them. Cooler weather feels like it's just around the corner, or maybe that's wishful thinking. But until then, keep that water close, the short short out, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 82 - Dani Aragon, 1500 US Olympic Trials Finalist

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Dani Aragon. She's a professional runner for Empire Elite Track Club and Oiselle Volée, a Notre Dame graduate, and made the finals at the US Olympic Trials in the 1500.

We talk about her family, following in the footsteps of her older sister and her dad (NM great Chuck Aragon). She talked about her sister being there to pull her along in high school and bring her into her group in college.

A 4x NCAA All-American, she talks about her path to professional runner, what the transition was like, and the doubts that can creep in. We also talk about her mindset heading into an Olympic year and what it felt like to qualify for, then make it to the finals.

Dani is excited to build off her new confidence, and PBs, and work towards even greater things in the future. I had a lot of fun talking with her and I hope you enjoy the conversation as well.

The links for the Oiselle website are embedded above and the Instagram account is here with the NM account here.

The cross country season is in full swing, green chile is still in season, it's way too hot for September, but it's a great time of year. So hydrate, stay safe, grab a buddy and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 81 - Shelia Burrell, 2x Olympian and Head Cross Country and Track Coach at San Diego State University

This week I had the opportunity to talk with Shelia Burrell. She's a Rio Grande High School graduate, UCLA alumni, 2x Olympian in the Heptathlon, and current Head Cross Country and Track Coach at San Diego State University.

We talked about her start in running and the heptathlon, and the journey she had in the gap between college and getting endorsed. She's had an incredible journey that I loved learning about and I hope you do as well.

We talked about her Olympic experiences and competing with a foot injury, which was just incredible to hear about. Her story was so compelling, we barely had time to talk coaching, but when she did, the love of the sport and her athletes becomes very clear. She is someone that will give you everything she has.

I loved hearing about her training with her athletes as long as she could and hearing about her competitive nature. She had me ready to get a few miles in, so I hope she inspires you as well.

This time of the year is great; green chile is roasting, balloons are in the air, and kids are competing in cross country races. It's the best time of the year and if you have an opportunity, go and support your local team. Enjoy the weather cooling (hopefully soon), stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 80 - Kyle Fast Wolf, La Cueva Head Cross Country Coach

This week I had the pleasure to talk to my colleague, Kyle Fast Wolf. He's a La Cueva graduate, UNM graduate and runner, and current head cross country coach at La Cueva. It was great to catch up with him on the eve of our first official cross country meet of 2021.

We were able to see each a week ago, as he hosted a scrimmage meet for us, but being able to talk about what rebuilding is looking like for him and the challenges he's experiencing was fun. He talked about the challenges of a large group of freshmen, his own running journey, and what he's excited for.

It was a great conversation and I learned a lot about him. It was fun to hear about his early running and the transition to short shorts. I hope you enjoy hearing his story and what he learned from his coaches.

Cross Country season is officially here. I love that it coincides with green chile season. Two of my favorite things. So get your chile supplies, support your local cross country team, and keep running, New Mexico. 

Episode 79 - Valerie Denton; Trail Runner, Sole Sister, Lawyer, & Mother

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Valerie Denton. She is a runner who likes to do all the things. We talk a lot about balance in running and life. She has found what works for her and what she is willing give up and when. We talk about parent guilt (mom guilt) and really so much more.

Currently she is training for a half triathlon, but will be competing in two trail races prior, including the Mt. Taylor 50k. We talk about the balance between trail/ultra racing and preparing for a triathlon. She also discusses doing the Mt. Taylor Quad solo, which is pretty amazing.

I truly had a fun time talking to Valerie and I can't wait to see her out on the roads. I just missed her at the recent Lovelace Rio Grande Half Marathon. It was great to see runners out there again.

I hope everyone enjoys their upcoming races. Stretch well, hydrate, be safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 78 - Sam Sanchez, Marathoner

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Sam Sanchez. He is a graduate of Robertson High School in Las Vegas and New Mexico Highlands University. He competed in track through high school and cross country in both high school and in college. We were teammates in high school and it was great to catch up with him.

Sam's journey took him from joining track with a friend to now running marathons. He has completed 17 marathons, including Boston. He gave good insight about taking it easy on easy days and how his recovery has changed as he has gotten older. Not all of our conversation was recorded, but it was a lot of fun talking about former teammates, old runs and routes, and friendships.

It's not often we get to reminisce with old teammates and I am grateful for this opportunity to do that. It reminded me of other teammates I'd like to reach out and places I'd like to visit when I go home. I hope you get that feeling as well and that Sam encourages you to continue to go after your goals.

It's racing season! It feels like most weekends I'm seeing racing reports from runners I follow. I look forward to seeing continued posts, both ups and downs, because it's a privilege we get to do this again. So gear up, hydrate, fuel, and keep running, New Mexico.