Spewak Training Podcast

In episode 13 of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews longtime friend and Spewak Training community athlete Chloe Cole about her running journey from viewing running as “punishment” in field hockey and lacrosse to training in St. Louis with Big River, qualifying for Boston at the 2015 Chicago Marathon (despite a fast pace group), and running Boston with her sister in 2017. Chloe shares how moving to Philadelphia, dealing with stress fractures and anemia requiring iron infusions, and shifting to cross-training—especially cycling/spin (including teaching) and later weightlifting—made her stronger and faster, influencing Mark’s coaching philosophy. As a mom of two, she describes stroller running, balancing priorities, and completing a difficult hot, hilly Cape Girardeau marathon after illness. She details a low-mileage comeback that produced a 3:15:59 PR at Chicago after a C-section and breastfeeding, plus advice for parents to value any amount of training. In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: How Chloe Started Running Strength Training and Health Fixes Stroller Runs and New Priorities Advice for Running Parents Reach out to Chloe Cole: Strava: Chloe Sakes (Cole) Reach out to Mark Spewak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketmilestl Email: mark@spewaktraining.com Market Mile Website: https://www.marketmilestl.com/

Welcome to episode #11 of the Spewak Training Podcast. In this episode, Mark welcomes Spewak Training Coach Danny Stults to announce a new ongoing podcast segment, “Steady State Running,” designed to deliver more coaching advice and philosophy beyond athlete success stories. They discuss how they first connected in 2012 at Big River Race Management, Danny’s background coaching and running at a high level, and his emphasis on adapting training day to day rather than relying on static plans, especially amid AI training and social media trends. Danny explains the origin of “Steady State Running” from a tempo route at Southeast Missouri State that symbolized maintaining progress while conditions change, and they talk about balancing training so you can keep doing what you need tomorrow. They also cover Danny’s current role coaching at Blackburn College (Division III) alongside head coach Noah Dahm and the benefits of well-rounded athletic development.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Danny Stults Origins Why Running Connects Us Adaptation Over Plans How New Runners Need Context Reach out to Danny Stults: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dstults_._/ Website: https://spewaktraining.com/danny Reach out to Mark Spewak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marketmilestl Email: mark@spewaktraining.com Market Mile Website: https://www.marketmilestl.com/

In episode 10 of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews Molly Becker and her coach, Kaitlyn Donahue, about Molly’s running journey from feeling “unathletic” to chasing ambitious goals. After reaching out for coaching around May 2025 ahead of the New York City Marathon, Molly built strong summer fitness but suffered a pelvic stress fracture after racing a half marathon and then the Market Mile. She initially wanted to push through, then chose to defer NYC to protect her long-term health, pivoting to cross-training and rest with Kaitlyn’s guidance while staying motivated through weekly training emails. Molly returned this spring with PRs, including a sub-2-hour half marathon at Indy, a goal she’d pursued for nearly a decade, and now aims for a sub-4:30 at the New York City Marathon.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Molly's Origin Story Injury and Diagnosis Recovery Through Cross Training NYC Marathon Comeback Follow Molly Becker: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollykbecker/ Strava: Molly Becker Follow Coach Kaitlyn Donahue: https://spewaktraining.com/kaitlyn Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspewak10 https://www.instagram.com/spewaktraining/ Website: https://spewaktraining.com

Host Mark Spewak welcomes coach Noah Daum and athlete Dr Dilan Patel to the Spewak Training Podcast to discuss their coach-athlete partnership since 2023, emphasizing injury-aware progress, strong communication, and a long-term approach to running. Dilan shares his endurance background, why he sought coaching after feeling stuck, and how adding strength training with Chuck Beckham at Titanium Fitness improved injury prevention, consistency, and confidence. They describe adapting plans when setbacks occur, including Dilan completing Grandma’s Marathon and shifting from the full Indy marathon to a half via a contingency plan, while targeting the Chicago Marathon in 2025. The conversation also covers why Dilan values coaching as a lifelong learner and how his work as an oncologist at Wash U/Siteman shapes his perspective on health, gratitude, and purpose.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Training Origins Mindset and Process Why Have a Coach Strength Training Addition Follow Coach Noah Daum: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noah_daum/ Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspewak10 https://www.instagram.com/spewaktraining/ Website: https://spewaktraining.com

Host Mark Spewak interviews early Spewak Training athletes and husband-wife duo Grant and Erin Lanham about their running and fitness journeys. Erin began coaching to break through a 5K plateau after years with Big River’s South City racing series, improving from 31–33 minute 5Ks to a 25:08 PR and eventually breaking two hours in the half marathon with a 1:56:59 in Springfield (Nov 2021). Grant initially couldn’t train due to demanding hospital construction work but still raced, later pursuing bigger goals, including a 3:20 marathon at Grandma’s (2018) and a Boston-qualifying time that missed entry by about 40 seconds, plus a sub-1:30 half (Indy). They discuss the racing community, Spewak Training’s evolution into Spewak Racing with philanthropic impact, adapting to setbacks, strength training at Titanium Fitness with coach Chuck Beckham, and Erin’s diagnosis of a genetic syndrome following peripheral neuropathy while staying committed to long-term health.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: How They Met Running Community and Giving Back From Training to Racing Team Redefining Fitness and Joy Follow Grant & Erin Lanham on Stava

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews longtime athlete and community leader Stephanie True in her first-ever podcast appearance. They reflect on starting their coaching relationship in 2019, Stephanie’s role in launching the “Miles for Mark” campaign after Mark’s stroke in fall 2025, and how that community support impacted his recovery. Stephanie shares why she decided to hire a coach, how personalized training helped her develop as a competitor, and her evolving mindset through process goals. She also recounts her Boston Marathon experiences, including the extreme 2018 race, a solo COVID-era Boston run in St. Louis, and her appreciation for the event’s meaning. Finally, she discusses leading Go St. Louis’s Students on the GO program, which now serves about 150 students training for a 10K or half marathon, and how running has shifted from solo miles to friendships and community.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Why She Got a Coach Chasing Boston Dreams Miles for Mark From Solo to Community Follow Stephanie True: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smtrue23/ Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Website: https://spewaktraining.com/mark

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, Host Mark Spewak welcomes Spewak Training coach Jill Finklang and athlete Carter Jensen for their first podcast appearances to highlight their athlete-coach relationship, which began in July/August 2023 after Carter’s wedding while he was in law school. Carter explains he hired a coach for honest feedback, guidance, and to avoid overtraining. He chose Jill based on teammates’ recommendations and her reputation for straightforward communication. Jill describes a bigger-picture coaching philosophy that balances running with life stressors, including Carter’s bar exam, emphasizing longevity, gratitude, and disciplined training. They recap Carter’s first marathon at the Houston Marathon, where he ran 3:04 with smart pacing, supported by teammates and with Jill racing as well; Jill notes they planned a year ahead and praised Carter’s commitment, patience, and execution. In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Why Hire a Coach Big Picture Coaching Jill Breaks Down Success Beyond Training Relationship Follow Carter Jensen: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carterjensen44/ Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Website: https://spewaktraining.com/jill-finklang

In episode five of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews longtime athlete Carlos Briseño about nearly a decade of working together, from Carlos first reaching out in 2016 after hitting a plateau to seeking structure, strategy, and community. Carlos recounts early PRs, lessons learned from races like Cowbell, and his breakthrough at the 2018 Go! St. Louis Half Marathon, where he ran 1:27:02 after years chasing sub-90. They discuss Carlos moving to San Francisco after earning his PhD at WashU, finding a new running home with San Francisco Road Runners, and meeting his wife Margaret through the club and church, with a baby on the way. They close with Carlos’s recent focus on strength training with Emily, lifestyle changes, staying injury-free, and running a marathon PR at CIM.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Carlos Briseño & Mark Spewak - First Meeting Chemistry Chasing Sub 90 Strength Training Breakthrough Running Club Changed Everything Follow Carlos Briseño: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cabeca21/

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak is joined by Coach Kaitlyn Donahue and runner Emily Shor for their first-ever podcast appearance. Emily shares how she initially felt terrified and vulnerable reaching out for coaching, worrying she’d be judged for her pace, and how Kaitlyn’s supportive, flexible approach helped her get faster while prioritizing safety and work-life balance. Emily reflects on her Chicago Marathon experience, then discusses a stress fracture discovered about a year ago that required six to eight weeks off running. She explains how Kaitlyn guided her through cross training—especially on the Peloton—to maintain fitness, then eased her back with walk-run progression ahead of the New York City Marathon. Emily describes being nervous about re-injury during the New York build but ultimately PR’ing on the hillier NYC course, crediting resilience, patience, and gratitude for being able to run again. The conversation highlights the atmosphere of major marathons, with Emily describing NYC’s massive crowds, runner community, and the support of strangers, including seeing front-of-the-pack runners stay to cheer later finishers. Mark and Kaitlyn emphasize the value of mindset, accountability, and long-term sustainability in the sport, not just chasing PRs. Emily shares that coaching helped her feel “hooked,” improved her structure compared to earlier self-guided training, and inspired her to sign up for Chicago again this fall. She also mentions a long-term goal of running a race in every state and hopes to still love running in five years. In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Taking the Leap: The Fear of Reaching Out for a Coach Rebuilding with Cross-Training: The Road Back to NYC Marathon Two Years of Progress: Accountability, Structure, and Loving the Process Chicago Marathon Highs… Then the Stress Fracture Setback Follow Emily Shor: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emshor214/ Follow Coach Kaitlyn Donahue: https://spewaktraining.com/kaitlyn

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, Mark Spewak shares his personal experience with suffering two strokes and how it inspired him to speak publicly for the first time. Joined by Krysta Owings, who is also a stroke survivor and member of the Spewak racing team, the duo discuss their journeys of recovery and resilience. They reflect on the support from their families, the importance of raising stroke awareness, and their motivations to continue competing in marathons. Together, they are fundraising for Team Teddy, an organization that supports stroke survivors and their families. Krysta also shares her motivation and goals as she prepares for the Paris and Chicago Marathons under Mark's coaching.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Discussing Stroke Awareness and Survivorship Mark's Detailed Stroke Experience Connecting Through Spewak Racing Team Resilience and Moving Forward Follow Krysta Owings: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/krysta_owings/ Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspewak10 https://www.instagram.com/spewaktraining/ Website: https://spewaktraining.com/mark

Chasing Athletic Dreams: Tim Oh's Journey to Boston with Coach Julia GriffeyIn this second episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak is joined by Coach Julia Griffey and athlete Tim Oh. They discuss Tim's path from a high school runner to a Boston Marathon qualifier under Julia's guidance. Despite initial coaching hurdles, Tim found the personalized support he needed with Julia, culminating in a memorable Boston Marathon experience. The episode highlights the importance of community, individualized coaching, and the deep connections formed through shared athletic goals. Hear about Tim's journey, Julia's coaching philosophy, and the powerful bond they've created along the way. In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Tim Oh's Running Journey Before Spewak Training Coaching Experience with Julia Boston Marathon Reflections Community and Friendships at Spewak Training Follow Tim Oh: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timoh23/ Follow Coach Julia Griffey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julia_k_griffey/

Transformative Journeys: From Hospital Bed to Marathon Success with Nicole Shepherds In this inaugural episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews Nicole Shepherds, A dog groomer, yogi & an inspiring athlete, and her Spewak Training Coach Dan Staples. Despite a remote relationship and current snowstorm, the trio discuss Nicole's significant progress over two years under Dan's guidance. Nicole shares her initial uncertainties about hiring a coach and how structured training led to remarkable improvements. Dan highlights her dedication and substantial time gains in marathons. The discussion delves into Nicole's passion for running, her charity work with St. Jude, and her journey from post-illness recovery to completing ten marathons and raising $100,000. They also touch on her fundraising strategies and the importance of purpose in running. In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: Nicole's Journey to Hiring a Running Coach Coach Staples on Nicole's Progress Nicole's Passion for Running and Fundraising The Impact of St. Jude on Nicole's Running Follow Nicole to keep up with her continuing journey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coleyrenee_thedoggrommingyogi/ Follow Coach Dan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_danstaples/ https://spewaktraining.com/dan