The Natural Running Network Live

The Natural Running Network Live episodes:

• 06.01.2023

  Interview with The Movement Advocate

  As a coach, it is my belief that if you take the responsibility to lead athletes you should have a firm grasp on how to care for them, at the best and worst of times. RockTape has served as an...

  
• 10.17.2022

  IF Kipchoge was paid to run the Marathon Barefoot

  NIke had invested a fortune to bring one of their Elite runners to the finish line of a marathon in under 2 hours. Eliud Kipchoge did just that. Of course, Nike monopolized on the event by creating a "special" racing...

  
• 01.16.2022

  Tired of getting injured doing OCR Races?

  Tired of getting injured doing OCR Races? A few things you can depend on, the sky is blue, grass is green and OCR athletes get injured. Out of love for participation in Spartan races and other OCR events, many enthusiastic...

  
• 12.09.2021

  Running Road vs. Trail - Dangers and Benefits

  Running Road VS. Trail So many athletes tell us they don't like running on road because its hard on their bodies. Is it the surface we choose to run on or something more? Coach Diaz sheds light and his opinion on...

  
• 11.05.2021

  Boost your Speed and Endurance using The Flow Method

  Regardless if you are a runner, Obstacle course athlete, Hyrox or even Crossfit, The FLow Method of training will boost your tolerance to fatigue and build your capacity to deal with lactate production, who many see as performance killer.  This conversation...

  
• 09.06.2019

  WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT... CBD'S

  It is surprising how many athletes i know who are using CBD's for a variety of reasons. The more I investigated the more I came to realize that CBD's are nature's anti-inflammatory solution and that is only the tip of...

  
• 08.16.2019

  The Spartan Trail Racing Series with Charlie Engle

  Spartan Races are now global and yet, they have been expanding theyre reach by including Trail Running events in tandum with many races around the country.  This year marks the first year Spartan will host a Trail Running Championship with...

  
• 08.12.2019

  The Dark Horse 8 Week CrossFit Training Plan Revealed

  It starts out seeming like "The Odd Couple" but ends up becoming a training program that has the potential to change the way CrossFit athletes approach their training.  Richard Diaz is recognized in the Obstacle Racing community as world renowned...

  
• 08.09.2019

  A Revolutionary Approach to CrossFit Training Revealed

  Before you freak out, no, I am not turning tail on OCR or endurance training programs.  If you follow my work, you know that recently I developed a program in collaboration with Ryan Fischer an extremely talented CrossFit Athlete.  This...

  
• 05.31.2019

  RYAN FISCHER – ELITE CROSSFIT ATHLETE

  What happens when you mix one badass CrossFit athlete with Coach Diaz in The Secret Lab?  Answer: You get a hybrid training program that is sure to set the CrossFit community on fire!  I know what you’re thinking… Coach Diaz and CrossFit?  Had you...

  
• 12.28.2018

  Interview with the Co-Founder of Stick Mobility

  This episode sheds light on a training tool and training concepts that can make a tremendous difference in your ability to perform in a Spartan Race, as a runner and an athlete in common.  I speak a lot about the...

  
• 11.23.2018

  INTERVIEW with THE WORLD’S TOUGHEST MUDDER CHAMP 2018-KRIS MENDOZA

  They moved the venue to Georgia, nobody expected the event to be harder than it has been… but it was.  Much harder.  It was cold, very, very cold however still 100 miles were logged among two fierce competitors yet Kris Mendoza prevailed. ...

  
• 11.16.2018

  Questions regarding Running your first Ultra Marathon?

  Once again we invited folks to come on the show, pose questions on topics related to Obstacle Course Racing, Running or anything of that nature.  Our guest is Jay Bode of the Overcome and Run Podcast.  Someone you may have...

  
• 11.09.2018

  Do You Need an Off Season in OCR?

  Recently I posted an offer for someone to be my guest and to pose some interesting questions regarding training and Obstacle Course Racing.  An old friend/client Beni Gifford reached out with what I felt was some solid questions and here is what he...

  
• 08.31.2018

  The Spartan World Championship - Dark Horse...Rebecca Hammond

  What seemed like completely out of nowhere, Rebecca Hammond came on to the Spartan OCR Elite field and made people take notice.  Its almost unheard of for anyone to walk into the Spartan North American Championship course with only 2...

  
• 08.17.2018

  OCR Running Questions and Answers

  There never seems to be an end to the questions that hard working OCR athletes have regarding their training and racing, with the help of one of our friends Jennifer Herring, Coach Richard Diaz tries to offer his opinion and...

  
• 08.10.2018

  Spartan 4-0, The Biggest OCR Team in the World

  By now, everyone is aware that OCR is here to stay. Some thought it to be a fad, if that's true, I know of over 13,000 dedicated athletes in one single group who might argue the point. What I believe...

  
• 07.20.2018

  OCR Racing Tips and Breaking News!

  Coach Diaz, who also happens to be the host of this podcast has asked VeeJay Jones  Elite Spartan Pro to return to share some insights on training. Learn a few valuable tips on cutting precious time from your racingGet a sneak...

  
• 07.06.2018

  The 80/20 Triathlon Formula w/Matt Fitzgerald

  My good friend Matt Fitzgerald is back with a new book The 80/20 Triathlon.  This training principal is a winning formula for most any endurance sport and I highly recommend that all of my listeners pay attention to this episode. ...

  
• 05.18.2018

  A Visit to The Secret Lab

  Not everyone has a chance to visit Coach Diaz at his “Infamous Secret Lab” those who do generally end up performing beyond expectation.  I thought it might be fun to have one of my clients share his experience and allow...

  
• 04.27.2018

  Making the Transition from Heel Striking to Forefoot Running

  It’s a pretty well known fact in most running circles that heel striking and over striding leads to injury. Many runners have made the shift to forefoot running and in doing so have migrated to zero drop shoes.  Unfortunately for...

  
• 04.13.2018

  What are you doing with your athletic kids?

  We decided to take more questions on training was we often do, our favorite this time relates to our children in sports.  Are we doing the right things to encourage their enjoyment, desire to compete? Are we trying to live...

  
• 04.06.2018

  Interview with Brian Carney founder of The Bone Frog Challenge

  The Bone Frog Challenge Race series aere obstacle course races designed and directed by Navy Seals.  These obstacle course races are gaining widespread popularity on the eastern seaboard due to their quality and unique challenges many drawn from Navy Seal...

  
• 03.30.2018

  Spartan San Jose and Tough Mudder TMX Weekend Recap

  Back to back OCR events 100 miles apart and I hit them both to show support for a few of my athletes in Veejay Jones and Hunter McIntyre. I invited a few talented athletes in Mike Ferguson and Race course...

  
• 03.23.2018

  Veejay Jones Young Gun on the Spartan Pro OCR Circui

  Veejay Jones is the youngest athlete to win a Spartan Race overall and is currently a member of The Spartan Pro Team. He is also an athlete coached by Richard Diaz.  In this episode, we discuss the prospects winning against...

  
• 03.16.2018

  Diets vs. Endurance Performance

  Have you been talked into making a change in your diet? Decided to go Vegan, Paleo or Keto? Did someone sell you on the promise of weight loss and greater performance as a benefit of making this radical change in...

  
• 03.02.2018

  Compression Wear, Yes, No, Maybe?

  Ever wonder about the use or potential benefits of wearing compression wear in a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder? Does it help circulation while running, does it help with recovery? Whats your take on the subject?  Zoe Szczepanek asks these...

  
• 02.23.2018

  How to Buy the Right Running Shoes!

  The most common questions presented to me (Coach Richard Diaz) is “what Running Shoes Should I Buy”?  One would expect that my answer might be to name off a particular brand.  In this episode, we try to address the How...

  
• 02.16.2018

  How too much exercise can kill you! The Haywire Heart

  Have you ever asked yourself… "Am I doing too much, training too hard too often?” In this episode, Richard Diaz interviews Lennard Zinn and Chris Case the authors of - The Haywire Heart a book that reveals… How too much exercise...

  
• 02.09.2018

  Kirk DeWindt “The Bachelor” turned Elite Spartan

  Kirk DeWindt is the real deal. He may have done his stint on reality TV on various episodes of The Bachelor but when it comes to athletic prowess, Kirk is ready to bring it.  He has had some success early...

  
• 02.02.2018

  Zoe Szczepanek's Road to Recovery

  Meet Zoe Szczepanek, the new co-host to the Natural Running Network Podcast. Anyone who has attended a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder has most likely seen her.  What you may not know is that she has an on going battle...

  
• 01.23.2018

  The Live Q&A Show! Answering the burning questions for OCR Athletes

  One of most favorite things to do and most popular for our audience is to answer questions!  At the end of the day, most obstacle course racing athletes who tune into our show do so to pck up training tips...

  
• 01.19.2018

  Elite OCR Athlete Faye Stenning visits The Secret lab

  Faye Stenning is arguably the fiercest competitor on the Spartan Race circuit. Aside from her racing career, she runs a successful OCR coaching business.  To her credit, her openness to step outside her experience to learn from her colleagues provided...

  
• 12.22.2017

  Prepping for the New OCR race season, what to do and why

  Its been weeks since our last podcast, forgive me.  I had a big birthday and left the country to celebrate followed by a few weeks on the road putting on running clinics but... We're Back!  In this episode (to be...

  
• 11.24.2017

  The Best of Episodes Review for The Natural Running Network

  The Natural Running Network has consistently delivered cutting edge information for endurance athletes for a bit over 5 years with over 300 episodes doled out weekly.  As a show of gratittude we decided to host a Black Friday "Best of...

  
• 11.17.2017

  Worlds Toughest Mudder Recap with Team US-“AY

  What do you get when you mix an American flag with a Canadian? You get an US “Ay” instead of a USA!  Team US-Ay members Miguel Medina and Austin Azar join us to share thoughts on their 2nd place finish...

  
• 11.10.2017

  A Conversation with the Fittest Runner I’ve ever met

  It may seem like a heavy statement to say “The Fittest Runner I’ve Ever met” but in all the years of assessing the fitness of athletes (over two decades) this runner, Blue Benadum has consistently tested off the charts in...

  
• 11.03.2017

  The Running Performance Drill that will Unleash your Potential

  I’ve often spoke of the importance of dedicating time to MSD sessions in each training week. They will not only keep you sharp, fine tune your running skills but if you’re not already doing them, it may be the reason...

  
• 10.27.2017

  Training to Run OCR by the Numbers

  The beginning of this episode starts out with some high opinionated commentary about the state of OCR, bad decisions made by Tough Mudder, followed with curiosities regarding the direction taken by Spartan Race.  Once thats done, Shan Kahn and I...

  
• 10.13.2017

  Allison Tai - Ultra Beast World Champ 2017

  It may seem like a play on words but Allison Tai is one Tough Mudder in every sense of the phrase.  Just recently coming off of the win at The Spartan Ultra Beast World Championships this year (2017), she is...

  
• 10.06.2017

  Spartan World Championships, Were you Prepared?

  Did you barely survive or thrive when crossing the finish line this weekend at Spartan Race World Championships Tahoe? Richard Diaz and Shan Khan dive into what was seen from those finishing the race, how ankle stability and foot strength...

  
• 09.29.2017

  The Best Advise for OCR Athletes Plan an OFF SEASON

  The Obstacle Course Racing Season has a few big events over the next few weeks with Spartan World Championships this weekend, followed by OCR World Championships and Toughest Mudder but once these events wind down, what then? Are you planning...

  
• 09.22.2017

  Interview with Dr.Romanov creator of the Pose Running Method

  Before Natural Running was Vogue, before Born to Run, there was Pose Running. Almost cult like, Dr. Nicholas Romanov had spent a lifetime studying the way we should be running. Much of what he created is difficult to refute. It...

  
• 09.12.2017

  The Natural Running Network LIVE Q-n-A Show!

  Aside from hosting this podcast, Richard Diaz is one of the most saught after running mechanics in the world of Obstacle Racing.  Many of the elite professional athltetes from the sport count on him for advice and training support, too many...

  
• 09.08.2017

  Hunter McIntyre Tough Mudder X Champion

  He seems to come out of nowhere, when people start to wonder where he’s been, then like a wrecking ball, he destroys the competition.  Tough Mudder recently released its CBS debut of the new format in OCR competition, Tough Mudder...

  
• 09.01.2017

  STEF BISHOP - Adventure Racer and Worlds Toughest Mudder Champ

  Stefanie Bishop is the real deal. Last year she literally ran away with the WORLDS TOUGHEST MUDDER CHAMPIONSHIP, this year as a tune up she participated in THE WORLD ADVENTURE RACING CHAMPIONSHIP.  Never heard of it?  Feature yourself and a...

  
• 08.25.2017

  THE RUNNING EVOLUTION - Interview with Dr Irene Davis of Harvard Medical

  We often speak of “proper running” and when we invoke this term, its often met with controversy. Its time to put the quibbling to bed. Our guest, Dr Irene Davis is one the most respected authorities on the subject of...

  
• 08.18.2017

  Quickly reduce the effects of ankle injuries and get back in the race!

  Nothing is more disheartening to an Obstacle Racer than an ankle inversion sprain weeks before that next big “A” race. Join Richard Diaz and his guest Dr Steve Capobianco Medical Director for Rock Tape as they discuss an easy ”do...

  
• 08.11.2017

  Interview with Dr Noah Kaufman "The Ninja Doc"

  I did this interview about a year ago but I wanted to bring it out of the archive because Doc Kaufman has some great advice for grip strength, dealing with blisters and basically everything you need to know about getting...

  
• 08.04.2017

  Stability, the Key to Running Performance and Injury Prevention

  For  years I’ve spent countless hours trying to unravel the truth behind what is considered to be proper running mechanics. Over the past 5 years I’ve been fortunate to have one the most innovative podiatrists in the world to use...