Running New Mexico Podcast

The podcast is coming back! I've got a few guests lined up and I'm talking others. It may not be weekly, but the goal is at least two a month. 

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Pablo Vigil. We talk about his humble beginnings in the Mora Valley of North New Mexico and how running helped propel him to greater things.  He went to school at Adams State in southern Colorado, which has a long history of New Mexican runners, which we touch on. He also talked about learning from the great Coach, Dr. Joe Vigil. Pablo talks about this time and what it meant to learn from Coach Vigil. He goes on to talk about his journey into marathon training and how he got involved with Frank Shorter's training group in Boulder. It's a fascinating story that he says changed his life. Pablo also talks about getting into mountain running and touches on how different it was then to now. At the time, it was a great way for him to extend his running career. We also talk about his journey into teaching and education. It was a fun conversation that I hope you enjoy and get something from. Pablo is passionate about running and really wants people to find what inspires them. This heat has been rough. There's not much you can do, other than try and run early or late. Listen to your bodies and slow down in the heat. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and keep running, New Mexico. Photo Credit: Alexis Berg

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Leah Purucker. She is a Trail runner and chef at Daily Grind. It was great to have her on and talk about how she got started in running at a young age, but never competed in running until later in life. She talks about learning about running and training for her first race, a marathon! We also talk about how she became a chef and some similarities in competing between running and cooking.  She isn't competing currently and it was interesting to learn about an injury she's been dealing with and the doubts that can creep up for any runner when we have a longer hiatus. It was great to talk with someone that I've seen out in my running area and really get to know her better. I hope you enjoy our conversation. The heat is really starting to come on with some triple digit numbers in the metro area and down south dealing with even higher temps. It's always important to hydrate, but in the heart of summer, it's especially important. So listen to your body, wear that sunscreen, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with AJ Beach. He is a Sandia Prep and UNM graduate. He is an athlete performance therapist and has helped many people get through injuries and back to performing the way they are comfortable with. We talk about how he got into running and competing at the New Mexico State meet. He talked about some of the expectations and how that can be a burden when you are not performing the way you want or are expecting to. We also talk about how that disappointment helped him find something he became more passionate about. We talk briefly about his brother, Curtis Beach, and how AJ never really felt in competition with him and was able to do his own thing. That can be a difficult thing for many families, so it was good to hear about their relationship and the positives. AJ also talks about the specifics of what he does and who he works with. He has worked with high school athletes to Olympic caliber athletes, from pets to grandparents. He truly wants to help anyone he can. If you are interested in seeing AJ, you can check out his website here. It has been a crazy beginning to the summer for me, but I am happy to have some guests lined up. I'm also excited for a new cross country season. There is a wonderful new group of athletes at my school and no doubt around the state. I'm excited to see what everyone is able to do this Fall. Hopefully everyone is taking care of their bodies, hydrating, and preparing well for any upcoming races or challenges. So keep on moving, listen to your body, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak to Kelsey Long. She is a Navajo runner living on the Choctaw Reservation in Oklahoma. She recently completed the Boston Marathon for Rising Hearts. She is also part of the Renew Earth Running Run Team and helped create a Dirtbags Run, a  Dirtbag Runners Program, that consists of 21 BIPOC trail runners. Talking with Kelsey was so much fun. She has done quite a lot in the short time that she has been running. She talks about hating running and only getting into it several years ago because of her energetic dog. She talks about finding her group and starting to attend races and how she had caught the running bug. We talk about her journey and finding a running coach to help improve and then looking for another coach when that didn't work out. Kelsey talks about seeing other native runners using their voice and running to advocate for things she also believes in and wanting to do the same thing. We talk about running Boston to fundraise for Rising Hearts. She also talks about the Boston Marathon experience. We also talk about the forming of Dirtbags Run, their goal, and being visible. I didn't realize this was something she was involved in and I'm really impressed and excited about the group. As Kelsey herself says, she's high achieving, and I'm excited to see what she does in the running space with her advocacy going forward. It's getting warm out there (finally). I am hoping the whiplash of cold and warm weather is finally over, but that means it's time to run early and hydrate well. We also have state track meets going on. I hope you are enjoying where you are in your training and running. So get your shoes tied, get a buddy, and keep running, New Mexico. The photo was providing by John Knepper (@john_knepper) / Mile 90 Photography (@mile90photo) from the Dark and Dirty Miles race by Outlaw Trail Series (@theoutlaw100)

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Timberlin "Timbo" Henderson. He is a Dine trail runner from Fruitland, New Mexico. He graduated from Piedra Vista in Farmington, NM before going on to Western Colorado. We talk about how he got started in running, doing youth races, and becoming more serious as he got older. He talked about some of the runners he looked up to growing up. He then talked about continuing to pursue his running into college. We talked about his transition from running in the traditional college system before moving to the Mountain Sports division of sports at Western Colorado and into trail running. It is a fascinating program that I would love to see take  hold here in New Mexico.  Timberlin also talks about his 420 Run Project from November and the two charities he worked with for the project, Every Mother Counts and Fundamental Needs, as well as his sponsor, Stigma Wellness.  It was a fun interview and I'm glad to have gotten the chance to talk with Timberlin. He is currently training for some other big races, but is coming back for the Shiprock Marathon on May 6th, register here.  The weather has been up and down, but it finally is feeling warm. Those spring winds are still here in the afternoon. It's marathon season. It's track season. It's running season, as always. Enjoy your training, trust the taper, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Roman Gurule. He is a Pojoaque High School and New Mexico State University graduate. He is also the creator of NewMexico.run. It is a site focused on sharing the wonders of this state through a running lens. We talked about his early days of running in Pojoaque for coach Lockridge. He also talks about Ben Ray Lujan being one of his running mentors at the time. We talk about college and moving to the east coast. He talks about how his running journey started back up when he joined a running group out there and getting into marathons. His heart was always here in New Mexico and he eventually moved back and has continued his running journey and is using that knowledge in his website. If you haven't checked out NewMexico.run, you should. Not only does it offer lots of information on places to visit, eat, and drink, there is a fantastic section on places to run, with information on parking, facilities and more, as well as a section that works to compile all of our local races in one spot. Ramon is a great guy trying to put the running community in the state at the forefront. I was lucky enough to get a run with him recently, which is something I always wish to do with all of my guests. This weather has been more crazy than ever. In the last week we've experienced just about every season multiple times each day. That can make it difficult for track season and marathon season training, but as wise people have always said, if you can't run in it, you can't race in it. I hope you are able to take that adage and use it in the next few weeks as we work towards warmer weather. So layer up, hydrate, and keep running New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Leah Futey. She is a multiple time state champion from Cleveland High School. She is also a future Syracuse Orange. Leah talks about getting into running, and how she would come to her brother's practices. She had a talent for it and started running through Cougar Track Club, a local club, from an early age. She also talks about having a difficult cross country season her junior year and how she came back hungry to improve. We also talk about her track season last year and her summer races where she ran a sub 11 minute two mile and sub 5 minute one mile. She is a young star that you should follow through the rest of this year and into the future. The weather has been up and down, but we know that it's windy season, which means track season! Take some time to get out and support our local high school teams. I hope to see you out there! Stay warm, layer up, watch the weather, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I was able to talk with Kurt Thomas. He is a Hobbs High School graduate and the current Women's Track and Field Head Coach at UAB, University of Alabama at Birmingham. It was such a pleasure to talk to him and learn about his journey. He talks about running at Hobbs High School, under Coach Jackson, and then walking onto the UNM track team after graduation. Kurt talks about just walking into the coaches office and talking to him, which he says wouldn't happen today. He gives some insight about what it looks like today with kids looking to join his program or walk on. I liked his honesty and how he said he tries to be honest with the kids and let them know if it's a reality. We continue to talk about his coaching journey and how he ended up at the University of Tennessee, where he graduated and worked as a student assistant, before moving on to Mississippi State. Kurt talks about the coaches he was able to study under during those times and how it helped influence his own coaching. We finish up talking about getting the job at UAB and what this season is looking like for them, as we are getting closer to the indoor season. So, tune in and enjoy the conversation. New Mexico cross country is wrapping up with the state meet coming next week, November 5th and the first Red vs Green Championship race the next Saturday. I hope you have had an opportunity to support your local teams and can get out to one of these fantastic races coming up. Good luck to anyone with a race coming up. Those mornings are cool, but the afternoons are so nice. Make sure you layer, wear reflective clothing in the dark, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk to Christina Aragon. She is a 9x All American for Stanford, 3rd in the 1500 at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She went on to run in USA Championships and recently signed a pro contract with Bowerman Track Club.  Christina talks about her start with running and gymnastics. Then how she balanced the two in high school. She also talks about how her background in gymnastics has helped her with her running. We talk about her time at Stanford and some of her best memories. We also talk about some of her struggles, like a coaching change and dealing with injuries. She talks about cross training and swimming to help deal with them and manage her running load. Christina then talks about signing with Bowerman Track Club. She talks about taking her time with the process and finding the place that works well for her. She talks about the excitement about walking into Hayward Field on a weekly basis (even though it's a Stanford rival). It was a fun conversation that I hope you enjoy this week. I certainly enjoyed it. As high school cross country reaches championship season, I was able to compete in my first USATF cross country race as a master. It was a different feeling. But I encourage you to think about your training, your races, and put yourself out of your comfort zone. I learned something from it and I think you will as well. Enjoy the marathon season, dress in layers, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with AJ Jones. They are a trail and ultra runner based in Albuquerque. They talk about their first 100 miler at the Oregon Cascades 100. We start with how AJ got into running in high school and took a long break before getting started again. They talk about some difficult life events that pushed them back into running. AJ talks about wanting to prove that their body could handle tough things. We talk about the southern Oregon area where the Cascades 100 was held and where AJ grew up. We then really get into the experience of the race. AJ talks about their crew, getting through the night, and much more. It was fantastic hearing about their dad being there and helping them get through the end of the race. It's a beautiful moment to listen to. It was great getting to know AJ and I hope you enjoy our conversation and it helps you get motivated to do something big as well. The rain has been a welcome surprise and it's fantastic to see the weather cooling down. I hope everyone's training is going well and injury free. So layer your clothing, stay hydrated, dream big, and keep running, New Mexico. 

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Timothy Tays, also known as Timmy 2 Mile. He is the author of Wannabe Distance God: The Thirst, Angst, and Passion of Running in the Chase Pack. He graduated and ran for Eldorado High School and the University of Kansas. Timothy has a great story and details that story in his book. In it, he talks about trying to be the best he could be in order to fill a need to fit in, to show he was someone. It is a universal feeling.  We talk about the book and around the book. Since he answers so many of the questions of his story, I didn't want to give too much away. But I really enjoyed our talk. He talks about getting into running. We touch on Chuck Aragon's Olympic Trials, talent factors, and running marathons when water stations were still almost optional. Timothy was a talented and hard working runner that gave his all to be one of the best in the country. There are plenty of people that would have loved to make it as far as he did, but as he says, it's all about perspective. One thing I learned was that there's always someone faster, another milestone you want to reach, but there's something to enjoying where you are at and enjoying the moment. Here's an Amazon link to purchase the book (here), but look it up if you prefer to support other stores. It's nice to have cooler weather to run in and that the major marathons are rolling around. Good luck to all of the runners (New Mexicans especially) that are competing at the Chicago Marathon this morning. Enjoy your runs, dress in layers, continue to hydrate, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Alicja Konieczek. She is a Polish runner based in Albuquerque and working with Jackrabbit Race Management. She is an Olympian, finishing 20th in her specialty, the 3000m Steeplechase, at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She is also an On sponsored athlete. Alicja talks about getting started in running in Poland and that she hated it at first, but found some success. She talks about running with her siblings and even following her brother to Western Colorado University.   We talk about her journey to Albuquerque and joining the On Athletics Club. She also talks about leaving the team, coming back to Albuquerque and working with Jackrabbit Race Management. She is helping to create and promote races, including the Albuquerque Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day that she is helping to set up. It was fun to hear her talk about finding passions outside of running that she can continue to do after her competitive career is over (though hopefully not for a while). We also talk about how she is now self coached, with Ben Fletcher (previous guest) as a support.   She also talks about the European Championships where she finished 4th in the Steeplechase with a time of 9:25.15, in what was the fastest finals in European Championships history. We also talk about the rest of the year and how happy she was to reach the final. She also talks about her next goals and some competition with her sister.   Alicja has been on my radar for a while and I was so happy to finally have a chance to talk with her. I hope you enjoy the conversation as well.   Cross Country season is already about halfway done. It feels like we are just getting started. There are so many wonderful athletes out there competing and I encourage you to support your local school. It is also the middle of marathon season. I hope everyone is getting in the training they need for the results they want. Stay hydrated, listen to your body, and keep running New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Lindsey Herman again. Last we spoke, episode 89, I got to know her and her story. If you haven't listened, you should. This time we focused on the last year and her amazing finish at Leadville. Lindsey talks about some of the races she did in the last year and how much fun she's been having. We also talked about being able to be a pacer and how that experience helped her with this race. It was fun to hear about a couple of the amazing women that she teamed up with to pace and help her through Leadville. We talk about her coaching and how she has used what she knows to help others grow into the sport of running as well. She also talks about knowing how far her experiences can go in directing people, but also when they should be talking to a professional in another space, such as nutrition. Lindsey is such a fun person to talk to and I'm excited to continue to watch her grow as a person and an athlete. I am so happy to have been able to catch up with her again and I hope you enjoy our conversation. This heat does not want to go anywhere, but at least the mornings are cooler. It's a good thing to get out in that cooler air, if you can. So hydrate, enjoy that fresh green chile, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Lan Yazzen. He is a recent finisher of the Ute 100. We talk about his start in running, beginning with growing up on the Navajo Nation and the traditions his mother taught him. We then talk about how he got back into running later in life. Lan talks about jumping up in distances and finding new ways to challenge himself. He also talks about training while making time for his family. He talks about his kids being out at the races as well. I really enjoyed talking with Lan. There is so much that he talks about that is relatable. I found myself laughing a lot, but he's so positive and just keeps going. I'm excited for what he does next. Cross country season is in full swing. Most APS schools opened their seasons at the Macen Holderman Memorial Cleveland Invite. It was a muddy and fantastic event. I hope you take some time to find a way to support your local team. It is also marathon training season. The fall schedule is packed full of goodness. Good luck to all in their goals. Listen to your bodies, hydrate, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Kevin Brennan. He is the creator of the High Desert Dirt Blog. He is also a father, a runner, and a CPA. Kevin is someone I've been wanting to talk to for a while. When I started this podcast and would do my research, his blog would constantly come up. He did much of the leg work work that I have relied on when researching many of the New Mexican Runners that came before our current crop. He talked about his early days running and we both reminisced about high school running. He talks about the great Gallup teams and their coach, Curtis Williams. He talks about having fun running in the arroyos of Santa Fe. Kevin also turns the table on me and asks me about getting into the podcast and my build up to Houston last year. It was fun to hear the things he thought about and where his mind went when creating content. It all felt very familiar. So check out the blog and perhaps he will get the creative bug again and produce some more content. I hope you enjoy our talk. Cross Country season is officially a week away. I hope you are able to support your local school and kids. It is also almost marathon season. I hope all your training is going well. So listen to your body, be smart, be safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Del Jenkins. He is the owner of Ardor Elite Training Academy and Assistant track coach at Hope Christian High School. He's been a part of Albuquerque's athletic community for a while, helping coach football and start the Cougar Track Club. I've known about Del for a while and the work he's done with runners and other athletes through his gym, but it was insightful to hear his journey to that. He played multiple sports in high school and eventually earned a football scholarship to Colorado State. He studied biology before transitioning to political science and history. It's a unique path to what he does now with his coaching and to hear him tell it was inspiring. Del has a great work ethic and love for what he does. He has a real passion for helping people grow and you can hear that when he talks. He talks about helping kids get better and spending time learning new things to help different kinds of athletes. I really enjoyed hearing him talk about coaching his own kids and what the kids at his gym mean to him. I gained a new appreciation for him and I hope you enjoy our conversation. We've switched out some heat for some humidity. It's a nice change and it's great to have some much needed water, but it still requires you to hydrate up. So drink your water, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Emily Clarke. She is a Manzano Graduate, DIII runner at Claremont Mudd Scripps, and transitioning to a DI runner at the University of Nevada Reno. We talked about getting into running, getting to experience her dad coaching her in middle school, and when running felt like it belonged to her. We also talk about her training over Covid and her decision to take a break from school. It seems to have worked out since she had a fantastic senior year finishing in the top ten in all her cross country races and ending with a 26th place finish at the DIII Cross Country National Championships. We talked about choosing her school and choosing where she would do her graduate work. She is excited to be a part of the Wolfpack and to be running with her sister, who is also transferring to Nevada.  We talk about a lot of different things, but I think you really get to know Emily. Since she'll be a part of the Mountain West, you might be able to watch her run in Albuquerque again as well. So I hope you enjoy it. This week was hot. I hope you listened to your body and adjusted your runs accordingly. This week should be cooler, but with a possibility of rain, that brings humidity. So hydrate, stay cool, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Coach Bruce Gomez. He is the head cross country coach at Taos High School in Northern New Mexico. He's been at it for over 35 years and has coached some of the best runners in the state, with multiple state champions and championships. We talk about his own running, getting started as a kid and how it was just part of the culture for him. We talk about his start in junior high with more organized running and continuing into college. We talked a little about coaching and teaching, including a little about a Native American Studies class he taught. He also talked about participating in the1980 Tricentennial run to commemorate the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. Runners retraced the path of the original runners, starting from Taos Pueblo. The book, Indian Running, discusses it and gives some history as well. Bruce is a New Mexico Track and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame Member and I just can't speak enough about how much respect I have for him and the program he has built over the past 35 years. I'm honored to have been able to share some of his story and I hope you enjoy it. The heat just keeps coming. Take care to get your runs done early and be smart with your fitness. Stay hydrated, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Lydia Jennings. She is an environmental soil scientist focused on soil health, mining policy, and more. She is from Santa Fe and finished her PhD at the University of Arizona. Lydia talks about her trip with Wings of America to participate in the Boston Marathon and chaperone the students participating in the Pursuit Program. She talks about seeing Boston through the students' eyes, watching them race the 5k, and her own race, which she dedicated to the Land Back movement. We also cover her involvement in Will Run For Soil, Footprints, and crewing recently at Western States. We also talk about her upcoming race at the Javelina Jundred as part of the Native Women Running team. Lydia is such an accomplished and amazing person. I am happy that we were able to make this happen and I hope you enjoy listening to her. It is still hot out there and the humidity (for New Mexico standards) is not making it easier. Take care of your body and be aware of the temperatures as you head out on your runs. Hydrate well, run when it's cool, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico.  

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Mikayla Sehlmeyer. She is a Volcano Vista graduate and a recent graduate of Columbia College in Missouri. She is also the new Cibola High School Cross Country Coach. Mikayla has a unique journey to running. Not only did she start in gymnastics and get started with track with the pole vault, she has tried just about every event. In high school, she ran sprints and ran hurdles. She also did long jump and triple jump, qualifying for state in both and leaving as a triple jump state champion her senior year. We talk about choosing Columbia College, trying multis, and eventually making the transition to distance. I have never seen anyone with official college marks in everything from the 60m to the 10k. It's pretty amazing, in my opinion. We also talk about her coaches and her coaching position at Cibola High School. It was a fun talk and I hope you enjoy our conversation. The rain and cloud cover have been nice to bring the temperatures down, but the humidity still keeps things warm. So stay hydrated, stay cool, be safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Chuck Aragon. He is from Los Lunas and graduated from Notre Dame. He became the first Notre Dame runner and New Mexican runner to break 4 minutes in the mile. We talk about getting into running and how he ended up at Notre Dame. He talks about being an 800 runner and how he moved into the mile. He talks about coming back to New Mexico to continue his schooling and running. He ran for Mike Mittelstaedt, who passed away in 2020. Mike left a mark on Chuck and his other runners, to the point that they started the Mike Mittelstaedt Memorial Scholarship Fund (you can click on the link to learn more). We talk a little more about his career, moving to Montana, and his new side project of sports (running) photography. He has great pictures on his Instagram page. We then get into his favorite topic, his daughters. They have become good runners in their own right, with Dani making an appearance on the podcast last year. We talked last week, before USATF Nationals, but he was excited to watch Dani and Christina compete in the 1500m. They ended up being seeded in the same prelim. We touched on a little of everything and it was fun to hear Chuck's story. I hope you enjoy it. The weather has been great here, with some rain and cooler weather, so enjoy it while you can. I also want to express my support for those of you that might also be feeling upset and confused by recent Supreme Court Rulings. Take time for yourself, know you aren't alone, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the honor to speak with Chase Ealey. She is a Los Alamos Graduate, Oklahoma State Alum, and Current Nike Athlete. She is a world class Shot Put competitor, currently ranked #1 in the IAAF standings. We talk about her start in track, which came after she quit softball and how she viewed herself as a sprinter who threw. We also talk about how she grew into a thrower and her recruitment process in that regard. She talks about growing up in Los Alamos and never knowing what she could really do with throwing, but is now traveling the world and meeting amazing people. We also get into being a fan of the sport and that all aspects need to be there for each other. It was a lot of fun getting to know Chase. We had a lot of fun talking and laughing and you get a real sense of her personality. She's got a couple of meets in Europe coming up, but USATF Outdoor National Championships will be coming up at the end of June, with the Women's Shot Put Final being at 2pm Mountain Time on June 26th. The weather continues to get warmer and dryer. Be aware of that as you head out for your runs. Be safe, be kind, stay hydrated, and keep running (or throwing), New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Allen Sumrall. He is a PhD Candidate for the University of Texas Austin. He is also a runner, competing for Railroad Athletics.  Allen was great to get to know and his story is pretty unique. He talks about joining cross country in middle school at Albuquerque Academy, but quitting due to injuries. He then picked up running on his own before being convinced to join his DIII college team at Bates College. From there he only got better and continued his running as a graduate student at the University of Texas Austin. He talks about his experience going from a DIII to DI and the challenges of not only moving up, but doing so as a graduate. We talk about how he got involved with Railroad Athletics, and head coach Hayden Cox. He's had some success, with a 1:04 half marathon and a recent 28:44 10k that should've gotten him into the USATF 10K Championships this past Friday. With his success, he finds a way to balance his life and makes sure that this is still fun for him. I hope you enjoy our conversation and keep an eye out for Allen. He talks about some of his future goals for you to cheer him on. The heat continues to roll in and the fires continue to burn. Do your part to keep our wild areas fire free, the ones that are still open that is. Stay hydrated, be considerate, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Gabrielle Arsiaga. She is the new head cross country coach at the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, New Mexico. She is also a graduate of USW and holds the women's 5k record. It was fun getting to hear her journey as a runner for Hobbs High School and then running for USW. She talks about getting a second chance when she was in high school and then wanting to make sure she is able to do the same for future runners coming into the program. She is bringing excitement and freshness to the program and looking for new runners. So if you know someone that is looking for a place to run next year, check out the University of the Southwest. And email Coach Arsiaga at garsiaga@usw.edu. We are still looking at fires destroying large areas of land in the Northern parts of the state. It's a sad thing, but there are plenty of places that you can donate to help. So stay safe, stay hydrated, help others, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Matt Thompson. He is in the Air Force and is  currently stationed in Albuquerque at Kirtland Air Force. Before he is transferred, he had an idea to benefit the Friends of the Sandia Mountains. He decided he would run 100 miles in the Sandias to raise money for them. Welcome to the Watermelon 100. Starting May 13th, Matt will traverse 100 miles in the Sandia Mountains, without loops or backtracking. He will be accompanied by friends and family when they can and it's all for a good cause. You can follow the Facebook page here and the YouTube channel here. Matt wanted to find a way to give back to the community before being transferred and I think this is a great way to give back. He talks about his start in running and trail running. How his chance encounter with a now famous trail runner helped lead him down this path. He also talks about the group he's been able to be a part of while in Albuquerque and his love of the trails. If you want to help out check out the Friends of the Sandia Mountains above, or click here for the Go Fund me page.  The weather is getting hotter, the fires are still burning, and I know there's a lot of people and organizations that could use your help. This is highlighting one of the many. So, help where you can, stay hydrated, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Jacque Pinon. She is a senior runner at Vanderbilt University and a graduate of St. Pius X in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was a standout distance running, earning individual state titles in the 1600, 3200, and Cross Country, during her time at St. Pius X. We talk about her start in running and making the move from soccer to running. Jacque talks about her struggles through injuries and staying motivated as well as staying balanced between school work and training. We also talk about picking Vanderbilt and her major. It was a lot of fun to get to know Jacque and learn about her future plans. If you are curious about her final race, you can click this link to see the results. We are nearing the end of the track season in both high school and collegiate forms. I hope that you have had a chance to support and watch your favorite teams and that you are excited about the upcoming professional season with the World Championships being hosted in Eugene this summer. I also want to continue to acknowledge the fires devastating North New Mexico. Words cannot express the feeling of having the places you grew up in and still visit just being gone. Not to mention the displaced people. Obviously this hits close to home for me, literally. There are plenty of resources available, if you would like to help, or would just like more information, you can click here. Otherwise, I hope you keep everyone in your thoughts.  Stay safe, stay hydrated, and keep running, New Mexico.  

I'm excited to be able to return to the podcast this week with two amazing ladies to talk about an upcoming event at Sandia High School on April 30th. Dawn Meyer and Rebekah Weems join me to talk a little about their start in running and then to give us some insight about the upcoming Gunther Run to Remember. If you never knew Sandia's former baseball coach who passed away from cancer in 2017, you get an opportunity to hear from one of his good friends, Dawn Meyer, about what kind of person he was and why we are putting together this event to honor his memory. All donations go toward the Gunther scholarship, which is given to two graduating seniors and all donations over $15 get a shirt. I'm happy to be a part of this and I encourage anyone looking to get out and move, to come on by. The run takes place through Sandia's campus and though it doesn't offer the fastest course, it offers you an opportunity to be a part of the community. There will be vendors and activities at the finish, so come and join us. I couldn't be more proud to be able to bring attention to this event and be able to highlight it as I come back from my hiatus. I'm looking forward to bringing more stories from people in and from our great state and I hope you're excited too. While we highlight great things going on in the state, let's keep in mind those that are in terrible situations with the fires forcing evacuations and devastating land and property throughout the state. Stay safe, stay helpful, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Margaret Gordon. She's a race director for the Mt. Taylor 50k, working with her husband Ken (a previous guest), and recently finished the Arrowhead 135. It's a winter ultra marathon taking place in Minnesota along a snowmobile trail. We talk about her start in running and a little bit of her triathlon days. She's had a lot of experiences and we cover just a bit. She talked about her fueling and being lucky enough for her stomach to handle anything at this point, which makes getting the right nutrition for these longer efforts easier. We do really delve into her experience in this race and what it was like to be out on a trail in the cold and snow. She talks about getting confidence with a training session in Chama a fews weeks out from the race. It was fantastic to hear about her preparations for the race, but also her ability to adapt when things got unpredictable. Listening to her talk about getting to ride her sled down some hills was fantastic as well. The race website says they limit the number of entrants to maximize solitude on the trail. Margaret talks to this solitude and the joy of accomplishing something like this. It was truly great to hear from her and everything that went into this race. Track season is here! Meets were held this last weekend and the wind and cold blew in. It's fun to watch kids chase times and compete against each other. It's also tough watching athletes hurting when things don't go their way. It's a universal feeling. I encourage you to take the time to support a school this season and cheer on some kids. Take time for yourself, enjoy the weather, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Mbarak Hussein. He is a marathoner, he's held multiple USATF road records, he's been a coach, and he's been a mentor and a friend of mine for the past 7 years. If you know Mbarak, then you know that an hour talking with him is much too short. He is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to running. In this episode we talk about his upbringing and his start in running. We talk about his college career a bit and when he moved into marathoning. His brother was a big influence on him and Mbarak talks about him a lot in this episode and it was fun to hear that side of his life. He talks about settling in Albuquerque and his time in Texas and Arizona. It was interesting to hear how he talked about training in Kenya at the time he was preparing to come to America.  There's a lot here, and yet we barely scratch the surface of his amazing story. I hope you enjoy listening to Mbarak and that he inspires you on your runs this week. Thank you for bearing with me as I try and get episodes out on somewhat of a normal schedule in spite of house renovations going on. I hope everyone is as excited about track season as I am. Whether it's seeing pros like former UNM athlete Josh Kerr smash British records (best free link I can find), catching up with current UNM athletes and NM collegiate athletes looking for births to indoor championships, or if you are getting ready to support local kids at track meets, I hope you take advantage of the amazing atmosphere we have here and show local talent that we are behind them. Enjoy the sun, enjoy the process, and keep running, New Mexico

This week, I give you a little update on me and my running, talk about my race at the Houston Half Marathon in January, and ask about your opinion of the show. We are doing some remodeling in our house, so finding a quiet place to record has been difficult, but I sat down and gathered some thoughts in an echo-y room. I want to thank you all for being with me for the last two years, whether you're new, or started listening from the beginning. It's been a fun ride and I don't imagine dropping it any time soon. Houston was an amazing experience. I couldn't have done it without my wife, Carrie, who I wouldn't be able to do the running, coaching, and this whole podcast without. Shoutout to Taos Bakes for fueling my weekly mornings, and Organ Mountain Outfitters for their awesome performance wear, including the performance tank, thanks to Teresa for customizing, which was my tank of choice for the race. Lastly, what are you liking about the show? Is there anything you'd like to see going forward? I've considered a newsletter, YouTube, and possible TikTok components. But what are you interested in? Send me a message and let me know. Thanks again for the last two years. I'm hoping for many more. So enjoy the weather, enjoy your family, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Kenny Henry, the head Cross County and Boys Track Coach at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho. Kenny comes from a running and coaching background and has established himself as one of the top New Mexican coaches with multiple Cross Country and Track Championships. We talk about his own running and where he stands now. We also talk about the previous cross country and track seasons, as well as the recent third place finish for his boys and girls in cross country and what we can look forward to in this upcoming track season. It was great to hear his insight about his runners, how differently he looked at the boys' and girls' teams heading into cross country and how it turned out for both of them. His love of the sport and for his athletes is something I really enjoyed hearing. We talked about recruiting kids into distance running; it's not as easy as it looks. And how the most important person on the team isn't always the top runners. I really enjoyed this conversation with a fellow coach and I hope you do too. It was great to touch base with Coach Henry as we enter the track season. It's such a fun time for kids and we get to see so many different disciplines. If you can make it out to meets to support our young athletes, I would highly recommend it. I hope you enjoyed some of the warm weather and that your training is going well. Stay safe, stay hydrated, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to bring back Andrea McArdle and Sean Abeyta. Two previous guests that have been working together as a coach and athlete. It was fun to talk about the dynamic, how they decided to work together, and the build up to the Houston Marathon and prior. In the past year, Andrea has started Running with Confidence, with the idea to help runners become more confident in their abilities. She has worked with some local high school teams, including Rio Rancho and Sandia High. She has also been coaching with the Duke's Track Club Youth Team.  Part of her work also includes training adult runners. This is where Sean comes in. They were able to work together to create a great working relationship to complete a successful Houston Marathon for Sean.  They are both great people who are doing good things for the running community. It was a lot of fun hearing them talk about their dynamic, while also listening to it. They really do work well together. I hope you enjoy their conversation with me. It finally snowed in Albuquerque and across most of the state this last week. It was a great time to get a few quiet and cold miles in. I hope you had the opportunity to take advantage of the hush that follows freshly fallen snow. It's a great time to forget about goals and times and just enjoy the art of putting one foot in front of the other. As we continue the thaw I hope that you dress warm, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Amber Zimmerman. She is a UNM grad and recent qualifier for the 2024 USA Olympic Marathon Trials. She earned that honor with a 2:36:26 at the Houston Marathon. Amber recently has moved to Philadelphia, but talks about her love for New Mexico and Albuquerque and her hope to make it back out here. We talk about her journey to Albuquerque to run for UNM and her journey into triathlons and trail running. It was fun to hear Amber talk about these other adventures in her running career that have kept it fresh for her. I love her honesty about not wanting to go through the pain of the marathon again, but training partners and friends keep pulling her back.  She is self coached and has learned what works for her, but running slow when she needs to is a great take away. I hope you enjoy our conversation and follow Amber as she does awesome things. Track season is really upon us. I spent Saturday afternoon watching the Millrose Games. Such amazing performances and accomplishments. It was great to see a couple of former Lobos competing at that level, but it's equally as amazing to watch local races and high school track meets. Everyone is out there doing their best to accomplish goals. It's a great time. So good luck with your goals, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to bring back Dinée Dorame from the Grounded Pod. She last appeared one year ago on episode 48, which you can listen to here. She was recently named to Women's Running 2022 Power Women of the Year and The Kick named in their Women to Watch in 2022 newsletter. If you haven't checked out the Grounded Pod, it's something that I highly recommend. Dinée does an amazing job asking great questions and really connecting with her guests. It's natural, fun, and I'm really honored to have someone like her doing amazing work in this space out of New Mexico. We talk about that work, what it means to be receiving these accolades, and talking to some of her heroes. I also ask her about taking time off to recharge and be refreshed, which I admire about her. We also talk about what it was like being able to share her parents' stories on this platform. It was a great conversation and she shared some news that I'm excited about. I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. It's amazing that this marks episode 100 for me. I cannot express what this means. I want to thank all of my guests for going on this journey with me and for all my listeners for sticking with it. I love doing it, but it helps to know that others are enjoying it as well. All I can say is to go after your own goals, take a chance, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk to Marc Quiñones, Executive Chef at Más Tapas y Vino, Marathoner, Runner. He is also a prolific runner competing in multiple marathons, half marathons, 5ks, and more in the short time he's taken up running. If you have never had the pleasure to meet Marc, you'll quickly notice his energy and enthusiasm. He talks about his journey in running, being on Hell's Kitchen, and the ups and downs that have come along the way. There is a lot in this episode and it was a lot of fun to really get to sit and talk with Marc. He really believes in putting in the work and that if he can accomplish his goals, anyone can. He is willing to put himself out there through all the good and bad and is happy to be real with you. It's a great way to go through life and I hope you enjoy his story. In the New Year, I hope you can take away something from Marc. Maybe it's his energy, maybe his openness, or perhaps it's just the willingness to fail. So get out there, be fearless, be safe, chase those goals, and keep running, New Mexico.  

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Ryan Bolton of Bolton Endurance. He was a fantastic runner at Wyoming and competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in the Triathlon. He is the coach of Caroline Rotich, as well as other pros in the triathlon world.  We touch on some of his inspirations, including coaches and athletes, and how he got into running and triathlons. It was fun to hear him talk about his experiences and the energy with which he still talks about it. We get into a bit of his time at the 2000 Olympics, as well as this year's Tokyo Olympics, where he was there as a part of the US Olympic committee. We get into how he started coaching, building his coaching staff, and how he talks to his athletes. We touch briefly on periodization and will hopefully come back to this subject in a future episode.  What struck me with Ryan is that even though he is highly motivated, some of his life path was following what felt right at the time. His degree and path to coaching are good examples of this.  It was fun to hear some of Ryan's story and just have a great conversation about running and athletics. We touch on the 10k battle at the Sydney Olympics, Seb Coe, Bob Kennedy, super shoes, and so much more. I hope you enjoy our conversation and take us out with you on a run. It's a new year and it's easy to think about things on a grand scale; new year, new me. But change is easier when you are committed to the little things and consistency. Commit to getting out 4 days a week, or x amount of minutes. Find a group that has similar goals, whether you can meet in person or just text about it. It's things we all know, but following through can be hard. So, get out there, be consistent, be safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Isaiah Rodarte. He is a Peñasco High School Graduate and current Adams State University runner. Recently he placed 5th at the DII Cross Country National Championships. We talk about his start in running, choosing Adams State, and much more. We touch on running in high school and the ability for him to compete against everything from A to 5A schools and being uncertain about college running as well as wanting to represent New Mexico.  We talk about his recent success and he says that he never expected how well this year turned out until he was in it. He also gives good advice on keeping up with classes while competing and practicing. He even talks a little about running the steeplechase at the Great South West his senior year of high school.  It was a fun conversation and I hope you enjoy it and have an opportunity to watch him and other New Mexican athletes during the upcoming indoor track season. With our wonderful indoor facility here in Albuquerque, we get a few weekends to really support the sport in our state. I hope everyone enjoyed a couple of days off to recharge and spend time with family. Hopefully everyone stayed safe and healthy and I am excited for everyone's winter and spring plans coming up. So, be kind, stay warm, cheer each other on, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Western New Mexico's Britney Lovato. She is the women's record holder in the 3k, 5k, and 6k. During her time at WNMU she has only gotten better and stronger in her running, while learning how to balance school, fun, and collegiate sports. We talk about her introduction into running and her start in soccer. She wasn't sure running was for her, but then she was the best runner on the team. It still took a while for running to become her own. She talks about choosing Western New Mexico, the memories she has made there, and that she wouldn't have it any other way. She feels that Division II was the perfect place for her and that other athletes could benefit, if they look in that direction as well. We also talk about her sisters and their running, even a little friendly joking about who is faster. She has big goals for track, but also realizes going into her last season, that this is the time to enjoy what she has. She will be working on her student teaching to become an elementary school teacher and it was fun to hear her talk about that and knowing someone with her energy will be joining the profession. I hope you enjoy our conversation and that you follow and support her and other local college students competing for our state. We've had some up and down weather recently. I hope you are layering correctly and still getting your runs in. It can be hard to find motivation when the weather is cooler and the days are shorter. So get out there, get the work in, stay warm, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk to my friend, and assistant, Will Walker. He is the Boys Distance Coach for track at Sandia High School and one of my assistant coaches for Cross Country. He is entering his 4th year as a track coach and just finished his 3rd year as an assistant cross country coach.  I am lucky to have known Will as a high school runner and now as a coach and it was fun to bring his story to the podcast. We share a little of what we talk about on a daily basis while running with the kids and coaching. I also got to learn a little about his history, including his fueling ideas for his first 5k in middle school. We touch on his intro to running, track and cross country, weight lifting, shoes, and exercise science at UNM. He talked about everything in his life coming together in this fun way and his schooling compliments his work, which compliments his coaching, and so on. He is a truly wonderful person who I am glad to have been able to bring on and talk to. I hope you enjoy Will's story as well. We didn't even touch on so many subjects, like Running with Will. This week, the temps finally dropped into early winter weather. It can (and in all probability will) get colder as we get deeper into December and into January. So layer up, stay motivated, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Gene Kersh. He is a lifelong runner who started in middle school and has found a way to keep running in his life. During that time he has met some amazing people and done other sports to keep running fresh. We talk about his start running in Raton, NM. He talks about running DIII in college and getting into rugby. He talks about meeting former guest, Andy Murray. It was fun to hear him talk about his time with rugby and cycling.  Gene also talks about his sons getting into running and sharing his love of activity with them. He also talks about his wife, who also runs and bikes, and being on the same page. He's got some goals on the horizon and I'm excited to see how he does, but as we talk about, it's about the journey more than the results. I hope you enjoy our conversation. The weather has been nice during the day. I hope everyone is taking advantage of that. It's fantastic to see everyone's stories of runs and races. Stay safe, stay warm, enjoy the grind, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Coach Elena Schrader. She is the head cross country and girls track coach at Volcano Vista High School. This year her boys and girls teams both won the 5A State Cross Country Championship. We start off talking about her start in running, continuing through high school and college, and how she got into coaching. Some coaching will tell you they fell into coaching, but Coach Schrader really fell into it. We don't go into a lot of detail, but she talks about taking the time to educate herself in coaching, taking USATF training among other things. She talks about the last cross country and track season and when she knew she had something special with the boys. She then talks about the surprise with the girls and getting to watch both teams really grow into their own this year. It was fun to hear her talk about her excitement in both coaching and teaching. It was a lot of fun talking with Coach Schrader and getting to know her. She is someone that is easy to root for and you know her teams are having fun while competing at a high level in the state. I hope you enjoy our conversation and also have fun getting to know this amazing coach. With the holiday season upon us, it is easy to get into the rut of preparing for the holidays without taking the time to think about their meanings. Whatever the holidays mean for you, I hope you are able to find time for yourself on your runs and time for your family. Stay focused, stay warm, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Bob DeYoung. Through the pandemic I hear stories of people that took up running as gyms and other places to workout closed down. Bob was one of those runners and has literally run with it. In his short time finding and falling in love with trail running, Bob has completed five races. Some shorter, half marathon range, and his longest and first, was a 30k. He's learned a lot in a short period and has plans to run at least one trail run a month. It was really fun talking with Bob and hearing his excitement about his runs and training. It's great to hear that new runner eagerness. If you happen to be at the Bosque Bigfoot, find Bob and say hi for me. It's that time of the year again to gather with family and think about what you are grateful for. I know that is something I often think about while on my runs. I hope you take time to think about what this season means to you and those around you. I also hope you are healthy and ready for a wonderful Thanksgiving day run. So, be safe, stay healthy, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Phil Keller. He is a wonderful master's runner here in Albuquerque, running for the Dukes Track Club and a coach of their Youth Club. We talked about his start to running, conditioning, and coaching college and high school. It was fun talking about his own college running and his short break from running. We talk about motivating runners you coach at all levels. He talks about his own running and breaks, or lack of, and being able to go from the youth state championship to the high school state championship and the issues with that. We also had a fun conversation about music at the end. I learned a lot about Phil and I hope you enjoy our conversation. If you are interested in getting your own kid involved in the Dukes Youth Track club you can email them at dukestrackclub@gmail.com. The time change has messed with my sleep, but I think I"m finally catching up. I hope you are adjusting well. It's nice to see a little light at the end of my runs in the mornings. So enjoy your runs, layer, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk to Lionel Ortega. He is a former UNM Athlete and Professional Runner. He covers a lot about his career in this conversation. We go from how he got into running, into some highlights, and into his work for Nike and Adidas. It was great to hear him look back on his career and express that running is a part of his life, not his life. He talked about the three words that changed his life and about scrapping by to get to marathons and other races. I really enjoyed hearing him talk about how running is still a part of his life. He may not compete anymore, but he still gets something from it. Lionel learned early to not be afraid to ask for your worth. I think that is an important lesson. It's important to have a healthy idea of what you are worth in your own eyes. And we also get to the story of him getting arrested for running on UNM's track.  Yesterday was the 2021 NM Cross Country State Championships. It's easy to look at the champions and think about what they will accomplish, but hopefully we'll be hearing from all of the athletes that competed. Maybe that's fun runs, maybe it's running in college. I just hope the love of running sticks with them. So the seasons change and we start looking toward track season, cooler weather, slower runs. Stretch, layer, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Lindsey Herman. She is an Ultra runner and coach. She graduated from Albuquerque Academy and then Western Colorado University, where she is still located and coaching. Lindsey has had a different path to running than a lot of people. Even though she was part of an active family, with running and skiing, and even though she ran a marathon in high school, she saw herself as a skier and soccer player. We talk about how she moved into running and that idea of feeling like a runner. Lindsey talks a little about her insecurities around food, but if you want to hear about journey in more detail, check out this interview by Run Spirited. They do a good job of interviewing and asking good questions. Lindsey may have come to running a little differently, but she is enjoying what she is doing and has a big upside. Her involvement in the trail racing program at Western Colorado University is really unique. So I hope you enjoy our conversation. Those mornings are getting a little chilly lately. It doesn't help that the days are getting shorter. Make sure you layer, bring light, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Sophia Torres. She is a Pojoaque graduate, UNM graduate, trail runner, and artist. Her dad is Senovio Torres, a great ultra runner in his own right, and an influence for Sophia's running. We talk about the pressures of running from external sources and when she made running her own. She talked about being put in kid races and 5k races as a child and how it was just a part of her life. We also talk about her time at UNM as a walk on. It was a hard transition and we talk about pressure once again. She talked about how she found the joy in running through helping some friends and it sparked where she is now.  Sophia talks about her artwork and how her creative side goes hand in hand with her running. It was fun talking to her about these things that she is passionate about and I think you hear that in her voice. As always, I really enjoyed talking with her and getting to know her. The days are getting shorter and the mornings are getting cooler. It's time to break out those gloves and other cooler weather attire. But it's an exciting time for running, getting to see the big races coming back. So dress for the weather, be safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the opportunity to talk with Matt Gonzales. He ran for St. Michael's and Santa Fe High and then UNM, with 7 NCAA All-American honors to his name at UNM. He also ran professionally for Nike and competed at 2 US Olympic Trials. Matt talks about his influences, including his dad and coaches, as well as the relationships he built. He talks about his time running and the challenges he faced, but also that he has come out the other side. He talks about why he left competitive running and why he hasn't looked back. Matt is very open and talks about loving competition and not so much the training, and so much more. It was a great time talking about his journey and his joy in talking about his sons. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I had recording it. A lot of this episode is about finding peace within yourself. Your perspective has a lot to do with your outlook. So think about your goals and think about what is important.  As the weather cools it's important to remember to dress in layers, get a good warm-up, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Kellie Nickerson. She's a PE teacher and after school coach at Cottonwood School in Corrales. She is also a member of the Sole Sisters, a local running group.  Kellie ran at Sandia High School and followed that up with a year running for UNM. She learned to train on her own and continued her running through the Runfit races. Her biggest goal is to keep running fun and she has been able to do that and be competitive. This week, Kellie is also competing in Boston this week. I hope you tune in to cheer for her as she gets to compete at a unique Boston Marathon. We know that she is going to keep it fun and enjoy her time out there. Listen to Kelly talk about teaching, her after school running group, and so much more. I hope you enjoy getting to know her as much as I did.  This cooler weather is great for me. I love it and hopefully you are enjoying it as well. It's great to watch these fall marathons and the great performances and people able to be a part of them. So make sure you have those cool weather clothes nearby, check the forecast, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the opportunity to talk with Keith Gerrard. He is a middle school teacher, volunteer coach at Rio Rancho High School, private coach, a graduate and All-American for UNM, and a former Great Britain athlete competing at the European Championships and World XC Championships. He has had quite the career and we dig a little into that, but really we talk about his journey to where he is now. We talk about his home country, the Isle of Man and the differences in running in the European system and NCAA. We talk about his transition into road racing (not his favorite) and where he is at now with his running. Keith has a healthy view of his running and what he accomplished. He talks about running being a part of who he is, not his whole identity. We also talk a little about teaching and what his experiences bring to his coaching. All-in-all, I really enjoyed talking with him and I hope you enjoy the conversation as well. That crisp air is finally coming in. The leaves haven't turned, but you can feel it around the corner. It might not be time to break out the long sleeves yet, but we're getting close. So watch the weather, fuel up, and keep running, New Mexico.

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Andy Murray. Although doesn't doesn't consider himself to be a good runner, he is a fantastic coach. We don't cover it in the episode, but he has done a lot for the kids that he coaches, as most good coaches do. He started out his own running as an extension of rugby and soccer. When it was rainy in London, they would send them out on runs to save the fields. He moved to US, met his wife and hasn't left. I think we're better for it. He's a fantastic person and I hold a lot of respect for him. We talk about his early years, getting into teaching, and a little rugby and soccer with the running. I hope you enjoy hearing a little about his journey. The weather is just starting to turn, that means we are getting closer to championship cross country season. But it also means that marathon season is here and what a season it will be. Whichever you are looking forward to, make sure you eat right, stretch, stay safe, and keep running New Mexico.