Katie Polivick prayed a rosary for every mile of her first marathon after her phone died. She's a science teacher, a race founder and a longtime listener, and running helped carry her through depression.

Rooster Rossiter pushed his daughter Ainsley in more than 100 races. After she died at 12, he turned her legacy into Ainsley's Angels, now serving athletes in hundreds of communities.

My longtime friend Kate Broshears went from DePauw volleyball player to three-time Boston Marathoner, became a mom six weeks into COVID, and found her people in Team Shorts.

Michele Pettinger has 32 tickets in the Western States lottery, came back from being hit by a car, and at 55 is chasing a Boston qualifier for a second decade.

Sarah Overpeck went from mediocre high school runner to IU walk-on, won a marathon after climbing through a stopped train, set a 50-mile course record, and helped win The Speed Project's first all-female race.

Amy Haas started with a two-hour half marathon run for her late cousin. She went on to finish a half in all 50 states, winning her 50th in under 1:20.

I met Bill Bradford on a flight home from Las Vegas. Since starting CrossFit at 35 and 245 pounds, he's lost about 50 pounds of fat, run a marathon and set PRs for five years.

Jason Bahamundi founded Run Tri Bike to tell the stories of everyday athletes. He's an eight-time Ironman finisher, 12 years sober, and honest about his own disordered eating.

Johanna Kitchell has come back from having a baby, from being attacked on a run, and from lumbar fusion surgery. Now the orchestra teacher and Run 317 ambassador is training for Chicago.

Mike Brydges started running in 2018 because he could barely last 20 minutes on a treadmill. Now he's earned his Six Star medal, is chasing it a second time, and is aiming for a sub-three marathon.

Janice Martin didn't start running until after two brain surgeries before age 40. Now 63, she has run more than 200 half marathons and is closing in on her second lap of all 50 states.

Fishers Running Club president Alan Errichiello swore he'd never run a marathon. Then, grieving his father-in-law, he ran his first ultra before his first marathon.

Amanda Luper ran her first marathon alone on the Monon while working in a COVID ICU. Four years later, running New York as a support runner for a friend changed why she runs.

My first guest from Australia, Joey Twidale, was diagnosed with a rare chronic leukemia at 22. Nine years later he just ran his first 50K and launched a running brand built for everyday runners.

Brendan Kelly retired from running after college and swore off marathons. Ten years later, the Carmel Marathon was canceled, so he drove to Toledo and ran a 2:51 Boston qualifier instead.

Stephanie Perry never ran more than three miles before turning 30. Seven years later she's a marathoner who accidentally ran 28 miles at an eight-hour race and helps run the Geist Half Marathon.

Lauren Gaudion, a former college pole vaulter, runs racetracks on IndyCar weekends, ran the Indy Mini alongside Tony Kanaan, and has qualified for Boston twice without wearing a watch.

Maury Plambeck ran 24 Indy Minis in a row, qualified for Boston at 52, ran a 3:20 marathon at 60, and has spent decades giving back to Indianapolis.

Mandy Bode has done Ironman triathlons, 18 marathons and a 50-miler. At the New York City Marathon, she's the runner who helped Peloton instructor Tunde Oyeneyin to the finish.

As a kid, Jake Hostetler walked on his toes and doctors doubted he would ever run. Now he works at Athletic Annex, ran 50 miles at a backyard ultra, and made my new podcast music.