Relaxed and Fast

Ep 69: What Running Teaches You About Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone

What does it feel like to push past the point where everything in you says stop? In this episode, we dig into one of running’s greatest lessons — learning to get comfortable being uncomfortable. Whether you’re a high school runner toeing the line at your first big race, a college athlete chasing a PR, a coach trying to unlock potential in your athletes, or a parent watching your kid struggle and grow — this conversation is for you. We explore what happens in the gap between giving up and breaking through, how discomfort in training builds resilience that carries far beyond the finish line, and why the athletes who learn to embrace hard things early are the ones who thrive later in life. Because running doesn’t just build fitness. It builds people.

Recruiting Ep 20: How to Have a Real Conversation with a Coach

Most recruits have no idea how to talk to a coach. And it’s costing them. In this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked skills in the recruiting process — how to actually hold a conversation. Not just answering questions, but engaging, asking back, and showing a coach who you really are. We’re talking about the difference between a recruit who gives one-word answers and goes silent, and one who makes a coach think “I want that kid in my program.” We cover what bad recruiting conversations look like from a coach’s perspective, how to use the simple back-and-forth framework that changes everything, and the questions that impress coaches every single time. Plus — the cringe questions you need to stop asking. Whether you’re a recruit gearing up for a campus visit, a parent helping your athlete prepare, or a coach who’s seen one too many awkward phone calls — this one’s for you.

Ep 68: Training Philosophy with Coach Eby | Baldwin Wallace University Cross Country & Track and Field

Every great program is built on a philosophy. In this episode, Baldwin Wallace University Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach Eby breaks down exactly what drives his approach to developing collegiate athletes. From the relationship between strength and speed, to the art of balancing volume and intensity, Coach Eby walks us through the principles that shape every decision he makes on and off the track. He discusses how he constructs a year-long training plan, the cross-training tools he relies on, and the key workouts that tell him everything he needs to know heading into competition. He also gets into the human side of coaching — how he cultivates a team culture worth showing up for every day, and how he helps athletes navigate the difficult, non-linear journey that running inevitably is. Honest, detailed, and deeply practical — this one is for anyone who loves the craft of coaching and the grind of the sport.

Ep 67: Race Week Done Right

Race week can make or break your performance — and most athletes get it wrong. Coaches Joe Eby and Fiorentino break down exactly what to do (and what to ditch) in the final days before race day. From sleep and mental state to how much your mileage should actually drop, this episode cuts through the noise and gives you a simple, proven race week blueprint. You’ll learn why changing your routine last minute is a trap, what the ideal pre-race day looks like hour by hour, and the one mindset shift that separates composed racers from chaotic ones. Whether it’s your first race or your fiftieth — this is your race week game plan.

Recruiting Ep 18: It Starts Now: Jr Year Recruiting Playbook

Junior year is almost in the books — and if you're a track athlete with college dreams, your recruiting window is wide open right now. In this episode, we break down exactly what you should be doing this summer to get ahead of the process. From researching coaches and digging into college rosters, to planning campus visits and writing that first email to a coach — we cover it all. Whether you're waiting on coaches to reach out or ready to take matters into your own hands, this episode gives you the roadmap. Don't wait until senior year. The athletes who get recruited early start working in the off-season. Let's get to work. In this episode: How to use college post-season results to evaluate programs What to actually look for when researching coaches How to plan smart campus visits this summer How to reach out to coaches the right way