The Rambling Runner Podcast

In this episode, Matt Chittim interviews Carrie Tollefson, a generational talent on the track and professional broadcaster, about the newly established Grand Slam Track. They discuss the significance of this league for athletes, the comparison with the Diamond League, and the evolving landscape of professional running. Carrie shares her insights on the importance of prize money, the role of content creation for athletes, and the challenges and expectations surrounding the league.

They also touch on emphasizing the need for a supportive community, the importance of showcasing athletes' stories, and the potential for multi-sport athletes to thrive in this new environment.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at ⁠⁠www.asics.com⁠⁠.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at ⁠⁠www.peregrune.com⁠⁠ by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at ⁠⁠Boulderthon.org⁠⁠ and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

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In this conversation, Matt and Patrick Reaves explore Patrick's layered running career, including his experiences at the Boston Marathon, his peak moments qualifying for the Olympic Trials, and the training philosophies that have shaped his journey. He discusses the mental challenges of being sidelined after the Trials, returning to the 2025 Boston Marathon and finishing 8th in the 40-44 age division, the adjustments he made to his training and goals, and how he found new competitive outlets in masters running.

Patrick also reflects on the importance of embracing change in his running life, especially as he prepares for fatherhood and the impact it will have on his athletic pursuits.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at ⁠www.asics.com⁠.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at ⁠www.peregrune.com⁠ by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at ⁠Boulderthon.org⁠ and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

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In this conversation, Henry Abbott discusses his transition from sports media to writing a book on injury prevention, "Ballistic: The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance."

Blending cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling, award-winning data journalist and competitive amateur athlete Henry Abbott reveals that we are on the cusp of a new era in sports medicine, built around the science of ballistic movements―leaping and landing―and the unique fingerprint of your body’s physics.

Abbott’s inspiring narrative tells the story of sports scientist Dr. Marcus Elliott and the Peak Performance Project (P3), who use technology to study how athletes move and why they get hurt. Applying machine learning and lessons from biomechanics, medicine, and physiology, doctors at P3 can now detect elevated risk of an ACL tear or a pulled hamstring like an echocardiogram can see warning signs of a heart attack.

Their data-driven findings are full of surprises. Your body’s most important defense against knee and ankle injuries are the little-known muscles in the lower leg and hip area, which typical workouts rarely target. Similarly, the glutes―not the core―do the most to prevent back pain. Transformative benefits flow from training underappreciated kinds of athleticism like rotation, deceleration, and relaxation. Most of all, science shows that the best athletes don’t avoid ballistics―they master them.

Through riveting stories of elite athletes overcoming injuries and pushing themselves to the limit, Abbott presents an evidence-based case for intervening early to protect our bodies. And he suggests that we can all harness the science of ballistic movement not just to run fast or jump high but to move with joy and lead fulfilling athletic lives.

You can buy Henry's book here: https://a.co/d/a2B0Bp4.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at Boulderthon.org and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Kristin Johnson shares her inspiring journey from a first-time 3:59 marathoner to achieving a sub-three-hour marathon. She discusses her early experiences with running, the challenges of balancing motherhood and training, and the importance of community in her running journey. Kristin reflects on her training methods, the emotional highs and lows of racing, and the lessons learned along the way, particularly in relation to setting and achieving ambitious goals.

You can follow Kristin at www.instagram.com/baby2boston.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at Boulderthon.org and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, best-selling author and endurance coach Matt Fitzgerald discusses his new book "Chasing Mastery: 25 Lessons to Cultivate Your Full Potential in Endurance Sports."

Matt emphasizes the importance of self-regulation, the role of genetics, and the impact of environment on athletic development. He also shares insights on the psychological aspects of training, the significance of context, and the 80-20 principle in endurance training.

Finally, Matt highlights that mastery is not solely about mileage but encompasses a holistic approach to improvement and the necessity of seeking help from experts.

Here is the link for Matt's book on Amazon.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at Boulderthon.org and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging conversation, Haftu Knight shares his remarkable journey from Ethiopia to becoming one of the fastest marathoners in US history. He discusses his recent success at the McKirdy Micro Marathon where he ran 2:09:38. That performance made him the 22nd fastest marathoner in US history and the fastest Texas marathoner ever (he broke Alan Culpepper's record by five seconds). In this episode we talk about the strategies he employed during races,, his time at a elite athlete at the University of Texas, and the influence of his coach Jeff Cunningham. Haftu reflects on his training regimen, the importance of family and community, and his aspirations for the future, including competing in the Olympics. His story is one of resilience, hard work, and the pursuit of excellence.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at Boulderthon.org and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fresh off breaking 2:10 at the McKirdy Marathon and setting the Austrian National Record, Aaron Gruen joins us to share his remarkable journey as an runner and international caliber musician, discussing the balance between his rigorous training, medical school, and music career. He reflects on the importance of mentorship and how it has shaped his running. Aaron emphasizes the significance of the process in both running and music, the challenges he faced in races, and his aspirations to represent Austria on the national stage. He also delves into the personal meaning behind his tri-citizenship and the legacy of his ancestors.

Takeaways

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Boulderthon - Named among the Top 10 races in the U.S. by USA Today and one of the Best Fall Marathons by Runner’s World, Boulderthon, is quickly becoming a must-run event for runners across the country. Whether you’re up for a 5K, 10K, half-marathon, or the marathon, Boulderthon offers a race for every level of runner. Sign up today at Boulderthon.org and use code Rambling20 for $20 off the 13.1 or 26.2! See you in Boulder!

Rambling Runner Resources

Personalized Coaching - Are you looking to work with a running coach? I am here for you! I've been working with runners of all ages and abilities for five years - from newer runners, masters runners looking to PR, and folks hoping to break 3:00 in the marathon. You can learn more by going to www.mckirdytrained.com, where I coach, or by emailing me at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarah Crouch was one of the best American long-distance runners of the 2010's and has transitioned to best-selling novelist.

During her collegiate career at Western Washington University, she was an NCAA Division II All-American thirteen times and won the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship in the 10,000m. In one of her first races as a professional runner, she finished fifth at the U.S. 10 Mile Championships. In 2011, she made her marathon debut in New York and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and in 2012, she qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 10,000m. Sarah finished 7th at the 2014 Chicago Marathon, 9th at 2016, and the top American in 2018 despite have a benign tumor removes from her quad a few weeks before the race.

You can buy her debut novel, Middletide, wherever books are sold and it is also available as an audiobook.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Rambling Runner Resources

Personalized Coaching - Are you looking to work with a running coach? I am here for you! I've been working with runners of all ages and abilities for five years - from newer runners, masters runners looking to PR, and folks hoping to break 3:00 in the marathon. You can learn more by going to www.mckirdytrained.com, where I coach, or by emailing me at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on the “My Favorite Workout” series we are joined by Erika Kemp. Erika is a 6 x All-American at NC State and a 2 x U.S. Champ (15k and 20k). She is also the fastest U.S. born black woman in the marathon and has 12th fastest time in the marathon all-time by a U.S. woman.

Erika is currently based in Providence, R.I. and sponsored by Brooks

In this episode, she breaks down her favorite tempo and speed workouts.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Rambling Runner Resources

Personalized Coaching - Are you looking to work with a running coach? I am here for you! I've been working with runners of all ages and abilities for five years - from newer runners, masters runners looking to PR, and folks hoping to break 3:00 in the marathon. You can learn more by going to www.mckirdytrained.com, where I coach, or by emailing me at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “My Favorite Workout” series is back and we are joined by Nathan Martin. Nathan is one of the best American runners from the 10 mile up to the marathon. He finished 7th at the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon, PR'd the half marathon last weekend at the U.S. Championships where he finished 9th. Nathan holds fastest marathon clocked by a Black man born in the United States. The previous best was by Herman Atkins in 2:11:52 in 1979.

In this episode, Nathan breaks down his favorite threshold workout and his favorite marathon workout.

Sponsors

ASICS - Checkout the upcoming Novablast 5 and pre-order this amazing shoe at www.asics.com.

Peregrune - I've been using Peregrune supplements, including their Runner Multivitamin and Runner Joint, everyday since 2023 and for good reason. They are NSF and third-party tested. They are also for runner, created by runners. Save 15% on your purchase at www.peregrune.com by using code "RAMBLING" at checkout.

Rambling Runner Resources

Personalized Coaching - Are you looking to work with a running coach? I am here for you! I've been working with runners of all ages and abilities for five years - from newer runners, masters runners looking to PR, and folks hoping to break 3:00 in the marathon. You can learn more by going to www.mckirdytrained.com, where I coach, or by emailing me at [email protected].

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices