How much confidence does it take to chase a state title? According to Quaid Berger, sometimes you have to be “a little delusional.”

Quaid joins Ándale Run to talk about his journey as one of the top returning runners in Illinois Class 2A, from getting his start running alongside his older brother to competing on some of the biggest stages in high school running.

He opens up about dealing with an injury while carrying big goals, what he learned from a disappointing state 3200, and why patience and mentality can separate runners when the talent level is nearly equal.

Quaid also breaks down his aggressive racing style, why he considers himself a “from-the-gun” runner, his unusual pre-race visualization strategy, and why he believes setting goals that sound a little crazy can be a good thing.

We also talk about the importance of teammates, faith, prayer, staying grounded, and his hopes of making some noise when championship season arrives.

“You gotta be a little delusional. Delusional runners always make the best runners.”

🎙️ Confidence. Patience. Faith. Big goals. And a willingness to go for it.

Ándale!

What does it take to become a state champion—and help your team reach the national stage?

Aidan Connors joins Ándale Run to reflect on his career at Plainfield North, from discovering running in middle school to becoming an Illinois 3200m state champion and competing at NXN.

Aidan shares what it was like helping Plainfield North capture a team state championship, how he handles pressure and expectations, why he deletes social media before championship season, and the race strategy behind his state-title victory.

He also talks about running 70-mile weeks, why he sometimes chose extra sleep over extra miles, and the importance of consistency, recovery, and finding the right college fit.

Now, Aidan is taking the next step in his running journey at the University of Indianapolis.

🎙️ Team championships. NXN. State titles. And plenty of lessons learned along the way.

🌶️ Ándale!

Ruel Newberry is already one of the top high school distance runners in the country—and he has even bigger goals ahead.

After finishing 11th at NXN and running 8:46 for two miles, Ruel joins Ándale Run to talk about his journey from soccer to elite distance running, overcoming a heartbreaking fall at NXR, joining Nike Elite, and realizing he was capable of more than he thought.

Now entering his junior season, Ruel has his sights set on his first Texas state title and an even bigger goal: winning NXN.

🎙️ Ruel also talks training, race strategy, staying disciplined, finding passion in running, and why sometimes the best approach is simply to stop stressing and enjoy the process.

Ándale!

From middle school rivals to state champions.

Dixon sophomores Abe Garcia and Alonzo Bautista join Ándale Run to talk about how their relationship evolved from competing against each other to becoming teammates on a 2A state championship team.

They share what helped them through difficult stretches of their freshman season, the importance of upperclassmen and team culture, their goals for year two, and why Dixon believes another state title—and even a trip to NXN—is possible.

We also talk about handling expectations, trusting the process, visualization, and one of the biggest lessons they’ve learned through running:

You never know how close you are to breaking through.

🎙️ New episode of Ándale Run.

https://pealpacedtrackclub.com/

What does it take to become a better runner? Sometimes it’s simply showing up, day after day.

Coach Jake Peal joins Ándale Run to talk about his journey from an 18-minute high school runner to a 2:30 marathoner—and how those experiences shaped the way he coaches today.

We get into double-threshold training, developing athletes without rushing the process, the mental side of racing, and what it was like preparing 2A state champion Max Weber for his championship run.

Coach Peal also shares the philosophy behind one of his program’s mottos: “Pound the Stone.” Stay consistent. Keep showing up. Trust the process—and eventually, the breakthrough comes.

🎙️ Coach Jake Peal | Civic Memorial XC & Track

What does it take to stay consistent when the competition keeps getting faster?

Peoria Notre Dame senior Max Kirby joins Ándale Run to talk about his journey from starting cross country as conditioning for basketball to becoming a three-time Illinois All-State runner with a 14:20 3-mile PR.

Max talks about his goals for his senior season, racing in an incredibly deep 2A field, leading by example, building a team culture that lasts beyond one graduating class, and the mindset that has helped him compete at a high level.

His biggest lesson from running?

“Be comfortable with the uncomfortable.”

🎙️ Hear Max’s story and why he believes you’re often stronger than you think.

Ándale. Let’s go.

What does it take to build a high school running culture that lasts for decades?

Deerfield head coach Scott Friedlander joins the Ándale Run Podcast to talk about the culture that helped shape him as a runner—and that he now helps carry forward as a coach.

Scott shares his own journey from a 5:53 freshman miler to running at Brown University, the practice that completely changed his approach to the sport, and why Deerfield’s success goes far beyond workouts and mileage.

We also get into a great conversation about running and identity. Is running simply something you do, or can being a runner become an important part of who you are? Scott challenges our perspective and explains why he believes that kind of passion can carry into life long after competitive running ends.

Plus, we talk about Deerfield’s expectations for the upcoming cross-country season, high-mileage training, the growth of Illinois high school running, and one of Scott’s biggest messages to his athletes:

“Toughness translates.”

The mental toughness you build through running doesn’t have to stay on the course—it can shape how you approach everything else in life.

🎙️ Follow the Ándale Run Podcast for more conversations with the athletes and coaches shaping high school running in Illinois and beyond.

In this episode we talk with Ben about race tactics, what keeps him grounded, and recounting one of the most memorable finishes at Hoka Festival of Miles in the 800 event.

Join in and listen as we sit with Dean Geiger who was part of the 2A State Championship team for IL. We talk about how he started as a runner and his biggest lesson to why team is

important to him.

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