Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

In 2019 our first episode was full of success stories and inspiration for our listening audience. However, we did not have a female perspective, so today’s episode will focus on Bethany Rutledge. Bethany is an endurance coach, writer, small business owner, who regularly contributes to triathlon and endurance sports publications such as Triathlete Magazine, Women’s Running, and more.A self-described ‘unlikely’ endurance athlete, she and husband John are now co-owners of Atlanta Triathlon Club, a large triathlon community in Atlanta, GA, and Energy Lab, a unique cycling and coaching studio. Throughout her career as a coach, Rutledge has worked with hundreds of athletes, each with their own inspirational story.Bethany is also a two-time Kona (IRONMAN Hawaii) qualifier and new mom of twin boys.  In this episode, Bethany describes her entry into running and endurance sports and her journey becoming an author and fitness coach. She shares with us how her book, The Courage to Tri: Finish Your First Triathlon. A Motivational How-To for Women, can help athletes of all levels have a successful Triathlon. She also educates us on the rules, various courses and distances of triathlon events and how stretching out of our comfort zones by trying something new and challenging can open many doors beyond just fitness.  

Goodbye, 2018; Hello, 2019 As we enter into a New Year, we take time to reflect on some running success stories close to home, even if they’re half a world away. ‘Close to home’ because our guests today all are part of the RunnersConnect family. Today we hear from our podcast editor, three of our coached athletes, and our founder, Jeff Gaudette. Jeremy Noessel began running in the spring of 2017 and completed his longest distance race to date this past summer; a 10-miler in the hot and humid New England summer. We get a glimpse behind the scenes and also insight into his approach to running. Jeremy also shares with us his favorite episodes from 2018. In 2018, Ethiopian-born Tensai Asfaw started competitive running in boarding school in New Jersey at age 15. He finished as NJ state champ in cross-country and the mile and received All-State honors. He ran at Princeton University where he was a multi-time Ivy League Champion and Captain of the Princeton Track team. He has worked with RunnersConnect for just over a year and has shaved 2-minutes from his 8K and 10K times and 45 minutes from his marathon time. Scott Borella added the RunnersConnect Strength Training to his training in 2017 and saw an amazing improvement in his 2018 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon races.  Scott talks about his competitive background and how he has applied swimming and strength training to his running program. Our third success story is Rodrigo Jara from Paraguay. He started running in just a couple years back and his speed and training intelligence has led him to overall and age group victories. A software engineer by day, he started training with RunnersConnect 2 years ago and it changed his entire perspective about running. He shares with us how he achieved his 2018 goals by working with his coach. RunnersConnect founder, Jeff Gaudette, now experiences most of his running life through RunnersConnect. He shares with us his thoughts on 2018 and what the future of RunnersConnect looks like.  

Unheralded runner Austin Brogan ran down Matt Llano in the final 200 meters of the 2018 US Marathon Championship. Hear how he clawed his way back over the last few miles and the story of those suspenseful final meters. Plus, learn about the training that has allowed Austin to PR from the mile to the marathon.

There is often a stigma attached to the run walk method, but when used correctly it can be amazing for beginners and experienced runners alike. In today's episode we chat with the pioneer of the run-walk method, Jeff Galloway. We will get answers to many of the common questions about run-walking and even discuss proper run/walk etiquette during the race. This is another of those episodes that you listen to over and over because there is just so much good information.

Using data collected on running injuries from researchers around the world, Dr. Reed Ferber is on the cutting edge of what causes and can help prevent running injuries. In today's episode we discuss how wearable technology can predict fatigue-related injuries, how deviation from a training plan leads to injuries, and what specific muscle weaknesses is likely to lead to injury.  

How do you push through those inevitable thoughts during a race or tough workout that tell you to slow down or that "it's just too quick"? On today's show we interview Gary Dudney, author of the Mindful Runner, about the techniques we can use to deal with pain when racing, push past it, and eliminate that doubt we all have. This is a great episode if you've ever wanted to learn how to develop a tougher mindset when racing!  

Holly Zimmermann, mother of 4 and ultramarathoner shares her experiences with training, planning, and gear for some of the most extreme ultramarathons in the world. Even if you're not into extreme races, her experiences are truly incredible and inspiring.

In this episode we interview scientist and journalist Gretchen Lidicker about the research behind natural supplements such as magnesium, CBD oil, and more. If you're interested in natural supplements and learning how they may help your running, this is a must listen!

Have you considered trying a triathlon? Maybe you just started training for one and are now realizing it's more than just adding a swim and bike ride to your run. If so, this week’s guest is going to be a game changer. Mikael Eriksson, coach, podcaster and triathlete and he is going to break everything down for you with some actionable and amazingly helpful steps to help you transition to your first triathlon.  

Mark Gainey - Social Media For Runners This week we hear from Mark Gainey, co-founder and Chairman of Strava, the social network for athletes. Founded in 2009, millions of athletes worldwide have joined Strava for the ability to track and share their fitness activities as a community whether they are running, cycling, hiking, racing, skiing, swimming or just working out.   Mark is a runner, cyclist and fitness enthusiast. Started as a youth soccer player later moving to Cross Country in high school, winning the individual State Championship as a Senior. After a collegiate career as a rower, Mark returned to running in the 1990’s and has participated in local 10k’s, marathons and an IronMan and has completed the Chicago, New York and Boston Marathons. He now has his sights set on an Ultra Marathon.   In this episode we learn how and why Strava was developed and has evolved over time and why so many athletes choose to connect through its website and app. Strava is device-agnostic, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on a GPS watch just to use it.   Mark mentions some notable Strava users, but some he didn’t mention include NASCAR drivers (7-time champion) Jimmie Johnson, (2003 Champion) Matt Kenseth, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.; former MLB player, Barry Bonds; fashion model, Candice Huffine; and former New England Patriots linebacker, Tedy Bruschi. Log in to Strava and search for your favorite celebrity or local athletes to follow and enjoy all that Strava has to offer.