PreRace Podcast

In the season 1 finale of the PRP, Adam connects with professional ultra-runner, eccentric omnivore, father of two and budding philanthropist Michael McKnight who has been preparing for the Across The Years 24 Hour on December 30th, 2021. Michael dives in and gets vulnerable from the jump as he shares some of the difficulty he encounters when trying to explain to others the entire scope of what his athletic pursuits entail. What's different about the race Michael is aiming to conquer? He will be attempting to run the entire thing while ingesting absolutely 0 calories along the way. Michael explains both the genesis of his curiosity about his diet and shares why his past relationship with food fuels his current diet fire; while also touching on the story of how a dear friend of his, Jeff Browning, introduced him to the keto game at the inception of their relationship.

Recorded December 23rd @ 3:00 PM MST

In episode 15 of the PRP, Adam sits down with talented ultra marathoner, super dad, public relations strategist and Lansing community cognoscente Zach Crim who has been preparing for the Jackson County 50 Mile on December 4th, 2021. From the onset of the conversation, it's clear that Zach is an individual that doesn't ever pursue anything in life with less than a 100%, full on dedicated approach. Whether that be rocking as super dad for the day, to raising six figures for his local Crim Fitness Foundation by bringing individuals together through the power of sport, to tackling audacious trail racing goals. If Zach gets zero'd in on something, he is going to pursue it aggressively and he is going to approach it with a winning mentality. Although Zach has only been racing since 2019, his history as a competitive wrestler through childhood and college has propelled him to immediately excel in the sport. He shares the tale of incurring repetitive injuries in college which ultimately lead to him stepping away to pursue other interests. Through his twenties he fell away from being consistently physically active, until he had the distinguished honor of bringing new life into the world. The birth of his daughter, Sadie, inspired Zach to get back to being more active, and he quickly found that running ultra marathons were a tremendous outlet that enabled him to scratch his never ending need for adventure while also allowing him to be a present and positive daily influence in his daughter's life.

In episode 14 of the PRP, Adam prattles with seasoned sub 3 hour marathoner, founder of Bandit Races and enthusiastic community builder Brent McDermott who has been preparing for the California International Marathon on December 5th, 2021. Brent shares some information about his background and explains what an anomaly it is that he ended up in Ann Arbor for the long haul. He then sheds some light on the facets of his life that are more important than running, namely his relationship with his partner Chelsea and his elderly pup, Jasper. On that note, Brent provides context into his semi-recent transition to the morning run life style. With so much going on each day, it can be a real drag to get home from work and have to go out and hammer miles for a couple of hours. Brent explains why his evening routine with the ones he loves, which includes getting schooled by a lil Jeopardy, is so imperative to his wellness as a human being. Even with all the time and dedication he has to the sport, Brent stresses how crucial it is to allocate ample time to building and maintaining the relationships in your life with the ones that care for you.   

What in tarnation are Speak Easy Sundays?! Does Brent provide the hottest take on Strava in the history of the PRP? What key techniques has Brent picked up from his dog Jasper? What is Brent's hot take on the Boston Marathon jacket?! Has Brent leveraged his tremendous people skills to organize a squad brunch for post race? How do Adam's and Brent's understanding of the word "drip" differ from one another? Catch all these juicy deets in this exciting, welcoming and enlightening episode of the PRP!

In episode 13 of the PRP, Adam gets international and connects with seasoned runner and veteran trail trotter Mez Kennedy who has been preparing for the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100K [UTCT] on November 27th, 2021. Mez shares the tale of his innate relationship with running that he has spent years cultivating one small incremental step at a time. From running because his body (and belly) began to change in his early 30's to running ultra marathons, he hasn't put any pressure on himself to go big or go home. He simply gets out the door as often as he can and has let his love for the sport grow organically. Although he is now and avid ultra marathoner, that is not how Mez's story began, nor is it how he ever imagined it unfolding. Before his love affair with the sport began, he can remember thinking to himself how insane he thought people who ran marathons were. Funny how life unfolds, isn't it? Mez also shares his keen outlook on what it means to be an ultra runner, sacrificing some of his pace related goals for a more holistic and endurance-based approach to the sport. Mez then provides some key insight into why his career as a property consultant enables him to have an ideal work/life balance which is an important factor is his overall wellness as a human being. Because he has the ability to work when he wants, he can fit his training runs in whenever they are most convenient for his schedule which has really allowed him to blossom as a runner over the past few years.

In episode 12 of the PRP, Adam chats it up with first time ultra marathoner, fine art connoisseur turned finance whiz and colossal running enthusiast Allegra Krasznekewicz who has been preparing for the Golden Gate Trail Classic 100K on November 20th, 2021. Allegra takes listeners on a tour of her organized approach to fitness and shares a detailed review of how she is preparing to conquer her first ultra. Has Allegra created a multi-sheet spreadsheet chock full of pacing splits, nutrition and hydration details, cut off times, etc? Although she is sucker for organization, it is evident throughout the episode that she has plenty of chill to sprinkle in on top of her rigorous coordination. Allegra shares the story of her transition from pavement running where speed was her primary focus to a more ultra-based approach to running; getting out on the trails and reconnecting with nature while listening to her body and taking training day by day and step by step. The PRP listenership gets an exclusive taste of how Allegra leverages the power of choice on a daily basis to get in the right mindset to train, even when she isn't feeling up to it. Her main mantra? Mood follows action. Although it can be a pain at times to get up and get out, you can't sit around all day hoping and waiting to be in the mood to run. Simply get out there and get after it and the good vibes will follow suit. 

Edward Quinn, fellow running enthusiast and Allegra's husband joins the show as guest host and offers insight into what's it's like to be Allegra's number one fan and supporter as she continues to discover all of the avenues this sport has to offer. This newlywed power running couple shares details into how they approach success in the sport as a team. A runner is only as strong as those around them, wisdom that Allegra and Edward have been able to absorb over the past couple of years. Edward shares his once removed connection to Allegra and Adam's favorite ultra runner, Courtney Dauwalter, and the three launch (yet another) plan to one day get Courtney onto the PRP.

Recorded November 18th @ 7:00 PM EST

In the pilot ultra episode of the PRP, Adam welcomes fellow running podcast host and running coach Denny Krahe who has been preparing for the Colt 45 Trail Run on November 20th, 2021. Denny tours listeners down the road of his career; from athletic trainer at Middle Tennessee State University jogging around college campuses while on away trips, to independent traveling physical therapist, to running podcast host, to full fledged running coach and mentor. Denny breaks down his slow and steady approach and discusses how to avoid playing the comparison game when growing your running community, whether it be in person or virtual. If you really want to build a community that can help foster long term growth and appreciation for the sport, staying true to what serves you and not measuring yourself up against others is absolutely vital.

In episode 10 of the PRP, Adam connects with first time half marathoner, education counselor and New York City savant Kate Babcock, who has been preparing for the Philadelphia Half Marathon on November 20th, 2021. Kate shares the tale of how moving to New York and being exposed to communities different than the one she grew up in influenced her decision to go back to school and pursue a career in mentoring youth. Kate sheds some insight into what type of exercises she did in her everyday life, before race preparation began, and explains the benefits of being a "step ahead" because of it on week 1 of her plan. Things get vulnerable when Kate apprises listeners with a story about an extremely hot training run when her emotions and anxiety got the best of her. What happened to Kate on the West Side Highway and why wasn't she in Central Park where she normally runs?!

In episode 9 of the PRP, Adam jabbers with seasoned half marathoner and pediatrics resident Emma Singer who has been preparing for the Saint Louis Half Marathon on November 7th, 2021. Emma opens up about her insane daily schedule and sheds some light on how she manages to prioritize fitness whilst juggling a work week that bestows multiple 26+ hour shifts. Did someone say dedication station nation?! Listeners are regaled with stories that illustrate her free spirit, from running in the dark with no lights to swimming across lakes unsupported! Emma gets real and shares some keen insight into the tactics she utilizes to govern her healthy relationship with the sport. She also shares her positive outlook and intimate approach to Strava and explains why supporting those in her circle brings her so much joy and satisfaction. It is clear that her dedication and determination to doing what she loves, on and off the pavement, stems from being comfortable in her own skin and embracing the love and support of those around her.  

In episode 8 of the PRP, Adam breaks bread with seasoned runner and perpetual student of the sport, Gabby Ring who has been preparing for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 6th, 2021. Gabby shares her story of discovering running after graduating from the University of Michigan without a concrete plan of what was to come next. At a time in her life when so much was up in the air, running quickly became the primary pillar of her identity and enabled her to discover, prepare and succeed in her professional and personal life. Gabby elates listeners with a review of her extremely regimented preparation and training camp leading into Indy. Did someone say running valedictorian? Decide for yourself as Gabby effortlessly rattles off reviews of past runs and plans for future workouts. When asked what her goal for the race is, the response is short and to the point; with the amount of work she has put in over the past couple years, the undeniable target is sub 3-hour or bust!

In episode 7 of the PRP, Adam chatters with first time half marathoner, local PhD candidate and Social Justice advocate Audrey Drotos who has been preparing for the Ann Arbor Half Marathon on October 24th, 2021. Audrey provides a tranquil tour of her journey to becoming a runner that begins with her history of family backpacking as a kid where she fell in love with nature and trails. Throughout the episode she puts on a prodigious display of positivity and open mindedness which clearly translates into her even-keeled ethos around planning for and tackling this race. Her goal? Finish strong, have fun and embrace the people in her life that are along for the ride. A common theme that listeners will pick up on is Audrey's appreciation and admiration for those in her life that support her, whether that be in sport, personally or professionally. Make no mistake, she has put in a formidable amount of effort on her own to prepare, but her story is a prime example of how surrounding yourself by a supportive community can accelerate the confidence you can have in your ability to achieve big-time goals. 

Guest host, Dr. Mikel Haggadone, who is both Audrey's bae and running coach joins the show and discusses his didactic approach to collaborating with his boo to get her prepared for the race. Listeners get a brief run down (pun intended) on Adam and Mike's relationship as the two discuss their blossoming friendship which is rooted in a love for running. Mike carries the "energy torch" for the episode due to Adam's COVID diagnosis and does a terrific job (not shocking) because of his unprecedented enthusiasm and background in public speaking.

Have Audrey & Mike cracked the code to the recipe for success and fulfillment? It sounds like they may be well on their way. If you're looking for your weekly fix of unconditional love and support, this is your episode!