The Drop

As a runner growing up in Portland, Ore., Ben Andrews was set to live the ultimate dream when he landed a spot on the University of Oregon track and field team. And then it all fell apart.

Andrews is a motivational speaker, realtor, and author of "The Long Run," a book about overcoming adversity and seeing your dreams through until the end. We talk about his life, his book, what running has meant to him, and how to get the most out of all of it.

Learn more about Ben and pick up The Long Run: https://www.benandrews.com/the-long-run.html

On this special bonus episode of The Drop, Thomas and Robbe team up for a live audience podcast with Norda founders Nick and Willa Martire. Live from Renegade Running in Oakland, California. We talk about what it takes to start a shoe company (a lot), how their shoe is different from other models in the trail space, and how they navigated through certain obstacles on the way to where they are now. We also take some audience questions, which was a lot of fun.
The Norda 002 is a lightweight performance trail shoe featuring a ripstop-style Dyneema upper, Vibram midsole and Vibram Litebase with Megagrip outsole. Available now.
Shop Norda 002: https://nordarun.com/
Shop Renegade Running: https://renegade-running.com/

Thomas and Robbe recap last weekend's trip to Oakland with Renegade Running and Norda, giving you all the behind-the-scenes commentary on 48 hours of life in the bay city. From pest control to redwood trees to sketchy bus rides up a mountain, it was an action-packed weekend. We also recap week 2 of Summer GRIT, and cover what we liked and didn't like about the Norda 002.

Learn more and register for the Under Armour Sunset Tour: https://bit.ly/UA-SUNSET-TOUR
RSVP for our upcoming events!

Alison took the unconventional route to running, having started at the age of 30. She has completed 7 full marathons, and a handful of half marathons, 10ks, and 5ks. Her love for the sport has quickly transcended into wanting to give others the same sense of accomplishment she felt after completing her first race. She is the leader of R.I.OT. Squad run club, and an SCI Physical Therapist Assistant, as well as a run coach.

Follow Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alioop_0_o_runs/

Everyone's back in house and we're ready to recap some wild times, including Meg's trip to the New Balance Research Lab, Thomas going full Punisher on some shirts (they're sold out, btw), Robbe handling snakes and finding a visitor on his arm mid podcast. We also talk about the Saucony Kinvara Pro, one of the more confusing shoes we've run in recently.

7/17 - Miami - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #2 // RSVP here

7/20 - Summer GRIT Party/Summer Hydration Tour Stop #3 (open to all) - Ciele hats to first 150 RSVPs, free beer, Asics try-ons, and much more // RSVP here

7/22 - Oklahoma City - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #4 // RSVP here

7/29 - Nashville - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #5 // RSVP here

8/10 - Atlanta - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #6 // RSVP here

8/19 - Boston - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #7 // RSVP here

It's hard enough to run a 5:25 mile, but what about doing it nine months pregnant? Makenna Myler is a professional runner for Asics who qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 10k in 2021 and finished 14th less than a year after giving birth to her daughter. She's been running PRs ever since and in this episode we talk about what that looks like.

Follow Makenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benzmakenz/

Meg's in Boston at the New Balance Research Lab with the Train to NYC team, but no worries, the podcast must go on. Thomas and Robbe manage to not burn headquarters down, though next week may be a different story when we go full Joe Dirt on our stash of 4th of July fireworks. Also, we talk about the On Cloudboom Echo 3, a $290 race day shoe that may or may not live up to the price tag. Also– Summer GRIT starts on Saturday! Kind of crept up on us, so not sure we even mentioned it, but we're ready to roll.

Listen up all you fans of GBBS- when you see those beautiful and intricate illustrations of the food they're about to make and bake on the show, Tom Hovey is the one behind it. He's also a dedicated runner and all-around great guy. This was a fun conversation and pairs perfectly with a buttercream cake frosting. Fire up the oven and listen in.

Tom's art: https://www.instagram.com/tomhoveyart/
Tom's running: https://www.instagram.com/tomhovey_runs/

Robbe's on vacation in Florida but we still make it work. We talk all things running, including the harsh realities of nature, fishing, facelifts, and we even manage to work in some thoughts on the Skechers Max Road 6.

RSVP for our upcoming events!

6/27 - Boston - Believe in the Run x New Balance SC Trainer v2 Group Run
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/believe-in-the-run-x-new-balance-sc-trainer-v2-group-run/

7/8 - Oakland - Norda 002 Launch w/ Renegade Running (& Live Podcast)
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/norda-launch/

7/14 - Austin - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #1
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-1/

7/17 - Miami - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #2
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-2-miami/

Delano Johnson is unique in the world of runners in that he's a 6'5", 250-pound Canadian football defensive end (currently a free agent). A current Baltimore-area resident, Lo played college football at Bowie State University and has played professionally for the Houston Texans, Toronto Argonauts, Portland Thunder/Steel and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He's also a member of our Train to NYC 2 team with New Balance and we couldn't be more excited to have him along on this journey.