The People Run Podcast

At 16 years old, João Guilherme left Brazil for the UK and found himself navigating a new country, school, training, and stretches of living on his own. Running had only recently entered his life. What started as 20-minute treadmill runs eventually became something much bigger. Three years later, João is 19, has run 32:17 for 10K, is preparing for his first half marathon in Copenhagen, and is about to begin studying sports science at St Mary’s University surrounded by one of the strongest running environments in the UK. João shares how running gave him confidence and community, the early coach who saw his willingness to suffer before she saw his talent, learning the hard way that every workout shouldn’t be a race, and how a more science-based approach to training has changed his development. With his first half marathon ahead and ambitions of one day representing Brazil, João still has no idea where his ceiling is. He just knows he wants to find out. Chapters 00:00 From Brazil to a 32:17 10K 02:09 Finding Running & Breaking 17 Minutes 04:22 Moving to the UK & Breaking 16 Minutes 05:42 St Mary’s, Coaching & a New Environment 10:17 How Running Changed João’s Life 13:20 Inside João’s Science-Based Training 18:03 Racing the Brazilian U23 Championships 19:13 The Hardest Race He’s Ever Run 22:14 Winning a 32:17 10K & Chasing More 31:48 Preparing for His First Half Marathon Follow João: instagram.com/joao._runs/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

At 25, Gio Cerisier is balancing 70 mile weeks, 5AM runs, a full-time job, marriage, and fatherhood all while chasing the fastest times of his life. Gio shares how a self-funded trip to Flagstaff changed what he believed was possible, his progression from a 17-minute 5K runner to running 69:50 in his first half marathon, and how he rebuilt after hernia surgery. He also breaks down his approach to double-threshold training, fast long runs, and why he refuses to prove his fitness in workouts. But running is only part of the story. Gio opens up about becoming a father while still competing in college, breaking his school steeplechase record just days after his daughter was born, the role faith plays in his life, and his dream of one day representing Haiti. Now, with even bigger goals ahead, Gio is finding out just how far he can take it without losing sight of what matters most. Chapters 00:00 Meet Gio Cerisier 02:00 5AM Runs, Work & Fatherhood 06:03 The Flagstaff Trip That Changed Everything 09:58 From 17-Minute 5K to College Running 15:02 The Breakthrough 20:01 Why Your Environment Matters 25:04 Hernia Surgery & the Comeback 29:50 Double Threshold & Fast Long Runs 35:03 Save It for Race Day 40:00 How Far Can Gio Take This? 45:00 Fatherhood, Faith & Running Follow Gio: instagram.com/gio_venchy/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Chirine Njeim spent most of her life as a ski racer, representing Lebanon at three Winter Olympic Games before eventually walking away from the sport that had defined her. Then she found running. What started as a new challenge quickly became something much bigger, eventually taking Chirine back to the Olympics this time as a marathoner. Chirine joins Fitz to talk about starting over in a new sport, chasing the Rio Olympics, representing Lebanon, taking on seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, and why after four Olympics she’s still asking: what’s next? Chapters 00:00 Chirine’s Athletic Journey 01:13 From Olympic Skiing to Marathon Running 02:38 Growing Up Skiing in Lebanon 04:11 Moving to France at 13 to Chase Skiing 07:00 Her First Olympics & Overcoming Setbacks 11:24 Walking Away From Skiing & Starting Over 13:36 Learning to Train Like a Runner 18:17 The Unexpected Road to the Rio Olympics 24:11 Favorite Races & Marathon Memories 31:45 Fear, Pressure & the Mental Side of Sport 38:32 Seven Marathons, Seven Continents, Seven Days 43:47 What’s Next After Four Olympics? Follow Chirine: instagram.com/chirine.njeim/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What does a photographer see that the rest of us miss? Fitz sits down with Audrey Helle, a Sport editorial photographer , to talk about the way she sees athletes through her lens from HYROX and track to boxing and other high-intensity sports. Audrey shares why she shoots primarily in black and white, how she uses harsh light to her advantage, why she scouts venues before shooting, and how she looks for the vulnerable, emotional moments athletes don’t always want people to see. They also talk about how street photography shaped her eye, the people who pushed her to take photography seriously, why so much sports photography can start to look the same, and why she believes an athlete’s story exists far beyond the finish line. From documenting training and injuries to capturing the moments before warm-up and after recovery, Audrey explains why the unseen parts of sport are often the most important to photograph. A conversation about sports photography, HYROX, visual storytelling, emotion, and seeing the moments everyone else misses. Chapters 00:00 Seeing What Athletes Don’t See 03:02 Composition, Light & Planning the Shot 06:57 Why Audrey Shoots in Black & White 12:07 Finding the Perfect Shot 17:23 Becoming a Photographer 19:54 Telling an Athlete’s Story 25:29 Anticipating the Moment 33:43 Gear, Preparation & Photographing New Athletes 40:11 Beyond the Finish Line: The Full Athlete Story Follow Audrey: instagram.com/audrey_elle.h/ audreyhelle.myportfolio.com Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

In 2023, Polow suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm while out on a run. He woke up in the hospital days later, spent weeks in the ICU, and had to relearn how to walk before he could even think about running again. The first attempts back were brutal tears, panic, fear that it could happen again, and the question of whether he would ever feel like himself as a runner again. Eventually, he kept showing up. Polow talks about the emotional side of recovery, survivor’s guilt, therapy, the first runs he couldn’t finish, and the moment running finally started to feel normal again. He also shares how the experience completely changed his relationship with training, ego, sleep, recovery, and what it means to actually take care of himself. We also get into Run N Brunch, the Atlanta running community he built around making sure nobody feels left behind, his return to 13.1 at SeaWheeze, and why his next challenge means more than any race he has done before. Now, Polow is training for the New York City Marathon in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. For him, getting to that start line is about much more than 26.2 miles. “It means I made it.” Chapters 00:00 Surviving a Brain Aneurysm & Returning to Running 01:57 The Fear of Running Again 03:58 The Day Everything Changed 08:00 Waking Up in the ICU 11:56 Learning to Walk Again 16:07 When Running Finally Felt Normal Again 19:59 Working From a Place of Rest 24:03 Building Run N Brunch & Running for the Back of the Pack 28:08 Leaving Ego Behind & Returning to Racing 33:04 The Road to the NYC Marathon Follow Polow: instagram.com/polizzy/ Support Polow’s NYC Marathon: Polow is running the NYC Marathon in support of the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. You can support his fundraising efforts here: https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/polow-lynn Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Madey is a 2:28 marathoner chasing even bigger goals while working full time as a nurse and regularly training up to 100 miles per week. In this episode, we talk about how she balances 12 hour hospital shifts with high level marathon training, 4 a.m. runs, and the discipline required to make it all work. Madey shares how working in healthcare has changed her perspective on running, why she refuses to take her health for granted, and how she’s learned to race more aggressively and “close the gap.” Fueling 100 mile weeks, body image in distance running, recovery, relationships, the sacrifices behind chasing big goals, and why she wants other nurses and everyday runners to see that a demanding career doesn’t mean giving up the things you love. A conversation about running fast, making time, and appreciating the opportunity to do both. Chapters 00:00 Meet Madey: Nurse, Runner & 100-Mile Weeks 03:51 Managing Fatigue, Recovery & Fueling 09:18 Mental Toughness & Race-Day Mindset 16:22 From the Mile to a 2:28 Marathon 22:23 How Working in Healthcare Changed Her Running 24:42 4 A.M. Runs, Friends & Strength Training 28:57 Getting Faster & Building Confidence 36:50 Chasing the Olympic Trials & Staying Healthy 39:52 Two Full-Time Jobs: Work, Running & Sacrifice 43:33 The Bigger Why Behind Her Running Follow Madey: instagram.com/madeydickson/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Joey Whelan was running 2:13 - 2:15 marathons while balancing running with work when he decided he had one more shot to see how good he could become. With the support of his wife, he quit his job, went all in on running, and eventually broke 2:10. Joey talks about what changed when running became his full time pursuit, racing multiple marathons a year, recovering quickly enough to keep coming back, and what each race has taught him. We get into Berlin's brutal heat, winning and setting course records, representing Team USA, training at 100+ miles per week, and the small details he's learning as he tries to close the gap to the next level. Now, after winning 11 marathons, running under 2:10 and holding five course records, Joey isn't interested in staying where he knows he can win. He's headed to Chicago to find out how he stacks up against some of the best runners in the country and he's not finished yet. This one is about betting on yourself, finding another level, and seeing what happens when you go all in. Chapters 00:00 Going All In on Running 09:21 Chasing Sub-2:10: Berlin, CIM & Going Full-Time 16:16 Learning to Race Like the Elites 21:17 Racing the Best & Chasing the Majors 28:30 What Every Marathon Has Taught Him 35:54 What Separates a 2:09 Marathoner? 44:46 Recovery, Fueling & Life as a Pro 52:34 Nothing to Lose: What Comes Next Follow Joey: instagram.com/jpwhelan23/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Emily Durgin has been a U.S. champion, finished ninth at the 2024 Olympic Trials, and spent years consistently improving and competing at the highest level. Then an injury changed the rhythm of everything. Emily opens up about the past year and a half of trying to feel like herself again. She shares what it was like racing at 85%, questioning whether her best years were behind her, and eventually deciding that continuing to push through wasn't worth sacrificing a full recovery. We talk about the mistakes she's made returning from injury, learning when to stop forcing fitness, rebuilding from the ground up, and separating her identity from running while still believing deeply in what she can accomplish. Emily also looks ahead to 2027 and 2028, why she believes her fastest running may still be ahead of her, and what it means to give herself the chance to go all in one more time. Chapters 00:00 – Emily’s comeback and injury reset 01:04 – Why she stopped racing through pain 05:23 – The hardest part: being away from competition 07:12 – Starting fresh in Boulder 10:59 – The lesson: stop running through it 12:21 – Why racing means so much more than workouts 17:39 – Redefining success and choosing joy 27:13 – Hill strides and rebuilding form 30:32 – The biggest mistake runners make after injury 34:12 – Faith, friendship, and joy outside running 43:15 – December marathons and the road back 47:41 – Why 2028 is the main goal 50:55 – What she’ll appreciate most when she’s back Follow Emily: instagram.com/em_durgin/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Less than a year after signing up for her first HYROX, Courtney qualified for the HYROX World Championships. In this episode, Courtney shares how she balances a full-time career, family life, and training while chasing her potential. We talk about qualifying for Worlds, running a sub 40 10K, training 15+ hours a week, fueling, recovery, and the mindset that's helped her improve so quickly. Whether you're training for HYROX, running your next race, or simply trying to fit big goals into a busy life, there's something in this conversation for you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: From First HYROX to Worlds 02:11 Signing Up for Her First HYROX 03:57 Training, Mindset & Finding Her Potential 07:10 The Mental Side of Racing 10:11 The Road to HYROX Worlds 15:46 Race Day at Worlds 19:01 Lessons From HYROX Worlds 23:02 Running, HYROX & Getting Faster 29:07 Balancing Work, Family & Training 33:04 Fueling, Recovery & Community 44:02 What's Next? Hong Kong & Future Goals Follow Courtney: instagram.com/courtney.hybrid.fit/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Olympic medalist, author, and lifelong runner Deena Kastor joins The People Run Podcast. We talk about how her relationship with running has evolved, why joy matters more than chasing personal bests, what keeps her running today, the growth of the running community, writing Let Your Mind Run , and the lessons running continues to teach her decades after standing on the Olympic podium. If you’ve ever wondered why we keep coming back to running, this conversation is for you. Enjoy the episode. Chapters 00:00 Why Running Never Leaves You 02:58 Deena's Current Running Routine and Goals 06:59 Evolving Relationship with Running and Aging 12:00 The Impact of Community and Environment on Running 17:02 The Growth of the Sport and New Major Races 22:05 Deena's Reflection on Her Marathon Journey 26:53 The Mental and Emotional Benefits of Running 33:50 Writing Let Your Mind Run 42:00 The Power of Inspiration and Quotes in Running 45:06 Kindness, Community, and the Future of Running Follow Deena: instagram.com/deenakastor/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Sydney Levenfeld never expected running to change the direction of her life. After being diagnosed with epilepsy in 2020, running became a safe space during a difficult period. What started as a way to cope eventually led to a 3:15 debut marathon in Chicago, a growing belief in what she was capable of, and ultimately a 2:46 marathon PR. Sydney joins the podcast to talk about finding confidence through running, her rapid marathon progression, learning to love the training process, the workouts that helped her improve, racing Chicago, Boston and Eugene, and the unique pre race ritual she uses to visualize her goals. We also talk about leaving teaching, navigating uncertainty in her career, betting on herself, and co-founding Lead Pack Athletics as running became more than something she did it helped shape the person she wanted to become. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sydney Levenfeld's Running Journey 02:07 How Running Helped Build Confidence and Self-Belief 04:03 Sydney's First Marathon and Its Significance 05:52 Overcoming Health Challenges and Running Safely 10:01 Breaking 3 Hours and Improving Marathon Times 11:59 Key Training Strategies and Mental Models 14:07 The Love for Threshold Work and Speed Training 16:03 The Role of Visualization and Rituals in Racing 20:08 Memorable Races and Personal Highlights 24:56 Building Lead Pack Athletics to Address Industry Gaps 29:58 Future Goals and Vision for Running Industry Follow Sydney: instagram.com/sydney.b.fitness/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What does it take to balance teaching at a university while running a 2:13 marathon? In this episode, I sit down with Kristoffer Mugrage a professor at Adams State University, sports psychology lecturer, and one of America's top marathoners. We dive into the mindset, consistency, and training principles that have helped him become an elite marathoner while balancing a demanding career outside the sport. We talk about Boston Marathon, running 120+ mile weeks, altitude training, fueling, sports psychology, managing stress, confidence, and why enjoying the process might be the biggest key to long term improvement. Whether you're chasing your first marathon or your next PR, Kristoffer shares practical insights that runners of every level can apply. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Kristoffer's quote on planning and belief 02:09 Kristoffer's race experience and mental preparation 04:03 Being in the race tent with elite athletes 06:51 Training progression and early marathon times 10:54 Balancing a busy career with elite training 16:55 Training for mental toughness and pain management 21:58 Common misconceptions about marathon training 24:04 Nutrition strategies and daily calorie intake 36:11 Simplified principles for marathon training 38:05 Altitude necessity and its nuances 43:04 Disparity between easy and speed runs 46:11 Lessons from students and teaching 51:03 What excellence means in running and life 54:04 Closing remarks and future goals Follow Kristoffer: instagram.com/kris_muggi/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

David Mullarkey left the Isle of Man to chase a dream that most people thought was impossible. After moving across the world to compete in the NCAA, spending months without a sponsor, and burning through his savings with only one month of rent left, he finally got the email that changed everything—Under Armour was signing him as a professional runner. In this conversation, David shares what it was really like leaving home, adapting to life in America, competing in the NCAA, coaching himself after college, racing for Great Britain, and why patience has been the biggest advantage throughout his career. We also talk about high-mileage training, altitude in Flagstaff, becoming part of Mission Run Dark Sky, why championship racing means more than fast times, and the mindset behind the word “Relentless”—the tattoo he carries as a reminder to keep moving forward no matter what. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to become a professional runner, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and David's background 01:24 Growing up in Isle of Man and early dreams 04:14 Signing with Under Armour and turning pro 06:50 Transitioning from NCAA to professional athletics 11:55 Training at altitude and its effects 18:54 Representing Great Britain and major competitions 22:50 The importance of patience and long-term goals 30:01 Daily training routine and managing workload 40:06 Mental resilience and overcoming setbacks 45:01 Future goals and upcoming races Follow David: instagram.com/david.mullarkey/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

He Couldn’t Swim 15 Feet. Now He’s Racing 140.6 Miles | Casey Watson Born With One Arm. Couldn’t Swim 15 Feet. Now He’s Racing 140.6 Miles. Casey Watson once jumped into a pool believing his marathon fitness would carry him through a lap. Fifteen feet later, he was standing up, out of breath, and realizing he had no idea how to swim. That moment became the start of something much bigger. In this episode, Casey shares how he taught himself to swim, adapted a bike he could race safely, survived the fear of open water, and went from finishing his first triathlon to standing on podiums at 70.3 races and the Boston Marathon. Now he is preparing for the biggest challenge of his life: 140.6 miles at Challenge Roth in Germany. This is Casey Watson on The People Run Podcast. Chapters 00:00 From 15 Feet to a 2.4-Mile Triathlon Swim 07:59 Building a Triathlon Bike He Could Ride 13:39 Surviving the Swim, Taking Third in His First Triathlon 26:26 His First 70.3: Breaking Six Hours and Winning His Division 33:40 Why He Has to Work Twice as Hard 43:07 Training for Triathlon Without Losing Family Time 46:28 What His Kids See When He Races 48:37 Racing Boston Marathon Alone at the Front 52:50 Challenge Roth: 140.6 Miles in Germany Follow Casey: instagram.com/healthy_living4god/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

This week on The People Run, I’m joined by Olivia, a former British Army soldier, fitness presenter, runner, and HYROX athlete. We talk about the rise of run clubs, why HYROX has exploded in popularity, and what so many people are really searching for when they sign up for races, join a community, or take on hard challenges. Along the way we discuss Olivia’s path from the Army into fitness media, how running became more than exercise, racing around the world, the culture surrounding HYROX, social media authenticity, and why community might be the most underrated part of endurance sports. Chapters 00:00 HYROX, Half Marathons & Why Everyone's Obsessed 08:49 The Accidental Path: Army, Media & Staying Busy 12:51 How Running Became Her Identity 19:31 Why We Fly Across The World To Run 25:36 Preparing For HYROX 31:07 HYROX: Online vs Reality 39:40 What's The Point? Social Media & Authenticity 45:41 Why We Keep Doing Hard Things Follow Olivia: i nstagram.com/oliviacoxlondon/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

At 13 years old, Sean Casey was told he may never walk again. After being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Sean went from playing football with his friends to spending 94 days in the hospital, learning how to walk, use his hands, and rebuild his life from the ground up. Just as he recovered, he faced another serious illness that put him back in the hospital. Today, Sean is running marathons, chasing a sub-3, and taking on one of the toughest races in the world: Leadville 100. In this episode, Sean shares his journey through paralysis, recovery, identity, endurance sports, and why movement is something he'll never take for granted again. Chapters 00:00 From Football to Paralysis 06:38 The Recovery Nobody Sees 17:09 How Running Changed Everything 22:09 Why Leadville Became the Dream 27:47 100 Miles of Chosen Suffering 31:41 Tokyo, Failure & The Sub-3 Chase 41:25 What Makes Someone Strong? 42:28 Defining Strength: Consistency Through Adversity 42:58 Preparing for Leadville: Lessons Learned 44:21 The Leadville Dream and Community Impact 47:38 Authenticity in Running: Staying True to Oneself Follow Sean: instagram.com/takethestairs1/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Stefanie Corgel is a runner, strength coach, entrepreneur, and founder of Good Pain LA. In this conversation, we discuss her journey from college strength coach to online fitness entrepreneur, what marathon training has taught her about longevity, and why getting faster sometimes means staying healthy rather than pushing harder. We dive into injuries, marathon majors, Boston and New York, chasing ambitious goals without losing yourself in the process, and the lessons learned from nearly blacking out during the London Marathon. Stef also shares her approach to strength training for runners, balancing performance with long term health, and how running has evolved from a personal pursuit into an opportunity to lead and build community. Chapters 00:00 College Strength Coach to Online Fitness Entrepreneur 04:02 Training for Life at 70 12:19 Getting Faster: Injuries, Tokyo & Marathon Goals 22:00 Why Boston Is Running's Super Bowl 32:09 Why New York Will Always Be Special 34:32 How Far Can We Push Our Potential? 42:59 Chasing Sub-3s Without Losing Yourself 47:04 Strength Training for Runners 53:55 Building Good Pain LA & Becoming a Leader 59:18 Evolving as a Leader in the Running Community Follow Stef: instagram.com/stefcorgel/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Malik J, better known as The Running Gamer, found a way to combine two passions that don't often overlap: running and video games. In this episode, Malik shares how a simple challenge led him into the sport, why he nearly walked away from running after college, and how Detroit's running community helped bring him back. We talk about building a unique identity online, racing two 5Ks in less than 12 hours, traveling to Spain for the Seville Marathon with ASICS, and the lessons he's learned chasing faster times. Most importantly, Malik explains why runners get into trouble when they start comparing themselves to everyone else and why trusting your own process matters more than copying the pros. Whether you're training for your first race, chasing a marathon PR, or trying to find your place in the running community, this conversation is a reminder that there is more than one path to success. Chapters 00:00 Back to Back 5Ks & Chasing Sub 17 06:25 The Running Gamer: Combining Gaming & Running 11:10 How Running Changed His Life 15:51 From Spartan Races to a 2:37 Marathon 20:56 Don't Train Like Everyone Else 26:23 Experiencing the Seville Marathon 32:56 NYC Half Marathon Experience 42:12 Berlin, Bigger Goals & What's Next 46:25 The Detroit Running Community Follow Malik: instagram.com/mjordan5.0/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Olympic Trials qualifier. Elite 15 Hyrox athlete. Most athletes spend their entire careers chasing excellence in one sport. Alyssa McElheny is doing it in two. In this episode, Alyssa shares her journey from spending more than a decade chasing an Olympic Trials qualifier to becoming one of the fastest Hyrox athletes in the world. We talk about finding the sport she was built for, balancing elite marathoning and hybrid racing, and why success often comes from leaning into your strengths rather than forcing a path that isn't meant for you. We also dive into racing across Europe, dealing with pressure when everything is on the line, the lessons learned from years of marathon training, and how a two-minute penalty ended up changing the course of her season. It's a conversation about patience, resilience, self-belief, and what can happen when preparation finally meets opportunity. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another runner. Chapters 00:00 What Is The Secret? OTQ + Elite 15 Hyrox 03:13 The Accidental Path Into Hyrox 07:37 10 Years Chasing An Olympic Trials Qualifier 15:20 The Advantage Of Being The Underdog 24:17 Can You Be Great At Both? 32:12 The Threshold Effect: High Rocks Training Benefits 33:15 Comparing Endurance Sports: High Rocks vs. Marathon 37:11 Training Challenges: Overcoming Weaknesses in High Rocks 38:18 The Art of Photography: Capturing Athletic Momentselite 39:07 Culinary Adventures: Food and Travel in Competition 41:18 Traveling with Purpose: Balancing Competition and Exploration 44:22 The People Behind The Performance 52:07 All Eyes On Hyrox Worlds Follow Alyssa: Instagram: instagram.com/alyssamcelheny/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, I sit down with Zach Bitter, one of the fastest 100 mile runners in history, to talk about training, longevity, recovery, and what it really takes to improve over the long term. We dive into why Zach has incorporated cycling into his training, how he thinks about consistency versus hero workouts, and why many runners may be overemphasizing mileage at the expense of quality. Zach also shares his thoughts on recovery, gut training, super shoes, the evolution of endurance sports, and what he’s learned after years of competing and coaching at the highest level. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, a marathon, an ultra, or simply trying to stay healthy and consistent, this conversation is packed with practical insights that apply far beyond running. Chapters 00:00 Why Zach Bitter Replaced Miles With the Bike 05:23 Super Shoes, Gut Training, and the New Era of Training 13:05 How Fast Can a Human Run 100 Miles? 17:37 Why Zach Loves Running in Circles 20:40 The Risk of Chasing Personal Bests 26:50 When Do Runners Actually Peak? 28:44 Why Fitness Is Built in Layers 33:14 The Only Workouts Zach Cares About 38:15 Balancing Training, Work & Family 41:19 The Problem With Chasing Volume 49:20 Why Running Advice Gets Lost Online 54:16 Where Is Running Technology Headed Next? 01:05:38 Has Zach Solved the Puzzle Yet? Follow Zach: Instagram: instagram.com/zachbitter/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/