For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running
Jonathan Levitt
A podcast that explores the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Running is a sport that has the power to unite us all and we are ...
The Social Side of Running: How Community Events Fill a Need for Human Connection with Brunch Running’s Alexandra Weissner
Ever thought about starting a run club or event of your own? Listen up!
Alexandra Weissner is the co-founder of Brunch Running, a community-focused run club and event series based in Denver.
With years of experience producing events like The bRUNch Run and the Steamboat Marathon, Alexandra has built a vibrant community that celebrates running, connection, and post-run brunches.
Want to run the Steamboat Marathon? Use code FTLR15 for 15% off your race entry of any distance!
Listen to hear about:
- Run clubs as social hubs for community and inclusion
- How you can start a run club yourself
- Getting in the mindset to create something new
- How Alex balanced training and work while professionalizing her running
- Finding local support and volunteers to make events like the Steamboat Marathon happen
Stay connected:
- Code FTLR15 for 15% off race entry: steamboatchamber.com
- Alexandra Weissner on Instagram: instagram.com/alexweissner
- Brunch Running Club on Instagram: instagram.com/brunchrunning
- Brunch Running Club Website: brunchrunning.com
- For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
- Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
- Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.
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43:37
How to Turn a Setback into Two Steps Forward with Pro Runner Fiona O’Keeffe
How do you stay motivated after a big setback or injury?
Fiona O'Keeffe is a professional runner with the PUMA Elite team based in North Carolina. After graduating from Stanford in 2020, she made the move to the East Coast and found success on the roads under the guidance of Alistair and Amy Cragg.
Listen to hear about:
- Balancing competition and community
- Process goals and setbacks as opportunities for growth
- PUMA’s support and how they value their athletes
- Not being afraid to take chances
- Enjoying the day-to-day aspects of running
- Using gratitude for reflection and staying grounded
Stay connected:
- Fiona on Instagram: instagram.com/fiona_okeeffe
- For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
- Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
- Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by Boulderthon: Our favorite Colorado race event with a variety of distances. Use code FTLR20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon when you register at www.boulderthon.org.
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36:55
Tips for Downhill Running, Process Goals, and Long-Term Running Planning with Coach Ian Sharman
Get tips from a coach who’s run over 250 marathons and ultras on 5 continents!
Ian Sharman is the founder of Sharman Ultra Coaching, a team of elite coaches. He got a marathon PR of 2:21 at age 43, and a half marathon PR of 1:03 at age 44. He's won over 50 marathon+ races with at least one win every year for 19 (and counting) consecutive years.
Ian also holds the fastest time in a trail 100-mile race by a Brit (12h44m), the record for the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning (69h49m), has won the USATF 100-mile trail championship twice and is a four-time Leadville Trail 100 Champion.
Listen to hear about:
Getting hooked on ultras after a race in the Sahara Desert
Ultramarathon strategies to maintain a consistent pace
Behind the scenes of focusing on 100 mile races
Goal-setting and long-term planning for running
Tips for downhill running
Outcome vs. process goals
Stay connected:
Ian on Instagram: instagram.com/sharmanian
Follow @sharmanian on Threads, Bluesky and X
Ian’s website: sharmanultra.com
For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by:
PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 at www.puma.com.
Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair.
Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.
Fuel Goods: Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box! Use code FTLR10. https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun
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57:11
What It Takes to Win Your Country’s First Olympic Medal with Julien Alfred
This sprinter came from humble beginnings and is now one of the fastest people on Earth.
Julien Alfred is a Saint Lucian sprinter and PUMA athlete who won the gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics 100-meter event, setting a new national record of 10.72s in the final.
Her medal was the first-ever Olympic medal for Saint Lucia, and then won a silver in the 200 meters.
Listen to hear about:
Julien’s start to running as a child
How a professional sprinter trains
Not getting complacent, even with multiple Olympic medals
The role that faith plays in Julien’s drive
Julien’s experience on the PUMA athlete team
Being featured on Netflix’s “Sprint”
Stay connected:
Julien on Instagram: instagram.com/julien.alfred
For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by:
Hyperice: Innovative recovery tools for all types of training. My favorite are the Normatec leg boots and Normatec Go portable calf sleeves. Reach out to me on Instagram for a discount code to use at hyperice.com.
Fuel Goods: Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box! Use code FTLR10. https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun
PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 at www.puma.com.
Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair.
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38:50
The Stories Shaping Running Culture with Like The Wind Magazine’s Simon Freeman
Print media is still alive, and it’s shaping running culture, too.
Simon Freeman is a runner and co-founder of Like the Wind magazine, an indie running publication telling stories that inspire, motivate and move runners.
He and his wife Julie also co-founded Freestak, an influencer platform for endurance sports brands which they sold in 2023.
Simon lives in Switzerland, enjoying the mountain life and building the Like the Wind media business.
Listen to hear about:
How Simon wove his entrepreneurial background into the endurance sports space
The beginnings of Like the Wind and growing a media business
Why he chose an ink on paper journal for long-form storytelling
Breaking stasis and taking risks in business
The challenges of training for a marathon at 50
Balancing financial challenges with creative freedom
Why storytelling is so important to running culture
Stay connected:
Simon on Instagram: instagram.com/likethewindmag
For The Long Run Podcast on Instagram: instagram.com/forthelrpod
Jon Levitt on Instagram: instagram.com/jwlevitt
Join the For The Long Run email community: for-the-long-run.beehiiv.com
This episode is supported by:
Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair.
Go Brewing: Grab a few six-packs of the award-winning non-alcoholic beer using code FTLR and get 15% off and free shipping on all orders above $40. My favorites are the sours. Find them at gobrewing.com.
PUMA: Get 20% off any PUMA run or train products from shoes to apparel with code FTLR20 at www.puma.com.
Acerca de For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running
A podcast that explores the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated. Running is a sport that has the power to unite us all and we are here to share conversations about how running has shaped the lives of people within our community, as well as how running has created community in itself.
From pro runners and Olympians to ultramarathoners running their first big race to business owners who use running to improve their entrepreneurial journey, we believe in creating community and expanding the running world for all.
Hosted by running enthusiast, Jonathan Levitt.