

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running
Jonathan Levitt
Exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Running is a sport that has the power to unite us all and we are here to share conversations about how running has shaped the lives of people within our community, as well as how running has created community in itself.
From pro runners and Olympians to ultramarathoners running their first big race to business owners who use running to improve their entrepreneurial journey, we believe in creating community and expanding the running world for all.
Hosted by running enthusiast, Jonathan Levitt.
From pro runners and Olympians to ultramarathoners running their first big race to business owners who use running to improve their entrepreneurial journey, we believe in creating community and expanding the running world for all.
Hosted by running enthusiast, Jonathan Levitt.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 13, 2020 • 56min
88. Heather Caplan: RD Real Talk x FTLR 🎙️
This episode is with Heather Caplan, a mom of two, a dietitian, runner and human who is interested in having good conversations with other humans. In this episode we talked about: -getting into distance running -2020 and 2021 goals in running -the anti-diet movement -her own podcast -Lane 9 Project -Lift Run Perform -carbs -unlearning what we’ve been taught -nutrition communication, specific to 2020 and coronavirus -obesity as a stigmatized term -public health policy -zooming out when thinking about health -why she became a dietitian -and much more! Follow along with her adventures at www.instagram.com/heatherdcrd and https://twitter.com/heatherdcrd/
This episode is brought to you by a new group coaching program that I launched with my friend Melissa, a RRCA certified coach and 12 time marathoner.
Are you struggling with motivation or consistency? Not sure when to run or when to rest? What about all the options for virtual racing? We’re here to help.
Kicking off July 20th, our program is focused on a virtual fall race. For $37/month ($149 total), you’ll get giveaways, swag and preferred pricing from some of our favorite tools and fuels, as well as monthly zoom calls and access to a sports dietitian for all of your nutrition related questions.
You’ll get a sixteen week program with two skill levels available, leading into a race day experience with as much of a community vibe as possible in the age of COVID.
For more info: https://rabrev.com/coaching (option 1!)

Jul 10, 2020 • 45min
87. Wilfredo Benitez: "Doing my best to help others be their best"
This episode is with Wilfredo Benitez, of Portland, OR. Will is a self described passionate guy trying to do his best at helping others do their best. Will works with some of the top trail and ultra athletes in the country.
In this episode, we talked about:
-realizing that the job he was in wasn’t his life’s passion
-changing his career
-his professional nutrition journey
-getting into endurance sports with triathlon and then into ultras
-why he loves ultras
-nutrition requirements for high level athletes
-working with an athlete who has never considered making a change to their nutrition
-working with high level athletes
-planning to do his first hundred miler this year
-and much more
Follow along with Will’s adventures (and nutrition tips!) at www.instagram.com/onpacewellness/

Jul 7, 2020 • 46min
86. Alan Scherer: “You are always enough”
This episode is with Alan Scherer. Alan lives with bipolar disorder and is a recovering alcoholic who loves to run.
I met Alan in 2013 with November Project Boston in the early days, and I’ve always been inspired by his passion for the community and getting out and living life.
In this episode, we talked about:
-getting into running
-his focus and love for community
-trail and ultra running
-the euphoria of running longer and stronger
-his experience with alcoholism and his sobriety
-hitting rock bottom in 2010 and how he turned himself around
-“those are my yahoos”
-the power of just showing up
-and so much more
I hope you enjoy this one. If Alan’s story resonates, I’m sure he’d love to hear that. You can follow along with his adventures at https://www.instagram.com/stigmafighter.alanscherer/ and instagram.com/strongbeginswithin
The fundraiser he mentioned for Father Bills is https://www.facebook.com/donate/733544874121221/1128926324129479/

Jul 3, 2020 • 1h 1min
85. Kamilah Journet: Most things worth fighting for are uncomfortable
This episode is with Kamilah Journet.
Kamilah is an observer, runner and marketer in the outdoor industry.
In this episode we talked about:
-diversity in the running world
-setting boundaries with WFH life
-Black Lives Matter and learning about Kamilah’s voice
-getting uncomfortable
-analogies between running and life
-consistency
-using her voice in a powerful way
“Are you only a runner come race day?”
-her experience in the outdoor industry
-trail running and how inclusive and accepting it is
-running distance vs sprints, when the sprinters looked more like her
-her running in 2020 and doing whatever she wants
-why runners (and athletes) are uniquely equipped to handle societal change that takes a long time
Follow along with Kamilah’s journey at instagram.com/kamilahjournet
This episode is sponsored by Addaday. I’ve been loving their BioZoom, a portable, myoacial release device, essentially a massage therapy gun.
In these times when I’m not able to see my chiropractor for ART and other manual therapies, the BioZoom definitely hits the spot… pun intended of course.
BioZoom is designed to help with recovery and can target specific areas of the body in different ways with one of the five attachments designed for tissue specific treatments.
Quieter than the other therapy guns out there, I love using mine while sitting on the couch relaxing, or honestly, even while on a Zoom call.
You can get your own at Addaday.com and use the code FTLR15 to save 15% off.

Jun 30, 2020 • 57min
84. Coree Woltering: Be the Light ☀️🌈
This episode is with Coree Woltering, a professional trail runner who likes to run really far.
In this episode, we talked about:
-his 1200 mile Ice Age Trail FKT
-starting the FKT right around the time of the George Floyd protests
-deciding to continue his adventure to share something positive
-what he fueled with for 1200 miles spread out over 12-18 hour days on the trail
-what kept him going from a motivational standpoint
-choosing discomfort on the trails
-lessons from the trails that carry over into life
-his initial goals as a pro triathlete
-moving from triathlon into trail running while living in Boulder
-coming out when he was 25
-his experience as a professional athlete working with brands
-living in the flatlands and racing in the mountains
-and much more!
Follow along with Coree’s adventures at https://www.instagram.com/coreewoltering/ and https://coreewoltering.com.
This episode is brought to you by Forward Spine and Sport, a Boston based top spot for evidence informed sports injury and pain assessment, diagnosis and management.
I’ve been seeing Bryan Kent for two years now and recently he opened his own practice called Forward Spine and Sport with another chiropractor in the Boston area.
At Forward Sport and Spine, they use the right tool for the right job, not the same tool for every job. Every treatment is tailored to your specific needs and physiology utilizing hands on myofascial work and taping techniques, joint motion restoration, And the part that I’ve loved most is the specific rehab exercises, so that you can fix yourself.
Check them out at forwardspineandsport.com! If you’re not from the Boston area, their Instagram account is full of runner specific tips and guidance! instagram.com/forwardspineandsport

Jun 26, 2020 • 53min
83. Adam Merry: from 13.1 to 50k and beyond! 📈
This episode is with Adam Merry, an elite trail runner from Monterey, California.
In this episode, we talked about:
-Adam's entry into running which included his first half marathon and first 50k in rapid succession
-getting further into trail running
-the trail community
-diversity, or lack thereof in the trail world
-how to address this lack of diversity
-what it's like to be a mixed race man growing up in a mostly white community
-addressing difficult conversations head on
-use of social media for activism and engagement
-his professional background related to ocean conservation
-coaching by David Roche and what David has taught us
-love for the process and day to day
and much more!
Follow along with Adam's journey at www.instagram.com/amerryrunner

Jun 22, 2020 • 38min
82. Kelsey Bruce: Let's taco bout tacos (and running)
This episode is with Kelsey Bruce, an assistant coach at Dallas Baptist University and elite marathoner.
In this episode we talked about:
-her first run, a mile down the road as a three year old
-Let’s Run opportunity at the CC World Champs
-run coaching
-coaching and running the 800
-balance
-hunting and fishing with her dad
-tacos 🌮🌮🌮
-nutrition and recovery
-how her routine has changed in 2020
-solo running
-how faith plays a role in her running
-moving up in distance
-the Olympic Marathon Trials
-recovery and napping
-and much more!
Follow along with Kelsey’s adventures at https://twitter.com/2KelseyMae and https://www.instagram.com/kelseymae_2/

Jun 18, 2020 • 55min
81. Erin Fredrickson: “It’s fun because it’s hard”
This episode is with Erin Fredrickson. Erin’s a DO, MPH, and Raleigh Distance Project alumni (and co-founder), now living in Seattle, WA.
In this episode, we talked about:
-identity as a runner and more
-getting into healthcare in the time of coronavirus
-why she considers herself a leader
-Raleigh Distance Project and what it means to her
-what she learned from a time that might’ve otherwise been considered a failure
-moving during a global pandemic
-becoming a family physician during said pandemic
-the power of community
-“the marathon doesn’t owe you anything”
-and much more!
Follow along with Erin’s adventures at /www.instagram.com/eeclark3/ and https://twitter.com/eeclark3
The blog that she referenced can be found at https://raleighdistanceproject.org/blog/kym33hbh4wsnwcmcnxk8zhc3htks32

Jun 15, 2020 • 40min
80. Ellie Pell: Dedication + Time + Health = Progress
This episode is with Ellie Pell, a runner and cafe manager in Ithaca, NY.
This episode was recorded at the end of March 2020.
In this episode we talked about:
-a balanced approach to training leading to progress
-having fun in training
-qualifying for and racing in the Olympic Trials
-starting with running because it was “free therapy”
-pressing limits and seeing progress
-community
-running vs racing
-burnout
-running through the winter in upstate New York
-having a 3-5-10 year plan
-mental training and positive psychology
-mental health
Follow along with Ellie’s adventures at twitter.com/gazzellie and www.instagram.com/gazzellie/

Jun 12, 2020 • 1h 6min
79. Mary Johnson: "You don't have to work out, you choose to"
This episode is with Mary Johnson. Mary is a running coach, business owner, athlete, mom, insane. Her words.
In this episode, we talked about:
-Running for the joy of it
-Lift Run Perform
-a breaking three project with athletes she coached
-big scary goals
-coming back from pregnancy
-working with David Roche and SWAP
-effort based workouts vs time based workouts
-changing/swapping workouts with easy days or full rest
-Uncle Bob and racing ultras in the future
-signing up for a 100 miler????
-balance/shifting seasons
-being a coach, a mom, and a wife in addition to being an athlete
-her use of social media
Follow along with her adventures at instagram.com/itsamarython
This episode is sponsored by Addaday. I’ve been loving their BioZoom, a portable, myoacial release device, essentially a massage therapy gun.
In these times when I’m not able to see my chiropractor for ART and other manual therapies, the BioZoom definitely hits the spot… pun intended of course.
BioZoom is designed to help with recovery and can target specific areas of the body in different ways with one of the five attachments designed for tissue specific treatments.
Quieter than the other therapy guns out there, I love using mine while sitting on the couch relaxing, or honestly, even while on a Zoom call.
You can get your own at Addaday.com and use the code FTLR15 to save 15%.