

The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show
CITIUS MAG
Track and field's biggest names on the track, in the coaching ranks and within the industry sit down and open up in-depth to share brilliant insights and vivid snapshots from their professional/personal accomplishments and experiences in the sport.
Hosted by CITIUS MAG founder Chris Chavez.
The show was named one of "The Best Running Podcasts" by Runner's World.
▶ Visit https://CITIUSMAG.com
▶ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CitiusMag
▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/citiusmag
▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CitiusMag
▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag
Hosted by CITIUS MAG founder Chris Chavez.
The show was named one of "The Best Running Podcasts" by Runner's World.
▶ Visit https://CITIUSMAG.com
▶ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CitiusMag
▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/citiusmag
▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CitiusMag
▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 13, 2023 • 23min
What Track Can Learn From The NBA's In-Season Tournament, World Athletics Fumbles Athlete Of The Year + The Best Of European XC Championships | The Lap Count
This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.
Join more than 15,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at http://thelapcount.com/
In this week's newsletter:
– Katelyn Tuohy turns professional ✍️
– Foot Locker is BACK 🏁
– Euro XC — Slop ‘em up! 💩
– CJ Albertson gets the B standard ✅
– Most Valuable Players 👨👩👧👦
– In-Season Tournaments for All! 🏆
+ more rapid-fire highlights from the past week
You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/athlete-year
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👟 Our mission at On is to ignite the human spirit through movement. Inspired by athletes. Powered by Swiss engineering. Move with us, and Dream On.
We all know it’s harder to get out for a run in the cold, dark days of winter than at other times of the year. But if you can escape the duvet and resist the comfort of the couch, it’s always worth it.
There’s a bigger sense of satisfaction after a winter run than after a workout in kinder conditions. It just always feels worth it. And if you’re training for a spring marathon or dedicated to a regular routine, then investing in winter running will pay off big time when the days finally get longer. Visit: https://www.on-running.com

Dec 12, 2023 • 37min
Notre Dame's Olivia Markezich On Her Breakout 2023 – An NCAA Steeplechase Title, 4th at USAs, 3rd at NCAA XC And The 2nd-Fastest Indoor 3000m Time In NCAA History
"I approached that race with the mentality of just sticking my nose in it and trying to give it my all. I didn't have an idea of what place I wanted to be because that can add a bit of stress and anxiety on top of racing if you're set on getting a certain place. I just wanted to see what I could do, especially with being sick that week leading up to it."
Notre Dame senior Olivia Markezich just ran 8:40.42 for 3000m at Boston University's indoor track, which is the second-fastest in NCAA history.
It’s been a fantastic year for her. In the spring, she won the 2023 NCAA title in the steeplechase and then finished fourth at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She returned to South Bend for one more full year and capped her final cross country season with a third-place individual and fourth-place team finish for the Fighting Irish. She also signed an NIL deal with On earlier in the fall.
I’d say she’s certainly a contender to make the U.S. Olympic team in the steeplechase and might even win the whole thing next June.
In this episode, we chat about her rise in the NCAA ranks, how she found the steeplechase, why she returned for one more year, how she’s continually surprising herself in these races and her hopes with the Olympic Trials on the horizon.
Hosted by: Chris Chavez – @chris_j_chavez on Instagram
Guest: Olivia Markezich – @oliviamarkezich on Instagram
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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)

Dec 6, 2023 • 24min
NC State Coach Laurie Henes On Katelyn Tuohy’s Legacy + Winning This Year's NCAA Cross Country Championship
“It says a lot about her and her career in general. She came in struggling, having gotten hurt at the end of high school. I'm so grateful that this program was able to help her get back and that she had the teammates and support here that she was able to come back after a disappointing end to her high school career and be able to have the career she's had here at NC State. I know some of her last individual [performances] weren't what she was hoping for or what we thought could have happened, but for her to end on a team championship will mean a lot to her looking back and it means so much to our program, staff and everyone at NC State."This is a bonus episode that complements our interview with Katelyn Tuohy, who has decided to forego the remainder of her NCAA eligibility to turn professional and has signed a contract with adidas.
We chatted with coach Laurie Henes just a few weeks after leading the Wolfpack to their third consecutive NCAA cross country title. Henes and Tuohy are just two of the faces behind the women’s cross-country dynasty that resulted in those trophies along with NCAA regional titles and ACC titles.
In addition to the team's success, Henes has also overseen Tuohy’s training for four individual NCAA titles and three collegiate records. As one chapter closes for the duo, and another begins, not too much will change. Tuohy will remain under Henes’ guidance into the Olympic year.
In this episode, we’ll talk about Tuohy’s legacy at NC State, how coach Henes oversaw her development and what’s coming next.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG
🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

Dec 6, 2023 • 31min
Katelyn Tuohy On Turning Pro And Signing With Adidas + Reflecting On Her NC State Career
“It’s cool to see one of your dreams come true. I remember one meeting we had in high school where my coach was saying how he'd never coached a professional runner. And then he turned to me and was like, ‘Yet.’ So that was the first time I was like, ‘OK, someone believes that I can make it happen’. It's been really cool over the past few years chasing this dream and finally having it come true.”
My guest for today’s episode is NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy, who has decided to forego the remainder of her NCAA eligibility to turn professional and has signed a contract with adidas, she told CITIUS MAG in an exclusive interview before her announcement on Wednesday afternoon.
Ahead of the Olympic year, Tuohy plans to remain under the guidance of NC State coach Laurie Henes and may split time between Raleigh, North Carolina, and a possible training stint in Flagstaff, Arizona, to train at altitude for the first time in her career.
Last month, Tuohy wrapped up one of the most decorated NCAA careers by a distance runner with four individual NCAA titles; three NCAA cross country team titles; three NCAA records, 11 All-American titles, and five SEC championships.
Despite her long list of credentials, Tuohy is still only 21 years old. In 2022, she became one of the first collegiate cross country runners to sign an NIL deal - also with adidas - and has amassed a sizable fandom that includes over 100,000 followers on Instagram.
At the most recent U.S. championships, she finished 7th in the 5000m, the top collegian in the event. If Tuohy achieves the qualifying standard (14:52.00) and finishes in the top three of the upcoming U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials next June, she could become the youngest woman to make the U.S. Olympic team in the 5000m.
In this episode, we talk all about the decision to turn pro and what she’s looking forward to most. She reflects on her Wolfpack career and opens up a bit about what it’s been like being in the spotlight from a high school star to now.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG
🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

Dec 6, 2023 • 24min
Final Olympic Trials Qualifier Numbers, Valencia Leads To Big Implications For The U.S. Men's Marathoners + The Do's And Don'ts of DMs On Strava | The Lap Count
This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.
Join more than 15,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at http://thelapcount.com/
In this week's newsletter:
– Boston University: Still FAST!!! 🔃
– The closing of the window — CIM 🔚
– NXN: Talent is a dominant trait 🧬
– This Cross race was Sound 🎵
– Valencia Marathon — Ciudad del Running 🇪🇸
– Sliding into those Strava DMs 🚴
+ more rapid-fire highlights from the past week
You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/dm-not-dm
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
👟 Our mission at On is to ignite the human spirit through movement. Inspired by athletes. Powered by Swiss engineering. Move with us, and Dream On.
We all know it’s harder to get out for a run in the cold, dark days of winter than at other times of the year. But if you can escape the duvet and resist the comfort of the couch, it’s always worth it.
There’s a bigger sense of satisfaction after a winter run than after a workout in kinder conditions. It just always feels worth it. And if you’re training for a spring marathon or dedicated to a regular routine, then investing in winter running will pay off big time when the days finally get longer. Visit: https://www.on-running.com

Dec 5, 2023 • 25min
Yaroslava Mahuchikh's Journey Escaping The Russian Invasion of Ukraine To Becoming A World Champion
"In my mind, I have the situation going on in Ukraine. So it was really complicated for me to turn off this emotion and to be focused only on high jump. I'm really thankful to my coach because she said to me, ‘We come to show the results. We come for the gold medal. And we come for our country, to show all people that we are strong and will fight in all areas.’"
Ukraine’s Yaroslava Mahuchikh will make her debut at the 116th Millrose Games at The Armory on Feb. 11 in New York City.
Mahuchikh just wrapped up a stellar 2023 season in which the 21-year-old claimed gold in the women’s high jump at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest by clearing 2.01m on her second try. She completed her global outdoor medal set after earning a silver medal at the 2019 and 2022 World Championships and an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo in 2021.
Mahuchikh also earned a gold medal at the 2022 World Indoor Championships in Belgrade, Serbia – which took place just weeks after fleeing her home in Dnipro due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. She traced by car for three days to make her way to the championships.
She has been training in Germany and Turkey within the past year. At 21 years old, she has been very vocal about using sport as a platform for promoting peace and awareness about how the war has devastated Ukraine.
In September, Mahuchikh cleared a world-leading 2.03m to win the women’s high jump at the Prefontaine Classic and defend her Diamond League trophy. Following the meet, she spent a few days in New York City to celebrate her 21st birthday.
The Millrose Games is the sixth stop on the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold calendar.
Livestream and television broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more Millrose Games athlete announcements as the pro fields come together.
Tickets to the 116th Millrose Games can be purchased online at millrosegames.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG
🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

Nov 29, 2023 • 19min
Last Call For The U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials + How Much Is A PR Worth To You? | The Lap Count Newsletter
This is The Lap Count newsletter by Kyle Merber, as read by Chris Chavez.
Join more than 15,000 people who stay up-to-date with all the thrilling action and biggest stories in the world of track & field – delivered right to your inbox every Wednesday morning. Subscribe at http://thelapcount.com/
In this week's newsletter:
– Making 4.748 Mile PB jokes is an American tradition 🦃
– The NCAA All-Merber Team 🧑🎓
– LAST CALL FOR THE OLYMPIC TRIALS!!! 🔔
– How much is a PB worth to you? 🤑
+ more rapid-fire highlights from the past week
You can read this week's newsletter here ➡️ https://www.thelapcount.com/p/stop-procrastinating-otq
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👟 NEW BALANCE: Here's the thing about the Fresh Foam x 1080… I like them. I use them for running seven-minute pace from my house, and for walking to my car to drive somewhere else to go run seven-minute pace. They’re workhorses, and about as reliable of a shoe as you can ever ask for. When someone new into running asks me, “What shoes should I get?” then the New Balance 1080s are my go-to recommendation because everyone likes them and that theoretical person probably will too. Get a pair at https://newbalance.com/running

Nov 29, 2023 • 21min
Catching Up With 1500m World Champion Josh Kerr + Plans To Run Millrose Games Two-Mile
"I have this road map for what I believe will make the best Olympic final for me...I just want to make sure that the training's there. If the training is there, I am the best 1500m runner in the world. I just need to make sure there's consistency. So the way that I look at races is: What can I do to bring the most value to that race as well as learning as much as possible from that race?"
2023 1500m world champion Josh Kerr of Great Britain will headline the field for the men’s two mile at the 116th Millrose Games at The Armory on Feb. 11, race organizers announced.
Kerr, who is also the reigning Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500m and European indoor mile record holder, will be competing in his fifth Millrose Games since 2018. In 2022, he took second in the Millrose Wanamaker Mile. Earlier this year, Kerr opted to run the men’s 3000m against one of the most talented fields ever assembled. The decision paid off as he kicked to victory with a 26.98 final 200m to win in 7:33.47.
The Millrose Games is the sixth stop on the 2024 World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold calendar.
Livestream and television broadcast details will be announced in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for more Millrose Games athlete announcements as the pro fields come together.
Tickets to the 116th Millrose Games can be purchased online at millrosegames.org.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG
🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

Nov 27, 2023 • 44min
Florida's Parker Valby After Winning The 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships + Her Training/Cross Training Methods Explained
"It's not like I'm jogging on those days [that I’m running] or that I'm cross-training easily. I think people underestimate what I'm doing. When I cross-train, there are puddles of sweat on the floor to the point that our recreational center has to put out 'Wet Floor' signs because I sweat that much. One time, they put an 'Out of Order' sign on my machine because they thought it was leaking. Little did they know, it was my sweat."
Florida’s Parker Valby just won the 2023 NCAA Cross Country individual championship title after a runner-up finish behind NC State’s Katelyn Tuohy in 2022. She wrapped up an undefeated 4–0 season that includes wins at the Nuttycombe Invitational, the SEC Championships and the NCAA South Regional before winning it all in Charlottesville just nine days ago. She dominated the race and covered the 6K course in 18 minutes and 55 seconds to win by just over 10 seconds.
Parker is also the NCAA Outdoor 5000m champion and owns a personal best of 15:20 for 5000m and 8:49 for 3000m.
She has drawn a bunch of attention to her training methods after telling the media that she only runs two to three days a week while cross-training a lot in between. We dive into and clarify a bit about her training. We discuss what’s got her excited for track season and we answer a few of your listener questions submitted via Instagram.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)
📊 VDOT is offering 20% off their coaching subscription using the code citiusmag. Download V.O2 in the app stores or visit vdoto2.com to start your 30-day free trial. Athletes without a coach can use the same code and try out their fully automated VDOT Adaptive Trainer and sync to an Apple Watch, COROS or Garmin. Leverage the world-famous VDOT formulas and take your running to the next level with V.O2
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG
🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel

Nov 24, 2023 • 21min
Office Hours: Comparing the NCAA Division I vs. Division III Cross Country Experience
“I think the thing that characterizes DII, DIII and NAIA athletes is that they're super passionate about running in a way that differs from DI athletes. I always see the DIII guys and gals who are going to keep running well after college. They love it and that’s why they’re going to the smaller schools out of high school – because they want that opportunity to keep running. There’s way more passion rather than ‘I’m the best at this and there’s a scholarship on the line so I may as well do it.’”
The Lap Count’s Kyle Merber and Noah Droddy, 2:09 marathoner and D3 Glory Days Podcast host, talk through their experience covering the 2023 NCAA Cross Country Championships. Kyle was on the call for the ESPN broadcast for Division I while Noah was behind the mic for the Division III stream on YouTube.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS
🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is actually good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)
HOW TO SUPPORT THE PODCAST
💻 Visit CITIUSMAG.com | Our brand-new website hosts tons more podcasts, articles, videos and more. Track and field storytelling all in one place.
🎙️ Subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.
💵 Pledge any dollar amount to us on Patreon.com/CITIUSMAG or Hit us on Venmo @CITIUSMAG
🎥 Subscribe to the CITIUS MAG YouTube channel