For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Raz says that running sucks, but we should do it anyway. Raziq Rauf is an NCTJ-trained journalist (writer) and USATF-certified running coach (runner).  Raz interviews interesting people from the running world, and writes about their impact on running culture and the people around them in his weekly newsletter, Running Sucks. Listen to hear about: Solo running and how it mirrors Raz’s solo writing life The benefits of run clubs and how to get it right Why Raz lied to his friends about training for a 5k so he could avoid drinking Finding more joy in training rather than racing Role models making an impact on the running community Stay connected: Raz on Instagram: instagram.com/runningsucks101  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: Fuel Goods: Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box!  https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun  Emich Kia of Denver: Family-owned and reliable dealer for buying or leasing an EV! I test drove the EV6 and it's a game-changer with 300+ mile range, super-fast charging, a sporty feel perfect for driving up into the mountains. Tell Emich Kia of Denver I sent you.  Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

The media often only shows one side of a story where the “fastest woman on the planet” has to return her Olympic medals. Marion Jones competed in track and field and became a household name in the early 2000’s, working with major brands and competing in 5 events at the Sydney 2000 Summer Olympics. In 2007, Marion confessed that she had lied about taking performance enhancing drugs and was sentenced to six months in jail after a scandal involving over 20 professional athletes. Marion used her resolve to make an impressive comeback to competitive sports, publish her book “On The Right Track,” and launch her campaign to help youth make better decisions. Listen to hear about: Marion’s early days as an athlete who loved training even more than competing The shift from professional athlete to entrepreneurial coach and the parallels between sport and business Marion’s story of having her Olympic medals taken away due to performance enhancing drugs How Marion decided to take what was a failure and turn it into a way to improve others’ lives Reframing failure and rebranding your life after adversity Stay connected: Marion on Instagram: instagram.com/themarionjones  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com PSST! Did you hear the secret giveaway challenge we’re hosting with MadeGood? It’s mentioned in the episode. Good luck! This episode is supported by: Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com. MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Emich Kia of Denver: Family-owned and reliable dealer for buying or leasing an EV! I test drove the EV6 and it's a game-changer with 300+ mile range, super-fast charging, a sporty feel perfect for driving up into the mountains. Tell Emich Kia of Denver I sent you.  Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair. Visit Leadville: So you think you know Leadville? Lake County has so much more to offer year-round than just the 100 miler in the summer. If you’re thinking of getting away, highly recommend booking a trip to Leadville to get up into the mountains, eat yummy food, and play outside. Check out more of what Leadville has to offer here! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

You could get an edge on your next running goals by learning a bit about running physiology. Jonah Rosner is an applied sport scientist and strength and running coach living in Brooklyn, NY.  Jonah spent the past 7 years working with athletes and teams from all major American Professional Team sports, and at 25 was one of the youngest sport scientists in NFL history.   He currently collaborates with Nike to run the Nike Running Performance Lab NYC. Listen to hear about: Jonah’s transition as a sport scientist from the NFL to running Why runners need to understand the physiology of running How to increase your running economy Tips for the average marathoner to get faster Building in consistency with progressive mini-goals over time Stay connected: Jonah Rosner on Instagram: instagram.com/rosnerperformance  Jonah’s website: rosnerperformance.com  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair. Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box!  https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

Feeling stuck and hoping to have more perfect days in 2025? This one’s for you. Eric Hinman is a hybrid athlete, 5x Ironman, serial entrepreneur, and brand builder based in Denver. Eric believes in the long-term vision of the brands he partners with. His portfolio of angel investments in the wellness space includes companies such as Ten Thousand, HVMN, Beam, Slate, Ice Barrel, The Real Cereal Co, Kane Footwear, MASA Chips and more. Listen to hear about: How Eric went from selling insurance door to door to becoming a popular wellness creator How competing in Ironman races changed Eric’s views of success Behind the scenes of investing in brands and start-ups Why you need to figure out your perfect day and shift your environment to make it possible Balancing passions like biking, Crossfit, and running and recovering from it all Eric’s focus on community and shared experiences Stay connected: Eric on Instagram: instagram.com/erichinman  Eric’s website: EricHinman.com  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

What if your favorite running snack could also positively change the world? Salma Fotovat is a co-founder of Riverside Natural Foods, home to one of our favorite snack brands, MadeGood. Salma is passionate about where food comes from and leads the sourcing and impact initiatives at Riverside. Running has brought connection, perspective, and gratitude to her life and she strives to inspire others to stay active and prioritize their mental and physical health. Listen to hear about: How running came to Salma at one of the hardest points of her life The parallels between endurance sports and entrepreneurship How Salma’s parents encouraged her and her siblings to create the inspiring food brand Riverside and later MadeGood How Salma aims to have a net positive brand for the environment Stay connected: Salma on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/salmafotovat MadeGood on Instagram: instagram.com/madegoodfoods  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: Emich Kia of Denver: Family-owned and reliable dealer for buying or leasing an EV! I test drove the EV6 and it's a game-changer with 300+ mile range, super-fast charging, a sporty feel perfect for driving up into the mountains. Tell Emich Kia of Denver I sent you.  Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Get 10% off with code LONGRUN10 at hyperice.com. MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Fuel Goods: Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box!  https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun  --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

What’s the big, scary goal that you’re going to choose for 2025? Mike "Sully" Sullivan is a retired Special Forces Colonel with 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, including six combat tours in Afghanistan and leadership roles in elite Special Operations units. Sully is the current Chief of Staff of the veteran support group Team Red, White & Blue, the founding member of Team RWB Fayetteville, a career high school math teacher, and father of three children. Listen to hear about: Team RWB’s impact on veterans and how running fits in How Sully’s military experience gave him the mental toughness to pursue ultramarathons The interaction of health, community, and behavior change How and why to set big, hairy, audacious physical goals Stay connected: Sully on Instagram Sully on LinkedIn Sully on Facebook Sully on X Sully on Threads Team RWB’s website For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 at www.puma.com.  Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40. My favorites are the sours. Find them at www.gobrewing.com.  Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Get 10% off with code LONGRUN10 at www.hyperice.com.  MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

Dakotah Lindwurm is an Olympic Marathoner from Minnesota who runs for PUMA and Minnesota Distance Elite. She made the podium at the Olympic Trials, came in 12th in Paris 2024, and has a 2:24 marathon personal best. Listen to hear about: How Dakotah’s changed since her last FTLR appearance before Boston 2023 Big lessons from tough runs Her Paris 2024 Olympic race strategy and experience Dakotah’s hopes for younger athletes and her “why” Brand partnership support and running for PUMA (plus her top shoe picks) NYC Marathon insights and excitement for the 2024 race Hear Dakotah’s 2023 episode of For The Long Run: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qPCWTQGXSFAxG3HBKX3R0?si=b8a89a60e7be4504 Stay connected: Dakotah on Instagram: instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠ Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the ⁠Tread Lightly Podcast⁠! This episode is supported by: Made Good: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the Tread Lightly Podcast! PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR24 at www.puma.com. Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40 at gobrewing.com. My favorites are the sours. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

Hear straight from pro runners on their biggest challenges and joys of the sport. Jon moderated this panel discussion at Boulderthon on September 28, 2024 with athletes Scott Jurek, Molly Seidel, Rory Linkletter, Maor Tiyouri, and Dakotah Lindwurm. Listen to hear about: Why each athlete chose running (and why their Whys can change) How they keep moving forward when times get hard How to get comfortable being uncomfortable The goals of these runners and how they’ve changed over time Pushing past post-race blues Hear past For The Long Run episodes with these athletes: How Olympic Medalist Molly Seidel Navigates Injury and Mental Health Struggles Running and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Maor Tiyouri’s Story Rory Linkletter: How an Olympic Runner Thinks About Training and Racing Olympian Dakotah Lindwurm: Running 26.2 Miles and Smiles Stay connected: Scott Jurek on Instagram: instagram.com/scottjurek  Molly Seidel on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly  Rory Linkletter on Instagram: instagram.com/rory_linkletter  Maor Tiyouri on Instagram: instagram.com/maor_tiyouri  Dakotah Lindwurm on Instagram: instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com This episode is supported by: MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  2Before: Get a performance boost with New Zealand Blackcurrant berries. Use code FTLR for 30% off of multi-serve and 20 packs over at 2Before.com.  Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40. My favorites are the sours. Find them at gobrewing.com. Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT at this link for 15% off your pair. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

Are you one of those runners who started off absolutely hating the sport? Jeremy Miller is an athlete and content creator based in Austin, TX. He has completed several marathons and ultras with a 2:44 marathon personal best. Jeremy is also known for his unique athletic feats, like running a sub-5-minute mile and deadlifting 500 pounds on the same day, and running a 62-mile race around a one-mile loop in a parking lot. He’s also the co-founder of Switchback, a running nutrition brand. Listen to hear about: How Jeremy went from seeing running as punishment to running a 100 miler Jeremy’s journey to becoming a full-time content creator (and from 2k to 100k Instagram followers in 6 months) The realities and evolution of working with brands as a content creator The 100 mile race recap, Boulderthon 2024, and future goals Why Jeremy believes the limiting factor in life is your own mind Stay connected: Jeremy’s website: https://www.jeremymiller.io Jeremy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeremymille.r/   Jeremy on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BreeJeremy?sub_confirmation=1  Jeremy on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jeremymillerfit The Jeremy Miller Podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/jeremy-miller80  For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the Tread Lightly Podcast! This episode is supported by: 2Before: Get a performance boost with New Zealand Blackcurrant berries. Use code FTLR for 30% off of multi-serve and 20 packs over at 2Before.com. Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT at this link for 15% off your pair. Made Good: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F  Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40 at gobrewing.com. My favorites are the sours. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support

Olympic Marathoner Molly Seidel calls herself a “running nerd to the core,” but that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games. Molly is an Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon who lives in Flagstaff, AZ. Listen to hear about: How injuries an (including emergency appendectomy) affect her mental health Learning how to define herself beyond just running The problem with short term gains over long term sustainability Molly’s love of friendly competition and racing other women The growing pains of running becoming more mainstream Our 2021 episode with Molly: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pIO6UE11YUaJAXaeyANn3 Stay connected: Molly on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/forthelrpod⁠⁠⁠ Jon Levitt on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠instagram.com/jwlevitt⁠⁠⁠ Join the For The Long Run email community: ⁠⁠⁠for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com⁠⁠⁠ This episode is supported by: PUMA: PUMA deeply cares about the running community and is committed to creating great gear. Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLROCT at ⁠⁠www.puma.com⁠⁠. Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Get 10% off with code LONGRUN10 at ⁠⁠⁠hyperice.com⁠⁠⁠. MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F⁠⁠⁠  Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT for 15% off your pair at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://alnk.to/3ybGCzH⁠⁠⁠⁠. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support