Episode Description
As we talk fitness and faith on a regular basis, make sure to subscribe to this podcast, to hear fascinating guests like professional runner and coach Esther Erb Atkins! On this episode, we talk about her "smiler" reputation, having in-person races amidst COVID-19, her 2:33 marathon finish and championships, injury prevention, performance anxiety, the race she's organized that I'm running this weekend, and more.
I start with a quick update on ultra ultra runner Brandon Lott (he was on episode #56) who has now finished his second ITI 350 miler, a race that took him 10+ days in snowy Alaska.
(6:07) Our chat with McKirdy Trained running coach Esther Atkins starts with why she's known as the "smiler" in the running world and why she holds her hands in the shape of a heart over her head at finish lines. It has something to do with pain, Carpe Diem, and being grateful for her competitors pushing her.
In the "Fast Four," (11:50) we learn about this pro runner's current jobs at work and home, facing an injury for while now while trying to make it back to the Olympic trials, being 18 weeks pregnant (and still running kinda fast), how being a cello player helped her as a runner, and getting a tattoo with her fiance-now-husband that means "From a place of love" plus how that's connected to her spiritual faith.
(18:58) As the COVID-19 pandemic continues impacting us, when could things be back to normal for races? Esther talks about it being a time of self-discovery and in-person races that are still happening, like the McKirdy micro marathon in Greenville SC that she's leading.
We dive into (25:05) how she got started in running, from gaining weight on study abroad trip...to being a legendary runner at Case Western Reserve University where she was a 6-time All-American and DIII champion...to her 2:46 marathon debut in Berlin...to turning pro and beating that time by more than 10 minutes to win the 2014 national title in the USA marathon championships...to competing multiple times in the Olympic trials. (34:21) How was she able to run 26.2 miles that fast?
There's also a big mental aspect to competing. (36:34) Esther has severe performance anxiety early in her running career, even hyperventilating at some national races. (40:20) Like many of us, she also listens to music or podcasts (like this one) when running solo.
(44:15) As a coach and someone that's been fighting an injury for more than a year, Esther gives us the top 3 things to help prevent and come back from injuries, including misconceptions about ice and heat and running slower.
Esther is also excited (51:52) and more prepared in her current pregnancy, after having 2 miscarriages. Looking forward to meeting her in person at my next marathon, my 14th state for a marathon! (57:35) We close the episode with "food for thought" about how smiling can impact your workout, a "parting gift" from The Bible about a happy heart, then a Prayer.
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