#45 The Long Way to a 2:15 Marathon | Paxton Smith

#49 How Zach Bitter Thinks About Training

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, I sit down with Zach Bitter, one of the fastest 100 mile runners in history, to talk about training, longevity, recovery, and what it really takes to improve over the long term. We dive into why Zach has incorporated cycling into his training, how he thinks about consistency versus hero workouts, and why many runners may be overemphasizing mileage at the expense of quality. Zach also shares his thoughts on recovery, gut training, super shoes, the evolution of endurance sports, and what he’s learned after years of competing and coaching at the highest level. Whether you’re training for your first 5K, a marathon, an ultra, or simply trying to stay healthy and consistent, this conversation is packed with practical insights that apply far beyond running. Chapters 00:00 Why Zach Bitter Replaced Miles With the Bike 05:23 Super Shoes, Gut Training, and the New Era of Training 13:05 How Fast Can a Human Run 100 Miles? 17:37 Why Zach Loves Running in Circles 20:40 The Risk of Chasing Personal Bests 26:50 When Do Runners Actually Peak? 28:44 Why Fitness Is Built in Layers 33:14 The Only Workouts Zach Cares About 38:15 Balancing Training, Work & Family 41:19 The Problem With Chasing Volume 49:20 Why Running Advice Gets Lost Online 54:16 Where Is Running Technology Headed Next? 01:05:38 Has Zach Solved the Puzzle Yet? Follow Zach: Instagram: instagram.com/zachbitter/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#48 Inside Cooldown | How Bailey Ness Built One of America’s Biggest Run Clubs

Bailey didn’t plan on building one of the biggest run clubs in America. What started as an idea for a running clothing brand eventually turned into Cooldown a community now spanning 18 cities and helping reshape modern run culture. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Bailey shares how Cooldown accidentally exploded, why run clubs became the new social space, and what it actually takes to build community across cities while keeping the same vibe everywhere. We also talk about the current running boom, modern run culture, brand partnerships, and what’s next for Cooldown. From handing out gels during her first marathon to building one of the most recognizable run communities in the country, this was a fun one. Chapters 00:00 How It Started 05:49 City by City 11:14 Building The Culture 17:15 The Cooldown Experience 23:09 Partnerships 26:13 What It's Taught Her 29:13 What's Next for Cooldown Follow Cooldown : Instagram: instagram.com/cooldownrunning/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#47 How Kara Built a Life Through Running | Kara Dudley

Kara never planned for running to become her life. Before coaching runners, building a community, and becoming one of the first women to complete all seven World Marathon Majors, she was pursuing dance and theater in New York City while trying to figure out where life was taking her. In this episode, Kara shares the leap from corporate life into coaching full time, the relationships and breakups that shaped her running journey, how she unexpectedly became faster over time, and why running eventually became about freedom more than performance. We also talk about race anxiety, building confidence, mental performance, balancing coaching while training at a high level, creating community through running, and what it really feels like to build a life around something you genuinely love. This is one of the more honest conversations we’ve had about identity, growth, and what running can become when it turns into more than just training. Chapters 00:00 The Turning Point: From Dance to Running 06:20 The Coaching Leap 12:13 Finding Her Voice 16:08 Chasing Seven Stars 20:56 Freedom & Getting Faster 28:27 Inside Her Training 31:03 Lessons From The Marathon 39:51 The Mental Side of Racing 47:47 Building Something Bigger 53:09 Community & Connection 57:46 Betting On Herself Follow Kara: Instagram: instagram.com/karagracedudley/ [https://www.instagram.com/karagracedudley/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#46 The Heart of the Race | Pro Runner Kasey Knevelbaard

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Fitz sits down with Under Armour pro runner Kasey Knevelbaard for a conversation on racing, mindset, gratitude, and what it really means to chase your potential in today’s golden era of running. From Team Mission Run Dark Sky and life as a professional runner to racing internationally, injury prevention, shoe innovation, and learning how to stay present in competition, this episode goes far beyond splits and training plans. Chapters 00:00 Chasing The Best Version of Yourself 03:11 Why Running Times Keep Getting Faster 05:57 The Pressure of Competing In A Golden Era 09:01 Mental Performance & Letting Go of Outcomes 17:58 Finding The Heart Of The Race 20:41 Small Town Runner to NCAA 28:42 Training With The Best in Flagstaff 35:25 Why Pro Running Still Feels Like a Dream 38:49 Why Racing Different Distances Matter 44:18 Durability, Ego & Staying Healthy 54:48 Racing the World with Gratitude 01:04:13 Inside Running's Innovation Era Follow Kasey: Instagram: instagram.com/kaseyknevelbaard/ [https://www.instagram.com/kaseyknevelbaard/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#45 The Long Way to a 2:15 Marathon | Paxton Smith

Paxton Smith accidentally qualified for the Olympic Trials in his first marathon but the real journey started after that. In this episode, Paxton shares the long process of chasing a 2:15 marathon while balancing full-time teaching, coaching, high mileage training, and life in Miami after running at the University of Colorado. Chapters 00:00 Accidental First Marathon OTQ 05:39 Chasing the Dream at Coloarado 08:30 From Boulder to Miami, Teaching, Coaching & High Mileage 11:57 Failing Forward Toward 2:15 Marathon 20:54 Japanese vs. Kenyan Running Culture 23:27 Inside Iten: The Home Of Champions 25:48 What Kenya Taught Him 27:30 Breaking the Barrier to 2:15 31:09 The Army Behind the Breakthrough 33:47 Behind the Scenes: The Reality of Training 35:04 Elite Training, Coaching & What Comes Next Follow Paxton: Instagram: instagram.com/paxtonsmith18/ [https://www.instagram.com/paxtonsmith18/] Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ [https://www.instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/] Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/