Posts by Amber Moore

What came first? The runner or the track? Do we create our environment, or does our environment shape us? These questions fall under the category of social cognitive determinants. I know, big words. In other words, how our thoughts affect our actions and surroundings, and vice-versa. Being aware of what we are thinking, feeling, and…

Consider the following questions: How do you run a marathon? How do you write a best-selling book? How do you eat an elephant?  One step, one sentence or one bite at a time of course.  When we are able to fix on the small task directly in front of us, any lofty goal seems doable.…

Do you want to be prepared for anything that might happen in a race? How would it be to have complete control over your thoughts? What new limits could you reach, or what new goals could you set for yourself? If you are looking for ways to prepare for your next race, we have the…

Have you wondered if we really are capable of becoming anything we set out to be? Could you have been the astronaut or zookeeper you wished to be as a 3rd grader? Do we give up too early? Or do we simply change what we want to be?  Ross Bernstein, keynote speaker and author of…

You may have recently read somewhere, “What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail?” This question is obviously meant to inspire you to do the things you have put off by putting your tepidness, laziness, or fears behind you. If you knew you wouldn’t fail, you might attempt much more…

Do you ever feel like you have no control over your own life? It can happen to anyone. An injury, debt, children to support, or endless school assignments can leave us to the mercy of things seemingly out of our control. It is easy to get bogged down by negative thoughts or lists of things…

How often do you intentionally think about the things you are grateful for? Is it once a year during the holiday season, sitting around a big turkey? And even then, do you tend to go no deeper than the surface-level, “family, friends, and my job” answer? In comparison, how often do you think about your…

You’re halfway through what you hoped to be a 10-mile run when your knee starts flaring up again. Yes, it’s painful, but the fear of injuring it further is really what slows you down. Over the past few years the story has repeated itself, “You just haven’t rested enough,” “Maybe you should consider a different…

Full Recovery from Eating Disorders Sarah Canney is a believer of full recoveries—recoveries that give you complete freedom. When she was diagnosed with anorexia and then later bulimia, her belief that she could be free from either gave her the strength to battle for nine challenging years.  “I did not believe I was born for…

Have you ever paused to think about how you talk to yourself? Do you consider the fact that we often think about our words before we criticize or give advice to our friends, but no such filter exists when we participate in self talk? When it comes to reflecting on body image, training for a…

What a bonus episode for you today! My first ever live show, and what a live show it was. Four podcast hosts from four of the most popular running podcasts brought together to host a show together. Ali Feller of Ali on the Run, Carrie Tollefson of CTolle Run, and Lindsey Hein of I’ll Have…

Run Fast as a Masters Runner Running past your forties (a group typically referred to as “Masters Runners”) comes with unique challenges. Some rumored challenges are false, and some are very real. One of the more common illusions is that Masters Runners can’t run fast. You may hear that older runners should keep to marathons…

No Shoes, No Problem Have you tried running barefoot yet? Over the past several years there has been a craze with minimal footwear. Whether it’s shoes that claim “zero drop,” shoes that look like toe socks, or shoes that are little more than a piece of rubber, shoe makers are claiming that shoes have been…

I’m sure you’ve heard the advice to avoid comparing yourself to others. Especially in the running community emphasis is put on competing against yourself, not others. But what about comparing ourselves to our past selves? Is that a positive or a negative? Marathon enthusiast and motivational blogger Dorothy Beal decided that she will never delete…

You know those couples that are relentlessly successful, kind, energetic, and so annoyingly in love that you crave their presence? We interviewed that couple today.  Megan and David Roche are a powerhouse duo who have had very successful running careers and coach others to have the same. They recently wrote “The Happy Runner” which is…

Running Psychology If running is really 90% mental, why are we sometimes slow to focus on our mental health? Does it sound more difficult than the actual running? Do we not know where to begin? Often the answer is simply that we don’t consider it. It’s not something we focus on until there seems to…

Sleep and Performance It is universally accepted that getting enough sleep is crucial to performing at your peak. There really aren’t any arguments against it. You recover most when you are sleeping. Sleep reduces your risk of cancer, depression, and anxiety. Your memory is improved and your focus is better. In fact, sleep is so…

It is that time again! Another episode where we get to know other members of the Running For Real community through this Superstars episode. For these episodes, I asked you who YOU wanted to meet on the running podcast, and brought them on! In the first two rounds of these meet the superstars episodes, they…

Find Your Running Calling Finding your calling in life is wonderful. When you have a burning inside you that powers your actions, no amount of adversity can stop or discourage you. You know why you do what you do, and your success and fulfillment don’t stem from the results of your effort, they come from…

Running with Cerebral Palsy Justin Gallegos has always had a different life than most. By the time he was three he still had difficulty learning to walk and was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy (CP). Physical activity and speaking were and have been two of the more challenging aspects of Justin’s life. Justin wasn’t able to…