Episode 41: High School Senior and FL State Champ Ethan Geiger

Episode 41 is available on most podcast Apps, including Google, Apple, Spotify and Anchor

Geiger near the finish line, FLRunners Invitational

This episode is the first in our series listening to the experiences of coaches and high school/collegiate runners across the United States, and exploring how the pandemic has affected their lives, as well as lessons learned and encouragement they have garnered during this difficult time, to share with others.

Ethan Geiger (Robinson High School) had a record setting 2019 cross country season, and was set to have another this Spring in the 3200, aiming to break 9:00. However, Covid19 and the early closing of his Senior season after just 5 meets has left many question marks for him and his teammates, and all Senior athletes hoping to transition to a collegiate career this fall across the US. Additionally, due to the recruitment cycle and importance of accomplishment in Junior year of track and field, many high school athletes have been left in limbo as to what their college prospects will be next year.  Geiger shares in this episode what it is like balancing all of these concerns, encouraging fellow students now but yet looking forward to next year at the University of Florida. He tells us about his expectations for running collegiate track and cross country, which he will be a part of at UF.  

His individual cross country state title time was 15:26.35 on the Apalachee Regional Park course.  He was also named the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Florida,and competed and won many other accolades over the past two years; Flrunners.com Race of Champions, FSU Pre-State Invitational winner and setting several other course records in the state of Florida.  However, perhaps his best attribute is his hard working attitude and humble approach to leadership, which comes through in this podcast interview.  We wish him and all his fellow students the best of graduations possible!

Links to further information, articles about Geiger:

https://fl.milesplit.com/articles/275050-ethan-geiger-named-florida-gatorade-xc-player-of-the-year

https://fl.milesplit.com/articles/270763-robinson-state-champ-ethan-geiger-goes-with-the-gators

https://fl.milesplit.com/articles/261066-the-first-time-the-fhsaa-state-finals-ended-on-the-3200m

Have an inspiring student athlete or coach in your life, perhaps a story to share? 

Please feel free to leave us a message here, and visit/like our Instagram / Facebook page @RunningAnthropologist

Episode 40: Give it a Tri! featuring Triathlete Coach Jeremy Richardson

Episode 40: Give it a Tri! featuring Triathlete Coach Jeremy Richardson is available on most podcast Apps including itunes, Goolge, Spotify and Anchor!

Jeremy Richardson, Founder of "Top Notch Tri"

The desire/encouragement has been building from many in our community for the Running Anthropologist project to cover a lesser-known corner of cross training potential and really a world onto itself (that includes running), that is... the triathlon, and its many diverse options (Sprint, Half and Full).  In this episode, we delve right into the culture and preparation of doing a Triathlon, and hear from a remarkable athlete and coach in this arena, Jeremy Richardson. Jeremy is a certified Ironman Coach and Physical Therapist, who comes from a competitive running background and made the switch to Triathlons in a long, hard process of slow gains, which he has learned a great deal from to become a competitive triathlete. Jeremy is World Ranked 6th in his age group for Ironman 70.3, is an Ironman Gold All World Athlete and has competed in multiple Ironman World Championships, as well as being an All-American USAT Athlete.

Jeremy also happens to be the operational manager for the Best Damn Race organization, which puts on unique large running events, and shares insight into our current situation of race cancellations, and keeping balance with training and motivation. He shares with us some wisdom and tips for training, and ideas for making the transition that stick for most, which he shares in his coaching programs. This opportunity for entering the cross training world is especially relevant to many during this time of limited running, and looking for new, exciting things one can do inside or near home in coming weeks and months!  Whether it is a new bucket list item or turns into a lifelong addiction, we hope that you are able to take this as a primer in triathlon culture, learning about what's involved, and options for training and completing in different types of triathlons.
You can find out more about his work and services at: https://www.topnotchtri.com/

Episode 39: Quarantine Backyard Ultra, Founder Dave Proctor and Winner Mike Wardian!

Episode 39: "Quarantine Backyard Ultra"-This episode can be found on most podcast apps, including Apple, Google, Spotify and Anchor!

Dave Proctor and his organization put together the second largest Backyard Ultra in history with the help of the distance running community, to raise our hopes and spread the word for all of us in quarantine, and they did it in just two weeks! From his home in Okotoks, Alberta (Canada) He shares about how he started running and what brought him into the Ultra world, as well as setting multiple Canadian running records, and starting "Outrun Rare" to help spread awareness for and gain help for people with rare diseases- research and treatment of them. He gives a few examples of the attempts he has made and plans to cross Canada running in the summer of 2021 (originally slated for this year before the Covid19 Crisis, so we can wrap our minds around it better. By the way, Dave also holds several noteable records himself, including the Canadian 48 Hour running record and 72 hour record with 500K completed! He provides advice for those of us who are having to stay home and get creative, so as not to divert our attention in negative ways, but focus on the positive. Lastly, he explains why the Quarantine Backyard Ultra came about specifically and why it had such a huge impact. You can find him at outrunrare.com OR @daveoutrunsrare on Instagram.

Mike Wardian's Treadmill- Elevation view during podcast recording

Mike Wardian, winner of the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, also chimes in as to why this was important for him, and the rallying of his community and family around the cause. He talks about the virtual community and the Ultra community that pulled together to make it happen, and the democratizing aspects of such a venture that reached everywhere, with zero competition from other Pro sports due to the current situation. Coming off freshly setting several world records and wins around the globe in Ultra events during 2019-early 2020, he also touches on what it's like to have big events cancelled and how we can get in some great workouts from home, including ways to stay motivated (tip: treadmill climbing the elevation of the Empire State Building), and find our own passion within running. He shares a virtual 5K opportunity coming up too, Little Sesame Adventures Virtual race. Mike is always inspiring and draws upon wisdom of races across the globe in comparing this Backyard Ultra and virtual running, and the opportunities it provides for all of us!  Mike can be found at his website mikewardian.com  OR  @mikewardian on Instagram.

Email: mwardian@rocketmail.com

Instagram: @mikewardian

Twitter: @mikewardian

Facebook: www.facebook.com/michaelwardian

Episode 38: Mental Health and Motivation during Isolation: Therapist Dan McGann & Motivational Designer David Tai

Episode 38 is available on most podcast apps, including Apple, Google, Spotify and Anchor!

I. In this episode we first feature Dan McGann, a therapist who delves deep into our identity (as individuals, runners, members of society) and how movement can be utilized to generate a healthy mental attitude and habit building to combat anxiety and depression. He also touches on 3 key practices to building a daily routine, an especially important practice during isolation- The Three G's are one:  GROWTH, GIVING BACK & GRATITUDE.  Regarding noticing our thinking and goals for it: 20% on negative/problem areas and 80% on the solution/positive aspects of the situation. Please see more information in the graphics and links below for details of what we discussed and research / published books or articles in this area. RxRun The Film (about McGann's running therapy practice)
Dan's Star Wars Analogy- "The Force (80%)- Live in a place of faith of love & courage, or Dark Side- Live in a place of fear, anger... it's our choice!" (more links/info following II below)

II. Second, we feature David Tai- and his career & current research into motivation and what

David running Singapore's coastline

cognitive psychology / motivational design have to teach us at the University of South Florida. David spent many years of his life working with IBM and focused on improving motivation within an organization, as well as personally with regard to work/life balance. He found running to be pivotal in his own transitions to new ways of thinking, both for mental health and clearer thinking, and describes this "how to" process for us, including the FLOW Method to establishing new habits / ways of thinking. Originally from China, he also provides valuable comparative cultural perspectives on how the US and "the West" have dealt with the Covid-19 crisis as compared to China, lessons learned and differences in approach.  David's Commentary on "The Four F's of FLOW" (Short Video Summary) & national bestseller by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi:
"To create flow in what I do every day, I followed the 4Fs in Flow. The first F is Focus. I get focused by using my iWatch’s breath function to help me do deep breathing. I close my eyes and follow the iWatch breath rhythm to visualize one and only one task that I need to finish in 30 to 50 minutes. The second F is Freedom. During this stage, I free myself from any worries, distractions, and self-scrutiny and focus 100% on the at-the-hand task. For example, when I write, I do not do any editing but keep writing. When I read, I do not stop to take notes, but keep reading until I fully understand the article. The third F is Feedback. I use the 18-minute rule to give myself feedback on the progress I make throughout the day. I use 5 minutes to plan the day and 5 minutes to close my day. Then for each hour, I use one minute to reflect and plan the next hour. The total time (for reflection) is only about 18 minutes for any normal workday, which is a self- feedback system to enable me to see my progress toward my daily goals. The fourth F is the four percent challenge. Csikszentmihalyi (2014) described that the flow state is at the intersection of the optimal intersection of a challenge met by stretching one’s expertise. The rule is to aim 4% above one’s normal challenge and expertise." -David Tai

Dan McGann's presentation “The Mental Side of Running” https://www.slideshare.net/Dan_McGann/The-Mental-side-of-Running

The Four Logic Questions:

1) Is it true? (examine old patterns of thought that may be subconscious and

examine the facts with truth)

2) Where is the evidence? (Where is the evidence that the opposite

is true?)

3) What is the price you pay emotionally for holding on to that old

pattern of thought?

4) What will be better or different when you let it go? (What

becomes possible in your life today – tomorrow and in the

months and years ahead when you let it go?)

"I promote in my work each individual creating powerful and compelling reasons WHY? What becomes possible when you decide and act in the face of challenges? Then the HOW is much easier... Avoid Passivity, Encourage Activity"- Dan McGann

 The "Technology of How" Visual:

Books and Methods brought up by Dan in the Podcast:

The Gratitude Challenge, Dr. Joe Dispenza- Gratitude focus BLOG and Challenge (free)

Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds, on Amazon by Dave Goggins, Audio or Print book

LOVING WHAT IS: Four Questions that Can Change Your Life on Amazon by Dr. Byron Katie

Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl- "In his book, Man’s Search for Meaning,Frankl said “Man can get through any HOW? if he has a strong enough WHY?...  I think this is why when you research runners who complete a marathon and those who drop out is that primary factor of WHY? – those who complete tend to have a strong and passionate WHY- (i.e. for my family, to raise money for a cause, etc.) and those who drop out tend to have very vague intentions." - Dan McGann

Episode 37: Health and Running in Covid-19 Times: featuring Dr. David Niehman & RD Sandi Lake

Episode 37 we explore two paths of inquiry around Covid19- 1st- Exercise health myths / realities with one of the foremost researchers in immunology and exercise science, Dr. David Nieman.  2nd- We explore some of the practical side of racing and options for them during this time - from an experienced Race Director with an extremely honest and hopeful outlook, Sandi Lake.


Dr. Nieman explains some of his advice and tips for staying healthy in general as a runner, and during this time of isolation, and what boundaries are best to set. Dr. Nieman is a pioneer in the research area of exercise immunology as he helped establish that regular moderate exercise actually lowers upper respiratory tract infection rates while improving "immunosurveillance" overall. In this episode, he also explains some of his background and other research that connects to running and immunology; including nutrition and stress. He is a professor of health and exercise science at Appalachian State University, and director of the Human Performance Labs at the North Carolina Research Campus in Kannapolis. His current research is focused on nutrition and what this can do to counter to exercise-induced immune dysfunction, as well as how extreme exertion can lead to short term immuno-compromise, such as with endurance athletes.

Link to Dr. Niehman's research: https://transforming-science.com/directory/name/david-nieman/



Sandi Lake has over 30 years of event planning experience, many of those dedicated to run/walk events, which she does full time now as a nationally well known RD in Tampa Bay area. In this interview she gives a great perspective on cancelled races and alternatives, as well as how best to think about each race during the Covid19 crisis. She and her organization "Lake 2" provide services for helping to plan races and RD charities and corporations. Above all, she focuses on the hope and positive outlook for the future. 
For small non-profits and community races, Sandi’s expertise is welcomed guidance and wisdom through the entire process, and she definitely shows her passion for those organizations and their causes in this short 20 minute interview.

Link to Lake 2: https://lake2.com/

Episode 36: Westin Galloway, Reflections on The Running Shoe Industry

Episode 36: Westin Galloway, Reflections on The Running Shoe Industry

Westin at Feb 2020 Run Disney victory, near his new home in Orlando area

Westin made the journey to join us at the University of South Florida's campus for this interview, to discuss his insights and reflections from working in the running shoe industry over the last 15 years, and growing up in this culture as well (Westin's father Jeff Galloway started the first specialty running shoe dedicated store in the US in 1975).

Westin & Carissa Galloway, recent trip to Kenya

Westin also started out his career at Phidippides in Atlanta (featured in Episode 34: America's Marathon Weekend episode), after successful collegiate track and cross country varsity running at Wake Forest University. Westin then went on to work for both Mizuno and ASICS until just before this interview, and has traveled the globe to explore and develop new shoe technology, and most of all figure out what we as runners need in a shoe. In particular, Westin shares how he has been impressed by the R&D (Research and Development) process he has seen within running-dedicated companies. He explains how a shoe goes from concept to consumer in less than a year, and all that goes into this process on the back end. He also comments on how new technologies are evolving to allow us to run farther and put less stress on the body, from stride to energy efficiency.



Westin also touches on a few stories from running culture that demonstrate what he has seen and believes represent the diversity of runners, including his frequent trips to Japan and recent trip to Kenya with ASICS.  Last but not least, we reflect on his own goals and where he sees unique corners of the running world as opportunities that haven't yet been explored, that he would like to be a part of in the near future!

The ASICS shoes he found on the feet of successful Kenyan marathoner!

Links:
Phidippides Running Store in Atlanta & online:  http://www.phidippides.com/

ASICS: https://www.asics.com/us/en-us/

Run Disney Official Site: https://www.rundisney.com/

FYI, The story of Phidippides, the "first marathoner": https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pheidippides

Episode 35: Liz Warner, Runs to Reach Women, 30 Global Marathons

In Episode 35, we follow Liz Warner's Run to Reach project as she tries to reach women's organizations and women runners in the toughest corners of the globe, by 1) fundraising to support them through grassroots impact organizations in those countries, and 2) running one of the most challenging marathons on the globe on their home turf.  Did we mention she was doing 30 of these, before she turns 30? (list below)...

Watch the video and her fundraising goal, of reaching women's organizations in 30 countries, and asking each of us in the running community that cares to give just $26 towards it! (2600 of us)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/run-to-reach-let039s-hit-2600-donations-of-26

In fact, Liz is down to her last 3, having run 1-2 marathons per month over 2019 and the start of 2020, including the Atlanta Marathon for her US choice, on her home turf!  An Atlanta native, Liz knew she wanted to make an impact and change her life trajectory, and set out to create her own reality by doing something that resonated with her soul to help others in the best way she could... by feeling their lived experience and challenging herself as much as she could in a visceral way through each marathon, and in a concrete way by giving of her own finances and asking others to do so through her work.

Tokyo Marathon - June 2013
Seoul International Marathon- March 2014
Kuala Lumpur Marathon (Malaysia) -
October 2014
Singapore OSIM Sundown Marathon (Singapore) - July 2015
Bagan Temple Marathon (Myanmar) - November 2016
Paris Marathon (France) - April 2017
Beirut Marathon (Lebanon) - November 2017
Vienna Marathon (Austria) - April 2018
Porto Marathon (Portugal) - November 2018
Ooredo Doha Marathon (Qatar) - January 11 2019
Al Mouj Muscat Marathon (Oman) - January 18 2019 -
Dar Al Atta’a Sahara Marathon (Algeria) - February 27 2019 -
Sandblast Arts Guatemala Impact Marathon (Guatemala) - March 10 2019 - Seres
Two Oceans Marathon (South Africa) - April 20 2019 - Population Services International
Run the Silk Road Marathon (Kyrgyzstan) - May 11 2019 - Helvetas
Sierra Leone Marathon (Sierra Leone) - May 26 2019 - Street Child
Victoria Falls Marathon (Zimbabwe) - July 7 2019 - Campaign for Female Education
Australia Outback Marathon (Australia) - July 27 2019 - NATSIWA
Sunrise to Sunset Marathon (Mongolia) - August 7 2019 - Mongolian Women’s Fund
Patagonia International Marathon (Chile) - September 7 2019 - Fondo Alquimia
Marathon International de Diego Suarez (Madagascar) - September 29 2019 - 4 a Woman
The Marathon of Afghanistan (Afghanistan) - October 11 2019 - Free to Run
Marathon de Côte d’Ivoire (Côte d’Ivoire) - November 15 2019 - Empow’Her
Del Mar a la Cima (Colombia) - December 1 2019 - Fondo Lunaria
Luxor Egyptian Marathon (Egypt) - January 17 2020 - Heya Masr
Somaliland Marathon (Somaliland) - February 2020 - Edna Adan Hospital Foundation
2020 Publix Atlanta (USA) - March 1 2020 - Back on My Feet
Socotra Marathon Challenge (Yemen) - March 1 2020 - SaferWorld
The Crete Marathon (Greece) - April 12 2020 - The Melissa Foundation
Everest Marathon (Nepal) - May 29 2020 - Putali Nepal


"LIz Warner, Run to Reach Women Marathons" is available on most podcast apps, including Google, Apple, Anchor, Spotify and Overcast...

The Run to Reach Website, with more info and fun stats: http://runtoreach.com/