THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

• Deena Kastor Reflects on the Life and Legacy of Coach Joe Vigil—and the Lessons That Still Shape Her Stride, Spirit, and Story

  There are legends in running, and then there are people who make legends possible.Returning to the show is Deena Kastor: Olympic medalist, former American record-holder in the marathon, and one of the most decorated distance runners in U.S. history.But beyond the stats and finish lines, Deena’s journey has always been rooted in resilience, reinvention, and deep mentorship.Today, she’s here to reflect on the recent passing of her coach and lifelong mentor, Dr. Joe Vigil—a towering figure in American distance running who helped shape not just her stride, but her spirit. Deena has already shared powerful words about that emotional goodbye, the lessons he passed on, and how his voice still echoes through every run she takes. Now, we get to go even deeper into that story: one built on trust, transformation, and legacy.We’ll also celebrate the iconic moments that defined her career: from that unforgettable bronze medal in Athens, to her blazing 2:19:36 American marathon record, and countless victories across the track, roads, and cross-country course.This conversation is a tribute to greatness: in performance, in mentorship, and in what it means to carry someone’s legacy forward.In today's conversation, Deena pays tribute to her coach in his passing, the lessons she's learned from him, untold stories from Coach Vigil's life, the legecy he left, and so much more. This one was touching and inspiring all at once. Be blessed by hearing about the life of a man whose life transformed the sport you love so dearly. Tap into the Deena Kastor Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

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• He Closed an Ironman Marathon in 2:39, Broke a Course Record, and Is Still in Med School—Matthew Marquardt Is Redefining What’s Possible

  While other pros are napping in NormaTecs, Matthew Marquardt is doing rounds in med school while still torching Ironman courses. Matthew is a two-time Ironman champion who just shattered the Lake Placid course record with a blistering 7:50:08. A month earlier, he dominated Ironman Cairns, closing the marathon with a fearless 2:39:47.And here’s the kicker, he’s also a full-time medical student at Ohio State.That’s right, while most pros are recovering with fancy gadgets, Matthew least Marquardt is on hospital rotations. He’s up at 4 a.m., trains between cases, and still finds a way to run down world-class fields.What makes his story even more compelling? He comes from an elite swimming background. Think state records and Ivy League titles at Princeton. and has made one of the most seamless transitions into professional triathlon we’ve seen. He races with initials of loved ones impacted by cancer etched on his bike. And he’s deeply committed to using sport not just as performance, but as a platform for purpose.From cancer advocacy to med-school resilience, Matthew’s story is one of purpose-driven performance.In today's conversation, Matthew takes me through his meteoric rise in traitholin, training 25-30 hours a week while being a full-time med student, his ambitions for the future, his desire to get into cancer research, and wisdom for the next generation.Tap into the Matthew Marquardt Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

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• Copying the Pros Won’t Work, Belief Is Real, and Your Taper Might Be Hurting You—Alex Ostberg Breaks Down July’s Biggest Lessons in Training Psychology

  Alex Ostberg is back again, ready to unpack the powerful, and often overlooked, mental side of training. In this July roundup, Alex breaks down the four most impactful lessons from his newsletter The Rundown: covering everything from tapering tweaks to placebo power.If you’ve ever second-guessed your workouts, tried to copy what the pros are doing, or sabotaged yourself before race day—this  episode is your antidote. First up, Alex covers why copying elite runners can backfire, and how to train for yourself, not someone else’s blueprint. Next, he discusses the placebo effect redefined, how it’s not a trick, but a training tool rooted in belief and biology. Then it’s onto the taper trap: how overthinking and last-minute adjustments ruin weeks of hard work (and how to stop). Lastly, he examines the hidden role of mindset across every training phase, and how to build routines that boost performance from the inside out. Alex is ready to show how success isn’t about replication, it’s about personalization; that belief isn’t fake; it’s a real driver of results; and how trusting the plan matters just as much as writing a good one.Alex is a former D1 All-American, coach, and creator of The Rundown, one of the most practical and honest newsletters in running. His approach blends elite-level insight with grounded, actionable strategies every runner can use.Tap into the Alex Ostberg Rundown Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E S-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-The Science of a Taper-How To Stop Sabotaging Your Taper-The Placebo Effect Isn’t A Trick – It’s A Tool-Don’t Copy The Winner-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

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• Caden Leonard Just Put the Nation on Notice—After a Dominant Junior Year, the Texas Champion Is Gearing Up for a Senior Season That Could Change Everything

  If you follow high school distance running, you already know the buzz is real.Caden Leonard has emerged as one of the most dominant prep runners in the country, and his résumé is growing almost as fast as his closing kick.Let’s start with the highlights: he’s a two-time Texas 6A Cross Country State Champion; he was the 2025 Texas 6A State Track “Double Gold” winner in the 1600m and 3200m; he came in 2nd place at the Brooks PR Invitational, clocking an impressive 8:50.22 for two miles; he came in 3rd place at Nike Cross Nationals, earning All-American honors; and was back-to-back Gatorade Texas Cross Country Player of the Year.And when it comes to personal records? Caden’s stats speak for themselves: he’s run 4:04 in the mile; 8:50 in the two-mile; 14:33 in the 5,000m (Cross Country); and 14:19 in the 5,000m on the track.What makes Caden’s story even more compelling is how he runs. Not just fast, but smart. He’s been described as “a surgeon on the course,” known for his surgical precision in pacing, tactics, and race-day execution. Within that racing tactician, there’s a young man driven by purpose, humility, and a clear mission: to win—and grow—in every sense.Caden is getting ready to transition to the University of North Carolina, so this is a prime time to check in with him and see where his head is at.In today's conversation, Tap into the Caden Leonard Special.  If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen. If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W  N O T E SNORDVPN DEAL: https://nordvpn.com/podcast/?coupon=runningeffect&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_term=&utm_content&utm_campaign=off910&utm_source=aff71451-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run -THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

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• Sam Ruthe Just Became the Youngest Person to Break 4 in the Mile—And His 3K and 1500 Are Even Scarier

  At 15, Sam Ruthe is breaking records and shattering expectations.With a jaw-dropping 3:58.35 mile, he became the youngest human ever to break four minutes, vaulting himself into the global spotlight.But if you know his story, none of this feels like a fluke.Running is in Sam’s blood.His grandfather was a Commonwealth Games steeplechaser.His parents? Both competitive runners.You can’t fake that kind of DNA.The stuff he has accomplished outside of just the mile already are dumbfounding:In November of 2024 he broke the New Zealand U17/U18 3000m record (with a time of 8:09.68).On February 1 of this year he won the senior national 3000m title in 7:56.18, becoming the youngest ever to do so.On February 9 of this year he ran 3:41.25 in the 1500m, which was faster than Jakob Ingebrigtsen did at the same age.On March 9 of this year he went toe-to-toe with Sam Tanner at the NZ Senior Champs, tying in 3:44.31 in the 1500m.And then on March 19 he blew past the four-minute mile barrier with a 3:58.35.And those are just the headlines.In 2025 alone, he clocked 1:50.57 in the 800m, 3:39.17 in the 1500m and 7:56.18 in the 3,000m.These aren’t “great for his age.”They’re just great.Full stop.Sam is humble, calculated, and deeply thoughtful—the kind of athlete who makes you rethink what’s possible at any age.If you coach, compete, or love seeing the future before it’s fully arrived — don’t miss this one.In today's conversation, Sam takes me through his training, mindset, and ambitions.We go into him being the youngest person to ever break 4 minutes in the mile, training with professional runners, and so much more.Remember the name.Tap into the Sam Ruthe Special.If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review!I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!S H O W N O T E SThe Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rsBUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.runOur Website: https://therunningeffect.runTHE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQMy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=enTake our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

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