The People Run Podcast

#51 The Running Gamer: From Video Games to a 2:37 Marathon | Malik Jordan

Malik J, better known as The Running Gamer, found a way to combine two passions that don't often overlap: running and video games. In this episode, Malik shares how a simple challenge led him into the sport, why he nearly walked away from running after college, and how Detroit's running community helped bring him back. We talk about building a unique identity online, racing two 5Ks in less than 12 hours, traveling to Spain for the Seville Marathon with ASICS, and the lessons he's learned chasing faster times. Most importantly, Malik explains why runners get into trouble when they start comparing themselves to everyone else and why trusting your own process matters more than copying the pros. Whether you're training for your first race, chasing a marathon PR, or trying to find your place in the running community, this conversation is a reminder that there is more than one path to success. Chapters 00:00 Back to Back 5Ks & Chasing Sub 17 06:25 The Running Gamer: Combining Gaming & Running 11:10 How Running Changed His Life 15:51 From Spartan Races to a 2:37 Marathon 20:56 Don't Train Like Everyone Else 26:23 Experiencing the Seville Marathon 32:56 NYC Half Marathon Experience 42:12 Berlin, Bigger Goals & What's Next 46:25 The Detroit Running Community Follow Malik: instagram.com/mjordan5.0/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#50 The Secret Behind an OTQ and Elite 15 Hyrox Athlete | Alyssa McElheny

Olympic Trials qualifier. Elite 15 Hyrox athlete. Most athletes spend their entire careers chasing excellence in one sport. Alyssa McElheny is doing it in two. In this episode, Alyssa shares her journey from spending more than a decade chasing an Olympic Trials qualifier to becoming one of the fastest Hyrox athletes in the world. We talk about finding the sport she was built for, balancing elite marathoning and hybrid racing, and why success often comes from leaning into your strengths rather than forcing a path that isn't meant for you. We also dive into racing across Europe, dealing with pressure when everything is on the line, the lessons learned from years of marathon training, and how a two-minute penalty ended up changing the course of her season. It's a conversation about patience, resilience, self-belief, and what can happen when preparation finally meets opportunity. If you enjoy the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with another runner. Chapters 00:00 What Is The Secret? OTQ + Elite 15 Hyrox 03:13 The Accidental Path Into Hyrox 07:37 10 Years Chasing An Olympic Trials Qualifier 15:20 The Advantage Of Being The Underdog 24:17 Can You Be Great At Both? 32:12 The Threshold Effect: High Rocks Training Benefits 33:15 Comparing Endurance Sports: High Rocks vs. Marathon 37:11 Training Challenges: Overcoming Weaknesses in High Rocks 38:18 The Art of Photography: Capturing Athletic Momentselite 39:07 Culinary Adventures: Food and Travel in Competition 41:18 Traveling with Purpose: Balancing Competition and Exploration 44:22 The People Behind The Performance 52:07 All Eyes On Hyrox Worlds Follow Alyssa: Instagram: instagram.com/alyssamcelheny/ Follow The People Run Podcast: Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

#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/