Buckle up, because this is a wild ride into the world of minimalist shoes with Xero Shoes founder Steven Sashen. Steve declined an offer on Shark Tank and ended up turning his small company into a $12 million dollar brand focused on the natural form of running. Even in the golden era of max cushion shoes, his company continues to find a dedicated consumer base. He's not afraid to spell out and defend his running philosophy in this interview.

In the intro, we talk about our training, the Barkley Marathons, Gate River Run, and Eliud Kipchoge's continued dominance in winning the Tokyo Marathon.

Check out Xero shoes: https://xeroshoes.com

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

Ever wonder about the REAL benefit of race shoes, not just the one that's marketed to you? This week's guest is super shoe running nerd Dustin Joubert. Dustin has a Ph.D. in Exercise Physiology and works in a lab to test whether the technology of running shoes creates a larger benefit to human running performance. 

The intro this week offers a special treat. The BITR team discusses their training in the Puma Fast-R, with a special drop-in with Todd Falker, the Product Line Manager of Puma Running.

Dustin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labratrundown/

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

From ice hockey goalie to elite marathoner (it's Minnesota, what do you expect), Dakotah Lindwurm embodies the grit and endurance of an elite marathoner. Recently signed to Puma, Dakotah already has a win at Grandma's Marathon and finished third American at the 2021 Boston Marathon. We discuss her underdog mentality, her 5x-a-week gym routine, and what it was like to DNF her first marathon.

Follow Dakotah Lindwurm on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm/ 

The Believe in the Run team also chats about their sleep, training, upcoming races, whats going on with Kara Goucher, sketchy running routes and more.

Wanna sleep like Thomas? Check out the Chili Ooler ➡ https://trk.chilisleep.com/SH9I

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 25% on any product (no code necessary): https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

Ever wonder how waterproof shoes work? Or if you should invest in a pair? This week's guest is Kirk Christensen is Innovation Leader in Footwear for GORE-TEX, the most trusted name in waterproofing. We talk about developing high-tech materials, why waterproof shoes are still great in the summertime, GORE's lifetime guarantee, and more. We also talk about our training and Robbe's exceptional experience in the Hoka Tecton X.

Learn more about GORE-TEX ➡ https://www.gore-tex.com/footwear

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

In three years, Christina Welsh lowered her marathon time by nearly an hour to 2:33, good enough to become one of the fastest women marathoners in America. We talk about what she’s learned along the way, her next racing goals, and her ultra-high mileage (peaking at 135 miles a week). 

Thomas, Meaghan, and Robbe chat about their experience down at the Donna Marathon. Robbe dropped a significant new half marathon PR and Meaghan won her fifth Donna Marathon title in a row, thanks in part to the pacing support of our good friend Ben Johnson. Battling insane 20 mph headwinds is never easy, but the crew was able to toe the line and bring back some impressive results. Thomas also shares his opinions about the Nike Streakfly.

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 this week's podcast, Thomas and Meg talk to one of their very own Faster Bastards, Jeremy Ardanuy. Jeremy has won the Baltimore Marathon not only once, but twice, making him one of the strongest runners in the region. We talk about his running history (including a major blow-up in his first marathon), how he trains while working towards his Ph.D. at Johns Hopkins University, and his execution during the Houston Marathon this past January where he ran a 2:20:47.

We also talk about the Puma Velocity Nitro 2 and the New Balance 880v12 as well as their upcoming race weekend at The Donna Marathon, Winter GRIT results, and why packing cubes will change your life.

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 25% on any product (no code necessary): https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

All right folks, hold on tight for this one but I think we might have just found the 13th Disney princess. On this week's episode, Meaghan and Thomas chat with The North Face distance runner Brittany Charboneau (aka the Funny Runner). Brittany won all four races (5K, 10k, half marathon and marathon) in four days at Disney's Dopey Challenge at Walt Disney World. Charboneau's bubbly personality is as fun as her goofy race day costumes. You can catch Brittany hunting down the competition in the marathon or performing stand up comedy at her local theatre. The BITR team chats about the final week of Winter GRIT, marathon training, dealing with injury, and gluten free bread crumbs. 

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 25% on any product (no code necessary): https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

What's cooler than traveling around on your own schedule, covering some of the best running events on the planet? Nothing, that's a rhetorical question. On this week's episode, we talk to award-winning journalist Ashley Mateo whose writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Runner's World, Women's Running, Men's Journal, Women's Health, and more. Ashley is also an RRCA- and UESCA-certified running coach. The gang also chats about their training during winter GRIT, the record-breaking finishes at the Houston Marathon, and their thoughts on the HOKA Carbon X3 and Mach Supersonic. Oh, and they crack a few jokes along the way. It's a little long this week, but we hope you'll stick around for all the fun.

Follow Ashley on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleymateo/

This episode is sponsored by InsideTracker, 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 25% on any product (no code necessary):  https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

Friends don't let friends stink and drive. You'll get it after this interview. On this episode of The Drop, we talk to Justin Forsett, former NFL player and co-founder of Hustle Clean, an antibacterial and antimicrobial body wipe company that seeks to help better improve communities through its products. Their Free Play sports scholarship program provides opportunities for underserved youth to play sports by providing funds, sports equipment, uniforms and in-person training sessions. The BITR team also raps about their current training and lifestyle changes, the adidas Prime X, ASICS Winter GRIT Party, and upcoming women's Boston Marathon field.

Check out Hustle Clean: https://hustleclean.com/

This episode is sponsored by InsideTracker, 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 25% on any product (no code necessary):  https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin

We say this a lot at BITR, but this is hands down one of the best interviews we've had on the pod. GaTa is an actor on FX's Dave, he's a rapper, and now a runner. He partnered with New Balance to run his first 5K and the brand documented his progress. We talk about GaTa's milestone as well as making running a staple in his life, his journey as a mental health advocate, appreciating the human body, stories from life on the road, and so much more (25:46). The gang also breaks down the new ASICS Gel-Nimbus Lite and Gel-Nimbus 24, and they discuss Emily Infeld leaving Bowerman Track Club. 

Find GaTa's Instagram and Beyond the Run series at the links below:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gedgata/

Beyond The Run: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIWPgB83Dgg&list=PLVKm92IAS1FavRThbGEwwQEy_mh3EhtaT

Listen to GaTa's "Havin It": https://createmusic.fm/havinit

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 25% on any product (no code necessary):  https://www.insidetracker.com/dropin