LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field

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Deena Kastor: Greatest American Female Distance Runner of All-Time GOAT Podcast May 13, 2020

Show notes

Recently the LetsRun.com visitors voted US marathon record holder Deena Kastor as the greatest US women's distance runner in history. To mark the occasion, we invited Deena to be on our podcast. Before we could have her on, however, she told us she wanted to answer questions from the fans on our messageboard which she did last week. Her responses were amazing so check it out now if you haven't read it.

https://www.letsrun.com/forum/flat_read.php?thread=9994777

While you are reading things, read this piece we did on Kastor early in 2007 after she finished her amazing 2006 season during which she set US records in the half-marathon and marathon.

https://www.letsrun.com/news/2020/04/lrc-visitors-vote-jim-ryun-denna-kastor-as-the-greatest-mens-and-womens-american-distance-runners-of-all-time/

The podcast is sponsored by TheFeed.com. They've got everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. LetsRun.com co-founder Weldon Johnson just got his goody back and is pumped. They have a new product - BLDG Active’s Anti-microbial Face and Hand Spray which is a medical-grade solution you can take with you to spray on your hands and face. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun for more info and use code LETSRUN to save 15% off your entire order.

Show notes:

0:01 Deena talks about her start in the sport and how she struggled with being labeled as "talented."
3:02 Deena talks about how she viewed herself as a failure in the sport but how that all changed once she got with coach Joe Vigil.
9:06 Deena talks bout her college career, how she was running just for gear when she got out, and how she was thrilled to eventually get $12,000 a year, but how that's all changed now for new college grads thanks to the "Alan Webb" effect.
13:40 Deena talks about her American records and how she's thrilled Molly Huddle broke her half marathon record as she knows Huddle is clean.
21:05 Deena talks about her amazing success in xc.
27:07 Deena talks about what it was like to have Ryan Hall and Meb Keflezighi as teammates and others like Morgan Uceny.
30:01 The talk turns to Deena's amazing 2005 Chicago Marathon victory where she as on 2:18 pace but totally blew up and only won by 5 seconds and her amazing 2016 season during which set American records in the half and full marathons, but a season during which she was sent home from her training camp for being a 'primadonna' and one which she called a disappointment at the time.
38:06 Deena talks about why the roads are her favorite surface
41:28 Deena talks about why she'd love to on a run with Abebe Bikila and why she thinks Joan Benoit Samuelson is the greatest women's American distance runner ever.
45:44 Deena talks about her favorite American runners of today.
50:38 The conversation turns to doping and how Deena responds when people ask if she was dirty. Deena reveals a story about how she was disgusted to see everyone puffing on an inhaler before her first big European track race.
61:31 We finally talk about Deena's Olympic bronze in the marathon
63:41 Deena tells us what she views as her greatest accomplishment and tell us how she wants to break 2:30 in Berlin next year.

Got audio feedback for the show? Fake Galen Rupp where are you? Call 844-LETSRUN (844-538-7786) and hit option 7.

More: https://www.letsrun.com/events/letsrun-coms-greatest-american-distance-runner-of-all-time/

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The Jim Ryun: Greatest American Distance Runner of All-Time GOAT Podcast May 08, 2020

Show notes

This week we devote the entire show to talking to Jim Ryun - the athlete that the LetsRun.com visitors recently voted as the Greatest American Distance Runner of All-Time. During our talk, Ryun talks about his entire career, during which he ran sub-4 and made the Olympics in high school before being named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year during his freshman year of college as he broke the mile WR and met his future wife on the same day. Along the way we of course talk about the 1968 and 1972 Olympics. In 1968, Jim snagged the silver and we point out that if you convert his time for altitude, he ran the equivalent of 3:29 for 1500 in the process according to the NCAA. We also talk about current track and field stars and Jim talks about the relationship he's had with Alan Webb and Matthew Centrowitz. Details appear in the show notes below.

Also, why don't you check out Jim Ryun's running camp? Normally it's for high schoolers but this year it's going online and will be virtual so there is no age limit. Check it out at RyunRunning.com.

Show Notes:

Start: Intro and then Jim reacts to being named the Greatest American Distance Runner of All-Time by LetsRun.com and talks about making the Olympics at age 17.
4:58 Jim talks about how he found running after being cut from the church baseball team and how he ran 100-mile weeks in HS.
9:15 We talk about Jim's 3:51.1 mile WR and wonder what it would have been on a modern synthetic track. Jim says it felt like one of the "easiest races of his life."
11:57 The talk turns to Ryun's training under Bob Timmons which included 4 workouts per week
15:20 The talk turns to running sub-4 miles in HS and Ryun talks about how after just his 4th HS race coach Timmons told him he thought he could be first US HS to break 4:00.
23:40 Jim talks about the one time he lost a high school track race
26:23 Jim talks about how he almost went to Oregon State.
31:25 Jim talks about how when he was in college freshman weren't allowed to compete in the NCAA but he still managed to be named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year that year and how on the same day he set the WR in the mile, he met his future wife, only he didn't know it at the time.
34:43 Jim talks about the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. He calls the decision to hold it at altitude was a mistake but says his silver medal run was one of his best runs ever. We point out that according to the NCAA he ran the equivalent of a 3:29 1500.
45:13 More 1968 talk as we ask Jim about how much his training was limited by Mono that year.
50:08 Jim talks about how he wanted to redshirt in 1969 but coach Timmons didn't let him.
56:17 Jim talks about the 1972 Olympics - a race Seb Coe thinks he would have won had he not been tripped
64:35 Does Jim still watch track and field these days? Who is his favorite athlete? Jim talks about his interactions with both Alan Webb and Matthew Centrowitz.

Support LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/letsrun

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Chris Solinsky Reflects On His Career and His 26:59 and Looks Ahead To The Future at Florida May 06, 2020

Show notes

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of Chris Solinsky's 26:59 10,000-meter run, this week we dropped an extra podcast with Solinsky as the guest. Our regular podcast will come out later. By now, his 26:59 has been discussed and broken down in amazing detail -- heck, our own Jonathan Gault wrote 6,000+ words about it -- so we only spent the first 10 minutes or so of our chat with Chris talking about that.

After the 26:59 talk, we spent a lot of time talking about the rest of Solinsky's magical 2010 season, during which he ran 12:56 or faster for 5,000 three times in the span of 77 days -- a feat that has only been achieved six times by any American, ever. We also got Solinsky to talk about his vision for the University of Florida as he's currently the men's and women's distance coach at Florida. Chris also told a really cool Eliud Kipchoge story.

This week's podcast is brought to you by the TheFeed.com. TheFeed.com has everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. They have a new product - BLDG Active’s Anti-microbial Face and Hand Spray which is a medical-grade solution you can take with you to spray on your hands and face. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun for more info and use code LETSRUN to save 15% off your entire order.

Show notes: 0:00 We talk about the 26:59 for nearly the first ten minutes 09:15 We talk about the rest of Solinsky's 2010 campaign, during which he broke 13:00 three times 23:10 Solinsky talks about the first time he broke 13:00 and tells a cool story about how Eliud Kipchoge -- whom he beat badly in the race -- was the first person to congratulate him. 26:10 Solinsky talks about dreaming big and what Jerry Schumacher has taught him about coaching in the NCAA. 33:30 Solinsky talks about what drew him to the University of Florida and his vision for the distance program 38:40 Solinsky responds to those who think his huge improvements in times in 2010 mean he was a doper 43:30 We asked Chris about how many of the greats in US distance running history -- himself, Salazar, Hall, Webb -- didn't have really long careers. Chris talks about this and reveals what he thinks his peak fitness was.

Got audio feedback for the show? Fake Galen Rupp where are you? Call 844-LetsRun (844-538-7786) and hit option 7.

Support LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/letsrun

Find out more at http://podcast.letsrun.com

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Jim Ryun is the GOAT, $300 Fines for Running Without a Mask, Max Siegel Gets Paid + Big Anniversaries Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Jim Ryun is voted the GOAT, Deena Kastor female GOAT, Chris Solinsky's 26:59 10th anniversary, LetsRun.com 20th anniversary, did Jonathan Gault really talk to Jerry Schumacher?, will Jon Gault run with a mask or risk getting a $300 fine, Max Siegel is getting PAID, London Marathon and more.

Sponsors: One Week Only: Biggest Sale Ever at NormaTec and Hyperice! Save $300 on NormaTec Leg Pulse 2.0 System. Save $50 on percussion. Details here.

TheFeed.com has everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. They have a new product - BLDG Active’s Anti-microbial Face and Hand Spray which is a medical-grade solution you can take with you to spray on your hands and face. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun for more info and use code LETSRUN to save 15% off your entire order.

Show notes:
5:19 Jim Ryun GOAT. Deena Kastor female GOAT vs Joan Benoit Samuelson
23:49 COVID 19 and London Marathon - Bekele vs Kipchoge
30:49 LRC grows by 1: World meet a healthy Sydney Dileen Soprano
34:38 $300 Fines for running in Cambridge (Boston suburb) without a mask *Thread 2: Runners that live in U.S. cities: are you wearing a mask while out running?
46:45 When were the LRC babies conceived?
49:43 Max Siegel making the big bucks. Is he worth it?
60:10 Chris Solinsky's 26:59 10th anniversary

Got audio feedback for the show? Fake Galen Rupp where are you? Call 844-LetsRun (844-538-7786) and hit option 7.

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GOAT Final Four, Alicia Monson Joins Us After Turning Pro, LRC Surprise Guest Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Alicia Monson, the American star who just turned pro joins us at 68:45 to discuss her career, what it's like going pro in these crazy times and more. Prior to that we've got marathon talk, COVID talk, a special guest who gave up LetsRun.com for Lent, and the Greatest American Distance Runner Final Four Jim Ryun vs Frank Shorter and Jenny Simpson vs Deena Kastor. Plus, deleted thread of week, letsdrink.com and more. Show notes below.

The podcast is sponsored by TheFeed.com. They've got everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. Wejo just got his goody back and is pumped. They have a new product - BLDG Active’s Anti-microbial Face and Hand Spray which is a medical-grade solution you can take with you to spray on your hands and face. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun for more info and use code LETSRUN to save 15% off your entire order.

Start: Intro: Marathons in the fall? Kim Jong Un vs Trump vs Merkel at 5k
11:30 LRC surprise guest and super visitor Katie Harris joins us to discuss giving up LetsRun for Lent
27:03 Covid thoughts
32:15 Coogan's closes
36:30 GOAT Voting and Vote Tampering by Rojo: Jim Ryun v Frank Shorter, Jenny Simpson > Joan Benoit v Deena Kastor
53:00 Max Sigel Takes a Paycut, Duke getting a new coach
64:25 Frank Shorter quitter?
68:45 Alicia Monson

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BONUS: Dr. Madeline Manning Mims - The Greatest US 800m Runner Ever? Apr 19, 2020

Show notes

We made our talk with Madeline Manning Mims at the end of this week's regular podcast its own podcast.

Manning Mims was not only the 1968 Olympic 800m Champ and first US women to ever go sub 2:00, but she ran 1:57.9, held the US record for 15 years, and won the Olympic Trials 800m in 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980. She started competing when women did not compete in any Olympic events over 1,500m and the stereotype was black women could not run long distances. She proved everyone wrong. She is a bridge from Jesse Owens to Wilma Rudolph to Ajee' Wilson. She ran her first 800 by accident when they switched an indoor 400 to an 800 and the rest is history. You can follow her on facebook here (and see her giving an Easter concert from her garage for her neighbors during the COVID-19 shutdown). A nice bio on her is here.

Show notes below sponsor notes.

The podcast is sponsored by TheFeed.com. They've got everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. In addition they have a new product - BLDG Active’s Anti-microbial Face and Hand Spray which is a medical-grade solution you can take with you to spray on your hands and face. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun for more info and use code LETSRUN to save 15% off your entire order.

Show notes: 7:00 Track career started with physical fitness tests
12:11 Accidental 1st 800 was an indoor world record
18:14 College and not knowing "Skeeter" aka Wilma Rudolph
23:42 1968 Olympic gold + reception back home + not being a millionaire
31:17 Other Olympics
39:40 Getting beat by dopers and being told to dope
44:34 Running 1:57.9, getting faster with age
49:41 Could she beat Ajee Wilson?
51:24 Intersex women in 800 today, Caster Semenya
57:52 1980 Olympic boycott/Mentoring athletes today and what she is telling them about Tokyo postponement

Support LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/letsrun

What do you think of us pulling longer interviews out like this for their own podcasts? https://pinecast.com/feedback/letsrun/f5748c6c-86b0-4780-be6f-f9dedb718f1a

Big Name Kenyan Bust, Centro vs Ryun + Guest Dr. Madeline Manning Mims- The US 800m GOAT? Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Dr. Madeline Manning Mims, arguably the greatest 800m American runner, the 1968 Olympic champ, and someone until who last week we knew very little about is our guest at the 57:42 mark. Manning Mims in addition to her Olympic gold was the first American to run sub 2 minutes, she held the American record for 15 years, and won the US Olympic Trials 4 times in 1968, 1972, 1976 and 1980. She bridges the gap from Jesse Owens to Wilma Rudolph to Ajee Wilson. She’s now a chaplain who works with US Olympians. You can follow her on facebook here and see her giving an Easter concert from her garage for her neighbors during the COVID-19 shutdown. A nice bio on her is here.

Prior to Manning Mims we talk drugs, virtual drug testing, possible Olympic bribery, American greats, soccer players running 5ks, threads of the week and more. Detailed show notes below.

The podcast is sponsored by TheFeed.com. They've got everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. They're sending our team their Immunity boosting packs as well as a fresh supply of Maurten and their new Airofit device. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun to see all their products and use code LETSRUN to save 15%.

Show notes:
2:24 Virtual Drug Testing
6:46 Another big-name Kenyan tests positive, London Marathon Champ Daniel Wanjiru. Asbel Kiprop update
17:14 Japan Olympic bribery?
24:05 Great American Distance Runner of All Time: Matthew Centrowitz vs Jim Ryun
34:46 Galen Rupp v Ryan Hall
Threads of Week:
36:49 How fast are pro soccer players (Jesse Lingard of Manchester United) running 5ks?
39:41 A new record from NYC to LA in a car. Guess their time before clicking
44:00 Lance Armstrong/Alberto/COVID talk/1904 Olympics
57:42 800m All-time great Madeline Manning
62:47 Track career started with physical fitness tests
67:55 Accidental 1st 800 was an indoor world record
73:58 College and not knowing "Skeeter" aka Wilma Rudolph
79:26 1968 Olympic gold + reception back home + not being a millionaire
87:01 Other Olympics
95:24 Getting beat by dopers and being told to dope
100:12 Running 1:57.9, getting faster with age
105:25 Could she beat Ajee Wilson?
107:08 Intersex women in 800 today
113:36 1980 Olympic boycott/Mentoring athletes today and what she is telling them about Tokyo postponement

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Dr. Michael Joyner + Backyard Ultra Controversy + Olympic Qualifying Cancelled + Eugene 2022 + American GOAT Brackets Apr 11, 2020

Show notes

Olympic qualifying is cancelled till December 2020, Eugene 2022 has its dates, Michael Wardian wins the Quarantine Backyard Ultra in controversial fashion (full podcast with Wardian here), the Greatest American Distance Runner brackets are underway, runners are getting arrested for running, we discover Madeline Manning, and whose career would you rather have Dathan Ritzenhein or Evan Jager?

Dr. Michael Joyner (71:02), the man who predicted the sub 2 hour marathon, is our special guest. The former University of Arizona runner, now has much bigger things on his hands being one of the leaders of the National COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Project (CCPP19) which is trying to come up with better treatments for COVID-19. He talks about how being a runner prepared him for this task. If you'd like more info on CCPP19 or have tested positive for COVID19 and would like to donate plasma click here.

Show notes:
3:33 Olympic qualifying suspended until December
11:21 Eugene 2022 set for July
17:39 LRC poster GGGGG arrested for running
20:56 Michael Wardian wins Covid-19 Backyard Ultra in controversial fashion
42:39 Greatest American Distance Running Voting underway. Ritz vs Jager
59:11 Praise and love for Madeline Manning
66:00 Steve Prefontaine vs Bob Kennedy + Brojo's and Bob Kennedy's parents and Gebrselassie at 1996 Olympics
69:18 Message board post of week
71:02 Special guest: Dr. Michael Joyner
Bill Gates TED Talk here

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*CDC Guidelines on Covid-19

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Mike Wardian - Ultramarathon Star and Winner of The Quarantine Backyard Ultra Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

In this podcast, we interview Mike Wardian who just won the Quarantine Backyard Ultra by running more than 262.5 miles over 63 hours.

Show notes
Mike talks about his win and the race for the first 31 minutes and how his wife refused to let him drop out.
31:08 Mike talks about which HOKA shoes he wore and why he didn't wear any with a carbon fiber plate. He then talks about what he did after race. Amazingly he went to work and not sleep.
35:14 Rojo tells Mike he thinks he'll end up being the "Eliud Kipchoge" of Backyard Ultras.
36:30 Mike talks about what he thinks the human maximum capability is for a Backyard Ultra.
38:40 Mike talks about what running events he's now preparing for (hint a mile race is one his big goals)
43:20 Mike talks about how good of a college lacrosse player he was and how he realized he might be good at running
50:00 Mike talks about how he actually got into running after college when he was inspired by his friend's mom running the Boston Marathon and that became his goal (he was annoyed to learn you had to qualify)
53:00 Mike talks about how his mother-in-law reads him messages from his 'haters' on the LetsRun.com messageboard

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*CDC Guidelines on Covid-19

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Guest Nick Symmonds + April Fools + Backyard & Balcony Marathons Ranked Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

Former US 800m star, Youtube personality and RunGum CEO Nick Symmonds joins us to talk his fascinating career, what it's like to be a pro, the highs and lows (depression and suicidal thoughts), and much much more including his date with Paris Hilton.

Before that we get you caught up on the running world, April Fools, plays whose running career would you rather have and we rank the backyard and balcony COVID-19 marathon performances.

Podcast is sponsored by TheFeed.com. They've got everything you need to perform at your best and try and stay healthy. They're sending our team their Immunity boosting packs as well as a fresh supply of Maurten and their new Airofit device. Go to TheFeed.com/Letsrun to see all their products and use code LETSRUN to save 15%.

Show notes
8:19 Oops we fell for Nikki Hiltz's April Fools joke saying she got married.
11:47 Eliud Kipchoge in GQ
16:51 Olympic date set and some aren't happy it was set + USOPC requests bailout money
25:00 Whose career would you rather have? Ajee' Wilson, Shelby Houlihan or Emma Coburn?
36:49 What fall marathon(s) should Galen Rupp and Geoffrey Kamworor run?
44:25 Backyard and balcony marathons ranked
52:54 Rojo goes running and gets some explicit music on his app
57:11 Nick Symmonds big interview
Start - would he rather have Alan Webb's career?
67:23 Nick's biggest appearance fee/ biggest rival
77:21 Greatest moment in career?
85:12 Difficulties of pro running career/ depression / suicidal thoughts
90:43 Nick's post running life - date with Paris Hilton
96:31 Making money - being CEO of RunGum/ Youtube channel
112:57 Can Donavan Brazier break world record? - Can David Rudisha medal again?

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*CDC Guidelines on Covid-19

Support LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/letsrun

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