I'm Debbie Boyles, running coach at mojofor running.com and runtampa.com.

Welcome to my first smart running podcast. Today I'll explain the purpose of this podcast, provide a brief

introduction of myself, and an overview of the topics and guests I'm planning for the weeks to come.

The purpose of this podcast is provide people with information that will help them achieve

their running goals, stay motivated, and stay healthy.

Has this ever happened to you? It happens to me every so often.

Someone I know disappears from the running community for a while.

When I run into that person again, they almost always have a story about some injury that

sidetracked their running.

And then, while they were taking time off from running, life happened.

It crept into those hours that had been given to running, filled them, and took root.

I run into that friend again months later, and they don't look as good.

Inevitably, they've gained a few pounds or more than a few, and they just don't seem as happy as they did when they were running.

I hate it when that happens.

I want to help you run smart so you can remain injury-free

and continue to pursue your running goals forever.

In the way of introduction, again, my name is Debbie Boyles, and I am an RRCA certified

running coach with over 30 years of running experience.

I actually began running to lose weight after my daughter Wendy was born.

I still remember how great it felt when I ran my first

whole mile without stopping. Every day I ran a little farther. Eventually I started racing

5Ks and 10Ks, and before too long I did my first triathlon. That was a long time ago. Now Wendy is 32 and one of my favorite running partners. In a few weeks, in fact, we will team up to compete in our fourth urban adventure race. The half marathon has become my favorite race distance, but I've also completed a few marathons along the way,

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