Exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. The cover photo is my Why: finishing my first 50k, which was a last minute change of plans due to TNF50 cancellation, supported and surrounded by some of the best humans in the trail running world. Logo designed by Vanessa Wolfe Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/forthelongrun/support
What’s the big, scary goal that you’re going to choose for 2025?
Mike "Sully" Sullivan is a retired Special Forces Colonel with 30 years of service in the U.S. Army, including six combat tours in Afghanistan and leadership roles in elite Special Operations units.
Sully is the current Chief of Staff of the veteran support group Team Red, White & Blue, the founding member of Team RWB Fayetteville, a career high school math teacher, and father of three children.
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Dakotah Lindwurm is an Olympic Marathoner from Minnesota who runs for PUMA and Minnesota Distance Elite.
She made the podium at the Olympic Trials, came in 12th in Paris 2024, and has a 2:24 marathon personal best.
Listen to hear about:
Hear Dakotah’s 2023 episode of For The Long Run: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0qPCWTQGXSFAxG3HBKX3R0?si=b8a89a60e7be4504
Stay connected:
Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the Tread Lightly Podcast!
This episode is supported by:
Hear straight from pro runners on their biggest challenges and joys of the sport.
Jon moderated this panel discussion at Boulderthon on September 28, 2024 with athletes Scott Jurek, Molly Seidel, Rory Linkletter, Maor Tiyouri, and Dakotah Lindwurm.
Listen to hear about:
Why each athlete chose running (and why their Whys can change)
How they keep moving forward when times get hard
How to get comfortable being uncomfortable
The goals of these runners and how they’ve changed over time
Pushing past post-race blues
Hear past For The Long Run episodes with these athletes:
How Olympic Medalist Molly Seidel Navigates Injury and Mental Health Struggles
Running and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: Maor Tiyouri’s Story
Rory Linkletter: How an Olympic Runner Thinks About Training and Racing
Stay connected:
Scott Jurek on Instagram: instagram.com/scottjurek
Molly Seidel on Instagram: instagram.com/bygolly.molly
Rory Linkletter on Instagram: instagram.com/rory_linkletter
Maor Tiyouri on Instagram: instagram.com/maor_tiyouri
Dakotah Lindwurm on Instagram: instagram.com/dakotahlindwurm
For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by:
MadeGood: Get better-for-you, organic, and gluten-free snacks that help you fuel your training. Use LongRun15 for 15% off MadeGood on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/MadeGood/page/D52B1F41-B2AC-4B27-A77F-E83775F7089F
2Before: Get a performance boost with New Zealand Blackcurrant berries. Use code FTLR for 30% off of multi-serve and 20 packs over at 2Before.com.
Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40. My favorites are the sours. Find them at gobrewing.com.
Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLROCT at this link for 15% off your pair.
Are you one of those runners who started off absolutely hating the sport?
Jeremy Miller is an athlete and content creator based in Austin, TX. He has completed several marathons and ultras with a 2:44 marathon personal best.
Jeremy is also known for his unique athletic feats, like running a sub-5-minute mile and deadlifting 500 pounds on the same day, and running a 62-mile race around a one-mile loop in a parking lot.
He’s also the co-founder of Switchback, a running nutrition brand.
Listen to hear about:
Stay connected:
Looking for helpful, valuable resources to improve your running performance and longevity? Make sure you head over to the Tread Lightly Podcast!
This episode is supported by:
Olympic Marathoner Molly Seidel calls herself a “running nerd to the core,” but that doesn’t mean it’s all fun and games.
Molly is an Olympic bronze medalist in the marathon who lives in Flagstaff, AZ.
Listen to hear about:
Our 2021 episode with Molly: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7pIO6UE11YUaJAXaeyANn3
Stay connected:
This episode is supported by:
Is building a media company a bigger test of endurance than a 250 mile race?
Jason Bahamundi is an 8x Ironman and 8x 100 Mile finisher, plus a finisher of the inaugural Cocodona 250.
But he thinks his biggest endurance feat so far is founding his sports publication, Run•Tri•Bike.
Jason believes that there is a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body, despite the obstacles they may encounter along the way.
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At just 9 years old, Sebastian Salsbury ran his first ultramarathon race.
He knew even then that he had to become one of the best in the sport someday.
Now, Sebastian is an 18-year-old professional trail runner in Santa Barbara, CA who’s found a second family in the trail running community.
He believes that anyone at any age can start running.
Listen to this episode to hear about:
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This episode is supported by:
What sounds more challenging: Running a hard 10k, or sitting still for three days without exercise?
Dr. Lara Pence is a licensed clinical psychologist working with elite and professional athletes.
She helps them not only improve their performance in sport but also connect more deeply with the entire life experience.
Lara’s also the founder of The Coaches Collective, a program for ambitious sport coaches looking to increase their skills in human behavior and psychology.
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This episode is supported by:
How does a runner go from self-described bench warmer to podium finisher at one of the most renowned 100 milers in the world?
Zoë Rom is a writer and journalist based in Carbondale, CO.
She’s the host and producer of The Trailhead Podcast and Your Diet Sucks, and author of the book “Becoming a Sustainable Runner.”
And she was the second female finisher at the 2024 Leadville Trail 100 Run!
Listen to this episode to hear about:
Stay connected:
Other FTLR episodes with Zoë
282. Tina Muir and Zoë Rom: Running for Life, Community, and Planet https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rjg8YvpyYUD3LYPwHkR7i?si=253d4925591b4e67
117. Failure Makes You a Better Athlete and Human https://open.spotify.com/episode/7yCYgO6UMhaSQ2Bc2psAxC
This episode is supported by:
What does it take to win the Leadville Trail 100 Run during your first-ever year of competing on trail?
Mary Denholm cracked the code after racing almost exclusively on roads from 2015-2024.
During that time, she took her road marathon personal record from 3:39 to 2:36 and qualified twice for the Olympic Marathon Trials.
Mary decided to shift to ultrarunning in early 2024, and on August 17th, she won Leadville’s legendary 100 mile race.
Listen to this episode to hear about:
How and why Mary transitioned from road to trail
Strength training and injury recovery leading up to Leadville
Mary’s recap of her Leadville victory
Tips for taking care of yourself during training and racing
Stay connected:
Mary on Instagram: instagram.com/eatrunandbemary
For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by:
Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR for 15% off your pair at https://alnk.to/3ybGCzH.
PUMA: My current top shoe is the Deviate Nitro First Mile. Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR24 at www.puma.com.
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