The Weathered Athlete Podcast

Mile#13 - Dierdre Wolownick -Oldest women at 66 to climb El Capitan and mother of Alex Honnold

Wife and mother. Teacher and musician. Marathoner and rock climber. At 66, Dierdre Wolownick became the oldest woman to climb El Capitan in Yosemite--and in The Sharp End of Life: A Mother’s Story, she shares her intimate journey, revealing how her climbing achievement reflects a broader story of courage and persistence.Dierdre grew up under the watchful eyes of a domineering mother and realized early on that her parents’ plans for her future weren’t what she wanted for herself. Later, what seemed like a storybook romance brought escape, with new experiences and eye-opening travel, but she quickly discovered that her husband was not the happy-go-lucky man he had first appeared. Adapting as best she could, Dierdre juggled work and raising two young children, encouraging them to be fearlessly confident. She noted with delight how her “little lady” Stasia took it upon herself to look out for her baby brother, and watched in amazement as Alex (Honnold of "Free Solo" fame) started climbing practically before he could crawl.After years of struggle in her marriage and her ultimate divorce, Dierdre found inspiration in her now-adult children’s passions, as well as new depths within herself. At Stasia’s urging, she took up running at age 54 and soon completed several marathons. Then at age 58, Alex led her on her first rock climbs. A world of friendship and support suddenly opened up to her within the climbing “tribe,” culminating in her record-setting ascent of El Cap with her son.From confused young wife and busy but lonely mother to confident middle-aged athlete, Dierdre brings the reader along as she finds new strength, happiness, and community in the outdoors--and a life of learning, acceptance, and spirit.
She can be found on facebook and Instagram and upcoming Blog on La Sportiva
Stasia 
www.carfreerambles.org

Sprint Interval Workout -Dierdre Wolownick

Today’s Sprint interval session is led by marathon runner and climber Dierdre Wolownick. For those that don’t recognize her name I am sure you have heard of her son Alex Honnold of the documentary Free Solo.  We spend time discussing her journey into climbing from the first day she went to the climbing gym with Alex through what was required of her physically, mentally and emotionally the day she became the oldest women at 66 to climb El Capitan.  She details how both Stasia and Alex had a part in her journey into running and how marathon running helped provide the foundation to take on the rigors of hiking, which is required to get to and from any climbing adventure.  Her credo to overprepare for whatever she is doing is a great lesson for everyone, no matter what activity that is.  I hope you enjoy!!

Mile #12 -Dave Haase - Ultra Cyclist - 5 time Solo RAAM Finisher

I am honored to have Ultra Endurance Athlete Dave Haase as my guide for mile #12
He is a 5 time top American RAAM finisher with two- 4th, a 3rd and two-2nd place finishes.  
He has won many Voyager and solo supported 500 mile races. 
including the Hoodoo 500, RAO, Silver State, Texas Time Trials.  He has finished Race Across the Alps and Race Around Slovenia.  He states he loves gravel racing. 
He works 50 to 80 hours a week in my bike shop called Attitude Sports while training for all these events.
 
To learn more on his documentary Found in America
https://youtu.be/DcTbge_ilPo
 
Internet of Dave
https://youtu.be/WP6GX-1mZiw
 

Sprint Interval Workout -Dave Haase

Today’s Sprint interval session is led by Ultra Endurance Athlete Dave Haase.  His race resume as an Ultra Cyclist is incredible.  He is a 5 time solo finisher at RAAM – which is the 3000 mile cycling Race Across America. 
We spend time talking about his decision to begin ultra events, how he manages to fit in training as a business owner,  his experiences over the years at RAAM and how his use of technology allows him to more efficiently manage the environment and his medical condition. 
I hope you enjoy!!

Mile #11 - Beth Warren

 I have been a runner for almost 39 years.  My parents were both very active and encouraged me to try many sports.  My mom ran (often with me) and cycled.  My dad cycled and ice skated.  Although I have a serious lack of coordination due to issues with my ears and 13 surgeries on them, I have enjoyed many sports through my life this far - ice skating, cross country and downhill skiing, snowshoeing, golf, volleyball, basketball, baseball, softball, canoeing, kayaking, SUP to name a few.  However, running has always been my first and longest love.
 
I ran competitively for Mohawk Valley Community College where I became an NJCAA All American in the 5,000 meters in outdoor track in 1987.  I transferred to Syracuse University on a partial scholarship and ran Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track.  After graduating with a BS in Mechanical Engineering, I lowered my running mileage to work full time and pursue an MS in Manufacturing Engineering from Syracuse.  During this period, I became a cancer survivor by beating cervical cancer.
 
At age 30, I renewed my running with a goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  I have qualified for Boston 15 times and run the race 6 times with my most notable race in 2013, the year of the bombing where I finished 10 minutes before the bombs went off.  My next goal was to win a marathon and run a sub 3:30 marathon.  Both goals were realized in the same race with a 3:25:53 in 2008 at age 41.  I then spent a year studying to take a test to get my Profession Engineering license.
 
On a whim with a bunch of running friends in NY, I started learning to swim and bike in early 2010 with the goal of finishing a sprint tri before the swim cut off.  That first year, I did 6 tris, including Ironman Syracuse 70.3 and was hooked on the sport.  Since that time, I have done 3 full Ironmans, a 3/4 distance Ironman and 11 half races and love the long distances.  I have been fortunate enough to proudly represent Team USA at Worlds races four times in both Standard Duathlon and Long course Triathlon.  My best finish so far is 9th.
 
I enjoy group rides with the Triad Triathlon Team, training with my friends and traveling the world for work.  I am fortunate to have a husband that not only supports my crazy races (often with one eyebrow raised) but he is an extremely, even more weathered, talented triathlete as well.  We enjoy "friendly" competition at races together.  He beats me solidly at shorter races while my run gives me an advantage at longer ones.  I believe that I am a much stronger, more well rounded athlete in my 50's than when I was younger.  For example, I ran my first ultra this year at age 53 and once in a while can still win a 5k (last week)!  I am a firm believer that anything is achievable, age is just a number.  
 

Sprint Interval Workout - Beth Warren

Today’s Sprint interval session is led by Beth Warren.  She and her husband Alan make up one of the Power couples of our local triathlon team.  Her vast experience as an athlete since high school and her extensive race resume over the years which includes events of all distances and international competition provides great insight to the team. We spend time reflecting on how she has overcome injury, her time spent at the Boston Marathon the year of the bombing.  She is a fierce competitor that continues to balance the “win at all cost” with valuing her long term success as she has aged.  She is very detail oriented and her use of setting new goals as she ages provides a target to go aim for and to shatter.  I hope you enjoy.

Aide Station #1 - Sept 28th Livestream Event to Weathered Athlete Facebook Group

I hope you enjoyed today’s livestream event and learned as much I have from this experience.  For those interested in seeing the video of lily the Weathered Athlete mascot, I encourage you to visit the Weathered Athlete facebook group and you tube channel.  Details can also be found at www.weatheredathlete.com. 
I want to thank the panel for joining me as we reflected back on the 1st 10 episodes and spent time discussing follow up topics.  Please don’t forget to hit subscribe, leave a comment, give a rating on apple podcast and share with your friends. 
Until next time. 
#mymilesR4 the journey  
Pete Barusic
 

Mile #10 - Bob Becker -Race Director of the Keys 100 and current record holder at age 74 of 230 miles in 74 hours at A Race For The Ages

Today I am honored to be joined by Ultra Runner Bob Becker for mile #10.  He is the Race Director for the Keys 100 and Everglades Ultras Trail Race.   
 
When it comes to ultra running Bob’s Bio is incredible. 
 
On September 2, 2019, Bob was the overall winner and broke the race record at A Race For The Ages ("ARFTA") in Manchester TN.  Bob completed 230 miles in just under 74 hours, besting the old record of 228 miles in this fixed time race.  To level the field for older athletes, runners at ARFTA are age-handicapped: competitors run for the number of hours equaling their age to see who will complete the greatest number of miles.In November, 2018, Bob won the "Masters" award at the Azalea 12/24 Hour race in Palatka, FL, completing 54+ miles in 12 hours.  In October he finished the 50-kilometer race at PALM100, and in March 2018--and again in March, 2019--completed the 51.4-mile race at Badwater Cape Fear on Bald Head Island, N.C.
 
Full bio:  https://www.keys100.com/index.php/more/about-the-race-director
 
Bob is the Race Director for the Keys 100 and Everglades Ultras Trail Race
"The KEYS100 Experience":   https://youtu.be/6hOza0OOS8s 
 https://keys100.com/the-experience 
 
Race web page is on the keys100.com  
 
 
 

Sprint Interval Workout -Bob Becker

Today’s Sprint interval session is led by Bob Becker.  He is the Race Director the Keys 100 and Everglades Ultras Trail Race.    When it comes to ultra running Bob’s Bio is incredible.  His racing accomplishments have taken him all over the world.  Bob is the current record holder as the oldest person at 70 to complete the Badwater Double which includes climbing and descending Mt. Whitney and an impressive total of 292 miles.   Last year at age 74 he completed 230 miles in 74 hours which is the current record at A Race for the Ages.  You will also hear about the various training tools he uses to simulate hill running as he prepares for a race.    I hope you enjoy!!
 
 

Mile #9 - Mike Studer PT. Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic and Geriatric Academies of the APTA and received Fellowship in the APTA in 2020.

I am honored to have Mike Studer, PT with me for mile #9 
Mike Studer,PT,MHS,NCS, CEEAA, CWT, CSST, FAPTA practices in Oregon. He has been a PT since 1991, board certified in neurologic PT in 1995, recognized as Clinician of the Year in the Neurologic and Geriatric Academies of the APTA and received Fellowship in the APTA in 2020. Mike was awarded the Clinical Excellence or clinician of the year award by the Academy of Neurologic PT in 2011, and received the same distinction from the Academy of Geriatric PT in 2014. He holds both a patent and a trademark in dual task rehabilitation. Over his career, Mike has authored over 30 journal articles, 6 book chapters, and presents internationally on aging, stroke, motor learning, motivation in rehabilitation, cognition, balance, dizziness, and Parkinson’s Disease
 
TEDx: https://youtu.be/Zwin3VMPI6I
mikestuder.comFB: NWRehab
IG: NWRehab  and RE_BuildingSalem