Final Surge Podcast

Welcome to the Final Surge Podcast. We recorded this episode with Newbury Park Coach Sean Bronsan back in the early summer. But with technical difficulties with Zoom the episode was lost. After working to figure out what happened the recording was found. Newbury Park is concluding on what may very well be the best high school cross country season of all time. This recording happened before the season started so we do not discuss the season, but we do talk about his philosophies that lead to this historic season. Not only is his boy's team considered by many the best boys team ever, but his girl's team is also ranked in the top 10 nationally. A big takeaway from the interview is his relationship with his athletes and getting them to believe in what is possible. What it takes to be great is different is what it takes to be good and he breaks down what that commitment looks like.

Welcome to episode 184 of the final surge podcast where we talk to Will and Sean of Running Lane. Running Lane is putting on a national championship race for high school cross country runners this year. With the cancelation of Nike Nationals, there was an opening, and Running Lane is filling that void. They already have a very impressive list of teams and individuals who have committed to attend. We talk to them about the event and the course. Final Surge is thrilled to be a sponsor of the event and we look forward to an amazing event.   You can follow them here Link to the registration info for teams & individuals: https://runsignup.com/Race/AL/Huntsville/HSXCRace Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runninglane/

Welcome to episode 183 of the Final Surge Podcast where we welcome Brodie Sharpe from down under to the program. Brodie runs the Run Smarter Podcast. Brodie has a Physiotherapy Practice and helps runners overcome and prevent injuries. We get into some common myths, talk about strength training and other things you can do to stay healthy. 1:30 How did you get started in running? 3:05 How does that play into what you are doing in the running community? 4:15 In the podcast you take subjects and break them up into small chunks, how did the passion for the podcast come about? 6:10 You talk a lot about overcoming injuries, what are common themes when a runner comes in to see you? 8:43 Is part of that because access to the internet so people find workouts and hit it too hard? 11:00 When runners come in with the common issues how often do they go to shoes first as the way to fix the problem? 13:41 Do you put them on a treadmill and look at their gate? 14:36 If someone comes in and they are landing way out in front do

Welcome to episode 182 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome Olympian runner turned Olympic Coach Lee Troop to the show. Lee represented Australia in the Olympics as a runner and last year coached his second athlete to an Olympics qualification when Jake Riley qualified for Team USA in the marathon. We talk about his running career, what Jake has been up to, and also discuss Lee's Team Boulder club.   1:10 How did you get started in the running community? 2:12 How big was running in Australia during that time in the early 80's? 6:10 When you got to college were things different in the running community here? 10:03 After college did you stay here? 11:32 How was that running in the Olympics in your how country? 13:58 How did you make the transition into coaching? 18:15 You are coaching Jake Riley who will be running in the Olympics, how did that relationship start? 26:17 Jake is obviously very talented but that Chicago race was a huge breakthrough. Was that more of a mental breakthrough? 30:48

Welcome to episode 181 of the Final Surge Podcast. This week we welcome professional runner Keira D'Amato to the show. Keira has an amazing story that ended with her just recently getting a professional contract from Nike. This was the first professional contract she was offered, and she was in her mid 30's. She took the time to share her story with us which we think you are going to find fascinating. 1:00 How she got started in running? 2:42 Were you a soccer player? 3:37 Did you consider yourself more of a cross country or track runner? 4:07 What was it about American University that made you want to run there? 5:10 Did you think about running after college? 7:02 Then for the next decade you were just a hobby jogger? 7:45 Give us an idea how many miles you were running during that decade? 9:20 We have talked to athletes who have taken a year or two off, but not a decade. At what point did you decide to start again? 11:12 Was there a moment where you said ok this is for real and I am going to get serious? 12

  Welcome to episode 180 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome NAU national champion Tyler Day, who recently turned pro and announced he was joining former collegiate teammate Matt Baxter and Coach Ben Rosario with Northern Arizona Elite. We talked a little bit about his rise from a good Arizona high school runner to one of the best in the country in high school. We then talk about what the process was like when he announced he was turning professional. Tyler is always a fun listen and we hope you enjoy this podcast as much as we did. 1:58 How did you get started in running? 3:36 Once you started running did you keep running or was it a season thing? 4:42 Talk about your high school career 6:46 In your senior year in the 3200 you had the 7th best time in the state. That is good, but how does that project to someone who turns into a champion in college? 9:15 What was it about NAU that attracted you to there? 10:34 What were those national champion teams like with that group of guys? 14:

  Welcome to episode 179 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome Bertrand Newsom and Kevin Chang. They both came to running later in life and have teamed up to form Racemob. Racemob is a community of runners that share tips, stories, trumps, and laughter. They are also a podcast and coaching platform using Final Surge. :52 What is your background, how did you get involved in running? 4:27 How did you guys end up meeting? 7:10 was your plan to build something bigger like Racemob? 9:45 What is the podcast about? 12:42 Are you using this to increase coaching base? 17:07 When you start a business like this you have more people looking to get out but also more people losing their job, so how did that play out? 21:30 Are most virtual or local? 23:25 How have you been using Final Surge? 26:47 What is the avatar of that person you are looking to work with? 29:21 Are you looking to create a stable of coaches? Resources Racemob Website Too Legit Final Surge Final Surge Instagram Final Surge Twit

Welcome to episode 178 of the Final Surge Podcast where we welcome back Martin Hehir. We had Martin on the podcast almost 4 years ago when he was a year out of college and running with the NAZ Elite team in Flagstaff. Today he is in Philadelphia, going to medical school, getting ready for his residency and has two kids. Yes he is still running though and recently won The Marathon Project race with a sub 2:09. We talk to him about his training and how he pulled that off with everything going on in his life right now. 1:25 Since the last time we had you on you left to go to medical school, can you bring us up to date? 2:58 You got married, go to medical school, had a couple of kids, what has been the hardest part of all that while still training? 4:01 You wanted to continue the running, was there ever a worry you wouldn't have the time? 5:45 When you graduate school are you expecting to still have the time? 6:49 You have been blessed with some amazing coaches, how is it being teamed back up with Coac

Welcome to episode 177 of the Final Surge Podcast where we welcome professional distance runner Noah Droddy to the show. Droddy has a great story of a slightly better than average runner in high school who became an Olympics Trial qualifier. Droddy burst onto the scene in 2016 at the Trials and recently finished second in The Marathon Project. We catch up with Droddy about his preparation for his latest race and what is next for him in 2021. 1:15 How did you get started in running? 2:30 What was it in your senior year that started to change things for you? 3:40 How were your times in your senior year? 4:12 Those are not times that jump off the chart, at what point did you decide that you wanted to run at the next level? 5:35 Did you have success in college as a freshman? 6:49 What was your progress like in college? 8:15 When you were getting ready to graduate college did you expect to continue to run as a professional? 9:28 What do you by you couldn't completely let running go? 10:29 When d

  Welcome to episode 176 of the Final Surge Podcast where we welcome back Tinman Elite athlete Joey Berriatua to the podcast. Joey was first with us a year and a half ago on episode 123. Joey joined us to talk about where is running is now, recent PR's he has had and we talk about his new passion which is coaching with the Hammer and Axe Training team. Joey has big plans for 2021 including making it to the US Olympics Trial, possibly in more than one event. 1:10 What is new since last spring? 3:09 You started running again in late November? 4:10 You are forced to take 4-months off, what was the hardest part? 5:45 And when you started running, you were only running 5-minutes at a time? 6:54 How good shape did you get in with just swimming? 8:29 How did you manage the swimming, was it based on time? 10:05 You were back up to full volume by February and then March hit. Do you think it could have helped by not forcing yourself to race too quickly? 12:11 How has your training been going the last few months? 13:

Welcome to episode 175 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome back Tinman Elite coach Tom Schwartz to the podcast. Tom is working on his doctoral dissertation for exercise science and we talk about that and how you can get involved too. We also catch up with how some of the Tinman team are doing. You can check out Tom's coaching which he uses Final Surge for at Run Fast Coach. :45 How is everyone holding up? 1:52 You had some guys in Phoenix racing this past weekend, how is the racing going? 3:36 Any more races on the books? 5:00 How has Sam been doing, haven't seen much of him recently? 5:57 Talk to us about your dissertation 10:59 In that example during that 20% are you giving that 48 more speed work? 12:29 Shouldn't the slower one be working on speed more? 13:39 When you are looking at those online calculators about projected race times are they accurate or would they be more accurate with two data points? 17:17 Two kids both ran cross, but one ran over the winter and one did

Welcome to episode 174 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome professional runner Christine Thorn to the program. Four years ago Christine was playing basketball on a scholarship in college. Last year she ran 11th in the Steeplechase at the US National Championships. We talk to Christine about the path she took to get here, the coaching she is involved with, and what she hopes for next year on the track.   1:09 How did you get into running? 4:15 You ran with your high school team in Junior High right? 5:00 Did you run in high school? 5:54 Did you run on the side on college or no just basketball? 6:39 What gave you the thought that you could compete at the D2 level after your basketball career? 7:32 In college you sound like you were reluctant to try the steeple? 11:15 How did you feel coming back to run the 1500 finals after? 12:00 Did you consider yourself more of a cross or track runner? 13:03 When did you think you could compete post-collegiate? 14:58 Was it your college coach that convinced you

Welcome to episode 173 of the Final Surge Podcast where we welcome back Tinman Elite athlete Drew Hunter to the program. Drew has been busy this year helping to launch the Hammer and Axe Training site and is currently working on a virtual turkey-trot that has some amazing prizes.   :50 How are you and the team doing? 1:24 What is coming up for races? 2:08 Everyone on the team staying healthy? 2:44 You have had a busy year, want to talk about the new coaching program? 4:25 What is someone getting in the Turkey Trot package? 6:44 XEndurance is around a lot more, what is your relationship with them? 8:37 You get a training plan with this turkey trot right? 10:11 So is each plan designed by someone or is it a collaboration? 11:17 How will this work for someone who this is their first virtual race? 12:56 What type of workouts do you have in your plan? 14:58 They can use this plan on their next 5k race too right? 16:20 Talk some about the Hammer and Axe Training programs 18:29 What is your communicat

Welcome to episode 172 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome coach Mike Hickey. Mike has coached everything from high school runners to professionals like Alexa Efraimson. We talk to Mike about his journey in coaching, his philosophy of the Oregon System and how he trains youth runners.   1:15 How did you get started in running? 6:45 What about those relationships lead you into getting into coaching? 8:34 What was your first coaching job? 10:35 How did your career develop until you met Alexa? 14:04 For a coach hearing she is running 41 seconds for 300 is that like a fast 800 for her? 16:34 You have coached high school before and you have seen those who don't have the natural ability but are willing to work, how do you develop them? 22:20 They are not the most athletic, how do you get them to move better? 26:36 Do you use the Oregon System for your training? 31:00 With the Oregon System layout a week or two 59:40 You said those early years you were developing speed, should we be doing s

Welcome to episode 171 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome back NAZ Elite coach Ben Rosario. A lot has happened with Ben and his team since we last caught up including a new deal between Hoka and NAZ, a couple of new signings of athletes and he has announced the Marathon Project. The Marathon Project is an elite marathon that will be run in December in Chandler Arizona. We get some information on how that came together. 1:15 How is the team dealing with the pandemic? 4:38 What struggles have you encountered? 6:25 Recently you added a couple of new runners, want to tell us about Julia Kohnen 11:28 And you added Tyler Day? 18:15 You are putting on an Elite Marathon in Chandler Arizona? 24:10 Will fans be allowed? 24:49 What type of protocols are in place for Covid-19? 26:06 You have 50 women and 50 men, how did the selection process work? 28:50 Elite athletes are not used to having to pay to enter a race, but this is different right? 32:10 You have renewed your contract with HOKA, it sounds like t

Welcome to episode 170 of the Final Surge Podcast where today we welcome triathlete and Ironman Triathlon coach Dora Kemecsei to the podcast. The Corona pandemic has taken a toll on the triathlon scene this year, but things are starting to show a sign of opening back up with the first Ironman race going off this past month. We look at what the future holds for the sport and where we go from here. 1:00 How did you get started in triathlons? 4:00 Did you have any biking background before you did your first traithlon? 4:42 How long of a training period did you give yourself before your first Ironman? 5:21 Did you find out during that first one that the biking was the biggest challenge? 6:05 How many Ironman races have you done and when did that lead to coaching? 6:38 How did you go about getting those first clients? 7:20 The last 8 months have probably been a challenge? How has it impacted you? 9:09 What type of advice do you have for someone who keeps getting races canceled? 11:00 What is the

Welcome to episode 169 of the Final Surge Podcast. Today we welcome Olympic swimmer Scott Dickens to the podcast. Scott joins us to talk about FORM, a revolutionary swimming goggle that gives you real-time metrics. Last week Final Surge announced we are now syncing with FORM so we invited Scott on to discuss what FORM is and how it can help you. Through the end of the month, FORM is giving Final Surge listeners a $30 off coupon. Head over to FormSwim.com and enter FINALSURGE30 at checkout to save $30. 1:00 How did you get started in swimming? 1:57 When were you in the Olympics 3:19 What events did you swim? 3:40 You now work with FORM, can you tell us what FORM is? 4:40 What are the different metrics you are able to see? 5:29 Can you set the metrics you want to see? 6:15 How can it pick up heart-rate? 7:17 How does the distance work in a pool? 8:30 It would seem like the metics could be a distraction? 9:55 How do you start and stop it? 11:00 If you have a mi

Welcome to episode 168 of the Final Surge Podcast where we welcome former Olympian and now the coach at NYRR Roberto Mandje to the show. Roberto talks about how the pandemic is affecting the NYRR and the plan for the 2020 NYC Marathon to be a virtual race. We also talk about the NYRR Coaching Lab where you can get training from their coaches to help you have a successful marathon. Roberto shares a lot of valuable information in this episode. :54 How you got started in running? 2:22 You ran in the 1500 in the 2004 Olympics? 3:18 What was that Olympic experience like for you representing a smaller country? 5:06 As a former Olympian what were your thoughts after the Olympics were canceled for this year? 6:50 What was your career like from 2004 to the time you joined NYRR 9:42 Could you give us some info besides the NYRR what else are you doing in the community? 11:07 If you are having 60 events throughout the year you guys are very active, so when the shut down happened what was that like to you? 13:02 Explain w

Welcome to episode 167 of the Final Surge podcast. Today we welcome back former professional runner turned coach Luke Humphrey. Luke joins us to talk about the last few months of life with Covid for a running coach. We also talk about his new series that will be starting this month that is a 13-week program with training programs, structured workouts, and group meetings for two virtual 5k's. You can head on over to FinalSurgeRacing.com to sign up. 1:15 What have you been doing since everything in the running world has been shut down? 3:53 You have a large coaching business, for them what has it been like to continue with no end in sight? 6:15 Did you find most people set goals to go shorter and faster? 7:08 Have you found your athletes are into the virtual races? 8:05 So did many use this time as a huge base building period? 8:59 Can you imagine that we may not have a spring marathon season? 10:21 Going forward you set up the 2020 5k series, what is that about? 13:35 What is included besides

Welcome to episode 166 of the Final Surge Podcast. Today we welcome back Olympian Kim Conley to the show. We catch up with Kim and talk about how she is handling this long period between race and what advice she has for staying motivated. :45 Where are you with your training? 1:09 When is the last time you raced? 1:29 When is the last time you went this long without a race? 2:30 Do you have anything on the books as a potential? 3:36 Have you decided between the 5k and 10k? 4:20 Back in March when this all broke could you imagine we would be where we are? 5:23 What have you been doing with training since March? 6:19 What are you doing on the track? 7:39 What about the mental side of this? 8:59 What type of encouragement do you have for these high school and college kids losing seasons? 10:05 Have you been doing anything different to take your mind off things? 11:24 Do you feel like you're in really good shape right now? 12:15 Anything different in the training you have been doing?