The Never Not Run Pod

Today's pod guest is Nicole Spencer. Nicole is the executive director of Heroes in Transition, an organization that provides assistance for veterans, service members, and their families. Every year the organization puts together a run called Ruck4HIT, a team-based 200-mile ruck relay that goes through all 15 towns on Cape Cod. We chat with Nicole about the history of the organization, what the ruck symbolizes, and what inspires her while she's out on those long nighttime runs with a 20-pound ruck sack. To find out more about Heroes In Transition, the Ruck4HIT, and to contribute to their mission, visit their website: https://heroesintransition.org/ Or follow them on Instagram: @heroesintransition Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Our guests on today's pod are Gaby Arvizu and Robert Kessel. If you've ever run or spectated the Los Angeles Marathon, you've undoubtedly seen the thousands of young students in matching shirts taking part in the race. Those students are all getting the opportunity to run thanks to Students Run LA, a charity organization that connects students with teachers and mentors to help them train for, and finish the LA Marathon. Gaby is the President and CEO of SRLA and Robert sits on its board. We talk to them about the history of the organization, its role in the community, and how students continue to inspire them year after year. To find out more about Students Run LA and contribute to their mission, visit their website: https://www.srla.org Or follow them on Instagram: @SRLA Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Chris and Mark catch up after some time away from the pod. Chris takes us through his 2023 LA Marathon experience and Mark covers his Canyons 100k experience in Auburn, California. Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Our guest is Rudy Espinoza. Rudy is the Executive Director for Inclusive Action For the City - a Boyle Heights-based non-profit organization that helps local businesses and entrepreneurs by connecting them with capital and resources. We first heard about Rudy and the organization because of their advocacy for street vendors in Los Angeles. Not long after meeting him, we got onto the topic of running. On today's pod, Rudy discusses his journey from an awkward junior high student trying to log 100 miles to an adult that ran with one of the oldest running clubs in LA. He also explains why one of the best places to run in LA is around a cemetery. To find out more about Inclusive Action for the City, visit their website: https://www.inclusiveaction.org/ Or follow them on Instagram: @inclusivaction Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

We're back! And we're proud to bring you an interview with Witt Wisebram. Mark and Chris know Witt from two very different worlds - punk music and thru-hiking. We chat about his previous accomplishments on the AT, PCT, and AZT; what motivates Witt on his long endeavors; and why loop races attract the weirdos of the running world. And no NNR episode would be complete without a mention of Goggins. Here are some organizations that Witt supports and mentions during the episode: No More Deaths Wings of America Outdoor Afro To follow along on Witt's journey, you can find him on Instagram: @yung.chattahoochee To view Witt's FKT attempts: Witt "El Matador" Wisebram on FKT.com Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Mark and Chris thought they could outrun Covid but it finally catches up with them. On today's episode, they commiserate with one another and share advice on how to get their training back on track. They also share suggestions on what to watch while you're sick and recap the Eagle Rock Run Club/NNR Halloween Half Marathon. Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Vasha’s background is difficult to sum up. She’s lived in many places and possesses many skills. Her website describes her as an adventurer, ideator, and visual provocateur. What we know for sure is that she is incredibly knowledgeable about the current state of running and works with many fitness companies. We were so grateful she took the time to chat with us before her trip to run the Berlin Marathon and covered our widest range of topics yet. To keep up with Vasha, you can go HERE or follow her @askvash Our running song dedications: Hiatus Kaiyote - Molasses Ennio Morricone - Ecstasy of Gold Still Going - On and On Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today's guest is Tamara Jamil. Tamara takes us through her recent finish at the Salomon WMN Trail Half-Marathon; a race that in its own words, "took all of the best parts of community, competition and accessibility (think: free childcare) that a lot of women look for in a race." She also tells us about her previous half-marathon experiences and whether the trails in the bay area had any influence on her decision to pursue a PhD at UC Berkeley. If you would like to read more about Tamara's work and the research she's doing, you can check out: averyreview.com/issues/52/closing-act Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today we chat with Howie, Eddie, and Ben from The Silver Lake Track Club. They talk about the origins of the club and the community around the Silver Lake Reservoir. We hear about their approaches to running as well as their goals for the near future. If you're in the LA area, be sure to check out one of their weekly runs starting from the Elliott Smith wall or at their top-secret track... You can follow them on IG: @silverlaketrackclub ...or on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/764944 Follow NNR on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today's guest is Bill Maeda. Bill is a 53-year-old personal trainer based in Oahu. His simple workout videos, shot with limited equipment in the front yard of his house have inspired thousands of people including us. His was gracious enough to sit down and chat with us and dropped tons of knowledge. Sit down with a notepad because there's a lot you're going to take away from this episode. You can follow Bill on IG: @billmaeda To reach out to him about training, visit www.fitprohawaii.com For more related to Bill, check out his linktree page. Follow NNR on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today's guest is John Radich. We met John at the LA Marathon Expo and couldn't help but notice his Badwater belt buckle. After approaching him, we immediately sensed his warmth and generosity, and knew we had to have him on the pod (he also casually mentioned that he's completed Badwater 14 times!). John takes us through his history of running ultras going back to 1979. At 68, John is still crushing miles and if he's not running Badwater, he's out there crewing it. He also talks us through his cross-continental run and why it doesn't count unless you put your feet in the water. You can follow John on IG: @radichruns To see some of John's running accomplishments: John's page on Ultrasignup.com John's page on Ultrarunning.com Follow NNR on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today's guest is Mike Park. Mike is the founder of Asian Man Records based in San Jose, California. He’s released solo records under his own name and been a member of bands such as Skankin’ Pickle, The Bruce Lee Band, and The Chinkees. Chris and Mike go way back and today Mike tells us about the fundraising effort which led him to bike from Seattle to San Diego and what inspires him to walk 30 miles in 100 degree heat. You can follow Mike on Instagram: @mikeparkmusic For more info on Asian Man Records, head to: www.asianmanrecords.com Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

On June 11, 2022, our host Mark Nieto finished his first ultramarathon, The Shadow of The Giants 50k. Starting in Fish Camp, CA, the race takes you through the Sierra National Forest, culminates with a loop around a grove of giant sequoia trees, and then takes you back to Fish Camp. Mark goes into great detail about what he endured including his traverse through an area he coined, "The Gauntlet." For more information on the race, visit: www.sanjoaquinrunning.com/shadow-of-the-giants-50k-20k-fun-run Follow NNR on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today's episode is a KXLU reunion of sorts. We welcome Nick Tuttle and Jared Rodriguez - two incredibly talented composers and recording engineers that have run all over the city of Los Angeles. We cover early running experiences, why Big 5 shoes aren't so bad, and how you can improve your speed while playing video games. To hear Jared's musical project, Pomar, visit: pomar.bandcamp.com You can try to keep up with Nick Tuttle's weekly mileage on Strava Follow NNR on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

On today's episode, Mark and Chris recap their experience at the Vacation Races' Yosemite Half-Marathon. The chat about racing vests, movie remakes, and first trips to Yosemite. For more info on the race, check out: www.vacationraces.com Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Today's guest is Ty Haney. As the founder of Outdoor Voices, Ty understands the many sides of running so we were excited to hear about her new endeavors, Joggy and the web3 platform, Try Your Best. She walks us through Joggy's plant-based CBD supplements designed for "full-spectrum activity" and shares what it was like growing up in Boulder, Colorado. She even asks us what our favorite shoes are. You can follow Ty on Instagram @ty_haney For more info on Joggy, head to www.getjoggy.com And to get involved with Try Your Best, visit tyb.xyz Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Listen to part 1 here: thenevernotrunpod.podbean.com/e/ep-09-the-speed-project-part-1-of-2-running-from-los-angeles-to-las-vegas-meeting-team-319tb/ We conclude The Speed Project adventure after Chris takes us through the desert at night and recaps some incredible feats of endurance from each of the team members. For more information on The Speed Project, visit: @thespeedproject or www.tspdiy.com TEAM 319TB Maarten: @319TB Emily: @emilyfavret Nathann @nahtann Tom: @thomashunt3 Will: @will_tennent Francisco: @franciscobotasi Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Listen to part 2 here: thenevernotrunpod.podbean.com/e/ep-10-the-speed-project-part-2-of-2-self-supported-desert-marathons-arriving-on-the-strip/ Chris takes us along on his journey crewing for Team 319TB on the 2022 edition of The Speed Project - a DIY relay race from the Santa Monica pier to Las Vegas, Nevada where there are no spectators and no rules. For more information on The Speed Project, visit: @thespeedproject or www.tspdiy.com TEAM 319TB Maarten: @319TB Emily: @emilyfavret Nathann @nahtann Tom: @thomashunt3 Will: @will_tennent Francisco: @franciscobotasi Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

Eagle Rock Run Club founder Dan Faughnder joins Chris and Mark to talk about his experience running the 2022 Los Angeles Marathon. You can follow Dan: @danfaughnder If you're in LA area, join the Eagle Rock Run Club on one of their runs: @eaglerockrunclub Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com

On March 18th, Chris and Mark headed to Dodger Stadium for the 2022 LA Marathon expo to speak with the runners and vendors before the big race on March 20th. We're joined by our friend, Dan Faughnder. Follow us on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/NNR_ www.nevernotrun.com