This week’s guest is David Ribich of Union Athletics Club, a 3:55 miler and many-time D2 NCAA champion at Western Oregon University. You also might know David as the host of the Sit and Kick podcast or the author of Small School; Big Dreams- he’s quite the renaissance man.
This was absolutely one of my favorite conversations I’ve ever had on the podcast – David was super honest and vulnerable in talking about his journey with the sport and pulling back the curtain on what it means to go through a contract renegotiation as a pro runner. He also shared his changing goals and perspective as he’s grown in his time as a pro, and of course, because it’s Valentine’s Day, we got David’s full love story and recap of his proposal to his fiancée in an Irish castle of all places.
Thanks for listening and please don’t forget to subscribe, follow, and throw us some love in the ratings and reviews. This show just turned 5 years old and the whole time it really has been a love letter from me to the sport, the culture, and all the people who make running so much bigger than just a type of exercise. Thanks again and enjoy the episode!
On leaving Brooks Beasts:
“It felt like a breakup. A lot of love went into that relationship and I really put myself out there emotionally. And when I had the option to stay with the team through the fall [after being released], I chose not to because I needed to look forward, to figure out my next step.”
On looking forward to 2023:
“I had to look at myself in the mirror this whole fall and ask, ‘why the hell am I doing this still?’ I could make more money doing something else. It’s about a childhood dream that I want to pursue- at this point in my career, for myself.”
On his dreams as a professional runner:
“At this point in my career, I’m in this for me. I’ve been the nice guy; I’ve represented my team and my brand. Now my dream as a runner is to step off the track proud of myself. I’m trying to get the max effort out of my body.”
On training with Union Athletic Club:
“It’s nice to be surrounded by people who know what they want and go for what they want. I have a lot to learn from this environment.”
This week we had an awesome conversation with Erika Kemp, the Boston-based NC State grad who’s crushed the U.S. road running scene in the last few years and is running her debut marathon in Boston this April. Erika is coming off a half marathon personal best of 1:10:38 in Houston earlier this month and has impressive track credentials to back up her road-racing wins, including PBs of 15:10 in the 5000m and 31:35 in the 10,000m.
We talked about Erika’s decision to leave the BAA after four years and enter 2023 unsponsored, what it’s been like to train through the holidays and coach herself, the secrets to her success on the roads, and the impact she’s had on the sport through social media and telling her own story. We also covered her longstanding relationship with NC State coach Laurie Henes, her unique perspective on representation, and
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On leaving BAA after four years:
“I started to feel the itch for change [….] and as that feeling bubbled up and I thought more about moving up to the marathon, this felt like the right time to do it.”
On entering 2023 unsponsored:
“I’m out here not just to set big goals, but to achieve big goals. I’m excited to try different things and I see what I can do.”
On thriving in road races:
“When I’m on the track, I feel like a goldfish in a bowl. When I’m on the roads, I’m a shark in the ocean. It’s so much bigger and the stakes are higher – there’s more money, you’re facing world champions and national record holders on a regular basis, so it’s much more interesting.”
On representation in the sport:
“Representation is super important. Being one of the few [American-born black women] in the pro field at Boston is very intimidating but also exciting – it’s easier to push yourself when you’re running for more than just you. And the bigger the stage, the more eyes on you.”
This week’s guest is Paige Stoner, the newly-crowned U.S. Marathon Champ with her 2:26:02 course record victory at the California International Marathon earlier this month. Paige is a truly versatile runner who was an All-American in track and cross-country at Syracuse University, ran her debut marathon at 24 years old, and has found success in the steeplechase, the 10k, and everything in between.
We talked about her exciting year that included getting married, moving from Virginia to Flagstaff, and self-coaching her way to a marathon personal best. We also covered wedding celebrations, uphill tempo runs, the best running Christmas gifts, and much more. Enjoy the episode as you get your winter running done or wrap your holiday presents!
Don’t forget to rate and review Run Your Mouth and all your other CITIUS Mag faves wherever you get your podcasts, and thanks so much for your support of the pod this year and every year.
On racing many distances and surfaces:
“In college I bounced around […] I always enjoyed variety and keeping things fresh. I didn’t think I would get into marathoning as early as I did, but when there were no races going on in 2020, that opportunity popped up and got me excited and motivated.”
On looking forward to her future on the roads:
“Winning my first U.S. title showed that I belong in the marathon, but I’m not naïve about what it takes. I’m taking steps forward and I’m ready to compete against the top women, but there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
This week’s guest is Adam Peterman, one of the best ultra marathoners in the country this year whose star is on the rise. Adam comes on fresh off a victory at the 80km trail World Championships and a breakout year that included wins at the Western States 100-mile race, the Canyons 100k, and last fall’s JFK 50-miler.
Before Adam was a big name at the long distances, he was a steeplechaser at the University of Colorado, where he met his partner, fellow Hoka trail runner Erin Clark. We talked about Adam’s journey to the ultra, his training setup in Mizzoula, MT, his plans to run a fast marathon, and much more as we dove into the fascinating world of ultra running. He’s definitely going to be someone to watch for fans of the long distances in years to come, and this episode was a great look into one of the sport’s newest stars.
Thanks for listening, and don’t forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram at @runyourmouthpod for more updates and new episodes and check out the other podcasts in the CITIUS MAG network for more great track and field content. Without further ado, enjoy the episode!
On moving to trails from DI track and field:
“After college, I was really burnt out and didn’t know if I wanted to race anymore. But moving back to Montana and being able to climb peaks, go mountain biking, and be around a strong group of trail runners got me excited about running again.”
On being compared to Jim Walmsley:
“A lot of the races [Jim] has chosen to do are the ones that I’m excited about. I look at his times at Western States or in the 100k, and it’s insane, but I want to see if I can do it too.”
On the growth of trail running:
“It’s a really exciting time to be a trail runner. Trail is so dynamic and unpredictable; it’s fun to tune in and follow. You might have someone who’s leading be throwing up 10 miles later – and even come back to win. It’s going to continue to grow a lot, and live streaming is going to propel the sport to the next level of popularity.”
This week’s guest is 2-time Olympian, many-time national champion, and 10,000m American record holder Molly Huddle. In addition to being a top-tier professional runner for Saucony, in recent years Molly has become a podcaster, writer, and leading advocate for women’s sports, as well as becoming a mom earlier this year with the birth of her daughter.
We had a fantastic conversation about the journey back to racing from childbirth, Molly’s changing relationship with running and plans for her professional future, and her perspective on the relationship between track and field and social media. Molly is a wealth of wisdom when it comes to training, racing, and growing the sport, and we appreciated the chance to pick her brain about everything from her training partner Emily Sisson’s American record performance in the marathon, to her tips for the upcoming NYC marathon, to her feelings on racing for fast times versus chasing the win. Molly is planning on running the BAA Half Marathon this month and the Houston Half in January as she returns to fitness and prepares for the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials
Apologies in advance for some sub-par audio quality during the episode – we had some equipment challenges on our end, but we didn’t want to deprive the listeners of this awesome conversation. Enjoy the episode and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review us and all the other CITIUS MAG shows wherever you get your podcasts.
On returning to running from childbirth:
“My plan was to race into shape because I actually thought it would be less pressure than to wait and not know where I’d be in relation to my old performances. I’d rather just show where I’m at as I’m progressing, and I love racing.”
“After giving birth, your body globally is not able to careen back into shape like I used to [following injury]. Your body’s doing something else at the same time and it’s slower; it’s different.”
On her plans through 2024:
“I look at this as a fun time in my career. You can take risks and do what you want with races. Whatever I enjoy the most, that’s what I’m going to put my focus on. I do think I can still PR in the marathon and there’s motivation there to do something I haven’t done before.”
On working with coach Ray Treacy:
“When someone knows you so well as an athlete, there isn’t a coach who can do it better. If you can be with a coach long enough for them to always know what’s best for you as an athlete, that’s really special.”
On marathon race strategy:
“The governor is always how you’re feeling on the inside, and until you hit that limit, you can race within that range. Women’s elite fields can be thinner and you can find yourself between packs a lot. It feels less like a race and more like a really long, hard workout.”
This week’s guest is Isaac Updike of Nike and Empire Elite. Isaac is an accomplished steeplechaser who made it to the finals in the last two Olympic Trials, most recently finishing 5th in Eugene in 2021. With a personal best of 8:17 in the steeple and 3:58 in the mile, he’s one of the speediest runners to ever come out of his native Alaska.
Isaac had a rough 2022 marked by two bouts of COVID that derailed his track season, but he came on the show with a great attitude and perspective about his place in the sport, his remarkable longevity as a pro, and his goals moving forward. We had a great conversation about all the ins and outs of the steeplechase and hurdling, as well as covering his relationship with his coaches and athletes, why he proudly wears the blue-collar runner label, and what it felt like to finally earn an individual pro contract at last year’s Trials.
This episode of Run Your Mouth is presented by Nike. We’ve partnered with them to help share athletes’ stories in a way that reflects the different reasons we all choose to run, work out, and find our part of the track and field community. In my conversations with athletes in all events and all levels over the years, one common theme I hear over and over again is that finding the unique ways running brings you joy is the best way to develop a happy lifelong relationship with the sport.
Come run with Nike. For the everyday and common runner Nike is committed to motivating, standing by, listening to, and helping them from the starting line to the finish line and every inch, meter and mile in between. Whether it’s a local race, a major marathon, or just a run with friends, get out there and run. Just do it. Check out the Nike Run Club app and come run with us.
On training with Empire Elite:
“My coaches are super receptive and collaborative with their athletes. They have a deep knowledge and you want to listen to them, but they aren’t going to supersede your opinion and what you think is best for yourself.”
On scratching from USAs:
“It’s a point of pride – to go out there and try to represent your country and show all the work you’ve done. But there comes a point where competing is counterproductive and that was the decision we had to make.”
On finding longevity as a pro runner:
“The faster you get, the harder it is to get faster. At a certain point, you have to stack months and years together to have a single breakthrough. But the secret is pretty simple: we haven’t been overtrained and we enjoy it still.”
This week’s guest is Elise Cranny of Bowerman Track Club. Elise is a Tokyo Olympian and 2-time U.S. champ in the 5,000m who came on the podcast to look back on her 2022 season as she wraps up a spin through the European race circuit.
We talked about Elise’s growth as a professional runner and her relationship with Bowerman coach Jerry Schumacher, including the difficult decision to scratch the U.S. 10,000m champs earlier this year and how it paid off in her racing season. We also talked a lot about the mental side of the sport an the importance of listening to your body and planning for your long-term success over short-term satisfaction. Elise also shared her post-season travel plans, her European laundry strategy, and of course, her love language.
This episode of Run Your Mouth is presented by Nike. We’ve partnered with them to help share athletes’ stories in a way that reflects the different reasons we all choose to run, work out, and find our part of the track and field community. In my conversations with athletes in all events and all levels over the years, one common theme I hear over and over again is that finding the unique ways running brings you joy is the best way to develop a happy lifelong relationship with the sport.
Come run with Nike. For the everyday and common runner Nike is committed to motivating, standing by, listening to, and helping them from the starting line to the finish line and every inch, meter and mile in between. Whether it’s a local race, a major marathon, or just a run with friends, get out there and run. Just do it. Check out the Nike Run Club app and come run with us.
On training under Bowerman coach Jerry Schumacher:
“I’m a pretty independent person to a fault. I’m still trying to work on being better at communicating [with my coaches], but with Jerry, the energy he brings is what I love most. He helps you believe that you can go do something special.”
On skipping the U.S. 10,000m champs:
“It was hard to forgo the 10k championships in the moment but in the end, showing up at USAs and focusing on the 5k was the right call. I don’t think I’d be still going this far into the season if I didn’t make that decision.”
On planning for a long professional running career:
“In this sport, it’s so easy to get caught up in short-term goals. The sport takes so much patience and a lot of times it takes years and years of work before it pays off, but consistent work can be really powerful in the long term.”
This week’s episode is a first for RYM as we’re so lucky to be joined by reigning World and Olympic champion pole vaulter Katie Nageotte. Katie may not have a lot of long runs in her training but she was a fantastic guest and I absolutely loved the opportunity to nerd out over one of my favorite events in track and field while getting into all the fun Run Your Mouth topics we love.
Katie is an Atlanta-based pole vaulter with a personal best of 4.95m (16 ft 3 in) who won gold in Tokyo and Eugene in 2021 and 2022 along with a World Indoor silver this winter in Serbia. But behind those big championship performances were a lot of mental and physical challenges along the way, and on this episode we talked a lot about the barriers Katie’s had to overcome this year and how managing the “post-Olympic hangover” turned into one of the biggest hurdles of her professional career. This conversation really shows how the end result of an athlete’s season only scratches the surface of their story, and how getting to know some of the sport’s biggest stars can teach you a lot about overcoming your own obstacles.
This episode of Run Your Mouth is presented by Nike. We’ve partnered with them to help share athletes’ stories in a way that reflects the different reasons we all choose to run, work out, and find our part of the track and field community. In my conversations with athletes in all events and all levels over the years, one common theme I hear over and over again is that finding the unique ways running brings you joy is the best way to develop a happy lifelong relationship with the sport.
Come run with Nike. For the everyday and common runner Nike is committed to motivating, standing by, listening to, and helping them from the starting line to the finish line and every inch, meter and mile in between. Whether it’s a local race, a major marathon, or just a run with friends, get out there and run. Just do it. Check out the Nike Run Club app and come run with us.
On the post-Tokyo hangover:
“After I won [Olympic gold] I had so many cool opportunities […] but I didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I started competing again in January. I took six weeks off physically but not stepping away mentally or emotionally took a toll.”
On resetting after the season:
“When I’m training, even on rest days, I’m always focused on vaulting – it’s always in the back of my mind. So when I get time off, being able to step away and not think about pole vault for a while is the best thing for me.”
On growing slowly as an athlete:
“It’s taken me time at every level to reach the top. It took me until senior year of high school to win the state meet, until senior year of college to win a national title. It took me 5 years after college to get a contract. It taught me internal motivation – I’m not doing it for approval; I’m just here to be the best to be I can be.”
On training with Sandi Morris:
“I was pushed harder than I ever have been training with her. We’re competitive people and when we get on the runway we want to win, but in practice we’re training next to each other, rather than against each other.”
This week’s guest is Morgan Beadlescomb, recent Michigan State grad turned professional runner who came on the podcast to share some big news about his running future. Morgan is a 3:52 miler who already has two top-10 finishes at USAs in the 5000m in the last two years, and he’s one of the most promising distance prospects coming out of the NCAA system. Morgan’s in Italy doing a mini racing circuit right now, and right after we recorded this episode, he notched a 1500m PB of 3:37.03 in a race in Lignano Sabbiadoro. In our conversation, we speak about his choice to join a professional training group and how he reached the decision he did, as well as his current training setup and plans for the future.
We also covered Morgan’s distinctive style choices, what he’s like as a roommate, and who his mom’s favorite runner is. We had a hilarious and wide-ranging conversation that you’ll really enjoy, and we also got a lot of really interesting insight into who Morgan is as a runner and person.
Thanks as always for listening and for all your support for our crazy flurry of CITIUS MAG coverage during the World Championships. We’re going to keep things rolling as racing continues all summer and the best way you can support us is by subscribing, following, and leaving us a 5-star review wherever you get your podcasts.
On choosing a professional training group:
“The biggest thing for me [in turning pro] was finding the group that would be the best fit for me. I really wanted to join a group that enjoyed running for what it’s supposed to be and to have fun with it.”
On being mentored by Michigan legend Nick Willis:
“He’s pretty much an open book. He was huge in helping me with agents, coaches, teams, and what to look out for. He’s a great person to have around and a huge help ever since I started taking running really seriously.”
On breaking out as a grad student at Michigan State:
“After the Trials I had agents and coaches reaching out to me, and then [running 3:52 in] that indoor mile was when I realized – ‘hey I might need to have a second job.’ I got home from the track and I had 800 or 900 Instagram notifications.”
This week’s guest is Johnny Gregorek, a 1500-meter runner for ASICS who will be representing Team USA this weekend at the World Championships in Eugene Oregon. Johnny is a 3:49 miler and 3:34 1500m runner who made the final in this event back in 2017 and is back with even bigger goals this time around. He’s been splitting his time training between Boston, where he just finished his first year of law school, and Seattle, where he’s coached by UW distance coach and middle-distance guru Andy Powell.
Johnny and I had a fantastic conversation about his perspective as one of the veterans of the 1500m on the U.S. scene, giving us an insight into his wisdom as well as his humor and his super positive attitude. We also talked about his background as a steeplechaser, his Massachusetts and Rhode Island roots, and how he’s managed to balance being a law student and a professional runner.
You can root for Johnny and the rest of Team USA at the World Championships in Eugene Oregon starting this Friday, July 15th. We have a ton of programming coming your way from the CITIUS family, including group runs, live shows, daily podcasts and newsletters, and much more so you’ll be able to follow along with every minute of the action and get exclusive behind-the-scenes tidbits. I’m personally looking forward to finally joining the crew in Oregon after covering USAs remotely and can’t wait to share plenty more takes, writing, and talking with you as we all watch Worlds together.
Learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward and follow CITIUS on all your social media to stay in the loop on the latest. Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram at @runyourmouthpod as well and subscribe to show us your love. Enjoy the show!
On reacting to making the team with a 6th-place finish at USAs:
“No matter if you have the standard or not, everyone’s just trying to win the race you’re in. Initially when I crossed the line, my initial emotion was disappointment that I hadn’t gotten in the top 3 or won the race.”
On 1500m tactics:
“As I’ve gotten older as an athlete, I’ve realized that part of why I always had a big kick at the end of races was actually a lack of trust in myself and my fitness. I’m actually more proud of the races where I’ve put myself in the mix and executed a plan with authority.”
On being a veteran on the U.S. middle-distance scene.
“I’ve gone through failures and setbacks that a lot of the younger guys haven’t experienced yet. It’s great to see these super talented guys crushing it, but personally I know that I’ve had to overcome a lot. That’s its own advantage that I draw confidence from.”
This week’s guest is Sage Hurta of On Athletic Club. Sage is an NCAA champion in the mile who’s turned a lot of heads this year in her first full season as a professional by knocking out some crazy fast 800s, entering 2022 having never broken 2 minutes and, just this past week, running 1:58, 1:59, and 1:58 in the space of six days. After finishing 7th in the final at USAs, Sage made a quick trip to Sweden for a Diamond League race and then hopped on to record the pod once she’d gotten home safely and conquered her jet lag.
We talked about why Sage went all-in on the 800m this year, unpacked USAs from start to finish, bonded over our shared upstate New York connections, and learned about the strategy and planning behind sleeping next to an altitude tent. You’ll really enjoy this episode – Sage is one of the smartest, most thoughtful people in the sport right now and she’s got a great perspective on one of the toughest events in track and field.
This episode was brought to you by the Hayward Magic and the CITIUS Mag coverage of the upcoming World Championships in Eugene. You can learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
On hitting an 800m personal best and the World standard in the semi-final at USAs:
“Making to the U.S. final’s been a big goal of mine for years, and last year I had a big DNF from the semi. I wanted to make sure I got through without incident [….] and then crossing the line and seeing a 1:58.3; that was way better than I’d hoped for.”
On placing seventh at USAs in the final:
“I ended up placing 7th and running the World standard, but if I’d had a great day and run 1:58 again I’d still have been half a second off the team. My mindset is I don’t care if I got fourth or seventh – there’s really only two outcomes in my mind. You’re either on the team or you’re not.”
On the state of the event:
“I feel like everyone in the event has profound respect for those top 3 who’ve been consistently good for so long, but at the same time, everyone thinks that they’re gonna be the person to break through. Everyone’s working toward that.”
On being a middle-distance runner on OAC:
“Having Olli around has been nice for his middle-distance perspective. He knows what it takes and he gives positive reinforcement. Especially from someone as successful as he’s been, he’s been a great voice to hear.”
This week’s guest is Karissa Schweizer of Bowerman Track Club. Karissa is a Tokyo Olympian, the American record holder in the 3,000m, the #2 all-time 5,000-meter runner with a 14:26 personal best, and as of a few weeks ago, the national champion in the 10,000m who’s headed back to Eugene this week to chase at least one more national title.
We had an awesome conversation right after the Portland Track Festival last week (which is why during the episode we talk about entries for USAs with a little less clarity than we have now), and we covered everything from coming back from surgery last fall; growing up in a big running family; and how the culture at BTC has changed over the years. I also really enjoyed our conversation about the running culture in Portland Oregon and how that factors into the life of a professional runner.
This episode was brought to you by Summer of Hayward. There’s plenty to cheer for and plenty of hype to share as we on the CITIUS team gear up for USAs this week and Worlds next month, and you can follow along with us every step of the way. Learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
This month, I would also encourage you to consider picking up a CITIUS MAG Pride T-shirt in our merch store to show your LGBTQ track and field pride. All proceeds from this campaign go toward PFLAG, a great organization that supports education, outreach, and support for families of queer youth. Pick yours up at citiusmag.com/merchtoday!
On bouncing back after surgery:
“Last year there were so many times when I felt like I was limited by my body and my mind, and being pain-free allows you to dig into deeper levels. There was just no way the race could go poorly.”
On training with her top rivals:
“Even though it’s an individual sport in some ways, you can make it a team sport. Elise and I have worked together in races, especially in trials races where top 3 matters most. Especially on the world level it’s really nice to have someone you train with day in and day out when you’re navigating the biggest stage.”
On navigating the negative press:
“We have almost a stronger team culture now because we’ve been through a lot. Everyone who stayed has had to get through a hard year together, and the group is closer as a result.”
On goals moving forward:
“At the end of the day, getting a medal on the world stage is my biggest goal. Records get broken, times get broken. But getting a medal – you can never take that away.”
This week, we’re joined by two members of one of the newest professional running groups on the scene, the Mission Run Baltimore Distance group sponsored by Under Armour. Willy Fink and Casey Comber are two of the big stars in that group and they came on the show to talk about the big rebrand and what it means for Under Armour’s investment in track and field.
We talked about the story behind the “mission run” branding, got into the debate over the different styles of 1500-meter racing, and they shared what it’s like to live and train in Baltimore under coach Cory Leslie. Plus, we tease the possibility of a postseason Under Armour beer mile, which sounds like it could be a lot of fun. You can follow Casey, Willy, and Mission Run Baltimore Distance on Instagram to follow along with their journey as they gear up for USAs in a few weeks.
This episode was brought to you by CITIUS Mag’s Summer of Hayward. The competition is only heating up as we move into the championship part of the season and the CITIUS team is going to be there every step of the way. Learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
Thanks for listening and if you like the show, don’t forget to subscribe, leave us a five-star review wherever you get your podcasts, and follow us on Instagram.
This week’s guest is two-time American record holder Keira D’Amato, fresh off a runner-up finish at the U.S. 25k championships in Grand Rapids, MI. Keira has personal bests of 1:07:55 for a half marathon and 2:19:12 for the marathon, breaking the 16-year-old American record in the marathon in January.
For those of you who don’t know, Keira has an incredible personal story, as a mom and realtor who walked away from the sport for nearly a decade before coming back to the sport in her mid-30s and running faster than ever before, going from racing local road races for fun to becoming one of Nike’s top pros.
We covered a lot of really interesting ground, including the hesitation to turn pro, the value of authenticity, and how much life has changed in the last few years. We also cleared up some funny rumors from the 25K champs and Keira explained why she’s not racing the 10,000m national championships at Pre. Of course, we also got into binge-watching, beer miles, and hot takes on donuts.
This episode is brought to you by Hayward Magic and the CITIUS Mag Summer of Hayward. As we get closer and closer to the national and world championships in Eugene, there will be so many fun storylines to follow and athletes to root for, and the CITIUS Mag team will be there every step of the way. Learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
On choosing to race roads over the 10,000m championships:
“I try to keep an open mind to the track, and it takes me one 10k race a year to be like, ‘nope.’ The roads are way more fun, and with running, it’s always about having fun for me. As soon as I’m not having fun, I’m out.”
On why Keira has so many new fans:
“I think what resonates with people is that I quit. For 8-10 years, I was just a spectator. And then I thought ‘what if?’ What would happen, what could’ve happened, what could still happen? A lot of us have those ‘what ifs,’ and it means something to people seeing me go for it where that took me.”
On running for fun:
“I’m having fun with it, and I think people see that. Some people can do really well taking it really seriously, and other people like me are kind of anxious already, so when I lean into the fun aspect and do things that excite me, I can get the best out of myself.”
On reaching her athletic peak in her 30s:
“I’ve never believed the whole getting old stuff. Forty years ago, women weren’t allowed to do a full marathon, you know? We’ve made a lot of progress and we’re still making progress.”
This week’s guests are two of the top Americans from the 2022 Boston Marathon, BAA runners Matt McDonald and Jonas Hampton. Matt finished 13th overall as the third American in a new personal best of 2:10:35, and Jonas finished 23rd overall as the 10thAmerican in 2:14:40. The BAA men did a great job of defending their home turf as they put four men in the top 25 overall and three in the top 10 Americans, winning the team competition by a landslide.
Both Matt and Jonas work full-time in addition to being pro runners, and we talked a lot about the balance between managing a demanding career and pursuing big goals in the sport. If you’re looking for inspiration, look no further than these guys running 130 miles a week and working in engineering. We also talked about the team culture on BAA following a number of coaching changes, the possibility of getting back on the track, and what makes the Boston Marathon truly special.
This episode is brought to you by Hayward Magic in advance of a big summer of racing in Eugene Oregon. As we lead up to the World Championships, all of us here in the CITIUS family will be bringing you high quality interviews, storytelling, content, and analysis. Learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
“Being a BAA athlete in BAA’s premier event is so special. Having the logo on your chest that everyone else has on their bib is fun. The two of us probably know this course better than anyone else.” – Matt McDonald
“I was on the BAA racing team, but going into [the 2020 Marathon Trials], I pulled a ‘Scott and Rojas’ – I kinda began to want a pro contract, so I didn’t re-sign with the racing team and went to altitude by myself to train. And betting on myself seemed to pay off – ran 2:12, got 8thplace, and joined the BAA high performance team after that.” – Jonas Hampton
“I went down to Atlanta to get a PhD at Georgia Tech intending to hang up the shoes. The coaches at Atlanta Track Club talked me into joining the elite team they were starting up [….] and for about a year I resisted, but eventually as the team grew I wanted to be able to compete with my teammates. It made me want to be good again.” – Matt McDonald
“One thing I miss about running marathons is that you can lose that competitive edge in between races a bit. The great thing about doing local races is that you can keep competing regularly and it’s also just fun.” – Jonas Hampton
This week’s episode is another great crossover with Chris Chavez and the CITIUS MAG podcast, where we talked to Nell Rojas who just finished as the top American in last week’s Boston Marathon for the second year in a row. This year, she lowered her personal best to 2:25:57 with her 10th-place finish, and we unpacked Nell’s training leading up to race day, how the race played out on the course, and even Nell’s unconventional path to the marathon in the first place.
We also talked about Nell’s decision to end her contract with adidas before Boston and why she chose to run in shoes that worked for her with no brand affiliation. I was particularly touched to hear Nell talk about the role representation has played in her running and the messages she receives from people all over the world who enjoy cheering on a prominent Latina runner.
This was a great episode that covered everything from Nell’s coaching career to her post-race bar adventure, and I think it was a lot of fun. This episode of Run Your Mouth was brought to you by Hayward Magic in advance of this year’s World Championships in Eugene, and you can learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
This week’s guest is Samantha Roecker, a Philadelphia-based marathoner and full-time nurse who’s running the 2022 Boston Marathon in scrubs to raise money and awareness for mental health supports for front-line health care workers.
Sam herself is a full-time nurse in school to become a nurse practitioner, and she’s also a phenomenally-accomplished marathoner who has run 2:29 in the marathon and represented Team USA in the 2019 Pan American Games, where she finished 5th overall. We talked about Sam’s journey from running track at Providence College to taking up the marathon relatively quickly, her experience both running and crewing the famed Speed Project relay race, and her side gig as a running model for Tracksmith photoshoots.
The funds that Sam will raise will go towards the American Nurses Foundation's Well-Being Initiative programs supporting the mental health and wellness of Registered Nurses in the United States. You can learn more or donate here: https://givetonursing.networkforgood.com/projects/152794-samantha-roecker-marathon-fundraiser
Thanks for listening, and stay tuned for even more coverage of the Boston Marathon all week and weekend from the CITIUS Mag family. We’ve got great programming coming up and we can’t wait to share it with you all. Enjoy the show!
On racing the Speed Project in 2018:
“[Coming into Vegas] we couldn’t even run for a minute at a time; so we were trading off running every minute for the last segment and we still had a long way to go. You blink and it’s over but it also feels like an eternity.”
On her changing relationship with running:
“I’ve been running since I was in 7th grade, and competitive running has come and gone in that time. I’ve had times where I’ve been really competitive and times when it’s just been a daily mental release. I try not to get too caught up in the future because running is, ultimately, unpredictable.”
On elite racing as a full-time nurse:
“I just want to get the most I can out of myself and see how fast I can go. I definitely don’t think that working 10-hour nursing shifts helps performance, and I definitely have moments where I just want to take three months at altitude and see what I can do, but I also really like my career and that side of my life. I chose to do this.”
On being a health care worker during a pandemic:
“It’s hard to talk about it with people who don’t understand and you don’t want to bring home that negativity, but sometimes I couldn’t help it. It’s definitely challenging.”
On building a healthy relationship with running:
“What I’ve learned to appreciate as I’ve gotten older is that running is a constant. I always feel better after going for a run than before, even if it’s a miserable cold, rainy day. Periods where I’m not able to run are tough and so I try to appreciate that constant in my life that many people don’t have.”
This week’s guest is Christian Noble of Lee University, a 3x NCAA DII champion and the Division II record holder in the mile, the 3k, and the DMR. Last week at Raleigh Relays, Christian won the 5k in a new personal best of 13:24, beating a deep field of pro runners and D1 All-Americans in the process.
Christian came on the pod to talk about his mentality as a D2 athlete on a big stage, how he made it through the COVID-19 pandemic, and his plans looking forward as he finishes up his final year of eligibility. Hear him share his unique perspective, particularly as we talked about the recruiting process and the lessons we’ve learned as current and former collegiate runners.
Enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a rate and review. This episode, and all the podcasts in the CITIUS Mag network, are brought to you in part by the 2022 Summer of Hayward. Learn more at citiusmag.com/summerofhayward.
On racing professional runners as a collegian:
“Being Division II, I feel like I’ve got a little bit more to prove… but it doesn’t matter if it’s Division I or pro runners; it’s about having fun with racing and running to win.”
On marketing himself as a runner:
“I’ve tried to market myself as approachable and relatable, and when kids see my success, they see that you don’t have to go to a Power 5 school to run fast.”
On training through a pandemic:
“The anticipation of getting back to racing again is what really helped me get through [2020] the most. That’s why I wake up and run every morning; it’s what I love to do.”
This week’s guest is Nico Montañez of Mammoth Track Club. Nico is an accomplished marathoner and road racer who’s had a fantastic couple of months, beginning with running 2:13 for 7th place at the Chicago Marathon, continuing with a top-3 finish at the U.S. Half Marathon Championships, and culminating most recently with his first national title at the U.S. 15K champs in Jacksonville, Florida last weekend.
Nico shared his unique story that began in Tuscon, Arizona, went from junior college to BYU, and landed at Mammoth Track Club under Deena and Andrew Kastor. Nico talked about how his sports psychology work has paid off in results, how his Boston buildup is going, and shared a lot about his time at BYU. We also covered bad tattoos, being mistaken for Galen Rupp, and slip-n-slides.
Enjoy the episode, don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review this and all the Citius Mag podcasts, and until next time, this has been Run Your Mouth.
On finding his place on the elite road circuit:
“I used to go into races with ‘something to prove’ and I realized that, for me, it was a big insecurity issue [….] now I go into races believing what I know I can be. And that I can allow everyone else to shine with me.”
On preparing for Boston 2022:
“The goal is to perform at my best level, whatever that looks like. I want to look myself in the mirror that night and say I gave it my all. But I’m fierce, I’m competitive, and sometimes that takes over the driver’s seat… so part of the goal is to be really competitive up front.”
On running at BYU:
“It was a big mental shift, but more than anything it was raising my standards. Seeing what people were actually doing behind the fast times at the university… I was like, ‘I have to raise the standards’ – not just for the running, but for who I want to be as a person.”
This week, we tell you everything you need to know about the upcoming U.S. Indoor National Championships in a very special crossover episode with More Than Running with Dana Giordano, our sibling podcast in the Citius Mag network.
This episode is essential listening before this weekend’s meet, and we cover it all - who’s been hot, who’s on the comeback train, and who’s not competing at all. We give you detailed insight and analysis into the meet, including our not-so-expert picks for every track and field event. Dana also gives her expert perspective on the “straight final” format for U.S. indoors, having competed in the mile and 2 mile at Staten Island in 2019.
We’d love to hear your feedback on our picks – good, bad, or somewhere in between – and let us know on Twitter and Instagram what events and story lines you’re most excited to see in Spokane this weekend. Enjoy the episode and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review both Run Your Mouth and More Than Running if you haven’t already. Thanks for listening!
