Today on the podcast, we're rejoined by Allen Lim - Founder of Skratch Labs. We spoke to Allen about a year ago, and he dropped so much hydration wisdom the first time, we had to invite him back for another hour. This time, David and Allen explore the themes of community, identity, and the complexities of endurance sports. They discuss the importance of hydration, nutrition, and mental health in athletic performance, while also reflecting on personal journeys and the influence of sports on youth. The conversation highlights the need for better infrastructure to support outdoor activities and the role of sports in fostering connection and resilience.
Today on the podcast, we're joined by Arielle Knutson - CEO of Oiselle. Arielle discusses her journey into the running apparel industry, the importance of community in running, and how Oiselle distinguishes itself as a brand by women for women. She shares insights on the emotional connection runners have with their sport, the role of brand identity, and the challenges of building a brand in a competitive market. Arielle also reflects on her personal running experiences and the significance of inclusivity in the running community.
Today on the podcast we're joined by Darcy Piceu - Ultrarunner and therapist. Darcy has a number of high profile race wins under her belt, including three Hardrock 100 wins and several FKTs. In this conversation, David and Darcy explore the parallels between long-distance running and life, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and enjoying the journey rather than fixating on the end goal. She shares personal insights on overcoming self-doubt and the significance of staying present in the moment. We hope you enjoy!
Today on the podcast we spoke to Keira D’Amato - author of Don't Call It a Comeback. In this conversation, Keira shares her journey as a masters runner, reflecting on her achievements, the importance of community, and the balance between family and running. She discusses her motivation for writing her book, the significance of setting personal goals, and the challenges she faced in her running career. Keira emphasizes the value of injury prevention, recovery, and the role of local running stores in fostering a supportive running community. As she looks to the future, she expresses excitement for upcoming races and the ongoing adventure of running.
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by trail and ultra runner Coree Woltering. He shares insights into his journey in the world of endurance sports, discussing his recent experiences with injuries, the challenges of the Cocodona 250 race, and the mental strategies he employs during long runs. He emphasizes the importance of pacing, nutrition, and the supportive community within ultra running. Coree also reflects on his training regimen, future aspirations, and the significance of maintaining a positive mindset in the face of challenges.
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Dirk Friel – Co-Founder of TrainingPeaks. We discussed the evolution of endurance coaching, the importance of individualized training, and the role of coaches in helping athletes achieve their goals. We also explored when amateur athletes should seek professional guidance, the significance of consistency and recovery, and how age impacts training strategies. Dirk emphasizes the need for maintaining intensity, especially for masters athletes, and the balance between strength and endurance training. The discussion also highlights the art and science of coaching, advocating for a growth mindset among athletes. The dialogue also touches on personal insights, favorite sports experiences, and the significance of mentorship in an athlete's journey. We hope you enjoy.
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Matt Taylor – Co-Founder and CEO of Tracksmith. After a successful career running track and cross country at Yale, Matt traveled the world producing running documentaries on a shoestring budget. He then founded Tracksmith in 2013, delivering top-notch running gear with a classic aesthetic. Our conversation covered everything from competing as we age, work-life balance, and the impact of tariffs on the running industry as a whole. We hope you enjoy!
On today's podcast, we're joined by Mark Sisson, founder of Primal Kitchen and the minimalist footwear brand, Peluva. Mark co-founded Peluva with his son Kyle in 2021, seeking to improve upon the limited minimalist footwear options available. By analyzing the successes and failures of past brands, they aimed to develop what they describe as "the most functional, comfortable, and stylish barefoot-inspired shoe ever made." After speaking with Mark for an hour, it's clear he has put considerable thought into the shoe's design, as well as into training and wellness in general. Tune in, because there's a lot to learn in this insightful episode – we hope you enjoy it.
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Ryan Hurley — SMM’s Official Sleep Partner and founder of Lagoon Sleep. Ryan discusses his journey from being a D1 swimmer to starting Lagoon, a company focused on optimizing sleep for athletes through innovative pillow design. He shares insights on the importance of sleep, the science behind pillow materials, and common mistakes people make that affect their sleep quality. He also touches on the significance of temperature regulation, sleep hygiene for athletes, the benefits of white/brown noise, and shares insights on wearable sleep technology. In addition to great products, Ryan also offers sleep analysis and coaching through Lagoon. We hope you enjoy today’s episode.
Today on the Podcast, we’re joined by Brett Lato — Manager of Training and Education at Polar. David and Brett discuss the significance of heart rate training and the role of Polar technology in enhancing athletic performance. They delve into the importance of data-driven training, understanding heart rate zones, and the advancements in wearable technology, including the EKG feature in Polar devices. The discussion also covers the measurement of max heart rate, heart rate variability, and the Polar fitness test, emphasizing the need for personalized metrics to optimize training outcomes. Brett also draws on his experience as a coach and organizer of athletics to share with us some “ah-ha” moments that transformed the way he approaches training.
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by David Knapp, Ph.D. He is the author of a new book titled Marathon Leadership, which draws on his experience as a runner, trainer, and professional development coach. David discusses a number of topics to help us achieve our goals in both our running and careers, so sit back and enjoy!
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Greg McMillan - the founder of McMillan Running and the official training plan partner for Six Minute Mile. David and Greg delve into various aspects of running training, focusing on improving running form, the significance of strides, and the importance of neuromuscular training. They discuss the science behind cardiovascular training, the role of walking, and essential strength training exercises for runners. Additionally, they highlight the importance of hip mobility and provide insights for masters runners on how to adapt their training as they age. In this conversation, Greg and David delve into various aspects of running, focusing on self-care practices post-run, navigating injuries, and the importance of finding specialized care for runners. They discuss heart rate zone training, the development and utility of the Macmillan run calculator, and the nuances of tapering versus peaking for races. Additionally, they highlight common mistakes in marathon training and the significance of mental strategies for race day success.
Today on the podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Allen Lim, a sports scientist, cycling coach, and founder of Skratch Labs. We covered a wide range of topics related to nutrition and hydration for endurance athletes, starting with the importance of treating food as culture rather than just technology. From there, Allen went on to discuss timing issues for eating before workouts, the difference between water and electrolyte drinks, and the importance of respecting thirst. Allen emphasizes the importance of listening to your body's thirst cues and not overthinking hydration. He says that "performance is sometimes science, but it's also sometimes grandma," which we think sums up his intuitive, yet informed approach to hydration and athletic performance.
We were joined by Arash Javanbakht, Director of the Stress, Trauma, and Anxiety Research Clinic. In our conversation, we touch on utilizing exercise to improve mental health and overcome trauma and stress. We also discuss triggering "flight or fight" responses and ways to perform optimally in sports and other areas of life. We really enjoyed talking to Arash and walked away with a better understanding of the relationship between the brain and physical performance. Enjoy!
We were joined by Shane Benzie, or sometimes referred to as "The Indiana Jones of the Running World". Shane utilizes his decade's worth of travels and meticulous studies to help today's runners rewire the way think about their movement, or "rewire their software". In our conversation, Shane elaborates how he coaches his runners up using his three pillars; perception, video, and data. We also discuss the importance of running with buddies or the "power of the group". Amongst other topics, we hit the "tripod landing", how feet are a runner's antenna, and what humans and kangaroos have in common. This is perhaps our most informative podcast yet for those looking to improve their running performance. Enjoy!
We were joined by Amby Burfoot, a man whose life has been centered around his love for running. We talk about his early years of competitive running highlighted by his 1968 Boston Marathon victory and relationship with Six Minute Mile Podcast alumni and his former roommate, Bill Rodgers. Amby talks about the progress running has made in making the sport more inclusive and equal and also where there is still room for improvement. Amby then walks us through his transition from competitive to recreational runner and why he is a fan of the 30 miles a week regiment over a grueling 100 miler. We move on to his life as a writer and journalist with Runner's World magazine and his decades-long career there, which got its jump-start from the help of another SMM guest, Hal Higdon. As usual, we end our conversation with some rapid-fire questions regarding his taste in books, movies and running preferences.
If you’ve ever run, or watched the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, you’ve probably wondered how everything comes together to create such an inspiring, well organized, large scale event. Mike Nishi is the Chief Operating Officer for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon and the architect behind that race day organization. He talks to us about how his passion for organization translates to race day operations. Another of Mike’s passions is sustainability. Recognized in the Running Industry, as a leader for sustainability, Mike takes us through how the Bank of American Chicago tested compostable cups. Ever wonder how all those volunteers get onboard, trained and assigned? Mike shares insight into his amazing team, and how they align their values with that of the volunteers, with the target of retention and appreciation. Last but not least, Mike shares his routine that helps him manage stress, a very intentional routine of stretching, meditation and creating boundaries between work and family.
Dick Beardsley is the ultimate story teller, as he talked to us about his running, personal life and shared some Beardsleyism’s. Dick detailed 1981 London Marathon, and how he and Inge Simonsen crossed the finish line, in first place, hand in hand. Then Dick takes us down memory lane with the 1982 Boston Marathon (Duel in the Sun), where Dick and Alberto Salazar battled it out the entire 26.2 Miles, with Salazar winning by 1.6 Seconds. Dick has overcome a lot in life and he shares with us his “glass is ALWAYS half full” attitude. He shares details of the injuries that led to his pain killer addiction, and how he recovered. Just when he thought he would never deal with anything that painful again, then he lost his son to PTSD. Dick can’t image not sharing these experiences, as he feels everyone can learn, grow and find something positive from the most tragic situations.