Keira D’Amato is back on the podcast (previously on Ep11, 100 and 292) for another fun conversation and a big announcement! Keira has always worn several hats (pro-athlete, realtor, oreo-reviewer, mom, to name a few) but she’s on the show to add yet another one: author. In her new book, Don’t Call it a Comeback, Keira relives her unusual, challenging, hilarious, un-filtered, fun, inspiring running journey and brings us all along for the ride. Go ahead and pre-order this one: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/dont-call-it-9781250344946/

Last weekend was a blast running with the GRIT gang here in Baltimore, so in this week's episode of The Drop, we recap that. Meg was having the worst run ever in Charleston, so she dives into that, as well as how she got to see the Bob Dylan movie six months in advance. We also cover the return of Shelby Houlihan and the state of Strava before getting into all the details of the Hoka Bondi 9.

We'll going to Miami! Come join us for a shakeout run and hang out with us on a freakin' yacht, where you can demo the Bondi 9 and snag some free swag, including a pair of Goodr sunglasses. RSVP here:

Read the review of the Hoka Bondi 9: https://believeintherun.com/shoe-reviews/hoka-bondi-9-review/

INDEX

00:00 Intro

03:15 GRIT Party Recap

12:14 Meg in Charleston

21:16 What about Bobs?

28:12 Shelby is back

42:00 Sträva sniping

51:05 Winter Gear

55:37 Weightlifting report

1:05:50 Hoka Bondi 9

Kicking the new year off right with trying to figure out if pigeons are halal, the legacy of the Donner Party, hologram bracelets and very non-Eastern philosophies, Winter GRIT updates, and Meg's new foray into sourdough bread baking. Also, we talk about the Anta C202 5 GT, which sounds like a droid name, and more thoughts on the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27. We'll also be in Miami at the end of the month, so maybe we'll see you there. INDEX 00:00 Intro 04:17 Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 06:42 GRIT Update 09:27 Halal Pigeons 24:13 Holograms 33:30 ChatGPT 47:56 Xmas Presents 1:00:00 Sourdough 1:02:38 Anta C202 5 GT 1:15:27 Miami

Running is great, but what about runnning a running specialty store? That's what Victor Diaz does as owner and operator of Renegade Running in Oakland, California, an independent run store featuring a curated collection of the best footwear and apparel in the industry. Thomas talks with Victor about business, run culture, and much more.

Check out Renegade Running: https://renegade-running.com/

Follow Renegade Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renegade_running

In our final installment of the team's origin stories, we visit the life and times of Meaghan Murray. If it's not already obvious, Meg is the glue that holds this house of cards together, and you'll see why after listening to this episode. From growing up in Maryland to going to school in Charleston to finally getting into running and absolutely crushing it with dedication and consistency, she finally gets a chance to tell her story with only minor interruptions from the peanut gallery. Hope you enjoy and thanks for all your kind thoughts and words on our origin stories over the last few weeks.

We made it to the end of another year and we couldn't have done it without you. We recap the highs and lows (mostly highs) while diving into some shoe and gear talk, including the Brooks Hyperion Elite PB 4, a race day shoe that finally shows what Brooks is capable of. We're taking off next week for the first time ever, thanks so much for sticking with us, we hope you have a wonderful holiday season a happy new year.

Don't forget to kick off the new year by joining us for our Winter GRIT party! All our welcome and it's free, no RSVP necessary. Get all the details here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDxVX5JxYv_/

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

LAGOON SLEEP
Get the best night of sleep with a Lagoon pillow and save $25 off any pillow between now and December 2nd with code BELIEVE ➡ https://⁠⁠lagoonsleep.com/believe

LMNT
Eventually it's going to be cold outside, but you're still going to need salt and electrolytes to get your body right. So make sure you're ready with LMNT's hot drink mixes, featuring Chocolate Chai, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Raspberry. Pick up your LMNT and get a free sample pack with your order here ➡ ⁠https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop⁠

We go straight to the source for this week's origin story. Thomas Neuberger is the founder of Believe in the Run and this is his life story. From the streets of San Francisco to the subways of New York City to the city of Baltimore, we cover it all in great detail. Thanks for allowing us to do what we do and for sticking along for the ride. Follow Thomas on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tfneuberger/

It's the most wonderful time of the year, when the Believe in the Run team wears their favorite Christmas sweaters and gathers around an invisible fire for an hour-long bedtime story. Hopefully Santa will come and deliver the Mizuno Neo Zen to all the good boys and girls because it's a pretty fantastic shoe. SHOP THE STUFF WE TALK ABOUT

Tracksmith Brighton Base Layer: http://shrsl.com/3r5tq Carhartt Mittens: https://amzn.to/48XI1m7 Tracksmith NDO Mittens: https://shrsl.com/4shx1 Bose Open Ear Earbuds: https://amzn.to/3CC2Rv5 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! LAGOON SLEEP Get the best night of sleep with a Lagoon pillow and save $25 off any pillow between now and December 2nd with code BELIEVE ➡ https://⁠⁠lagoonsleep.com/believe LMNT Eventually it's going to be cold outside, but you're still going to need salt and electrolytes to get your body right. So make sure you're ready with LMNT's hot drink mixes, featuring Chocolate Chai, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Raspberry. Pick up your LMNT and get a free sample pack with your order here ➡ ⁠https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop⁠

Feels weird to write this about myself, but Robbe is co-host of The Drop running podcast, director of website affairs, editor in chief of Believe in the Run, father of raccoons, urban redneck, hot and cold runner, music maker and dreamer of dreams. This is his story, his history, from beginning to end (with honestly, a lot left out). It's been a wild ride, and thanks to all of you for coming along– it's been the honor of a lifetime to know you and I forever indebted to all of you for allowing me to do this with my life.

Follow Robbe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/normcorerunner/

It's beginning to feel a lot like Nimbmas around here, with the upcoming release of this Asics Gel-Nimbus 27. But first, we give you all the details on our week of Christmas movies and recommendations, Robbe's personal Baltimore crime report, earthworm calling, and also thoughts on the afterlife. Quite a range of nonsense.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS!

LAGOON SLEEP
Get the best night of sleep with a Lagoon pillow and save $25 off any pillow between now and December 2nd with code BELIEVE ➡ https://⁠⁠lagoonsleep.com/believe

LMNT
Eventually it's going to be cold outside, but you're still going to need salt and electrolytes to get your body right. So make sure you're ready with LMNT's hot drink mixes, featuring Chocolate Chai, Chocolate Mint, and Chocolate Raspberry. Pick up your LMNT and get a free sample pack with your order here ➡ ⁠https://drinklmnt.com/thedrop⁠

Get to know the head of trail running here at Believe in the Run, Taylor Bodin. A Minnesota native, Taylor joins the ranks of legends like Courtney Dauwalter and Scott Jurek who have left the land of a thousand lakes for the mountains of 14,000 feet. Over the past five years, Taylor has reviewed hundreds of trail running shoes, and will be lined up for even more as he joins the team full time in 2025.

Follow Taylor on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorjbodin/