THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Back on the podcast is one of the greatest coaches in NCAA history, Coach Chris Miltenberg.

Following seven years at Stanford University, Coach Milt was named Director of Track & Field and Cross Country at the University of North Carolina on June 27, 2019. The 2024-25 school year is his sixth at the Tar Heel helm.

The 2023-24 cross country and track and field seasons will go down as one of the best in program history for the men's teams. They finished in the Top 10 at the NCAA Championships, claiming 6th place in cross country and 5th place in outdoor track and field. The Tar Heels also won their first ACC Cross Country Championship since 1985 and their first ACC Indoor Championship since 1996.

Coach Milt also led Parker Wolfe to winning North Carolina's first-ever 5,000m National Championship at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Wolfe was named the USTFCCCA Men's Southeast Regional Athlete of the Year and ACC Runner of the Year in cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track. He is the first ACC athlete (male or female) to sweep those honors in a year. Wolfe won five ACC championships under Coach Miltenberg and set five school records. Wolfe became the Tar Heel's first runner in history to be named to The Bowerman Award Watchlist and later became a Bowerman Award Semifinalist.

The UNC men's cross country and track and field programs combined to finish 5th nationally in the 2023-24 USTFCCCA Men's Program of the Year Standings.

In summary, Coach Milt is not only a transformative force in the world of track and field coaching, but also a mentor and leader who instills a deep sense of dedication and excellence in his athletes. His impressive array of accomplishments, both on and off the field, stands as a testament to his enduring legacy as one of the sport's most exceptional and influential coaches.

In today's conversation, Coach Milt takes me through the ups and downs of the 2024 XC season thus far, his view on championship races, what makes a great speech, insights on recruiting, his 20yr vision for UNC, and so much more.

This one is an all-timer. Don't miss it. 

Tap into the Coach Milt Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com

Today, sharing one of the best stories in the sport are Patrick Anderson and Will Coogan. 

Last spring, five North Carolina men's track and field athletes were traveling to practice in a car after the Raleigh Relays. It crashed, flipped, and then landed in a ditch. Two of those athletes, Patrick Anderson and Will Coogan were in the car and both were seriously hurt, Patrick nearly dying from his injuries. 

Their story of getting back to running and excel at the sport once again after a nearly fatal event is one of the most inspiring stories the sport has ever seen.

Patrick and Will are both highly accomplished runners. 

Patrick has run 3:40.09 (1500m), 7:54.64 (3k), 13:37.79 (5k), and 23:04.4 (8k XC). 

Will has run 3:44.13 (1500m), 7:54.66 (3k), 13:44.64 (5k), and 23:41.2 (8k XC). 

In today's conversation, Patrick and Will recap this story in gripping detail and share the ins and outs on how this life event shaped their lives, their return to the sport, the obstacles they've faced in that pursuit, their ambitions for the future, and so much more!

This conversation is truly impactful and will reshape your perspective on how you view your running, and potentially even life. 

Do not miss this conversation, and please share it with a friend!

Tap into the Patrick Anderson and Will Coogan Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com

Last week, the SEC announced that they plan to set men’s roster limits to 10/35 for XC/TF. 

Earlier last week, coaches and administration from the Southeastern Conference were informed of the proposed conference roster limits for cross country and track & field.

Currently, the average SEC men’s XC roster is ~17.

One of the athletes who came out against this news is Ole Miss athlete, Stone Smith. 

Stone is an accomplished runner who was a 5xAlabama 6A State Champion in high school and ran 1:55 (800m), 4:12 (Mile), and 9:08 (2-Mile), and 15:21 in the 5k. 

Stone won the Mobile Meet of Champions Mile in 2023, where he set the meet record. He redshirted the bulk of last year but ran 3:52 in the 1500m, which converts to a 4:08 (1600m). 

As Stone discusses in this conversation, he would most likely be on the chopping block if this goes through. 

Stone walks me through the implications of this news if it goes through, what it would do for the programs within the SEC, how it could set a precedent in other programs around the NCAA, how this will destroy walk-ons, ways to fix the issue, and much more!

PLEASE PLEASE share this episode with a friend. Let's get the word out on this episode so that we can hopefully turn some heads within the leadership of the SEC / NCAA. 

Tap into the Stone Smith Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com

Ethan Strand shares insights on becoming the newest NIL athlete for NIKE!

THE EMILY SISSON SPECIAL 

Emily Sisson is one of the greatest US Distance Runners of all-time, and she still has her best running ahead of her. At every level, Emily has been ABSOLUTELY dominant. 

In high school, Emily qualified for the prestigious Foot Locker National Cross Country Championships all four years, a feat that has barely been replicated throughout history. 

In college, at Providence College, Emily was a two-time NCAA champion, winning titles in the 5000m at both the indoor and outdoor NCAA Championships in 2015. She also set a collegiate indoor record for the women's 5000m with a time of15:12.22 at the Big East Indoor Track & Field Championships. 

Emily turned pro in 2015 with New Balance and continued to train under her college coach, Ray Tracey, and has all the way up to the present day. 

As a pro, Emily has set multiple American Records, including the American Record in the Marathon, which stands to this day. It was set at the 2022 Chicago Marathon, where she ran 2:18:29. Emily made the US Olympic team this past summer in the Marathon after placing 2nd at the US Olympic Trials in Orlando in February. 

In today's conversation, Emily takes me through the biggest lessons and learnings from her successful career, her years in high school and how she's always fallen back on her love for the sport, her ambitions for the future, and so much more.

I absolutely loved this conversation and the opportunity to pick Emily's brain on so many topics. This one is packed with wisdom! Take the time to listen to it. 

Tap into the Emily Sisson Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com 

THE EVAN JAGER SPECIAL 

Evan Jager is one of the most decorated and accomplished runners in US Distance history.

Evan is the American Record Holder in the Steeplechase, along with the Rio Olympic Silver Medalist in the Steeple and London World Championships Silver Medalist in the Steeple. On top of these feats, Evan has won a US title at the Steeplechase SEVEN times. 

He is one of the original members of Nike's Bowerman Track Club having dropped out of college (not to sound dramatic, he was just really fast and went pro) to follow Coach Jerry Schumacher. 

Evan holds PRs of 3:32 (1500m), 8:00.45 (Steeplechase), 7:35 (3000m), and 13:02 (5000m). 

Evan is a 2xUS Olympian. 

In today's conversation, Evan takes me through his life updates which includes moving to a new country, his reflections on his 2024 season, how to deal with disappointment, how much longer he plans to run for, lessons on how to become great at the sport of running, and so much more.

This episode is a true treat. A lot of Evan Jager updates mixed with unparalleled wisdom from the legend himself.

Tap into the Evan Jager Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com 

Back on the podcast, full of wisdom and insights is Drew Hunter!

Drew had a remarkably successful season where he PRd at every distance. He ran 3:33 in the 1500m, 13:08 in the 5k, and 27:38 in the 10k. Drew placed 4th at the US Olympic Trials in the 10k, his highest-ever finish at a US Olympic Trials. 

Before his professional career, he set the national indoor mile record for high school boys in 2016. He was also named the Gatorade National Cross-Country Runner of the Year in 2016. He committed to the University of Oregon on November 12, 2015, but instead decided to pursue a professional career by signing with Adidas. He then went on to co-found professional running team / brand Tinman Elite. 

In today's conversation, Drew takes me through his current outlook on the sport, the power of becoming a dad and how that's affected his mindset on the sport, what his next steps in sport / life are, his 2024 season, the best books he's read, what he wants to do when he's hung up the spikes, and much more!

I always love my conversations with Drew as they are always thoughtful and packed to the brim with insights. Don't miss this one! 

Tap into the Drew Hunter Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com 

The kid the nation is sleeping on arrives on the podcast today.

One email I sent five years ago changed the trajectory of my life. 

It was an email to Alex Ostberg, a Stanford student-athlete at the time. 

Alex quickly became a mentor to me and that drastically changed the outcomes in my life and heavily affected me startingThe Running Effect.

Today's conversation centers around mentorship, the importance of a mentor, where to find a mentor, and many other subjects, including the power of saying "yes" when you're young, embracing serendipity, and recognizing the unexpected value in opportunities that might feel random at first. We also dive into why doubling down on what works and avoiding mistakes is a smarter strategy than constantly seeking brilliance or novelty, along with many, many other points and quotes!

In regards to Alex Ostberg, if you're not familiar with him, he is a seven-time All-American who holds PRs of 3:58 in the Mile, 7:49 in the 3k, and 13:18 in the 5k. He has a Bachelor's Degree in human biology, a minor in psychology, and a master's in public health. Alex graduated from Stanford before getting his masters from the University of North Carolina.

Earlier this year, Alex accepted a position as an Assistant Coach at Nike's Bowerman Track Club. 

If you listen to this episode and find it impactful, PLEASE shoot me a DM or Email and let me know what impacted you or why you enjoyed it!

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com 

One of the biggest up-and-coming stars in the country, Daniel Skandera, comes on the podcast today to share his story!

Daniel has one of the most INSANE resumes as a junior in high school. 

He's a 4x USATF Junior Olympic National Champion. He's also set over FIFTY age-group world records ranging from 600m-5000m and ages 5-12. 

He was 14th at 2023 Footlocker South Regionals, but the 1st underclassman and 3rd best non-senior.

He went onto to become the 2023 RunningLane XC Champion as a sophomore. 

Daniel returns to the 2024 Foot Locker meet looking for a little redemption. 

He holds PRs of 4:10 (1600m), 8:53 (3200m), and 15:05 (XC). 

In today's conversation, Daniel takes me through his insane career, how he got started in the sport at such a young age, attacking every world age group record, his progression in high school, what making Foot Locker would mean to him andso much more!  

This one is packed with fun stories and great insights. Don't miss it!

Tap into the Daniel Skandera Special.  

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend! 

S H O W N O T E S

-REGISTER FOR FOOT LOCKER REGIONALS: http://footlockercc.com  

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-My Newsletter: https://therunningeffect.substack.com