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

The 7 Pillars of a Sustainable Finish Line: Redefining 26.2 with Mike Laflin

In this episode, Mike Laflin, Founder & CEO of Global Sustainable Sport (GSS) shares insights on measuring sustainability in sports, introducing his seven pillars framework and discussing impact data versus commercial data. We explore how sports organizations can leverage data for greater societal impact and sustainability. Key topics: * Seven pillars of sustainable sport * Impact data versus commercial data * Role of partnerships in sports sustainability * Measuring social and environmental impact * Sports industry’s contribution to society Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Sustainability in Sports 01:18 Mike Laflin's Journey in Sports and Sustainability 08:08 Understanding Global Sustainable Sport (GSS) 14:59 Impact Data vs. Commercial Data in Sports 19:36 The Health Product vs. Entertainment Product Debate 29:01 Navigating the Grey Data Zone in Sports 32:12 The Social Impact of Marathons 39:34 Purposeful Partnerships in Sports 46:29 Participation as a Health Product 53:54 Engaging Diverse Communities 56:41 Advocating for Clean Air in Sports 01:01:26 Rethinking Climate Impact on Events 01:04:43 Governance and Transparency in Sustainability 01:08:47 Harnessing Individual Voices for Sustainability 01:12:25 Long-term Prosperity Beyond One-Day Events 01:16:14 Greenwashing and Authenticity in Sustainability 01:19:42 The Future of Net Zero in Major Marathons 01:22:32 Sustainability Fees: Responsibility of Participants or Brands? 01:25:09 Setting the Gold Standard in Sustainability RESOURCES * Global Sustainability Support (GSS) [https://globalsustainablesport.com/] * UN Sport for Climate Action [https://un.org/sport] * AirAware [https://airaware.com/]

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/]