#111: Single Mom Runs 277 Miles Across GA Solo + Advice on Running Gear

277 miles is a long way. Our guest this week is a mother in Georgia who just ran that distance...solo, in 4 1/2 days! (4:56) Single mom and running store employee Saushia Hathaway, who's never done a marathon before, made her 2nd attempt to Run Across Georgia, and did it just a few weeks ago. She talks about why she did it...how she trained, mostly on the treadmill since busy with kids...how she prepared for her nutrition...lessons learned from a rough experience the 1st time she did Run Across GA, with her "feet destroyed"...and what it was like seeing her kids and lots of friends at the finish line. She also gives us a (12:04) day-by-day breakdown of the running across GA experience, like how many miles per day...sleeping in a jeep...walking...her crew...and fighting pain or injury, including s stress fracture she got the 3rd day she didn't know about. (18:26) Anything extreme like that is a big mental challenge, so Saushia explained how she kept fighting, how others helped her, and what she hopes others can get from her accomplishment. She says anyone can do this, if they think they can and train for it, (24:24) Her main job is mom to 2 kids, ages 6 & 7. Saushia opens up about the joys and challenges of motherhood, while working 2 jobs. (29:13) And how did she get into running? She was a HS sprinter where she grew up in California and (31:11) now helps customers learn more about running and proper gear, especially the right shoes, but also...sports bras, chafing prevention, toe socks, nutrition like gels, water backpacks, and more, (36:30) The inspirational young woman also talks about her surprisingly quick jump into long distance running, having a strong mind for tough challenges, and what the running community means to her especially as a single mom. (40:29) With her daily struggles, Saushia also discusses how church - which her kids love - helps get her through, after stopping to go to church with her husband, a marriage that's now ended. Now, her kids pray and teach her. (45:45) Check out my race recaps, from the latest "Mainly" marathon I finished last week in Rhode Island to a local 5K where I dressed up in a wig and more to be the composer Beethoven as a pacer. (51:05) Our "parting gift" is inspiration from an actress/mom, then my closing Prayer. Thanks for listening! And tell your friends about the #RunTheRace podcast. Subscribe to it! For more info, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.