Final Surge Podcast

Welcome to episode 34 of the Final Surge Podcast with our guest Jason Hartmann. Jason was a very successful professional runner who in the last few years Jason hung up his racing flats and traded them in for a coaching whistle. Jason is quickly building a very successful program at Saginaw Valley State and we talk to him about that process.  How did you get your start in running? At what point would you advise a kid to start running full-time in high school based on your running history? You ran at Oregon, what lead to the decision to go there? When you were running at Oregon at what point did you think it may be something you wanted to pursue after college? You had a very successful running area including a couple 4th place finishes at Boston and a top American at Chicago, what was the most memorable race for you? You retired from running in 2014 and decided to get into coaching, what made you want to get involved in coaching? You mentioned you coached Elise Cranny, was that your first time coaching? With ma

Welcome to Episode 33 of the Final Surge podcast where we talk to Scott Simmons who is the coach of the American Distance Project in Colorado Springs. Scott has been coaching for 27-years and recently had his men go 1-2-3-4 at the US XC Championships. We talk about his program’s success, training for a marathon and why he thinks the US is not where it should be yet in the marathon. We have been making some changes to the final surge software recently. If you have any ideas or have any questions please follow us at Facebook.com/FinalSurge or on Twitter @FinalSurge.  How did you get started in running? How did you make the transition to coaching? You have been coaching for 27-years, who have been your biggest coaching influences? The American Distance Project has been making a lot of noise recently. When did you start the group? How are you growing the team, what types of athletes are a good fit and how do you identify them? I have read you are not as much of a believer in traditional periodization as many coac

Welcome to Episode 32 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we talk to 2016 USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Woman's open runner of the year Addie Bracy. Addie, a former Olympic Trials track athlete made the switch to mountain racing in 2016 and won the US Championship in her first race. We talk about the transition to mountain and trail running and we also talk about her getting involved as a high school coach. I hope you enjoy this show and make sure you check out what the Hudson team is doing with coaching to support their athletes. Addie welcome, we like to start out getting to know our guest a little better so if you could tell me how you got your start in running? What was your high school running career like? You walked on at UNC, how was it walking on and what can you share with our listeners about that experience? You had a very respectful 16:20 in the 5k in college, that may not have been good enough to win a national championship, but many of our listeners, male and female would take it. After running a

Drew Hunter - In episode 31 of the Final Surge podcast we welcome professional runner Drew Hunter. Many consider Drew the best American high school runner since Alan Webb. Drew turned down the opportunity to run at Oregon and instead signed a deal with Adidas to turn pro. We talk to Drew about what went into that decision-making process, how the new lifestyle is treating him and we break down a week of workouts. The first couple of questions there was a few audio issues with his phone, but it cleared up. I hope you enjoy this episode as much as I enjoyed doing it. So let’s start at the beginning, when did you get your start running? Before that mile in 8th grade had you ever run before or was that really your first time? How fast was your mile in 8th grade? When was it that it struck you, hey I may be pretty good at this and have a future. We talked to your coach Tom Schwartz in Episode 12 about you going pro. You had said you were going to head off to Oregon, but then you decided to take another direction, c

Welcome to episode 30 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we talk to Coach Sarah Kozul of the Galloway Lakeland Florida Group. This episode we talk about the Galloway run/walk method, how a new runner gets started and builds up to their first race and how they determine training paces. We also discuss how she coaches runners to use run/walk to finish a race strong. We also talk about how she is using Final Surge to give plans to 140 runners. If anyone is interested in the Galloway training programs you can find them in our library of plans. Now onto the show. How did you get your start in running? How did you get involved in Lakeway Galloway Group? When you first started running was that with a Galloway Group? When you ran your first half marathon how long did you train? Many people know of the Galloway program as a run/walk program. Can you tell us how that works? Walk us through how you take a new runner who has not ran before and set paces for them using the mile time trial? So on day one they walk/run

Episode 29: Matt Fitzgerald. Matt may be the most prolific writer in endurance athletics with over 2-dozen books to his name. In this episode, we talk about the 80/20 training philosophy, the mental aspect of endurance athletics and we talk nutrition. Check Out Matt’s latest book The Endurance Diet. How you got your start in running. When I am looking for the latest in training and science I usually turn to Alex Hutchinson, Steve Magness and you. What got you so interested in this? Matt talks about a book he wishes he didn’t write. What is the 80/20 rule of training for endurance athletes? You have written a lot about diet, what is race weight and how do you find it? There are a lot of diets out there, is there one right way to eat? Matt talks about low carb diet and quality of carbs and gives us examples of high-quality vs low-quality carbs. We talk about the difference between diet for optimal performance vs. diet for weight loss. Your book How Bad Do You Want It is about the mental aspect of endurance athl

Welcome to episode 28 of the Final Surge podcast where today we talk to Olympian Kim Conley who made her marathon debut this past fall. We talk about her epic Olympic Trial 5k race in 2012, her incident she had in the 10k trials this year and we discuss her making the jump to a marathon this fall. Two weeks ago we had a conversation with Olympian Nick Willis and we are giving away two free boot camps to his Miler Method. The two winning entries from iTunes are MilebyMile and DAllen. Email me Dean@Finalsurge.com or hit us up on Twitter @finalsurge and we will get you hooked up.  Kim we always like to start out getting to know a little bit about our guests, can you tell our listeners how you got started in running? So you started early in 6th grade, when was the point that you realized you were pretty good at this running thing and may have a future in it? At what point did you start looking at colleges and what lead you to to UC Davis? When you were running in school what were your plans, was running something

Welcome to Episode 27 of the Final Surge podcast where we kick off 2017 by talking to Coach Mario Fraioli. With the new year here we talk about goal setting, new year resolutions and setting yourself up to have the best year of running yet. We also dig into when a runner should get a coach and talk about his new coaching venture. Last week we talked to Olympian Nick Willis and I want to remind you about the contest we have going where you can enter through January 6th to win one of two boot camps with Nick at the Miler Method. Head over to Finalsurge.com/podcast and look for details under Nick’s podcast. Dozens of you reach out to use every week on Twitter @FinalSurge and we thank you for your interactions Follow us and ask us any questions about Final Surge or let us know what questions you would like us to ask future guest. Mario shares with us how he got started in running while in high school and his early basketball career. He also discussed how with the lack of structure in his high school program he ha

Welcome to the Final Surge podcast episode 26, and our final episode of 2016. Today we talk to Olympian Nick Willis. Nick has represented New Zealand in the 1500 in the last three Olympics and had podium finishes in 2008 and 2016. We talk to Nick about his Olympic race this year, how he schedules training blocks for his training and we talk to him about his new project he launched The Miler Method. Nick and his wife are running 6-week online boot camps to help you run faster. Nick is offering two free entries into upcoming boot camps to our listeners. Head over to iTunes, leave a review of the podcast and you will be entered. For more information on other ways to get entries, head to Finalsurge.com/podcast and look for details under Episode 26 and follow us on Twitter @FinalSurge. We will have the drawing for both entries on January 6th. Entries are allowed until noon time EST on 1/6/17. Nick Willis 2016 you qualified for your 3rd Olympics 1500 meters finals in a row. You got a Silver in 08, 9th in 2012 and

Episode 25 of the Final Surge podcast we talk to Nick Symmonds. Nick is a 6-time US National 800 meters champion, 2-time Olympian and won a silver medal in the 2013 World Championships in the 800. Nick is spending more time these days working on his new company Run Gum, but he tells us he is not done yet on his Oval Office. If you are not following us on Twitter we can be found @FinalSurge. Let us know your thoughts on the podcast or the Final Surge software. For those who maybe have heard of you, but not heard your story, can you tell us how you got started in running when you were young? You took a little different route out of high school and went D3, why did you choose that route? After college, you got a contract with Nike? My favorite race of all time to watch is the 1972 men's Olympic final for the 800 in which Dave Wottle won. I am sure you are familiar with it right? So with that in mind let’s talk 800 race strategy. It seems that the most common way to run an 800, and i believe the way you try to ru

We have a special treat for you today. Hall of Fame coach Joe Vigil joins us to talk training. If you enjoy the show we would appreciate you heading over to iTunes and taking a minute to rate and review our podcast. Those ratings are important when people are searching for podcast. Coach Vigil won 26 national titles in 33 years at Adams State and has coached several Olympians including Deena Kastor and Brenda Martinez. We discuss everything from VO2 Max and testing, what he learned from watching runners at Leadville to periodization. Tell us how you got started in the running community and into coaching. When you took over Adams State you won 26 national titles in 33 years. Adams state when you took over was not exactly a powerhouse so you had to build runners from the ground up. What do you think you were doing differently that other programs were not doing? Thirst for learning what made you different? In the book Born to Run you make an appearance. You are mentioned as a coach who thinks differently because

This week we have something different for you. This week is less about training and more about talking about one of the better running blogs out there, Salty Running. We will talk to Laura Pizmoht about her running career, why she started salty running and what is an important issue in women’s running that should be covered and talked about more. We hope that you enjoy this episode. Feel free to tweet us at Final Surge and let us know what you think and as always, don’t forget to rate us on iTunes. I want to spend some time talking about your site Salty Runner and what you do there, but let’s start off getting to know you a little, can you tell is how you got your start in running? So why did you start it, what was your inspiration? Who is your avatar? For those who may know what that means, when you start a new blog you are supposed to think about your avatar, that person who you are writing for. What does your avatar look like? What is one thing that you have learned about yourself or your running since yo

Welcome to episode 22 of the final surge podcast where today we talk to Alex Hutchinson, the sweat science writer for Runners World and a go-to resource for the latest in exercise science. We will talk about everything from hydration, training methods. running cadence and beet farms. Please take a minute when you are done and rate us on iTunes.   Let's start out by talking about you, how did you get your start in running and how did it lead you to where you are today. You did a couple of columns this year on running cadence. We have all heard you want to be at 180 steps per minute, but as you pointed out steps per changes with speed. So for a mid-pack runner who is not elite, is cadence something they should even look at? Is there anything showing if you do intentionally change your running form it could lead to other injuries, or is there a way that is recommended to work on the change? Along with cadence is foot placement. Many say land under your body, but I think that video has shown that under your body

Episode 21 of Final Surge Podcast with our guest Coach and Dr Richard Hansen of the Roots Running Project. Richie is a chiropractor specializing in sports medicine and more specifically runners, and is a coach of an up and comping post collegiate team who’s runners include The Noah Droddy. I think you are going to really enjoy this. We start out talking about his coaching experiences, Noah and then turn to injuries, strength videos and pool walking. If you enjoy this episode please take a moment to rate us on iTunes and send a thank you tweet to Dr Hansen. Now onto the show. I want to break this up into a couple of parts first talking about your coaching and post collegiate groups and then talking about your other life as a highly respected chiropractor specializing in running related injuries. First let's' find out how you got here. Can you tell us about how you got your start in running early on? Was it your goal when you moved to Boulder to get into coaching? We have seen a resurgence of American distance

Welcome to episode 20 of the final surge podcast with world record holder Cal Neff. Cal is a Dad, a runner and a coach who this year set the world record for the half-marathon and marathon while pushing a stroller. We talk about what happens on those runs and how he adjusts his training. As we reach episode 20 the Final Surge team would like to thank you. We are over 10,000 downloads and growing. Please take a moment to rate us on iTunes, and send us a message on Twitter or Facebook and let us know what you like most about the show and what you would like to see changed. Now on to our interview with Cal. So how did you get started running when you were young? In early February of 2016 you won the Katy Half Marathon in 1:11:27, while pushing a stroller and setting the new Guinness Book of world records for a half marathon. How dod you get started pushing a stroller while running? How old are your daughters that you push? So when you set the record in the Katy half marathon what made you think about going for t

Dathan Ritzenhein is one of the most successful American distance runners of all time with three Olympic appearances. Today we get to talk to Dathan about his recent great run against Mo Farah at the Great North 1/2, his upcoming NYC Marathon appearance and how he has prepared for it. We talk training, nutrition, and fat burning as well as what he is doing differently to stay healthy.  Dathan, thank for joining us today, can you tell our listeners how you got started in running when you were a kid? You have been training for the NYC Marathon and recently ran the Great North 1/2 Marathon. You ran a 60:12, just 12 seconds off your PR and finishing a very strong second to Mo Farah. It sounds like you are running the best you have in 6-7 years and you must be healthy, how is your training going for NYC? Can you give us an example of what the week looks like for you leading up to a marathon? We have a great field coming up for the NYC marathon, they are offering $100,000 in American only price money. How much does

Welcome to Episode 18 of the Final Surge Podcast. Our guest today is Steve Magness. Steve is a former high school prodigy, the author of the well respected book Science of Running and a coach at the University of Houston and to several professional runners. We talk about everything from training the extremes, race strategy, breaking through plateaus, tapering and psychology or racing. Most of our listeners probably know who you are, but let’s give any who may not know your background. Can you tell us about how you got started running? You made that huge jump your senior year can you tell us about that and what changes you made to have that breakthrough? What was your training like your first three years of high school? Your book the Science of Running is one of those books that I think every coach, no matter how experienced should have on their books shelf. But I understand you are working on a new book, what can we expect from that one. You took over coaching at your alma mater University of Houston a few ye

How did you get your start in running? What was the main driving force that got you into running as much as you have? How long was it before you did your first ultra marathon race? How did you make the transition into charging the first person from giving advice for free? I watched a video of yours and you made an interesting observation. New tennis players, new golfers etc will often hire a coach to learn good habits early, but new runners tend to now hire coaches. Are all your clients online? What type of clients do you take on, what does a typical client of yours look like, how long have they been running, what happened to make them want to look for a coach? You are doing some interesting stuff online, you are very active, is that where you are doing all your marketing? What can a client expect and what type of guidance do you provide for strength work? How often do you have your athletes run? With newer runners of course, we always face injuries, what are the most common injuries you see with your runners

We have a great interview for you today. Imagine this story, someone who never ran until after college, ran their first race, a marathon in 4 hours and 37 minutes, then just six years later they run an Olympic qualifier and are headed to Rio to run in the Olympics. This is not a hollywood movie script, this is the story of Ariana Holborn. Now on to the show. Had a chance to meet you and hear your story can you tell us about your long high school running career? You just ran in the Rio Olympics, so if you did not run in high school, how did you get your start? So your very first race ever was a marathon? Which one? So what did your running career look like after that first marathon, you obviously caught the bug. 2008 you run your first race and run a 4:37 marathon, then one year later you run a BQ? What was your training like? You went from 0 to 70 miles in a year, did you encounter any injuries? In 2010 you join John Reich's team, where did you go from there? Then in 2014 at US Marathon Championships you were

Zach is an ultra marathon runner and a coach at Zach Bitter Running. Zach has held the 100 mile American record and the 12 hour work record. In this episode we talk about how a runner can make the jump to ultra distances and find out what it is like running on a track for over 400 laps. How did you get your start in running, I am guessing your first run wasn’t an ultra. So let’s start with the really early days. Did you start running in high school, jr high, where does the story begin? What was your high school career like, what type of 5k times were you doing So let’s start out talking about how someone can make the transition from someone who maybe is not an elite runner, but has a few 1/2’s and a few marathons under their belt and wants to make that jump to an ultra. What advice would you have for a runner. Should they start with shorter races like a 50 miler before they jump to a 100 miler? So if someone is running 40-50 miles a week what can they look up for a build up time and what type of volume do you