Our latest podcast features an interview with 94-year old Dr. Ken Cooper, the father of Aerobics. In our view, he has done as much, or more, than any other individual to promote the benefits of running and other consistent exercise.

A star high-school miler in Oklahoma, Cooper ran two Boston Marathons (1962 and 1963) while a student at the Harvard School of Public Health. He improved from 3:54 in his first effort to 3:24 the following year.

Prior to breaking his leg decades ago in a skiing accident, Cooper logged 38,000 miles of running. Since the accident, he has continued a vigorous fitness program that now consists of roughly 50 percent recumbent bicycling and 50 percent strength training.

Beyond his personal example, Cooper spearheaded hundreds of studies at his Cooper Clinic. This research has demonstrated the dramatic mental and physical benefits of regular exercise, which leads not just to longer life but also to a slower onset of cognitive decline.

The author of 20 books, Cooper this summer released Grow Healthier As You Grow Older, available from Amazon and other booksellers.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple
Spotify
Audible
Pandora
I Heart Radio
YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

George and I discuss the biggest wins and most unexpected surprises of the first half of the Tokyo World Championships, then turn our attention to Jeannie Rice. By several measures, she is the world's best marathon runner.

Rice is the first person known to have won her age group in all 7 World Marathon Majors. In six of those, she beat the first male in the age group.

Her scores in the respected Age-Sex Graded Calculator, also put her atop almost all marathon performers.

In this podcast, Rice describes how her astounding age-group success came 30 years after she began with the goal of losing five pounds. Her singular skill: She hasn't slowed down during those 3 decades.

How? Rice laughs and says she doesn't know. Then she talks about how she has maintained a training regimen of 50 miles/week for 40 years ... plus a little more when building up to her several-times-a-year marathons.

If nothing else, Rice stands as a prime example of consistent, dedicated training--week in, and week out.

At her first World Masters Track Championships in Sweden in 2024, Rice won six gold meals, from 800 meters on the track to the half-marathon on the roads.

Next year's World Masters meet in South Korea, where she was born, will serve as strong motivation for 2026.

And then? Rice is already looking forward to turning 80 in 2028, so she can take aim on another set of age-group running records.

For more about Rice, visit JeannieRiceRuns.com.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple
Spotify
Audible
Pandora
I Heart Radio
YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

Ben Rosario has done a bit of everything in running, often with an entrepreneurial spirit. As a professional runner for a decade leading up to 2010, Rosario achieved a marathon PR of 2:18:55. For several years, he trained with the highly respected Hansons Brooks team in Detroit.

After that, he opened a retail running store in St. Louis, where he had grown up, and then jumped into his biggest project to date. In 2012 his wife and 1-year-old daughter moved to Flagstaff, AZ, to begin the Northern Arizona Elite training group.

The team was soon sponsored by Hoka, and has played a significant role in USA distance running ever since. Runners from NAZ Elite have scored ten top 10 finishes in World Marathon Majors. Biggest victory? In 2020 Aliphine Tuliamuk won the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in Atlanta.

Rosario left his leadership role at NAZ Elite a year ago. In this podcast, we learned that he and family have recently moved to Phoenix, where he has taken a job as a private school teacher of sixth- and seventh-graders.

He and several business partners have formed a team to organized a unique new approach to marathon running. It's called The Marathon Project, and will be held for the first time in mid-December in Chandler, AZ, just outside Phoenix.

The Marathon Project is actually two marathons on two days. The first, on a Saturday, aims to present a concierge-like, high-service event to all entrants. They will be treated like elite athletes with pacers, special water bottle placements, and easy start-line access. All this on a super flat/fast 4-lap course in conditions likely to be cool and low-humidity.

The next day these Saturday finishers will be able to watch a professional marathon, with $40,000 in cash prizes, on the same loop course.

For more from Ben Rosario, you'll find him here on X.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download our podcast from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport.

"With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple
Spotify
Audible
Pandora
I Heart Radio
YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels."

Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

The recent USATF National Championship Meet in Eugene was outright spectacular in all ways. It even had action off the track, as well as sensational races on the Hayward Stadium oval.

More than anything else, everyone's talking about one middle-distance event already being called the "greatest of all time" by many observers. Amby and George dissect that race, from start to finish.

The other races, from 100 meters to 10,000 meters, were nearly as breathtaking. We discuss the ones that most impressed us.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple
Spotify
Audible
Pandora
I Heart Radio
YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

This week at “Running: State of the Sport,” George and I decided to skip the usual interview guest so we could spend more time on some really big and important recent news. We start, of course, with the just revealed doping offense of 2:09:56 Chicago Marathon (2024) winner Ruth Chepngetich.

We also discuss and analyze: Faith Kipyegon’s “Breaking4” effort; Beatrice Chebet’s new world record for 5000 meters (13:58.06); the incredible high level of men’s 1500 meter/mile racing; and the results of the recent Western States 100-Mile.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple
Spotify
Audible
Pandora
I Heart Radio
YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

In our new podcast, Rich Kenah, CEO of the Atlanta Track Club, discusses the upcoming Peachtree 10K, the Grand Slam Track series, and the trials and tribulations of hosting a U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, as Atlanta did so sensationally in 2020.

Kenah is a past Olympian at 800 meters, and a former athlete agent, who once worked with Michael Jordan, the basketball star when he wasn't organizing track meets, or ironing out details of runner contracts.

Also, George and Amby predict the Faith Kipyegon Breaking4 outcome, and their favorite in the Western States 100, both of which will take place in just a day or two.

Learn more about the Atlanta Track Club here.

Watch Kipyegon's Breaking4 attempt Thursday, June 26, here. Live and free on YouTube. It's scheduled to take place at 1:15 p.m. East Coast time. (That could change if Paris weather is not optimal.)

Western States will also be covered live and free on YouTube for 14+ hours Saturday, June 28, beginning at 8 a.m. East Coast Time. Here.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

PandoraI

Heart Radio

YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

Thomas Panek is blind, a frequent marathoner, and President and CEO of Lighthouse Guild, a national nonprofit providing services to the visually impaired. Panek is the first person with vision loss to lead Lighthouse Guild.

In addition to running marathons tethered to human guide runners, he has finished the New York City Half Marathon with a team of guide dogs. He is also working with Google engineers to develop a phone app that can help the blind "see" the road and various obstacles around them.

In this podcast, Panek got George's attention by talking about "blind baseball"--a sport George is eager to witness. Amby was drawn to Panek's comments about how running can be especially powerful at improving the independence and mental health of physically challenged individuals.

Learn more about Thomas Panek and Lighthouse Guild here.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

Pandora

I Heart Radio

YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com.

Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.

David Roche is producer of one of the world’s most popular podcasts, “Some Work, All Play,” with his cohost and wife, Megan. He’s also a contender to win the Western States 100 Miler at the end of June. That’s a rare combination.

His back story is even more amazing. A little more than a year ago, Roche was seriously injured when struck by a car while bicycling a favorite road near Boulder, CO. At that time, the Duke Law School grad and ultramarathon coach had never even attempted a 100-mile. But last summer he broke a longstanding course record in the Leadville Trail 100, and several months later scored a convincing win (in torrid temps) in the Javelina 100.

A fan of “Hamilton” the musical (“I’m not givin’ away my shot”) and Simone Biles (“F___ around and find out”), Roche professes to believe that almost everyone’s “amazing” and should reach high for their personal goals. Megan is both his coach, a champion ultra runner on her own, and an M.D. and PhD graduate from Stanford University. Every week, their pod covers the latest research findings about running, as they attempt to “science the sh__” out of endurance performance.

You can learn more about David & Megan Roche at their SWAPrunning.com website, or at David's Instagram page.

David's quest to win Western States has been chronicled here in a YouTube series by video producer Cody Bare.

Key Sections Of The Podcast

0:00

Introduction to David Roche: The Rise of an Ultra Runner

10:33

David's Background: Life, Family, and Coaching

13:43

The Dynamic Duo: David and Megan Roche

16:47

The Birth of a Podcast: Authenticity and Popularity

19:44

Language and Honesty: The Explicit Nature of the Podcast

22:37

Uplifting Messages: The Importance of Kindness

25:55

Science vs. Intuition: Balancing Training Approaches

28:42

Training Insights: The Art of Adaptation

31:44

Overcoming Challenges: The Impact of a Serious Accident

34:39

Life Lessons: Embracing Mortality and Racing

37:43

The Athletic Journey: From Football to Ultra Running

38:46

The Journey to Natural Running

40:13

Genetics and Athletic Performance

43:01

Rapid Rise in Ultra Running

47:35

Mental Resilience and Self-Confidence

51:32

The Competitive Landscape of Ultra Running

54:28

Key Factors for Success at Western States

56:58

Reflections on the Evolution of Running

01:01:09

The State of the Sport of Running

01:03:53

Wishes for the Future

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for "running state of the sport."

With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

Pandora

I Heart Radio

YouTube

"Running: State of the Sport" is brought to you by MarathonHandbook.com and RunLongRunHealthy.com. Marathon Handbook is the world’s leading marathon website, with a special focus on trustworthy running information and free, runner-tested training plans for all ability levels.

"Run Long, Run Healthy" is a weekly newsletter focused on the newest, most scientific, and most useful training advice for runners. It was launched by Amby in 2021, and is now edited by Brady Holmer, exercise physiologist and 2:24 marathon runner.