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

CITIUS MAG

Track and field's biggest names on the track, in the coaching ranks and within the industry sit down and open up in-depth to share brilliant insights and vivid snapshots from their professional/personal accomplishments and experiences in the sport. Hosted by CITIUS MAG founder Chris Chavez. The show was named one of "The Best Running Podcasts" by Runner's World. ▶ Visit https://CITIUSMAG.com ▶ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CitiusMag ▶ Instagram: https://instagram.com/citiusmag ▶ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CitiusMag ▶ Patreon: https://patreon.com/citiusmag

  • 26 minutes 9 seconds
    Grant Fisher Reflects On His Two Olympic Bronze Medals In Paris, Plotting For The 2025 Season With Grand Slam Track

    "I had done great things in the sport before, but I had never won a medal. That was something that had tormented me and eluded me for so long. And I finally got two of them. So it feels great. It feels even better when you feel so much ownership over them. I know that it was my decision-making and risk-taking that led to those outcomes."

    My guest for today's episode is U.S. Olympian and two-time bronze medalist Grant Fisher. Grant had a career-defining year in 2024, standing on the podium twice at the Paris Olympics in the 5000m and 10,000m. But true to his form, he's not content to rest on those accomplishments. He's gearing up for a new challenge in 2025 by signing on for the inaugural season of Grand Slam Track.

    In this interview, he shares his thoughts on how the Grand Slam model can elevate track visibility, attract new fans, and give athletes like him more opportunities to test themselves against the best in the world. He's in a racer group that will contest a 3K and 5K against the likes of Luis Grijalva, Ronald Kwemoi and one more racer that is expected to be announced soon. 

    We dive into Grant's reflections on his breakout 2024 season, the lessons he's carrying into 2025, and how he's preparing for a shot at both glory and Grand Slam Track and some more hardware at the world Championships in Tokyo.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Grant Fisher | @grantfisher_ on Instagram

    Time stamps:

    4:08 - Where he’s at with training and racing coming off the Olympics.

    5:15 - Reflections on his 2024 season.

    6:42 - How he built his confidence heading into the Olympics.

    7:47 - Goals for the 2025 season.

    8:48 - Why he decided to sign with GST. 

    15:24 - Why he might have an edge over other GST racers.

    17:12 - Thoughts on racing the 3K/5K double in Jamaica.

    21:05 - Why fans should care about watching GST.

    23:19 - Thoughts on his GST competitors, who else he wants to join.

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results.⁠ Learn more at WahooFitness.com⁠

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    11 December 2024, 2:09 pm
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    2x NCAA XC Champion Graham Blanks Turns Pro & Signs With New Balance, Reflecting On His Career At Harvard And Running 12:59.89 For 5000m

    “It’s time to move on to bigger adventures.” Graham Blanks, the Harvard standout and two-time NCAA cross country champion joins The CITIUS MAG Podcast with the news about his decision to turn professional with New Balance. Just two days ago, Graham ran 12:59.89 for 5000 meters indoors, becoming only the second collegian in history to break 13 minutes indoors—a fitting way to cap off one of the most decorated collegiate careers in recent memory. In this interview, we’ll reflect on Graham’s Harvard career to the global stage as a U.S. Olympian in the 5000m and his incredible cross country dominance over the past two years. We’ll also discuss his decision to return for one final collegiate cross country season, his plans to stay in Boston with coach Alex Gibby, and how he is thinking about balancing life as a new pro with finishing his degrees in economics and philosophy.

    Get the full scoop in our exclusive interview.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Graham Blanks | @graham_voted_for_pedro on Instagram

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    9 December 2024, 2:49 pm
  • 36 minutes 48 seconds
    How Biya Simbassa Ran 2:06:53 At The Valencia Marathon To Become The Fourth-Fastest American Man

    Biya Simbassa took many American track and field fans by surprise on Sunday morning when they awoke to results from the Valencia Marathon and saw that the 31-year-old notched a personal best by nearly four minutes to run 2:06:53. The performance was good for 17th place in the race but moved him to No. 4 on the U.S. all-time list.

    Only Khalid Khannouchi (2:05:38), Galen Rupp (2:06:07) and Ryan Hall (2:06:17) have run faster.

    Back in 2022, we paid a visit to Flagstaff, Ariz. for a video featuring Simbassa and also recorded a podcast episode detailing his career path from being born in Ethiopia, moving to the United States in 2007 and then going through the school system. He started running in high school in Minnesota and then continued his development at Iowa Central Community College before transferring to Oklahoma. 

    After graduating, he was coached by Scott Simmons in Colorado Springs before signing a pro contract with Under Armour to be part of the Dark Sky Distance Project with coach Stephen Haas. In 2023, Simbassa started working with Hall as his coach. The partnership lasted until this summer before Hall decided to step back from coaching. Simbassa worked with Ian Carter (a McKirdy Trained coach, who also was coached by Hall) for the Valencia Marathon build-up.

    CITIUS MAG spoke with Simbassa on Thursday afternoon to get details on how the performance came about.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Biya Simbassa | @simba_runner

    Time stamps:

    3:19 - Reflections coming off the Valencia Marathon 

    5:12 - Processing the Olympic Marathon Trials 

    6:59 - Thoughts on whether he could’ve made the Olympic team

    8:17 - When he knew the marathon was his event

    11:15 - Feelings after not making Olympic team

    13:00 - Why he races so often

    17:14 - Thoughts on Ryan Hall stepping away as his coach

    18:27 - Ian Carter becoming his new coach

    19:42 - Why he landed on racing Valencia

    20:39 - Goals and expectations heading into Valencia

    23:55 - How he stayed composed after the halfway split 

    27:12 - Valencia course + atmosphere

    30:13 - Shoe choice for the race

    32:00 - Fueling throughout the race 

    33:44 - Plans for what’s next 

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    5 December 2024, 10:31 pm
  • 31 minutes 35 seconds
    Olympic Champion Cole Hocker On Life After Gold + Early 2025 Race Plans

    A lot of the time it comes down to whether I’d rather set a world record in February or win the World Championships and defend my title in September. There's a lot that goes into it, but I think I'm fast enough to go after a world record in a few events.”

    My guest for today's episode is none other than Cole Hocker, the 23-year-old American middle distance star who shocked the world at the Paris Olympics by winning gold in the men's 1500m. While the pre-race buzz centered on Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr, it was Cole who flew under the radar and stormed to victory in an Olympic record of 3:27.65.

    If you go back into our podcast archives, you can find an episode that we did with Cole in Paris just 48 hours after his victory. It was really cool to have that moment etched in time and to hear how fresh his thoughts and feelings were. We touch on life since Paris in this conversation.

    From his breakout performance in Tokyo to the Olympic triumph in Paris, Cole has established himself as one of the best middle distance runners in the world. We reflect on his incredible 2024 season and learn how he's gearing up for another big year with the World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon. Plus his participation in Grand Slam track's inaugural season.

    Cole is also here to announce that one of his first races in 2025 will be the 3000m at the iconic Millrose Games this February in New York City. You can get your tickets at the Armory's website.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Cole Hocker | @colehocker on Instagram

    Time stamps:

    4:02 - Highlights since becoming the 1500m Olympic champion

    6:25 - Plans looking ahead to 2025

    8:05 - What recovery looked like for him post-Olympics

    9:00 - Racing the 3000m at Millrose Games announcement

    10:33- How he’s getting ready to move up to the 3K

    11:50 - Why he’s racing the 3K instead of the mile at Millrose 

    17:13 - Going after the 3K world record 

    18:31 - Looking ahead to race plans for the 2025 season 

    22:42 - Ways he’s hoping to continue improving 

    25:44 - Deciding to sign with Grand Slam Track

    28:35 - When he’ll start race-specific training 

    29:24 - His upcoming 600m race with Fred Kerley

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    4 December 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 48 minutes 25 seconds
    Olympic 100m Hurdles Champion Masai Russell Reflects On Her Breakout 2024 Season + Early Race Plans/Goals For 2025

    I know that I have to come in even stronger, even faster, even better. I'm looking to break the world record indoors this season and win the world indoor title. That’s not going to come with me still living in being an Olympic champion from August. We've got to do it again.”

    My guest for today's episode is Masai Russell, the Olympic champion in the 100m hurdles and one of track's brightest new stars. Masai's gold medal performance in Paris wasn't just a victory; it was a statement after a season filled with ups and downs and doubts. She channeled sheer will and resilience to seize the biggest title of her career crossing the finish line in a jaw-dropping photo finish that left fans around the world celebrating her triumph.

    In this episode, Masai reflects on her remarkable 2024 season, the challenges she overcame to reach the top, and how she's already back to work with even bigger plans for 2025. There's also some great mindset talk in this conversation. 

    Plus, she's here to announce one of her first races of 2025 will be the 60m hurdles at the Millrose Games. This upcoming February, you can get your tickets on the Armory's website. She'll bring the same fearless energy that made her an Olympic champion.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Masai Russell | @masai_russell on Instagram

    Time stamps:

    3:20 - How life has been since becoming the 100m hurdles Olympic champion

    4:17 - Opportunities since winning the Olympics

    6:28 - Plans for racing indoor season 

    8:06 - Millrose annoucement: 60m hurdles

    12:03 - How she progresses training to peak at the right meets

    16:07 - What makes her stand out against her competitors 

    21:03 - The night and day leading into the Olympic final 

    26:47 - When the reality of becoming the Olympic champion sunk in 

    29:23 - How her experience at Bullis High School shaped her mindset 

    35:53 - Looking ahead to future races 

    41:18 - More reflections on winning the Olympics

    44:05 - What it’s going to take to top 2024 in 2025

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    4 December 2024, 3:00 pm
  • 52 minutes 21 seconds
    BYU Coach Diljeet Taylor After Winning The 2024 NCAA XC Championships Women's Team Title | Recap & Reflections

    “The pieces were there – but getting them to mesh and come together, we had to embrace the imperfect. We had to have these women realize that if you're scared of something, the only way to get over that fear is to conquer it. That was what this championship was for a lot of the women. 

    My guest for today's episode is Diljeet Taylor, Head Coach of BYU’s women's cross country and track team. She's one of the most inspiring leaders in the sport. Coach Taylor just wrapped up a storybook season by guiding BYU to the 2024 NCAA Cross Country women's team title. It's their second national championship under her leadership and the program's sixth overall.

    This victory wasn't just about redemption. It was about resilience one year after a devastating 14th place finish at NCAAs – the lowest moment of her coaching career. Coach Taylor and her team embraced the imperfect, leaned into their depth, and executed when it mattered most.

    From butterfly mantras to pajama parties to brilliant race strategies, Coach Taylor proved that with belief and preparation, anything is possible. In today's conversation, we talked about BYU’s incredible turnaround, her approach to coaching All-Americans and building a winning culture, and why this year was a testament to her mantra, ‘Embrace the imperfect.’

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Diljeet Taylor | @diljeetdosanjhtaylor on Instagram

    Time stamps:

    3:33 - Reflections coming off BYU’s team title at NCAAs 

    5:03 - Finishing 14th at the 2023 Championship to winning in 2024

    8:47 - What she said to her athletes after NCAAs last year 

    10:16 - How her coaching style has changed

    12:27 - Lexy Halladay-Lowry’s progression + working through an injury to finish 14th

    14:22 - What the evening was like with the team the night before NCAAs

    21:03 - Why the team got off social media the month leading up to NCAAs

    23:06 - “The Night Before Nationals” book

    25:46 - Frank Gagliano’s impact on her as a mentor 

    26:55 - Overcoming last year’s disappointment at NCAAs

    29:12 - Goals and expectations heading into this year’s race 

    34:05 - How the race played out 

    37:27 - How the team celebrated winning 

    42:38 - Looking ahead to next year’s team 

    45:01 - What she hopes her legacy will be

    48:49 - Connecting with other female coaches 

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

    2 December 2024, 11:33 pm
  • 53 minutes 1 second
    BYU Coach Ed Eyestone After Winning The 2024 NCAA XC Championships Men’s Team Title | Recap, Reflections, & Insights

    “The only magic thing about running is consistency. Consistent competence equals eventual excellence. That's kind of my mantra. So we try to stay healthy so that we can be consistent. We just keep on getting the miles in, getting the workouts in, and over time, good things happen. What was special about 2024? Who knows other than having the right athletes in the right position, the right belief and faith in their parts and goals, and going, ‘Hey, maybe we can do this.’”

    My guest for today’s episode is BYU director of track and field and cross country Ed Eyestone, the architect of one of the greatest years ever for American distance running.

    From Olympic medals and top-10 marathon finishes to NCAA titles, 2024 was nothing short of historic for Coach Eyestone and his athletes. Just this weekend, Ed capped it all off by leading the BYU men to their second NCAA cross country title in six years, holding off a stacked field at the Thomas Zimmer Championship Course. It’s been a dream season for Eyestone, whose year began with Conner Mantz and Clayton Young finishing 1-2 at the Olympic Marathon Trials and ended with BYU completing a historic NCAA sweep—both the men’s and women’s teams claiming national titles for the first time since 2004.

    We dive into Ed’s coaching strategies, his reflections on this monumental season and how he’s built a culture of resilience and excellence at BYU. From the roads to the track to the grass, no one’s had a better 2024 than Ed Eyestone, and we can’t wait to hear his take on how it all came together.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Ed Eyestone | @edeyestone on Instagram

    Time stamps: 

    3:30 - Returning to campus after BYU won the NCAA XC Championship team title

    5:13 - Feelings and emotions after winning the NCAA team title

    7:16 - Strategy + plan for the men heading into the race 

    10:54 - Using a whiteboard during the race to communicate with the team

    12:29 - Using olive oil to stay warm during the race

    14:18 - Backstory on the affirmations notecard on his arm during the race 

    19:25 - Similarities between the men’s and women’s programs at BYU

    23:23 - Why everything clicked for the team in 2024

    27:53 - How the 2024 season was a dream come true 

    30:44 - His process-oriented coaching philosophy 

    33:19 - What the team got up to in the final days before the race 

    36:48 - Casey Clinger’s impact on the team + how going on missions affects training

    42:42 - How his coaching style has changed + how he structures workouts

    45:56 - Thoughts on upcoming changes to the NCAA

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    25 November 2024, 11:33 pm
  • 30 minutes 54 seconds
    2024 NCAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS RECAP: BYU SWEEPS, GRAHAM BLANKS REPEATS, DORIS LEMNGOLE KICKS | BIGGEST WINNERS + LOSERS

    Harvard senior Graham Blanks successfully defended his NCAA Division I cross country championship on Saturday, winning the 10,000-meter race in 28:37.2, narrowly edging New Mexico's Habtom Samuel.

    BYU became the first school since 2002 to win both men's and women's team titles at the same championship.

    Men's Championship

    Blanks' Victory: Blanks is the 13th runner in history to defend his title, cementing his legacy on the Thomas Zimmer course.

    BYU's Team Triumph: The Cougars scored 124 points for their second men's title, led by Casey Clinger's 6th-place finish and Creed Thompson's 12th. All BYU scorers placed in the top 50.

    Team Standings: Iowa State (137 points) finished second, followed by Arkansas, Wisconsin, and Northern Arizona. Defending champion Oklahoma State placed eighth.

    Women's Championship

    Doris Lemngole: The Alabama runner won the 6,000-meter race in 19:21, improving on her runner-up finish from last year. Pamela Kosgei of New Mexico was second in 19:27.8.

    BYU Women Dominate: The Cougars scored 147 points to win their sixth title, with Lexy Halladay-Lowry finishing as the top scorer in 14th place overall.

    Team Standings: BYU edged out West Virginia, with Providence, Northern Arizona, and Oregon rounding out the top five. Defending champion NC State finished eighth.

    Historical Context

    BYU’s sweep marks the first dual-team victory since Colorado’s achievement in 2002, highlighting their depth and dominance.

    Blanks joins an elite group of repeat champions in the 86-year history of the NCAA men's cross country race.

    The Big Picture

    BYU's historic team wins and standout performances from Blanks and Lemngole underscore the competitiveness and unpredictability of collegiate cross country’s biggest stage.

    23 November 2024, 8:24 pm
  • 40 minutes 21 seconds
    2024 NCAA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW SHOW + PREDICTIONS (LIVE FROM MADISON, WISCONSIN)

    For the third time in three months, the cross country world will descend upon Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday, and the stakes couldn’t be any higher. 31 men’s teams and 31 women’s teams punched tickets last weekend and a handful of star individuals round out each field. Both team races feature heavy preseason favorites looking to reclaim their top spots after late season losses, while both individual races are deep at the top with a handful of runners eyeing national titles. Fans are planning to pack the course in Madison, and they could be treated to a picture perfect setting with snowfall potentially in the forecast. More information on how to watch the meet, with ESPNU coverage kicking off at 9:30am E.T. Below we break down all four races, with a few sleeper picks to keep an eye on amidst the chaos that is NCAA cross country.


    You can read our official preview here: https://citiusmag.com/articles/ncaa-division-1-cross-country-championships-2024-preview

    22 November 2024, 5:55 pm
  • 1 hour 13 minutes
    Abdi Nageeye After Winning The 2024 New York City Marathon (2:07:39) | Race Recap + Reflections + Bonus Interview From 2023 (Live From Eldoret, Kenya)

    “Especially after 36K, I was telling myself, ‘Even if they speed up, I have to go deep today…’ I was telling myself, ‘This is my moment.’”

    My guest for today's episode is Abdi Nageeye, whose journey in 2024 could only be described as redemption at its finest. The Dutch marathoner and 2021 Olympic silver medalist who just three months ago grappled with his appointment after withdrawing late in the Olympic marathon in Paris, roared back to claim the biggest victory of his career at the TCS New York City Marathon.

    In a thrilling showdown against one of the strongest fields in race history, Nageeye deployed patience, strategy, and a powerful finishing kick to secure his first World Marathon Major title in 2:07:39 seconds, making history as the first Dutchman and the first European since 1996. To win the New York City Marathon from his self coach training in Eldoret to a race plan honed by years of experience on the course, Abdi turned heartbreak into triumph.

    We dive into his reflections on Paris, his mental and physical preparation for New York City, and what this victory means for him moving forward. But first, you'll also hear a never before released interview with Abdi from my trip to Kenya in June 2023, where we discussed a bit more of his backstory and upbringing from being born in Somalia to settling in the Netherlands as a refugee and spending time in Syria before finally being adopted by a Dutch family.

    I initially planned for this to be released last fall, but didn't have a chance to, but I'm now glad it's finally out. It's fun because towards the end of that first interview, I asked him what he wants to accomplish and he finally gets it done. Part one is my interview with him in Kenya and then part two is my interview with him reflecting on New York.

    Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

    Guest: Abdi Nageeye | @abdinageeye on Instagram

    Time stamps:

    2023 Interview live from Eldoret, Kenya:

    3:37 - Reflecting on training 

    5:02 - Why he likes to train in new places, what he enjoys about training in Kenya 

    9:05 - His backstory + stories from growing up 

    18:10 - Why he considers Africa to be his home 

    20:33 - Being embraced by the Netherlands 

    22:06 - Why shifting to the roads panned out so well for him 

    25:49 - What he learned from training with athletes like Eliud Kipchoge 

    28:20 - Future goals for his running career 

    2024 Interview after winning the NYC Marathon:

    34:51 - How training has been going since the NYC Marathon

    38:17 - What life has been like since our first interview in 2023

    41:00 - Current training setup 

    43:28 - Paris Olympics marathon experience 

    47:55 - Thoughts after dropping out of the Olympic marathon 

    54:44 - NYC Marathon race breakdown 

    59:03 - The final miles of the race 

    1:01:03 - Thoughts when Tamirat Tola was closing on him and Evans Chebet

    1:02:36 - The point when he knew he was going to win 

    1:06:13 - Emotions after crossing the finish line 

    1:08:12 - Looking ahead to future races 

    1:11:18 - Reflecting on his marathon career so far 

    SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

    WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

    OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    19 November 2024, 8:40 pm
  • 38 minutes 19 seconds
    NCAA CROSS COUNTRY REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEWS + PROJECTIONS

    Chris Chavez and cross country expert Isaac Wood are back to recap conference weekend and preview each regional meet going down across the country this Friday. Join us for our thoughts and predictions on who will qualify for the big dance in Madison, Wisconsin on November 23rd. 

    You can listen to our last NCAA cross country season check-in episode here.

    Hosts: Chris Chavez | @chris_j_chavez on Instagram + Isaac Wood | @isaacew on Instagram 

    Time stamps:

    1:51 - Conference weekend recap 

    4:34 - Isaac’s biggest takeaways from conference weekend

    5:31 - Wake Forest’s men’s team looking strong heading into Regionals

    6:59 - Big 12s men’s recap: thoughts on BYU, OSU

    11:39 - Big 12s women’s recap: thoughts on BYU, West Virginia

    16:05 - Oregon women looking to become a title contender 

    17:45 - Projected top teams at NCAAs

    20:52 - Explanation on how to qualify for NCAAs

    22:36 - Auto-qualifiers + at-large predictions: men

    30:05 - Auto-qualifiers + at-large predictions: women

    35:10 - Regions to pay most attention to on Friday

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    13 November 2024, 11:10 pm
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