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460: Rachael Rudel - I'm Proud of My Journey · C Tolle Run

• C Tolle Run: Hey everybody, this episode is supported by Tailwind Nutrition. Whether I'm heading out for a long run, traveling for work, or squeezing in a workout during a busy day, I want my fueling to be simple and Tailwind makes it easy. Tailwind combines calories, hydration, and electrolytes in one easy to use drink. It gives me steady energy, it's easy on my stomach, thank the Lord. And it's also so good that it makes me focus on the run instead of worrying about my fuel. I love it. I like how it tastes. So I'm telling you to visit tailwindnutrition dot com and use the code TOLY20 for twenty percent off your order. Thanks to Tailwind Nutrition for supporting CTOLIRUN. Hey everyone, I'm Olympian Carrie Tullifson and welcome to the C Tally Run Podcast. Today's guest is Rachel Rudel. Rachel is having a season, you guys. She just won her first national title at the USATF 20K Championships in New Haven, Connecticut. She ran $104.58 or $9,000 and secured the opportunity to represent the US in the half marathon at the 2027 World Road Championships in China. And this victory didn't come out of nowhere. Rachel has quietly put together an incredible year. She was second at Bloomsday. She was third at the Boulder Boulder. She was second at the USATF Four Mile Championships and second overall, just three seconds behind Boston Marathon champion Sharon Loketti at the BAA 10K. And get this. Not only did she get second there, which would have been awesome in itself, but she ran a huge personal best of 3131. Rachel's path. To this moment, though, hasn't been straightforward. Her story includes celiac disease, an eating disorder, injuries, a double mastectomy after learning she carries the BRACA1 gene, and years of working on herself both physically and mentally. At 32 years old, Rachel is now a national champion. She's the future of Team USA. And perhaps just getting to discover how good she really can be. So let's get after it. Carrie: Rachel, you are a national champion and you're on C Talirod, and I'm so pumped. Thanks for coming on the show. Rachael Rudel: thanks for inviting me. I'm glad to finally get to meet you, Carrie. And thank you for all your support, Carrie: I know. Rachael Rudel: like leading up to this too, and leading up to the twenty K. So I'm very excited to talk to you, meet you and whatnot. Carrie: my goodness, I have been such a fan. Like just in the last year, really getting to know you. I think a lot of us fans of the sport and you know, now a lot of us commentators and things, like you are on our radar because we need to make sure that we follow along with your journey. But wow, what a great race you had at the 20K. I was honored to be able to call that race and get to know you a little bit, like you said beforehand, but you look so good. How are you feeling since the race? Rachael Rudel: I'm feeling pretty dang good. I can't complain. I I mean I did take three days off after the race, which is a usual thing. Carrie: Good for you. Rachael Rudel: I wouldn't say good for me, man. If I didn't have my coach telling me to do that, I'd probably be like, I'm ready to go. But but no, yeah, we usually take always take three days off. So so far feeling good. I'll do my first workout tomorrow. And yeah, my body feels great, which is a good thing. Carrie: It really is. I mean, you went to that start line and I think like I mean, you definitely were the one that I was watching. I mean, we there were so many really good athletes that were towing the line, but I just I've never really seen you race. and so I was my eyes were on you, right? Like I wanted to see your form. I wanted to see what your you know, how you raced it. But Degha, she took it out. Baruch, she took it out. So I wanna hear like how your thoughts were heading into the race, who you were looking at, and then also like how you went through the race and kept your cool because it was a pretty hard charge the last few miles to take that win. Rachael Rudel: No, yeah. I the there was a lot going in through my head before and during. it's funny that that was your first race like watching me. It's a lot of like people asked after, like USATF, the ones like holding the cameras and everyone was like, What were you doing? so it wasn't the most strategic, like I wasn't the smartest. I think I've learned that the 20k is longer than what I'm used to, and so it's a lot of time for me to think. and I can get into the details of like what went on in my head actually during the race. Carrie: Yes. Rachael Rudel: but I guess starting before the race, I I will say this is like the first race I was kinda like, all right, maybe I can win. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: and I think just having that mindset going into this race, it it really helped me win. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: as crazy as that sounds, like I think the mentality side of it is like huge. showing up and just like believing and also just having like the support system that believes you. And so that was that was kind of like my mindset going in. I guess like when it comes to race day at the start line, it's I don't know. I I think it's the same mentality I have going into every race and especially before I start is Just lucky to be here. and just excited to be able to like race against these amazing women. And I think That was my first initial thought before the the gun went off. And yeah, like you said, De Gefa, she went out hard. Carrie: She did. Rachael Rudel: And yes, and that's what I love about her, because she is a very, very strong runner, she's very confident. she was my roommate. I I wanna emphasize, I think people are calling her root my roommate in Colorado, but she was my roommate in the hotel we were staying at. And just listening to her, she she's very confident. In a very humble way. And Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: so part of me was like, okay, she's the one I'm gonna try to stay with. Like that's that's Carrie: Ha ha. Rachael Rudel: what I have to keep up with. And so I think like she went off and I I wasn't too worried at that point, just because I've seen this before. I raced against her at Boulder Boulder, and so I was like, okay, I know she's really strong and can hold. but I was kind of hoping that she would die off a little bit, or I would just stick with my race plan and pick it up around that mile eight and eventually catch her. And so I think not really knowing like my strategy is what I'm gonna do. Like whatever me and coach, Coach and I like decided like was the game plan, that was what I was gonna do. And I wasn't gonna have anyone veer me off of that because I know how I race, I know where I'm the strongest at, and I had confidence in believing like what I needed to do was the right thing to do for me and that eventually I would hopefully catch her. and I guess it just it worked out really well. So Carrie: I mean, it did work out, but there was a little bit of a gamble there. And I think what's cool about your story here, and I I wanna hear what was going on in your mind, but for you to be able to stay cool and collected when you knew she was still out there and you s you really kind of reeled her back in. It wasn't like it was a hard like, you know, sprint, like stride or surge to get to her. You just slowly reeled her in and then when you went by though, it was a pretty powerful like you look like you had a lot left in you. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, I think as long as I can see them in the distance, I I'm all I'm always comfortable. I'm never worried. So I know and probably a lot of racers know this as well, is like my stri my my kick is strong. Regardless of whatever the race is, for some reason I can black out and I will just kick it in at the end. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: I think I made the mistake of knowing when to kick too late and when I couldn't catch people. I think Cassie was a really good example at the Blooms Day. I kicked in way too late and there was no way I could catch her. And so I think going back to like this race, I yeah, never worried. She was always in my distance. And then I also another really Another thing I love about racing and these specific races is that there are hills. I know I'm really good at hills. So knowing Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: that the like final hill was around mile ten, and that's kind of when I was really gonna kick it in. Knowing that, like I knew I had I knew I had time. I I knew like it I had a while until I had my opportunity to really kick it in. But I think when I did catch her I realized I had way too much in the tank and so I was like, All right, time to go. Yeah. Carrie: Court on. Yeah. Tell me what you were thinking then. I wanna hear this what what was going on in the mind. The mental games or whatever Rachael Rudel: Too much. Carrie: else. Like sometimes I don't know you know Dina Castor, I'm sure you know her name. I don't know if you've met her in real life yet, but She's amazing and she sometimes I mean, I think she was just so far out sometimes that she would like look at the houses and like and study the real estate, she'd say. I'm like or or she just needed to get her mind off of the pain that she was in and that's what she would do, especially at Falmouth, 'cause she loved it out there. But tell me what you were thinking. Rachael Rudel: Yes, okay, so they're at first like I I just like to look at people's shoes and then like I just play little stories with their shoes just to kind of get me going and comfortable. But I think that that didn't happen as long as I I'd hoped and I realized like I think in 10K's like I'm very good at like zoning in and I guess they zoning in the entire time. with minimal thinking. I don't zigzag back and forth. Like I did that a lot at this one. and I think it's 'cause it is shorter and you're a little I think I I was in a lot more pain. good Carrie: Hmm. Rachael Rudel: pain. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: during those races. And so I think with this one going into it, like I I looked at everyone's shoes at the first. I played my little games with myself. I think there were just so many girls and guys combined together that Carrie: Sure. Rachael Rudel: there it was a little harder to like play little games and stories with my head. so rather like stuck with individuals I knew. And so I wish like the the video wasn't like shaking the entire time 'cause you would see like Amanda and I would talk a lot. Carrie: Yes, I did mention that. I'm like, what is the conversation going on here? Rachael Rudel: there was a lot of things going on. I think someone like actually really pissed us off, and so we were like, what is that dude doing? I think some dude was like drafting off all the girls, and me and her are just like, bro, because he was tripping some Carrie: Y go away. Rachael Rudel: of the girls. So I'm we're just like, we kind of laughed it off, and then we're just like, okay, Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: whatever. And then we both kind of had a similar game plan because like we had a we had the same coach too. And like Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I trained with her in Boulder, like we've done an easy run together when she came to visit. And I just really admire her as a like a a Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: a runner as a human. I think she is the coolest person. Down to earth. Yes, Amanda Vestry. Yes. Carrie: She's so cool. We're talking about Amanda Vestry. She is amazing. Yeah. Rachael Rudel: She is probably one of my favorite humans. And so like she is. That's and I think we're very similar. And Carrie: Yeah. She's a she's a straight shooter too. She tells you how it is. Yep. Mm hmm. Rachael Rudel: so like yeah, we those are different conversations. But yeah, so we like we would kind of talk back and forth, and we just like kept being like, all right, like let's draft, let's get behind this guy. Come on, we got this. And we just first cruise till mile eight, cruise till mile eight. And so like I think on this one, like I talked a little bit more than usual. So when Cassie would come up, we would talk a little bit, Carrie: Okay. Yep. Rachael Rudel: just being like, All right, let's get behind this guy. Or even when I got to DeGetha, like I was like, girl, like you need to like get behind this guy, start drafting. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: you're looking strong. Like we'll always do that. And that that kind of keeps my mind From like wandering too much is making sure like I'm kind of talking to people and communicating. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: Even the guys that were drafting with for me, they were awesome. They're like, let's go. I'm like, yeah, let's do this. and so that kept my Carrie: that's fun. Rachael Rudel: mind preoccupied. I think I didn't realize I was doing this as much, but like after the race, Amanda and I talked to and I I'm blanking out his name, I I feel so bad, but the one that was c speaking per USATF on the truck, Raw, yes. Carrie: Rob Mullet, yeah. Rachael Rudel: Yes, loved him. we were talking, he's like, we were trying to figure out what you were doing because we thought you because like he's like he's we he saw me zigzagging a lot. And Carrie: Uh-huh. Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I did notice on my watch I ran an honest 0.12 miles more. And I'm like, I was zigzagging. And so he was like, What were you doing? We kept thinking you were trying Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: to get to shade, but then you would zigzag to the sun, and then you would zigzag to the shade, but then back to the sun. I'm like, I didn't even think about the shade. And he's like, what were you doing? And I'm like, well, I was thinking too much. And so I would stay behind a guy. I'm like, okay, this is like good pace. Like he's he's drafting the wind, but then he started getting slower. So I'm like, okay, I don't like this. So I zigzag to another guy on the other side of the street. I'm like, all right, we're doing this. We got this. But then I'm like, I don't like how this feels on my hips because the road was slanted. So I'm like, I'm gonna go to the center. And then I would go to the center and start running. And then I was like, Shit, this sucks. There's too much wind. And then I would pivot back. And so he was just like, God, that's Carrie: Hmm. Rachael Rudel: you need to stop zigzagging like that. I'm like, I know. And I think there was another time where, well, he just kept mentioning to me. He's did you notice that you grabbed water at every aid station? And he's like, that that's awesome. But half the time you didn't drink it. You did nothing with it. You just said thank you and you dropped it. And he's like, it was like you just wanted to go tell them thank you. And I'm like, yeah, that was part of it. And Amanda even mentioned too, she's like, well, David told us get water at every aid station. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: But more so like dump it on us, drink it. And I think for me, like I just kept grabbing it and like, I don't really want it. And so I just dropped Carrie: I don't know what to do with this. Rachael Rudel: it. Yeah. But I'll say thank you and I appreciate you. Carrie: yeah. Rachael Rudel: but I think the last thing he pointed out, he's like, Yeah, when you grabbed water. The the one where it like made them laugh a little bit and they they're not allowed to speak behind the camera. And Carrie: Uh-huh. Rachael Rudel: so I guess like you can see it in the camera. It's where I grab the water cup, and then you just see my head turn to the right. And like I'm grabbing the water cup on the left. And I turn and I just remember seeing this woman trying to set up a water hose. And I think it was like for the fun runner for the people after us. And I was like, I want that. And I drop the water. I don't even gradually try to go over. I just cut straight to the side, disappear from the camera, and that's when I jumped through the water. And Carrie: my god. Rachael Rudel: he was like, Yeah, like we saw that and we all just wanted to start laughing. He's like, But everyone else's faces were just like, What is she doing? Like all Carrie: What's she doing? Rachael Rudel: the other runners. And Amanda was like, Yeah, we all were like, Shit, this girl's got way too much energy. So Carrie: You know what? It's all your all your sports background that you have. You know, you're agile. You can move. You can play basketball. You can cut over and do all the things. That's what happens when you're a multi sport athlete on the roads. hey. You know, it was your Rachael Rudel: So with a little ADHD and you just can't keep focused. So but I Carrie: first like twenty K, so you're learning. And that's I think what's cool is that you remember enough to kind of go back and and pick it out a little bit. Rachael Rudel: yeah. I mean there's so many things I would change from that race, but I am really proud of it. And I think the main thing is like I just had fun. so everything I did, like it was just fun. Like jumping through Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: water, that feels great and it's just fun. I feel like a child. Carrie: I loved it. It was really fun to watch you, but I wanna know what it was like when you were pulling away at the end and then you're getting ready to crack the tape. I mean, it was kinda funny when you watch it, you I ha I watched it a few times, but you kinda punched through Rachael Rudel: Exactly. Carrie: the the tape and they didn't let go. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, I may have won the race, but I lost the tug of war. That I did not expect her to let go. And I think I was just like kind of like low-key embarrassed after. I'm like, well, just kidding. Maybe I didn't win. I'm Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: yeah, I that was a fun, funny ending. But I definitely expected to like hold it a little bit longer. But I think my body even like flung after that. I'm like, I did not Carrie: Uh-huh. Rachael Rudel: expect that. But I'm sorry, go back. What was the main question? Carrie: I was just like, what was that like? I mean, when you were getting ready Rachael Rudel: yeah. Carrie: to break the tape, and then when you did, I'm sure it was like, I did this, I won. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, it was I can't even explain it. Like I think I was like so in shock too when I found out like I was gonna win. I remember I don't turn my head ever. I don't check if people are behind me. my coach used to tell me in college, like every time you turn your head, like you might as well take two seconds off your time. And I remember like trying to turn my head to see where I was at. So like if and I was like, Carrie: You're like, Don't do it, don't do it. Rachael Rudel: Don't do it, and then I turned and it was like my full body turning. I'm like, that was the dumbest idea. and I didn't even see anything and so I think when like I knew I was winning, I think I was processing like a lot of like, okay, like w th what am I gonna do? I was like, I don't because my biggest thing is like don't look at your watch when you cross the line, 'cause they get really mad at that and I'm like, I wanna pull like pull Laura Gregory of how she was just like getting excited at the end. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: but then when it came to it, I'm like, I'm just gonna put my hands in the air and squint and then hopefully grab the tape and just get really excited. I think I overthought like how to finish. I didn't realize actually that I won. Carrie: Uh-huh. Rachael Rudel: and that might sound ridiculous, but Carrie: No. Rachael Rudel: I think when I realized I won and it was just like I I think it was like hard for me to process still because I was like, okay, like I think I'm so used to winning like local races in Colorado. And so when I won this one, it was kind of like cool. Like Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I did the same thing. And then it wasn't until like the interviews happened, until I found out I made a worlds team. I Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: was just kind of like in shock. I was like, maybe this is dre a dream. I don't really know. I think it settled in actually the week after, and where I was like, holy crap. this is actually happening. And I think like the only emotion I can really state is like just excitement. joy, Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: excitement. And again, I think I'm still in like the shock period. 'cause I I don't know. This is this is all very new and weird for me. So but in the best way. Carrie: Right. Yeah. It I mean Well, I know, exactly. And it does sometimes like I think because you're so focused too, it's kinda like, okay, what's next? Like I did it and I knew I could do it. but now it's like what's next? I mean you mentioned it, you get to now represent the US in China next year in twenty twenty seven on the w at the World Road Championships. That Rachael Rudel: Yes. Carrie: is pretty amazing. So not only did you win your first US national championship, but then you made your first team. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, that one is crazy. That's something, again, these things like I never expected was ever gonna be a goal for me. Like it's one of those things where if you're an elite runner, you're always like, Yeah, the Olympics, definitely a goal. Yes, a world team, definitely a goal. And I think when it actually becomes a thing, it's like, What do I do with this? it's this very weird, overwhelming excitement. And so blessed to be able to pretty much get to pursue a dream that I really didn't think w was a possible dream for me, if that makes sense. I remember just like a few months ago, I was like, yeah, if I can make the trials in the marathon by doing the half marathon in 2027, and then like let's say okay, I make the trials. Cool, I'm with all the girls that did make it and all my friends, and we're just gonna kinda do it for fun. Like we're gonna push, but it's like it's just an opportunity to run with like a lot of freaking people. then I think now it's like, okay, like now I'm I'm kinda up there, I guess. But Carrie: Yeah, you are. Rachael Rudel: it's kinda weird for me to say. Like even the pro w the pro word, like I don't it's just such a such a weird thing for me to say. So it's As you can tell, I'm still trying to figure all this out. Carrie: And I love it. I love that, I mean I think it's deeper because what you've been through too. Like there's I'm sure it and maybe I'm putting words in your mouth and I shouldn't do that. but you've Rachael Rudel: No, no, please. It's Carrie: done so well this year. It is like It's so awesome. But also I think those of us who are learning your story, it's it is so cool for us to see you on this great high and to see that you've overcome so much. But also I feel like when I look at you, I think of I wonder if it is if it really has hit you the journey that you really have had to take to get to this moment. Rachael Rudel: Honestly, I don't think it has. I think I think like when I took ten years off to focus on my health, figure out my life outside of running, honestly outside of sports and like having an identity and figuring out a career path that I loved but also was pretty good at, I think that was such a slow process that when I was like, all right, like When David and I started working together in February, it's like, all right, like, let's actually try for this. and when I started working with him, it's just been a very quick growth instead of a low like a slow transition, kind of like the past 10 years has been. And I think that's why it's really hard for me to like process everything, but also like I'm not trying to say like I'm not like I am beyond proud. And I think Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I might not seem like the most proud runner. Like I think most people would be posting on all on social media or like this would be their life, their dream. And I think at the end of the day, like running is still a f fun hobby for me because it's not my identity anymore. Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: And I do this because I truly love it. the day I stop loving it, like I'm I'm dipping out. It's not Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: worth it. And I think also another big thing is like I have a full time job that's more than a like a full time job. And so my stressors are very different from other pro runners that don't have a full time job. so Carrie: Right. Yep. Rachael Rudel: it's like as soon as I win, it's kind of a all right, we have to quickly celebrate and Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: and this is also my mentality. Like I'm I'm quick to celebrate but then very quick to be like analyze it, what do I need to do better and what's next. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: Because I quickly have to transition to my work mode and being like, Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: all right, like beginning of the month. I have new goals with my company. I have new initiatives that I need to like to push through. I have execs I need to meet with this next week. And so I think Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: like because that's my stressor, that's like what I think about and what I think is stress. So all that being said, like I think again, yes, I am still trying to process it all, but I think like because running isn't my everything. Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: it's the thing that just brings me joy being able to do this at a higher level and now like for USA on the world's team, it's it's like it's more of like a I gotta do my favorite thing now and travel for it and represent Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: like a nation that I love. And so it's that's why I have such a mixed feelings of emotions. And I it probably doesn't make sense as I'm speaking it's Carrie: No, it does. Rachael Rudel: processing it, but I just want like everyone to know like I am beyond blessed. I am beyond excited Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: for this opportunity. And I think it's just like emphasizing that like I'm doing this 'cause I love it. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: and I'm like blessed that this running is not my actual job right now. So Carrie: I think it's really refreshing. And it's a lot like Jess, well, I want to say Jess Tan, Jess McClain. her story too, you know, like she took time away. You guys yeah, the same coach, David Roche. We've had him on had him on the podcast. We love him. but she took time away from the sport and then she came back and she has her full-time job and she loves it. And then her her sponsorship came, which I'm can't wait to hear more about that. Hopefully you have some news. I know that you are working with Josh Cox now, so that's super cool. But I mean, I think that that's why America and the world has fallen in love with Jess McClain is because she's been real with this. She enjoys it. She's got a life outside of it. And we've really like followed her because she's got more than just Saron. We love full time athletes too. Don't get me wrong. But it is cool to see you guys have other things and that you are brilliant. You both are brilliant women and anyone who has you in their company is super lucky because you're world class at everything. did I say it wrong on air I th I said that you worked for a company called Cam and I think it's company Cam. You went wrong because I split it up Rachael Rudel: You weren't wrong, you just like split it up. Yeah, company cam. Yeah. Carrie: So my sister, her name is Cammy and I call her Cam. So as I was saying that, Rachael Rudel: Start. Okay. Carrie: I'm like, it is not like Cam, like a company called Cam like your sister called Cam. It's company Cam. Okay. So you do, Rachael Rudel: It is company cam, yes. It's Carrie: you said you work full time and then a little more. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, I I I it's yes, like my I think anyone that's like in tech kind of understands the sprint in tech. it does not yeah, it does Carrie: Yeah. Doesn't stop, probably. Rachael Rudel: not stop and I don't really have like an I have a nine to five job, but that's Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: not really what to get the things I need to get done in the week it's not nine to five. And the the thing is I wouldn't change it for a second. I love my job. Carrie: cool. Rachael Rudel: and I think it's more so because I love the people I work with. So I I work in the partnerships department. and so I just get to work with a variety of different humans and outside of my company and inside of my company. And so I think like going internal, Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: why I love my job is because the people I work with are so supportive. like it's it's fun. Even if I raced like ran a mile at like a seven minute pace, like they would just highlight me all the time. And I think like there are a lot of there's one individual actually that works for my company. I don't know if you know the name Mike Morgan. Look. He Carrie: I feel like is he a runner? Rachael Rudel: was an OG for Brooke Hanson. like Carrie: yeah. Rachael Rudel: yeah, he raced against Josh Cox. He's actually the reason why I got introduced to Josh Cox. because Mike and him used to race against each other and he's Carrie: They're pro he's probably my age. I mean that that's you know, that's probably why I remember his name. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, yeah. And so ironically, when I joined the company, everyone's like, You need to talk this guy, Mike Morgan, that works on the sales floor. He's a the one of the best senior managers for some of our teams. Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: And I was like, okay. And so I reached out to him and yeah, it's crazy. Like he understands this world. Like he's every time I'm in Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska, where our headquarters is, like, he'll always run with me. He again, like he introduced me to Josh Cox along with David as well. But it's it's a really interesting small world. Like he's actually tied to Anne Marie Blaney on the Brooks team because Carrie: That really is. huh. Rachael Rudel: she used to babysit his kids while he Carrie: Ha ha. Rachael Rudel: was on the Brooks team. It's so when we had a work event in North Carolina, we went to visit Ann Marie Blaney, get sushi with her. It's such a small world, but like all that being said, like I have a lot of individuals. There's a lot of runners in our company too, Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: that just support me and so love my job so much, love my people. Carrie: So you're you're gonna stick with it even if you get a million dollar contract. Rachael Rudel: I think so. Like, why not? I think a lot of people are just like, I think like a lot of people are probably like, she'll take a full time like she'll take a she'll quit her full-time job just to be a runner. And I don't know if I could do that. Like, I'm not Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: gonna say I wouldn't do that, because I never say never, because you never know what happens, but I I I don't know. I don't think I would do well just being a full-time runner because I think Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: if that If I'm just a full time runner, that's then my job, my identity. And that's my performance. that's what I base my performance off of. And Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: right now I don't do that because I base my performance off of what I do and what's paying me, and that's my job. And the only person I have to let down is myself running. I don't have to let down an entire team with my company. And so I like I think I function better in chaos and that's what we're Carrie: See. Rachael Rudel: kinda learning is I I'm just someone that needs to be always doing something. But Carrie: Hmm. Rachael Rudel: so that being said, I don't know if I would ever quit my job. And as of now I would not, because I Carrie: Yeah. Hmm. Rachael Rudel: love what I'm doing and I have too many projects going on leading to twenty twenty seven. So Carrie: I love it. Rachael Rudel: but yeah, I again, yeah, I love my job. Carrie: That's great. It's so cool and it is refreshing, I think. I kinda always had something going on when I was competing as well, whether it was I worked at a running store for a little while, but I was speaking, I was h holding camps, I had my commentary, doing little things to just keep my brain active outside of just thinking about goals and trying to be better and all that, you know? Rachael Rudel: Well I think like shit, I would love to sleep a little bit more. I would love to take a nap Carrie: Sure. Rachael Rudel: in the middle of the day. Honestly, I would love to learn social media because I am struggling. I did one reel and it took me six hours and I kinda cried. So I don't I don't I like I if I had time I would like try to perfect that as much as I could. But Carrie: Yeah. No. Rachael Rudel: like there's or even just be a barista. I've always wanted to be a barista, but but yeah, I think Carrie: You do have a lot going on in your brain, don't you? Rachael Rudel: too much. Yeah, I I will I will create chaos within this podcast and this meeting if you need me to. Carrie: I love it. I love it. We can we can you know, brainstorm together what what what next to do in life. Rachael Rudel: So yeah. Lovely. Carrie: tell me a little bit about your health journey too. I mean, it seems like, you know, I know that people that have had disordered eating or eating disorders, have had some of the things that you've been very vocal about. you know, it's a lifelong thing. I mean, it's something that you have to stay on top of. But can you tell us a little bit about where you are on your journey right now? Rachael Rudel: Yeah, definitely. And so those who like know my past, it was a misdiagnosed with celiacs or it was a misdiagnosed eating disorder that ended up being celiacs disease. However, I was gonna get an eating disorder regardless. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: it was it was pretty embedded in me. If it just how I was kind of raised or the things I saw and the environment I was in, I had the best family ever. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: so not putting any blame on anyone. It was just what they learned, their habits turned in kind of my habits and also I was very type A. I was a perfectionist and it it was probably gonna happen. I just it probably wouldn't have been as severe as it was if it wasn't the celiac side. So Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: because I was misdiagnosed, I had I was inpatient or an outpatient for a little bit until we found out Carrie: And you were inpatient or outpatient for the celiac Rachael Rudel: I was actually outpatient as an eating disorder until they were like, wait, because my family's like, she cannot keep food down. We are like watching her. Carrie: I see, okay. Rachael Rudel: She is like doubled over in pain. And finally they're like, okay, we'll check her for spruce. And that's what Celiax was back then. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: And ended up being like off the charts. And we're like, Carrie: Hmm. Rachael Rudel: yay, okay, everything fixed, right? Like now we'll go on a gluten-free diet. I'm going to get healthy. And everything's gonna be great. And so ended up going gluten-free. However, like my body was so messed up. We long story short, we ended up finding an ID celiacs my entire life. and so, like, as a newborn, but like there was no really testing back then. Sensitivities Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: weren't really a thing as as much as they are now. And so my stomach was really screwed up, went to a holistic doctor. he's like, All right, like you have a lot of You have all these fight dogs in your stomach where, like, no matter what food you're putting down you, your body is in such like a fight or flight mode, it's going to attack it. And so talk about extreme diet, or taking out all the sensitivities. And did that actually felt great on it, and that was kind of the issue. and that's when the eating disorder really took over and that control side really took over. especially during a time I was just stressed, and Had a lot of identity issues back then too, and performance and expectation issues, and so or expectations I was struggling with. And so from there, I decided not to add anything back in. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: And I ended up being pretty much eating nothing. because Carrie: So malnourish just to the n degree. Rachael Rudel: Yep. And to me it was like eating nothing felt better than eating food because I never got the mental health I needed to. And it there is a reason why. and I tell a lot of runners this like no one will ever see those photos. I have like I'm Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: not one of those runners that's gonna show you before and after. that is very unhealthy. I I was down to a very, very very, very scary weight. I almost they the doctors did say like Because I ended up getting a pancreatitis attack at one point. And it was acute, so I chronic usually you just die. acute, like you have to be starved. or they starve you, and because the pancreas heals if you just starve it. And I got like ice chips every once in a while, but other than that, it was like IVs of water. And so I was already very thin at that point, to where when you they starved me for 10 days, I it was bad. It was very bad. And so they told my family, like, most likely she's not gonna make it. If she does and she gets out, she's a flight risk. You need to put weight on her before she can go back to Colorado because we were stuck in Arizona. And that was like I didn't find out that I like the doctor said she might not live, most likely won't live until a few years ago. talk about the trauma my family's been through. And so from there, I ended up getting a little bit more healthy, but I I put the weight on. We'll just say that. I Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: put the weight on, but I was not healthy at all. And so that trickled into college. there was a point I did put myself in an eating disorder clinic, actually struggled more there because no one fixed the root Carrie: They take away all your exercise, right? And it's it's tough. Okay. Rachael Rudel: Not just that. I was fine with that actually. I was at a point where I'm like, I'm thin, like I am starving, I just want to get mental health. Carrie: I see. Rachael Rudel: I I just want I want to do the work. And I think the issue, like they're no they no longer are a company. There's a lot of other things that happened with that company, and why like my family and my old therapist pulled me out of there. just some we don't need to get into that, but there were some issues. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: with that one and more so like I I had no one really to talk to to relate to no one really listened. They didn't really Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: look at like my past of how food was a fear for me versus they looked at me as a runner with an eating disorder. And Carrie: I see. Rachael Rudel: that's where they even told me like for you to be healed, you have to stop running. You will never run again. And at one point they told me that. And so I think for a long time after that, my there was a really big fear of like if I get rid of this eating disorder, I'm gonna lose running. And maybe I won't love it and that doesn't feel fun for me. And so that that took a few years until finally I went off on my own. I got a big real job. my parents are like, We love you, but you you gotta grow up too. And so I made the decision to move out and I grew up. I I learned what it was like not to have running, to be able to pay my own rent, be in a city that no one really knew me. have friends and I think it was during COVID is actually when I healed the most when I learned that life is way more beyond food restriction, running, working out, sweating, and just being in my own head. And so that's when I got healthy. And at the same time we started a team called Front Range Elite in Fort Collins. And that gave me the carrot, right? The motivation I needed to really get healthy because I was still thin. And our team is all about like uplifting women. And so You gotta be a good role model for the young girls that are following us and following Carrie: Sure. Rachael Rudel: our team. And I was not that image. And so that's truly what pushed me. And then the girls on the team actually are the ones that like supported me throughout all of this. allowed me to be on the team without racing for years. And ever since then, it's been I I always wanna say it is it's always an uphill success story, but it's also an uphill battle. And I'm not gonna pretend Like I am a hundred percent okay. Like Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: you said, if you have an eating disorder, it's you you have it forever. but I also think that's also what makes us very, very good workers. that's what makes us very dedicated, and I should say just like hardworking in general, as long as the mindset doesn't go into the negative ways. And I think I'm not I never I'm proud of my journey. I'm proud of my journey and Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: the person I've become because I've gotten a lot stronger from it. But I I don't wanna say I like I don't regret not having my eating disorder, but like I I'm not too upset with it. Like I'm here today, right? And I think again Carrie: Yeah. And thriving like nobody's business. Rachael Rudel: Yeah, but it's like it's because also I put the work in, right? Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I also had individuals to support me. I'm lucky to have a family that could Smor support me financially and mentally throughout all of this. I I am very blessed. and and I'm not naive to say that. And I think that's a huge thing, but also like going back to like your main question is like, how are you with your eating disorder today? It's going back to saying, I'm I'm good, but I'm also struggling, you know? Carrie: You're good. Yeah. Rachael Rudel: there's we're also a woman in this world. Like we also compare. It's it's always gonna be a struggle. But Carrie: Hmm. Right. Rachael Rudel: I will say, like, this is this is the best I've ever been. so it it's good. I think Carrie: I love that for you. I do. Rachael Rudel: it's great. It is great. I think I still battle with a lot of stomach issues, and I do believe Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: like a lot of it is the celiacs, a lot of it's the food sensitivities, but a lot of it is because I was in malnutrition for so long. Like I was Carrie: Right. Rachael Rudel: so bad to my body, and I think that is like something that I do deal with now. Carrie: Mm. Rachael Rudel: trying to train myself to do like sugary gels all the time. Like that was Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: rough on my stomach. But other than that, like I think I have the team that supports me now, like including David. He has actually been one of my biggest supporters throughout all of this. and yeah, it's it's good. I think it always can be better. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I mean full transparency. I always am trying to gain a lot more. every season and that will always be my goal. I still feel frail and I know I look frail. at least in my eyes, and that's something like I'm working on, like not trying to judge to myself too much on. But Carrie: Hm. Rachael Rudel: also I always have wanted to be a strong runner. And I I think I also go on the opposite side of the eating disorder to where it's like I will compare myself to the strong two hundred meter runners that are running on on the track. I'm like, I wanna look like that. And Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I I think like I struggle on that side a lot. but other than that, like I'm happier. I I love burgers too. Everyone knows Carrie: Great. Rachael Rudel: like I'm a foodie at heart if you bring me to a place that I can actually eat their food. So Carrie: That's great. Rachael Rudel: if you looked at me like five years ago, two years ago, one year ago, I'm thriving. I'm doing so much better. Carrie: So awesome. I love to hear that. And I hope you listen to this down the road and and feel this excitement and the joy and and also, I mean, the reality that we have to stay on top of these things. You know, one of the things when you were saying how you want to be strong, I don't know if you heard if you watch the broadcast even, but I asked David Roach about you. I said, Hey, tell me, tell me about Rachel. And he wrote back, She is so strong. Just what you said you wanted to be. He wrote in his D. DMs and it was all in all capital letters. That's what he thinks of with when he thinks of you. So I mean, and and to me, like a coach, a really good one that you trust and that you love and you kind of hang on their words, like I don't know if he if that's his motto with you or not, but he believes that. And so that I wanted to tell you today. And it was just so ironic that you just said you want to be strong, you feel strong. He believes you are. Rachael Rudel: No, he's the best man. Especially all the cops. He's an all caps man too, which I freaking love, man. You can't Carrie: So cool. my gosh. Rachael Rudel: you can't beat that. Carrie: He's a wild man. I do want to touch a little bit on this BRACCA1 gene too. I know that you've done a lot of these pods and a lot of articles, but you know, your story isn't just that you have defeated and you know, conquered all the other things and you're still working on yourself, but also your your family's been through breast cancer, your grandma, your mom, and you too had the gene. So you had a double mastectomy. And how is that part of your health journey? Rachael Rudel: That one I will say we're coasted. I've been very lucky. I haven't had any Carrie: Okay. Okay. How long ago was your massectomy? Rachael Rudel: my god. the double massectomy was when I was twenty two. So about ten years ago. Yeah, so so far I've I've had no issues. I think the Carrie: so like okay. It's been a while. Okay. Rachael Rudel: one thing that we always follow up on, and that I'm very I'm on top of to a to a degree. Sometimes Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I get busy and I kinda like, oops, forgot. I forgot to make my appointment. but I think the main thing is with the like Broncounging and getting the double mastectomy, I I I also had a choice because it was preventative. And Carrie: Uh-huh. Rachael Rudel: I like and again I'm very open about this. I like ended up 'cause l a lot of people when they get rid of the breast. So my mom, when she got a double mastectomy, when she had cancer, she got rid of everything. And everything I mean, like anyone who knows this is like You get rid of the nipple, you get rid of everything. Anything Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: that is tissue and nipple is tissue. Well, I was young, Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: doing it preventative. I kept my nipple because I'm like, I'm twenty-two years old. Carrie: Right. Rachael Rudel: and that's a big part of like being a female is having Carrie: Yep. Rachael Rudel: like having a full breast. And that was one thing that like destroyed my mom was getting rid of like her enti everything. she Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: tried the tattooing, it wasn't enough. So it that part really destroyed her. And so I made the decision to keep mine. when they did my double mastectomy, they ended up finding after the biopsy small amounts of like or a like they ended up finding cancer in my left chest, but so small they would have had to take an entire biopsy out to find it. And so I remember when the doctor called me, he's like, Rachel, we found cancer, and he was so excited. I'm like, why are we excited? just to say like we did the right thing. And so, Carrie: Right. Cause they got it. Yeah. Rachael Rudel: but because of that, it's also like, all right. Let's watch out. You do have a small percentage of tissue still in you. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: so I do need to be conscious of that. And the other thing is like Breast cancer is fatal if you are in the late stages. if you are early in your stages and you catch it very early, it's it's one of those that's like, thank God I had breast cancer, right? There's there's so many, there's so much studies on it, and there's so many like procedures to get it out and to like save a lot of lives. However, the killer is ovarian cancer. And that's why there's usually like when you get a double mastectomy, you also get a hysterectomy, like my mother did, because you can not get breast cancer, but then next could be the ovarian cancer. and so that's one thing I do stay on top of, is making Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: sure I check that. 'cause a lot of like my aunts have had breast cancer, have already done their double mastectomies. One is actually in the middle of doing that right now. she's on the reconstruction phase. And so that's always something I do watch out for. But I I also like I know my body. When something Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: is wrong, ask David if something is wrong. I will go crazy to make the craziest appointments with any doctor. Carrie: Good for you. Rachael Rudel: and that is even if I feel slightly dehydrated in the morning and I have something itching on my chest. I'm like, I have cancer's back, like I will freak out. And so Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I think being able to know your body and if something feels wrong, I will go in and I will do my checkups. Yeah. Carrie: Advocate, yeah, yeah. That is great. And you but you are going in every six months? What do you have to do? Rachael Rudel: I actually have not gone in a long time. This is my reminder, yes. Carrie: So this is your reminder because you're also reminding me because I think I am coming up on my appointment as well. So let's remind each Rachael Rudel: Yes. Carrie: other. Rachael Rudel: What I do is intensive blood work though too. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: so we watch we watch everything from that side and I do that like every two to three months. Carrie: I see. And is that more so because you are an athlete that you do that, but then you can look a little bit more into your numbers? Yeah, but which is okay. Yeah, exactly. Rachael Rudel: Yeah it's an excuse to find more. Yes. Yeah. Carrie: Well, that's good. I'm glad that you're staying on top of it though. And we will remind you now to get in and make sure you have that full checkup. tell Rachael Rudel: Thank you. Carrie: me tell me what's next. Because you kind of took a little bit of a break before you went into the 20K. So now what? Like, what's the rest of the I think you're coming to Minnesota, which is gonna be so fun because that's where I live. And I be c I'll be calling the race. Yes. So I'm gonna get to meet you in person. Yeah. Rachael Rudel: Yes! Okay. Wonderful. I yes, I'm so excited. So yes, I I took a break mostly because I've never done a build before. Carrie: huh. Rachael Rudel: and so we just wanted to focus on building and getting stronger. We just wanted to do the opener for the 20K, no expectations. Ended up being like, okay, well, I think Carrie: Yeah. Amazing. Rachael Rudel: I'm still in shape. and so The big one is actually going to be the ten K Championships because I'm I'm really leaning hard into the ten K because I love it. Carrie: Uh-huh. Rachael Rudel: and I think it's just been like a special place my it's had a special place in my heart all year. starting with like the Boulder Boulder in Boulder, the ten K Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: and going into the BA ten K and I think I was still like learning how to race and so Carrie: So awesome. Rachael Rudel: I would love to see what I can do for the 10K championships. Again, always no expectations. I'm gonna go out there and have fun. there's gonna be some amazing racers out there, and so Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I'm just gonna race my race and see what happens. And then ironically, we're actually just kind of going down in distance for races, and so hasn't been like I'm not sure if I'm in, I'm like, I talk to them but like and and also like you never know what happens as a runner, Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: anything could go wrong or Great, I don't know. flight injuries, you never know. so the end of October, the goal is to do the five K in New York. So the Abbot Dash. Abba Abbot Abot Abbot I butcher it every time. I need to get that down. Carrie: Okay. Yeah. Abbot. The Abbot. Yeah. That's okay. That's okay. It's like like I butchered your name. I kept saying Rudell. And it's Rudal. Rachael Rudel: That one, Rudell, we take Rudell or Rudal. It's just when we get into these weird Carrie: Okay, what do you say? Rachael Rudel: I I just say Rudel. I think when you make Carrie: Yeah. I wrote like Strudel. Rachael Rudel: See? Actually that was my nickname in middle school, Rudal Schrudel. Mr. Lewis gave me that nickname. Carrie: Fuddy. Rachael Rudel: but he but but yeah, so we're gonna try to do the five K in New York. I really actually Carrie: I'll see you there too. I'll be commentating on that one, so sorry, I'm gonna be bugging you for the 10K and the 5K. Rachael Rudel: Do it. I love that. and I'm hoping to stay that entire weekend to go support all the New York racers. because I have a Carrie: you're gonna love it. Rachael Rudel: lot of friends. I want to cheer on Amanda there. And Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: so that's kind of all I have. there's some races that are popping up, some race directors like wanting me to come do other races. Carrie: They're knocking on your door. Rachael Rudel: Knocking on the door, which is fun, but I think last last season was a little too much for me. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: A little band-aid up with KT tape. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: nothing extreme, but I was like I'm my body was feeling Carrie: I saw some. Rachael Rudel: it. Carrie: I saw some in some pictures. Was your hammy? Okay. Sure. Yeah. Get them get Rachael Rudel: Yes, and this last one it was too. It's it's more of like a support thing. Like I feel safer with it on. Like I'm I'm glued together, I'm fine. It's a mental thing. Carrie: get them to sponsor you too, because you wear it all the time. I done. Rachael Rudel: I know 'cause I don't think the tan is very flattering. I think I need the black tape. Carrie: you gotta gotta get the all the colorful tape, I feel like. what about the marathon? Rachael Rudel: Yeah. but yeah. I was waiting for that one. I Carrie: Alors Rachael Rudel: so right now, the plan is not doing a marathon yet. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: however I am gonna try to OTQ in the marathon and so god. Starts in twenty twenty seven. So the first first Carrie: you will try. Can you do it in the half? I forgot to look at this. You can qualify by running what in the half? Rachael Rudel: I think it was a one twelfth. Yeah, one twelfth. And Carrie: Yeah, I think you're right. Rachael Rudel: so I will try to do get I will try to do that in the Houston half. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: that's gonna be like my main goal. And then honestly, I wanna get back on the track. I wanna see what I can do with the ten K and possibly the five K on the track. And Carrie: my gosh, fun. Rachael Rudel: if I don't like it, I will pivot. But I would like to OTQ there too. So we're all over the place. Yeah. Carrie: Yeah. Okay. Okay. You got your goals. I love it. I love that you have this, you know, range that you're still working on and you're trying to figure things out and you have time because we still are two years out, so it's perfect. Or, you know, a little less, but you know what I mean. before I let you go, and I know you gotta work, I wanna do my Run Dot rapid fire questions with you. And this week I did a little bit different. They're not just this or that. So these are quick, okay? Favorite place to run in Colorado. Go. Rachael Rudel: Magnolia Road. I don't know why I love that so much. Yeah, Carrie: It's cause it's hilly and it's way high. Rachael Rudel: anything hill. Carrie: Okay, running, biking, or swimming. Cause this lady is a triathlete as well as an awesome like straight up road star. So what do you think? Rachael Rudel: I'm gonna say running, that's like a that's like a Mary I don't know if I can cuss here. That's a Mary F. Kill question, I feel like. Carrie: It pretty much is. Okay. Track, cross country or roads. Rachael Rudel: You didn't add trails in there. Carrie: and yes, you were second at the trail half marathon championships one year too. Rachael Rudel: I that one's hard. I think right now I love the roads, but my heart will always be trails. That's like my happy place. Mm-hmm. Carrie: Okay. Really? Okay, you can kinda just go and not think. my gosh, okay. I'm scared of the trails a little bit. Rachael Rudel: Yep. I know. That one's hard. Carrie: I'm getting old now and I can't see as well. Okay. back to you. favorite post race meal. What do you go for? Yeah. Ooh, yeah. I Rachael Rudel: Burger, hands down, but the thick burger, don't give me a smash burger. Sorry, David. Carrie: do like a smash burger, but I do like a really thick one, I think, after a race with a milkshake Rachael Rudel: Be there. Carrie: for me, but I know that's probably not. Do you you can't have that, can you? Okay. Okay. Rachael Rudel: They make dairy free milkshakes. I'm more of like a really like give me the like really good crunchy fries Carrie: Ooh yeah. Rachael Rudel: and Reese's pieces like a Reese's peanut butter cup, like a big one. I'm a chocolate fan. I know. I know. Carrie: my gosh. Okay, we gotta go do this. When you're in New York, you gotta go to the Stardust Diner. It's this Rachael Rudel: That's what I need. I need recommendations. Carrie: yeah, well, it's very cheesy and very touristy, but if you like Broadway hits and like just in that they give all that good stuff, like greasy hamburger, all that stuff. Okay. Most use emoji. I've never asked this one. yeah. Rock on! Rachael Rudel: It's always the rock sign. I I don't know if people notice that. I think they just think something's wrong with my hands, but in races I will do that. Like if there's music, I will give them the rock sign. But it also is a it's also a ram. It's a ram. So CSU Rams. So it's like I can go rock to CSU Ram. Yeah. Carrie: well this leads into my next one. I love that. Yeah. Hook Isn't it hook? Can't you do this for hook horns too? Texas? Yeah, yeah. Okay, well, this was good because it leads Rachael Rudel: yeah, we can get into like longhorns type of thing too. Yeah, I can mess them up. Carrie: into my next one. David told me you went to my chemical romance. So my chemical romance song for the starting line. What's what's the song? Rachael Rudel: my goodness. Okay, I would say Carrie: Too many of Rachael Rudel: there are too many of them right now. Carrie: Mm-hmm. Rachael Rudel: it depends. It really Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: does. I think Black Parade's been like my dark, like, let's freaking go, like zone in song. Carrie: Mm yeah. Rachael Rudel: I don't know why Helena is one of my favorites. Carrie: Okay. Rachael Rudel: And then I will say right now, I don't know why I'm blanking the name, so I'm pulling it up right now. Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: I think my Metchemical Romance song That I will be I'm not okay. I promise. It's the best one. I love one. Carrie: Yeah. Don't follow me on the roads cause I zigzag and I do all the things, but I'm gonna beat you. Rachael Rudel: Yep, that's gonna be the game plan. Also Carrie: I love it. Rachael Rudel: my chemical ramblants. I love him. I l I love Gerald. yeah, I have a problem. Yeah. Carrie: that's your crush. Okay, last question. One word to describe this season. Because mine for you is awesome. But what Rachael Rudel: I would Carrie: what would you wrap up this season with? And it's not done yet, but you know, maybe like the s spring, summer, and fall season. Rachael Rudel: I would say one word. Carrie: Mhm. Well you can do whatever you want. No there's no Rachael Rudel: Okay. Carrie: rules in this world with my world maybe. Rachael Rudel: I would say that one's hard. there's so many words that are associated with. I would say So I it sounds cheesy, but blessed. Honestly. I'm just Carrie: Yeah. Rachael Rudel: lucky. I'm very blessed to be here. And I also will say like it's just been effing awesome. that's pretty much it. It's this this ride has been pretty damn fun. Carrie: I'm so excited to meet you. I'm so excited to follow your journey. Rachael Rudel: Okay. Carrie: This is just it's gonna be really fun, Rachel. And I think so many of us, whether we're young, like my daughter's age when she's in high school, starting to compete, or us old ladies, like just it's just gonna be fun to follow you. And I hope you feel the support and not the pressure. Cause everyone is just proud of everything you've done. Rachael Rudel: Nah. Again, pressures for the job. This is all fun stuff. It's all fun. It's all rock on, man. Carrie: That's a rock on, dude. All right. I'm rocking Rachel. That's what I'm gonna have you be on in my notes. I can't Rachael Rudel: I won't. Carrie: wait to see you tackle the hill here in the Twin Cities 10K. There's a good one, so you can have fun on it. but I look forward to seeing you in a couple weeks. It's gonna be great. Rachael Rudel: Sounds wonderful. I can't wait. Carrie: Thanks for getting after it with me on C Tolly Ron. Rachael Rudel: Well, thank you, Kerry. You're amazing. C Tolle Run: Thanks so much for joining me today on CTALIRun. And thanks to all of you for listening today. CTALIRUN is sponsored by RunDot and supported by Tailwind Nutrition. Visit TailwindNutrition.com and use code TOLLY20 for 20% off your order. A big thank you to our producers, Andrew Harley and Sarah Burney, for all their hard work behind Try Dot, Run Dot, and the CTALIRUN podcast. If you enjoyed today's conversation, please leave a rating and a review. All you have to do is visit Ctolerun.com/slash review. Follow Along on social media at Ctollerun or at Carrie Tulilson and visit Ctolerun.com for more episodes and also give Rachel a follow. All you have to do is go to her Instagram, which is Rachel R-A-C-H-A-E-L R-U-D-E-L. That's Rachel Rudel. She's on Instagram, like I said, and she would love a foul, I'm sure. Thanks for listening, and don't forget to get after it.