This week’s podcast features an interview with Great Britain’s Paula Radcliffe, one of the best-known names in running for the past 30+ years.

Radcliffe first gained international prominence when she won the World Jr. Cross-Country race (on a snowy day in Boston, MA) in 1992. She had a great track career, and then moved up to the marathon, where she enjoyed unparalleled success. Among her biggest wins: three London Marathon titles, and three NYC Marathons.

At the 2003 London Marathon, Radcliffe ran a then-almost-unthinkable 2:15:25 to set a world record that lasted for 16 years. It even survived the first several years of the super-shoe onslaught until Brigid Kosgei ran 2:14:04 in the 2019 Chicago Marathon.

A little more than a year ago, Radcliffe, then 51, came out of marathon retirement to run the Tokyo and Boston Marathons with finish times in the mid 2:50s. This gave her finishes in the six original Abbott World Marathon Majors races.

Radcliffe currently lives in Monaco with her husband, Gary Lough, a well-known coach and agent, and a 15-year-old son, Raphael. Raphael has recently gotten serious about his running, and lowered his 1500-meter best to 3:59. An older daughter, Isla, who had a cancer scare in her teen years, is studying at college in Great Britain.

Radcliffe stays deeply involved in the sport through her track and marathon commentary for various TV outlets. She also co-hosts a podcast titled “Paula’s Run Club,” and promotes youth-running opportunities with several organizations.

In this conversation, Radcliffe talked in depth about her early running experiences and influences, her peak training, her favorite runners, the current women’s marathon world record (2:09:56, by Ruth Chepngetich), and much more.

To learn more about Radcliffe and her activities, check out her Instagram account.

WHERE TO FIND "RUNNING: STATE OF THE SPORT"

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In this week's episode of "Running: State of the Sport," Jared Ward becomes our first two-time guest on the podcast. We can't think of anyone better.

Ward placed 6th in the 2016 Rio Olympic Marathon without the super shoes worn by the podium finishers. Neither he nor anyone outside Nike even knew about super shoes at the time.

He soon began working with Saucony on that company's line of super shoes, and continued running fast times in major marathons. Ward hit his marathon PR, 2:09:25, in the 2019 Boston Marathon.

Perhaps more importantly, he mentored a gaggle of younger BYU graduates like Conner Mantz and Clayton Young to their significant marathon careers. He also helped form the public/private "Run Elite Program" to encourage professional running in Utah while promoting health and fitness to the wider population.

After moving his wife and six kids to Oxford, England, where he pursued an Executive Business Administration degree, Ward returned to near-top form this spring. Now 37, he ran a personal best 46:49 for 10 miles at Cherry Blossom, and then finished second in the Pittsburgh Marathon.

In this podcast, he explains why BYU running has reached such a high level, and what he sees in his own running and business future.

For more about Ward, see his profile on the Run Elite website.

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

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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.

Oz Pearlman is a well-known mentalist-entertainer and a less-well-known marathon and ultramarathon runner. However, his record on the roads and trails is just about as impressive as his mindreading tricks.

Pearlman, 43, has run a 2:23 marathon, a 2:25 at Boston, and finished the Western States 100, the Badwater 135, and the Spartathlon in Greece.

Recently, he was the planned entertainer at the White House Correspondents dinner in Washington, D.C.--the evening interrupted by gun shots and an apparent assassination attempt.

Pearlman was crouched between President Trump and press secretary Karoline Leavitt, attempting to guess the name of her unborn child, when the first shots were heard. A moment later, he was caught in the swarm of Secret Service agents who stormed in to protect Trump, and lead him to safety.

In this podcast, Pearlman chillingly describes the scene, including the fear he felt for himself and his wife and friends in attendance.

He also talks about his early days in marathon running when he knew virtually nothing about the sport, and what he needed to learn before he became more successful. He's particularly insightful in explaining some of the shared mental strategies between his on-stage performances and in the last miles of a marathon or ultra.

For more about Pearlman, check out his website or his Instagram feed.

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.