Ben True, a successful runner and coach, discusses his career, training solo, and the allure of the East Coast. Topics include Olympic dreams, Nordic skiing, and the charm of New England's mountains and forests.
Ben True started as a recreational runner, transitioned to successful competitive running, and later explored Nordic skiing, showcasing the benefits of diverse athletic experiences.
Ben True's shift from professional skiing back to running after a training stint in Idaho underlines the importance of aligning personal passion with career choices.
Deep dives
Motivation for Running
The motivation for Ben to start running came from his father and neighbor training for the Boston Marathon, inspiring him to join a local rec program where he initially started as a part of other sports. However, over time, as he gained success in running, his focus shifted towards the sport, propelling him into junior Olympic races, leading to exposure to competitive running.
Transition to College and Athletic Dilemmas
Ben's progression to Dartmouth involved a mix of running and Nordic skiing, with a preference for skiing due to a personal passion for the sport. Despite being a successful runner, Ben initially leaned towards becoming a professional skier after college. However, a year-long training experience in Idaho led him to rediscover his true passion for running, highlighting the struggle between personal desire versus external pressure.
Exploration of Nordic Skiing
Nordic skiing, encompassing cross-country formats like biathlon and ski jumping, offered Ben a unique athletic journey and a different perspective compared to running. The physical demands and technical aspects of Nordic skiing provided diverse training modalities and muscle engagement, contributing to a well-rounded athletic development.
Transition to Marathoning and Coaching
Ben's foray into marathoning at the New York City Marathon in 2021 marked a significant shift in his competitive focus, leading to a top-10 finish in his first major marathon. Post-marathon, Ben's priorities shifted towards coaching and developing Northwoods Athletics, a training group aimed at fostering talent and sharing his wealth of running experience with aspiring athletes.
Repping that northern attitude out in the wilds of New Hampshire, Ben True is a decorated runner across various distances who took 7th place in the 2021 New York City Marathon in his first race at that distance. He currently runs Northwood Athletics, a grassroots effor to grow the next national running hub for all distances, all surfaces, and all abilities. We had a great conversation about his career, training solo, and why the East Coast has our hearts on lock. Learn more about Northwoods: https://www.northwoodsathletics.com/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjtrue/
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