The Strength Running Podcast

But we almost never discuss the failures of the world's best runners.

What does it feel like to never achieve your biggest goal throughout your entire career?

How does an elite keep perspective? Do they ever think about quitting?

Most importantly... how do elites bounce back from setbacks? Do they have a different mindset than us normal runners?

What enables them to continue training at high levels for years?

How do they overcome a bad workout, long run, or race?

These are the questions that I couldn't get out of my head.

So I interviewed six pro runners to get their hot take on failure:

• Alexi Pappas - Olympian, Greek national record holder, and star of Tracktown
• Mike Wardian - racing phenom, world record holder, and nicest guy ever
• Brandy Erholtz - Pikes Peak Ascent champ, US Mountain Running team member
• Nick Symmonds - 2x Olympian and the CEO of Run Gum
• Devon Yanko - 2017 winner of the Leadville Trail 100, multiple national champion
• Travis Macy - ultra runner and author of The Ultra Mindset

They're the stars of Episode 39 of the Strength Running podcast. I think you're going to love this episode.

We talk about their own personal failures, how they bounced back, and whether their approach to failure has changed over time.

But we almost never discuss the failures of the world's best runners.

What does it feel like to never achieve your biggest goal throughout your entire career?

How does an elite keep perspective? Do they ever think about quitting?

Most importantly... how do elites bounce back from setbacks? Do they have a different mindset than us normal runners?

What enables them to continue training at high levels for years?

How do they overcome a bad workout, long run, or race?

These are the questions that I couldn't get out of my head.

So I interviewed six pro runners to get their hot take on failure:

• Alexi Pappas - Olympian, Greek national record holder, and star of Tracktown
• Mike Wardian - racing phenom, world record holder, and nicest guy ever
• Brandy Erholtz - Pikes Peak Ascent champ, US Mountain Running team member
• Nick Symmonds - 2x Olympian and the CEO of Run Gum
• Devon Yanko -  2017 winner of the Leadville Trail 100, multiple national champion
• Travis Macy - ultra runner and author of The Ultra Mindset

They're the stars of Episode 39 of the Strength Running podcast. I think you're going to love this episode.

We talk about their own personal failures, how they bounced back, and whether their approach to failure has changed over time.

Meet Devon Yanko. On August 19, 2017 she won the Leadville Trail 100 - a race where 9,200 feet altitude is the lowest you'll experience on the course.

She finished in 20:46:29, averaging 12:28 per mile - a half hour ahead of her nearest competitor.

With nearly 16,000 feet of elevation change through Colorado's gnarliest mountain terrain, the course is so difficult that in most years, less than half of the field finishes the race.

Having run in similar places, I can vouch for how strenuous this terrain can be (even for experienced runners). With precious air at a costly premium, the steep grades and uneven footing make traversing these trails a form of slow-motion torture.

Going uphill burns the lungs after just a few steps. Each muscle contraction seems to draw double the amount of oxygen to fuel their movements.

Running downhill isn't much better. The rocky terrain is a nightmare for those with weak ankles.

Try running fast on a technical downhill trail after running for 3+ hours (in the dark, no less). It's terrifying.

To win Leadville is like single-handedly winning the World Series or the Superbowl.

Leadville is one of the top ultramarathons in the world. Winning it is a career-defining moment for trail runners.

But for Devon, it's just one more race on her long list of achievements:

• 3 time member of the USATF 100k National Team including 2009 Gold Medal winning team in Belgium
• 2007 RRCA Marathon National Champion
• 2010 50 mile road National Champion
• 2012 Olympic Trials marathoner (PR of 2:38:55)
• 2011 100k National Champion
• Set Fastest Known Time on the Grand Canyon R2R2R trail with Krissy Moehl in April 2011
• 3rd place at the Two Oceans Marathon (56k)
• 5th in Comrades Marathon (89k, as well as first novice and first American)
• Ran the 3rd fastest trail 100 miler ever for a North American running 14:52 at the 2015 Javelina 100

Not to be outdone, she's also the owner of M. H. Bread and Butter bakery in San Anselmo, CA with her husband.

Strength Running readers will also be familiar with Devon - she joined eight other elite athletes in sharing her best injury prevention and recovery advice for The Little Black Book of Prevention & Recovery (it's free - download it now).

You're going to love my conversation with Devon - but not just because she's one of the best long distance runners in the world.

She's also hilarious.

Meet Devon Yanko. On August 19, 2017 she won the Leadville Trail 100 - a race where 9,200 feet altitude is the lowest you'll experience on the course.

She finished in 20:46:29, averaging 12:28 per mile - a half hour ahead of her nearest competitor.

With nearly 16,000 feet of elevation change through Colorado's gnarliest mountain terrain, the course is so difficult that in most years, less than half of the field finishes the race.

Having run in similar places, I can vouch for how strenuous this terrain can be (even for experienced runners). With precious air at a costly premium, the steep grades and uneven footing make traversing these trails a form of slow-motion torture.

Going uphill burns the lungs after just a few steps. Each muscle contraction seems to draw double the amount of oxygen to fuel their movements.

Running downhill isn't much better. The rocky terrain is a nightmare for those with weak ankles.

Try running fast on a technical downhill trail after running for 3+ hours (in the dark, no less). It's terrifying.

To win Leadville is like single-handedly winning the World Series or the Superbowl.

Leadville is one of the top ultramarathons in the world. Winning it is a career-defining moment for trail runners.

But for Devon, it's just one more race on her long list of achievements:

• 3 time member of the USATF 100k National Team including 2009 Gold Medal winning team in Belgium
• 2007 RRCA Marathon National Champion
• 2010 50 mile road National Champion
• 2012 Olympic Trials marathoner (PR of 2:38:55)
• 2011 100k National Champion
• Set Fastest Known Time on the Grand Canyon R2R2R trail with Krissy Moehl in April 2011
• 3rd place at the Two Oceans Marathon (56k)
• 5th in Comrades Marathon (89k, as well as first novice and first American)
• Ran the 3rd fastest trail 100 miler ever for a North American running 14:52 at the 2015 Javelina 100

Not to be outdone, she's also the owner of M. H. Bread and Butter bakery in San Anselmo, CA with her husband.

Strength Running readers will also be familiar with Devon - she joined eight other elite athletes in sharing her best injury prevention and recovery advice for The Little Black Book of Prevention & Recovery (it's free - download it now).

You're going to love my conversation with Devon - but not just because she's one of the best long distance runners in the world.

She's also hilarious.

Alexi's talents extend far beyond the track and screen. She's been a...

• columnist for Women's Running Magazine
• improvisational comedy performer in Los Angeles
• author of a one-act play

As you can see, Alexi has done a lot more than just running. That's why, in this interview, we don't talk much about running.

I didn't ask her what it was like being a multiple All-American for Dartmouth College. Or how it felt to set the Greek Record at the Rio Olympics of 31:36 in the 10,000m.

Instead, we talk about what it's like to pursue so many goals, what she's reading, and how she differentiates between her creative pursuits and being an elite athlete.

This conversation will show you how to pursue many goals and interests (while still prioritizing what's most important to you).

Alexi is a boundless source of quotables and wisdom that I found refreshing. I hope you enjoy this episode.

And please, don't criticize my Haiku poem at the end of the show. I'm not a poet!

Alexi's talents extend far beyond the track and screen. She's been a...

• columnist for Women's Running Magazine
• improvisational comedy performer in Los Angeles
• author of a one-act play

As you can see, Alexi has done a lot more than just running. That's why, in this interview, we don't talk much about running.

I didn't ask her what it was like being a multiple All-American for Dartmouth College. Or how it felt to set the Greek Record at the Rio Olympics of 31:36 in the 10,000m.

Instead, we talk about what it's like to pursue so many goals, what she's reading, and how she differentiates between her creative pursuits and being an elite athlete.

This conversation will show you how to pursue many goals and interests (while still prioritizing what's most important to you).

Alexi is a boundless source of quotables and wisdom that I found refreshing. I hope you enjoy this episode.

And please, don't criticize my Haiku poem at the end of the show. I'm not a poet!

You might know David from drdavidgeier.com where he simplifies the complex area of sports medicine.

David's most notably an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina.

He was Director of MUSC Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina for eights years and is currently the Communications Council Chair for the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Board of Directors.

Major media have featured his advice in interviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NBC News, The Atlantic, Forbes, and many others.

Check out David's new book, That's Gotta Hurt! The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever.

As you can see, I was quite excited to chat with him about the best injury prevention practices for younger athletes.

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

You might know David from drdavidgeier.com where he simplifies the complex area of sports medicine.

David's most notably an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina.

He was Director of MUSC Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina for eights years and is currently the Communications Council Chair for the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Board of Directors.

Major media have featured his advice in interviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NBC News, The Atlantic, Forbes, and many others.

Check out David's new book, That's Gotta Hurt! The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever.

As you can see, I was quite excited to chat with him about the best injury prevention practices for younger athletes.

I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In Episode 33, I introduced you to Joel Runyon who recently ran an ultramarathon on every continent - and raised a staggering $190,000 in the process.

Today, we're diving deeper into the obstacles he faced, lessons learned, and what he'd change if he were to do it all over again.

In part two of our conversation, Joel opens up about the obstacles he faced while attempting to finish the 777 Project.

They included injuries, unrelated lawsuits, brutal trail races in the mountains of Thailand, and the normal logistical nightmares of running races all over the world.

Of course, Joel didn't quit.

It didn't matter that he had to take 6 months off to rehabilitate a peroneal tendon injury.

He didn't care that every race - and the travel that went along with it - was self-funded.

Nor was it even an option to quit during a race (how's that for commitment?).

More important than the mindset that allowed Joel to leapfrog these obstacles is the impact and lessons learned from the 777 Project.

We cover all that and more in today's episode of the Strength Running Podcast.

In Episode 33, I introduced you to Joel Runyon who recently ran an ultramarathon on every continent - and raised a staggering $190,000 in the process.

Today, we're diving deeper into the obstacles he faced, lessons learned, and what he'd change if he were to do it all over again.

In part two of our conversation, Joel opens up about the obstacles he faced while attempting to finish the 777 Project.

They included injuries, unrelated lawsuits, brutal trail races in the mountains of Thailand, and the normal logistical nightmares of running races all over the world.

Of course, Joel didn't quit.

It didn't matter that he had to take 6 months off to rehabilitate a peroneal tendon injury.

He didn't care that every race - and the travel that went along with it - was self-funded.

Nor was it even an option to quit during a race (how's that for commitment?).

More important than the mindset that allowed Joel to leapfrog these obstacles is the impact and lessons learned from the 777 Project.

We cover all that and more in today's episode of the Strength Running Podcast.