The Drop

Running is firing on all cylinders right now, which means that run culture is a multi-facted ecosystem revolving around branding, fashion, and personal style. Today on the podcast, Robbe chats with our run culture editor Alfredo Mejia, who joins him from Berlin to talk about the most exciting stuff happening in run culture, including everything he saw at Paris Fashion Week last month. Make sure you read all of Alfredo's stories at believeintherun.com, and follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alfredo.mejiaa/

Robbe is manifesting true Florida Man energy this week so Karl takes his place in front of the camera. Topics this episode include our fall race plans, beer floats, the final TransRockies Run, and more Summer GRIT updates. We also take a look at the Puma Velocity Nitro 4, the new lightweight daily trainer from Puma that is pretty versatile by all accounts. Join the boys this Sunday, July 27 in Brooklyn for "Coffee & Chill" and sample a pair of the New Balance Rebel v5. RSVP here: https://bit.ly/4o0Yop3INDEX0:00 - Intro4:44 - Tour De France / Maryland Cycling Classic8:39 - Mushroom the Dog / Karl's Chances of Getting a Dog11:51 - Fall Race Plans / Running Talk24:09 - Ruth Chepng'etich Doping Controversy29:15 - Summer GRIT Weekly Updates31:29 - Savory Ice Cream and Other Weird Snacks35:46 - James Gunn's "Superman" / Entertainment Talk42:26 - "Coffee & Chill" Brooklyn Event with New Balance49:18 - ETC Race at UTMB / The Final TransRockies Run1:00:29 - Puma Velocity Nitro 4 / End-of-episode NonsenseSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSSWIFTWICKThe best running socks in the game, Swiftwick is made right here in the USA, which means no price increases on account of tariffs. We're always running in their socks and you should be too. The Drop listeners can get 15% off their first purchase with code BELIEVE15.Shop here: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believeLMNTYou already know that LMNT has been getting us through Summer GRIT thanks to its blend of electrolytes and 1000 mg of sodium. It's a summer running necessity, and since you're a listener of The Drop, you get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: http://drinklmnt.com/thedrop

From Swiss underdogs to global heatseeker, On has won softly over the past decade with its unique approach to footwear design and performance. This week, Robbe chats with Ed Coyon, Global Head of Product for the brand, to talk about On's approach to running, design, production, and the all-new Cloudsurfer Max.The On Cloudsurfer Max is available now for $180: https://www.on.com/

Throw on your sweaty headphones and tune in for this week's episode of The Drop, featuring an elevator pitch for America's hottest new airline: Weight & See. We also hear about Thomas's trip to the Bahamas and Meg's behind-the-scenes look at the Brooks HQ out in Seattle. Then there's Robbe, who was just sifting through trash in Baltimore. Finally, we cover the Adidas Adizero Prime X 3 Strung, a super trainer sporting a 50 mm stack height in the heel.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSLAGOON PILLOWSWe use Lagoon to get our best sleep and you should too. Featuring super soft covers, Certi-Pur foam and customizable features, they'll help you find the best pillow for your sleeping style. Plus, they're owned by runners. Visit them and use the discount code BELIEVE for 15% off your first order: http://lagoonsleep.com/believeLMNTYou already know that LMNT has been getting us through Summer GRIT thanks to its blend of electrolytes and 1000 mg of sodium. It's a summer running necessity, and since you're a listener of The Drop, you get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: http://drinklmnt.com/thedropINDEX0:00 - Intro3:10 - Lagoon Pillows, Carpeted Bathrooms, Antenna Headphones11:42 - Meg's Seattle Trip / Brooks HQ30:13 - Thomas's Bahamas Trip46:03 - "Weight & See": The Premier Airline from BITR52:37 - Robbe's GRIT Treasure Hunting59:04 - Adidas Adizero Prime X 3 Strung1:06:28 - Summer GRIT Leaderboards

This was a bucket list one, for sure. Thomas and Robbe's souls meet body as they chat with Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service, as well as an ultrarunner and Speedland athlete. We dive into his recent finish at the Western States Endurance Run, what he listens to when he runs (Turnstile), as well as the release of his upcoming signature Speedland shoe, the GS:TMT. Pre-order the Speedland GS:TMT: https://www.runspeedland.com/products/gs-tmt-copyListen to Death Cab For Cutie: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0YrtvWJMgSdVrk3SfNjTbx

We're in the swing of Summer GRIT, big things happened at the Prefontaine Classic, and we try and figure out if cloud seeding meatballs can solve world hunger. If so, why aren't we doing that? Also, Meg heads to Seattle where she's going to dig into some mysteries outside of running. Finally, we talk about both the Skechers Aero Tempo and Satisfy TheRocker, two shoes on vastly different sides of the running spectrum.SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSLMNTYou already know that LMNT has been getting us through Summer GRIT thanks to its blend of electrolytes and 1000 mg of sodium. It's a summer running necessity, and since you're a listener of The Drop, you get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: http://drinklmnt.com/thedropSWIFTWICKThe best running socks in the game, Swiftwick is made right here in the USA, which means no price increases on account of tariffs. We're always running in their socks and you should be too. The Drop listeners can get 15% off their first purchase with code BELIEVE15. Shop here: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believeINDEX0:00 - Intro6:13 - Summer GRIT Week 1, Car Batteries, Customer Service23:57 - Mont Blanc Virtual Run-through / Western States 2025 Video28:33 - The 50th PreFontaine Classic / Nike Negativity35:41 - Robbe's Barefoot Race / George the Pup40:21 - Mr. Tasty Takes Over Baltimore42:35 - BITR Summer Events / Leadville 100 / More Western States Talk52:32 - Meg's Investigation into Portland Serial Killers58:48 - More Running Talk1:05:12 - Skechers Aero Tempo1:15:22 - SATISFY The Rocker

It's another episode with Taylor, head of the Dirt Division, and this time he goes deep with ultrarunner Seth Ruhling. As part of The North Face team, Seth took on Western States and pulled in a 6th-place finish. This interview took place before the race, so we talk about Seth's upbringing, his training, and obviously his favorite shoes for taking on long challenges.

Merry GRIT-MAS to all who celebrate, it's been good to get some miles with all of you this week. And what a week it was, as Thomas and Taylor and the Dirt Division headed to Western States, while Meg said oui to Paris for the Nike Breaking4 Project. History was made and we were honored to witness it. Watch the Breaking4 recap on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/bivyb7HoeRwSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSLMNTYou already know that LMNT has been getting us through Summer GRIT thanks to its blend of electrolytes and 1000 mg of sodium. It's a summer running necessity, and since you're a listener of The Drop, you get an 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: http://drinklmnt.com/thedropINDEX0:00 - Summer GRIT / Pre-recap nonsense18:36 - Nike Breaking4 Recap50:44 - Western States Recap

Thomas chats with Adam Gamble, founder of Nowhere Somewhere, a start-up run apparel brand featuring a range of t-shirts, hats, hoodies, and other apparel. Check out Nowhere Somewhere: https://www.nowheresomewhere.run/

We recorded this on Monday, but right now Meg is in Paris reliving the excitement of seeing Nike's Breaking4 project with Faith Kipyegon. Thomas and Karl are at Western States, while Robbe is home with George, making margaritas with LMNT mango chili rims. We also recap our fun weekend with Mount to Coast and then talk about Meg's experience in the Brooks Hyperion Elite 5.Check out all our Western States events: https://www.instagram.com/p/DLPvXYpslu0Here's the study on hair and wind drag: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/content/news/study-shows-hairstyle-and-clothing-could-cost-athletes-medals/SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSSWIFTWICKThe best running socks in the game, Swiftwick is made right here in the USA, which means no price increases on account of tariffs. We're always running in their socks and you should be too. The Drop listeners can get 15% off their first purchase with code BELIEVE15. Shop here: https://swiftwick.com/collections/believeLMNTNEW FLAVOR ALERT! Squeeze the most out of summer with LMNT’s new limited-time Lemonade Salt — salty, tart, and refreshing, it brings you the best of summer wherever you are. Get your free 8-count LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase: http://drinklmnt.com/thedropLAGOON PILLOWSWe use Lagoon to get our best sleep (like we will at the Western States Sleep Station sponsored by Lagoon) and you should too. Featuring super soft covers, Certi-Pur foam and customizable features, they'll help you find the best pillow for your sleeping style. Visit them and use the discount code BELIEVE for 15% off your first order: http://lagoonsleep.com/believeINDEX00:00 Intro01:00 Sorry forgot to index this week52:30 Brooks Hyperion Elite 5