Finish Lines and Milestones · Yesterday · 1 hr 9 min

Episode 169: Bri Qualizza: Pace and Purpose

Bri Qualizza and I have been internet friends for quite a while, probably crossing paths at a lot of local races, but this was the first time we actually got to meet in person. During this episode, sponsored by Athlete Bouquets, we talk about: [2:00] Growing up a competitive dancer since age three, plus a self-described "not good" stint on her middle and high school track team [4:00] How that dance background led to five years cheering for the Indianapolis Colts, including a calendar shoot in Mexico and missing the Super Bowl the year of Deflategate [7:00] Meeting her husband, Ryan, at Howl at the Moon in downtown Indianapolis [9:00] 15 years at Riley Children's Health — from student tech to the sedation team to earning her doctorate this year (yes, you can call her Dr. Qualizza) [12:00] Running her first half marathon, the Indy Mini, in 2013 — and driving straight home afterward without realizing what a big deal it was [14:00] Becoming a Geist Half Marathon ambassador and getting certified as a run coach [15:00] Losing her first pregnancy, Charlie, at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and fighting to get Ryan into the hospital for her surgery [19:00] Coaching group fitness at CycleBar to stay active postpartum, before her daughter Eva was born [20:00] Running the 49th Indy Mini as her first race back after Eva — and the first time Ryan was able to cheer her on at the finish line [25:00] Launching her own run coaching business, Pace and Purpose, after a friend asked her to help train for her first half marathon [31:00] Training for her "redemption marathon" at Carmel — and getting sidelined by two shin stress fractures just weeks before race day [39:00] Her return-to-running plan with coach Sara Farney, starting a run club at Riley Hospital, and her fall race calendar: Geist Half, Indianapolis Monumental, a Disney Princess race, and a return to Carmel [44:00] Supporting her husband Ryan's own Boston Qualifier goal, and her go-to running song ("Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin) and mantra — "You get to" Previous Guests Mentioned Christina Cook – Episode 65 Abby Prentice – Episode 168 Gabby Behr – Episode 85 Sara Farney – Episode 30 Sponsor Details Athlete Bouquets - Use PODCAST for 10% off your order Other Links Pace and Purpose - Bri's run coaching business Geist Half Marathon - Use BRI10 for 10% off registration THAT 5K – Tori's Hike for Another Tomorrow - happening Saturday, August 15th Follow me on Instagram @allytbrett_runs Subscribe to Finish Lines & Milestones weekly newsletter This is a SandyBoy Productions podcast.

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Bri Qualizza and I have been internet friends for quite a while, probably crossing paths at a lot of local races, but this was the first time we actually got to meet in person.

During this episode, sponsored by Athlete Bouquets, we talk about:

[2:00] Growing up a competitive dancer since age three, plus a self-described "not good" stint on her middle and high school track team
[4:00] How that dance background led to five years cheering for the Indianapolis Colts, including a calendar shoot in Mexico and missing the Super Bowl the year of Deflategate

[7:00] Meeting her husband, Ryan, at Howl at the Moon in downtown Indianapolis
[9:00] 15 years at Riley Children's Health — from student tech to the sedation team to earning her doctorate this year (yes, you can call her Dr. Qualizza)
[12:00] Running her first half marathon, the Indy Mini, in 2013 — and driving straight home afterward without realizing what a big deal it was
[14:00] Becoming a Geist Half Marathon ambassador and getting certified as a run coach
[15:00] Losing her first pregnancy, Charlie, at the height of the pandemic in 2020, and fighting to get Ryan into the hospital for her surgery

[19:00] Coaching group fitness at CycleBar to stay active postpartum, before her daughter Eva was born
[20:00] Running the 49th Indy Mini as her first race back after Eva — and the first time Ryan was able to cheer her on at the finish line

[25:00] Launching her own run coaching business, Pace and Purpose, after a friend asked her to help train for her first half marathon
[31:00] Training for her "redemption marathon" at Carmel — and getting sidelined by two shin stress fractures just weeks before race day

[39:00] Her return-to-running plan with coach Sara Farney, starting a run club at Riley Hospital, and her fall race calendar: Geist Half, Indianapolis Monumental, a Disney Princess race, and a return to Carmel
[44:00] Supporting her husband Ryan's own Boston Qualifier goal, and her go-to running song ("Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin) and mantra — "You get to"

Previous Guests Mentioned