RunnersConnect Run to the Top Podcast

RunnersConnect Founder and CEO Jeff Gaudette returns to Run To The Top this time to chat on a variety of topics. Specifically, we discuss: how his training methodology has changed in recent years peak week training tips for races like the Boston Marathon how to think about the non-running components of training like rest and active recovery protocols why he’s a strong (no pun intended) proponent o...

On today’s show, we are talking with Kara Goucher author of “The Longest Race: Inside the Secret World of Abuse, Doping, and Deception on Nike’s Elite Running Team”, which chronicles her ascent from Olympic aspirations to the Nike Oregon Project, led by Alberto Salazar, where she unveils a culture of abuse and doping, shedding light on the shadows of elite running.  Goucher's resilience and advoca...

Every racing distance comes with its own challenges, but in this episode the RC team is going to debate what race is the best test to crown the fittest runner on the planet. The winner of the 100m dash is typically given the title of fastest on the planet but we’re not going to let sprinters have all of the fun. You’ll hear our coaches each make their case for what they believe is the best test of...

A captivating chat with Fiona O'Keefe, a former coach at Runners Connect, about her remarkable journey to winning the US Olympic Trials marathon and earning a spot on the Paris Olympic team.  Her insights and experiences shed light on the dedication and balance required for elite-level training and competition. 🏃‍♀️ Key Takeaways from the Conversation: - Balance and Recovery: The importance of ba...

To many of you, Abdi Abdirahman is a household name. He’s the first American distance runner to make five Olympic teams and the oldest American distance runner ever to make an Olympic team. The list of accomplishments goes on. A few years ago, he wrote a book called “Abdi’s World,” which chronicles his impressive career in running, and that's why I wanted to have him on the show. In this conversat...

In this edition of RC spotlight we hear from Frederich Hayem (Fred), a relatively new runner who has achieved rapid success since taking up the sport just over a year ago. He is the perfect example of how good training and learning from your mistakes is the best way to improve as an athlete.  He joined our coaching program with the goal of running his first marathon and crushed it, running a 3:29....

Joe Friel is a renowned endurance sports coach most notable for some of the elite triathlon and cycling athletes he’s worked with over the years. He’s also the author of a great book called the “Triathlete’s Training Bible” and he joins the show today to discuss some of the running-related themes in the newest edition.  In a wide-ranging conversation around mental readiness, physical readiness, an...

It can be trickey to tell the difference between a niggle and an injury but how you respond when something doesn’t feel quite right could be the difference between a PR and and DNF. Coach Hayley Munn joins us in this to show, bringing her educational background in physical therapy and years of coaching experience to help tell the difference between an injury and a niggle and explain what to do abo...

In this episode of Run To The Top, sports dietitian Alex Larson delves into the intricacies of fueling for improved performance and body composition among endurance athletes, advocating for a flexible eating style.  Larson offers insights into post-race recovery, emphasizing the importance of timing and food group choices to optimize recovery windows. The discussion also touches upon the early sig...

If you’re a runner, you probably already know you need to train to get faster but what about taking this to the next level with over 175 miles per week?  This is exactly the type of extreme training that went into Kelvin Kiptum’s world record setting marathon performance, where he ran 2:00:35 in Chicago this past fall.  In this episode we’ll take a closer look at Kiptum’s training and discuss whet...

In this episode of Run To The Top, we are joined by Steve Sashen, the Founder-CEO of Xero shoes. We discuss his journey from returning to running in his late forties to becoming a competitive sprinter and building a prominent shoe brand. Our conversation delves into the problems with modern running shoes, the advantages and disadvantages of super shoes, various biomechanical studies informing the...

In today’s episode, we’re bringing you a story from an incredible athlete who spent years of training to accomplish his goal of competing at the olympic marathon trials by running an OTQ time - and ultimately fell just short of that goal during his most recent attempt. This athlete happens to also be one of our own coaches here at RunnersConnect and his name is Ruairi Moynihan. Ruairi came so clos...

In the remote Arizona mountain town of Flagstaff more than half a century ago, a training ground for generations of legendary runners and a collegiate dynasty at Northern Arizona University were born. Authors Matt Baxter and Ron Mann capture the history of it all in their new book “Running Up The Mountain''. They join Run To The Top to reflect on some of the key insights from the story including:...

Welcome back to RC spotlight where we highlight amazing achievements from runners just like you. Today’s athlete proves that success in running comes in a variety of forms. On today’s show, we’ll hear from Catie Markesich, an athlete who isn’t afraid to carve her own path by prioritizing personal growth and happiness in the sport. This is the story of a runner who brings out the best in herself an...

It’s the New Year and that means aspirational thinking is in the air. Many of you might be wondering - how do you harness that mindset not just in the first days and weeks of the year, but throughout 2024? Well, metabolism expert and transformation specialist, Angelo Poli returns to the show to address just that. We talk about: goal setting around sports nutrition and everyday dieting understandin...

Every runner knows the best workout is the one you actually do, but it can be hard to find time for consistently sticking with your training program.  Luckily, there are ways to improve your training without taking time away from other activities or even to cut down on the time required for your current workout routine. Here’s our list of what you’ll learn Creative ways to make your runs more time...

When dealing with everyday pain and tightness in your body, life may not be as enjoyable as it could be, and this extends to running. You become more injury-prone, your performance suffers, and movement becomes less enjoyable. Above all, you may not be living up to your full potential. If this resonates with your recent experiences, tune into this episode with Dr. Grayson Wickham, a Physical Thera...

One of the most polarizing topics in running is the treadmill. Some love the comfort of running indoors while others find this machine boring or monotonous, giving it a nickname in the running community as the “dreadmill”. Wherever you stand on this debate, it can be a useful tool for training that provides consistency and control over your runs.  We’re right in the middle of winter right now and...

The turn to the New Year is a great time to reflect back to lessons learned and look forward to what you hope to accomplish. In that vein, in today’s episode I’ll dive into… 2 important lessons I learned in 2023 My goals for 2024 Exciting updates coming from RC Some of my favorite episodes from 2023 runnersconnect.net/638 runnersconnect.net/642 runnersconnect.net/650 runnersconnect.net/651 Trainin...

The winter season is officially here and while most people spend their time inside watching Netflix or curling up to a good book; many runners brave the elements to keep training through tough conditions. If you’re a runner looking to run year-round we’re here to help. In this episode of underrated or overrated, we’re covering winter training topics so you know what gear and training strategies wi...

As we turn to 2024 many of us are starting to think about and plan our long-term goals. That’s why this week’s podcast is about helping you plan for the year. You’ll learn… How to think about and plan big goals Finding the right races Planning your seasons Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month!...

Welcome to another edition of RC spotlight. Today’s show is all about an athlete who is absolutely crushing it in the marathon after not even being allowed to run long distances until later in life. Her name is Sabina Havkins and this talented runner has proven the glass ceiling is no match for her determination and perseverance. Sabina started running as a kid in high school when women couldn’t e...

Do you struggle to maintain your training during the holiday season? If that sounds like you, you’re not alone. It’s an exciting time of year, but all of the extra social activities can make it difficult to stick to a normal running routine. Not to mention the cold and snowy weather you might face depending on where you train. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between holiday fun and running succe...

How do we overcome loneliness? And how can running help? In this episode of Run To The Top, Nick Jonsson joins the show to address these questions head-on. Guided partly by personal experience through recovery and partly through research for his book “Executive Loneliness”, Nick offers many lessons on how to take stock of your situation, ask for help, get healthy, and find your relationships and p...

Earlier in September we released a Boston Marathon special about qualifying for this iconic race. In today’s show, we’re giving you our expert tips on how to train for the Boston Marathon or any other marathon you might have planned this spring. As this episode airs, we’re now about 4 months out from the Boston marathon which is the perfect time to start your training in order to make sure you’re...