318. Runner's High Explained (and More)

"Your Story, Your Why' - Lauren Waldron - Episode 3

In our latest Your Story, Your Why feature, D.C.-based runner Lauren Waldron shares how the sport became an unshakeable contract with herself while navigating high-stress public sector roles and tumultuous personal transitions. From buying her first pair of Hoka Gaviotas to setting fierce personal guardrails—culminating in telling an unsupportive partner, "You don't deserve to be at my start line," right before her first marathon—Lauren's journey highlights the profound intersection of running, boundary-setting, and community. After overcoming patellar tendinitis and pushing through a chaotic race morning at her first World Major in Sydney, she dialed in her training with coach Andrew Lomancello to slice a massive 20 minutes off her time at the New York City Marathon just two months later. Today, whether logging early miles or analyzing footwear technology like the Mizuno Neo Vista 2, Lauren views every 4:00 AM alarm as a joint mission with her dog Henry to unapologetically chase greatness. Connect with Us: * Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://youtube.com/%40marathonjournal] * Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607]

319. Racing with Wheels - Swiss Silver Bullet Marcel Hug

As marathon runners, we think we understand endurance, pacing, and the tech that drives our sport. But what happens when you take the legs out of the equation and replace them with Formula 1 engineering, 3D-printed hard gloves, and highway-speed descents? In this episode, I sit down with an absolute titan of endurance sports: Marcel Hug, the "Swiss Silver Bullet." He is a 12-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and the most dominant athlete across the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Marcel just matched a historic milestone by winning his eighth London Marathon, and I wanted to bridge the gap between our running community and his world. We skip the fluff and go straight into the sports science. Marcel breaks down why he can race 8 to 9 marathons a year when we can barely survive two, how he navigates extreme downhills at 80 km/h (50 mph) without a steering wheel, and how his custom-molded carbon chassis ensures zero energy loss. If you love high-performance gear, brutal physiology, and the elite mindset, this conversation will completely change how you view marathon speed. * The "Silver Bullet" Trademark: How a simple Christmas gift from his junior coach became a global symbol of dominance. * The 9-Marathon Season: Why the smooth, cyclical physics of a push-rim chair allow wheelchair athletes to race nearly ten marathons a year with minimal joint impact. * Technical Analysis (Chassis vs. Shoes): While we look for energy return in foam, Marcel looks for zero energy loss in his rigid, custom-molded carbon fiber seat. * Punching at 20 MPH: The material science behind 3D-printed hard gloves and how athletes "hit" the push-rim rather than grabbing it. * The Wind Tunnel Discovery: Why F1 aerodynamics forced a shift from solid disc wheels back to open-spoke wheels. * The Strict Mindset of a Champion: A rare look at Marcel's internal dialogue when pushing the absolute limit entirely alone at the front of a Major. My Favorite Moment: "In a daily wheelchair, you grab the wheels with your fingers. With racing gloves, you punch the rim. Every single ounce of energy from your upper body has to go directly into forward movement." — Marcel Hug Connect with Us: * Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://youtube.com/%40marathonjournal] * Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607] * Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] * Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607] Connect with Us:

"Your Story, Your Why" - Ashley Paulson, Matt Paulson - Episode 2

In this incredibly inspiring episode, we sit down with two-time world record holder and iFIT coach Ashley Paulson to talk about breaking boundaries, defying age limits, and crushing self-limiting beliefs. We dive deep into her remarkable journey from building her endurance as a young mom teaching fitness classes to earning a professional triathlon card in her 30s after her fourth child. Ashley takes us behind the scenes of her magical and emotional world record feat—running 100 miles on a treadmill at the Boston Marathon Expo—and explains why she thrives off feeding from the crowd's energy. Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just looking to move your body, her reminder that "you built yourself this way" will inspire us all to shed our egos, stop placing limits on our capacity, and find out what our bodies are truly capable of achieving. Tune in now to get your weekly dose of sparkles and unstoppable energy! Chime in below: What's one big goal we've been too afraid to try? 👇 Connect with Us: * Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://youtube.com/%40marathonjournal] * Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607] * Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] * Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607]

318. Runner's High Explained (and More)

Ever wondered why your best ideas strike mid-run, or why you feel calmerafter a tough workout? In this week’s episode, we are joined by psychotherapistand triathlon coach Nestor Rivera to bridge the gap between physical effort andmental health. We dive deep into the biology of the "runner’s high"—movingbeyond just endorphins to explore the calming power of endocannabinoids. Plus,we discuss why running serves as such a powerful tool for neuroplasticity andcreativity, and why it can sometimes be the perfect companion to professionaltherapy. Whether you are navigating pre-race anxiety, looking for strategies to"chunk" your next marathon, or trying to beat the post-race blues,this conversation is packed with actionable insights for your mind and body. Connect with Us: * Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] * YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://youtube.com/%40marathonjournal] * Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607] Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com [https://www.marathonjournal.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast] Connect with Us:Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 [https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607]

"Your Story, Your Why" - Maria Luevano - Episode 1

What happens when a high-school vice president and mother of four decides to see how fast she can truly go? In this episode, we sit down with Maria Luevano, a powerhouse educator from Chicago who transformed from a casual runner into an athlete chasing the Olympic Marathon Trials. Maria opens up about her roots moving from Mexico to Chicago, how her fellow educators sparked her running journey in 2016, and the crucial role community played in her rapid progression. We dive deep into the unique cultural dynamics she navigates as a Latina athlete, breaking traditional family expectations around women in sports, and how she balances elite-level training with raising four kids and leading a Jesuit school. This is a masterclass in community, fierce ambition, and rewriting your own narrative. * Connect with Maria: Instagram [instagram.com/@maluevano ] @maluevano  If Maria's story inspired you to level up your own goals, drop us a review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with a training partner! Who is the most influential person in your local running community? Let us know in the comments. 💬 Share Your Thoughts