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.

Latest Episodes:

Episode #104: Vicki Cavanaugh of Total Trek Quest talks empowering young boys through running

Episode #103: Julie Millen on running for others and logging 100 miles during Detroit Free Press Marathon weekend this October

Episode #102: Fall Race Preview: Bridge Run 10 mile & 5K in Grand Rapids + Detroit Women’s Half Marathon, 10K & 5K

Episode #101: The Beauty (and Pain) of a Running Break + Getting Back Out There

Episode #100: Where will your summer adventures take you? Exploring + Running with Maia Turek of Michigan DNR

Episode #99: Will Run for Cherries: July’s National Cherry Festival races in Traverse City

Episode #98: Jeff Crumbaugh of Great Lakes Endurance on his eco-friendly trail races in northern Michigan, the U.P. & northern Wisconsin

Episode #97: Reflecting on this year’s Bayshore Marathon, Half Marathon & 10K in Traverse City

Episode #96: Eddie and Jen Kline on running comebacks & this fall’s Holland Haven Marathon, Half Marathon & 8K

Episode #95: Petoskey to Old Mission: Inside the inaugural Lighthouse 100-Mile and 50-Mile Ultras

Episode #94: Runner’s World Editor-in-Chief David Willey and his “Moonshot Marathon Quest” at the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City

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 #90: Andrew Buikema of Mercy Health Seaway Run 15K and 5K & Lake Michigan Half Marathon in Muskegon

Episode #89: Team Red, White & Blue: Helping veterans through running

Episode #88: Why We Run: Getting honest and real about the running lifestyle with Cassy Stone + thoughts from MRG readers

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 #38: 2016 Boston Marathon finisher, race pacer and soon-to-be ultramarathoner Courtney Hansen

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 #9: Power of Pilates

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.