Runner's World: Boston

Olympian Deena Kastor discusses some the amazing highs of her running career and the challenging lows—and how she got through them. And while Deena is still an elite masters runner, she also shares how she balances life as a runner, wife, teammate, and mother. (2:15) Every runner has a story on what gets them out the door, so we gave the microphone to you. We share a few of the stories we collected from runners at our mobile recording booth at the Boston Marathon Expo this past April, including stories of connection and encouragement. (28:30) In the Kick, we wrap up the final four days of the U.S. Olympic Track Trials, along with who’s heading to Rio; the mustachioed, beer-drinking, runner who became the talk of the trials; and how you can use Pokémon Go on your next run (really). (34:30) Check out our show page here. Follow us on Twitter (@rwaudio) and Facebook (Runner's World Audio).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Why Steve Prefontaine still matters today, including an excerpt from Shoe Dog, the memoir from Nike cofounder Phil Knight. Then we have a conversation with Frank Shorter, one of Pre’s closest friends and competitors in running. (1:25) David Willey speaks with Julia Lucas, who missed making the 2012 Olympic team in the 5,000 by just .04 seconds. She takes us through the most audacious race of her career and how she’s tried moving forward from that day. (34:20) In the Kick, we recap the highlights from the first four days of the U.S. Olympic Track Trials, discuss a nonagenarian who had a great week, and the next challenge for Ryan Hall. (42:50) Check out our show page here. Follow us on Twitter (@rwaudio) and Facebook (Runner's World Audio).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How NASCAR drivers and their crew members have started to use running to give them a physical and mental boost on the track. (1:30) In the Kick, editor Sarah Lorge Butler and reporter Kit Fox discuss the big storylines, races to watch, and runners to keep an eye on heading into the Olympic Track Trials in Eugene, Oregon. (25:59) Check out our show page here. For more NASCAR photos and video, check out runnersworld.com/nascar Follow us on Twitter (@rwaudio) and Facebook (Runner's World Audio). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Editor-in-Chief David Willey talks with Amby Burfoot about his start in running, being tailed by rival Bill Clark before Burfoot’s 1968 Boston Marathon win, and the race that means the most to him today. (3:10) After a bad marathon, executive editor Tish Hamilton came on the show a month ago to announce to the universe she is backing off her running routine this summer. We catch up with her to see how things are going as she tries to morph into a cyclist. (22:50) On the Kick, we talk about a disputed trans-America run, a hotly-anticipated marathon debut, and an emoji you might like. (34:20) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We head to the Pentagon to take the Air Force Physical Fitness Test. The unusual opportunity provides them some surprising insight into their individual fitness regimes. (1:15)In the Kick, editor Sarah Lorge Butler and reporter Kit Fox talk about a super fast dog, a record treadmill run, a canceled race in Vermont, and a reunion of the Friday Night Lights crew. (25:10)

For over 20 years, the so-called World’s Longest Urinal was a New York City Marathon institution. At the height of its glory, it was an astonishing 350-feet long. The story of this urinal is one of DIY problem solving, triumph, and liquid tragedy. And behind this open air trough: An unknown legend named Vic Navarra. Vic was a fixture at the New York City Marathon for over a quarter of a century. He was a New York City firefighter who conducted the race start from the top of a fire truck's 85-foot ladder. When tens of thousands of runners poured onto multiple levels of the Verrazano bridge at the start of the marathon, Vic was the one conducting them. As the race start coordinator, he was the steward of this storied urinal, too. Together, their history gives us a glimpse into how the New York City Marathon scaled up to be the world class race that it is today. Episode Credits: Host: Rachel Swaby Producers: Rachel Swaby, Mervyn Degaños Editor: Audrey Quinn Editing help: Christine Fennessy, Sylvia Ryerson Fact c

The Dog Trotters program at Providence Animal Center in Media, Pennsylvania, pairs high-energy canines with runners to help them get adopted. Editor Christine Fennessy goes for a run with program coordinator, Adria Eichner, a Dalmatian mix named Ace, and a Pit Bull mix named Dillon to learn why this program is such a great idea for animals and humans, and to get some tips on running with our best buddies. Scott Jurek, the vegan ultrarunner superstar, talks plants, tough days on the Appalachian Trail, and his next big adventure with Nutrition Editor Heather Mayer Irvine. We close the show a bit differently this week. In honor of National Running Day, which was June 1, we share a few of the stories we collected from runners at our mobile recording booth at the Boston Marathon Expo.

A series of unfortunate (and hilarious) events just minutes before the start of one of the world’s most prestigious races. This week’s episode is a sprint—a short story. And you might want to hold your nose because it’s a pretty surprising, very unsettling story about a port-o-potty from Boston Marathon race director Dave McGillivray. Or, to up the stakes, a story about that time McGillivray nearly missed the start of the race he directs. Episode Credits: Host: Rachel Swaby Producers: Rachel Swaby, Audrey Quinn, Christine Fennessy Theme music: Danny Cocke Human Race editor-in-chief: David Willey 

Editor-in-Chief David Willey talks with Executive Editor Tish Hamilton about his recent trip to China, and how the country's running culture mirrors our own. In the Kick, we talk about the black market for running bibs, a new FDA warning that runners should heed, and what makes Desi Linden such a fun marathoner to watch.

Sylvia Weiner is a prolific runner. She’s 85 years old, and she estimates that over the course of her running career she’s completed somewhere near 2,000 races—and she’s got an extensive collection of race medals and trophies to prove it. In 1975, Sylvia even claimed a very special spot in Boston Marathon history. But her most significant legacy has nothing to do with race accolades. When Sylvia runs, she shows others what’s possible. Her long-term dedication to the sport is impressive. “I stick to running for dear life,” she says. That’s because running is more than a passion; it’s a way of dealing with her traumatic past. On this week’s episode, Sylvia shares her incredible story. Let’s just say, there’s a reason Sylvia’s longtime running buddy greets her with an enthusiastic, “Sylvia! She’s our hero!” Episode Credits: Host: Rachel Swaby Producers: Rachel Swaby, Audrey Quinn, Christine Fennessy Editing help: Brian Dalek Special thanks: Gordon Asmundson from the University of Regina for sharing his research

Deena Kastor, elite marathoner and three-time Olympian, shares what may be the most critical element to her success: her mental game. (1:30) Tish Hamilton, our Executive Editor, runs to live; this summer, she's going to see if she can live with running less, and doing other sports more. (18:15) In the Kick, we discuss elite runner Alexi Pappas’s productive month, the new spin on the beer mile that will make your stomach turn, and tips for a great overnight relay race. (30:20)

Juli Windsor and John Young, the little people marathoners we first featured in the story, “Big,” in our April 2014 issue, share their story. (1:00) Shoe and gear editor Jeff Dengate finds a staff member with nearly zero shoe sense and takes him for his first proper fitting at our local running store. (18:37) In the Kick, we talk about selling flesh for ads, paying it forward in Boston, and Nike co-founder Phil Knight’s memoir, Shoe Dog.  (30:35)Episode Credits:The Runner’s World Show is hosted by Editor-in-Chief David Willey.The podcast is produced by Sylvia Ryerson, Christine Fennessy, and Brian Dalek.Our theme music is “So I Run” by Thunderhoof.Interviews on the podcast have been edited for length and clarity. Got a story idea for the show? Send it to rwaudio@rodale.com.

Chief Running Officer Bart Yasso joins the show. Otherwise known as the Mayor of Running, Bart talks about his crazy travel schedule, the disease that changed his life, and what he means when he says, “Never limit where running can take you.” (1:00) Editor Katie Neitz quizzes some of our staffers on how likely they are to get injured (you will be surprised), and the steps runners can take to avoid getting hurt down the road. (17:05) In the Kick, we gush over crazy fast old people and super stud high schoolers, reveal a few new races that'll help you BQ, and discuss the (wow) physical transformation of recently retired elite marathoner Ryan Hall. (30:00)

We head out to a November Project workout along with 250 or so of the closest friends you never knew you had. Editors Katie Neitz and Brian Dalek explain why all that suffering and support is so darn good for you. (1:25) Editor-in-Chief David Willey talks with Brogan Graham and Bojan Mandaric, cofounders of November Project, about their free, weather-be-damned, heavy-on-the-hugs fitness movement and their new book. (9:00) The Kick wraps up the London Marathon, from the overall winners to some of our favorite costumed runners, a freaky fast old guy, and a race call for the ages. (33:00)

David Willey talks with Dave McGillivray, race director of the Boston Marathon, about his amazing running life. (1:00) Training and Races Editor Meghan Kita recounts her story of overcoming fatigue by going for a Guinness World Record while dressed as a hot dog. (18:40) The Kick wraps up the 120th Boston Marathon, from the overall winners to the notable finishers. (29:50) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Roberta Gibb was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon, and this year’s event marks the 50th anniversary of her historic achievement. We talk to Gibb and to RW contributing editor Amby Burfoot, who wrote about pioneering women runners in his recent book, First Ladies of Running. (00:42) On a lunch run, we test out unusual shoes and discuss what people should consider when purchasing new kicks. (18:07) We meet Joseph Tame, a British ex-pat living in Japan, who may just be the most connected runner in the history of the Tokyo Marathon. (23:43) The Kick leaves you with some of the most interesting news of the week. (36:45)

Site Director Chris Kraft explains his obsession with the sky, and the unusual stuff he sees up there during his (very) early morning runs. (1:00) Nutrition Editor Heather Mayer Irvine gives the lowdown on midrun fuel. (10:10) We talk with elite running couple Ryan and Sara Hall about adopting four sisters from Ethiopia and their new lives after Ryan's recent retirement. (17:40) The Kick wraps up the week’s most interesting (read: highly unusual) running news so you can wow your running buddies. (30:45)