“The overarching message that I think Sean has with this book is that whatever ‘it’ is, go for it. If this is your thing and you give it all you’ve got and don’t limit yourself to what’s been done and what’s been possible, the sky’s the limit on what you can do.”

Today's guest is someone whose work has shaped how we understand running at its most human level through writing about running. Chris Lear is the author of Running with the Buffalos, a book that for many is the gold standard of distance running storytelling.

Two decades ago, Chris embedded himself with the University of Colorado's cross country team during one of its most dramatic seasons, and what turned out was a story of triumph, tragedy, and relentless pursuit that became a cult classic for runners everywhere. Now Chris is back with one of the most anticipated running books: Beyond Fast - the story of coach Sean Brosnan. It's written with Sean Brosnan and NBC News' Andrew Greif.

Brosnan's journey is an unlikely one from BMX tracks on Long Island to the world of collegiate running and eventually to Newbury Park High School, where he transformed a struggling program into a dynasty. During his six years there, Brosnan didn't just build champions; he built what many believe was the greatest high school cross country team of all time.

His impact went beyond workouts and race results; he created a culture that challenged young athletes to push past their limits and reimagine what was possible. In this conversation, we talk with Chris about the stories behind Beyond Fast and how a coach with a renegade spirit changed the sport of high school distance running.

____________

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠

Guest: Chris Lear

Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠⁠⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠⁠⁠

Mentioned in this episode…

Pre-order: Beyond Fast: How a Renegade Coach and His Unlikely High School Team Revolutionized Distance Running

Order: Running with the Buffaloes: A Season Inside With Mark Wetmore, Adam Goucher, And The University Of Colorado Men's Cross Country Team

____________

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

OLIPOP: Straight out of Bikini Bottom, Olipop’s limited edition SpongeBob cans have arrived. Pineapple Paradise features a burst of juicy pineapples and a splash of mandarin. It's on shelves now at Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Circle K, Amazon, and select stores nationwide. ⁠You can check out all of their flavors and get 25% off your orders at DrinkOlipop.com using code CITIUS25 at checkout.⁠

NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. ⁠⁠⁠Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.⁠

Kevin Nealon + Super Dave Osborne (Carolla Classics)

Adam Carolla Show

Handling industry ups and downs

The AI-powered Podcast Player