The Michigan Runner Girl podcast takes listeners on a journey where a passion for running crosses paths with a love of our beautiful state. Tune in each week to join host Heather Durocher — mother, runner, writer and creator of MichiganRunnerGirl.com — as she talks with ru

nners, race directors and fitness and wellness experts about living healthy and happy in Michigan (and sometimes, Michigan runners exploring beyond Michigan). You’ll get behind-the-scenes looks at your favorite Michigan races, as well as discover new events to try. Great places to explore on foot throughout the lower and upper peninsula also are highlighted.
New shows are released weekly, typically on Mondays. You can find the Michigan Runner Girl podcast on iTunes and Stitcher, where you can download episodes and subscribe to the show for free. The Michigan Runner Girl Podcast is supported by the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, located near Traverse City, MI.
Have show ideas or suggestions? Contact Heather here »
Listeners say…
“Just wanted to say thank you for your great podcast! I love running and I love Michigan (I lived there for a few years) and found your podcast and website. I listened to one a few months ago where you highlighted the Lake Michigan Half in Muskegon so I planned our family vacation around it. It was as wonderful as it sounded on your podcast!!! I loved running there, in Traverse City, and in Kalamazoo.” ~ Todd D.
“You do a great job with your podcast and I listen to all of them. Last night, I listened to the ultra running episode. I laughed out loud several times. It was funny and well done (again, like always). A good group of guests that you led through the questions very well. Thanks for providing good content, good information and good laughs.” ~Tony Anderson, marathoner.
Latest Episodes:
Episode #104: Vicki Cavanaugh of Total Trek Quest talks empowering young boys through running
Episode #101: The Beauty (and Pain) of a Running Break + Getting Back Out There
Episode #99: Will Run for Cherries: July’s National Cherry Festival races in Traverse City
Episode #97: Reflecting on this year’s Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K in Traverse City
Episode #95: Petoskey to Old Mission: Inside the inaugural Lighthouse 100-Mile and 50-Mile Ultras
Episode #93: Sarah Bowen Shea and Dimity McDowell of Another Mother Runner
Episode #92: All about the 44th annual Dexter-Ann Arbor Run June 3-4
Episode #91: Joel Gaff talks Ironman + upcoming Endurance Evolution races in northern Michigan
Episode #89: Team Red, White & Blue: Helping veterans through running
Episode #87: The BIG Little Hero Race 10K & 5K in Traverse City
Episode #86: No Surrender Running Club: Changing children’s lives through running
Episode #85: Staying Injury-free During Race Training
Episode #84: Chicken & Cheesecake: Kona Running Company’s spring races in southeast Michigan
Episode #83: Running + Baking: DoughChicks owners Denise and Kara Steely
Episode #82: Bonnie Sexton, president of Michigan’s largest running club
Episode #81: The Michigan Runner Girl Weekend May 4-7, 2017
Episode #80: Tony Anderson, running 50 marathons in 50 states to help children
Episode #79: Running for mental health: Sasha Wolff, creator of Still I Run
Episode #78: Elite runner, book author Luke Humphrey of Hansons-Brooks Distance Project
Episode #77: Feel-Good Cooking Ideas & Tips for Runners
Episode #76: Winter exploring at Michigan state parks + join the MRG-DNR Fitness Challenge
Episode #75: Everything you need to know about winter running
Episode #74: Rose Coleman on discovering running later in life
Episode #73: 4 Common Runner Injuries, How to Treat Them + Ways to Keep Running Strong
Episode #72: 2017 Race Preview with Epic Races’ Eva Solomon
Episode #71: Mid-Michigan Ultra Team Trail Race (the MUTT)
Episode #70: Live at the Great Beerd Run in Traverse City
Episode #69: Run for Turkey + Pie: Thanksgiving Races in Michigan
Episode #68: Destination Racing: Tips for planning your next run-cation
Episode #67: Wisconsin Runner Girl (and new MRG contributor) Amy Bailey on Midwest Running
Episode #66: Fellow Flowers founders Mel Charbonneau and Tori Sager
Episode #65: Running Disney Races with Michigan Runner & Author Megan Biller
Episode #64: Recap of Inaugural Reebok Ragnar Michigan
Episode #63: Farmland 5K Run and Free For All Bike in Traverse City
Episode #62: Wicked Halloween Run + Kona Chocolate Run
Episode #61: Fall Running + First-timer’s Marathoner’s Race Report
Episode #60: Sleeping Bear Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K on Oct. 1
Episode #59: Race Director Holly Visser Shares Gazelle Girl 2017 Updates
Episode #58: Ultra Runners Share Stories of Going Long
Episode #57: Mighty Mac Bridge Run 11K on Sept. 24
Episode #56: Is Heart Rate Training Right for You?
Episode #55: Reebok Ragnar Relay Michigan Sept. 30-Oct. 1
Listeners say…
Just wanted to say thank you for your great podcast! I love running and I love Michigan (I lived there for a few years) and found your podcast and website. I listened to one a few months ago where you highlighted the Lake Michigan Half in Muskegon so I planned our family vacation around it. It was as wonderful as it sounded on your podcast!!! I loved running there, in Traverse City, and in Kalamazoo. ~ Todd D.
You do a great job with your podcast and I listen to all of them. Last night, I listened to the ultra running episode. I laughed out loud several times. It was funny and well done (again, like always). A good group of guests that you led through the questions very well. Thanks for providing good content, good information and good laughs. ~Tony Anderson, marathoner.
Episode #54: Running After a Rare Disease Diagnosis
Past Episodes:
Episode #53: Tri Goddess Tri Race Recap + Swim Giveaway
Episode #52: Marathoner and dietician nutritionist Miranda Monroe on smart fueling
Episode #51: Becoming a stronger runner
Episode #50: Kathy Sebright on finding hope in the long run
Episode #49: Meijer Festival of Races – half marathon, 15K, 10K & 5K – in Traverse City
Episode #48: Coach and Ironman Michael Parker talks triathlon
Episode #47: The Frankenmudder 5K in Frankenmuth
Episode #46: The Holland Haven Marathon & Half Marathon in Grand Haven
{Bonus} Episode #45: Michigan Nature Association’s Race for Nature 5Ks
Episode #44: Hawk Island Triathlon in Lansing (for kids, too!)
Episode #43: World record holder Doug Goodhue + the Dexter to Ann Arbor Run
Episode #42: Flint runner Lottie Ferguson on Disney racing and her community’s resilience
Episode #41: Vineyard to Bay 25K, two-person 15K/10K relay & 5K in Suttons Bay
Episode #40: Cari Draft, creator of EcoTrek Fitness
Episode #39: Michigan Runner Girls talk favorite races, memorable routes, running rituals
Episode #37: Inside the Mercy Health Seaway Run 15K & 5K and Lake Michigan Half Marathon in Muskegon
Episode #36: Traveling + Running – How to stay active during your next vacation
Episode #35: Hit the trails during April’s Traverse City Trail Running Festival
Episode #34: The BIG Little Hero Run 10K, 5K, free kids run in Traverse City
Episode #33: Inside the Gazelle Girl Half Marathon & 5K in Grand Rapids
Episode #32: ForeShore Adventure Run along Lake Michigan in Muskegon (including discount code)
Episode #31: The Pure Michigan FITness Series
Episode #30: The Ultimate Michigan Runner Girl Weekend Up North
Episode #29: Overcoming Mental Roadblocks in our Running
Episode #28: Epic Races founder Eva Solomon + the Goddess Race Series
Episode #27: How to Run with Your Dog + Eve Wrest of GR Dog Adventures
#26: Tips for Staying Motivated All Winter Long
#25: 4 Common Runner Injuries, How to Treat Them + Ways to Keep Running Strong
#24: How to Run on Snowshoes + the Bigfoot Snowshoe 5K & 10K Race in Traverse City
#23: Advice for New Runners + Finding Your Running Groove
#22: Shoe Year’s Day Virtual 5K + Exploring Michigan State Parks
#21: Talking GPS Watches with Justin Craig of RUNDetroit
#20: Spring Race Preview – North Mitten Half Marathon & 10K (plus YakTrax giveaway winners!)
#19: Heather Quinlan on Running Toward a Healthier Life
#18 – Everything You Need to Know About Winter Running + Yaktrax Giveaway
Past Episodes:
Episode #1: Race Weekend on Grand Island
Episode #2: Joel Gaff of Endurance Evolution
Episode #3: At your running best with personal trainer Pam Carrigan
Episode #4: Detroit Women’s Half Marathon & 5K (plus race discount code!)
Episode #5: All things Michigan running and racing with coach Lisa Taylor
Episode #6: Adventure runner Don Kern and the Grand Rapids Marathon & Half Marathon
Episode #7: Cassy Stone on Running and Living Boldly
Episode #8: Trail Running + Racing in Michigan
Episode #10: Racing + Beer + The Great Beerd Run
Episode #11: The Traverse City Zombie 5K Run/Walk & Other Halloween-themed Races in Michigan
Episode #12: Get Race Ready for Your Next 5K
Episode #13: Inside the Bayshore Races in Traverse City, Michigan, Part 1
Episode #14: Inside the Bayshore Races in Traverse City, Michigan, Part 2
Episode #15: Thanksgiving Races in Michigan
Episode #16:’Healthy Chef’ Ali Lopez on eating smart + running well
Episode #17: The Winter Warriors Race Series in Mt. Pleasant
You can find the Michigan Runner Girl podcast on iTunes and Stitcher and download episodes and subscribe to the show for free.