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In this episode of the MindBodyMarathon, the host Dr. Leo interviews Jack Hazen, his former college coach at Malone College (now Malone University), where he ran between 2001 and 2006. Hazen has an impressive 57-year coaching tenure at Malone, during which he fostered a successful running program, leading the team to three consecutive national titles from 2007 to 2009. They discuss memorable experiences, including training at altitude in Mammoth Lakes and participating in prestigious meets.

Hazen shares his early coaching journey, which started in high school, and how he transitioned from wanting to coach football to finding his niche in track and distance running. The conversation touches on the impact of a serious health incident Hazen faced in 2001, which changed his coaching style and attitude towards training. He emphasizes the importance of understanding exercise physiology, a topic he regularly taught his athletes, regardless of their future career paths. The episode highlights the strong bond between coach and athlete, shaped by shared experiences and mutual respect for the sport.

In this conversation, the host and Jack Hazen discuss the importance of team bonding and motivation in training runners. Hazen shares how he adopted strategies from his mentor, Joe Vigil, who emphasized starting training sessions with meetings to explain the purpose behind the hard work. This approach helped athletes understand that their efforts would yield results. Hazen reflects on his early coaching career, including his connection with Vigil, who inspired him with his knowledge of exercise physiology.

Hazen recounts how he recruited talented athletes, including Bill Scholl from New Jersey, and how he implemented training philosophies centered around long, slow distance running. He discusses a memorable training tactic where he tricked his athletes into running long distances by promising a picnic, which ultimately taught them about their limits. The conversation also highlights how training methods and athlete toughness have evolved over the years, with Hazen expressing concern that current athletes may not face the same challenges as those in his era. Overall, Hazen emphasizes the significance of mental and physical toughness in developing successful runners.

In this conversation, the speakers reflect on the mental and physical aspects of distance running, emphasizing the importance of mental toughness in training. They discuss how current athletes often focus on physiological aspects of training without appreciating the mental resilience needed for success. Jack Hazen recalls his mentor, Joe Vigil, who believed that the mind plays a critical role in distance running. Hazen shares anecdotes about Vigil's teachings, including his predictions for athlete performance based on physiological testing and the establishment of the Mammoth Track Club.

The discussion also touches on the importance of coaching approaches in college athletics. The speaker recounts how their coach encouraged them to think of their running journey beyond college, which motivated them to continue running at a high level post-graduation. They contrast this with the experiences of others who have faced burnout due to more demanding programs.

As the conversation progresses, they discuss changes in NCAA regulations regarding team size and the influence of the transfer portal on recruiting. The speakers express concern about the increasing commercialization of college sports, particularly football, and suggest that it should be treated separately from other collegiate athletics.

Overall, the dialogue highlights the significance of running as a lifelong pursuit and the impact of supportive coaching on an athlete’s journey.

In this conversation, a coach reflects on his time at Malone College, expressing gratitude for the experiences and relationships formed with athletes over the years. He reminisces about the excitement of the 1972 team, which unexpectedly won a championship, and acknowledges that while all teams were enjoyable, the late '70s teams that won national titles were particularly exceptional due to their talented athletes.

The coach shares insights from his involvement with USA Track and Field, highlighting memorable experiences, including being nominated as a coach for national teams. He discusses the challenges facing USA Track and Field, particularly its reliance on volunteers and the lack of governmental support, contrasting it with the collegiate system that has historically contributed to the team's success.

The conversation also touches on the evolution of training methods, including the rise of plyometrics and the shift in stretching practices. The coach praises the contributions of a chiropractor who has positively impacted athletes' recovery and performance, leading to a discussion about the value of hands-on treatment in sports medicine.

As the dialogue concludes, the coach reflects on his career's blessings and the many lives he's touched, likening his influence to a form of ministry, fulfilling his mother's hopes for him to help others. The exchange underscores the coach's passion for running and his dedication to nurturing future generations of athletes.