The Active You

EPISODE 20!!

We had to do something a little different for this one.

20 episodes = 20 questions. Rob and John take turns putting each other on the spot with running hot takes, controversial opinions, NYC Marathon questions and a few opportunities to call each other out.

Do runners take Strava too seriously? Do you really need a hydration vest for a 5K? What's one popular running shoe John just doesn't get? Who's going to be more emotional at the NYC Marathon finish line?

And after 20 episodes together, what have these two actually learned from each other?

Episode 20 of The Active You is out now!

Now we want to know: What's YOUR most controversial running opinion?

All aboard! We're heading to the New York City Marathon!

Rob and John are officially on the train from Buffalo to NYC, kicking off our new mini series, The Active You: The Road to the New York City Marathon!

In Episode 1, we're checking in on marathon training, race-day nerves, weather predictions, and goals for the big day. Plus, we're talking racing shoes, packing for marathon weekend, and everything we're looking forward to in New York City.

Both guys are planning to race in the New Balance SC Elite v6, but how many pairs of shoes did they actually bring?

Have you run NYC before? Send us your best marathon tips! And if you have favorite restaurants, breweries, or must-visit spots in the city, we'd love your recommendations.

Follow along throughout marathon weekend for more episodes, behind-the-scenes moments, and plenty of running talk!

Cheers!

SO. MANY. NEW. SHOES.

Episode 19 of The Active You is all about the latest running shoe drops hitting Runner’s Roost.

Rob and John start with what they ran in today and, somehow, they both showed up in the New Balance 1080 v15. From there, we’re breaking down new shoes from On, ASICS, Puma and New Balance, including everything from everyday trainers and stability shoes to lightweight speed shoes and race-day options.

In this episode:

• On Cloudsurfer 3

• On Cloudrunner 3 Max

• ASICS GT-2000 15

• ASICS Blazeblast

• Puma Deviate Pure Nitro

• Puma Velocity Nitro 5

• Puma ForeverRun Nitro 3

• New Balance SuperComp Elite v6

• New Balance SuperComp Rebel

We’re talking stack heights, drops, weights, foams, plates, fit and, most importantly, what these shoes actually feel like and who might enjoy running in them.

Rob and John also look ahead at some of the shoes they’re excited to see heading into 2027 and talk about their plans for the New York City Marathon.

Which of these new drops are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!

The Active You is presented by Runner’s Roost Western New York.

Like, subscribe and follow along for more conversations about running, shoes, training and staying active.

Cheers!

Episode 18 is a little different.

A guest cancellation meant Rob and John were left to wing it, crack open a beer at the BEGINNING of the episode, and see where the conversation went.

They start with Monday Run Club after putting some miles in the HOKA Clifton Pro and share their thoughts on where the shoe fits into an already stacked running shoe market.

Then, the NYC Marathon gets real.

Rob and John talk training, race goals, fueling, logistics, what they're most excited about, who is definitely going to overpack, what they're eating after 26.2 miles, and why John's already planning on keeping everyone out of trouble before race day.

With 18 episodes officially under our belt, we also take a look back at The Active You so far. Rob and John share some of their favorite episodes, funniest moments, conversations that have stuck with them, and what they hope this show can accomplish as it continues to grow.

From running shoes and marathon training to finding the people who motivate you to get moving, this episode gets right back to what The Active You is all about.

Subscribe and follow along as Rob, John and the Runner's Roost crew continue training for the 2026 NYC Marathon.

Have a favorite TAY episode or moment so far? Let us know in the comments!

What happens when you decide to run a 5K at EVERY Wegmans?

Meet Ryan Smith, aka @wegmansrunner.

Ryan joins Rob and John for Episode 17 to talk about The Ultimate Grocery Run, his mission to start and finish a run at every Wegmans location, with more than 60 stores already checked off at the time of filming.

But Ryan’s running story goes far beyond the grocery store. He shares how he found running 13 years ago, getting into the Boston Marathon through an unexpected sweepstakes, running Disney and why his family has become such an important part of his journey.

At the time we filmed, Ryan had completed 8 marathons and was preparing for the Sydney Marathon. We can officially update that number: Ryan finished Sydney and is now a 9-time marathon finisher!

With Ryan preparing for Sydney and Rob and John training for NYC, the guys also get into the realities of marathon training: long runs, Buffalo summer heat, hydration, fueling, running shoes and, apparently, eating sandwiches mid-race.

Ryan also shares the story of proposing to his wife after finishing the Walt Disney World Marathon and the philosophy behind all of his adventures: create your own fun, dream big and build a “life resume” full of experiences you’ll want to remember.

It’s running, Wegmans, family, food and a whole lot of miles on Episode 17 of The Active You.

Running has always been about more than miles.In Episode 16 of The Active You, we're joined by Ross John Jr., founder of Run Like A Native, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting Native athletes, preserving Indigenous running traditions, and using running as a way to connect communities.Ross shares how running served as a vital form of communication for Native Nations through the historic Messenger role, where runners carried important messages between communities long before modern technology. We also dive into the stories of legendary Indigenous athletes like Billy Mills, Lewis "Deerfoot" Bennett, Tom Longboat, Jim Thorpe, and Frank Pierce, whose contributions to the sport deserve far more recognition.Beyond history, we discuss how Run Like A Native is creating opportunities for Indigenous runners today by sponsoring athletes, hosting community events, and encouraging runners to reconnect with nature, community, and the deeper purpose behind every run.Whether you're a lifelong runner, new to the sport, or simply love learning the stories that shaped it, this conversation offers a perspective you won't want to miss.In this episode:🏃 Ross's running journey and the creation of Run Like A Native🌎 The Indigenous history of running and the Messenger tradition🏅 Legendary Native runners who changed the sport🤝 Building community through running🌲 Connecting with the land through movement🎽 Sponsoring the next generation of Indigenous runners👟 What everyone wore to Monday Run Club🍻 Local craft beer to close out the showLearn more about Run Like A Native:Website: https://www.runlikeanative.orgInstagram: @runlikeanativeFacebook: Run Like A NativeIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share it with a fellow runner. New episodes of The Active You premiere every other Sunday, featuring conversations with runners, coaches, industry leaders, and the people helping shape the running community.

Running is about so much more than pace, finish times, or chasing personal records.

In Episode 15 of The Active You, Rob and John sit down with Brooks Running Tech Rep Courtney Schatz to talk about her journey from growing up in Montana to becoming one of the most recognizable faces in the running community across Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, and West Virginia.

Courtney shares how running shaped her life, why community matters, what makes specialty running stores different, and why Brooks continues to be one of the most trusted brands in running. The conversation also dives into the latest Brooks shoes including the Hyperion Max 4, Glycerin 23, Glycerin Flex, Ghost Max 3, Cascadia 19, Adrenaline GTS 25, apparel innovations, and what runners can look forward to next.

Whether you're training for your first 5K, your next marathon, or simply looking for a welcoming running community, this episode is packed with stories, shoe talk, and reminders that running can look different for everyone.

Topics include: • Courtney's running journey • Working for Brooks Running • Why specialty running stores still matter • Brooks shoe technology • The importance of local running communities • Group runs and demo nights • Trail running and staying active • Why anyone can be a runner

Subscribe for new episodes every other Sunday.

Hosted by Runner's Roost Western New York.

Summer is here, and so is marathon training.

In Episode 14, Rob and John break down what every runner should know about training through heat and humidity. They discuss why your pace slows down during the summer, hydration and electrolyte strategies, fueling for long runs, preventing chafing, choosing the right summer gear, and what it's like beginning training for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon with Coach Luke Rogers.

The episode also wraps up with a comparison between the Saucony Triumph 24 and the Nike Vomero Plus to help runners decide which max-cushion trainer might be right for them.

Whether you're running your first 5K or preparing for your next marathon, this episode is full of practical tips to help you train smarter all summer.

https://shop.therunnersroost.com/collections/episode14

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The newest running shoes are here, and we're breaking down all of the biggest releases!

This week on The Active You, John and Rob dive into some of the hottest running shoes to hit the market, including the ASICS Novablast 6, Saucony Triumph 24, Paramount Max, Procyon Max, Endorphin Elite 3, Mizuno Wave Rider 30, Neo Vista 3, R.A.D. Mallow, and the upcoming HOKA Clifton Pro.

From daily trainers and max-cushion shoes to race-day super shoes, we discuss what makes each model unique, who they're designed for, and which releases have impressed us the most.

We also wrap up the episode by announcing the brand-new Summer Send-Off 8K on August 20th at Wings Flights of Hope. Learn why we chose an 8K, what makes this event different, and how it will support an incredible local organization.

Whether you're training for your next race, shopping for your next pair of shoes, or simply love talking running, this episode is packed with everything you need to know.

What shoe are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and follow The Active You for new episodes every other Sunday.

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Saucony seems to be having a moment... but did they ever really leave?

This week on The Active You, Rob and John dive into why Saucony has become one of the hottest brands in running, what's fueling the success of the Endorphin lineup, and why the Triumph 24 is getting so much attention. They also discuss Puma's commitment to specialty running stores and how the brand has quietly become one of the biggest innovators in the industry.

Beyond running shoes, the conversation shifts to sports as they celebrate the New York Knicks ending a 53-year championship drought and talk about the excitement surrounding the FIFA World Cup. They also discuss why major sporting events inspire so many people to get active.

Finally, they recap the Saint Greg's race, why summer racing can suddenly feel so much harder, how to adjust to changing weather conditions, and why one disappointing race should never define an entire training cycle.