Chill Track Friday

David Alm is a Brooklyn-based writer, an editor, and a professor of journalism at Hunter College of the City University of New York. His work has appeared in GQ, Running Times, The Daily Beast, Forbes, and Runner's World. His 2021 story for GQ, "The Marathon Men Who Can't Go Home," was named one of the six best features of the year by Longreads and helped two men receive political asylum. David inspires change through his writing and also through action. In 2019, he founded the East River Track Club and East River 5000, which is a series of community-focused track and road races throughout New York City. With East River 5000, David's mission is to restore the simplicity and accessibility of competitive running in New York. While looking to the past to create a more inclusive present, he is inspired by the less commercialized style of racing in the 1970s and '80s. Each of his events is a collaboration with local partners that highlights the unique histories and cultures of the local neighborhood. These events are creative, accessible, inviting, supportive, and incredibly fun. David is a wonderful storyteller, and this conversation is a great story about New York, building community, taking chances, and putting down roots.

Dr. James Kinderknecht, MD is a physician of Primary Sports Medicine at the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) in New York City. Dr. Kinderknecht has 30 years of experience caring for athletes of all ages and levels. He is a team physician for the New York Giants; the current medical director for the HSS outreach program for high schools participating in the Public School Athletic League in New York City; the medical co-director of the HSS Sports Safety Program and he is the program director of the Primary Sports Medicine Fellowship at HSS. With all of these appointments and accolades, you could say that youth athletics, education, and helping to support and facilitate active lifestyles for the New York City community are all important to Dr. Kinderknecht. _ This is a fascinating and intriguing conversation about health, athletics and injury. It is also a delightful conversation about coaching, the importance of mentorship in creating opportunities for diversity in sports, the value of fun over achievement, as well as the importance of the human element in medicine.

You asked, we answer. Join us for a special episode in which Ann and Ali answer all of your training questions. We cover topics such as stretching and tapering, the benefits of caffeine, as well as offering a few mental tricks for race day performance. This episode is filled with experience and suggestions, a few gaffes and even some unedited bloopers. We hope you enjoy this special edition show.

Artist, teacher, Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, and now mother, Megan Foster returns to the podcast. A lot has happened since we first interviewed Meg in October 2019 (see Episode 29: "The Artist at Work"): two knee surgeries, one c-section, and a pandemic. Meg has resumed toeing the line, however, getting to that line has not been easy. We talk about it all in this beautiful episode. This is a conversation about grace, resiliency, competition, adapting, and coming to terms with the very real possibility that a passion could have become out of reach.   Meg was also one of four women featured in our live panel discussion at Custom Performance in New York City on February 9, 2020. To listen to the recording see Episode 37: "Women Run The World."

When Stephanie Shiau moved to South Orange, New Jersey in the autumn of 2019 she left her New York running community behind. Having trained with a group for several years, Stephanie knew the magic and transformation that comes through training with others. Not wanting to miss out on this camaraderie and growth, Stephanie immediately searched for a running community in her new neighborhood. What she found, however was an opportunity to create a running community and, thus, SOMA Fox Running Club was born. Stephanie Shiau is an epidemiologist at Rutgers School of Public Health where she teaches and mentors graduate students. It's not a surprise that she would teach and mentor individuals in another realm about which she knows a lot: running. Stephanie is a founding member and head coach of SOMA Fox Running Club, which serves South Orange / Maplewood and the surrounding New Jersey neighborhoods. SOMA Fox Running Club is not just any running club, though. Their mission is twofold: to promote and extend the joys of running to everyone, and to give back to the community. As such, and because they believe that all people should have access to healthy food to achieve their own goals, a percentage of all funds raised by SOMA Fox Running Club goes to their charity partner, MEND - Meeting Essential Needs with Dignity. This is a story about leadership, courage in creating community during a global pandemic, inclusivity, service, compassion and the power and joy that arise when a community supports one another.

Part of the elite field at the 2021 New York City Marathon, Ana Johnson has been a talented runner from her very first race. At this year's marathon, which was not only the 50th Anniversary of the New York City Marathon, but also a five-borough celebration of the city itself, Ana ran 2:44:11 - thirty seconds faster than her time on the same course in 2019. Ana moved to New York from Torreon, Mexico at the age of 18 to learn English. She is now an oncology nurse at Memorial Sloane Kettering Cancer Center. Raised by marathoners, Ana's running achievements are impressive and inspiring. So is her determination and will in the rest of her life. This is a story about chasing dreams, falling in love, falling in love with running, being open, being positive and how one woman used running to cope with a terrifying year as a healthcare worker during the pandemic in New York City.

Chill Track Friday is back with legendary coach, Greg McMillan, M.S. Greg holds a masters degree in exercise physiology with a research focus on the determining factors of distance running performance. Greg is one of the best running coaches around, using his expertise in exercise science to create scientifically-based training programs that are individualized to runners of all abilities, from new runners all the way to age group and pro runners. Greg is also an accomplished runner. His accolades include: National Trail Marathon Masters Champion (2009); 2:31:58 marathon; 1:10:28 half marathon; 30:57 10000m; 14:55 5000m; 3:57 1500m; and 1:57 800m. He has coached over 10,000 Boston Qualifiers (and counting); 14 National Champions; athletes training for the Olympic Trials; Olympic Games; World Championships; Pan American Games, to name a few. Greg is the creator of the McMillan Running Calculator and the head coach for the McMillan Run Team. He has authored five books, was a senior writer for Running Times Magazine and is a consulting expert for numerous publications such as Runner's World Magazine, New York Times, Washington Post, Outside Magazine, and Men's Health. Greg is currently creating a McMillan Coaching Certification program. This is a practical and helpful conversation with one of the best distance coaches alive. Greg shares with us his journey from runner to coach. He explains the importance of adhering to training paces, developing a racing strategy, and the power that the mind has on our performance. If you are looking for thoughtful, methodical and intelligent guidance, this is the conversation for you.

In November 2020 Sean Hamilton went to secluded Dunn Lake, British Columbia looking for something. What that something was he did not know, but he followed the strong pull that was begging him to retreat into nature. Sean remained alone in the woods until the end of December. The lessons gained from his solitude may only ever be fully known to him, but while spending this time by himself, Sean ran mile after mile and produced a beautiful book of poems, or as he refers to it, “a training log and corresponding field notes.” “Running Through the Woods, The River Gentle on My Mind” is a poignant personal meditation on a particular place and time. Though the book holds the reflections of one man, the questions raised are perhaps universal questions and ones to which immediate answers may not be available. Perhaps, instead, as Rainer Maria Rilke wrote in “Letters to a Young Poet” we will “gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer.” This is an intimate conversation about transformation, solitude, loss, creativity, inner strength, the beauty of nature, and one man’s reflections on his relationship to all of it. _ Shoulder Season: “I am a wanderer, lingering between homebody and vagabond, unfixed to a permanent address.   I am a shoulder season, shifting without prolonged expectation, untethered from assumption or prediction. I am March 20th, hovering on the final page of the chapter, unpredictable as to what may come.   I am at a loss, lusting to be freed from the cage of specificity, unchained to title, category or subspecies.   It’s just earth and weather and water and beings. I am a part of it.”  

Jason and Duy are professional photographers who became friends through social media. When COVID-19 paralyzed the globe, they decided to collaborate on a project that would memorialize the moment while providing work for their photographer colleagues. Thus "Long Distance" was born._“'Long Distance' is a collection of stories and photographs, told and taken by runners across the world during the pandemic. 176 pages on uncoated recycled paper; featuring 28 cities and 34 stories; perfect bound, offset-printed” with contributions from 25 photographers and more than 30 writers._Our conversation with Jason and Duy is a story about a project that defies its subject; a project that allows people all over the world who have been forced into isolation to come together in a new way. The conversation is also a reflection on friendship, creative partnership, and the intricacies and surprises that occur when two photographers venture into magazine publishing. "Long Distance" is more than a magazine: it is a love letter to running during a time that none of us will ever forget.

Victor Diaz and his business partner, Bolota Asmerom, recognized that something very important was missing from their Oakland, CA, running community: representation for people of color. They founded Renegade Running with the mission of creating a welcoming space that’s responsive to the diverse population it serves. Located among retail stores and artists’ work-spaces, Renegade Running is much more than a place to buy shoes. It is a community hub, a destination, and an ethos. It is a space where people can ask questions, discuss current events, and push the sport of running forward in ways that appeal to more people and include all people. With a slick aesthetic, cool programming, and a carefully curated list of brands, Renegade Running is edgy and elegant; more importantly, the store actively engages with the surrounding neighborhoods and supports all of that community’s members. With over twenty years of public-education experience, community organizing, and competitive running under his belt, Victor knows how to listen to his neighbors and understand their needs. (Oh, and by the way, he’s also really fast!) Renegade Running is about activism, artistry, creativity, functionality, expression, merchandise, and partnership, and it’s definitely making running cool again. Through this unique venture, Victor Diaz is contributing vast amounts of time and energy to his sport, his community, and far beyond.

Jen St. Jean has been running since she was 12 years old. She joined the middle school cross-country team with only three meets left in the season and came in third at that year’s league meet. Jen went on to achieve All-New England status by the end of high school. She subsequently ran track and cross-country at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where she was Conference Champion in several events.  After college Jen ran for an Olympic Development team during which she ran her PRs of 2:08 in the 800m and 4:19 in the 1500m. Jen took a long break from running to pursue a career and to raise a family. In 2013 she decided it was time to return to racing and by 2016 she had decided on a new goal: to become faster as a master. Jen is currently an elite masters runner with a master’s mile PR of 4:54 and 4:37 for 1500m. Jen’s success is due no doubt to raw talent, but it is her wisdom, experience, determination and her mental toughness that allow her to get the most from her talent. In this conversation Jen offers a plethora of information about training and racing but what shines through the most is her unique outlook on running, success, pursuing goals and making tough decisions. 

Chris Forti, also known as “40” is an integral member of the New York City running community. As a Team Coach for the Dashing Whippets Running Team, and in his capacity as a USATF official, Chris helps to enrich the lives of so many people in New York City, and beyond. Chris is a true leader, understanding that teamwork is about inclusivity, both in background and in pace, and that coaches have certain responsibilities to their athletes and teams. Chris discusses in great detail, and with expertise and humor, all things track, including how to deal with the current state of racing. We are in a challenging time right now and this conversation about camaraderie and finding joy in what we do is a welcome reprieve. 

Massage therapy is a crucial ingredient for reaching peak performance. Runners are good at running. We are disciplined and dedicated. We pound miles and miles on the roads and trails hoping that our body will perform at its best on race day. When our dedicated workout time ends, however, we often rush off to jobs, families, and other responsibilities. In all the hustle and bustle, recovery and injury prevention can slip through the cracks but how can we expect our body to reach peak performance if we don’t give it the time and resources to recover from our training efforts? _ Meet Claudia Chapel. Claudia is a muscular therapist and sports performance specialist who has been in practice for over 25 years. Claudia combines muscular therapy, strength and conditioning, motivational coaching, and nutrition to help her clients tap into their potential. Claudia has worked multiple times as the therapist to the US Olympic Rowing Team, the US Olympic Track and Field Team, and the US Paralympic Cycling Team. She has worked also with the US Women’s and Men’s Volleyball Teams, and has been the coordinating therapist for the National Scholastic Athletics Foundation since 1994. Claudia is also an animated story teller and one of the most nurturing people you’ll meet. A client of hers for more than seven years, we consider Claudia a dear friend as well. This is an enlightening conversation about taking a holistic approach to training, and the importance of incorporating soft tissue work into your recovery regime. Thank you for all the miles, Sparky. Love, CTF.

Judy Stobbe is a dynamic individual and a world class runner. On the track she is steady, strong, and at the top of her game, regularly producing race times of 90 percentile and above. Judy specializes in the 800m, the 1500m and the mile. In August, Judy was named the USATF Masters Track Athlete of the Month. Off the track, Judy is similarly engaged and successful. She is kind, nurturing, informed, intelligent and funny. Judy knows what she is doing and is generous in sharing her wisdom and experience. Discovering her love of running during the implementation of Title IX, Judy has been a pioneer from the beginning. This is a lively conversation about longevity, showing up, and remembering the joy in running. It is also a hopeful reminder of how far we have come and how, with interest, hard work and focus, we can continue evolving and improving.

From a shy kid to a courageous risk-taker, Ann Restak’s journey is full of stories that personify the ideals of grit and hard work.Listen to Ann as she unpacks the various stages of her life with an appreciation of the journey and its teachings along the way. Whether it be on the tennis court at the age of 10, as a student of art history, or running the best race of her life, Ann is a competitor at heart. But what’s most amazing is her take on what competition means and how she uses it to improve not just herself, but also to help others on the journey with her.This is an episode full of heart and passion that will encourage listeners to say “YES” to any challenge that may seem a little too scary for now.

A few hallmark values at Chill Track Friday are: hard work, the pursuit of excellence, enjoying the journey, and using the process of training and racing to learn about the sport, and ourselves. The running career of today’s guest perfectly exemplifies these values. _ Enzo Amara is a recreational runner who began his running journey as a result of observing those of others. Ever since, Enzo chooses a race goal, commits to his project completely, learns as much as he can and then applies that newfound knowledge to the next goal. This sounds so easy, but it is not. Enzo has a humble and matter-of-fact approach to his training and racing that will keep him excelling. He is open to learning, to taking risks, and he doesn’t get stymied by unexpected or disappointing results. Enzo does not give up, however his experiences have taught him how to “bend in the wind” in order to get the best out of himself. Enzo is a really interesting person who has a great outlook on life and a self-aware sense of humor from which his running clearly benefits. This is a really enjoyable episode that is inspiring and funny.

“Great mentors help others understand why they do what they do, and urge them on. Through the ups and downs of life, motivation can be gained from setting a good example for others. Knowing that people look to me for advice inspires me to explain why it is that I get out the door to run. Some days its simply better than sitting on the couch. Other days it may be to test the limits of my body and spirit.” _ Bobby Asher is a talented coach. He takes pride in coaching everyone - from the novice runner to the experienced marathoner.  He brings to his coaching style a deep gratitude for his own coaches and mentors. A hallmark quality of Bobby’s coaching philosophy is that he learns as much from his athletes as they learn from him. This humble approach creates an athlete-coach relationship that fosters trust, confidence, true transformation, and a willingness to take risks - all of which are hallmark ingredients for success in running._ Bobby has 23 years of experience as a competitive runner and over ten years of experience coaching. He runs all distances from the mile to the marathon. Notable personal bests are: 4:29 indoor mile; 15:05 indoor 5K; 30:54 outdoor track 5K; 1:09.49 half marathon; 2:38.35 marathon (ING NYC Marathon 2009). Bobby was assistant coach for the 2007 SUNY Plattsburgh Women's Cross Country National Runner-Up. He has coached multiple Boston Qualifier athletes and multiple first-time marathoners.

Mark Williams is one of the nicest people we’ve ever met. He is also one of the fastest. An elite masters track and field middle distance runner, Mark holds many New Jersey state and national titles in the 800m, the 1500m and the mile, both indoors and outdoors. He is the USATF Masters 2019 Middle Distance Athlete of the Year and he is a member of the world record indoor M40-49 4 x 800m team (7:49.90 with 1:55.75 split). Mark loves competition and he loves inspiring others to seek it for themselves. As we enter the sixth month of canceled races due to COVID-19, competition seems like both a distant memory and a far-off goal. This episode will remind you of all that it means to the toe the line: the dedication, the passion, the nerves, the thrill, and the curiosity. Thank you, Mark. May we race now?

We’re honored to share this thoughtful conversation with our friend, who is also one of our very first coaches, Mike Scher. Mike is a post-collegiate runner who specializes in the mile and the 5K and who has since tested the waters of longer distances.   This episode deviates slightly from our usual format - we’re not the only ones asking questions! Join us as we discuss running, life, coaching philosophy, goals, the pros and cons of GPS watches, and THE MARATHON!    Stay home. Stay safe. 

Running is a great outlet for a broad spectrum of emotions. It can be the foundation of a beautiful life, helping us learn and grow and heal. Sometimes, however, when things are particularly challenging, we may need more than just the rhythmic and comforting sounds of our own footfall. Sometimes we need to learn skills and insights from a professional who can help us navigate stressful times. These are stressful times requiring us all to reorient and adjust. We at Chill Track Friday want to support you during this difficult time and so we thought it would be nice to speak with Stacey Younge, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Sixth Street Wellness in New York City. In this episode Stacey shares many tools for navigating the uncertainty in which we find ourselves. Stacey is a compassionate therapist with a practical and warm approach to living through the current global pandemic. Grab a cup of coffee, wrap yourself in a blanket, and enjoy this episode at home, on the couch.

Thousands of businesses all over the world are trying to navigate the current COVID-19 public health crisis during government-mandated closures of “non-essential” businesses. How do you serve your clients though, when your business is all about physical touch, and manual therapy and manipulation? Custom PT is a leading physical therapy business in the heart of New York City…and the heart of the running world. Always at the forefront of therapeutic technique and innovation, Custom PT has adapted to this new virtual world in ways that allow them to support and empower their patients in creative and engaging ways. If you’re an athlete wondering what to do with your training during this pandemic, this episode is for you. Custom PT’s virtual programs extend beyond the boundaries of geography and athletic experience. This is a really wonderful conversation that reminds us that we are not alone, that our support teams are eagerly and quickly adapting to a new world, and that wherever you are in your journey, both in life and in athletics, there are wonderful people running small businesses who are excited to help._Featuring: Dr. Kathleen Leninger, PT & DPT; Wendy Winn, PT, OCS, and Director of Operations; Greg Laraia, Athletic Trainer and Running Consultant.

Lauren Antonucci is a nationally recognized nutrition expert and Registered Dietitian who founded her private practice, Nutrition Energy, in 2003. Lauren and her team provide practical, scientifically proven nutrition advice to thousands of clients in the New York City area and beyond. Lauren is a Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics (C.S.S.D.) and a Certified Diabetes Educator (C.D.E.). She has served as Nutrition Consultant to NYRR/ING NYC Marathon for 10 years, the New York City Chapter of Team in Training for over 10 years, and wrote a monthly column for Triathlete Magazine for the past three years. Lauren has presented at conferences across the United States. Lauren is a frequent contributor to both print and television news, and enjoys helping make sense of the latest nutrition trends. In this episode Lauren tells us how to use nutrition to get the most out of ourselves and our training. Though races are currently on hold, nutrition is a powerful tool to employ now in order to remain healthy. Once we begin racing again we will benefit from the attention paid to our diet now.

We are in the middle of a scary and unprecedented time. Under normal circumstances we would flock to in-person social interactions: a hug, a run, a shared meal, a night out on the town in order to cope with stress and uncertainty. Connection, togetherness, and touch are human instincts. Our training partners and running community are family, and instrumental parts of our support system. What happens though, when coming together means being apart? When protecting our community means we must keep our distance? All over the world, races have been canceled or postponed in an attempt to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. For the same effect, we are ALL asked to stay inside to "flatten the curve." What then? How do we remain connected to ourselves, our community, and our training? Well, the answer for us at CTF is simple: check in with your loved ones often, share details of your workouts on a daily basis, and help others remain accountable by being accountable yourself, both in running and in our current social responsibilities. To this end we have a special episode for you today with our friend, coach, and colleague, Stuart Calderwood. Stuart is a familiar and grounding person for so many Chill Track Friday followers so we thought hearing his voice, since we can't meet up, would provide comfort, reassurance, and some laughs. In this episode Stuart offers an introduction to his newly formed running group, the Great Hill Track Club. He also offers practical advice for adjusting training plans in light of the current moratorium on road and track racing. If you're looking for expert guidance, great stories, and a break from the news, listening to this episode will be akin to running side-by-side with a friend.        

Lindsay Crouse is the Senior Staff Editor and OpDocs Producer at The New York Times. In 2016, two weeks before the U.S. Olympic Team Marathon Trials in Los Angeles, Lindsay asked 'New York Times Sports' to send her to Los Angeles to cover the race. She took a vacation day to do it and credits this trip with helping her to shape a career covering women's sports. Four years later, Lindsay is breaking some of the biggest stories in the industry and helping to change the landscape for women in sport. Among some of her most popular pieces is her Equal Play video documentary series that exposes the injustices in women’s running that are the product of a structure of gender inequality in sport. A graduate of Harvard University, Lindsay is also an incredible athlete, herself. She ran cross country and track in college and then moved to New York where she started working at the 'New York Times' as an assistant secretary. Lindsay has run thirteen marathons and recently set a new personal record at the California International Marathon, December 2019 where she ran 2:53. This is an inspiring conversation about working hard, leveling the playing field, and taking accountability for your own journey, in running and in life. Providing women an equal position in sports is a conversation that goes well beyond athletics. It is a conversation that is happening across industries and spurring real and sustainable change. We are grateful to be part of the conversation. Thank you for speaking with us Lindsay, and thank you for the work that you do.

This episode is the audio from our first ever LIVE recording of the Chill Track Friday podcast on Sunday, February 9 at Custom Performance, with four women from the all-female, New York City based running collective, Distance Project NY. Angela Ortiz, Megan Foster, Lauren Perkins, and Ana Jonson have all qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in the marathon and they sat down with us and Gordon Bakoulis, who is a five-time Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon, and one time qualifier in the 10K, to talk about all things “women’s distance running.” This is a conversation about qualifying for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, but it’s also a conversation about friendship, a shared commitment to racing, chasing goals, self-belief, and the power of teamwork. This is an empowering conversation with five extraordinary women. Please be patient regarding the audio - this is recording captured from six microphones at a live event.

Anthony Peña is the guy you always hope to find and run with in a race...IF you can keep up with him. Anthony is a calm, steady, decisive, intelligent and wise runner. These qualities make him a superlative coach as well. If you know Anthony then you know he is a wealth of knowledge and also kindness and encouragement. He is always willing to share his experience and tips with anyone who asks. Ever offering a positive take on events and experiences, Anthony nurtures runners in a way that inspires confidence and growth. Anthony takes the same approach in his own running. Because he understands the value of patience and consistency, he does the work, respects the process, and also respects his body and how it reacts to his training and goals. This is a valuable conversation about adapting along the way, delayed gratification, and the importance of keeping perspective in the interest of long-term goals. Thank you, Anthony for leading with such integrity and intelligence.

Celebrate! It’s the end of 2019 and the end of an expansive year for our ourselves and for Chill Track Friday. In honor of this amazing year we have a very special episode and we are so excited to share it with you. As our first production year draws to a close, we compiled all the episode Training Tips into one, inspiration-filled episode. We hope you enjoy this gift and that it provides humor, inspiration and a feeling of community. We also hope that the episode inspires you to take a moment to reflect on what YOU have accomplished this year, in your running, and in your life. We encourage you also to reflect on what you want to bring with you into the new year. Thank you to all of our guests who have helped us build Chill Track Friday into what it is today. Thank you also to our listeners who have provided so much encouragement during our first year. We cannot wait to see what 2020 has in store! //  //Training Tips: Gordon Bakoulis: "Engaging Through Running" March 15  //  Rosemary Dooley: “In Running There Are No Quick Fixes” March 8  //  John Honerkamp: “Tools of Training” June 28  //  Ben Delaney: “Trust The Process to Unlock Your Potential” April 5  //  Roberta Groner: “When Talent Meets Drive There Are No Limits” August 9 //  Barbara Mann: “Passion Always Wins” May 31  //  Ann Restak: “Training for and Running the Boston Marathon” February 14  //  Laura Rodriguez: “Setting Big Goals” March 22  //  Stuart Calderwood: “Putting the ‘Track’ in Chill Track Friday” March 29  //  Ken Rolston and Ernie Rivas: “It’s Good to Dream Big” May 17  //  Christine Burke: “Born to Run” August 12  //  Andrea Retzky: “Featured Athlete” December 13  //  Sid Howard: “From Marathon to Mile” October 25  //  Matthew Futterman: “Running from the Heart” September 20  //  Jon Tascher “A New Beginning” July 12  //  Jim Mutton “Inspiration is Contagious” February 22  //  Brian Hsia “Featured Athlete” November 29  //  Cat Fitzgerald: “Empowerment Through Running” May 3  //  Ali Brohi “Injured: From Marathon Training Plan to Marathon Cross-Training Plan” March 1  //  Michael Capiraso “All Roads Lead to the TCS New York City Marathon” October 25  //  Adrian Brune “Focusing on the Beauty in the World” July 26  // Luis Porto “Building A Competitive Edge”  June 14  //  Mitchell Thornton “Keep Yourself in Check” April 19  //  Melissa O’Brien: “Featured Athlete” November 15  //  George Mendes “Getting it Done” April 12  //  Roberto Mandje “Pro Turned Recreational Athlete” February 7.

In her application to be a Featured Athlete during her training for the TCS New York City Marathon on November 3, Andrea posed many of her marathon goals as questions: “Can I still get faster? How much of that is mental and how much is physical? How do I push myself and still stay on the right side of injury? And how do I balance the time demands of training with parenting?” These are questions that so many runners ask. We ask them ourselves, and so we knew we wanted to do whatever we could to help Andrea, even the slightest bit, to find her answers at this moment in her journey. Andrea’s curiosity, commitment, and willingness to get as much out of her training cycle as possible was, and continues to be, inspiring to us. This is a wonderful story about the fruits of setting goals and taking advantage of a window of opportunity. This is a wonderful account of what ultimately turned out to be an ideal training cycle…and race. Andrea had the race we all hope for but don’t always get. Thank you Andrea for your hard work, accountability, and steadfast commitment to yourself and your goals.

Brian is an experienced and skilled runner. He is also a coach and an important mentor to the Chill Track Friday coaches. When Brian applied to be a Featured Athlete we were delighted, yet surprised. We wondered what more we could offer him than what he already has. That’s one of Brian’s defining characteristics, though: he maintains a beginner’s mindset and is willing to learn from whomever he can. This quality defines the spirit of Chill Track Friday and the goals of our Featured Athlete series so we were honored to accept him. In his application, Brian highlighted that his desire to be a Featured Athlete was to have accountability for his own goals. Because he was coaching many runners and pacing many races, his training was suffering. Brian’s journey is one of expansion, heart, and dedication to a higher purpose. This is a beautiful story of how running can be a tool of service and love for others. It was truly a privilege to have the opportunity to help someone who has helped us so much. Thank you, Brian.

In her application to be a Featured Athlete while training for the BMW Berlin Marathon, Melissa described herself as someone who had been running on-and-off for years. Initially she ran once a week to lose weight; she did not yet understand what “training” was. After running a few races with friends however, Melissa realized that she loved the race atmosphere and wanted more. She was still showing up to these races without preparing for them though, and with a new commitment to running more she decided to start training with a group. Melissa joined NYRR Group Training in September 2017. Every step of Melissa’s journey has demonstrated commitment to self, as well as a sense of curiosity. These attributes are the fibers that run through endurance athletes. They are what bring us back to the starting line time and time again. They are what bind us as a community and they serve as the foundation for a common language._We selected Melissa to be a Featured Athlete because we recognized how a structured plan and accountability would benefit someone who already possessed the amount discipline, determination and courage that Melissa does. Training for and running the Berlin Marathon is but one step in Melissa’s overall journey as a runner. This episode celebrates this moment in her journey. It was an honor to offer our experience and suggestions. Thank you and congratulations, Melissa.

The TCS New York City Marathon is nine days away. To celebrate the beginning of race week, Chill Track Friday sat down with Michael Capiraso, President and C.E.O. of New York Road Runners, to discuss all things marathon, and all things Michael. Whether you are running the marathon this year, cheering, have run the race before, or aspire to be among the field in the future, this episode will energize you for the greatest marathon in the world, taking place next Sunday, November 3rd._This episode is also about Michael’s journey. Michael ran his first New York City Marathon in 1991. He has toed the line every year since. Michael’s story illustrates the beauty in taking risks and how by putting one foot in front of the other we can open our lives to growth, opportunity, and helping others along the way. For Michael, like many runners, the marathon changed his life. His ongoing relationship with the distance continues to brighten his life every year. This episode will encourage you to challenge yourself beyond your comfort zone and to embrace the unknown. What better way to do so than at the TCS New York City Marathon.

Sid Howard ran his first marathon in 1978 at the age of 39. He ran eight more marathons until finally deciding to forego the distance in order to focus on racing the mile. This decision allowed his talent to truly shine. Over a long career, Sid continued to surpass his own performances. Sid has earned over fifty National masters titles, six U.S. records, five world records, eight world championship medals, and in 2005 he was inducted into the USATF Masters Hall of Fame. Sid holds American indoor records for M65-69 of 2:19.4 for the 800m, 5:23.05 for the mile, and 4:45.36 for 1500m. Behind these accolades is a grateful man who loves life and who loves to share his enthusiasm for running with those around him. Sid is a mentor, coach, inspiration, and ambassador of the sport. He is a beautiful story-teller with a well of wisdom and experience. More than winning any particular race or record, Sid’s story is about the power of persistence, determination, and hard work. It is a story about the twisting turns of life and how the skills gained in athletic training can bleed into other areas of life. Sid embodies joyful living and joyful running. This episode is a privilege to share, thank you, Sid.

Megan Foster is smart, talented, funny, and no-nonsense. She is an artist and a runner and in both endeavors embodies the ideals of hard work, perseverance, and committing to long-term goals. Megan patiently does the work required to pursue her passions, all the while trusting the process and remaining focused. Megan is a master printmaker and teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design. She is also a national class runner. Megan is an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier, she has won New York Road Runners’ Runner of the Year award four times, and she will be among the elite field at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 3, 2019. This is a lovely conversation about patience, taking risks, and maintaining perspective in the pursuit of athletic goals.

Matthew Futterman is a captivating storyteller. He’s also a pretty fast runner who has finished 23 marathons. Combine these two talents and you get a man who’s passionate about running and always looking for a good story to tell. Enter Coach Bob Larsen and the Southern California runners whom he molded into national long-distance running champions. After learning about Larsen and his Jamul Toads team, Matthew knew he had found a good story. As he transformed it into a book, however, he began to realize that what he had at his fingertips was really the story of the rise, fall, and renaissance of American distance running. "Running to the Edge: A Band of Misfits and the Guru who Unlocked the Secrets of Speed" is an inspiring account of Larsen’s immeasurable influence on modern distance running, the training techniques he crafted, and his role in guiding Olympic medalists such as Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor. This is a delightful conversation with Matthew about his new book, his own running journey, why we run in the first place, and the painstaking and similar processes of writing and marathon training. Part “history of running,” part memoir, this episode is entertaining and enlightening, and it will forever change how we view the beloved tempo run._ Matthew Futterman is Deputy Sports Editor of The New York Times. He has previously worked for The Wall Street Journal, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and the Star-Ledger of New Jersey, where his team won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News in 2005.

Chill Track Friday is about the journey. It is about our personal stories, shared passions, and commitment to goals. Most importantly, Chill Track Friday is about sharing our stories with others. We all have our own journey, but throughout our life we will share our journey with many different people. Sometimes the shared journey lasts a short time, while other times it lasts for many years, perhaps decades, or even a lifetime. This is the magic of the journey: we continue to learn and grow, thereby enriching our life. Chill Track Friday sprung from the crossing of two journeys but what existed before that intersection? Meet Ali Brohi, Chill Track Friday co-everything. Ali is an extraordinary person with an extraordinary story. This episode is a special treat for our audience so they may get to know Ali further. This episode is also a beautiful reminder of the blessings of friendship, the winding path of life, and how our journey brings us exactly where we need to be. We dedicate this episode to the Chill Track Friday community, to running buddies, creative partners, and good friends we meet along the way.

Christine Burke ran her first marathon alongside her parents when she was a sophomore in college. Running has been a through line in her life ever since. Christine has completed 26 marathons and one Ironman triathlon. Christine has an innate drive to challenge herself in all realms of life. She is a mother, businesswoman, Ironman, and the Burke family running coach. She is a role model and inspiration. Through her work as Senior Vice President of Runner Products and Services at New York Road Runners, Christine is a global leader in the running community. Christine’s story is about the power of committing to goals, the importance of accountability, and how working towards an intimidating goal facilitates learning and growth. This is a delightful episode that will inspire listeners to say “yes” to any challenge that, perhaps, may seem a little too scary today.

Very few people can keep up with Roberta Groner. This past April, she ran 2:29:06 at the NN Marathon Rotterdam, and in September, she’ll be one of three women on the United States marathon team at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha. Roberta will also be among the elite field at the TCS New York City Marathon on November 3, 2019, and in February of 2020, she’ll toe the line at the Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta, GA.-Most of us will never know what it’s like to train and compete at such a high level. This episode is a glimpse into the mindset of an athlete who continues to prove that when talent meets drive there are no limits.-Roberta Groner ran track in high school and college, but her heart wasn’t in it. After graduating, she put running aside, only to return to it more than a decade later as a way to find solace in a busy life. Talent doesn’t go away, and it very quickly became apparent that Roberta is an exceptionally talented runner. Something was different this time around, though, and it wasn’t her training pace. Instead, she found the passion, love, and appreciation for the sport that had been missing in college, and those qualities are fueling her on a journey that is captivating the running community. Her performances exemplify the perfect alchemy of preparedness, focus, determination, confidence, gratitude, curiosity, flexibility, and…chill. This episode is about seizing opportunity, experiencing the joy of running, and feeling gratitude for the journey.

Adrian Brune is passionate about “The Story.” She has been searching for it from a very young age so it is no surprise that Adrian is a journalist. Adrian is also an athlete. Perhaps, then, it was inevitable that her talents would converge. Adrian is curious, inquisitive, courageous, and resilient, and she exhibits all of these qualities in both her career and in her athletic pursuits. After a tentative dip into long-distance running, Adrian eventually dove headfirst into marathoning, ultimately deciding to make running marathons around the world THE story. This is a unique and sensitive account of Adrian’s experience, the lessons she learned while visiting other countries, and the observable gifts that running offers people across the world. For a more detailed account of her destination marathoning, see her article for Foreign Affairs, titled "Racing to Rebuild the Middle East" here: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/middle-east/2017-02-25/racing-rebuild-middle-east

We can start our day over again at any moment. Similarly, we can work towards changing the direction of our life at any moment. For some, change requires only little tweaks. For others though, a complete tearing down and rebuilding is required to save one's life. Fortunately, in 2015 Jon Tascher got the message loud and clear: something had to change, and now! At the outset of his new beginning, Jon hired a personal trainer and so began his incremental journey from 30-second segments of running, to running 50-kilometer races. Jon’s story exemplifies the power of humility, determination, patience, and focus in reorienting one’s path in life. It is no coincidence that these are the requisite qualities to be an ultra-marathoner. Jon’s story is one of hope, second chances, resiliency, self-acceptance, re-invention, and the power of human connection. This is an incredibly beautiful and intimate look into Jon’s life, and the joy and peace he finds in running, and in his running community. We are so grateful to be able to share this episode with you. NB: We had some issues with the audio equipment so please be patient. We worked very hard to offer you the highest audio quality possible.

John Honerkamp, Founder and President of Run Kamp, LLC is a rare blend of running talent, creativity, entrepreneurial vision, drive, and resources. The result is that John regularly helps hundreds of thousands of people incorporate running into their daily lives. Recognizing needs within the running community, John draws from his experience, and his ability to see where he can contribute, to collaboratively build systems, programs, and communities. John is a doer. He is innovative, supportive, positive, and oh so funny! The running community is bigger and more inclusive and fun with Honerkamp at the helm. PART II:In the second half of our conversation, John highlights the opportunities and support found in running with a group of like-minded people. He speaks of the courage in just showing up, and the importance of timing, in running and in life. John’s positive outlook is motivating and supportive. This episode will make you want to grab a friend and go try out that new running group.

John Honerkamp, Founder and President of Run Kamp, LLC is a rare blend of running talent, creativity, entrepreneurial vision, drive, and resources. The result is that John regularly helps hundreds of thousands of people incorporate running into their daily lives. Recognizing needs within the running community, John draws from his experience, and his ability to see where he can contribute, to collaboratively build systems, programs, and communities. John is a doer. He is innovative, supportive, positive, and oh so funny! The running community is bigger and more inclusive and fun with Honerkamp at the helm. PART I:In this fascinating discussion, John describes the technical side of his role in developing a training product geared towards the everyday runner. John’s flair is apparent, as well as his vision and priorities.

Luis Porto is a dynamic powerhouse. He is humble, dignified, courageous and a sportsman of the highest caliber. He is a tenacious and determined competitor who, through each race and every new goal, continues to build his competitive edge. An aspiring 200m sprinter at the age of 8, Luis eventually found his groove in the mile. Over the course of many years he has patiently tested the limits of his endurance, speed, and strength, finding ever more room to expand. Listen to Luis explain race strategy, what goes through his mind in the last throes of a track 5K, and how he runs with unwavering commitment to squeeze every last second out of himself. This is a story that will no doubt inspire hidden seconds in anyone who listens.

Dr. Barbara Mann is an inspiration. She is a dedicated mother of twin girls, a doctor at a renowned hospital in New York City, and an athlete at the top of her game: Barbara regularly age places in New York Road Runner races; she is a pace leader at large city races, all the while pursuing her own aggressive running goals. Barbara began running at a young age. She was subsequently dissuaded from her passion, only to naturally return to it as a solace from the stresses of life. Barbara’s story illustrates how we cannot be kept from what we love, the importance of believing in ourselves, and that often, a seeming detour can set us on a path of self-discovery that is free from the confines of expectations, and which ultimately leads us right back to our own start.

THE SCENE: The Bronx, 1970s THE STORY: Two champion runners, one with the soul of a miler, the other with gold-medal Olympic marathon dreams. Ken Rolston and Ernie Rivas ran in the same circles but for many years their paths did not cross. Finally they met through a mutual friend who was also the captain of the Lehman College cross country team. Their mutual admiration and competitive natures ignited a friendly rivalry that pushed the other to greater achievements. This is the story of competitive racing during a bygone era. It is also the story of a lifelong friendship born from a mutual love of running and a drive to dream big! Part IIThis is a lovely, inspiring, entertaining, and incredibly funny recounting of Ken and Ernie both breaking 2:30 at the 1975 Boston Marathon… but not necessarily together!

THE SCENE: The Bronx, 1970s THE STORY: Two champion runners, one with the soul of a miler, the other with gold-medal Olympic marathon dreams. Ken Rolston and Ernie Rivas ran in the same circles but for many years their paths did not cross. Finally they met through a mutual friend who was also the captain of the Lehman College cross country team. Their mutual admiration and competitive natures ignited a friendly rivalry that pushed the other to greater achievements. This is the story of competitive racing during a bygone era. It is also the story of a lifelong friendship born from a mutual love of running and a drive to dream big! PART I:Ken Rolston was inducted into the Lehman College Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame in 1999. He holds the college record for the mile with a time of 4:21. Born and raised in the Bronx, NY, Ken’s first competitive race took place at the track in Van Cortlandt Park. Little did he know that he would return to Van Cortlandt to coach the Van Cortlandt Track Club for twenty years. Ken’s personal record in the marathon is 2:26:50. Ernie Rivas was inducted into the Lehman College Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame in 2003. Ernie has run fifteen sub-2:30 marathons and 15 marathons between 2:30 and 2:37. His personal best in the marathon is 2:21:16. Ernie currently coaches competitive and elite runners. This is a captivating story of two accomplished runners who have taken different training approaches to reach the pinnacle of their running careers. 

Athletes are naturally inclined to focus on performance goals. We balance training with recovery in pursuit of the best possible race performance, sometimes coming up against, or even crossing the fine line between peak fitness and over-training. Perhaps a more sustainable approach for long-term success lies in directing additional attention to injury prevention in the name of performance. After all, we cannot perform to our highest ability if we are injured. In this episode we speak with Cat Fitzgerald, PT, DPT, CSCS, Senior Physical Therapist and Running Consultant at Custom Performance in New York City about running, running-related injuries, physical therapy, injury prevention, and performance. Cat, along with the other therapists and the athletic trainer at Custom Performance, believes in achievement, and fostering others’ achievements. A therapeutic philosophy that all people have the opportunity to experience self-transformation through running informs the excellent care provided at Custom Performance. Patients arrive at Custom for various reasons and are welcomed by a team of professionals available to support them well beyond the lifespan of an injury. This is an informative and enlightening conversation about physical therapy and also the special approach taken at Custom Performance.  Cat is a skilled therapist, a delightful person, and a runner herself. Cat knows her stuff and she shares it with Chill Track Friday.

What is it like to coach the cross country / track and field program at an NCAA Division 1 college? How does a coach guide multiple high-level athletes, all with different training backgrounds, goals, and notions of what they would like to accomplish? Mitchell Thornton navigates this landscape with authority and pragmatism. Sifting through much experience, and employing the powers of observation and intellect, Mitchell is an insightful coach, mentor and role model for those he instructs. This is also a story of Mitchell’s journey and how helping others find their way is helping him home in on his own career trajectory. This is a practical episode filled with logical advice from someone who knows what works.

George Mendes is a determined and compassionate individual. He is a humble perfectionist who does what it takes to “get it done!” George is not swayed by challenges and, in fact, he rises to meet them with creativity and quick thinking. George is the Chef and owner of Aldea Restaurant in New York City. George puts his heart and his soul into his craft and it is abundantly clear; Aldea has been awarded a Michelin Star every year since 2011! This "all-in" approach is also evident in George’s running practice. In the four years since George started racing marathons, he has sliced over 40 minutes off of his finish time, achieving a personal best at the 2018 New York City Marathon of 3:37:26. It cannot go without saying that before this personal best, George achieved a 12-minute personal best of 3:43:42 at the 2018 Boston Marathon during historically cold, windy, and torrential weather. George also negative-split this race! George’s story is one of determination, perseverance, commitment and an innate calling to help others. George uses all of his skills in the kitchen, and those on the road, to give back to the world. This is a beautiful, deep-dive into George’s chef experience and how he applies the same outlook and skills to road-racing. "Bom appetite!" GOOD LUCK to everyone racing the Boston Marathon on Monday. Listen and allow George to help you ascend Heartbreak Hill.

How does one craft the elements that will allow the greatest chance for success? In this episode Ben Delaney shares his experience answering the questions he asks himself as he continues to pursue his potential in running. For Ben, trusting the process, fixing what doesn’t work, perfecting a running “recipe,” and sharing his experience with others are the factors that have unlocked the door to a new and powerful performance level. Ben’s is an inspiring journey of working hard over many years to figure out how to get the most out of himself.  Ben is also a talented baker. Listen as he describes the similar approach he takes to a recipe in the kitchen as he does to a training plan. Ben is a creative thinker and runner. (And when he bakes we are all happy).

In this two-part episode we interview Stuart Calderwood about track racing and about coaching runners. Stuart has coached runners since his freshman year in high school. During his 11 years as a head cross-country coach in California, his Laguna Beach High School boys’ team won the 1989 State Championship and his Orange Coast College men’s team won the 1988 South Conference championship. In 2003 Stuart won the age 45-49 bronze medal at the World Masters Championship marathon. In 2009 he set the American age 50-54 track records at 25K and 30K. He is a 2:28:05 marathoner and a 1:10:07 half-marathoner. PART II: In the second segment of our conversation, Stuart discusses typical training issues that a running coach may encounter and how he handles them. Through decades of experience, Stuart has developed a creative, collaborative, and highly individualistic coaching method. This episode is filled with valuable insight as well as some very entertaining stories about a few of his own impressive race experiences.

In this two-part episode we interview Stuart Calderwood about track racing and coaching runners. Stuart has been a coach for over forty years. During his 11 years as a head cross-country coach in California, his Laguna Beach High School boys’ team won the 1989 State Championship and his Orange Coast College men’s team won the 1988 South Conference championship. In 2003 Stuart won the age 45-49 bronze medal at the World Masters Championship marathon. In 2009 he set the American age 50-54 track records at 25K and 30K. He is a 2:28:05 marathoner and a 1:10:07 half-marathoner. PART I: Stuart is a true connoisseur of track and field and his knowledge and enthusiasm for the sport is inspiring. Part I of this double-episode is a delightful conversation with Stuart about track and field today and the direction in which the sport may head. Stuart has an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the discipline and a computer-like ability to remember race results, both those of professional runners, and those of the hundreds of athletes with whom he works today. Whether or not you are schooled in track racing, Stuart's appreciation for the technique and principles involved in every race distance, combined with his outside-the-box way of thinking, allows him to articulate the subtle nuances of racing to runners at every level. This episode is for everyone.