Welcome to Miles in the Mitten Podcast with hosts Colin Riley and Ryan Squanda, two Michigan natives who met as members of the MSU Running Club in the fall of 2012. Nearly a decade later, this dynamic duo has set out to tell the stories of Michigan runners, track athletes, coaches and more with the Miles in the Mitten Podcast.
In episode 10 of the Miles in the Mitten Podcast, Ryan and Colin sit down with Zach Panning, who recently placed 11th in the Olympic Trials 10K representing the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. Zach came on to talk about his journey to that point, growing up in Indiana, winning multiple national titles with the Grand Valley State University track and cross country teams, and more! Follow Miles in the Mitten on Instagram @mittenpodcast. Follow Zach on Instagram @zachpanning or Twitter @ZachPanning. Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryansquanda or Twitter @squandaryan. Follow Colin on Instagram @criles_17 or Twitter @criles17.
In episode 9 of Miles in the Mitten, Colin and Ryan preview the 2021 Olympic Track & Field Trials, which begin today at the renovated Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. They review the favorites and contenders to make the team for Tokyo later this summer, share the stories of less-heralded qualifers with Michigan ties, and discuss the events they are most looking forward to watching.
In episode 8 of Miles in the Mitten, John Reed joins the pod to drop decades of high school coaching wisdom on Colin and Ryan. John talks about what he loves most about coaching, the experience of winning three consecutive MHSAA Division 1 state track titles at Farmington Harrison in the early 2000s, as well as the importance of helping every kid reach their potential and fall in love with the sport.
In episode 7 of Miles in the Mitten, Ryan and Colin chat with Shannon Osika. Shannon is a native of Waterford, Michigan, a former track and cross country athlete for the University of Michigan and currently a professional runner for Nike and True Blue Elite. Shannon has been a running superstar all her life while growing up in the legendary Osika running family. But whether it's beating all the boys in middle school cross country races or stepping to the line at the Olympic Trials, the pressure never gets to her. 3:34 - Growing up in a running family 7:31 - Running for Michigan and Coach McGuire 12:03 - Navigating the professional running scene 14:30 - Running a 4:01 1500 in 2019 17:45 - Running and training through a pandemic 23:10 - Looking ahead to the Olympic Trials 28:00 - Nike "super spikes" 30:38 - Schedule heading into Olympic Trials 32:08 - Running in Michigan 36:22 - Making her husband break five minutes in the mile
Buckle up, folks, because we've got a good one! In episode 6, Ryan and Colin chat with Michigan running guru Jeff Hollobaugh. Jeff has so many awesome running stories from his years of covering the sport for Track & Field News, becoming a stats nerd at michtrack.org, and so much more! Sit back and enjoy! 3:35 - Original interest in the sport. 8:15 - Covering track in 2020-2021. 11:52 - Announcing meets. 17:05 - Favorite memories at Div. I state meet. 25:45 - Michigan state meet format. 30:10 - MHSAA during Covid. 34:30 - Hobbs Kessler breakout. 43:55 - Remembering Paul McMullen. 52:27 - Mount Rushmore of Michigan running. 1:01:10 - Earl Jones story. 1:04:50 - Favorite place to run in Michigan. 1:07:12 - Quirkiest fact when researching books. 1:10:05 - Great interviews.
Lucas Bowman and Erin Zimmer, power couple and longtime friends of hosts Colin Riley and Ryan Squanda, join the Miles in the Mitten Podcast for Episode 5! Lucas and Erin are both Michigan natives, MSU Running Club alumni and Boston Marathon qualifiers. The two chat growing up around running, their unwavering commitment to the sport, in addition to what it takes to run virtual and solo marathon PRs through the dirt roads of Fenton, Michigan.
In Episode 4 of Miles in the Mitten, Colin and Ryan chat with the multi-talented Liam Boylan-Pett. Liam grew up in Bath, Michigan, before going on to a collegiate track and cross country career at Columbia and Georgetown. He's also a sub 4-minute miler, as well as the founder and publisher of Løpe Magazine, which tells "eye-opening stories from the track, road and trail." Follow Liam on Twitter @liam_bp or @lopemagazine. Find him on Instagram @lopemagazine. Also check out lopemagazine.com. Follow Ryan on Twitter @squandaryan or on Instagram @ryansquanda. Follow Colin on Twitter @criles17 or on Instagram @criles_17.
In episode No. 3 of Miles in the Mitten, Colin and Ryan chat with Zach Ornelas, a University of Michigan track and cross country alumnus, amateur Tracksmith athlete and 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. Zach dishes on all of that, training while balancing his day job as a teacher and coach at Saline High School, in addition to how he's managed to run several PR's during a pandemic. Follow Zach on Twitter @MrORuns or on Instagram @ZachOrnelas. Follow Ryan on Twitter @squandaryan or on Instagram @ryansquanda. Follow Colin on Twitter @criles17 or on Instagram @criles_17.
In the first ever interview on Miles in the Mitten, Jordan Chester joins the show to discuss running for a Division II powerhouse in Grand Valley State University, her journey to the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon, in addition to what it's like to train while working full-time in the health care industry. Follow Jordan on Twitter @JordanChester23 or on Instagram @jochest23. Follow us on Twitter @squandaryan, @criles17 or @purepeninsula. Follow us on Instagram @ryansquanda, @criles_17 or @purepeninsula.
Welcome to Miles in the Mitten Podcast Episode No. 1! Today's episode introduces you to hosts Ryan Squanda and Colin Riley, two Michigan natives who met as members of the MSU Running Club in the fall of 2012. Nearly a decade later, this dynamic duo has set out to tell the stories of Michigan runners by way of the Miles in the Mitten Podcast. Follow Us: Twitter: @squandaryan @criles17 @purepeninsula Instagram: @ryansquanda @criles_17 @purepeninsula
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
