Spewak Training Podcast

Original Spewak Training Duo Grant & Erin Lanham on Coaching, PRs, Boston Dreams, and Staying Fit Through Setbacks #08

Host Mark Spewak interviews early Spewak Training athletes and husband-wife duo Grant and Erin Lanham about their running and fitness journeys. Erin began coaching to break through a 5K plateau after years with Big River’s South City racing series, improving from 31–33 minute 5Ks to a 25:08 PR and eventually breaking two hours in the half marathon with a 1:56:59 in Springfield (Nov 2021).  Grant initially couldn’t train due to demanding hospital construction work but still raced, later pursuing bigger goals, including a 3:20 marathon at Grandma’s (2018) and a Boston-qualifying time that missed entry by about 40 seconds, plus a sub-1:30 half (Indy).  They discuss the racing community, Spewak Training’s evolution into Spewak Racing with philanthropic impact, adapting to setbacks, strength training at Titanium Fitness with coach Chuck Beckham, and Erin’s diagnosis of a genetic syndrome following peripheral neuropathy while staying committed to long-term health.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: * How They Met Running * Community and Giving Back * From Training to Racing Team * Redefining Fitness and Joy Follow Grant & Erin Lanham on Stava

Community, Coaching, and Boston: Stephanie True’s Journey with Mark Spewak #07

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews longtime athlete and community leader Stephanie True in her first-ever podcast appearance. They reflect on starting their coaching relationship in 2019, Stephanie’s role in launching the “Miles for Mark” campaign after Mark’s stroke in fall 2025, and how that community support impacted his recovery. Stephanie shares why she decided to hire a coach, how personalized training helped her develop as a competitor, and her evolving mindset through process goals. She also recounts her Boston Marathon experiences, including the extreme 2018 race, a solo COVID-era Boston run in St. Louis, and her appreciation for the event’s meaning. Finally, she discusses leading Go St. Louis’s Students on the GO program, which now serves about 150 students training for a 10K or half marathon, and how running has shifted from solo miles to friendships and community.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: * Why She Got a Coach * Chasing Boston Dreams * Miles for Mark * From Solo to Community Follow Stephanie True: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/smtrue23/ [https://www.instagram.com/smtrue23/] Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Website:https://spewaktraining.com/mark [https://spewaktraining.com/jill-finklang]

The Bigger Picture: Carter Jensen’s First Marathon Success with Coach Jill Finklang #06

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, Host Mark Spewak welcomes Spewak Training coach Jill Finklang and athlete Carter Jensen for their first podcast appearances to highlight their athlete-coach relationship, which began in July/August 2023 after Carter’s wedding while he was in law school. Carter explains he hired a coach for honest feedback, guidance, and to avoid overtraining. He chose Jill based on teammates’ recommendations and her reputation for straightforward communication. Jill describes a bigger-picture coaching philosophy that balances running with life stressors, including Carter’s bar exam, emphasizing longevity, gratitude, and disciplined training. They recap Carter’s first marathon at the Houston Marathon, where he ran 3:04 with smart pacing, supported by teammates and with Jill racing as well; Jill notes they planned a year ahead and praised Carter’s commitment, patience, and execution. In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: * Why Hire a Coach * Big Picture Coaching * Jill Breaks Down Success * Beyond Training Relationship Follow Carter Jensen: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/carterjensen44/ [https://www.instagram.com/carterjensen44/] Follow Coach Mark Spewak: Website:https://spewaktraining.com/jill-finklang [https://spewaktraining.com/jill-finklang]

A Decade of Progress: Carlos Briseño’s Sub-90 Quest, Go! St. Louis Breakthrough, and Strength-Fueled PRs #05

In episode five of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak interviews longtime athlete Carlos Briseño about nearly a decade of working together, from Carlos first reaching out in 2016 after hitting a plateau to seeking structure, strategy, and community. Carlos recounts early PRs, lessons learned from races like Cowbell, and his breakthrough at the 2018 Go! St. Louis Half Marathon, where he ran 1:27:02 after years chasing sub-90. They discuss Carlos moving to San Francisco after earning his PhD at WashU, finding a new running home with San Francisco Road Runners, and meeting his wife Margaret through the club and church, with a baby on the way. They close with Carlos’s recent focus on strength training with Emily, lifestyle changes, staying injury-free, and running a marathon PR at CIM.In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: * Carlos Briseño & Mark Spewak - First Meeting Chemistry * Chasing Sub 90 * Strength Training Breakthrough * Running Club Changed Everything Follow Carlos Briseño: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cabeca21/ [https://www.instagram.com/cabeca21/]

Patience, Resilience, and Marathon PRs: Emily Shor’s Comeback with Coach Kaitlyn Donahue #04

In this episode of the Spewak Training Podcast, host Mark Spewak is joined by Coach Kaitlyn Donahue and runner Emily Shor for their first-ever podcast appearance. Emily shares how she initially felt terrified and vulnerable reaching out for coaching, worrying she’d be judged for her pace, and how Kaitlyn’s supportive, flexible approach helped her get faster while prioritizing safety and work-life balance.  Emily reflects on her Chicago Marathon experience, then discusses a stress fracture discovered about a year ago that required six to eight weeks off running. She explains how Kaitlyn guided her through cross training—especially on the Peloton—to maintain fitness, then eased her back with walk-run progression ahead of the New York City Marathon. Emily describes being nervous about re-injury during the New York build but ultimately PR’ing on the hillier NYC course, crediting resilience, patience, and gratitude for being able to run again. The conversation highlights the atmosphere of major marathons, with Emily describing NYC’s massive crowds, runner community, and the support of strangers, including seeing front-of-the-pack runners stay to cheer later finishers. Mark and Kaitlyn emphasize the value of mindset, accountability, and long-term sustainability in the sport, not just chasing PRs. Emily shares that coaching helped her feel “hooked,” improved her structure compared to earlier self-guided training, and inspired her to sign up for Chicago again this fall. She also mentions a long-term goal of running a race in every state and hopes to still love running in five years.  In today's episode, you will hear about such topics as: * Taking the Leap: The Fear of Reaching Out for a Coach * Rebuilding with Cross-Training: The Road Back to NYC Marathon * Two Years of Progress: Accountability, Structure, and Loving the Process * Chicago Marathon Highs… Then the Stress Fracture Setback Follow Emily Shor: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/emshor214/ [https://www.instagram.com/emshor214/] Follow Coach Kaitlyn Donahue: https://spewaktraining.com/kaitlyn [https://spewaktraining.com/kaitlyn]