The Natural Running Network Live

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 role that stability and mobility plays in athleticism because in the absence thereof, there is only injuries.  Full disclosure I am not sponsored by or paid to introduce these concepts or products on my show.  I personally believe this is a tool that can truly make a difference if you follow the education they provide.  I have invited Dennis Dumphy the cofounder of stickmobility on to share this info with you.

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.  This is an interview with Kris just after he’s had a chance to recover and collect his thoughts regarding the race frostbite and all!  Another World’s Toughest Mudder is in the bag and a new champion has arisen!  Kris Mendoza shares his insights, training prep and much more.

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 seen out on the race courses with his wife Heather.  Jay is planning to run his first official Ultra marathon and had some questions regarding his training approach, recovery techniques and running shoe selection.  This is a good place to start if you are planning a long distance race yourself!

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 wanted to know:

I hear a lot of differing views regarding the concept of taking an off season and what it might look like, I am curious to get your take on this subject?How does periodization training fit into OCR?If someone (like me) wants to focus on developing “winning” speed for a 3K event such as NORAM, what should be the approach?

This is just a sample of what we discussed, to find out my answers and more, you’re going to have to listen to the whole episode!

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 prior events under her belt and cause a stir.  Yet, cause a stir she did.  Taking 2nd place among the most competitive pro’s in the sport, she now sets her sights on the Spartan World Championships and no one is laughing.  You’ll have to listen to this episode to believe your ears.  Dark Horse you say?  It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

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 advice on these topics:

Heart rate seems to need a longer pre-race warm up, why?How do I transition to a zero drop shoe?Why do I have a hard time with my cadence?What is enough aerobic training and what is too much?

These and many more!  As a reward for posting the questions, we are going to award one of the people that asked the best question a free Virtual video gait analysis, you need to listen to find out who it is!

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 to be true is that the everyday athletes and fitness enthusiasts who have been drinking the Kool Aid and making it out to races around the world are what makes the sport, not the gifted few who reside on the podium at the key races.  I asked Ameer Haroun, the director of all things Spartan 4dash0 on with me to share the story.  How he and his cadre were able to build a social media group and racing presence of over 13,000 members strong in less than 3 years.   If you love Spartan Races races and want to attach yourself to like minded people who share your enthusiasm, you need to hear this episode!

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 peak into the infamous Tuesday Morning Training Sessions  Learn how to get a ton of quality training done in less than an hourLearn about a new online training plan is in the works guaranteed to bring your running skills to an incredible level next season

Finally we'll share some details regarding the 2019 Opening Season Super Clinic to be held on Coach Richard Diaz's home turf along with testing, evaluations and lecture time at The World Famous Secret Lab.  Along with this episode is a video of what happens in the Off site Training Lab that is not so secret!  #youcantwinifyourunlikeshit

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.  It works for OCR too!  Once you understand how important it is to partition your training with a high percentage of aerobic conditioning and when and how to apply intensity you'll start to see progress in all aspects of your program. Ya gotta go slow to get fast!

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 you to not only hear his thoughts on the visit but see what went down with the associated video clip that accompanies this episode.  Of course, the only way you’ll see it is if you visit the home site of this podcast: www.naturalrunningnetwork.com