The Natural Running Network Live

Latest Episodes:

Making the Transition from Heel Striking to Forefoot Running Apr 27, 2018

Show notes

It’s a pretty well known fact in most running circles that heel striking and over striding leads to injury. Many runners have made the shift to forefoot running and in doing so have migrated to zero drop shoes. Unfortunately for many, this transition has not come easy and has lead to a variety of new problems such as debilitating calf and achilles soreness. Coach Richard Diaz addresses these concerns, and offers some advice on how best to approach this transition and sheds light on the likely culprits that lead to these problems, what to do when these problems arise along with an opinion on the decision regarding zeros drop as a shoe selection. Is zero drop right for you? How long should this transition in running style take? When obstacle course racing, should you train in one style of shoe and race in another? These answers and more in this episode.

What are you doing with your athletic kids? Apr 13, 2018

Show notes

We decided to take more questions on training was we often do, our favorite this time relates to our children in sports. Are we doing the right things to encourage their enjoyment, desire to compete? Are we trying to live through our kids and causing more harm then good? Coach Diaz has had years of experience in this arena and shares his insights. He also touches on his preferred shoe selection for racing OCR, heart rate training and how to fit it all in if you have a life and a 40 hour work week. As a bonus, we share what it will take to get you a date with Zoe!

Interview with Brian Carney founder of The Bone Frog Challenge Apr 06, 2018

Show notes

The Bone Frog Challenge Race series aere obstacle course races designed and directed by Navy Seals. These obstacle course races are gaining widespread popularity on the eastern seaboard due to their quality and unique challenges many drawn from Navy Seal Training. Richard Diaz has invited Brian Carney, former Navy Seal and founder of the Bone Frog Organization to share what makes these events so unique. If you enjoy Spartan Races or Tough Mudder, you'll love The Bone Frog Challenge! Learn more... www.naturalrunningnetwork.com www.bonefrogchallenge.com

Spartan San Jose and Tough Mudder TMX Weekend Recap Mar 30, 2018

Show notes

Back to back OCR events 100 miles apart and I hit them both to show support for a few of my athletes in Veejay Jones and Hunter McIntyre. I invited a few talented athletes in Mike Ferguson and Race course expert Steve Hammond on the show to share their views on the weekends competition. The Rock Stars this weekend were Rea Kobal, Ryan Woods and Hunter McIntyre. Tune in to get our views on two distinctly different challenges. Learn more... www.naturalrunningnetwork.comwww.diazhumanperformance.com

Veejay Jones Young Gun on the Spartan Pro OCR Circui Mar 23, 2018

Show notes

Veejay Jones is the youngest athlete to win a Spartan Race overall and is currently a member of The Spartan Pro Team. He is also an athlete coached by Richard Diaz. In this episode, we discuss the prospects winning against the competition at the NBC Spartan Series season opener in San Jose California on March 24th, 2018. This season, Veejay has posted two wins and a second place finish in Spartan Race elite competition with his last event being 2nd (by just over a minute) behind Cody Moat last years Spartan world Champion. Veejay shares his insight relating to the contenders he’ll face and his hopes of eventually making his mark as a pro in the sport.

Diets vs. Endurance Performance Mar 16, 2018

Show notes

Have you been talked into making a change in your diet? Decided to go Vegan, Paleo or Keto? Did someone sell you on the promise of weight loss and greater performance as a benefit of making this radical change in your diet? Are you hoping to become “fat adapted”? Richard Diaz asked Matt Fitzgerald, author of The Endurance Diet, Diet Cults and Racing Weight to come on and share some thoughts on the topic of fad dieting. Before you do anything you may regret learning into you're “A” race, you may want to hear what he had to say.

Compression Wear, Yes, No, Maybe? Mar 02, 2018

Show notes

Ever wonder about the use or potential benefits of wearing compression wear in a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder? Does it help circulation while running, does it help with recovery? Whats your take on the subject? Zoe Szczepanek asks these questions of Coach Richard Diaz. Be warned these are opinions and they may not be shared or validated by any of the manufactures in question. Many claims are made on the increase of circulation, recovery and injury abatement, you be the judge. Learn More at www.naturalrunningnetwork.com

How to Buy the Right Running Shoes! Feb 23, 2018

Show notes

The most common questions presented to me (Coach Richard Diaz) is “what Running Shoes Should I Buy”? One would expect that my answer might be to name off a particular brand. In this episode, we try to address the How to and what to look for when looking to purchase your next pair of running shoes so that you the inquisitive OCR athlete or Runner can make a better informed decision. One that makes sense for you, beyond all the marketing hype you have to sift through. The answer may surprise you or maybe not. If you’ve been a follower of this podcast, you may already know the answer. If not, it pays to listen as Zoe Szczapanek poses the questions and Richard Diaz provides his opinion. This was a fun episode! Learn More... www.naturalrunningnetwork.com

How too much exercise can kill you! The Haywire Heart Feb 16, 2018

Show notes

Have you ever asked yourself… "Am I doing too much, training too hard too often?” In this episode, Richard Diaz interviews Lennard Zinn and Chris Case the authors of - The Haywire Heart a book that reveals… How too much exercise can kill you, and what you can do to protect your heart. We all take pride in our athletic accomplishments, participating in Spartan Race and Tough Mudder, Ultra Marathons etc., we work hard to achieve lofty goals. This interview will make you pause and think which was my goal, not to scare you to death but to simply consider the consequences of pushing your body to hard too often.

Kirk DeWindt “The Bachelor” turned Elite Spartan Feb 09, 2018

Show notes

Kirk DeWindt is the real deal. He may have done his stint on reality TV on various episodes of The Bachelor but when it comes to athletic prowess, Kirk is ready to bring it. He has had some success early in Spartan Race events but this is the year he intends to show the world what he’s capable of. Of course, I had to dig to satisfy my curiosity regarding the reality show experiences so regardless what may be your curiosity where Kirk DeWindt is concerned this is an unvarnished interview with “The Bachelor turned Spartan”.