Real Friends

This month after a trail run at the beautiful Don Robinson State Park, I enjoy a conversation with Erika Garner.  Erika is both a guide and one of the leads for Big River’s “Unpaved” offering.  Erika has been an active runner for most of her life but really loves trail running and its unique opportunities to explore nature.  But her appreciation for trail running and “life in general” significantly deepened after she experienced a serious health challenge in her 30s.  If you like a good comeback story and would like to know more about the challenges Erika overcame, listen to this month’s episode of “Real Friends” – I’m sure you will enjoy it.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Oh, and if you happen to be out on a trail run with Erika, don’t forget to ask her about some of the Hungarian dances she learned as a child – like Csárdás.  She may not perform any of them for you, but you never know unless you ask.  

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

Resources:
Big River Training Team:  https://bigriverrunning.com 

This month I have a really fun conversation at Central Park Chesterfield with both a friend and fellow runner – Roger Lintner.  I met Roger several years ago when we were both part of our beloved 8:30 pace group and we have been friends ever since - as is the case with many of the members from that original 8:30 pace group.  Not only is Roger a good runner, and a coach at a local middle school for track and cross country, but he is also a great storyteller.   If you like a good story, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this month’s episode of “Real Friends”.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

Resources:
Big River Training Team:  https://bigriverrunning.com 

 

This month I have the pleasure of chatting with both a friend and a running teammate – Pete Eppler.  Not only is Pete a runner, but he is also a physical education teacher in the Rockwood School District where many years ago he actually taught a student very familiar to most of us in the St. Louis running community – Matt Helbig.  The question is, did Pete recognize Matt’s athletic capabilities back in Middle School?  And years later, does Matt still remember Peter as one of his Middle School teachers?  If you’d like to know the answer to those questions, then stay tuned and check out this month’s episode.    

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

Resources:
Big River Training Team:  https://bigriverrunning.com 

This month I have the pleasure of chatting with two of the pacers from Big River Training Team’s 12-minute pace group - Michelle and Maggie. Both of them have been runners for a while and share some of the same highs and lows experienced by many runners, but they also have unique experiences and unique views on different aspects of the running world – as do most runners.  If you’d like for find out more about Michelle and Maggie and the running community that they are a part of then stay tuned to this podcast - I think you’ll enjoy it.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

Resources:
Big River Training Team:  https://bigriverrunning.com 

This month I have the opportunity to chat with not only two runners from the St. Louis area but they are also Co-Pace Coordinators for Big River Training Team, Don Albert and Michael Dorris.  Both of them have been runners for a while, but they are new to their role as Co-Pace Coordinators.  What’s it like behind the scene coordinating a running schedule for Big River’s training team?  And what are some of the challenges and rewards with a role like this?  If you’re interested in some of the effort that goes on behind the scene to make BRTT a success or what volunteering for an organization like BRTT might look like, then stay tuned to this podcast - I think you’ll enjoy it.  

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

Resources:
Big River Training Team:  https://bigriverrunning.com 
St. Jude Marathon: St. Jude Memphis Marathon® Weekend

This year you are invited to attend our 2025 fantasy football draft.  It’s our 17th year of playing fantasy football together and the draft is one of my favorite things to attend each year.  It’s an evening of meaningless sports conversation between multiple fantasy football coaches but it’s still a good time with friends and it allows you to “peak behind the fantasy football curtain”. 
Whether you are a fan of fantasy sports or not, I hope you enjoy it.  

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Draft Posse: Rob, Terry, Ben & Dan

Fantasy Football site: https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com 
Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Visit my website at www.therobertharrison.com 
Music: Waveloom at pixabay
https://pixabay.com/users/50821923/?tab=all&order=latest&pagi=1 

 

This month I have the honor and pleasure of chatting with two twenty-something athletes; well, one of them is twenty-something and the other one has actually turned the big “3-0”.  But that is close enough to twenty-something for me. These girls actually competed against each other at the Bellville Marathon before becoming friends and now compete with each other and train with their local Bellville Running Club. If you’d like to learn more about their insights and goals and how running has changed for each of them from high school through now, come listen to their story – you won’t be sorry!

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

Resources:
Bellville Running Club: www.facebook.com/bellevillerunningclub/ 

This month I have a fun conversation with two members from Mark Spewak’s Training Team – Shannon and Jason.  Both took up running early in life, then took an extended break from the running scene, only to take up running once again on a more serious and intentional basis during their current season of life.  Whether you are bouncing back from pregnancy or dealing with the challenges imposed during the covid era, you’ll appreciate how each one of these runners used running to offset some of the unique challenges life often sends our way.      

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music
Spewak Training: www.instagram.com/spewaktraining/

This month I have the honor and pleasure of speaking with two athletes from Big River Training Team’s Walker Group – Jenine and Shelly.  One of the things that I love about Big River and its training team offerings is they really do try to offer a pace group to match most skill sets.  Whether you are an elite runner looking to train at a “sub 8” pace or you’re a beginner looking to start out as a walker, Big River tries to provide a group for you.  This month we get to experience training from a walker’s perspective.   

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

This month I have the special opportunity to chat with not only two well know runners in the St Louis running community but also two very special friends of mine, Michelle Dillon and Stephanie Hussman.  I met both of them close to ten years ago when I started training with Big River Training Team and we’ve been running and we’ve been part of a close-knit group of friends ever since then.  They both have great stories and great experiences to share – I think you are really going to enjoy this month’s episode.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

This month I get to chat with a special friend of mine, Bob Alexander.  I met Bob the first year I started running with Big River Training Teams and even got to be part of his support team on an ultra-run.  Bob eventually moved to Florida several years ago to accept a new job opportunity.  If you are interested in what the running scene looks like in Florida, or what it looks like to transition through different seasons as a runner, or even how fortunate we are to have the running community that we have in St. Louis, then stay tuned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be sorry.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

This month I get the opportunity to chat with an old friend and running buddy of mine, Terry Raterman, and his running friend, David Johnston.  David is an accomplished runner whose specialty is “ultra” distances.  While a lot of runners focus on 5k, 10k, and marathon distances, David focuses ultra distances like “551 miles in 6 days”.  If you are interested in what makes runners tick and what makes some runners gravitate to longer distances or challenges, stay tuned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be sorry.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

Resources:
https://www.irunfar.com/catching-up-with-david-johnston 
https://ultrarunning.com/calendar/runner/show?first_name=David&last_name=Johnston

Every once and a while, I get an opportunity to chat with couples, like Chester and Diahann, who train at the same sport or activity.  Normally, I interview individuals to learn how running or walking impacts them individually, but how does a shared activity or passion like running or walking impact them as a couple, and what sort of ripple effect does it have on friends and family members?  If any?  And what does all of this look like when couples start running or walking in their mid-40s?  If you are interested to answers to any of these questions or just wish to learn more about Chester and Diahann’s experience with training together, stay tuned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be sorry.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

For 2025, I thought we would kick things off by chatting with several of Big River Training Team’s “Unpaved” pacers – Adam and Brandon.   What is “Unpaved” you ask?  Unpaved is a series of running adventures offered through Big River Training Team which focuses on “trail running” and many of the popular, scenic trails in the St. Louis area.   If you are new to trail running or would just like to learn more about Adam and Brandon, stay tuned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be sorry.

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music 

This year you are invited to attend our 2024 fantasy football draft.  It’s our 16th year of playing fantasy football together and the draft is one of my favorite things to attend each year.  It’s an evening of meaningless sports conversation between multiple fantasy football coaches but it’s still a good time with friends and it allows you to “peak behind the fantasy football curtain”.  
  
Whether you are a fan of fantasy sports or not, I hope you enjoy it.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Fantasy Football site: https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Website: www.therobertharrison.com
Music:  Stop Me (A sport breakbeat rock) - Eugene Myers
https://pixabay.com/music/rock-stop-me-a-sport-breakbeat-rock-180737/

This episode we get to chat with the dynamic duo of Cassie and Kasay – both pacers for BRTT 8:30 pace group.  I’ve developed some really special friendships through running and its fun to witness when the same thing happens with other people.  That’s part of the fun of this month’s episode.  Not only are Cassie and Kasay both excellent runners and an important part of our local running community, but they’ve also developed a good friendship.  And good friends – true friends – well, they are worth their weight in gold.

If you'd like to learn more about Cassie and Kasay and their journey both as friends and as runners, stay tuned to today's episode of Real Friends - you won't be sorry.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

One of the things that I love about hosting a podcast is getting the opportunity to know a little bit about some of our runners.  While the questions are similar, no two podcasts are the same because no two runners exactly the same.  Today's podcast with Gabe, Kali, and Tabitha is a perfect example. It’s a great mix of humor, running streaks, and thoughtful reflection and a great example of how running and the running community appeals to runners of different backgrounds and different personalities who are still routinely united by their love for running.

If you'd like to learn more about Gabe, Kali, and Tabitha and their journey as runners, stay tuned to today's episode of Real Friends - you won't be sorry.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

 

This month I chat with a special friend of mine – Edna Rodriguez.  Amidst the background of chirping birds and the constant song of the Cicada (yes, 2024 is the year of the Cicada), Edna and I have a delightful conversation at Shaw Park in Clayton, Missouri.  The youngest of six children, Edna initially came to America to chaperone younger high school students but eventually came to America permanently and has lived in the St. Louis area for over twenty years.  If you would like to learn more about Edna and her passion for running, family, friends and life, stay turned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be disappointed.

Don’t let the cicadas in the background distract you!  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

 

This month we chat with several friends of mine – Alison and Andy Bourey.  Many people recognize Alison and Andy as the colorful, warm and friendly couple who run with the Run-Walk group at Big River Training Team.   But Alison and Andy are more than runners.  They are also married and have many passions and interest outside of running.  If you are a fan of wisdom and insight and would like to hear more of Alison and Andy’s story, stay turned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be disappointed.   

Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

Resources:
Big River Running Company - www.bigriverrunning.com
Espresso Yourself Coffee & Cafe - 5351 Devonshire Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
www.espressoyourselfcafe.com
Sisters Sandwich Shoppe - 5353 Devonshire Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109
https://sisterssandwichshoppe.com/menu/

 

In part two of this two-part series podcast, we revisit the topic of dating then pivot and discuss some of the other topics that high school students often face including faith, friendships and family.   I can’t think of a better way to enter the holiday season than sharing a podcast that celebrates these three essentials to not only a meaningful holiday season, but to a meaningful life.  I hope you enjoy it; I know I did.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.

Resources:
Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Ellie, Josie, Ava, Micah, Sam, Isaac 

Website:  www.therobertharrison.com 
Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com 
Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music