Steep Ravine...Deep Thoughts About Running

Coach Dave Frank and Matt Wilkinson recap Mountainside’s breakthrough season — both boys’ and girls’ teams qualifying for the Oregon state meet, Grace’s third-place podium finish, and key individual performances. They also cover Chico State’s continued dominance at the CCAA, highlights from college conference meets, Almgren's huge debut marathon performance in New York City, and what’s next with NXRs and NCAA regionals.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank chat with longtime friend Steve Gerhart about his unlikely rise as a 6'5" middle-distance runner: transferring from Cal to UC Davis, battling injuries, winning the Division II 1500 national title, and running a 3:42 1500. The episode also covers Steve’s post-competitive involvement with the USA Track & Field Foundation, fundraising to support athletes, and personal moments—family, coaching memories, and the joy of continuing in the sport.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank break down Chicago Marathon highlights, including Galen Rupp’s remarkable 2:06:55 at age 40. Then they reflect on the Nuttycomb cross‑country results before diving into Dave's epic return to Crystal Springs.

Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank dive into the Mountainside cross country season: expanding the coaching staff, managing a 65-person roster, picking 21 athletes for the Crystal Springs trip, handling injuries, and practical mileage progression for developing freshmen. They also recap highlights from the World Athletics Ultimate Championships and recent road-race events, touch on college and high-school meet schedules, and share alumni stories and team culture moments from a UC Davis gathering.

Matt and Dave recap the Brussels Diamond League meet, highlighting big performances, tactical race drama, some post race smack talk, and standout winners like Cameron Myers and Claudia Kazimierska. They also praise FlowTrack's Athlete Lounge for solid meet coverage, side with Jakob on the pacer replacement drama, and catch up on Mountainside cross-country.

In episode 103 Matt and Dave catch up on the start of high school cross-country season: coaching logistics, parent expectations at meets, team growth, and memorable anecdotes about athletes and families. They also review recent elite track action, including Ethan Strand’s upset in Poland, Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s comeback, standout performances across the Diamond League, and two new world records.

On this Steep Ravine episode Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank sit down with Jeff Atkinson to trace his early life from Manhattan Beach junior lifeguard to Stanford freshman runner. Jeff shares candid memories of family, loss, unexpected recruiting moments, Kinney/Foot Locker nationals, training summers, injuries, and the shift from cross-country to middle-distance racing. This is the first part of a two-episode conversation covering Jeff’s formative years and the choices that set him on the path to elite competition.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank recap a packed episode covering their Tillamook cross‑country training camp, Josh Kerr’s mile world record in London, and standout moments from the US Championships and Commonwealth Games. They discuss race tactics, surprise winners, rising stars, and notable performances, then close with reflections on Mary Cain’s book and a promising high‑school talent. Brief, candid, and full of running insight.

Hosts Matt Wilkinson and Dave Frank mark the Steep Ravine Podcast's 100th episode with special guest Chris Capeau. Chris shares his story of perseverance to become the first in his family to graduate from college, to realize his dream job as a track coach, and to prevail through the extraordinary transition from high school coach to coach of the generational talent, Cooper Lutkenhaus. The wide-ranging conversation covers coaching philosophy, gut coaching decisions, and preparing and protecting a teenage athlete who found himself amidst the world's very best.

Dave thrives in France and Spain for three-and-a-half-weeks despite travel delays, wrong connections, three emergency-room visits, stitches, and dental work. He still attended the Paris Diamond League, sat with Evan Jager, drank a beer with Andrew Coscoran, watched record-setting races, enjoyed local food and wine, did some epic hikes and returned home to coaching and recovery. Matt stayed home and did not go to the emergency room once.