The Zone 2 Podcast

In this week's episode we sit down with New Balance Research Engineer, Ben Hazelwood, to discuss what goes into testing and evaluating some of the best shoes on the market. We reference a few different studies in this conversation and we've linked them here: Papers on modeling marathon performances by Michael Joyner: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jappl.1991.70.2.683 https...

The Boston Marathon is the oldest and arguably the most popular of the world major marathons. We had the amazing privilege to be involved with the Adidas activations in the city and meet some really cool people! ⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars! For more race-day recaps, check out the following episodes: ⁠⁠36: From Miles to Meaning with Adi Bandekar⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠35: There Once...

This week, the Zone 2 crew sat down with South African record holder, 2x Olympian, and 5x NCAA champion Dom Scott! We discuss running origins, burnout, the transition from collegiate to professional running, motivation, shoes (or lack thereof) and robot runners! This episode has something for everyone (except clankers)! As referenced, check out Cardiac Cowboys wherever you get your podcasts! —————...

What does it mean to run a major marathon in your home town? In this episode, we chat with three-time guest, Devin Miller, to discuss his approach to running the 2026 Boston Marathon and what being able to run it means to him. ------------------------------ ⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars! For more race-day recaps, check out the following episodes: ⁠36: From Miles to Me...

Enjoy this interview with runner, videographer, and cinematographer Pat Fogarty! In this interview Pat talks all things storytelling in the running space as we follow his journey from running cross-country in high-school and college to capturing the icons of the sport. ⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars! Check out these other interviews to hear about more taste-makers in t...

Enjoy this interview with Dan Epstein, a miler turner marathoner who made his start in the running community at Heartbreak Hill Running Company, and now leads Endorphins Running Boston . In this interview, we talk about community, the importance of showing up, and Dan shares some tips and tricks for getting your runs in amidst a busy travel schedule. As always, we wrap things up with a discussion...

Enjoy this interview with Lead Product Line Manager for Performance Footwear at Puma, and OG Heartbreaker, Conor Cashin! In this interview Conor talks all things performance footwear as we follow his journey from running cross-country in the capital region to designing the next seismic shift in performance running shoes. ------------------------------ ⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to lea...

Enjoy this interview with Leader of Gansett Run Club, Heartbreaker, founder of November Project Providence, Abbott 6-star finisher, and self-proclaimed out-of-shape runner Steven Blais! In this special interview, Steven shares his incredible story and talks about what it means to give back through running. Tune in and learn what helps set Gansett apart! Run with Gansett every Wednesday at Narragan...

How do your favorite race day shoes go from an idea to your local running store? in this week's episode, we get to sit down with Sam Truax, a member of the Adizero racing team at Adidas, to hear what goes into creating record setting shoes! ------------------------------ ⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars! Check out these episodes: ⁠36: From Miles to Meaning with Adi Bande...

Usually, we like to stay in Zone 2, but we love a good race recap! Enjoy this episode, featuring our dear friend and 5x marathoner Anthony Wiryaman, who ran a huge PR at the Philly Marathon a 2 weeks ago! In this episode, Anthony and Francis both recount their experiences in Philly: marathon expos, hilly out-and-backs, cramps, lost gels, and so much more! As a bonus, Anthony shares his experience...

Last week we heard about what it takes to run at the division 1 level. This week we're turning on the jets to talk to 2-time Olympian and American record holder in the women's indoor 5k, Elise Cranny. 🏃From turkey trots to time trials, in this episode we learn about her start in running and her quick growth which allowed her to turn pro and represent the 🇺🇸United States on the world stage...

What does it take to compete at the Division 1 level? In this week's episode we take a look behind the curtain of elite collegiate training with Boston College miler and steeplechaser, Colin Shaver, who shares his journey from being sidelined inhis freshman year due to injury to quickly becoming one of the best runners on the roster. Colin breaks down the critical questions every athlete faces...

Running your first half-marathon can seem like a daunting task. All the miles of preparation, all the early mornings (and early evenings), all the workouts... None of that guarantees anything, yet we still go to that starting line every time to see what we're capable of. 🏃‍♂️ In this episode, we talk with one of Brian's oldest friends, Tim Scott, who shares his journey from a background i...

🌃 For many, running is all about community. This week’s guest, Heartbreak Coach (and Heartbreak regular) Adi Bandekar, embodies that spirit completely. 🏃‍♂️ In this episode, Adi shares his journey from solo runner to a pillar of the Heartbreak community. We talk marathon training, routine, finding belonging, and what it really means to connect through running. To wrap it up, Brian picks Adi’s br...

🐳 We ran a half marathon! In part one, we are joined by our friend and former guest Ted Trozinski as we debrief our experiences running the Nantucket Half Marathon together. We talk about race day experiences, training progress, setbacks, and relate it all together for a candid discussion about burnout and goal setting! 👂 In part two, we hear from some listeners and discuss some distance-running...

🚑 Endurance sports have long been an important part of Mark Sibold's life, but everything changed in May 2023 when he was struck by a car going over 60 miles per hour while out for a bike ride. What happened next is sure to leave you speachless. 🎙️ Enjoy this inspiring conversation as Mark takes us through his miraculous recovery, from two weeks in the ICU to running 26.2 miles in less than a...

🏃Running is art in motion and this week’s guest has made it his business to capture that art. 📸If you’ve ever seen a photo of either Brian or Francis that looks like it was professionally shot, it probably was shot by the man himself, Fidelis Teixeira. Through running, Fidelis has been able to create narratives with photos.🎞️ 💔Whether it’s Heartbreak Signature Speed, The Speed Project relay, or...

🐘 An Olympic Trials Qualifying (OTQ) marathon time has long represented the standard of excellence in distance running, and this week, we were thrilled to be joined by a man who has done it, not once, but twice: Eric Ashe! ☄️ Eric is a 2-time OTQ marathon runner, 4-time team MVP and 2-time team captain at BU, 4:03 miler, conference champion in the Steeplechase, and former head distance coach at T...

🇩🇰What’s it like trying to run abroad in a new city? This week, we were joined once again by our dear friend, former guest, and Nike Women’s Running Ambassador Cate Schultz! In this episode, Cate reflects back on her summer in Scandinavia, and shares her experience running in Copenhagen.  ✈️ How do you stay focused on training when travelling? 🥵 How do you manage burnout when training amidst a bu...

🏅 Lace up and enjoy this inspirational conversation with Olympic 10,000m runner, GM of Heartbreak Santa Monica, and host of the Unexpected Curves podcast Marielle Hall ! In this episode, we learn more about Marielle's story and shed light on some important conversations in professional athletics and women's sports. 🌎 What were some standout memories from Rio 2016? 🔀 What was it like tra...

🏃This week, tune in for a special race recap hot off of Heartbreak's 2025 Mob Mile. We'll unpack Brian and Francis' race-day strategy and have them relive the trauma of an all-out mile ⚡️ ⭐️ Did you like this episode? Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️, we really really appreciate it! 🎉 Race shoutout time! A huge shoutout to everyone who ran Mob Mile 2025! y'all killed it! ------------...

☕ Running and coffee go hand in hand, and it’s almost impossible to imagine one without the other. This week’s guest has spent years living in over 15 major cities exploring roads, trails, and cafes through the lens of a runner and creating guides for others to follow suit. Please enjoy our interview with The City Runner: 40-time marathoner  Yü Wu ! 🤔 How does our love of running grow and change...

👤 This week were lucky enough to invite our friend: Nike performance running EKIN, Heartbreak Coach, and retired collegiate 800m runner Russell Wells  back  on the podcast for the second time. This week, we chatted about everything from backyard ultramarathons to new shoe releases. 📏 Wait, what the heck is a backyard ultra? 🏎️ What is it like ripping a 4-minute 1500m? 👟 Should I be running in t...

👬 Welcome to episode 26.2, celebrating a marathon of memorable moments on The Zone 2 Podcast . Join us as we look back at some of our favorite moments from the last 6 months! 🏆 In this bonus episode, Francis and Brian look back at our 5 favorite moments, with a few honorable mentions. We also pick some superlatives including our favorite running moments, favorite fun facts, and most proud accomp...

🧱 This week, we’re thrilled to sit down with retired collegiate runner and founder of the Brick Layers Union: Ben Weingart! We kick things off with some light banter before diving into Ben’s running origins, life transitions, and thoughts on self-discipline. 🏃 Who are the Brick Layers Union, and why run with them? 🧩 How does BLU’s online presence tell a unique story? 🗺️ Why should you go run an...