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Rory Linkletter broke 60 minutes in the half marathon, then ran 60 flat in New York. He believes he’s the best he’s ever been, but he’s still waiting for the marathon that shows it. In Valencia, he wants to take a shot at the Canadian marathon record. We start in Chicago, where Rory paced the marathon, watched athletes he coaches race, and hosted a live podcast, all in the middle of a 130-mile week. We talk about why he’d sometimes rather race a half than do a long tempo, what he tells himself midrace when he knows it isn’t his day, and how he reads fatigue when he’s running more miles than ever. Rory walks me through what he’s changing for Valencia: holding his highest mileage for longer, putting workouts closer together, and trying to build legs that can still push over the last 10K. He also lays out his race plan: go with the group on 2:06 pace and see what they can do together once the pacer steps off. We get into his coaching philosophy, what he takes away from training with other athletes, and how he and his wife make training and travel work with a growing family. One thing that stuck with me was how Rory sees each marathon build as a continuation of the last. Valencia is the next chance to see what all that work adds up to. Enjoyed the episode? Follow The People Run Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a rating. If this one made you think of someone you run with, send it their way. Follow Rory: instagram.com/rory_linkletter/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Two runners can get identical results in the lab. Put them in a marathon, though, and one is still holding pace at mile 20 while the other is fading. What changed, and can you train for it? George Morris, a sport and exercise scientist at St Mary’s University and a running coach, joins me to talk about what we can learn from lab testing and how he applies it to training. We start with lactate threshold: what George looks for in a test, how those results can inform your training paces, and how much stock he puts in the estimates from a running watch. Then we get into the decisions that come up once the training plan meets real life. How do you adjust a week when work is piling up or sleep is off? When do you change a session, and when do you let one rough workout go? George explains what he looks at when a runner keeps missing the mark and why two athletes training for the same distance might need very different plans. We come back to those late marathon miles and talk about durability. George shares why he likes putting harder efforts into long runs, what he’s experimented with when runners are already fatigued, and where the research still has questions. We also get into how he fits strength work around big mileage and how that changes between the off-season and a marathon build. George walks through how he’d structure a full year of training, including recovery after a marathon, a stretch focused on 5K speed, and where a half marathon can fit before the next build. We also talk about why he shares the thinking behind his athletes’ workouts and what tells him he’s done a good job as a coach beyond the finish time. Enjoyed the episode? Follow The People Run Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a rating. If this one made you think of someone you run with, send it their way. Follow George: instagram.com/george_b_morris/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Matthew Paulson was focused on lifting heavy when he decided to run his first marathon in 2023. After a humbling 3:51 finish, he returned with a different commitment to running and eventually ran 2:29 in Berlin. In this episode, Matthew shares how his training evolved from all out mile repeats and punishing hill sessions to a more deliberate approach with a coach. We discuss building toward 100 mile weeks, keeping easy runs easy, and racing shorter distances to become a faster marathoner. He also takes us through Berlin: the nerves before the start, a pacing mistake, and the painful final miles of breaking 2:30. Plus, we talk about how his strength training has changed, fitting running around his work as a physical therapist assistant, and what he wants to improve as he works toward faster times. Chapters 00:00 Heavy Lifting, a 3:51 Debut, and a 2:29 Marathon 02:55 Hockey, Work Ethic, and a 500-Pound Deadlift 06:05 Giving the Marathon Another Shot 08:57 Self-Coaching to His First Boston Qualifier 16:58 Running 2:39 at Boston and Finding a Coach 21:09 Easy Days and a More Structured Approach 27:11 Track Racing and a 1:12 Half Marathon 33:52 Building to 100-Mile Weeks Before Berlin 38:07 Berlin: Pushing the Pace and Holding On for 2:29 44:11 Chasing Sub-2:20 and Developing More Speed 47:59 How His Lifting and Nutrition Changed 56:03 Training Smarter Around Work and Life 59:52 Learning What Works for You Follow Matthew: nstagram.com/mattyjogs/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Eloi Boisteau could barely swim a length of the pool when he committed to his first IRONMAN 70.3. One year later, he finished in 4:48. In this episode, Eloi shares how watching a friend race led him to take up triathlon, learn to swim, and build a training routine around school. We talk about the doubts, sacrifices, and support behind that first finish and what a difficult race at Mont Tremblant taught him about pacing and expectations. We also get into his 24-hour challenge covering 100 kilometers on a frozen lake in Quebec, his 2:58 marathon debut, and his pursuit of a 2:45 marathon and a Boston qualifier. Through it all, Eloi reflects on being willing to start at something you’re bad at and how that decision changed his life. Chapters 00:00 One Year to His First IRONMAN 70.3 03:34 Learning to Swim From Scratch 05:38 Fitting Training Around School and Life 12:09 Mont-Tremblant: When the Race Doesn’t Go to Plan 20:17 Stepping Up to a Full IRONMAN 22:10 Running 100 Kilometers on a Frozen Lake 30:37 Discovering His Potential as a Runner 33:39 Chasing a 2:45 Marathon and Boston 39:05 Marathon Training and Working Through a Setback 46:05 How Triathlon Changed His Life Follow Eloi: instagram.com/eloiboisteau/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Seb Hansen broke three hours in his tenth marathon. A little over two years later, he ran 2:27:15 in Berlin. In this episode, we explore what changed: his ambition, his training, and how much of his life he was willing to dedicate to getting faster. Seb breaks down weeks reaching 170 kilometers, adding double threshold sessions, and fitting the work around a full-time job. We discuss fueling, recovery, and why he’s become more comfortable adjusting workouts instead of forcing every target pace. He also shares what he learned training in Iten, Kenya, how he fought through Boston to finish in 2:30:14, and what being selected for Puma Project3 meant to him. Then we get into Berlin: controlled pacing, a strong second half, and finally breaking 2:30 before looking ahead to another marathon in Valencia and a sub 2:25 goal. Chapters  00:00 Breaking Three Hours and Discovering His Potential  05:28 The Mileage and Mindset Behind His Progress  11:22 Fitting 100-Mile Weeks Around a Full-Time Job  16:01 Training, Fueling, and Recovering  20:05 Double Threshold and Learning When to Back Off  26:06 Training in Kenya: Lessons From Iten  30:53 Boston: Hanging On for 2:30:14  35:27 Puma Project3 and Breaking 2:30 in Berlin  47:41 Valencia, Recovery, and Chasing Sub 2:25 Follow Seb: instagram.com/sebaruns/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What are run clubs really building? Chris, known as Punk on the Run, moved from Canada to Fort Lauderdale without knowing anyone. He wanted people to run with and a place where the connection continued after the miles. That idea became Lauderdale Run Club. In this episode, we talk about building a club’s identity, bringing brands into the community, and what giving back actually looks like. Chris shares his perspective on gatekeeping, running influencers, and the motivations behind the run club boom. We also get into his background in fashion photography, a 100 mile relay through the Florida Keys with strangers, and how becoming a father has changed what he wants from running. Every runner has a story. Chapters 00:00 Starting Lauderdale Run Club 05:11 Creating Races and Events 07:11 A 100 Mile Relay with Strangers 15:20 Photography and Brand Relationships 19:51 Building the Club’s Identity 22:43 Giving Back to the Community 29:59 Punk on the Run: The Name and His Running Start 34:20 Racing and Preparing for a 50K 36:25 Fatherhood and Changing Priorities 41:59 Gatekeeping, Starting Over, and Opening Doors Follow Punk on The Run: instagram.com/punkontherun/ Lauderdale Run Club: instagram.com/lauderdalerunclub/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Olympian Ruben Sança has spent nearly three decades competing at a high level, all while balancing a full-time career, family, and demanding training. Originally from Cape Verde, Ruben shares his journey from a childhood marked by asthma to representing his country at the Olympics. We discuss how he manages high-mileage training alongside his role as an executive director, the importance of patience and consistency, adapting as he approaches 40, and why he believes his best running may still be ahead. We also look ahead to the New York City Marathon, his ambitions for another Olympics, and the work he's doing to support the next generation of runners in Cape Verde. Every runner has a story. Chapters 00:00 Balancing Olympic-Level Training and a Full-Time Job 06:18 Cape Verde to the Olympics 10:38 Building Fitness and Finding What Works 17:50 High Mileage, Treadmills, and Injury Management 20:28 UMass Lowell: Coaching and Untapped Potential 25:30 Competing and Improving With Age 31:16 Balancing Career, Family, and Running 36:25 Why He's Running the NYC Marathon 42:06 Olympic Dreams and Inspiring the Next Generation Follow Ruben: instagram.com/rubenpsanca/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/ Photo Credit: Emily Maye

From hiding his prosthetics growing up to running a 2:58 marathon and finishing the Leadville 100, Brian Reynolds has spent years discovering what he's capable of. After losing both legs below the knee to meningitis at age four, Brian never imagined endurance running would become part of his life. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, we talk about his first steps into endurance sports, the challenges of running with prosthetics, and the years of training, fueling, and adaptation it took to break three hours in the marathon. We also get into his four attempts at Leadville 100, the technical challenges of Hope Pass, and the community of friends and family who helped him finally reach the finish line. Beyond the accomplishments, Brian shares how running changed his relationship with himself, why access to adaptive sports equipment matters, and what he hopes other athletes can take from his journey. Chapters 00:00 Life Before Running: Brian's Transformation  03:18 Finding Endurance Through the Grand Canyon  07:44 Learning to Run and His First Marathon  14:11 The Long Road to a Sub-3 Marathon  21:00 Records, Training, and the Work Nobody Sees  27:27 Leadville 100: Four Attempts to Finish  33:16 The Final Miles and His Crew  39:54 Inspiration, Family, and What's Next Every runner has a story. Follow Brian: instagram.com/brianreynoldsrunner/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Dylan Truesdale served as an Army Ranger before eventually leaving the military. Later, a devastating car crash changed the course of his life. He lost his right eye, suffered lasting damage to his remaining vision, and had to rebuild from a point where even basic movement looked completely different. What followed wasn’t a straight-line comeback. It was a decision to find out what he was still capable of. That decision eventually led Dylan to ultramarathons, a 3:03 marathon, HYROX, heavy strength training, and a life built around doing difficult things with purpose. In this conversation, he talks about becoming an Army Ranger, the crash and recovery, running his first ultra with limited vision, why he wakes up at 3:30 AM, how he balances strength and endurance, and the mindset behind “nobody’s coming.” Pasted text Pasted text Pasted text The conversation also turns to the mission behind his next challenge: attempting to ruck 100 miles in 24 hours to raise money for veterans. Dylan opens up about PTSD, his own mental-health crisis after leaving the military, the veterans he has lost, and why carrying that weight has become about far more than completing another endurance event. Content Note: This episode includes discussions of PTSD, mental health struggles, suicidal thoughts, and suicide loss. Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Chapters 00:00 Perseverance 01:14 Why He Joined the Army 04:26 Becoming an Army Ranger 14:39 The Crash That Changed Everything 22:22 “The Baddest Motherfer Ever”* 28:03 From Recovery to Ultra Running 35:42 His First Ultra: Heat, Falls & Getting Lost 41:30 “Nobody’s Coming” 43:00 How He Trains, Works & Lives at 3:30 AM 49:05 6'5", 200 Pounds & a 3:03 Marathon 58:40 100 Miles in 24 Hours for Veterans 1:01:16 PTSD, Suicide & Why the Mission Matters 1:08:42 What Comes Next SUPPORT DYLAN'S 100-MILE RUCK FOR VETERANS Dylan Truesdale is taking on a 100-mile ruck in under 24 hours, with a goal of raising $100,000 to support veterans. If you'd like to support his mission or learn more about the fundraiser, you can find the link below. Donate or learn more: donate.mission22.org/campaign/814545/donate Follow Dylan: instagram.com/dylanctruesdale/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

What does it really take to become one of the best Marathoners in the world? Zouhair Talbi joins The People Run Podcast for a conversation about the years of work, belief, sacrifice, and environment behind competing at the highest level of distance running. Fresh off winning the Great North Run in 59:47, Zouhair reflects on his journey from Morocco to becoming one of America's top distance runners, and why his ambitions now extend far beyond his accomplishments so far. We talk about the mindset required to compete against the world's best, how training alongside Olympians changed his perspective, and the Boston Marathon performance that helped him see what was possible. Zouhair also opens up about the difficult years of training alone, the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people, and why his current training is the product of 17 years of consistent work rather than one breakthrough season. With the New York City Marathon ahead, he shares what he's chasing next, what success means at this stage of his career, and the legacy he hopes to leave for the next generation of runners. A conversation about running, ambition, and everything that goes into pursuing something bigger. Every runner has a story. Chapters 00:00 Winning the Great North Run  06:46 Learning How to Race the World's Best  12:44 From American Elite to World-Class Ambitions  15:26 What Separates the World's Best Runners?  22:13 Boston Marathon: The Fight Through Mile 23 25:00 What Boston Taught Him About Belief  28:28 17 Years Behind a 130-Mile Week  32:00 Consistency, Recovery & Training Around Life  34:42 Why You Need People Around You  36:54 New York City Marathon & the Bigger Picture 44:58 The Legacy He Wants to Leave Follow Zouhair Talbi: instagram.com/zouhairathle/ The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

João returns to The People Run after making his half marathon debut at the Copenhagen Half Marathon, running 1:11:58. We talk about why the race became the hardest effort of his life, fighting through the final kilometers, losing his bib mid-race, finishing second in his age group, and what he learned about himself when things started to hurt. João also shares what life has been like since moving to the UK to study sports science at St. Mary’s, why he chose recovery over another race, and what comes next as he turns his focus back toward the shorter distances. Chapters 00:00 Running 1:11:58 in His First Half 03:26 How Long Can I Hurt For? 06:12 The Result and What Made Him Proud 09:54 Losing His Bib & Copenhagen Atmosphere 15:00 Recovery, Restraint & the Next Training Block 18:50 Life at St. Mary’s & What Comes Next Follow João: instagram.com/joao._runs/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

“I Am a Runner”: Living and Racing With Cystic Fibrosis | Katie Katie O’Grady has spent much of her life trying to answer one question: How far can she go? Diagnosed with cystic fibrosis at six years old, Katie found running alongside her dad and discovered a talent that would eventually earn her a college scholarship. But repeated infections, pneumonia, hospital stays, and the loss of her mother continually interrupted the running career she wanted to pursue. Through it all, Katie never stopped seeing herself as a runner. In this conversation, Katie shares what it felt like to repeatedly lose fitness and start again, the doctor who saw her as an athlete while she was hospitalized, and the medication that allowed her to take a deep breath in a way she hadn't before. We also talk about her journey to the Boston Marathon, training under Nell Rojas, her 3:19 marathon and recent half-marathon PR, learning when to back off, and the voice of her late mother that she still hears during difficult miles. At the heart of it all is Katie's pursuit of her potential not simply a number on the clock, but the opportunity to keep discovering what her body can do. Every runner has a story. This is Katie's. Chapters 00:00 The Question of Potential  01:20 Finding Running and Discovering Her Talent  05:15 Losing Her Mother and Rebuilding in College  08:49 The Cycle of Illness and Starting Over  10:17 “I Am a Runner”  11:55 A Doctor Who Saw the Runner  14:41 Taking a Deep Breath for the First Time  19:33 Racing, Training, and Recovery  25:51 A 3:19 Marathon and the Joy of Running  29:02 Potential, Indianapolis, and the Future 37:04 Why Katie Wants to Keep Running Forever Follow Katie: instagram.com/katies_race_to_breathe/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

Fran Kilinski is all in on the pursuit of HYROX Elite 15. At 32, Fran is chasing a place among the sport’s elite while navigating the demands of training, racing, and life outside competition. He’s even left his second job to give himself more room to pursue that goal. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, we get into his journey through running and HYROX, what it takes to compete at this level, the decisions he’s made along the way, and what he’s learning as he pushes toward Elite 15. Every runner has a story. Chapters 00:00 Going All In on HYROX Elite 15  04:04 Balancing Work, Training & Recovery  08:49 Where Fran Needs to Improve  12:54 Zone 2, Speed Work & Running Training  20:02 Are We Too Afraid of Fatigue?  26:00 HYROX Growth & the Future of the Sport  43:46 Finding Community Through Fitness  48:09 HYROX World Championships in Sweden  58:00 Race Goals & the Next Challenge  01:03:53 Running PRs & Life Beyond Racing Follow Fran: instagram.com/fran_kilinski/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

Adriana Prince is a full time middle school teacher, a 2:54 marathoner, and a runner who regularly logs 70-90 miles a week. But what makes her story interesting isn't just how much she runs. It's how much she loves doing it. In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Adriana shares how she found her way into running, stepped away from competitive racing, and rediscovered the joy that eventually led her to a sub three hour marathon. We get into her early morning routine, balancing training with teaching, learning when to back off, and the role faith and community play in her life. Now, with the Chicago Marathon approaching, Adriana is preparing to chase a new personal best. We talk about what's changed in her training, what she's learned from previous races, and what she hopes to take away from Chicago beyond the finish time. Chapters 00:00 Why Adriana Loves Running 04:20 From Casual Runner to Competitor 10:05 From 3:14 to 2:54 19:43 What the 2:54 Finish Meant 21:55 13 Miles Before Teaching 31:00 Workouts, Treadmills & Tough Days 40:04 Running as Worship 43:12 When Running Stops Being Fun 48:19 Chicago Marathon: Chasing Sub-2:50 52:52 What Makes a Successful Race Weekend? Follow Adriana: https://wwwinstagram.com/runningthelife_/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats

At 16 years old, João Guilherme left Brazil for the UK and found himself navigating a new country, school, training, and stretches of living on his own.  Running had only recently entered his life. What started as 20-minute treadmill runs eventually became something much bigger. Three years later,  João is 19, has run 32:17 for 10K, is preparing for his first half marathon in Copenhagen, and is about to begin studying sports science at St Mary’s University surrounded by one of the strongest running environments in the UK. João shares how running gave him confidence and community, the early coach who saw his willingness to suffer before she saw his talent, learning the hard way that every workout shouldn’t be a race, and how a more science-based approach to training has changed his development. With his first half marathon ahead and ambitions of one day representing Brazil, João still has no idea where his ceiling is. He just knows he wants to find out. Chapters 00:00 From Brazil to a 32:17 10K 02:09 Finding Running & Breaking 17 Minutes 04:22 Moving to the UK & Breaking 16 Minutes 05:42 St Mary’s, Coaching & a New Environment 10:17 How Running Changed João’s Life 13:20 Inside João’s Science-Based Training 18:03 Racing the Brazilian U23 Championships 19:13 The Hardest Race He’s Ever Run 22:14 Winning a 32:17 10K & Chasing More 31:48 Preparing for His First Half Marathon Follow João: instagram.com/joao._runs/ Follow The People Run Podcast: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/ Music: instagram.com/mech__beats