Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

We know that’s a sensational title, but hear us out. A study published by RunRepeat.com, an independent review aggregator for running shoes, analyzed 34,680,750 race results over the course of 21 years to conclude that American runners are steadily getting slower across distances from the 5K up to the marathon. We know what you’re probably thinking: with Olympians like Galen Rupp and Molly Huddle continually setting national records, how can that be? While it’s clear US elites are steadily advancing, the study found that the remainder of the field is, on the whole, slower than it was in the 90s. Now this could be due to a variety of reasons, and some argue one of those reasons might just be that the sport has gained a lot of popularity in the last couple decades. More runners of varying age and gender? We like the sound of that. While this is certainly plausible, others argue there’s another, less favorable culprit behind the trend: the rising rate of obesity in America. This is the hypothesis behind the study in question led by Danish statistician, runner, and founder of RunRepeat.com Jens Jakob Andersen. While Jens believes the correlation between slowing race times and the deteriorating health in America is too close to deny, he’s quick to remind us that correlation is not causation. When it comes to statistics, Jens says it’s always easier to debunk something that’s not true rather than prove something that is, and that’s exactly what he aims to do in this episode. Listen in and decide for yourself. Whichever way you end up leaning, you’re bound to learn something interesting about yourself and your fellow runner along the way. Questions Jens is asked: 2:28 Tell us about yourself and how did you become passionate about running?   4:30 What prompted you to start RunRepeat and what does your day-to-day entail?   7:02 How is RunRepeat’s Run Score calculated?   11:23 How should runners go about choosing a shoe that’s really right for them?   12:32 What did you find in your study of American runners becoming slower and what do you think the implications are?   21:43 Could it be that there just aren’t as many Americans in the top 1% to compensate for the greater number of people towards the back of the pack?   23:38 What would it take for Americans to reverse this trend?   27:02 Where are some of these Blue Zones located?   27:41 In your study on marathon results, what were some of the key takeaways you saw and what did the study entail?   31:58 Why do you think there has been such an increase in female runners over 50 taking up running within the last decade ?   33:38 Why do you think men tend to go out faster than they probably should when racing?   35:38 Why do you think runners ages 35-45 make the best pacers?   37:02 Based on the studies you’ve done, what advice would you give us on tackling our next marathon?   39:42 What’s next with you at RunRepeat? Quotes by Jens: “It bothered me how 90 percent of people bought the same five pairs of running shoes, and I thought, ‘Why is this happening?’ It’s happening because these brands...promote specific models, and so there becomes a hype around specific models.” “We looked at the finisher number (number 100, number 1,000, number 2,000, number 5,000) for each race distance, and what we found was that across this all were getting slower.” “It’s always hard with statistics to come up with a clear cut conclusion. It’s always easier to debunk something that’s not the case.” “Americans (as well as most other nations) are getting more and more obese, and their finish times are getting slower. But this is a correlation: two parameters that follow each other. It’s not necessarily a causation….So this is our hypothesis, but we cannot conclude it for sure with 100 percent certainty.” Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel Mentioned in this podcast: RunRepeat.com RunRepeat Article: American Runners Have Never Been Slower (Mega Study) RunRepeat Marathon Study RunnersConnect Race Pace Calculator NPR Article: Longevity Diet Tips From the Blue Zones Follow Jens on Twitter Send Jens an email We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

When it comes to running, some days are great, some are mediocre, and some are, well, horrendous. The same is true for runners of all skill level, and this volatility is not only what makes running one of the most mentally challenging sports out there but also one of the most rewarding. If you know how to leap the mental barriers. That’s why in this episode we’re speaking with runner, counselor, and sports psychology consultant Adrienne Langelier.  A Woodlands, TX native, Adrienne combines her own athletic experience with a background in applied sports psychology to help runners hurdle the mental roadblocks so common in running. Listen in as Adrienne shares her advice on how to strengthen your mind and overcome the mental blocks that might be holding you back. Questions Adrienne is asked: 2:02 How did you first get into running and how did you decide to become a sports psychology consultant?   10:05 What do runners of all skill levels have in common when it comes to mental barriers?   13:57 How would advise runners set short, intermediate and long-term goals for themselves?   18:19 What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation and what do they mean in terms of running?   19:51 How can extrinsically motivated runners stay driven once they achieve goals such as weight loss or set a PR?   22:37 How would you advise someone who is having negative thoughts going into a big race?   29:37 Do you use visualization with your clients and, if so, how?   32:33 How would you advise a runner who is experiencing difficulties or setbacks within a race?   36:28 How can runners not get swept up in a comparison trap to other runners?   43:03 How can runner’s improve their mental capacity?   Quotes by Adrienne: “Yes we have limits - whether that’s genetics, environment, whatever it is - but a lot of runners tend to impose greater limits than that actually already exist.” “One of the biggest obstacles that I see runners fall into is rigid goals.” “Pick something that scares you, but it’s scary to where you want to run towards it. You want it to be challenging but not threatening to you.” “Negative thinking has been shown in studies to increase muscle tension, which in turn affects our breathing negatively and affects our blood flow....If our body’s tight, our mind’s tight.” “If there’s something like inputs in the environment or there are triggers that are driving the negative thinking, do your best to eliminate them if you have control over them.”   Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: Adrienne's Psychology Today Profile Adrienne's Blog Follow Adrienne on Twitter Interview with Nick Symmonds Book - A Life Without Limits: A World Champion's Journey by Chrissie Wellington   We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top    Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

Our very own community manager at RunnersConnect, Tony Pallotta, recently joined the RunnersConnect team after owning and operating a specialty running store in Boston for twelve years. Leaving one running mecca for another, Tony now lives in Denver, CO where he continues working as a personal coach as well as training for his next big ultramarathon. He has raced everything from the 400 on the track all the way up to Ironman’s and has accumulated enough miles to circle the globe twice, including a double Grand Canyon crossing. Tony has dedicated so much of his life to helping other runners meet their potential, and not only is he our community manager at RunnersConnect but he’s also a longtime member. Listen in as Tony shares his insight, knowledge, and experience to break down some of the most pervasive misconceptions about injuries, shoes, and more. Questions Tony is asked: 2:22 Tony’s background 3:38 What was it like transitioning from a RunnersConnect member to a RunnersConnect staff member? 4:28 What are you doing for RunnersConnect? 8:16 How can people send you there questions or interview requests? 9:50 Has the Chump been stumped? 13:04 What was your experience with runners looking for specific shoes based on marketing or word of mouth? 19:41 How can people self-assess their foot type? 27:23 What was it like owning a running store in Boston? 28:57 How often would a runner come into your store looking for a shoe that would fix their issues on it's own? 34:51 When are orthotics helpful to runners? 37:19 What are your thoughts on minimalist vs. maximalist shoes? 41:17 What’s ahead for you? Quotes by Tony: “It’s that sense of community that makes running an incredibly healthy sport, more than just by the definition of health.” “I think when people think about their own ‘story,’, that it has to be some amazing, powerful story, but I tell people the details are different, among everyone’s stories, but the underlying theme is not.” “Fixing injuries really comes down to the runner being able to answer questions.” “You can have a best friend and wear Asics and they wear Nike, and your friendship will not be jeopardized. I promise. It’ll actually be stronger because you’ll both be able to run together.” “Running does not define me as a person but makes my life whole. It keeps me focused, healthy and inspired to constantly challenge myself and explore the unknown.” “Specialty run shops are still the heart and the soul of the running community in so many ways. If you’re struggling, you HAVE to go to your specialty run shop; they have a vested interest in fitting you properly.” “If I tell people I’m going to run 50 miles… I don’t even tell them because they’re like, ‘What? I can’t even DRIVE 50 miles.’” “When it comes to running advice: question everything.” Take a Listen on Your Next Run Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: RunnersConnect on Facebook Send Tony an e-mail Runner's World - What Foot Type Am I? (Self Test) Interview with Dr. Irene Davis USATF New England   We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

President of the International Association of Women Runners, Bennett Cohen is a renowned coach for women over 40 and has helped women into their late 70s reach new personal bests. Plagued by his own nagging injuries, Bennett conducted research on how to train smarter and use strength training. As a result, he was able to get back into full training incredibly quickly, as you’ll hear, and he has been able to remain virtually injury free since. He explains in detail the reasons why older runners in general, and women specifically, have different injury risks and training needs than younger runners and he also discusses strategies to help master runners of any experience level. He’s been an avid runner for almost 40 years and a coach for 16 years, and in this episode he shares his valuable insight on how to tailor our training depending on our age and gender. And don’t worry - if you’re a man or woman under the age of 40 - there’s plenty for you in this interview as well.   Questions Bennett is asked: 2:07 How did you first get into running? 7:27 How did you transition from becoming a runner to being a coach? 9:57 What prompted you to co-found the International Association of Women Runners and what is its mission? 12:10 What sets women over 40 apart from younger women, or even men, regarding their training needs? 15:29 Do male master runners also have different needs than when they were younger? 17:17 How should older runners structure a week of training and entire race build ups for sufficient recovery? 22:13 Do you think older runners should be doing two full marathons per year? 24:46 Are there any particular injuries that older runners, especially women, are prone to? 26:01 What can runners do to prevent  these injuries? 27:20 Why do you think there has been so little research on post-menopausal female runners and do you anticipate an increase in research in the future? 31:15 How can women make changes to their training, diet and lifestyle to mitigate the symptoms of menopause on their running? 33:51 How can women structure their training to be in sync with their symptoms or cycles? 35:34 How can insomnia sufferers get the rest the need for training and recovery? 39:26 How about for avoiding weight gain during, or post, menopause? 42:17 Is it true that running economy or one’s ability to use oxygen at a given pace decreases with age? 47:19 Do you have any tips for longevity in the sport? Anything younger female and male runners can do to set themselves up for success later on? 50:35 Do you have any advice for those over 40 just getting into running? 52:42 What’s on tap for you next?   Quotes by Bennett: “I’m not an elite runner now and I never was an elite runner.” “Gradually my coaching practice migrated to primarily women runners and they began enjoying success regardless of age, experience, or natural talents.” “My experience is that women runners over 40 are poorly served by generic running programs that neither age, nor gender, into account.” “A marathon is twice the distance of a half-marathon in distance only. It’s not twice the effort, it’s not twice the focus; it’s more like 3-4 times the effort, the focus, the commitment and the sacrifice.” “In North America the running movement is driven by women. There are far more women distance runners than male distance runners and there are more women masters runners still looking to improve and race their best.” “If the symptoms associated with menopause are affecting your training, they’re also affecting your daily life, your overall well-being, your relationships, your job performance; it’s kind of like everything that you do.”     Take a Listen on Your Next Run Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: International Association of Women Runners homepage Run To The Top interview with Jenny Hadfield Nancy Clark, MS, RD, CSSD - Sports Nutritionist Strategy Session with Bennett   We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsor for supporting Run to the Top Enter to win a FREE 6-Pack of Perfect Amino from BodyHealth   Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

Have you ever trained hard for a race, paid the entry and travel fees, only to have a bad experience because the race wasn’t what you expected? Enter BibRave. Tim Murphy and his wife Jessica are both avid runners who founded BibRave back in 2011 with the desire to separate the good races from the bad so runners wouldn’t have to take chances. BibRave is an online running community that allows runners to research, recommend, and leave feedback on races. This of course makes the website important to not only runners but to race coordinators and directors as well, and that’s why Tim and Jessica also help races improve and better promote themselves. Whether you’re trying to figure out where to race next or maybe you’re thinking of conducting an event of your own, this episode’s for you. And if you’re in the US (or you’ve raced in the US), be sure to nominate your favorite race for the BibRave 100 - a definitive list of the best races in America. Voting ends August 20, 2017.   Questions Tim is asked: 3:11 How did you first get into running? 5:45 How did you like Chicago as your first marathon? 6:39 What led you and Jessica to start the company back in 2011 and what was your mission? 9:42 What does your day-to-day work look like at BibRave? 12:51 When will the BibRave 100 results be published? 14:59 How does the BibRave community function - can runners simply leave reviews and tell other runners a little about their own race day experience? 17:00 What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve seen people make when organizing an event? 19:28 What are some social media trends and how can people in the running industry take advantage of these trends? 22:07 What does BibRave offer for smaller events with limited resources? 25:57 Is a new brand featured on each BibChat? 27:02 Can you share any tips you have on how people can use social media to build themselves a brand? 31:22 How can race directors start educating themselves about social media and engagement with runners? 35:00 What tips do you have for how people can choose an event that is conducive to their goals? 37:25 What’s next for you and BibRave?   Quotes by Tim: “The mission was to create a better place to learn about races, to further enable runners to talk to one another about what races are doing well and to create a more informed running community.” “We have some power users that it’s just incredible how many races people do on a monthly and even sometimes on a weekly basis, and then are super diligent about contributing those reviews to help other runners decide what races to run.” “I’m really sympathetic to the things races can and can’t control.” “It’s so important for races to be overly communicative with their runners. It’s almost as important as where the cones go and where everybody lines up.” “I always like to start when I’m talking with event directors or event producers by distinguishing the difference between digital marketing and social media, or social media marketing and social media engagement.” “In any brand exercise, the most important thing is clarity of vision and mission. So knowing who you want to be and what you want to be right from the get-go.” “If you’re a race director and you have really enthusiastic people who are signing up for your race every year, talk to them.” Take a Listen on Your Next Run Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: BibRave Website The BibRave 100 Nomination Form - Vote Thru August 20, 2017 BibRave Pros BibRave for Races BibRave for Brands The BibRave Podcast BibChat on Twitter Follow Tim on Twitter Follow BibRave on Twitter   We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsor for supporting Run to the Top     Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!  

Sleep, stress, and dehydration can all raise or lower heart rate on any given day, which makes heart rate training less accurate than we’d like.   That’s why co-founder and lead engineer of Stryd Jamie Williamson decided it was time for a change.   With his business partner Li Shang and a team of like-minded “sports nuts”, Jamie set out to create the world’s first wearable power meter for running.   Stryd understands how fast you can run and how long you can run by measuring energy output three dimensionally.   Its unique environmental sensors measure your movements - including forward and back, side to side, and up and down - to determine how fast, how far, and how efficiently you can run across any terrain.   And that’s not even the best part.   It collects this data at lab grade power to give you real-time, actionable target numbers that let you know how efficiently you’re running and make reaching your goals a whole lot simpler.   Listen in as Jamie discusses how Stryd works and why power is quickly replacing heart rate training. Questions Jamie is asked: 2:57 What prompted you to start Stryd and how has the process been so far? 7:39 How did you become interested in producing technology for runners and cyclists to train more efficiently? 9:49 How does Stryd differ from other devices like GPS watches? 13:52 What is ‘power’ as a unit of measurement? 21:07 What are the inherent issues with training by heart rate and how is Stryd more accurate? 26:37 What exactly is ‘critical power’ and how does it relate to lactate threshold and/or VO2 max? 27:49 Can someone simply determine their critical power from a 10k race? 29:25 Are other tests for critical power available on your website? 30:31 How does Stryd help runners with running efficiency, form and injury prevention? 34:19 When you're testing for inefficiencies with Stryd, do you get real-time feedback? 36:25 How compatible is Stryd with other technology? 39:37 Will Stryd ever be able to measure environmental factors such as wind? 41:50 What else is Stryd focusing on right now? Quotes by GUEST: “We have report after report after report of personal bests that people were getting where they were up against the wall and this technology allowed them to identify weaknesses that they could work on.” “Computing real-time pace is extremely difficult...When you’re in a car and you use your GPS, you can actually use it as a speedometer, but that’s just because the signal is so huge. You’re changing large amounts of position over short amounts of time because you’re going fast in a car, and it’s the opposite when running.” “Power is useful because it’s the only independent, objective measure of running performance,. It’s not impacted by any other things.” “You start the race with a full battery - that’s how much energy you have to spend in that race. Given the duration of the race, at the very end you want the battery to be empty. You don’t want it to be negative, you don’t want to leave some stuff on the course where you still have some energy to spare….You want to have nothing left at the end, and power is the way to do that.” “I will say a lot of people do use heart rate as kind of a safety measure. They’ll look at ‘What is my max heart rate that I want to stick to today and I don’t want to go above?’, and they’ll use it in that way to make sure they’re not overdoing it.”   Take a Listen on Your Next Run   Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: Stryd website Stryd Facebook community Follow Stryd on Twitter We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Enter to win a FREE 6-Pack of Perfect Amino from BodyHealth     Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

Ultrarunner, coach, and best-selling author Jenny Hadfield began running to lose weight, but, as many people do, she quickly fell in love with it.   However, one thing about the running world Jenny didn’t love was the formulaic, one-size-fits-all training plans that didn’t accommodate for busy lives.   She began working with runners to create training that fit their unique makeup as well as their schedules outside running. She works to make running more accessible, and she’s a large part of the reason the sport has seen such a boom over the last 20 years.   In this episode, Jenny shares her experiences and philosophies to show us that there is a more practical approach to training - not only with our busy schedules but also with our bodies. Questions Jenny is asked: 3:30 How did you first get into running? 6:14 When you first started did you see yourself doing all these extreme distance races? 8:10 What have been some races that you feel were defining moments in your career? 10:02 What were some of the difficulties you encountered along the way and how did you overcome them? 12:30 How do you use your experiences to help the athletes that you currently coach? 15:14 How exactly did you get into coaching? 17:57 What is the F.L.O.W.-based training system? 27:48 How do you coach your female athletes to train in sync with their menstrual cycles? 31:59 Do you think there will be more research on post-menopausal athletic performance? 33:41 At what point would you advise a woman to consult a physician for irregularities? 39:36 What is your nutritional philosophy that you use with your athletes? 43:19 Which calorie trackers would you recommend? 46:09 Are athletes hurt more by the quality or quantity of their fueling choices? 47:24 What’s a good in-race Marathon refueling strategy? 49:43 What advice do you have for beginning runners? 51:24 Can you tell us more about the color-coding system for tracking training? 53:36 What’s next for your own running and for your company? 55:36 Are your running vacations open to just anyone? Quotes by Jenny: “Running was always delivered in a form of punishment in team sports, so my association with running was painful and I didn’t like it.” “Every race that we train for and finish can be a pivotal moment; there’s always a learning lesson that’s involved.” “I learned early on that a template program is not going to work for everyone.” “I believe injuries are an opportunity for growth.” “I really needed to use my education in terms of fitness and exercise science and apply all those principles to a runner’s life, and really it was a mortal’s life and they wanted to run.” “But what I saw (when GPS watches came out) were runners going from tuning into their bodies, listening to your breath to looking at a number and defining whether it was a good run or a bad run or a fantastic race or a failure based on what they saw on that watch.” “There’s such a negative stigma about menstrual cycles and it’s one of the most powerful tools we have as women and once we embrace it and understand it and work with it, you will feel better because you’re now giving your body what it’s asking for.” Take a Listen on Your Next Run Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel Mentioned in this podcast: Jenny's Coaching Website   Jenny's Running Vacations   Jenny's Podcast - The Coach Jenny Show   Book: Running For Mortals by Jenny Hadfield   Book: Marathoning For Mortals by Jenny Hadfield   RunnersConnect Extra Kick Podcast - Ep. 116 - Running After Menopause   My Fitness Pal   Training Peaks   Sufferfest Beer Company   Run To The Top Interview with Caitlin Landesberg of Sufferfest Beer Co. We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Enter to win a FREE 6-Pack of Perfect Amino from BodyHealth   Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

“Nick Symmonds” has long been a household name in the running world. He is a two-time Olympian, six-time U.S. champion, the 2013 World Championship silver medalist, and the fourth-fastest American of all time in the 800 with a time of 1:42.95. He’s one of America’s best track athletes ever, and, at the age of 33, he’s retiring. Well, at least from the track. Nick’s passion for running and his relentless desire to do more has him turning his sights to a new, slightly different challenge: the marathon. Nick will toe the line at the Honolulu Marathon this December 10th, 2017, and he admits that he’s going to have quite a few barriers to overcome in the months ahead (barriers many of our listeners know too well). Listen in as Nick reflects back on his incredible career, discusses his objectives for both the Honolulu Marathon and his company Run Gum, and shares his insight on the art of setting goals and working towards them.   P.S. Make sure you enter the RunAloha Sweepstakes for a chance to win an all-inclusive, 4-day trip to run with Nick Symmonds at the Honolulu Marathon! Questions Nick is asked: 3:48 What would you say have been a couple of career defining moments for you in retrospect?   4:52 When you started running in High School, did you ever envision the career you had?   5:37 What about a low point and how did you get past that?   6:56 What led you to start Run Gum?   8:35 Had you been thinking about this type of product for a while before you started your own company?   10:15 How long does it take for Run Gum to deliver a caffeine peak?   11:28 What led you to decide to retire and has that decision been bittersweet?   12:48 Having retired from the track, but not from running, what made you choose to run a marathon?   14:45 What difficulties do you anticipate as you train for the marathon?   16:57 How have you used visualization in the past?   18:44 Can you tell us about the RunAloha Sweepstakes?   19:40 Can you tell us a little more about Run Gum? 23:18 How smoothly has the Run Gum company launched?   24:29 How has starting your own business impacted your decision to retire?   26:22 Why did you choose to sit out the 2015 World Championships?   28:51 Do you have any regrets about it?   30:06 Will you continue fighting for athlete’s rights in the years to come?   31:44 Do you anticipate Run Gum’s antitrust lawsuit against USATF and the USOC will be resolved in time for the next qualification trials?   35:50 How can listeners help facilitate improvement of athlete’s rights?   37:06 What has been your opinion of doping and cheating in the running world?   39:13 How did you continue to compete knowing you were running against runners who were likely doping?   42:31 What is your favorite flavor of Run Gum?   Quotes by GUEST: “I didn’t love running; I actually hated it at the time, but I enjoyed practice, I enjoyed the team.”   “I wouldn’t necessarily advise athletes to start a brand or company while their still competing.”   “I’m going out on my terms. I’m not being forced out for financial reasons or due to injury, my body just doesn’t do what it used to do and that’s OK.”   “If you take the time to visualize every single scenario unfolding, then when you’re in the race and you only have a ¼ second to make a decision, you’ve already made it. You’ve already played that out in your mind.”   “I’m not saying that Run Gum is for everybody, but if you’re in need of energy and focus in a lightweight, affordable, easily consumed package this is for you.”   “As an athlete, you NEED to have an exit plan.”   Take a Listen on Your Next Run   Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: The RunAloha Sweepstakes Rungum.com The Honolulu Marathon Nick's YouTube Vlog NickSymmonds.com Follow Nick on Twitter Follow Nick on Instagram Follow Run Gum on Twitter Follow Run Gum on Instagram We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Enter to win a FREE 6-Pack of Perfect Amino from BodyHealth     Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

Closing the Gap Between Who We Are and Who We Can Be - With Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano Adam Goucher & Tim Catalano met at the University of Colorado where they ran together under esteemed coach Mark Wetmore. It was there that a lasting friendship was born, and Tim and Adam later went on to pen a book on their combined experiences and studies. The book is called Running the Edge, and it is as much about life as it is about running. Running the Edge served as a philosophical foundation for their business, Run The Edge, a community of fitness and fun based in Boulder, Colorado. The ultimate goal of Run The Edge is to help people around the world improve their fitness and overall well-being, and to encourage all levels of transformation and growth through community support. Adam and Tim are big believers in the power of reflection and self-awareness, and as they strive to help others better themselves in running and beyond, they’re continually working to do the same. Take a listen and learn how the power of positive psychology can help us close the gap between who we are and who we can be.   Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss today:   Adam and Tim’s running background Key principles in their book, Running the Edge How successful running and successful living are intertwined The importance of self awareness Why having multiple sources of passion is important How the challenge of running changes as we age   Questions Adam & Tim are asked: 3:56 How did you start running and what sparked your interest in it? 8:01 What inspired you to write your book Running the Edge? 10:53 What are some of the principles from the book? 12:47 How do these principles relate to your company and how did you come up with the name Run The Edge? 15:02 What are “The Six Mirrors”? 16:27 Did you have any learning or self-discovery moments as you wrote the book? 20:59 What is the dynamic like of being longtime friends and working together? 24:27 Did this dynamic exist between you back in college? 27:04 How do you advise people to find other passions without sacrificing their running? 31:30 What advice do you give to older runners, especially older beginners, who may be past their peak conditioning? 35:20 In your book, what do you mean by the Distance Maven and how did you come by that term? 40:29 What is your Amerithon Challenge? 44:55 Is there a time frame requirement for completing the challenge? 46:40 Can people join in any time after the launch? 47:34 Are most of your clients in America or overseas? 48:15 What’s in the future for Run The Edge?   Quotes by Adam & Tim: “It’s weird how (running) can make you happy and miserable all at the same time.” “We didn’t want to write a normal running book.” “Am I applying myself to the point where I’m working as hard as I can and doing things the right way? Because if I am, then I will be successful.” “Here’s what I really am. And here’s my ideal self, which is where I could be and try to look at the gap between those two things.” “Awareness is the key. Once you are aware of your shortcomings, you have the ability to fix them.” “You’ve gotta be more than a runner.” “I’ll never be as fast as I once was, but that doesn’t mean I can’t challenge myself to do new and different things.”   Take a Listen on Your Next Run Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel   Mentioned in this podcast: Interview with Caitlin Landesberg of Sufferfest Beer Company Book: Running the Edge runtheedge.com Book: The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell Amerithon Challenge (use promo code: runnersconnect to save $5 off your purchase) We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Enter to win a FREE 6-Pack of Perfect Amino from BodyHealth Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!

Playing to Your Strengths with Esther Atkins When Skechers Performance athlete Esther Atkins realized she didn’t quite possess the genetics to become an 800 meter specialist, she set her sights on something different - and it’s lucky she did. One of America’s best marathoners today, Esther was the 2014 US Marathon champion and earned a spot on the World Championships Marathon team in 2015. With a blazing personal best of 2:33:15 and many more achievements to her name, it’s clear Esther found her calling. But just as with most runners, Esther’s career has not been without its setbacks. From severe performance anxiety to plain old bad races, Esther has persevered through a lot to become the accomplished competitor she is today, and she credits a large part of her success to avoiding comparisons and focusing on her strengths. Listen in as Esther shares her inspiring story and her tips for capitalizing on the strengths unique to you and your body. Here are some of the topics we’ll discuss today:   Esther’s running background Esther’s worst race ever and what she learned from it How to bounce back from bad days Mental toughness The pitfalls of comparison Determining and maximizing your strengths Tricks for setting goals   Questions Esther is asked:   3:37 How did you first get into running?   8:40 How did your collegiate running turn into becoming a career marathoner?   17:19 What were some of the strategies you used to manage your pre-race anxieties?   21:29 What sparked your passion for the marathon?   27:54 Would you consider that 3rd marathon a defining race that changed the course of your career?   28:23 What did you credit that great pace to?   30:26 Why do you consider your 2nd marathon one of your worst races and what were your takeaways from it?   41:20 How do you bounce back after a bad race?   44:13 What is one of your proudest accomplishments to date?   47:01 What are your tips for enjoying every day and the process that is being a runner?   51:27 What advice do you have regarding setting goals?   53:54 How do you advise people to avoid the comparison rrap?   58:26 What's next for you and Skechers?       Quotes by Esther:  “Pick a point in the race where the people around me at this point are the people I’m racing - that’s my race. And if I beat all the people around me or that person in front of me….that’s me winning the race.” “At 30k….I stepped off the course and sat down and I had a little pity fest….and then I started walking and then I started jogging because I was like ‘this is going to take forever’. Then I heard this voice over the PA….say in German, ‘Come on, ladies. Four of the top sixteen have already dropped out. Come on - just have fun like the rest of us!’ And I was like ‘you are so right’.” “As I got so much better at the marathon, I was like ‘oh all my other times are going to get so much faster’, and it just didn’t happen that way.” “A coach that I worked with at Rider, Bob Hamer - he’s the head coach there - he had his own version of it from yoga class where it’s just focus on your own mat and your own practice, and that’s so important to happiness. The key to happiness is not comparing yourself.”   Take a Listen on Your Next Run    Want more awesome interviews and advice? Subscribe to our iTunes channel    Mentioned in this podcast: ZAP Fitness Esther’s Blog Skechers Follow Esther on Instagram Follow Esther on Twitter    We really hope you’ve enjoyed this episode of Run to the Top. The best way you can show your support of the show is to share this podcast with your family and friends and share it on your Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media channel you use. If more people who know about the podcast and download the episodes, it means I can reach out to and get through to the top running influencers, to bring them on and share their advice, which hopefully makes the show even more enjoyable for you! -- Thank you to our sponsors for supporting Run to the Top Enter to win a FREE 6-Pack of Perfect Amino from BodyHealth     Send an email to info@pacifichealthlabs.com with the subject line "Run to the Top" and ask for your FREE Accel Gel samples. Don't forget to include your address!