Archive | Interview

All About Running Streaks

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Last year Runner’s World put out a challenge to run every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. I took them up on this challenge, and just like Forest Gump, I decided to keep running. Everyday for one year.

This streak required intentionality and creativity. I ran wherever I happened to be, on the deck of a ship, hotel treadmill, or a cliffside trail at Canyon Lands National Park.

I ran at 11:45 at night and 4:45 in the morning. Whatever it took to get my mile done. Trevor calculated that I ran in 18 states and one Canadian province. Continue Reading →

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Blind Runner Cherishes NYC Marathon Finish

NYC Marathon Finish GroupCharles-Edouard Catherine lost his sight three years ago. But thanks to his persuasive wife, Achilles International and others, he is achieving his dreams.

By Henry Howard

For many first-time marathoners, the first glimpse of the finish line signals the end of an incredible journey.

Charles-Edouard Catherine never saw the finish line as he approached then crossed the timing mat at the end of 26.2 miles at the New York City Marathon.

Three years ago, Catherine lost his sight — and with it his self-esteem and motivation. Continue Reading →

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The Birth of Altra Shoes

IMG_7027 (3)Champion runner Golden Harper uses his passion for helping injured runners, homemade ingenuity and thoughtful research to create a unique, beloved brand.

By Henry Howard

When you run before you can walk, you were born to be a runner.

When you win a world championship at age 8, your running future is bright.

When your parents own a running store where you start working at age 9, you learn quite a bit about sneakers, running form and injuries.

Put it all together, and you have Golden Harper, champion runner and founder of Altra Shoes. Continue Reading →

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Marathon Success Story with Ryan Deguzis —Running Across the Driest Desert in the World

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Ryan Deguzis is a classical violist and music instructor from Hartford, Connecticut. He just finished a seven day stage race (155 miles) through the Atacama Desert in Chile, a placed he describes as otherworldly.

Ryan first heard about this race from MTA podcast episode #109 our interview with Samantha Gash.

In our conversation with Ryan you will hear why he started running, how much time and energy went into training for this race, what his family thought about it, and the gritty details of sun, wind, blisters, and sleep deprivation. It’s epic!

See the photos . . . Continue Reading →

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Marathoner John Young is 4-foot-4 and Full of Heart

photo credit: John Young Twitter page

photo credit: John Young Twitter page

John Young — the first person with dwarfism to complete a half Ironman — doesn’t let his size keep him from his goals.

By Henry Howard

About nine years ago, John Young was not sleeping well so his wife encouraged him to undergo a sleep study. At the doctor’s office, he stepped on the scale and was shocked to see that he weighed 195 pounds.

That weight is incredibly unhealthy for someone who stands 4-foot-4-inches tall. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Bart Yasso – Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World Magazine

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flat bart

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Bart Yasso started running in 1976. He joined Runner’s World in 1987 (and still loves his job).

He’s friend to millions of runners around the world.

In fact, I tried to friend him on Facebook today and got notified that, “Bart has reached the friend limit. He can’t receive friend requests at the moment.” Facebook caps the number of friends at 5,000.

Bart was with us for episode #19 (five years ago) and we’ve since bumped into him at the Little Rock Marathon and Modesto Marathon.

His book, My Life on the Run, was the first running book I picked up after taking the plunge. Interesting side note to the book . . . Continue Reading →

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Interview with Dr. Jeff Brown (Part 2), The Runner’s Brain

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Here’s part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jeff Brown the lead psychologist at the Boston Marathon and author of the new book The Runner’s Brain.

In this episode we ask brain questions sent in by Academy members. I know you’ll love it!

Topics covered include: how to mentally prepare for a race, overcoming the post-race blues, mental toughness, how the elites think, and dealing with start line nerves. Continue Reading →

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From 385 Pounds to Endurance Athlete

Robert_first raceRobert Wadhams has shed weight, embraced fitness and found motivation along the way from a personal trainer, online community and beat-up ribbon.

By Henry Howard

Robert Wadhams was a big man living in a small box.

Figuratively, of course. Wadhams spent his time eating unhealthy food and playing video games. His weight had ballooned up to nearly 400 pounds. “Without realizing it, my life began to revolve around food,” he says, rattling off a what-not-to-eat list of pizza, fried foods and more that were his dietary staples. “That was pretty much my downfall.”

Wadhams, however, made major changes to improve his health, get into running and eventually finish half marathons, a marathon and a triathlon. His story continues today as he recovers from two surgeries and has his eyes set on even more daunting challenges. Continue Reading →

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The Runner’s Brain – Interview with Harvard Psychologist Dr. Jeff Brown

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Jeff Brown is the lead psychologist for the Boston Marathon and a member of Runner’s World scientific advisory board.

He’s assistant clinical professor in the department of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and McClain Hospital.

His new book is called The Runner’s Brain – How to Think Smarter and Run Better, due out in October of this year. Continue Reading →

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Jordan McDougal’s Tips on Nutrition, Training

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Jordan McDougal grew up in the Adirondack Mountains region of New York state. Before he was 10 years old, McDougal was running track and cross-country. He advanced to running on a scholarship at Liberty University. He has now advanced to ultra marathons, Spartan events and mountain racing.

“Growing up in the Adirondacks I played just about any sport available, and skied and raced snowshoes in the winter, which was really my introduction to mountain racing I guess,” he says.

McDougal, who is North Face sponsored athlete, has won several of the North Face Endurance Challenge events including one earlier this year in Washington, D.C. McDougal finished the 50-mile event in 6:44:55, beating the runner-up by nearly 45 minutes. Continue Reading →

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