Episode 92: How Deena Kastor Used Her Mind to Become a World-Class Athlete

We spend far more time training than we ever will racing. By learning to love the process of improvement in all of its forms, you'll come to enjoy the journey of training just as much as the outcome. Kenzie Barlow, a sponsored ultra endurance athlete, has finished in the top 10 of races like the Wasatch 100 and the Old Cascadia 100 Miler. She is also a USA Track and Field and Road Runners Club of America certified coach. But Kenzie has also dealt with setbacks and long term health issues, and has had to take time to rediscover her love for the process of training. Kenzie and I talk about how she came to running later in life, and how her path to racing and coaching was something her younger self never could have anticipated. Kenzie's outlook on longevity in the sport contains so much wisdom for every runner, including: Her unique introduction to ultrarunning (on the road!) Learning to love being uncomfortable - whether on the trails or in the weight room Finding a balance between intensity and longevity in the sport Coping with her first DNF Rediscovering her identity as runner - on her own terms Developing the skill set to turn a negative into a positive The importance of process-oriented goals Kenzie's enduring love for the sport and her willingness to share her story make for a conversation you won't want to miss. Thank you Previnex! We're supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I'm optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I'm excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank You InsideTracker! We're sponsored by InsideTracker, a company that's been around for more than 10 years to help you optimize your health, longevity, and performance. To live your healthiest, longest life possible, you need to understand what's going on inside your body. People age at different speeds. And generic, annual blood work doesn't properly evaluate your biological age. But InsideTracker does. InsideTracker is a truly personalized nutrition and performance system, designed to extend your health span and slow down the aging process. Created by leading scientists in aging, genetics, and biometrics, InsideTracker analyzes your blood, DNA, and fitness tracking data to identify where you're optimized—and where you're not. With InsideTracker, you get a daily Action Plan with personalized guidance on the right exercise, nutrition, and supplementation for your body. Add InnerAge 2.0 to any plan to calculate your true biological age, and see how you're aging from the inside out. For a limited time, get 20% off the entire InsideTracker store!

30 Mars 202358min

When race day arrives, having the right mindset can be the deciding factor in your success. This week's guest on the podcast knows the importance of mindset, and has worked with athletes on the world's biggest stages. Dr. Nicole Detling received her BA in psychology and sports science from Ohio Wesleyan University, her MS in sport psychology from Ithaca College, and her PhD in sport psychology at the University of Utah. She is a certified mental performance consultant and coauthor of the book "Don't Leave Your Mind Behind." While we have glimpsed what the human body is capable of with extraordinary feats like a sub-2 hour marathon, opportunity for continued success comes from harnessing the power of our mind. In our conversation, Nicole and I discuss how to approach intensity and make mindset training part of your pre-race preparation. She makes mental training practical and accessible, and will help you learn: How pre-race intensity levels vary for different types of races Ways to discover your optimal energy state How elite athletes approach mental training Strategies to get yourself up and calm yourself down before a race Exercises that can help prepare you for race day visualization How "Plan Z" preparation can help prevent you from ever having to use it The minimum effective dose of visualization for race day preparation This is a fascinating discussion that will benefit runners of every level, and can help your approach to other challenging areas in your life. Enjoy! Links & Resources from the Show: Learn more about HeadStrong Consulting Follow Nicole on Twitter and Instagram Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn Sign up for our free mindset series Thank you MOBO Board! Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that's set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the bboard to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly! Even if you're a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You'll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it's not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com. Thank You Athletic Greens! Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. One scoop per day is what I've been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I'm getting sick and can't train. I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable. For our listeners, they are offering a year's worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop - the choice is yours. Check out Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

23 Mars 202354min

Dr. Justin Ross is a clinical psychologist and the Director of Workplace Wellbeing at the University of Colorado Health Hospital. He is also a competitive athlete, having qualified for the Boston Marathon 6 times. Dr. Ross has also competed in two Ironman 70.3 distance races, and recently completed the Leadville 100-mile mountain bike race. Our discussion today focuses on the essential components of mental toughness, and is full of practical advice that you can use in your own training: The varying definitions of mental toughness What doesn't work: classic mistakes athletes make when trying to become mentally tough Learning how to normalize the voice of doubt we all face What is attentional control and how can we use it for more focused workouts? How do our daily experiences contribute to mental toughness? Do non-sport specific activities (like ice baths) build mental toughness? Mental training is such an important component of finding success as an endurance athlete. I hope our conversation can help you take your training to the next level! Links & Resources from the Show: Learn more our Dr. Ross and Connect with him on LinkedIn Check out Dr. Ross' Performance Psychology plans on Training Peaks and Final Surge, and save 10% with code Performance10 Learn how to build confidence and mental toughness Listen to my previous conversation with Dr. Ross in episode 122 Thank you Previnex! We're supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I'm optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I'm excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank You InsideTracker! We're sponsored by InsideTracker, a company that's been around for more than 10 years to help you optimize your health, longevity, and performance. To live your healthiest, longest life possible, you need to understand what's going on inside your body. People age at different speeds. And generic, annual blood work doesn't properly evaluate your biological age. But InsideTracker does. InsideTracker is a truly personalized nutrition and performance system, designed to extend your health span and slow down the aging process. Created by leading scientists in aging, genetics, and biometrics, InsideTracker analyzes your blood, DNA, and fitness tracking data to identify where you're optimized—and where you're not. With InsideTracker, you get a daily Action Plan with personalized guidance on the right exercise, nutrition, and supplementation for your body. Add InnerAge 2.0 to any plan to calculate your true biological age, and see how you're aging from the inside out. For a limited time, get 20% off the entire InsideTracker store!

16 Mars 20231h 1min

When you've already pushed your body to the limit and made it to the Olympics as an elite 800m runner, what's next? Nick Symmonds returns to talk about his adventures since retiring from competitive running. Although Nick retired from competitive running in 2017, he has been busier than ever. Whether developing Run Gum or getting over a million followers on YouTube, Nick is always in pursuit on the next personal and professional challenge. In addition to talking about what Nick has been doing professionally since 2016, we also cover: How his desire to entertain has gotten him over a million followers on YouTube Why he loves running but has no desire to train anymore Nick's current fitness goals How he inspires a passion for fitness in others while keeping it fun Why Nick fears boredom as an entrepreneur more than anything else What mindset allows Nick to tackle such audacious goals You can't help but be inspired by Nick's energy and enthusiasm for all things fitness. Enjoy! Links & Resources from the Show: Check out Nick's YouTube Channel See the unveiling of Nick's obstacle course! Learn more about Run Gum Follow Nick on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Listen to my first ever podcast episode with Nick. Want to get strong like Nick? I can help. Thank you MOBO Board! Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that's set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the bboard to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly! Even if you're a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You'll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it's not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com. Thank You Athletic Greens! Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. One scoop per day is what I've been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I'm getting sick and can't train. I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable. For our listeners, they are offering a year's worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop - the choice is yours. Check out Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

9 Mars 202352min

This week on the podcast I have strength coach and sprinting expert Kyle Davey to help runners gain a better understanding of hamstring injuries and how to prevent them. Kyle is the Coordinator of Athletic Performance at Northwest Rehabilitation Associates, regularly contributes to Simplifaster, and is the owner of Salem Speed Academy. Kyle and I take an in-depth look at hamstring injuries, especially as they relate to distance runners. Knowing how to prevent hamstring injuries and manage them if they occur is essential so they don't become a chronic issue. Learn more about injury prevention here. Our conversation touches on many aspects of prevention and treatment, including: The most common types of hamstring injuries Key factors that increase your risk of injury Training suggestions for injury prevention The role of strength training in prevention and treatment What is pelvic tilt and how it impacts your hamstrings The injury rehabilitation process for low and high grade injuries You'll find everything you wanted to know about hamstring health in this episode with Kyle! Links & Resources from the Show: Learn more about what Kyle does at RE_Building by NWRA Follow Kyle on Linked In Read articles from Kyle on Simplifaster Discover more about Salem Speed Academy Let me help you prevent injuries Thank you MOBO Board! Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that's set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the bboard to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly! Even if you're a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You'll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it's not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com. Thank You Athletic Greens! Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. One scoop per day is what I've been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I'm getting sick and can't train. I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable. For our listeners, they are offering a year's worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop - the choice is yours. Check out Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

2 Mars 202359min

I've had the privilege of working with this week's guest on the podcast for nearly four years. Thomas Shanabruch came to me as a gifted runner who was looking to push himself to the next level, while staying healthy as a master's runner. This is the story of the last few years and how he has notched PR after PR in a variety of distances from the 5k to the marathon (but his progression in the marathon is just stunning!). Tom and I discuss a variety of factors that have contributed to his string of PRs, including: Taking your your workouts AND your recovery seriously The importance of setting bold goals Stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it's in a 5k or in the weight room How to make time for strength work, day in and day out The importance of mindset - taking the training seriously without it becoming a burden What's next up for Tom? He'll be running the Boston Marathon in 2022 and as well as the Berlin Marathon to complete the world marathon majors. Although most of us aren't as fast as Tom, everyone can learn from his love of running and racing, and his continued commitment to improvement! NOTE: This show is a rerun of episode 233. Links & Resources from the Show: Get your own PR Race Plan Learn how weightlifting can help you get faster Read more about strength training for marathon runners Learn more ways to PR as a master's runner Thank you Previnex! We're supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I'm optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I'm excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank You InsideTracker! We're sponsored by InsideTracker, a company that's been around for more than 10 years to help you optimize your health, longevity, and performance. To live your healthiest, longest life possible, you need to understand what's going on inside your body. People age at different speeds. And generic, annual blood work doesn't properly evaluate your biological age. But InsideTracker does. InsideTracker is a truly personalized nutrition and performance system, designed to extend your health span and slow down the aging process. Created by leading scientists in aging, genetics, and biometrics, InsideTracker analyzes your blood, DNA, and fitness tracking data to identify where you're optimized—and where you're not. With InsideTracker, you get a daily Action Plan with personalized guidance on the right exercise, nutrition, and supplementation for your body. Add InnerAge 2.0 to any plan to calculate your true biological age, and see how you're aging from the inside out. For a limited time, get 20% off the entire InsideTracker store!

23 Feb 202355min

Comedian Laura Green has been a lifelong runner who competed in middle distance at Northeastern University. She now lives in Boston with her family, and in her own words "runs a lot and makes fun of running a lot." Laura is the comedic influencer we didn't know we needed, and her Instagram reels are so on point and relatable to runners that it's hard not to sit and watch them all. Whether she's poking fun at Strava, podcasters, or the varying personalities of different running apparel companies, you'll laugh out loud at her comedy. In this episode Laura and I discuss the value of humor in the sport, as well as how it can help us have conversations about more serious topics. We also talk about: How Laura gets the inspiration for her comedy Why her varying experiences as a competitor, mom, and trail runner all make her so relatable What goes into making a typical reel How she has used humor to address subjects such as catcalling and harassment Laura's future projects Enjoy my conversation and laughter with Laura Green! Links & Resources from the Show: Follow Laura on Instagram, TikTok or YouTube Visit Laura's website Let me help you get the most out of your running! Thank you Previnex! We're supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I'm optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I'm excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank You InsideTracker! We're sponsored by InsideTracker, a company that's been around for more than 10 years to help you optimize your health, longevity, and performance. To live your healthiest, longest life possible, you need to understand what's going on inside your body. People age at different speeds. And generic, annual blood work doesn't properly evaluate your biological age. But InsideTracker does. InsideTracker is a truly personalized nutrition and performance system, designed to extend your health span and slow down the aging process. Created by leading scientists in aging, genetics, and biometrics, InsideTracker analyzes your blood, DNA, and fitness tracking data to identify where you're optimized—and where you're not. With InsideTracker, you get a daily Action Plan with personalized guidance on the right exercise, nutrition, and supplementation for your body. Add InnerAge 2.0 to any plan to calculate your true biological age, and see how you're aging from the inside out. For a limited time, get 20% off the entire InsideTracker store!

16 Feb 202351min

This week's guest has played a pivotal role in the trail running community. Dylan Bowman is an elite ultrarunner, podcast host, and leader and cofounder of Freetrail. He began his athletic career as a competitive lacrosse player, but after college discovered his love for the beauty and community of trail running. Early in his career, Dylan established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the ultra world, with podium finishes at many of the most competitive ultra races including Leadville and Ultra-Trail Mt Fuji. In the last couple of years Dylan has set his sights on a new project - Freetrail - best described as "a community dedicated to the life-changing sport of trail running." Dylan and I cover a lot of ground in this podcast, from how he became a trail runner to his newest project and vision for the sport. Some of the topics we discuss include: Why making the leap from lacrosse to trail running was not as random as it seems The importance of finding the things in life that light you up How Dylan's early love of sports radio impacted his current endeavor The parallels between entrepreneurship and running The evolution and direction of the trail running world Why livestreaming is the lynchpin to growth in the sport Dylan's genuine love for his running and business are infectious, and you're sure to enjoy all the twists and turns of our conversation. Links & Resources from the Show: Follow Dylan on Instagram and Twitter Learn more about Dylan Connect with Dylan on Linked In Check out Freetrail and follow Freetrail on Instagram Listen to the Freetrail podcast Learn more about trail running Thank you Previnex! We're supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I'm optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I'm excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank you Bodyweight Power! We're also supported by our very own strength training program, Bodyweight Power. This is the only bodyweight strength training program created specifically for endurance runners that's periodized and focuses on power. I partnered with running coach, physical therapist, and certified strength coach Victoria Sekely to make this program possible. That means it's running coach, PT, and strength coach approved! It's time to treat yourself, so make a commitment to get stronger and stay healthy. You can use Bodyweight Power for years, gaining strength with each training cycle. Once you enroll, you also get free updates for life. Invest in your strength, injury resilience, and speed with Bodyweight Power.

9 Feb 20231h 4min