In this episode of the ZenRUN Podcast, I chat with the wonderful Faith Raymond - ultra runner, coach, lifelong animal lover, and the trainer who played such a big role in my own UESCA ultra running coach certification journey. Faith shares her fascinating path from growing up in a tiny town in Massachusetts, to working with horses and veterinarians, to starting college later in life, earning a master’s in oceanography, and then unexpectedly finding running after a tornado devastated her hometown and inspired a community fundraising 5K. That one event changed everything.

We talk about how Faith started running later in life, why trail running felt like a natural extension of the freedom she once found riding horses, and how her marathon journey eventually turned into ultra running when she decided that if she couldn’t get faster, she may as well go longer. That path led her to the iconic Vermont 100, a race that means even more to Faith because it combines the worlds of horses and runners in one unforgettable event. She shares the highs, the DNFs, the redemption, and why she’s now approaching the Vermont 100K with a completely different mindset - not just to survive it, but to truly race it.

We also get into Faith’s coaching philosophy, especially for women who come to running later in life. She talks honestly about how many runners are still trained like they’re 20, why that often doesn’t work, and how that gap is part of what pushed her into coaching. She shares some brilliant, practical insights around treadmill training, training load, and what really trips people up when preparing for ultras - usually doing too little or far too much. Her Goldilocks-style view of training is one I think so many runners will relate to.

There’s also plenty of fun in this one - from coyotes, alligators and snowy Vermont trails, to the realities of training through mud season, and the idea that maybe the best thing a coach can sometimes do is tell you to learn boxing or Taekwondo for a while. But underneath all of it is a beautiful reminder that running doesn’t have to look a certain way to count. Faith’s biggest message is simple and powerful: find the joy. If running feels like punishment, pressure, or a box you think you should tick, it might be time to change the way you’re doing it - or even give yourself permission to do something else for a while.

A few great tips Faith shared:

• If you’re using a treadmill, start a little slower than you think you should, because the belt controls the pace and you don’t naturally ease off the way you would outside.

• One of the best ways to use a treadmill is incline work - for tempo efforts, threshold sessions, and power hiking.

• Ultra training is a real commitment. You can’t just wing it, but you also don’t need to go to the other extreme and train like a maniac.

• Success in coaching often comes from trusting the process, adjusting expectations when life happens, and learning from the races that go wrong.

• To stay motivated, find the joy. Running should add to your life, not feel like another job.

You can get more details about Faith’s Run Coaching here - runlongrunstrong.com
Here is the link to the UESCA website if you want to explore a coaching certification - https://uesca.com/

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💛 Want your running to feel lighter again?

If this conversation resonated, you might enjoy The Running Reset - a simple bundle of guided runs and practical tools to help you reset your rhythm, clear your head, and reconnect with why you run.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/the-running-reset

If you’re looking for a little more support with your running, I also offer personalised ZenRUN coaching - simple weekly structure, guidance, and encouragement to help you stay consistent and enjoy your running again.

👉 https://www.zenrun.app/courses/zenrun-personalised-run-coaching/buy

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🙏 A couple of big favours

1️⃣ If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast - it helps more runners discover these conversations.
2️⃣ I’m always looking for runners to interview. If you (or someone you know) has a running story to share, I’d love to hear from you.

Find me on Facebook or Instagram @ZenRUN.club
or email hello@zenrun.club

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✨ Run easy. Run happy.

ZenRUN Club is a relaxed space for runners who want consistency without pressure — guided runs, simple tools, and runners who get it.

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