The Art and Science of Running

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we visit with world record holder, runner, pastor, community builder and recent 100K and 50K Treadmill World Record setter, Mario Mendoza @mendozarunner Mario was recently a part of the Chaski Challenge during which eight world records were broken on treadmills around the world. Mario was joined by former podcast guest and fellow Bend resident, Max King @maxkingor

World Records for a Cause

Earlier in 2020, Mario set a new 50K Treadmill World Record in front of a gym full of students and community members in Madras, Oregon. Madras High School is made up of a diverse population including 1/3 Native American, 1/3 Hispanic, and 1/3 Anglo. Madras is a community that Mario and his wife have invested in.

Mario didn’t choose to run in the most ideal setting to break the previously held world 50K record. He knew that it would require more work and effort and fitness to achieve the goal at altitude and in a crowded gym without air conditioning, but his reasons for wanting to set the record outweighed his desire for an easy mark. Mario wanted to inspire others. He specifically wanted the kids and community that he has worked with to have a reason to hope and an example of what is possible.

Change Takes Time, Patience, Commitment, and Investment

Mario knew early on that he wanted to try and set the world record in Madras, but he also knew that it would take time to build enough rapport in the community for it to have any meaning. He rolled up his sleeves and went to work.

Similarly, Mario knows that racial tensions in America are real. He has lived them on a regular basis. And yet he knows that the path to change will take time. It will require individuals investing in building personal relationships. It will take love and patience. It will take hope. Mario has hope in a brighter future.

Running to Build Bridges

Mario, Max, and Renee all live and train in Bend, Oregon. They recognize that there is a need in their community to diversity and increase access to running for all people. They dedicated their record setting runs to a camp that they organize to offer opportunities for kids throughout Central Oregon of diverse backgrounds to come together and learn with and from one another.

Read here to learn more about the Central Oregon Youth Running Camp.

There wasn’t enough time to discuss all of the good work that Mario is doing in his community. Mario is using his platform for good. Please watch the video below learn more. Please share Mario’s story.

Sponsors

This episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast is brought to you by the Feed.

The Feed is an online sports nutrition store based out of Boulder, Colorado. The Feed offers a large variety of sports nutrition products, recovery tools, and supplements for endurance athletes.

As an Art and Science of Running Podcast listener, you are invited to become a Feed VIP and receive 15% off all your orders.

To become a Feed VIP, please visit: https://clubs.thefeed.com/artsciencerun and receive 15% off all your orders at the Feed.

Shout Outs and Social Media

Intro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by Dallin Puzey. Now available on Apple Music and

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we visit with multi world record holder, Zach Bitter @zachbitter. Zach recently set a new 100 mile and 12 hour treadmill world record and already held the track and trail world records for the 100 mile distance. One thing that made this particular world record unique (apart from being a world record) is that Zach coordinated a very elaborate live stream production of the entire run which brought in prominent voices in the sport including former Art and Science of Running guests, Dr. Tommy Rivers Puzey @tommy_rivs, Geoffrey Burns Ph. D. @geoffreyburns, Jamil Coury @jamilcoury and Art and Science of Running podcast co-host, Jacob Puzey @jacobpuzey.

In addition to former guests from our show, the 12+ hour livestream also included endurance legends such as Ultramarathonman, Dean Karnazes @ultramarathon, Six-Time Ironman Champion, Dave Scott @davescott6x, former 100 mile treadmill world record holder, Dave Proctor @daveoutrunsrare, overall Big’s Backyard Ultra champion, Maggie Guterl @maggatronsruns, Western States and UTMB Champion, Courtney Dauwalter @courtneydauwalter, and podcasters Eric Schranz @UltraRunnerPod and Ian Corless @Talkultra and many more.

Adapting and Adjusting Training & Racing

Like many, Zach had specific races for which he was preparing. Then, the coronavirus changed everything. Zach knew he was fit and figured he might as well use it. After setting multiple American and World Records at the 100 mile distance on trails and the track, Zach knew that he would one day want to attempt a 100 mile treadmill record. With the recent race cancellations due to the COVID 19 pandemic, Zach figured that this year was as good as any to test himself on the treadmill. He and his wife, elite ultrarunner Nicole Bitter @nkbitter, turned their home in Arizona into an indoor arena for a 12 hour livestreamed sufferfest on the treadmill. In addition to being on-site crew, coordin...

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running Podcast, Malc talks with Alper Aydemir, founder of Volumental foot scanning technology company. During the hour long conversation Alper describes how he developed the original technology and then applied it to helping people scan their feet to better understand their foot shape.

This discussion touches on entrepreneurialism, technology that can help runners, and just how an innovative idea can find its feet. As Alper explains, Volumental is the household name in foot scanning and can be found in more than 12,000 stores worldwide – helping runners get a better match between their feet and their new shoes.

This is a published research report from Volumental focusing on how different ethnicities have different shaped feet and why that should matter to footwear brands – Analysis of 1.2 million foot scans from North America, Europe and Asia

Volumental powers Fleet Feet’s Drop Shop For more information, please visit: www.volumental.com

Show Sponsors

This is episode is presented by RunScribe food pods and the remote gait analysis provided by show host, Malc Kent of Runfisix.

THE ULTIMATE REMOTE GAIT ANALYSIS SOLUTION

A set of RunScribe pods and a remote gait analysis

RunScribe Pods

RunScribe pods are the most comprehensive and affordable running gait sensors in the consumer and professional market today. They are used by more than 500 leading clinics, training centers and research laboratories around the world. They have also been used by many of the world’s well known shoe manufacturers for shoe research and development. Their suite of lab validated and trusted metrics thoroughly profile your running gait no matter what environment or event you are running in.

Along with the comprehensive set of core gait metrics (many of which measure the left and right side independently) you also get the ability to record specific pain points for a run, tag the model of shoes you wore and tag the type of terrain you ran on.

More on RunScribe: https://runscribe.com

More on the core metrics: https://runscribe.com/metrics/

Runfisix Analysis

Runfisix’s world leading gait analysis allows you to get the most out of your RunScribe pods by providing a detailed assessment of exactly how you run in your normal environment and what this means for you in terms of injury prevention, race performance and shoe selection.

Once you receive your RunScribe pods, you can start collecting your data. It takes most runners approximiately 2 weeks to collect enough data to complete the gait analysis. Your data is then analyzed by a Runfisix expert, who will send you your detailed report.

Runfisix is able to leverage their in-house database that includes thousands of RunScribe injury prevention case studies as well as proprietary advanced metrics and data analysis processes in order to provide the most meaningful insights possible.

If you want to really understand your running mechanics and why you are prone to particular injuries or inefficiencies then this is the package you need.

What you get

• 1 RunScribe kit (incl. dock, charging cable and extra cradles).
• The RunScribe consumer app (mobile/web) with core metrics.
• A quick start guide to using your new pods.
• A guide to collecting your data.
• A full data analysis and final gait analysis report (incl. recommendations).

Shout Outs and Social Media

Intro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by

In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with world class ultrarunner, race director, and entrepreneur, Jamil Coury (@jamilcoury) about all of the changed taking place in the sport with the need to cancel events due to the global Coronavirus pandemic. Jamil is leading the way as a race director, pivoting from putting on over 30 trail and ultrarunning events per year across the American Southwest to offering a number of virtual options which extend beyond the US border and provide a sense of purpose and meaning for runners around world.

Aravaipa Strong

What started as a means of engaging runners between cancelled or postponed events, Jamil and his team at Aravaipa Running created a virtual 10 day running challenge called Aravaipa Strong that allowed people to select a distance and try to cover it anytime during the 10 day window. But this event didn’t just draw in those signed up to run an Aravaipa race in the Spring of 2020 – it drew in runners from all parts of the globe.

Insomniac Night Runs

Aravaipa Strong was such a success that Jamil and his team decided to create additional virtual challenges that runners can tackle in the coming weeks. The Insomniac Series has been a night run series that Aravaipa puts on through the hot desert months in Arizona, but now people can do these events from anywhere and participate in a variety of categories, distances, challenges throughout the summer months through the Carpe Noctem Virtual Night Run Series Pass.

Limitless Vertical Challenge

If running at night isn’t your thing, Aravaipa is also hosting a virtual climbing challenge called the Limitless Vertical Challenge. In this challenge, runners can take on challenges ranging from once up the Empire State Building to twice up Mt. Everest.

Personal Touch

While Jamil’s personal running career has been extensive and rather accomplished (top 10 at Hardrock 100), one thing that sets Jamil apart in the trail and ultrarunning community is the artistic way in which he contributes to the community. Both as a race director and content creator, Jamil is an artist in every sense of the word. He incorporates elements of other races into his own, but definitely adds a personal touch to each event whether that is with the custom medals, unique overall awards, brick oven pizza, or professional video coverage – every event that Jamil directs is a world-class production.

In the case of virtual races, Jamil cut his teeth on virtual races while running a Helipad Marathon on a very small loop atop the roof of the Aravaipa Running headquarters the night before a stay-at-home order went into effect in the state of Arizona.

Behind the Lens

Jamil extends his artistry from race directing to the camera – filming and producing some of the best running footage on the Internet and posts it to the Run Steep Get High channel.

In addition to the footage that Jamil has captured of others racing, he has also created a satirical YouTube news broadcast called the Mountain Outpost that highlights various aspects of the sport.

Shout Outs and Social Media

Intro and outro music GOIN 4 A WALK by Dallin Puzey. Now available on Apple Music and Spotify.

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In this episode of the Art and Science of Running podcast, we chat with Gary Robbins about running professionally, coaching, and race directing amidst the current coronavirus crisis. Specifically, we discuss virtual racing, reciprocity with partners, fellow race directors, and runners.

Gary has become a household name in the sport of trail and ultrarunning, but long before the Barkley Marathon, Gary was setting FKTs, course records at iconic races such as the HURT 100, and establishing himself as one of the best in the sport.

Perhaps, what makes Gary so endearing, however, is his humble, affable, authentic nature. In this episode, we dive into what makes Gary who he is and what he does to preserve his humanity, authenticity, and ability to be present.

Being Present by Setting Boundaries & Saying No

Anyone who has spent time with Gary – even if it is listening to an interview, or attending a speaking series, or watching him on the big screen recognizes his presence. Gary has the ability to be present in large groups while somehow also making each individual feel like he is present for them. He is present for his family, his wife, Linda, and son, Reed. He is present for his friends. He is present for the athletes he coaches. He is present for the thousands of runners who run his races and present for the millions of fans around the world who have watched his videos on YouTube.

We asked Gary how he is able to maintain such presence while ensuring that he is also caring for himself. Gary attributes his ability to be present with his ability to set and maintain boundaries. Especially after the Barkley Marathon 2017, Gary had to learn to say no so that he could continue to say yes to the people and commitments closest to him. In turn, this has enabled Gary to be who he needs to be to the myriad people who want him to be present.

This was Gary’s second podcast in three years despite countless requests to do so. He broke the silence recently on the Well – the show of fellow ultrarunner, Dylan Bowman. We are grateful that Gary took the time to connect with us and share some insight into what is currently motivating him and inspiring him to continue to lead our community.

Reciprocity

Gary stands out as a leader amongst race directors with his efforts to build community and establish ties of reciprocity. His recent initiative, Support Local, is not simply a means to keep his race series, Coast Mountain Trail Running, afloat, but an effort to rally the greater running community behind all local race organizers. This emphasis on community and reciprocity is not new for Gary or those who know him.

In addition to putting on world class events like the Squamish 50, Gary has organized film screenings and speaking tours assembling some of the biggest names and brightest personalities in the sport while bringing the community together, filling up theaters, to celebrate the sport. These events are not under the banner of Gary’s race series, but under the greater banner of trail and ultrarunning. Gary goes out of his way to bring other race directors and coaches into these events. As fellow coaches and race directors, we are beneficiaries and grateful to Gary for his emphasis on building community.

Find Out More

More on the Support Local initiative and how you...