What Runs a Run

The Tactical Runner: Engineering Metabolic Efficiency and Mental Resilience with Dr. Krista Austin

In this episode, Dr. Krista Austin shares insights on preparing for high performance in endurance sports, focusing on mental readiness, energy fueling, and adaptability. Learn how elite athletes train their bodies and minds to handle unpredictable conditions and push past limits. Krista Gail Austin shares insights on optimizing marathon performance through individualized training, mental resilience, sleep strategies, and the role of technology. Learn practical tips to adapt training plans, manage sleep, and leverage mental drills for better race outcomes. Key topics * Readiness as a foundation for performance * Building the engine: sustainable fueling strategies * The command center: mental management during races * Individualizing training for optimal results Individualized training plans * Sleep banking and circadian rhythm * Mental resilience and hitting the wall * Role of technology and data in training * Lessons from elite athletes and military training Chapters 00:00 Introduction to High Performance Coaching 11:15 Rebuilding Elite Athletes: The Case of Meb Kofleski 19:32 Fitness vs. Readiness: Key Differences 29:34 Fueling for the Long Haul: Efficiency Over Intensity 35:35 Training the Gut: Fueling Strategies for Race Day 43:05 Hitting the Wall: Physical and Mental Factors 48:09 Brain Fuel: Enhancing Focus and Performance 55:11 Learning from Experience: Adapting to Race Day Conditions 01:00:46 Cognitive Drills and Sleep Banking for Performance 01:06:04 The Debate on Sleep Patterns: Individual Preferences 01:14:57 Individualizing Training Plans for Runners 01:24:28 Navigating Technology Overload in Training 01:32:45 Rapid Fire Insights on Nutrition and Training Reference (s): https://kristaaustin.com/ [https://kristaaustin.com/]

The Visionary: Michael Nishi: Architecting the Marathon of 2077

In this episode of What Runs a Run, we go behind the scenes with Mike Nishi, COO of Chicago Event Management, to explore the future of marathon event planning, safety, inclusivity, and industry collaboration. Discover how long-term vision, operational excellence, and open-source sharing are shaping the industry. 💡 KEY TAKEAWAYS * The "Peak Bib" Reality: We have reached a point where races are permanently sold out. The "product" is no longer the bib; it’s the community impact and the storytelling that happens 365 days a year. * Baked-in vs. Bolted-on: Sustainability and DEI should never be "add-ons" to an event; they must be baked into the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) from day one. * The Rising Tide: Elevating small, local races actually strengthens the World Majors. When the entire industry improves its safety and operational standards, everyone wins. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Marathon as a Temporary City 01:49 The 2077 Mindset: Planning for the Future 04:36 Balancing Legacy and Innovation in Event Management 07:03 Visualizing Urban Infrastructure for Events 09:40 The Evolution of the Chicago Marathon 13:23 Safety and Data Management in Event Operations 17:06 Decision-Making on Race Day: The Psychology of Cancelation 19:39 Tabletop Exercises: Preparing for the Unexpected 27:26 Open Sourcing Race Management: Sharing Knowledge for Growth 31:07 Building a Compounding Program for Success 32:58 Navigating Sold-Out Races and New Opportunities 36:12 Logistics and Scalability in Race Management 40:49 Inclusivity in Race Operations 46:11 Personal Operating Systems for Event Management 50:47 Reflections on the Future of the Running Industry 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED * Chicago Event Management: cemevent.com [http://cemevent.com] * Race Management Program (RMP): https://www.racemanagementprogram.com/ [https://www.racemanagementprogram.com/] * NCS4 (National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security): ncs4.usm.edu [http://ncs4.usm.edu] * Bank of America Chicago Marathon: chicagomarathon.com [http://chicagomarathon.com]

Your Shoes Live for 1,000 Years: Tony Piedade on Ending the Running Waste Crisis

Your shoes might outlive your great-great-great-grandchildren. 👟⏳ Did you know it takes up to 1,000 years for a single pair of running shoes to decompose? Most of us swap our trainers every 400 miles, but we rarely talk about where those "dead" shoes actually go. In our latest episode of What Runs a Run, we sit down with Tony Piedade, the visionary behind @JogOnAgain. We’re diving deep into: * 🧪 The "Material Cocktail": Why glues and foams make recycling a nightmare. * 🌍 The 40-Tonne Milestone: How Tony built a global logistics engine to save shoes from landfills. * 🤝 Sports Equity: Why sustainability is the key to making running more accessible. Stop treating your gear as disposable. Learn how to give your miles a second life. Key Takeaways * Jogging Buddy was created to connect runners and promote activity. * Jog On was born from the realization of the environmental impact of discarded shoes. * Over 300 million pairs of shoes end up in landfills each year. * Shoes can still be useful after their running life is over. * Changing consumer habits is crucial for sustainability. * Recycling running shoes is complex due to their materials. * Jog On collects shoes through various community partners. * End-of-life shoes are currently incinerated for energy. * Brands need to take responsibility for their products' lifecycle. * Consumer demand will drive brands towards more sustainable practices. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Running 02:29 The Journey of Jogging Buddy 06:17 The Birth of Jog On 10:43 Challenges in Recycling Running Shoes 14:07 The Life Cycle of Donated Shoes 18:48 End-of-Life Solutions for Shoes 21:18 Brand Responsibility in Shoe Lifecycle 25:50 Future of Sustainable Footwear 29:33 What's Next for Jog On? 32:25 Conclusion and Call to Action References: * Jog On - https://www.jogonagain.com/about [https://www.jogonagain.com/about] * Jogging Buddy - https://joggingbuddy.com/ [https://joggingbuddy.com/]

The 1.8 Million Cup Conundrum: How Chicago Runs the World’s Greenest Marathon

Sustainable Practices at the Chicago Marathon: A Deep Dive into Environmental Impact & Innovation In this episode of #Sustainability in 26.2 series of What Runs a Run podcast, we explore how the Chicago Marathon is innovating sustainable solutions to reduce its environmental footprint, from waste diversion to carbon offset programs. Cat Morris, the Sustainability Manager at Chicago Marathon Events (CME), shares insights into the race's initiatives, challenges, and success stories, offering practical tips for runners and event organizers alike. Key Takeaways: * How the Chicago Marathon implements large-scale composting and waste diversion, achieving an 83% rate * Strategies for reducing the carbon footprint, including participant travel emissions and renewable energy use * The role and impact of volunteer programs like the Green Team volunteers in sustainability efforts * Innovative partnerships with TerraCycle for recycling gel wrappers, heat sheets, and packaging waste * Community engagement through soil donation, food recovery, and neighborhood neighborhood impact * Practical sustainability tips for runners: reusables, clothing choices, and course hydration * Future goals including zero waste certification, organizational sustainability certification, and expanding offset programs Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction to sustainability in the Chicago Marathon 00:28 - Kat Morris’s journey to leading the marathon’s sustainability efforts 01:12 - Key initiatives since 2015, including compostable cups 02:36 - Achieving large-scale waste diversion and composting strategies 03:33 - Partnering with Gatorade and branding reusable cups 04:34 - Collecting banana peels and other compostables, donating soil to community gardens 05:14 - Soil to soil program and the broader impact on neighborhoods 07:01 - Waste diversion metrics and programs for gel and snack wrappers 08:10 - Recycling heat sheets and other course materials with Trex 09:13 - Challenges and evolution in recycling and composting partnerships 11:14 - Volunteer involvement, Green Team programs, and community engagement 13:36 - Partnership with College of Chicago and water refill stations 15:11 - balancing international participation and carbon emissions 16:28 - Initiatives for carbon offsetting, including reforestation and renewable energy 18:33 - Electric vehicles in the marathon’s transportation fleet 19:22 - Strategies supporting a 50% emissions reduction goal by 2030 21:52 - Potential for a carbon levy or offsets for overseas travelers 23:41 - Recycling sneakers, medals, and sustainable merchandise options 25:08 - Community impact: neighborhood management, food recovery, and local economic benefits 29:40 - Runner tips for sustainability: reusable water bottles, clothing donation, and eco-friendly gear 33:15 - Launch of the new event, "Plugging," for community clean-ups 35:39 - Growing participation in environmental volunteer initiatives 37:19 - Surprising items found in waste bins and local neighborhood runs 38:33 - Favorite neighborhoods for running and tips for eco-conscious training 39:39 - Quickfire fun: best post-race snacks, scents, and memorable marathon finds 40:27 - Reflecting on a 90% waste diversion goal and imagining a zero-waste world 43:34 - What’s next for Chicago's sustainability efforts after achieving Evergreen status Reference (s): * Chicago Marathon Sustainability Initiatives - Link [https://www.chicagomarathon.com/get-involved/sustainability/]

From Barkley Marathons to The Green Runners: A Manifesto for the Modern Athlete

Is "Sustainable Running" an Oxymoron? 🌍👟 Damian Hall (author of We Can’t Run Away From This) breaks it down in the this episode of Sustainability in 26.2 series. If you think sustainability is just about recycled medals, this episode will challenge you. Here are 3 "Inconvenient Truths" Damian shared for runners and race organizers: 1️⃣ The 90% Rule: Participant travel (flights/driving) accounts for the vast majority of a race's footprint. We need to talk about "Racing Local" more than we talk about plastic cups. 2️⃣ The Power of "No": Damian recently walked away from major brand deals to stay true to the Game Changer Sponsorship Pledge. Integrity has a price, but silence costs more. 3️⃣ Longevity is Ecological: His new book Run Forever argues that staying fit into your 50s isn't just about PRs—it’s about becoming a long-term steward of the trails. Whether you're a marathoner or a race director, Damian’s "4 Pillars" framework is a masterclass in systemic change. Time stamps: 00:00 - Ultra running as an ecological statement: Damian Hall’s journey 02:30 - The complexities and wild terrain of the Barclay Marathons 03:52 - Barefoot river crossings and their environmental significance 06:19 - Damian’s reflections on race logistics, course secrecy, and planning 07:58 - The challenge of recceing off-trail races and how athletes prepare 10:34 - Transitioning from a non-running background to ultramarathon excellence 12:13 - How early races sparked a passion for ultra-distance running 13:34 - Fast escalation: from half marathon to 268-mile race 14:40 - Recognizing environmental issues in the running community 16:19 - Insights from Damian’s book "Run Forever" on aging and mindset 18:07 - Overcoming overconsumption: race waste and kit lifecycle 19:02 - The impact of sports washing and industry influence on environmental initiatives 20:28 - Industry sponsorship, greenwashing, and promoting responsibility 22:33 - The Green Runners’ four pillars for sustainable running: travel, kit, fuel, and advocacy 25:43 - Challenging high-footprint races like QAnon and Seven Continent Marathon 27:01 - Shoes and gear longevity: the science of durability and reducing waste 30:03 - The importance of systemic change over individual efforts 31:54 - Damian’s experience with brands and navigating sustainability commitments 34:02 - The future of responsible sponsorship in ultra and mainstream sports 36:25 - How durable shoes and mindful consumption can transform the sport 38:35 - Long-distance shoes, their lifespan, and the importance of design for sustainability 41:06 - Damian’s upcoming book "Run Forever" and longevity in running 43:02 - The role of mindset, perception, and attitude towards aging and performance 44:40 - Practical tips for maintaining health, strength, and running ability over decades 46:12 - Rapid fire insights: Should carbon-plated shoes be banned? 47:14 - The progress and pitfalls of the London Marathon’s sustainability efforts 48:40 - Constraints on racing travel: is a one flight every five years rule feasible? 50:34 - Industry-wide responsibility versus athlete individual choices 51:46 - The significance of language: understanding "Kerfufflefuck" and metaphorical expressions 52:11 - Closing thoughts: Damian’s call for responsibility, systemic change, and resilient gear choices