The Run Around Iowa

Adam is the first international guest on the podcast and he explains the decision to change his citizenship to Great Britain from Australia, where he ran during his formative years before going to Drake. Adam talks about the process of turning professional with the Under Armour Mission Run Baltimore team and his first races as a professional in Europe and then recently in Massachusetts. He chats about the decision to come to Drake and the pipeline of runners who have come to the university from Australia, France, Tunisia and other nations. Adam talks about the tough ending to his senior season this spring and the story of having his appendix taken out. He also shares the positive aspect to having the final few weeks to stay on campus with college friends. He goes into detail on improvements he needs to make to compete with the best group of milers in the world - many of whom are from his own adopted country. Adam also talks about the chances he might run on the Blue Oval at the Drake Relays again.

Ellie talks about her whirlwind engagement and upcoming wedding on August 13 to Ryan Hodge, a fellow runner at Baylor University. She chats about how the two met and also about going to seminary at Baylor a year ago to pursue a master's degree in the ministry. Ellie talks about a change in coaching at the Waco school as well as a knee injury that stalled her progress last season. The South Dakota State school record holder in the 1,500 mentions why she changed from pursuing a sports administration job at the college level. Ellie talks about why she spurned going to Iowa and Iowa State to run for Rod DeHaven at SDSU. She also talks about the highs of winning four Iowa state track and field titles as well as a state basketball title as a senior. Ellie talks about the famous "bun" and how she set a trend among college athletes. She also chats about Baylor's outlook for the upcoming cross country season.

Lance opens the podcast by giving his thoughts on the future of track and field in America after the thrilling 10 days of the World Athletics Championships. He also gives his favorite moment of the event at Hayward Field. He also delves into a newsy period in July that included a coaching change at NJCAA champion Iowa Western, a generous move by a former Iowa State great, a big change affecting the Bowerman Track Club's, the end of a road racing tradition and a competition change for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

Lance opens the podcast by talking about a new head track and field coach at Drake who is familiar to Bulldogs fans. He also talks about former Bulldog great Adam Fogg signing with a pro team. Then the podcast shifts to three road races that Lance says are withering. He provides thoughts on how the three races can return to their glorious past.

Joe opens the show by talking about his legacy at Wartburg, which included 11 American Rivers Conference titles, with eight coming in track and field. Joe also chats about his move to Portland in September, when he will take a tax position with Deloitte and will be running for the BTC Elite team. He is busy now studying for the CPA exam. Joe talks about unfinished running goals, which includes breaking 14 minutes in the 5,000 meters. He also breaks down a recent race weekend where he ran a 5K in Michigan and turned around and raced in a mile in Wisconsin. He talks about the notorious workout at Wartburg that separated the men from the boys each fall. Joe also talks about his special relationship with longtime girlfriend Kylie.

Oksana talks about pursuing her master's degree in early childhood therapy at South Dakota State. She goes into detail the struggles she has felt being a Division I athlete and student while juggling a job. The former Des Moines Christian star tells of meeting her husband Bryce and how he balances her life. Oksana also tells of her life in a Russian orphanage and the changes she experienced coming to an American family. Oksana tells of being a difficult child for her loving family and needing to mature in high school and college. She also describes the moment when she knew she loved the sport of running. Oksana also tells of wanting to stay involved with the Jacks program.

Lance opens the podcast by talking about Sammy Rotich's runner-up finish in Duluth, Minn, on Saturday. He also shares a story of meeting Sammy for the first time. Other top performances at Grandma's came from former Iowa Hawkeye and Ottumwa prep Kevin Lewis, former Iowa State athlet Andrea Toppin of Clear Lake and also Jen Van Otterloo of Sioux Center. The report also features several former Wartburg College runners. Abby Caldwell comes on the show for a final time to talk about the All-American showing by Iowa State's Jason Gomez at nationals and former Cyclones faring well in road racing.

Lance opens the podcast by chatting about the outstanding performance by Iow State junior Jason Gomez in the 800 at NCAAs in Eugene. He also talks about Drake's Isaac Basten going for broke in the 1,500 final and running a gutsy race. The focus then turns to last weekend's inaugural Ironman Des Moines event. Lance gives his thoughts on the course, competition and brutal heat, with comments from men's pro winner Matt Hanson. The race report resumes with the best from Portland, including a win in the 1,500 from Karissa Schweizer and a seventh from a former Iowa Central runner. He also talks about a season-best performance from former Iowa Hawkeye Erik Sowinski in the 800 at the NYC Grand Prix.

Matt comes on the show to talk about his prospects for a win at Sunday's Ironman Des Moines, which serves as the North American Championship. The Buena Vista University graduate is the favorite to win in his return to racing in Iowa and will wear the No. 1 bib Sunday. Matt chats about the confidence he gained from a runner-up finish at the Ironman 70.3 North American Championships in Chattanooga. Matt also describes the challenge of racing a full Ironman after a big effort three weeks ago. He talks about changes in triathlon and the new professional triathlon circuit that will be a threat to Ironman's hold on the longer triathlon distances. Matt also talks about his strategy for Sunday's race and building a social media presence and building the Matt Hanson triathlon coaching service.