The Zone 2 Podcast

💔 This week, we sat down with one of the faces behind Boston’s iconic Heartbreak Hill Running Company: Dan Fitzgerald. Dan’s role is finely structured around his passions for community, coaching, and of course, running. Join us in unpacking Dan’s journey at Heartbreak from humble beginnings in the South End all the way to new frontiers in LA and beyond. 

In this episode, learn all about: 

💥 What it takes to launch a running retail brand from the ground up

🏙 How Heartbreak carved its identity in Boston’s running scene

📈 The evolution of the running community and Heartbreak’s role in shaping it

All this and more; plus, we learn about the recent launch of Heartbreak LA and look ahead at what’s coming up at Heartbreak this summer. Whether you’re a regular at the Tuesday morning track workouts or are just looking to order some Heartbreak gear, this episode has something for everyone. Want to learn more? Check out heartbreak.run and follow @heartbreak.run on your socials to stay connected. 

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⭐️ Did you like this episode? Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️!

Also, be sure to check out these interviews with other members of the Heartbreak community:

5: Getting Technical with Russell Wells

6: In the Details with Devin Miller

11: Rising Up with U.P. Nguyen

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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

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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: Dan Fitzgerald

🚀 In this week’s special episode, Francis and Brian take a deep dive into one of the most revolutionary developments in modern running: supershoes💨. From record-shattering performances by Kelvin Kiptum and Tigst Assefa to the carbon-plated kicks showing up at your local 5K, we break down the science, the history, and the hype behind the shoes that are changing the sport. 

In this episode, we get into:

• The evolution of shoe tech from kangaroo skin to PEBA foam

• What the research says about performance gains

• What the heck a carbon plate actually is

• The risks, the rewards, and who benefits most

Elite supershoes cost a premium, but are they worth it? Lace up and find out.

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⭐️ Did you like this episode?

Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️! Shoes are cool, but there's so much more to running than that! If you liked this episode, check out these other episodes:

10: Something About Strava

9: Fueling the Finish with Lily Toussaint

3: Taking it Easy with Ted Trozinski

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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

💻 References for today's episode

🏅 This week, we’re thrilled to introduce Mike Beeman, who you may know from his energetic and motivational TikTok videos featuring his mantra: “Slay the day, rep the steps!”—always followed by his signature dab. Known online as @Runboston48, Mike has an incredible 48 Boston Marathon finishes under his belt and is looking ahead to number 49. We spent some time talking with Mike to hear about his unique perspective on distance running, community, longevity, and how the sport has evolved over his 56 years of running.

In this episode:

– How has the sport of running changed over the decades?

– How has social media influenced Mike’s experience as a runner?

– What advice does he have for beginners starting their running journey?

💎 All that and more in this absolute gem of an episode.

And if you haven’t already, be sure to check him out on TikTok and read more about his journey in People or on boston.com. 

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⭐️ Did you like this episode?

Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️! For anyone interested in distance running, it doesn’t get bigger than the Boston Marathon. We recommend checking out these episodes featuring other Boston Marathon finishers:

16: This Episode is a Banger: Seth Wolfman on Building Boston’s Friendliest Run Club

13: Sticking the Landing with Savannah Gigandet

11: Rising Up with U.P. Nguyen

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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: Mike Beeman

🌟 This week, we sat down with Liv Barbier, 3x marathoner and runner for the Tracksmith Hares, for an inspiring conversation about motivation, goal-setting, and self-belief. If you haven’t already signed up for a marathon, you will after hearing what Liv has to say. From her background as a competitive skier and mountain biker, Liv shares about her rapid transition from hobby runner to a competitive marathoner, gives a unique perspective into her TikTok presence, and looks ahead to some big future goals.

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⭐️ Did you like this episode? Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️! We also recommend checking out:

18: 100 Miles of Mind Games: Inside the Ultra Life with Meg Morgan

11: Rising Up with U.P. Nguyen

2: Women's Running and Brand Ambassadorship with Cate Schultz

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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

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

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: Liv Barbier

⛰️ This week, we’re going long — really long. We’re joined by professional ultramarathoner Meg Morgan, who runs for La Sportiva and has taken on some of the gnarliest races out there — including the iconic Western States 100. In this episode, Meg walks us through her journey from hobby runner to pro, why she chose to go beyond the marathon, and what actually happens inside your head (and feet) during a 100-mile race.

We talk about the training that sets ultrarunners apart, the mindset that keeps them going, and the trail-tested gear Meg swears by. You can read more about Meg on the La Sportiva team page.

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⭐️ Did you like this episode? Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️! We also recommend checking out:

7: Fast Times with Tommy Hinojosa

10: Something about Strava

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

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

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: Meg Morgan

🍁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

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

🎉 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! 🏃‍♂️💨

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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! 🏃‍♂️💨

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🎧 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! 🏃‍♂️💨

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🎧 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!

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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: 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