Episode #107
Ep 107: More than Miles - The Healing Power of Running, with Ultrarunner Maggie Grehlinger and Dr. Michelle Quirk
What can ultrarunning teach us about healing, accessibility, and listening to our bodies? In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I’m joined by Maggie Grehlinger, an ultrarunner based in Philadelphia, school-based occupational therapist, and adaptive fitness coach. Maggie works with neurodivergent individuals and uses trauma-competent approaches in her work. She also believes deeply in the power of movement to support healing and well-being. Maggie shares how she went from being a former high-school athlete who didn't particularly enjoy running to discovering road running during the pandemic, recovering from a femoral neck stress fracture, and eventually finding her way into trail and ultrarunning. Her injury changed the way she thought about running, not simply as a sport or a way to chase PRs, but as something meaningful that could bring more to her life. We talk about: What Maggie loves about trail and ultrarunning, and why slowing down can actually be part of the appeal One of the biggest misconceptions about ultrarunning: that you have to run enormous amounts of mileage to train for an ultra How her injury and a difficult season of life changed her relationship with running What it means to use movement as a way to process emotions rather than trying to outrun them Why traditional fitness culture can make movement feel inaccessible or unwelcoming The importance of seeing people who look like you represented in endurance sports How we can make existing fitness spaces more inclusive rather than creating separate spaces that may be inaccessible because of cost The tricky distinction between challenging yourself and overriding your body's signals The importance of sleep, fueling, flexibility, and being willing to rearrange a training plan when life gets in the way One of my favorite parts of our conversation was our discussion of the tendency many high-achieving women, including women physicians, to simply push through. Maggie is refreshingly honest that listening to your body is something she is still practicing herself. We talk about recognizing fatigue sooner, creating actual rest rather than simply labeling a busy day a “rest day,” and giving yourself permission to move things around when your body or your life needs something different. And if you've ever felt like you don't quite fit the picture of what an “ultrarunner” or “athlete” is supposed to look like, I think you'll especially enjoy Maggie's perspective on representation and accessibility in endurance sports. Sometimes seeing someone who looks like you doing something you thought wasn't for you is exactly what makes it feel possible. Connect with Maggie on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/magrehlinger where she shares her running journey, resources, and tips. Coach Michelle's Ready, Set, Run program for newer runners or runners who haven't run in awhile begins October 5th! Time is running out to join. More info here: https://mindful-marathon.com/readysetrun Keep up with Coach Michelle's adventures over on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mindful.Marathon *** The information contained in this podcast is intended to serve as educational information and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should consult your primary care physician before undertaking any fitness regimen or exercise, which can pose serious health risks if undertaken or performed improperly. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in the videos is for general information purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/advanced practice provider. ***
