For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Hoping to make time for your goals even when you have a million obligations to manage? Allison Baca is a professional trail runner for HOKA. She juggles parenting a 3-year-old and working full time in finance while squeezing in training to compete in big mountain races. Listen to hear about: * Getting into endurance sports with triathlons and transitioning to trail running * Challenges of balancing training, work, and family life * Alignment of values with Allison’s sponsor, HOKA * Importance of picking races responsibly in order to not over-race * Positive influence of running on physical and mental health * Impact of small victories on overall well-being * Running community and desire to inspire and support others Stay connected: * Follow Allison Baca on Instagram: instagram.com/allisonlbaca [http://instagram.com/allisonlbaca] * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Get 20% off when you use this link! [https://tifosiopticsinc.pxf.io/4GWNnM] * Pillar: If you’re looking to step up your performance, check out PILLAR at TheFeed.com and use FTLR for 15% off your first purchase. * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org].

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses eating disorders.  Athletes face a lot of mental and physical pressure around fueling, so we need to break taboos. Kate Ringwood is a licensed therapist that specializes in eating disorders in athletes. Kate's personal experience navigating her own recovery while competing in cross country and track influenced her passion in helping others. Listen to hear about: * Kate’s personal story of an eating disorder and then rediscovering her love for running * Getting back into training with less pressure * Reduce shame and stigma around eating disorders and body image issues * Misconceptions about athletes and eating disorders * The nuances of recovery, failure, and mental health in running Stay connected: * Kate on Instagram: instagram.com/serendipity.counseling [http://instagram.com/serendipity.counseling]  * Kate’s website: serendipitycounseling.com [http://www.serendipitycounseling.com] * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com [http://www.puma.com]. * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org]. * Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2025 at this link [https://tifosiopticsinc.pxf.io/4GWNnM] for 15% off your pair. * GOES: Need a trail companion that’s smarter than your average gear? Meet GOES [https://goes.health/]—the essential outdoor app created by wilderness medicine doctors. Whether you're planning your next adventure or handling a backcountry emergency, GOES gives you expert medical guidance—even without cell service. Tap a body part, assess the risk, and get clear next steps. It’s like having a backcountry medic in your pocket—and it’s an absolute must-have in our kit.

This runner took a scary setback and turned it into a message of hope. Dom Fusco is a health and wellness creator, coach, endurance athlete, and community builder based in Austin, Texas. After surviving a sudden cardiac arrest in 2023, Dom made it his mission to help others strengthen their bodies, sharpen their minds, and deepen their faith to live healthier, stronger, and more purposeful lives. Listen to hear about: * How Dom’s faith influences his running and fitness * Dom’s experience with sudden cardiac arrest * The intersection of wellness and content creation * Defining success beyond metrics Stay connected: * Dom on Instagram: instagram.com/dominicfusco  [http://instagram.com/dominicfusco] * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * Pillar: If you’re looking to step up your performance, check out PILLAR at TheFeed.com [http://thefeed.com]and use FTLR for 15% off your first purchase. * Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2025 at this link [https://tifosiopticsinc.pxf.io/4GWNnM] for 15% off your pair. * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org]. * PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com [http://www.puma.com].

Royi Metser is the founder and CEO of Avelo, the company behind the world's first smart running shoe. Running changed Royi’s life in 2021 after a blood test was the kick in the butt he needed to make a change. Three days later he signed up for his first marathon. It was through his personal mission to improve at running that he decided to build a product to measure force and form and use the data to help runners improve performance and reduce risk of injury. Listen to hear about: * How signing up for a marathon motivated Royi to start running again * How struggles with achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis made Royi curious about creating a product that measures data at the feet * Creating a smart running shoe and the challenges of building footwear, software, and hardware all together * Behind the scenes of Royi’s start-up, Avelo, the world’s first smart running shoe Stay connected: * Avelo on IG: instagram.com/avelorunning [http://instagram.com/avelorunning]  * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com/] This episode is supported by: * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org/]. * PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLRQ1 at www.puma.com [http://www.puma.com/]. * Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com. Note about Avelo: I believe so strongly in what Avelo is doing that I’ve been advising the team behind the scenes for the last two years!

Want to build your mental strength and confidence before your next race? Neal Palles is an ultrarunning coach and a psychotherapist and Certified Mental Performance Consultant. Through his private practice, Colorado Psychotherapy and Sport Performance, he works with athletes who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or a performance related issue to help them focus on what matters. Listen to hear about: * Jon’s performance and mentality at the Black Canyon 50k * The difference between confidence and self-compassion * Why failure should be normalized since it’s the first step toward learning * Setting appropriate goals for the long haul (or run) Stay connected: * Neal on Instagram: instagram.com/nealpalles [http://instagram.com/nealpalles] and instagram.com/coloradopsychotherapyandsport [http://instagram.com/coloradopsychotherapyandsport]  * For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod [http://instagram.com/forthelrpod] * Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt [http://instagram.com/jwlevitt] * Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com [http://for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com] This episode is supported by: * Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2025 at this link [https://tifosiopticsinc.pxf.io/4GWNnM] for 15% off your pair. * Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org [http://www.boulderthon.org]. * PILLAR: If you’re looking to step up your performance, check out PILLAR at TheFeed.com and use FTLR for 15% off your first purchase. * Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.