🍁This week, tap in for a special race debrief from this past weekend’s Vermont City Marathon. We’re joined by our friend and fellow marathon debutant Zach Shrull, who finished in an impressive 3:17:07, and managed a negative split. In this episode, Francis and Zach both take a good hard look at all their life decisions over the last 6 months: specifically, we unpack their first training cycles, reflect on their race-day experiences, and look ahead to the possibility of more races to come. Whether you're training for your first marathon or you're just here for the chaos, there’s something in this one for you.

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⭐️Did you like this episode?

Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️, we really really appreciate it! You should also check out:

3: Taking it Easy with Ted Trozinski

12: Running Really Really Far with Rachel Ahlmark 

15: Break to BQ with Aidan Kindopp

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🎉 Race shoutout time!

Did you or a friend crush a race recently? Submit it here for a shoutout on the pod:

👉Race shoutout form

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Never miss a run, or an episode:

✔️ Follow us on instagram

✔️ Like and Subscribe on Spotify

✔️ Sign up for weekly newsletters right to your inbox

✔️ Tell your friends, teammates, running buddies, even your Hinge dates

Have any guest ideas or feedback? Send us a DM! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for listening — and happy running! 🏃‍♂️💨

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🎧 Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

🎙️ Guest: Zach Shrull

This week on The Zone 2 Podcast, Francis and Brian are joined by Seth Wolfman, the founder of the widely popular Brighton Bangers Running Club! Since its founding in 2012, the Bangers have grown into one of the most vibrant and welcoming running communities in Boston — with hundreds of runners showing up to weekly group runs. In this episode, Seth shares:

🏙️ The joys and challenges of building a running community

📈 How he keeps momentum going and attracts new members

🧠 Insights into group dynamics, leadership, and club culture

🎽 And of course — marathon stories! From Boston favorites to hilarious bib-hunting adventures, Seth has seen it all.

Want to run with the Bangers?

Join a group run in Oak Square, Brighton:

🕖 Wednesdays at 7 PM

🕘 Saturdays at 9 AM

Learn more on Instagram @brightonbangers or visit brightonbangers.com

--------------------

🎉 Race shoutout time!

Did you or a friend crush a race recently? Submit it here for a shoutout on the pod:

👉Race shoutout form 

--------------------

Never miss a run, or an episode:

✔️ Follow us on instagram

✔️ Like and Subscribe on Spotify

✔️ Sign up for weekly newsletters right to your inbox

✔️ Tell your friends, teammates, running buddies, even your Hinge dates

Have any guest ideas or feedback? Send us a DM! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for listening — and happy running! 🏃‍♂️💨

--------------------

🎧 Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

🎙️ Guest: Seth Wolfman

Welcome back to The Zone 2 Podcast! This week, Francis and Brian chopped it up with former URI varsity runner and freshly minted marathoner Aidan Kindopp. Aidan may be humble, but we’ll brag for him — coming from a 1500m PR of 3:54.83, Aidan BQed in his debut marathon with 2:45:53 at the 2025 Rhode Races Newport Marathon. And just to round things out, he’s currently pursuing his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at MIT. Yes, he might somehow be even smarter than he is fast. 

In this episode, we dig into:

🏃‍♂️ Aidan’s transition from middle-distance to marathon

🧠 Burnout, identity, and what stepping away from racing taught him

🏁 Race-day nerves and and lessons learned

🔬 Balancing academics with high-mileage weeks

👟 Shoes (of course)

If you're looking for inspiration, this episode is for you!

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Did someone run a race? Get a race shoutout here!

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Never miss a run, or an episode:

✔️ Follow us on instagram

✔️ Like and Subscribe on Spotify

✔️ Sign up for weekly newsletters right to your inbox

✔️ Tell your friends, teammates, running buddies, even your Hinge dates

Have any guest ideas or feedback? Send us a DM! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for listening — and happy running! 🏃‍♂️💨

--------------------------------------------

🎧 Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

🎙️ Guest: Aidan Kindopp

Welcome to The Zone 2 Podcast! If you enjoy today’s episode, don’t forget to leave a review, comment, and share this episode with your friends & on social media!

Episode 14 features Boston College Senior and varsity distance runner Peter Fox. To celebrate Star Wars day, the lads kicked things off with some light-hearted Star Wars banter before Peter takes us through his life as a collegiate runner. We discuss running origins, Peter setting his school record in the indoor 5000m (14:07.32), injury setbacks. We also discuss the transition away from competitive collegiate running and look ahead to what is next for the very fast Peter Fox. 

🏃 Will Peter run a marathon? 

🥛 Will he coach Brian to a BQ in exchange for chocolate milk? 

🟣 Is Mace Windu still alive? 

Answers to these questions and more in this week’s episode of The Zone 2 Podcast.  

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As referenced on this episode:

🧠 Personality of marathon runners: a narrative review of recent findings

🚣‍♂️ Want to go whitewater rafting this summer with guide Brian? Shoot us a DM on instagram for more info!

--------------------

Never miss a run, or an episode:

✔️ Follow us on instagram

✔️ Like and Subscribe on Spotify

✔️ Sign up for weekly newsletters right to your inbox

✔️ Tell your friends, teammates, running buddies, even your Hinge dates

Have any guest ideas or feedback? Send us a DM! We’d love to hear from you. Thanks for listening — and happy running! 🏃‍♂️💨

--------------------

🎧 Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

🎙️ Guest: Peter Fox

Welcome to Episode 13, featuring 2022 Boston Marathon finisher Savannah Gigandet! As with all our guests, we dive into Savannah’s background in running and her journey thus far - from her time as a competitive gymnast to taking on the Boston Marathon, and now balancing her passions both for running and strength training. 

Savannah also speaks candidly about her experience with eating disorders related to athletics. She shares how these challenges have influenced her relationship with sports and what recovery has looked like over time. This powerful and vulnerable conversation sheds light on a struggle many athletes face and the impact it can have in the running community and beyond. 

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Please note: 

This episode includes discussion of eating disorders which may be sensitive for some listeners. While this is a sensitive topic, we believe this is an essential conversation to have in order to promote awareness in the athletic space and show support. 

If you or someone you love is struggling with an eating disorder, there are resources available to help:

• nationaleatingdisorders.org

• National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Eating Disorders

Helplines are also available:

• ANAD Helpline: 1 (888) 375-7767 (Monday-Friday, 9am-9pm CT)

• National Alliance for Eating Disorders Helpline: 1 (866) 662-1235 (Monday-Friday, 9am-7pm ET)

• Diabulimia Helpline: 1 (425) 985-3635

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Thank you for listening to the Zone 2 Podcast. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠, and subscribe to our newsletter. You can catch new Episodes streaming every Wednesday wherever you listen.

Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

Guest: Savannah Gigandet

Welcome to Episode 12, featuring a special race-day debrief with marathon debutant Rachel Ahlmark! Rachel comes from a background as a collegiate D3 short- and middle-distance runner, but after a few half marathons, she boldly (or foolishly?) decided to take on the full marathon. 

This past Saturday, host Brian and Rachel crossed the finish line at the Rhode Races Newport Marathon, wrapping up a long winter of training in Boston. In this debrief, Francis sits down with Brian and Rachel to unpack their first marathon experiences. We discuss training challenges, the highs, the lows, race strategies, lessons learned, and dreams of future races. 

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This Monday, there was a small local race in the Boston area ~ we want to congratulate all of the finishers of the 2025 Boston Marathon including former guests Cate Shultz, Nora Johnson, Haley Medeiros, and U.P. Nguyen!!

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Thank you for listening to the Zone 2 Podcast. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on ⁠instagram⁠. You can catch new Episodes streaming every Wednesday wherever you listen.

Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

Guest: Rachel Ahlmark

Welcome to Episode 11 featuring Heartbreak Boston Coach and 15-time marathoner U.P. Nguyen! U.P.’s impressive running resume includes the 2022 Boston Marathon and the 2024 Chicago Marathon, and U.P. will be returning to the course to race Boston next Monday! In addition to her impressive running accomplishments, U.P. coaches as a part of the team at Heartbreak Hill Running Company. 

In this episode, we dive into the heart of the Boston running community. We chat about what it means to be a coach, explore the roots of the current running “boom”, and discuss how to find training consistency in the chaotic whirlwind of everyday life. U.P. shares lessons learned from 15 marathons and gives us a special look ahead to Marathon Monday. 

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If you’re planning on spectating, be sure to keep an eye out for U.P., who will be running Boston along with our previous guests: Cate Schultz, Nora Johnson, and Haley Medeiros. Be sure to get loud and celebrate their hard work and preparation. 

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Thank you for listening to the Zone 2 Podcast. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on instagram. You can catch new Episodes streaming every Wednesday wherever you listen.

Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

Guest: U.P. Nguyen

If you went for a run but didn't log it on Strava... did it even happen?

Double digits: a huge landmark for runners and podcasters alike. To celebrate episode 10, we're taking a deep dive into the activity-based social media app that's become the go-to for runners: Strava! From data insights and training tools to social features and the perks of a premium subscription, we break down what makes Strava such an important part of the global running community. Whether you are a long-time Strava loyalist or an off-the-grid purist, this episode has something for everyone.

If you are interested in checking out Strava, it's available for free to download on the Google Play and Apple App stores. You can follow the hosts Brian and Francis!

Disclaimer: The Zone 2 Podcast is an independent production and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Strava. This episode is intended for editorial, informational, and entertainment purposes only. Any references to Strava are made under fair use, and all opinions expressed are our own. No sponsorships, promotions, or compensation were involved in the making of this episode.

Thank you for listening to the Zone 2 Podcast. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠. You can catch new Episodes streaming every Wednesday wherever you listen.

Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

Welcome to Episode 9 featuring Nike Women's Running Ambassador Lily Toussaint! Lily has a resume including 4 half marathon finishes, a finish at the 2024 Myrtle Beach Marathon, a spartan race, and a host of others!

In addition to her running accomplishments, Lily is currently studying to be a clinical dietician. With her background as an athlete and her professional focus on nutrition, Lily offers unique insights for runners who may be looking to up their game. We talk everything from pre-run fueling, carboloading, hitting "the wall", hydration, and more!

Thank you for listening to the Zone 2 Podcast. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on ⁠Instagram⁠. You can catch new Episodes streaming every Wednesday wherever you listen.

Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

Guest: Lily Toussaint

Welcome to Episode 8 featuring Southie's own Nora Johnson! Nora ran her first marathon in Newport in 2019, and has since ran Providence ('21), Chicago ('22), NYC ('23), and is currently preparing to run Boston next month in support of GoodSports! In addition to her accomplishments as a runner, Nora founded the hugely popular Castle Island Track Club located in Southie! On this week’s episode, we discuss race day experiences, organizing running events, and more.

Support Nora’s cause and learn about GoodSports.

Find Castle Island Track Club on Strava and Instagram.

Thank you for listening to the Zone 2 Podcast. Don’t forget to like, subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on Instagram. You can catch new Episodes streaming every Wednesday wherever you listen.

Created, Written, Edited, and Produced by hosts: Francis Criscione & Brian Coven

Guest: Nora Johnson