The Art and Science of Running

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we speak with author and ultra runner, Katie Arnold @katiearnold, about love, loss, parenting, and the roles of movement and stillness in the creative process.

Katie is the author of Running Home: A Memoir as well as an editor and columnist for Outside Magazine where she writes the popular parenting column, Raising Rippers. In addition to writing, Katie is an accomplished trail and ultra runner. Katie has won the iconic Leadville 100 as well as the multi-day TransRockies Run. Katie does all of this while being a partner, mother, and writing retreat leader.

Running Home: A Memoir

Jacob Puzey @jacobpuzey met Katie at the TransRockies Run and reached out after reading her book, Running Home: A Memoir. At the time of the interview, Jacob felt like they were able to connect about many of the themes of her book, but it wasn’t until the recent ordeal with his brother, Tommy @tommy_rivs, that he more fully appreciated the toll that it takes on someone when a person that they love is suffering from a distance.

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we speak with Sara Hall @sarahall3 shortly after she set a new Half Marathon world record on the treadmill and just before she came from behind to finish second at the London Marathon. 

Sara has been one of the top American distance runners for decades. However, rather than review a lifetime of accolades and accomplishments, we dive into what makes Sara tick. Jacob @jacobpuzey and Sara talk about her motivations, her family, and her goals as a runner, global citizen, mother and a partner.

Additionally, we discuss the pros and cons of having her partner (American Record holder, Ryan Hall) as her coach and the strains and gains that can place on the relationship or the training dynamic. How did Sara and Ryan decided to adopt and raise three children in the prime of their athletic careers? How they have learned to juggle the various responsibilities of parenthood and professional running?

We discuss all of this and more in the latest episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast.

For more information about the work that Sara and Ryan are doing through the Hall Steps Foundation, please visit https://charity.gofundme.com/stepsfoundation

We really enjoyed learning from Sara and are confident that you’ll also learn from the insights that she shares.

Show Sponsor: Inside Tracker

This episode is sponsored by Inside Tracker.

InsideTracker is the ultra-personalized nutrition and wellness platform that analyzes data from your blood, DNA, and lifestyle to help you optimize your body and reach your goals.

InsideTracker’s patented system will transform your body’s data into knowledge, insights, and a customized action plan of science-backed recommendations.

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We kick off our second season of the Art and Science of Running Podcast reconnecting hosts Jacob Puzey and Malc Kent from across the pond. Jacob is in Canada. Malc is in the UK. They’ve each had the opportunity to record new episodes. They’re excited to share these episodes in the coming weeks.

Jacob and Malc preview future episodes including one we recorded with London Marathon runner Up, Sara Hall. They also summarize and provide an update on Jacob’s brother, Tommy Rivers Puzey. Tommy joined us for episode 11 of season one of the Art and Science of Running podcast. For more information about the various initiatives to support Tommy and his young family, please visit https://linktr.ee/jacobpuzey

Malc shares some changes taking place in his role at RunScribe including the pro user course. For more information, please visit https://runscribe.com/courses/pro-user-course/

All of this and more in this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast.

Intro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by Dallin Puzey.

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In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we visit with world record holder, runner, pastor, community builder and recent 100K and 50K Treadmill World Record setter, Mario Mendoza @mendozarunner Mario was recently a part of the Chaski Challenge during which eight world records were broken on treadmills around the world. Mario was joined by former podcast guest and fellow Bend resident, Max King @maxkingor

World Records for a Cause

Earlier in 2020, Mario set a new 50K Treadmill World Record in front of a gym full of students and community members in Madras, Oregon. Madras High School is made up of a diverse population including 1/3 Native American, 1/3 Hispanic, and 1/3 Anglo. Madras is a community that Mario and his wife have invested in.

Mario didn’t choose to run in the most ideal setting to break the previously held world 50K record. He knew that it would require more work and effort and fitness to achieve the goal at altitude and in a crowded gym without air conditioning, but his reasons for wanting to set the record outweighed his desire for an easy mark. Mario wanted to inspire others. He specifically wanted the kids and community that he has worked with to have a reason to hope and an example of what is possible.

Change Takes Time, Patience, Commitment, and Investment

Mario knew early on that he wanted to try and set the world record in Madras, but he also knew that it would take time to build enough rapport in the community for it to have any meaning. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

Similarly, Mario knows that racial tensions in America are real. He has lived them on a regular basis. And yet he knows that the path to change will take time. It will require individuals investing in building personal relationships. It will take love and patience. It will take hope. Mario has hope in a brighter future.

Running to Build Bridges

Mario, Max, and Renee all live and train in Bend, Oregon. They recognize that there is a need in their community to diversity and increase access to running for all people. They dedicated their record setting runs to a camp that they organize to offer opportunities for kids throughout Central Oregon of diverse backgrounds to come together and learn with and from one another.

Read here to learn more about the Central Oregon Youth Running Camp.

There wasn’t enough time to discuss all of the good work that Mario is doing in his community. Mario is using his platform for good.

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we visit with multi world record holder, Zach Bitter @zachbitter. Zach recently set a new 100 mile and 12 hour treadmill world record and already held the track and trail world records for the 100 mile distance. One thing that made this particular world record unique (apart from being a world record) is that Zach coordinated a very elaborate live stream production of the entire run which brought in prominent voices in the sport including former Art and Science of Running guests, Dr. Tommy Rivers Puzey @tommy_rivs, Geoffrey Burns Ph. D. @geoffreyburns, Jamil Coury @jamilcoury and Art and Science of Running podcast co-host, Jacob Puzey @jacobpuzey.

In addition to former guests from our show, the 12+ hour livestream also included endurance legends such as Ultramarathonman, Dean Karnazes @ultramarathon, Six-Time Ironman Champion, Dave Scott @davescott6x, former 100 mile treadmill world record holder, Dave Proctor @daveoutrunsrare, overall Big’s Backyard Ultra champion, Maggie Guterl @maggatronsruns, Western States and UTMB Champion, Courtney Dauwalter @courtneydauwalter, and podcasters Eric Schranz

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast, Malc talks with Alper Aydemir, founder of Volumental foot scanning technology company. During the hour long conversation Alper describes how he developed the original technology and then applied it to helping people scan their feet to better understand their foot shape.

This discussion touches on entrepreneurialism, technology that can help runners, and just how an innovative idea can find its feet. As Alper explains, Volumental is the household name in foot scanning and can be found in more than 12,000 stores worldwide – helping runners get a better match between their feet and their new shoes. 

This is a published research report from Volumental focusing on how different ethnicities have different shaped feet and why that should matter to footwear brands – Analysis of 1.2 million foot scans from North America, Europe and Asia

Volumental powers Fleet Feet’s Drop Shop  For more information, please visit: www.volumental.com

Show Sponsors

This is episode is presented by RunScribe food pods and the remote gait analysis provided by show host, Malc Kent of Runfisix.

THE ULTIMATE REMOTE GAIT ANALYSIS SOLUTION

A set of RunScribe pods and a remote gait analysis

RunScribe Pods

RunScribe pods are the most comprehensive and affordable running gait sensors in the consumer and professional market today. They are used by more than 500 leading clinics, training centers and research laboratories around the world. They have also been used by many of the world’s well known shoe manufacturers for shoe research and development. Their suite of lab validated and trusted metrics thoroughly profile your running gait no matter what environment or event you are running in.

Along with the comprehensive set of core gait metrics (many of which measure the left and right side independently) you also get the ability to record specific pain points for a run, tag the model of shoes you wore and tag the type of terrain you ran on. 

More on RunScribe: https://runscribe.com

More on the core metrics: https://runscribe.com/metrics/

Runfisix Analysis

Runfisix’s world leading gait analysis allows you to get the most out of your RunScribe pods by providing a detailed assessment of exactly how you run in your normal environment and what this means for you in terms of injury prevention,

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with world class ultrarunner, race director, and entrepreneur, Jamil Coury (@jamilcoury) about all of the changed taking place in the sport with the need to cancel events due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. Jamil is leading the way as a race director, pivoting from putting on over 30 trail and ultrarunning events per year across the American Southwest to offering a number of virtual options which extend beyond the US border and provide a sense of purpose and meaning for runners around world.

Aravaipa Strong

What started as a means of engaging runners between cancelled or postponed events, Jamil and his team at Aravaipa Running created a virtual 10 day running challenge called Aravaipa Strong that allowed people to select a distance and try to cover it anytime during the 10 day window. But this event didn’t just draw in those signed up to run an Aravaipa race in the Spring of 2020 – it drew in runners from all parts of the globe.

Insomniac Night Runs

Aravaipa Strong was such a success that Jamil and his team decided to create additional virtual challenges that runners can tackle in the coming weeks. The Insomniac Series has been a night run series that Aravaipa puts on through the hot desert months in Arizona, but now people can do these events from anywhere and participate in a variety of categories, distances, challenges throughout the summer months through the Carpe Noctem Virtual Night Run Series Pass.

Limitless Vertical Challenge

If running at night isn’t your thing, Aravaipa is also hosting a virtual climbing challenge called the Limitless Vertical Challenge. In this challenge, runners can take on challenges ranging from once up the Empire State Building to twice up Mt. Everest.

Personal Touch

While Jamil’s personal running career has been extensive and rather accomplished (top 10 at Hardrock 100), one thing that sets Jamil apart in the trail and ultrarunning community is the artistic way in which he contributes to the community. Both as a race director and content creator, Jamil is an artist in every sense of the word. He incorporates elements of other races into his own, but definitely adds a personal touch to each event whether that is with the custom medals, unique overall awards, brick oven pizza, or professional video coverage – every event that Jamil directs is a world-class production.

In the case of virtual races, Jamil cut his teeth on virtual races while running a Helipad Marathon on a very small loop atop the roof of the Aravaipa Running headquarters the night before a stay-at-home order went into effect in the state of Arizona.

Behind the Lens

Jamil extends his artistry from race directing to the camera – filming and producing some of the best running footage on the Internet and posts it to the Run Steep Get High cha...

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with Gary Robbins about running professionally, coaching, and race directing amidst the current coronavirus crisis. Specifically, we discuss virtual racing, reciprocity with partners, fellow race directors, and runners.

Gary has become a household name in the sport of trail and ultrarunning, but long before the Barkley Marathon, Gary was setting FKTs, course records at iconic races such as the HURT 100, and establishing himself as one of the best in the sport.

Perhaps, what makes Gary so endearing, however, is his humble, affable, authentic nature. In this episode, we dive into what makes Gary who he is and what he does to preserve his humanity, authenticity, and ability to be present.

Being Present by Setting Boundaries & Saying No

Anyone who has spent time with Gary – even if it is listening to an interview, or attending a speaking series, or watching him on the big screen recognizes his presence. Gary has the ability to be present in large groups while somehow also making each individual feel like he is present for them. He is present for his family, his wife, Linda, and son, Reed. He is present for his friends. He is present for the athletes he coaches. He is present for the thousands of runners who run his races and present for the millions of fans around the world who have watched his videos on YouTube.

We asked Gary how he is able to maintain such presence while ensuring that he is also caring for himself. Gary attributes his ability to be present with his ability to set and maintain boundaries. Especially after the Barkley Marathon 2017, Gary had to learn to say no so that he could continue to say yes to the people and commitments closest to him. In turn, this has enabled Gary to be who he needs to be to the myriad people who want him to be present.

This was Gary’s second podcast in three years despite countless requests to do so. He broke the silence recently on the Well – the show of fellow ultrarunner, Dylan Bowman. We are grateful that Gary took the time to connect with us and share some insight into what is currently motivating him and inspiring him to continue to lead our community.

Reciprocity

Gary stands out as a leader amongst race directors with his efforts to build community and establish ties of reciprocity. His recent initiative, Support Local,

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast, we speak with fellow podcaster, Jonathan Levitt. While relatively new to running, Jonathan jumped in with both feet and has made an instant impact on the sport and community since he started running a few years ago.

Jonathan hails from Boston – home of the historic Boston Marathon. Jonathan became a runner right after the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings and as they say, the rest is history.

Since he started running, Jonathan has dedicated himself to not only qualifying for the Boston Marathon, but also giving back to the community as an event organizer, team, and community leader. His podcast, For the Long Run, digs deeper into the lives of runners to understand their why uncovering the common thread that unites us all.

Show Sponsor: InsideTracker

Many thanks to InsideTracker for sponsoring this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast. InsideTracker’s recommendations are all backed by science, and are selected for you based on your preferences and lifestyle. Take the next step in your journey towards optimal health. Visit insidetracker.com for more information and to sign up for their newsletter. As a listener of the Art and Science of Running Podcast, you are eligible for an exclusive promo for 25% off when you use discount code  ARTANDSCIENCE at checkout.

Shout Outs and Social Media

Intro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by Dallin Puzey. Now available on Apple Music and Spotify.

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