The CITIUS MAG Podcast | A Running + Track and Field Show

“My view on running is that it’s the simplest sport — but the fact of that simplicity opens up the possibility that if you think about it deeply and use it deeply in your life, it can be a tool to help you understand the really important and complicated stuff.”By day, Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic shaping the future of journalism. By early morning and often late evening, he's pounding the pavement between his Brooklyn home and Manhattan office, logging miles that many of us would consider as workouts. But somehow at age 49, he's still getting faster.In 2021, Nick ran a 2:29 marathon. At 45, he broke the American age group record in the 50K. Now he's the author of “The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports.” It's a book that's part memoir, part meditation on how running shapes us, challenges us, and sometimes reveals more than we're ready to face. It's out this fall.In this conversation, Nick opens up about growing up in the shadow of a gifted but troubled father, about breaking free from a years-long plateau in his running, and how sport has helped him find meaning both on and off the track. For Nick, running has never just been about the finish line or breaking records. It's about understanding who we are and who we want to be, which sometimes we learn in the process. We recorded this in April, so there may be a few references to the Boston Marathon which Nick was slated to run as part of Puma's Project 3 but had to withdraw from the race due to a family matter.Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠Guest: Nick Thompson | ⁠@nxthompson on Instagram⁠Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠Mentioned in this episode…Pre-order: The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of SportsWatch: The Running Ground: Nick Thompson On Life, Legacy and the Simplest of SportsSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.NEW BALANCE: The FuelCell Rebel v5 was built to feel fast—and look the part. With a sleek, race-inspired mesh upper and lightweight PEBA/EVA foam blend, it offers a responsive, energetic ride that’s ideal for everything from steady miles to speedwork. A redesigned heel and added forefoot rubber provide comfort and traction, making this your go-to for runs when you want to pick up the pace. The Rebel V5 shows up every time. ⁠Find the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 at newbalance.com or your local running shop today.⁠PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.

21 Jul 59min

Chris Chavez and Mac Fleet are back on the podcast to break down everything you need to know about marathon world record holder Ruth Chepngetich's provisional suspension by the Athletics Integrity Unit after her positive test for Hydrochlorothiazide on March 14th.Hydrochlorothiazide can be used to mask the presence of banned drugs. The AIU notes she had an estimated concentration of 3800 ng/mL in urine.The positive test was reported to the AIU on April 3rd. She was notified and interviewed in person by the AIU in Kenya on April 16th. Chepngetich withdrew from this year’s London Marathon on April 18th and stated she was not in the right condition, both mentally and physically, to compete.Chepngetich has the right to have the case heard before a Disciplinary Tribunal.Last year, Chepngetich shattered the women’s marathon world record in 2:09:56 at the Chicago Marathon.Mentioned in this episode…Read: Marathon World Record Holder Ruth Chepngetich Provisionally Suspended After Testing Positive For HydrochlorothiazideHosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Mac Fleet | @macfleet on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

18 Jul 1h 20min

This week, Chris Chavez and Mac Fleet share the biggest highlights from the Monaco Diamond League, break down the top storylines to watch for heading into USAs, and preview the London Diamond League this Saturday.Highlights from today's episode:- Top results from the Monaco Diamond League: men's 800m, men's 200m, women's 1000m, and women's 100m.- Mac Fleet’s prognosis on Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s season picked up by Norwegian media + updates on Jakob’s injury - Thoughts on the men’s 800m ahead of USAs: Josh Hoey, Donavan Brazier, Hobbs Kessler, Brandon Miller, Jonah Koech, and Nathan Green - Previewing matchups to get excited for at USAs: men’s 3000m steeplechase, women’s 400m hurdles - Athing Mu’s 800m progress at the Ed Murphey Classic- Quincy Wilson ran 44.10 for the U18 World Record-London Diamond League preview - Top performances from the Sound Running Sunset Tour: Drew Hunter, Alicia Monson, Bailey Hertenstein, and Josette Andrews Mentioned in this episode…Watch: Noah Lyles' After Winning Monaco Diamond League 200m In 19.88 Over Letsile TebogoListen: Off The Rails — Why We're On The Verge Of A Meltdown; Tour de France Explained For Runners + Some Trauma DumpingHosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mac Fleet | ⁠@macfleet on Instagram⁠Produced by: Jasmine Fehr | ⁠@jasminefehr on Instagram⁠SUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

15 Jul 1h 39min

“It just takes time, having people on the team with a bit of experience, and seeing people do it well. It’s definitely building and I’m excited to see what they do over the next few years. I have to leave, but one win shows them that we can keep on winning. Hopefully we get our own little streak!”My guest for today's episode as we continue our Washington Huskies takeover is Sophie O'Sullivan. The University of Washington senior got it done — an NCAA 1500m title capping off a strong collegiate career. For the daughter of Olympic silver medalist Sonia O'Sullivan and renowned coach Nic Bideau, greatness may have been in the genes, but it wasn't always a given.Sophie didn't grow up chasing her parents' shadows. She played other sports in high school, barely trained, and still won races on grit alone. College was a different game. It took years of rebuilding mentally, physically, and emotionally, and in this conversation, she takes us through that progression, the years that shaped her, the lessons from her legendary parents, and how she's learned to love the grind, whether she's chasing titles or simply chasing her best.With a national title and an Olympic appearance behind her and the World Championships ahead, this is just the beginning.Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Sophie O’Sullivan | @sophie.osullivan on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

9 Jul 48min

This week, Chris Chavez and Mac Fleet break down the top athletes and must-watch storylines heading into Thursday’s Monaco Diamond League — from a loaded men’s 800m field with world record potential to Noah Lyles’ highly anticipated return from an ankle injury. We also share our takeaways from Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Athing Mu’s performances at the Prefontaine Classic and dive into the latest on Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s injury comeback. Mentioned in this episode...Read: Monaco Diamond League 2025 Preview: 800m World Record Under Threat + More Storylines To WatchListen: PREFONTAINE CLASSIC RECAP - BEATRICE CHEBET SUB-14 5K, FAITH KIPYEGON WR + SO MUCH MOREListen: 👀 What’s In Store For Getting Chicked: Tales From The Trails, The Rundown, Chick Chat + NCAA Championships HighlightsListen: Prefontaine Classic Hot Takes; Settling The Joey Chestnut vs. Usain Bolt: Who Could Eat a Hot Dog Then Run The 100m Faster Debate + Diddy Trial Verdict ReactionsHosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ + Mac Fleet | @macfleet on InstagramProduced by: Jasmine Fehr | @jasminefehr on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

9 Jul 1h 16min

Chris Chavez and Mac Fleet break down all the top performances, world records and biggest moments from the 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic.A few highlights include:- Faith Kipyegon broke her own world record in the 1500m to win her SEVENTH Prefontaine 1500m title in 3:48.68.- Beatrice Chebet took the women's 5000m world record under 14 minutes, pulling away from Gudaf Tsegay and Agnes Ngetich over the final 200m to break the tape in an unbelievable mark of 13:58.06.- Niels Laros shocked the world with a come-from-behind victory in the Bowerman Mile, passing Azeddine Habz on the inside down the homestretch then outleaning Yared Nuguse by 0.01 seconds to claim the win in 3:45.94, becoming the seventh man in history to break 3:46.- Olympic champ Winfred Yavi just barely missed the world record in the steeplechase, running 8:45.25 to win ahead of Faith Cherotich in second in 8:48.71.- Kishane Thompson backed up his national title with a 9.85 victory in the 100m over Zharnel Hughes (9.91) and Trayvon Bromell (9.94).- Olympic champ Letsile Tebogo returned to his speciality event and won the 200m in a world-leading 19.76 over Courtney Lindsey’s 19.87 in second.+ Much more!

6 Jul 47min

We’ve got a LOADED slate of guests for a special 4th of July LIVE show from Oregon ahead of tomorrow’s 50th edition of the Prefontaine Classic. Guests featured in today’s show include:Faith Kipyegon (3x 1500m Olympic champion & WR holder)Cole Hocker (Olympic 1500m gold medalist)Yared Nuguse (Olympic 1500m bronze medalist)Grant Fisher (Olympic bronze medalist at 5000m and 10,000m)Julien Alfred (Olympic 100m champion)Tara Davis-Woodhall (Olympic long jump champion)Hunter Woodhall (Paralympic 400m T62 champion)Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (Olympic 100m bronze medalist)Joe Kovacs (3x Olympic shot put silver medalist) Jasmine Moore (Olympic bronze medalist in the long jump and triple jump)Georgia Hunter-Bell (Olympic 1500m bronze medalist)Jess Hull (Olympic 1500m silver medalist) For more, read our full preview here.

4 Jul 1h 30min

“I’d been working so hard for this and had so much conscious energy going into winning this title and putting it all out there — my last attempt, last ditch effort. We’ve got to just win this thing. You could see it after in the photos. I was almost crying. I was so relieved, so happy, and so proud of the work that I’ve done.”My guest for today's episode is Nathan Green. In one of the most tactical and tightly contested NCAA 1500m finals in recent memory, Nathan Green emerged with more than just a lean at the finish line; he walked away with his second NCAA title, and perhaps more meaningfully, cemented Washington's 1500m legacy as one of the most dominant in NCAA history. He closed in 51.46 seconds to edge out UNC's Ethan Strand. In a blanket finish that saw 11 of the top 12 finishers within less than a second of each other, it was the kind of race that required patience, poise, and a final lap gear that few possess — and Green had it all to pull it off.But this wasn't just another tactical win. This was also a passing of the torch moment. Joe Waskom and Luke Houser have moved on to the professional ranks — and Nathan, who calls him his older brothers, carried the legacy forward. With this win, Washington becomes the first school to win six of the last seven NCAA 1500m and mile titles — a stretch powered by three athletes who have each won two. That's Joe Waskom, Luke Houser, and now Nathan Green.Today, we talk with Nathan about what this title means to him, the pressure and pride of carrying the UW streak forward, how he nearly dove at the finish line, whether or not his coach actually yelled, ‘jump,’ and what's next as he turns pro and stays in Seattle under coach Andy Powell.Hosts: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on InstagramGuest: Nathan Green | @nathanrgreen on InstagramSUPPORT OUR SPONSORSOLIPOP: Olipop is a prebiotic soda that tastes like a throwback to your favorite childhood drinks, but it's loaded with benefits that your body will thank you for. Each can has 2-5g of sugar, 6-9g of fiber, and a science-backed formula designed to help you support your digestive health. They've got plenty of flavor options like Classic Root Beer, Crisp Apple, Grape, Cream Soda and wild hits like Peaches and Cream. You can grab Olipop at Target, Whole Foods, and Walmart or you can go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DrinkOlipop.com and use promo code CITIUS25 at checkout for 25% off all of your orders⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.PILLAR PERFORMANCE: We all know that sleep is where the magic happens. That's when your body is rebuilding – but getting into those deeper stages of sleep is what makes the difference between just going to bed and actually recovering. Just mix in a scoop of water about 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime. It's simple, it's clean, it's vegan, and NSF certified. If you're someone who takes their training and recovery seriously, this is something worth trying. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠pillarperformance.shop⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or if you're in North America, go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thefeed.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code CITIUS for 15% off your first purchase.VELOUS: Recover smarter with VELOUS’ new active adjustable slide! Tired feet? VELOUS has you covered. VELOUS just launched the NEW Active Adjustable Slide, designed to take your recovery to the next level. With a perfectly contoured midsole, these slides maximize cushioning and support to help ease tired feet and legs. Run. Recover. Repeat with VELOUS. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Check out the entire collection and enjoy 20% off your purchase by entering code CITIUSMAG20 at checkout!

30 Jun 56min