Runners of HOU

Dozens of runners needed medical attention at the Santa Barbara Half Marathon, raising questions about race-day conditions and what caused so many athletes to become ill. This week on The Extra Mile, we’re looking at what officials have reported so far and why temperatures in the 70s and 80s aren’t ideal for racing.I’m also revisiting the New York City Marathon after its official tracking app and website experienced major problems on race day. Plus, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon delivered some impressive performances and BQ times, and a half-marathon pacer is facing criticism after reportedly running backward and finishing 12 minutes ahead of his assigned pace.And with CIM just over three weeks away, I’m sharing another training update, including my latest 13.2-mile long run, how I’m recovering, and what’s ahead.In this episode:CIM training: 13.2 miles, recovery, and the final long runs before race daySanta Barbara Half Marathon: 30 runners treated and an ongoing investigationNYC Marathon tracking failures and the spectator experienceIndianapolis Monumental Marathon results, BQs, and a shoutout to former guest Gabby RamirezThe backward-running pacer controversyUpcoming Houston races: Houston 25K, Third Ward Mile, and Houston 30KChapters00:02 — Welcome & CIM training update03:05 — Santa Barbara Half Marathon: Medical emergencies and heat04:55 — NYC Marathon tracking app and website failures06:25 — Indianapolis Monumental Marathon: Fast times and Boston qualifiers07:40 — The backward-running half-marathon pacer controversy09:03 — Upcoming Houston races09:40 — Closing thoughts

What happens when running is taken away from you, and what changes when you finally get it back?Sarah Amyx started running in 2021 and has since completed more than 20 half marathons, multiple marathons, and an ultramarathon. But after a chronic illness forced her to take an extended break, her return to racing at the 2026 Berlin Marathon gave her an entirely new perspective on the sport.In this episode of Runners of HOU, Sarah, an RRCA-certified running coach and Houston Marathon Ambassador, talks about navigating running with chronic idiopathic urticaria, finding balance between training and everyday life, and learning that not every race needs to be about a finishing time.She also discusses the pressures of Strava and social media, common mistakes new runners make, the importance of fueling and recovery, and what makes Houston’s running community so special.For Sarah, running isn’t about doing more at any cost. It’s about appreciating what your body can do and making running fit into the life you already have.In this episode:How Sarah went from her first 5K to more than 20 half marathonsLiving and training with chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU)Returning to marathon racing after a year awayWhy Berlin became one of her most meaningful races, despite missing her time goalWhat she’s learned about rest, recovery, fueling, and training smarterBecoming an RRCA-certified running coachWhy comparison on Strava and social media can hurt runners’ confidenceHow running has helped Sarah manage anxiety and build confidenceHer experience as a Houston Marathon AmbassadorHer goals of completing the World Marathon Majors and eventually tackling another ultraEpisode Chapters00:00 – Meet Sarah Amyx02:20 – From a first 5K to half marathons05:40 – Making running fit into your life08:20 – Running with chronic illness14:15 – Marathon goals and returning to racing17:00 – Finding the magic in Berlin19:00 – Chicago, Berlin, and the Houston Marathon experience21:00 – Racing, recovery, and listening to your body23:40 – Becoming a running coach27:00 – Coaching lessons and training without perfection28:00 – The dangers of comparing yourself to other runners30:00 – Fueling and advice for first-time marathoners31:00 – Running, anxiety, and mental health34:00 – Strava, social media, and defining success37:00 – What a healthy relationship with running looks like38:00 – The Houston running community39:30 – Advice for Houston Marathon runners41:30 – Future goals and the World Marathon Majors43:00 – How Berlin changed her perspective44:00 – Training lessons and avoiding burnout46:00 – Houston favorites and rapid-fire questionsChapter times are approximate.Instagram - @sas_runs_Connect with Runners of HOUInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!Follow Runners of HOU on Spotify or your favorite podcast platform for more conversations with runners throughout the Houston community.

The 2026 New York City Marathon delivered an unforgettable finish, with American Jess McClain taking second in the women’s race and Sweden’s Andreas Almgren winning in his marathon debut. But the weekend also brought heartbreaking news for the running community.This week on The Extra Mile, I’m recapping the NYC results, remembering Irish Olympian Ciara Mageean and marathon runner Rachel Apa, and discussing the death of Katie Suarez and the ongoing concerns surrounding women’s running safety.We’re also diving into the Strava versus chip time debate. When your GPS watch shows a faster marathon than your official race result, which time counts? And where’s the line between celebrating an accomplishment and misrepresenting a result?Plus, an update on my CIM training, joining the Houston Harriers, and upcoming Houston races, including the inaugural Third Ward Mile.In this episode:CIM training: treadmill miles, an accidental progression run, and the Houston HarriersJess McClain’s NYC podium finish and Andreas Almgren’s marathon debutRemembering Ciara Mageean and Rachel ApaKatie Suarez and women’s running safetyThe Strava versus chip time controversyUpcoming Houston races and the inaugural Third Ward MileThe increasingly difficult NYC Marathon lotteryChapters00:02 — Welcome to The Extra Mile00:40 — CIM training update: treadmill miles and the Houston Harriers03:25 — NYC Marathon: Jess McClain’s thrilling finish and Andreas Almgren’s debut05:35 — Remembering Ciara Mageean and Phily Bowden’s emotional marathon07:35 — Rachel Apa’s tragic death during the NYC Marathon08:45 — Katie Suarez and women’s running safety11:40 — Strava versus chip times: What counts as your real PR?17:15 — Around HOU: Houston 25K and the inaugural Third Ward Mile18:45 — Houston 30K and the NYC Marathon lottery19:40 — Closing thoughtsFollow Runners of HOU on Instagram @runnersofhou for more running stories, Houston race updates, and podcast news.New episodes of The Extra Mile every Friday.Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

How much water do runners actually need? Are electrolytes necessary? And does training through a Houston summer really make you a stronger runner?This week on Runners of HOU, host Vicky Oddi sits down with Dr. Vijay Jotwani, a sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist who works with athletes ranging from recreational runners to professional sports teams, including the Houston Astros and Rice University Athletics.They discuss the science behind hydration and fueling, why Houston’s heat and humidity make running so challenging, and how runners can prepare for races in cooler conditions.They also cover electrolyte supplements, sodium intake, fueling with gels and gummies, caffeine and pre-workout, and the warning signs of heat-related illness.Plus, Dr. Jotwani weighs in on some common running myths, including whether thirst means you’re already dehydrated, whether every runner needs electrolytes, and whether treadmill training is a good alternative to running in the heat.The biggest takeaway? There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to hydration and nutrition. Learning what works for your body is an important part of becoming a stronger, healthier runner.Please note: This episode provides general information from a sports medicine perspective and is not intended as individualized medical or nutritional advice. Consult a healthcare professional or registered sports dietitian for recommendations specific to your needs.In This Episode:00:00 – Introduction: Hydration, fueling and running in Houston01:16 – Meet Dr. Vijay Jotwani03:32 – Hydration Basics06:15 – Electrolytes, Sodium & Overhydration10:35 – Running in Houston's heat & humidity13:45 – Treadmill training & heat illness17:10 – Fueling for long runs & marathons23:30 – Recovery nutrition & race preparation26:50 – Caffeine & pre-workout29:45 – Running myths: fact or fiction?34:45 – Final advice for runnersAbout Our GuestDr. Vijay Jotwani is a board-certified, fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine physician at Houston Methodist. He specializes in the medical and nonoperative orthopedic care of athletes and active individuals.He serves as a team physician for the Houston Astros, Rice University Athletics, Houston Ballet and RodeoHouston, and works with U.S. Soccer.Connect with Runners of HOUIf you enjoy Runners of HOU, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. It helps other runners discover the show.Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

How do you know when to push through a difficult run and when it’s smarter to call it a day?After completing her longest run in three years, Vicky is navigating the challenges of marathon training at 45, returning from injury, and figuring out how to balance progress with staying healthy for December’s California International Marathon.Plus, there’s plenty happening in the running world this week. Why are men participating in Nike’s After Dark race series, an event designed to celebrate women? American women deliver impressive performances at the Valencia Half Marathon, while Austin-born Yaseen Abdalla runs faster than the American record — but isn’t eligible to claim it.Vicky also discusses the provisional suspension of Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, remembers legendary running coach Frank Gagliano, and previews two upcoming races in the Houston Marathon warm-up series.In this episode:Knowing when to push through a tough run — and when to stopNike After Dark LA and the debate over men participating in women-centered racesEmily Venters and Allie Ostrander’s Valencia Half Marathon performancesWhy Yaseen Abdalla’s 59:12 isn’t an American recordPeres Jepchirchir’s provisional suspensionRemembering coach Frank “Gags” GaglianoHouston 25K and Coach Andy Stewart’s 30KEpisode Chapters00:01 — Welcome to The Extra Mile00:48 — CIM training: When is enough enough?02:24 — Discomfort vs. pain and knowing when to stop03:40 — Nike After Dark LA: Why are men participating?04:49 — When is men’s participation appropriate?06:15 — Valencia Half Marathon: American women’s performances07:10 — Yaseen Abdalla runs faster than the American record08:15 — Rodrigue Kwizera and record eligibility08:40 — Peres Jepchirchir’s provisional suspension09:30 — Doping and its impact on elite running10:05 — Remembering legendary coach Frank Gagliano11:05 — Around HOU: Houston 25K and Coach Andy Stewart’s 30KConnect with Runners of HOUFollow @runnersofhou on Instagram for more running stories, Houston race updates, and weekly episodes of The Extra Mile.Have thoughts on Nike After Dark, the performances in Valencia, or knowing when to stop a run? Send @runnersofhou a DM!If you enjoy Runners of HOU, please follow the podcast and leave a rating or review. It helps other runners discover the show.Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

What does it take to run 10 Houston Marathons? For Veronica Villegas Zoch, it’s taken years of training, a lot of support from her family, and sometimes a 3 a.m. alarm.Veronica started running more than 15 years ago with her younger sister, who remains her favorite running partner. After finishing her first Houston Marathon in 5:07 in 2015, she steadily improved to a 4:16 marathon in 2019. Then she became a mom, and everything about her training changed.In this episode of Runners of HOU, Veronica shares what it takes to balance marathon training, motherhood, a full-time career, and family life. We talk about how her goals have evolved, why she keeps returning to the Chevron Houston Marathon, and what earning legacy status after 10 finishes means to her.We also discuss the importance of strength training and recovery as we get older, her experience running the New York City Marathon, and why she’s setting a time goal again for what might be her final Houston Marathon.Whether you’re training for your first marathon, returning to running after having children, or learning to redefine success as a runner, Veronica’s story is a reminder that running can remain part of your life even when everything else changes.In This EpisodeVeronica joins Runners of HOU to talk about 15 years of running, completing 10 Houston Marathons, and learning to balance her love of running with motherhood, work, and family.We discuss:How a family loss inspired Veronica to change her life and start runningTraining for her first Houston Marathon with a longest run of just 16 milesImproving her marathon time from 5:07 to 4:16The role Houston Striders, track workouts, and hill training played in her progressHow becoming a mom changed her training schedule and racing prioritiesWaking up at 3 a.m. to fit in marathon trainingEarning Houston Marathon legacy status after 10 finishesRunning for Child Advocates through the Houston Marathon’s Run for a Reason programHer challenging experience at the New York City MarathonWhy strength training, stretching, and recovery matter more as she gets olderHer goal of running a 4:30 at the 2027 Houston MarathonThe importance of running with her sister and finding community through the sportEpisode Chapters00:00 — Introduction: Meet Veronica Villegas Zoch01:15 — Life as a mom, HR professional, and 3 a.m. runner03:39 — How a family loss inspired her to start running05:07 — Her first Houston Marathon and training with her sister07:24 — Going from a 5:07 marathon to a 4:1609:47 — How motherhood changed her relationship with running14:36 — Cycling, duathlons, and finding other ways to compete18:54 — Earning Houston Marathon legacy status21:14 — Why she keeps coming back to the Houston Marathon25:58 — The training changes that helped her finish feeling strong27:45 — Her challenging New York City Marathon experience32:20 — Learning to run your own race and stop comparing yourself38:39 — Training with her sister and staying accountable42:03 — Her 4:30 goal for the 2027 Houston Marathon43:46 — Running in your 40s and prioritizing recovery45:02 — Why running remains an important part of her lifeConnect With Runners of HOUInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ssfirunitInstagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

Welcome to the first episode of The Extra Mile, a new weekly addition to Runners of HOU!Every Friday, host Vicky Oddi is talking about what’s happening in her own running, the latest running news, and upcoming races and events in Houston.This week, Vicky shares an update on her California International Marathon (CIM) training after completing her longest run in three years. With injuries and setbacks complicating her return to marathon training, an 11.5-mile long run and a surprisingly strong six-mile run have her feeling cautiously optimistic about making it to the CIM starting line in December.Then it’s time for some running news, including a controversial finish-line moment at the Amsterdam Half Marathon, record-breaking performances at the Amsterdam Marathon, the heartbreaking death of runner Grace Nolan, and an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying controversy at the Baystate Marathon, where two runners met the qualifying standards only to discover their times wouldn’t count.In this episode:Returning to marathon training after injury and running 11.5 miles for the first time in three yearsRethinking BQ goals while preparing for CIMCian Gerber’s Amsterdam Half Marathon finish-line controversyRemembering Detroit marathon runner Grace NolanWhy two Baystate Marathon runners’ Olympic Trials qualifying times won’t countThe difference between USATF course certification and race sanctioningThe upcoming Houston Half Marathon & 10KChapters:00:00 – Welcome to The Extra Mile00:55 – My longest run in three years: 11.5 miles02:14 – CIM training, injuries and changing marathon goals03:36 – A long run that finally went right05:54 – Recovery and a surprisingly strong six-mile run07:25 – Feeling cautiously optimistic about CIM07:48 – Amsterdam Half Marathon finish-line controversy09:21 – Amsterdam Marathon course record and race results09:51 – Remembering Grace Nolan10:35 – Baystate Marathon Olympic Trials qualifying controversy11:13 – USATF certification vs. sanctioning: What’s the difference?13:17 – Houston Half Marathon & 10K preview14:11 – Wrapping up the first Extra MileHave a running story, hot topic, or Houston running event you’d like me to cover? Send a message on Instagram at @runnersofhou.New Runners of HOU interviews every Monday, with The Extra Mile on Fridays.Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

After more than a decade of running marathons, Pattie Peña thought she was ready to move on.The Houston native had accomplished what she set out to do: become a Houston Marathon Legacy runner, break five hours in the marathon, and build years of memories along the way. After the 2025 Houston Marathon, she announced she was done with the distance. Following the 2026 Houston Half Marathon, she decided she was ready to step away from long-distance running altogether.But then a friend asked her to run another marathon.In this episode of Runners of HOU, Pattie talks about going from her first three-mile run at Memorial Park to completing a marathon just months later, the training that helped her take more than 30 minutes off her Houston Marathon time in 2020, and the emotional experience of running a half marathon after losing her mother.We also talk about her adventures in triathlon, the challenges of finding motivation after years of structured training, and why she’s approaching her next marathon differently.Pattie is now preparing for the 2027 Every Woman’s Marathon in New Orleans, where she’ll run in support of a friend who survived breast cancer.It’s a conversation about changing goals, finding motivation, the friendships that running creates, and realizing that sometimes being done with something isn’t quite as permanent as you thought.In this episode:How Pattie went from running three miles to completing her first marathon in 2013Why she kept returning to the Houston MarathonThe training and friendships behind her 4:26 marathon breakthroughTaking on triathlons despite being afraid of swimmingCompleting the virtual Houston Marathon during the pandemicRunning a five-second PR in Houston in 2025Why she decided to retire from marathons—and then long-distance runningThe half marathon that helped her feel connected to her late motherFinding motivation again after stepping away from structured trainingWhy she’s running another marathon in February 2027Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠@run_salutation_Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

Sara is back on Runners of HOU, and we’ve got a lot to talk about.First up: the Berlin Marathon. Sara and her friend Whitney crossed the finish line together in 4:33:03 after a training cycle that didn’t exactly go according to plan. She shares why Berlin lived up to the hype, what surprised her on the course, and why this race meant so much more than a finish time.We also catch up on my ongoing struggles training for CIM, the increasingly competitive Boston Marathon qualifying standards, and some of the biggest running stories to come out of Berlin — including an influencer caught cheating and the women’s champion who finished with a ruptured Achilles.Then we’re getting into running hot takes. Are influencers making the sport too expensive? Does every marathon need to be a PR attempt? Is one marathon a year enough? And when is it okay to stop during a race?We wrap up with an honest conversation about something we’re both navigating in our 40s: accepting that our bodies, our paces, and our relationships with running are changing.In this episode (approximate timestamps):00:00 — Welcome back, Sara! Berlin Marathon recap04:30 — Running for Heaven’s 27 and honoring her dad09:00 — Berlin crowds, race-day logistics, and surprises25:00 — My CIM training struggles and learning to adjust expectations47:30 — The Berlin Marathon cheating controversy54:00 — Boston qualifying: Has it gotten too difficult?1:01:00 — Tigest Assefa and the finish-at-all-costs mentality1:17:00 — Running hot takes: PRs, influencers, marathon training, and more1:38:00 — Aging, body image, and changing our relationships with runningEnjoyed this episode? Follow Runners of HOU on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts, and share it with a running friend who loves a good hot take.These are our opinions. You are absolutely allowed to disagree. In fact, we hope you do.Instagram - ⁠⁠@shudgens⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!

What does it look like to have a relationship with running that lasts for decades?Annie Almendarez has been running since high school, but her distance-running story started with a challenge. After a fellow police officer told her Black people didn’t run marathons, Annie decided to prove him wrong. In 2001, at 35 years old, she ran her first Houston Marathon in 4:28.More than 25 years later, she’s still running.Now 60, Annie is a Houston Marathon Legacy Runner and a 2027 Chevron Houston Marathon Ambassador. She’s run more than 20 marathons, raced around the world, and watched Houston’s running community transform from a place where she saw very few runners who looked like her to one filled with run clubs and runners from every background.But longevity has also required Annie to change.After a torn meniscus, arthritis in both knees, and a doctor once telling her she should stop running, Annie has had to rethink what being an athlete looks like. These days that means more rest, less mileage, biking and duathlons, listening to her body — and accepting that she doesn’t have to be the runner she was at 35.In this episode, Annie and I talk about training for marathons before GPS watches and gels, becoming an unexpected face of marathon advertising, running while living in China, why the Houston Marathon still feels like home, racing at 60, knowing when to push and when to stop, and why she believes the secret to staying in the sport is knowing your why.We also talk about what running has given her over the years: health, friendships, confidence, community, and proof that getting older doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you love.Follow Runners of HOU wherever you listen to podcasts and share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that it’s never too late to start — or to redefine what running looks like for you.Instagram - ⁠⁠@gpdsgt732Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runnersofhou⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@vickyoddi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook Group - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Runners of HOU Friends⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sign up for the newsletter!