THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

In 2025, Herriman High’s Jackson Spencer became the name every prep distance fan had to know.The Utah standout, who is headed to BYU next year, opened his season with a victory at the Simplot Games 3200m (8:56.03), then surged into spring with a breakthrough 8:51.26 at the Arcadia Invitational. His momentum carried into June, where he unleashed a 4:02.56 mile and 3:46.22 1500m at the HOKA Festival of Miles, performances that placed him among the fastest prep milers in the country. Just weeks later, he anchored Herriman High’s 4x800-meter relay to a national high school record of 7:26.12 at New Balance Nationals Outdoor.By October, Spencer had proven his range extended well beyond the track. At the ASICS Clovis Invitational, he shattered the storied Woodward Park course record with a 14:16.9. Balancing excellence with humility, the 2025 Gatorade Utah Boys Track & Field Player of the Year embodies both athletic drive and academic focus. His progression—from indoor champion to outdoor record-setter to cross country course dominator—reflects rare versatility and discipline.As he looks beyond Herriman, Spencer’s times and trajectory point toward a seamless leap to the collegiate ranks. Whether chasing sub-four on the track or new records on the roads, his next chapter promises to include lots of record-chasing performances. Tap into the Jackson Spencer Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Mike Smith, a veteran distance coach, built a powerhouse at Northern Arizona University before joining Nike's Swoosh Track Club. He shares insights on transitioning to professional coaching and the emotional farewell to his collegiate athletes. Smith emphasizes the importance of team culture, teaching athletes to embrace humility and resilience. He discusses the critical habits that separate good from world-class athletes, and the life lessons that running imparts beyond just winning. His philosophy centers on purpose, presence, and the value of the journey.

Sacrifice, grit, burnout, and the fight to be great: this month’s Rundown Recap dives into four stories that every driven person needs to hear.The fellas kick things off with “Sacrifice Isn’t Sustainable,” a raw look at how constantly grinding and giving everything can start to take more than it gives. What happens when the thing you love starts burning you out?Then, in “The Art of Championship Racing,” they unpack what separates the good from the great when everything’s on the line; the mindset, the confidence, and the quiet control it takes to rise in the biggest moments.Next up is “Fuel for the Work Required,” a reminder that there’s no secret sauce, just consistency, simplicity, and showing up when no one’s watching. And finally, “Resist the Pull of Mediocrity” challenges all of us to fight against comfort, to refuse to settle for “good enough,” and to keep pushing toward what we’re truly capable of.It’s one of those conversations that goes way beyond running,it’s about mindset, ambition, and how to build a life around doing hard things well. Tune in, this month’s edition might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.Tap into the Rundown Recap Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W   N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Claire Manley went from chasing PRs on the track to building a storytelling engine for athletes and running brands.She is the co-founder of Meet @ 7 Studios, a women-led social media and personal branding agency designed for professional runners and endurance athletes.Her work focuses on giving athletes Fortune 500-level strategy and visibility while helping them own their stories and reach new audiences.Before becoming a strategist and agency founder, Claire carved out her own story on the track.A walk-on at Gonzaga University, she battled her way to captaincy and scholarship status while setting a 5000m personal best of 16:31.06 at the Oxy Invitational (in May of 2019), along with collegiate bests of 10:04 for 3000m and 4:47 for 1500m, and qualifying for the NCAA West Preliminary Round that year.Her career timeline includes stops at Nike-sponsored Bowerman Track Club, where she built global community programs and launched the BTC Summer Training Program that drew participants from across 40 states and eight countries.Today, she runs Claire Manley Consulting in Brooklyn, continuing that momentum through her independent strategy work.Most recently, Claire has been active in Gonzaga’s alumni ecosystem, engaging with career treks that connect current students to NYC’s marketing and branding scene.While she may not be lining up for NCAA championships anymore, her presence in the endurance space remains sharp, shaping the way athletes connect, communicate, and thrive in an increasingly digital sport.Tap into the Claire Manley Special.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review!I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Jess McClain has become the new face of American women’s marathoning: a symbol of resilience, balance, and belief in one’s own path.A former collegiate standout at Stanford, she stepped into the pro ranks with Brooks, only to face years of injury, transition, and even stepping away from full-time running to build a life outside the sport. Jess never left the track mentally. In 2024, working full time and largely self-guided, she shocked the field by placing 4th in the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, narrowly missing the team by seconds.Not content to be defined by near misses, she went on to win the USATF 10K title (setting a course record), she ran a breakthrough PR of 2:22:43 as top American at the Boston Marathon in 2025, and earned her place on Team USATF for the World Championships.In Tokyo this past summer, she finished 8th overall in the marathon, which was a stunning result on the biggest stage of all. This finish wasn’t a random burst; it was built on her modest-mileage, high-quality approach.As of 2025, Jess blends stride sessions, strength work twice weekly, and intentional rest; she also rejoined a coach-athlete relationship with David Roche in 2025. Her story isn’t solely about PRs and race placings, it’s also about redefining what’s possible when you craft your own path and control your narrative.Tap into the Jess McClain Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Dr. Kristen Holmes, a sports scientist and former national-level athlete, shares her insights on the science of performance. She discusses the crucial role of sleep and recovery, emphasizing that sleep debt can severely impact cognitive function and safety. Kristen explores how lifestyle choices and circadian alignment can prevent chronic diseases, particularly for female athletes. Additionally, she highlights the importance of community and identity in driving personal change, while advocating for curiosity as a means to foster continuous growth.

Gary Martin, a standout collegiate distance runner at the University of Virginia, discusses his rapid rise in the sport, showcasing impressive PRs across distances. He delves into the importance of flexible training, emphasizing listening to one's body to prevent overtraining. As he approaches his final NCAA cross-country season, Martin reflects on team dynamics, the significance of proper fueling, and the mental strategies that drive him. He shares insights on transitioning from shorter events to longer races, highlighting the value of patience and consistent training.

In this enlightening conversation, Alex Ostberg, a coach-thinker and writer of The Rundown newsletter, delves into the unseen struggles runners face. He highlights cognitive traps that derail progress and explains how the sunk cost fallacy can hinder performance. Alex advocates for a scientific mindset in coaching, the myth of predictable progress, and the significance of handling bad days, suggesting these moments might be more valuable than they seem. With insights on flexibility in training and the importance of consistent efforts, Alex invites listeners to rethink their running journey.

Dathan Ritzenhein, a former elite distance runner and three-time Olympian, now leads the On Athletics Club, shaping world-class talent. He shares his passion for coaching, emphasizing the emotional rewards beyond accolades. The conversation dives into parenting athletes, reflecting on how family life balances sports, and the importance of consistency over brilliance. Dathan also discusses the evolving landscape of professional running and recruitment, maintaining a humble perspective amidst growing expectations. His wisdom on athlete development and coaching strategies is truly inspiring.

Fleet Feet CEO Joey Pointer has made a career of combining community-driven retail with cutting-edge data insights.His journey into running retail wasn't a straight line. Raised on a North Carolina farm, he began his professional life in accounting at Ernst & Young before joining Fleet Feet in 2004 as a financial manager. Over the next decade, he rose through the ranks: Director of Operations, CFO, and ultimately CEO in 2017. Along the way, he transformed Fleet Feet from a small specialty chain into a national leader with nearly 300 stores.What sets Pointer apart is his conviction that data can differentiate running retail. Under his leadership, Fleet Feet launched fit id® 3D scanning across its stores in 2017, collecting millions of scans to personalize footwear like never before. Of course, growth hasn't come without challenges. Pointer has been candid about navigating competitive pressures from powerhouse brands like On, Nike, and Hoka, while also integrating major acquisitions like JackRabbit and Marathon Sports.In recent months, Fleet Feet has kept expanding, marking anniversaries across nearly 300 shops in 2025 and pushingforward with its goal to make community-based retail thrive in the digital age. Pointer also deepened his community ties, joining the national board of Girls on the Run International, reflecting his belief that running should be a force for good.Tap into the Joey Pointer Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word "PODCAST" below and I'll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT'S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz