Want to know how to halve your first marathon time? Ask Jereny Rivera, which is what we did for this guest episode of The Drop.

We're changing it up, folks. From now on, you're getting two podcasts a week: one that's just us, and one that's just the guest (dropping on Monday). Unless it doesn't work, then we'll go back to the original format.

Most of our guests don't sell out arenas or tour with Blink-182, but this one does. Matt West is the guitarist for UK pop-punk band Neck Deep, and he's also a runner who found running as a way to live a healthy life while touring the world nonstop.   

Listen to Neck Deep on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2TM0qnbJH4QPhGMCdPt7fH?si=YI7kp3eIT92bBfFYHChj8Q 

Follow Matt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masshew/ 

Houston Marathon weekend was a wild one, with shakeout runs, meeting listeners and followers, and of course– racing. Meg recaps her race day as she hit another PR, while Thomas came back from injury to finish the half marathon strong. No guest this week, but we do bring back the Asics Superblast onto the show, as we've all been picking it up for a lot of our runs these days.

After being diagnosed with lupus this past fall, Devon Yanko just kept doing what she's always been doing– running, including a win at the golden-ticket Javelina Jundred 100 mile race. It was another notch in a career of impressive finishes, including a win at the legendary Leadville 100. We talk a little bit about running in this podcast, but we also talk a lot about life, living with a disease that debilitates the body at a moment's notice, and the current state of running sponsorships.

What's it like getting hit by a car 10 days before the London Marathon then finishing as the first-place Brit? Well, we find out from today's guest, Puma athlete Rose Harvey. We talk about her former career as a lawyer before she was made redundant during the pandemic and decided to focus on running. Turns out, she's pretty great at it, and now she's a pro.

Well, it's been quite a year. And we couldn't have done it without you. Thanks for listening and following along, we hope you enjoy this wrap-up to an incredible year filled with amazing running stories, awesome podcast guests, and a bunch of great experiences meeting the best listeners out there. Can't wait to see what's in store for 2023!

This episode is sponsored by Inside Tracker, which helps you optimize your body and running, using science and technology to deliver ultra-personalized guidance for your training and health. Drop listeners save 20% on any product (no code necessary): https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

On the hottest day in the history of the New York City Marathon this past November, Under Armour athlete Sharon Lokedi came out on top to take the crown. Running her marathon debut in the Under Armour Flow Velociti Elite, she outlasted the field with a time of 2:23:23 and stunned the running world in the process. We had Sharon in studio here at BITR HQ to talk about her experience winning New York, her mindset and preparation leading up to the race, and whether she'll be a queen when she marries Edward Cheserek  (let's be real, she already is).  

We also talk to Jonathan Hutnyan, Senior Product Line Manager for Under Armour about the development of the Flow Velociti Elite.  

You can still sign up for Winter GRIT Lite for only $30! Register at believeintherun.com/grit. 

This episode is sponsored by Inside Tracker, which helps you optimize your body and running, using science and technology to deliver ultra-personalized guidance for your training and health. Drop listeners save 20% on any product (no code necessary): https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

The dude who flipped running on its head when he spawned the minimalist movement with his book Born To Run is back with a holistic philosophy that ties it all together. He's joined by running coach Eric Orton to talk about their new book (Born To Run 2), their philosophy for running forever, and a whole lot more.  

Watch the "Perfect Conditions For Running" YouTube video because it's the greatest: https://youtu.be/JKZj2W2YyKY 

You can still sign up for Winter GRIT Lite for only $30! Register at believeintherun.com/grit.

This episode is sponsored by Inside Tracker, which helps you optimize your body and running, using science and technology to deliver ultra-personalized guidance for your training and health. Drop listeners save 20% on any product (no code necessary): https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin