In the Pen with Brandy Talamoni

‘In the Pen’ is our series of interviews with runners who inspire the Lonely Goat Running Club community. We’ve spoken with elite athletes, authors, podcasters, CEOs, coaches, and adventurers. For this edition, we hear from a US Marine Corps veteran and mother of two, Brandy Talamoni.

Brandy’s story

Growing up in North Carolina, Brandy ran at high school before joining the military at 18, where she met her husband. After giving birth to her daughter in 2015, Brandy started running again.

Her first marathon attempt in 2017 was a DNF, but Brandy has since completed half marathons, marathons and 50K races. As a Youtuber, Instagrammer, and blogger, Brandy caught our eye and we wanted to find out more.

Thank you, Brandy, for taking the time to answer our ‘In the Pen’ interview questions…

I run because it makes me feel good. No matter what kind of day I am having, I know a run will always make me feel better.

My biggest tip that I would give is to start slow. Nobody is expecting you to break world records!

It wont always be easy but it will be worth it.

My favorite place to run is a local trail. It’s not a hard, intense trail, but it is enough for me to get that “trail run love” I really like.

It’s peaceful and I love seeing nature.

Hawaii has been a bucket-list place for me to run for a long time

I wouldn’t say it’s funny, but I am scared of anything wildlife.

One time on a run, a deer and I ran into each other and I honestly ran the fastest I ever have because I was so scared.

I also like to pretend things like snakes don’t exist on the trails because otherwise I would not go.

Maaannnnn… there’s honestly so many great ones, including 80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald, Run to the Finish by Amanda Brooks, Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kastor, and 26 Marathons by Meb Keflezighi.

Wire headphones. I find it so weird how I loved them, but now I can not go for a run with them on. They just bug me the whole run.

It’s crazy how things change so much in a short time.

During the pandemic I ran a 50K virtually. It was hard and I probably will not do that again, but I loved it.

Training for it was tough because of personal reasons, but I showed to myself that I can do anything that I put my mind to.

New runners. I know people love pros and all, but new runners – the ones that are just trying to run day by day – are my inspiration.

I think there’s comfort in knowing that one day that was you. You were someone scared, and yet you continued to show up and put in the work.

A mixture! On the trails I tend to run in silence; other areas I like to listen to podcasts on my runs, especially easy runs.

I like that I don’t feel pressure from others to keep up. This is my moment, my time, my space and I always feel bad when my faster friends would run with me.

Running alone, I don’t have to worry about that and I can take all the cheesy pictures that I want to.

Currently we are moving house, so my main challenge to to keep my sanity.

After that it’ll be time for my first virtual race.

Brandytherunner_ on Instagram, Brandytherunner on Twitter, and Brandy Talamoni on YouTube.

Thank you, Brandy!