RunnersConnect Run to the Top Podcast

Although running is an individual sport, do you sometimes wish you had the camaraderie of a team?  Michael Horvath, today’s guest, founded Strava, an online community for runners and other athletes. Through tracking, Strava is able to help you connect to other athletes and also compiles some interesting data, such as what time of day people tend to run and which cities have the most active or fastest residents. Michael got his start with rowing, then moved onto triathlon and running after he got out of college. He founded Strava (which, by the way, means “strive” in Swedish) in 2009 and now it is an international success. Some of the topics we’ll explore with Michael today include: ●      Michael’s journey to w [...]

After a career in international journalism, Chris, who is fascinated by the human body, wrote Born to Run, an international bestseller that is being made into a movie starring Matthew McConaughey.  His most recent book, Natural Born Heroes, is a national bestseller. Chris is a fascinating speaker, and I’m sure you will love every minute of today’s episode.  Some of the topics that we cover include: ●     What Chris has been up to since the last time we talked, about a year ago.   ●     Lessons Chris has learne [...]

We are talking to Ted Jaleta, aworld-class masters runner and former Ethiopian refugee who is now a citizen ofCanada. Ted is now a motivational speaker, a Hall of Fame athlete, and a formerwinner of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal. He has carried the Olympic torch and hasreceived an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In short, his story of how heovercame leaving a war-torn country on his own is inspirational. Today Ted talks to us about how it was to leave Ethiopia andsettle in a new country. He also shares his advice for people who are havingtrouble seeing positivity in their own lives. Some of the topics discussed include: ●     Ted’s background in Ethiopia, Sudan, Kenya, and finallyCanada   ●

Drew has been so helpful to me in the course of my journey as an elite, and he has some great insight on topics such as running form and strength training. Drew started training in 1999, and he helps people from athletes to “weekend warriors” move more efficiently and feel their best. He creates individualized training plans based on client needs. In today’s podcast, you’ll hear about topics such as: How Drew [...]

On today’s podcast, I’m speaking with Steve Kamb, founder of Nerd Fitness and author of Level Up Your Life. Steve helps people change their lifestyles by making and sticking to small changes over a period of time. Steve is one of the most brilliant and creative minds in the fitness industry. Rather than focusing on people who are highly motivated to work out, Steve tends to appeal to those for whom fitness was never a top priority. His goal is to make exercise and fitness fun, approachable and doable by anyone, even for those who would much rather play video games or attend a Star Wars convention than hit the gym.

Today’s episode features Ellie Greenwood, one of the best ultrarunners in the world. Her crowning achievement has been to win theComrades Marathon in 2014, and she had a long and winding road up to that point. Ellie is not a stranger to setbacks, as she spent much of 2013 recuperating from a string of injuries, but she’s been able to take it one step at a time to achieve her goals and extend her running distance little by little. As you listen today, you’ll hear topics such as: ●     How Ellie got started with running. ●

On today’s episode of Runner’s Connect, I’m speaking with Dr. Inigo San Millan, the Director of Exercise Physiology at the University of Colorado and a professional speaker on the topics of sports medicine, metabolic disorders and other types of health and performance issues.  Today, weare discussing exercise and carbohydrates. Nowadays, so many of our health, weight and performance issues are blamed on carbs. Dr. San Millan assures us, however, that carbohydrates are not to blame for all of our woes.  As a former athlete, having played for six years with Real Madrid soccer and having been a cyclist for two years, Dr. San Millan has the perspective of both a sports medicine expert and an athlete. Some of the topics that you’ll [...]

David Alley was the first person to both cycle and run around the edge of Australia. I know listeners will appreciate hearing about David’s multi-year journey to train and re-train his body for cycling and running great distances. They will also have the opportunity to hear David’s reasons for raising money for Depression awareness and why that may be such an important issue for runners, in particular. What makes David Alley so inspirational are not just his athletic achievements, but also his passion and compassion for the human spirit and other people. Listen [...]

All your injury related questions answered. From how to know which injuries to run through to how to handle the emotional frustration of missing out, today’s episode features a return guest who you all seemed to enjoy in his previous appearance. Physical Therapist, Brad Beer, returns to discuss injuries, rehab, and listening to your pain. This was a great opportunity to sit down with Brad and chat about such an important topic for all runners. Listeners will get some great information on how to assess your pain; when it’s time to take a break and structure an off-season; and pacing yourself on the road to recovery. Being a runner himself, Brad understands not only thephysiological aspect of injury, but the emotional and psychological effects ofhaving to sit out races. As such, he has become one of the most sought afterpractitioners in his field. Join us as we have a fun, [...]

If you’ve been listening for a while, then you know there’s someone very specific I’ve been working on bringing to the show: Meb Keflezighi. I love hearing his stories, and it seems like everyone always has something positive to say about him. Today was no exception — I had the pleasure of speaking with his longtime coach and mentor, Bob Larsen. He has coached at almost every level of the sport, all the way from high school students to olympians. He is also the founder of the Mammoth Track Club, where both Meb and Deena Kastor led the way.

We’re joined by Stephanie Marie Howe, thanks to the recommendation of our friend (and previous guest), Lauren Fleshman.  Stephanie has a PhD in Nutrition and has used running as her focus of her research along the years. She has many published papers, and has presented many times over the years about nutrition and how to fuel for runners. As for her athletic achievements, he won Western States in 2014, was the Lake Sonoma runner-up and is of course a record holder in multiple Ultra events, which is pretty impressive in itself.

Thank you for joining us for Episode 100!  Hopefully by this point you know that this podcast is a product of RunnersConnect.  We give you blog posts with the information you really need to succeed, and our primary goal is coaching in a community setting. This week I’m joined by CEO and founder of RunnersConnect, Jeff Gaudette.  We kick off today’s episode by discussing Jeff’s life story. His struggles as an Elite runner will give you a totally new perspective on RunnersConnect. Today’s topics include:

Does anyone remember what happened at the end of the Boston Marathon last year? Not the winners of the race, but I think most runners in America will know what I’m talking about. Do you know what Meb Keflezighi did as he crossed the finish line? He held a surprised Elite runners hand as they ran across. That wonderful woman’s name is Hilary Dionne, and she is our special guest today! Not only did she become an overnight celebrity, but she has an inspiring story herself.  So if you feel like you don’t have the time to get your training in, just listen to this; it may totally change your perspective. She started out by sharing what happened at the finish line and how it made her feel. Boston 2015 was two years after [...]

Running is risky, and injuries are common.  I don’t know about you, but I immediately go into a mad panic trying to figure out what I’ve done wrong. We usually jump to the conclusion that we must have done something in the last few days to cause it. Did you ever consider that the other 23 hours of your day that you’re not running may actually be what’s affecting you? My guest today might just change your point of view about the whole thing! Kristin Marvin is a performance recovery specialist. She has always been interested in all forms of bodywork (mental, emotional and physical), injury prevention, maintenance, mobility and strength [...]

Today we’re talking to the founders of Black Girls RUN!,Toni Carey and Ashley Hicks-Rocha. You know how the running community seems alot more inclusive than it used to be? I think a big part of that is because ofthese ladies’ effort and what they’ve achieved through BGR. Initially they met while pledging to the same sorority incollege. They weren’t runners at the time, but they became interested together,and they’ve inspired each other to keep going and built each other up eversince. They explain how they found other things they enjoyed and made themhappy through running, as well. Today’s topics include: