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Running On Purpose

40 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 48 ratings

A seasonal, bi-weekly podcast dedicated to training the body, mind & soul for what the race requires.

Fitness Health & Fitness Sports running marathon training purpose beginner runner intermediate runner advanced runner road running mental training trail running
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Episodes

Endorphin Book Club: An Invitation

February 01, 2024 10:00 - 23 minutes - 18.1 MB

Where I announce the Endorphin Book Club, a community for runners who read or readers who run. If you are interested in joining us please reach out to me directly via email at sisson at telosrunning dot com. 

The Mission Protocol: Brief, Intention, Execution & Debrief

January 11, 2024 10:00 - 1 hour - 56.9 MB

In this essential episode, I walk through the single most important protocol one can implement this year & in the future for vastly improving their performance in training & racing. There is a ton of very important information here. It can be distilled as follows:  The Mission Protocol.  The Brief is the Vision. The intention is the Seed. Training is the water/ground/conditions.  Rest & recovery are the Harvest. The Debrief is the Full Belly & Story/Map for future Vision.  As me...

The Innerwork Dialogues 02: Designing a Spiritual Training Plan

December 21, 2023 10:00 - 1 hour - 52.2 MB

“The bad news is that you are falling through the air, there is nothing to hang onto, and you have no parachute.  The good news is that there is no ground.”  ~Chögyam Trungpa We are back in conversation with Kobe Blondeel from In The Zone podcast for another of what we are calling The Innerwork Dialogues. Our goal with these discussions is to begin to attempt to sketch the outline & form of a concrete & practical approach to incorporating & exploring the spiritual path with running. ...

Charlotte Grysolle on the Nervous System & Breathwork for Runners

December 14, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 57.7 MB

If you are anything like me, you probably listen to a lot of podcasts. I mean, here you are, listening to this one now. & it can be challenging to process the content in a long, deep episode & come away with concrete, actionable takeaways. I'll be listening to an episode & have a note file started on my phone so I can jot down key insights or inspiring ideas I want to develop later. If this is you, you are going to love my guest this week. Charlotte Grysolle is an online writer who ...

The View: arête Re-release w/ Jason Brooks

December 07, 2023 09:05 - 1 hour - 59.8 MB

This episode is filled with gold. While the recording quality was abysmal - totally a fault of my using a recording system I was unaccustomed to - the discussion is phenomenal. I as mentioned in the last RoP episode, sometime getting more context & discussion around the heady, meta foundation of worldview can be challenging. This discussion has many takeaways & practical applications that would have taken me too much time to articulate in a solo episode. On tip of that, I hope to co...

Ballad of a Thin Man: Worldview as Foundation

December 07, 2023 09:00 - 57 minutes - 43.1 MB

Because something is happening here but you don't know what it is Do you, Mr. Jones? -Bob Dyan, Ballad of a Thin Man This intro is from Cat Power's recently released live album Cat Power Sings Dylan: The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert. I highly recommend this album & of course the various originals Dylan himself released.  This episode takes this quote as inspiration for exploring worldviews as foundation for running, training & racing. 

Go On, Be Brave: On Gratitude w/ Bill Corrigan

November 22, 2023 09:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MB

In this Thanksgiving special episode, I interview Bill Corrigan an athlete I have worked with for over four years who was diagnosed almost two years ago with ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. What follows is an inspiring & moving conversation around how this disease has changed Bill's life & how much we all have to be grateful for. Happy Thanksgiving & godspeed, my friends.  At the end of the episode, Bill mentions his fundraiser for Boston this year, HERE IS A LINK.  I also mention ou...

Our Birthright: Running As Movement Practice

November 16, 2023 09:00 - 44 minutes - 33.7 MB

In this solo episode, I develop my thesis that running is best understood & experienced as a movement practice. Here I unpack various arguments & points of view where the focus of most runners on training & racing is missing a huge opportunity & is a fundamental misunderstanding of what we are doing as runners. While this might seem a bit dry or meta, I sincerely hope you'll consider following me down this path. I use it as a foundation for running & the conversations that will cont...

Endorphin Book Club - But Only On Sunday: Ron Clarke

November 09, 2023 09:00 - 25 minutes - 19.7 MB

This episode is the first in a series of readings I am calling the Endorphin Book Club. The EBC - which really should be called the Endocannabinoid Book Club to honor recent scientific discovery but we'll keep it simpler & nostalgic - scratches an itch that I have always wanted to scratch: classic texts in running history read in audiobook style to relive & honor great running history & writing. The first take on this concept is a reading of my favorite running writer, Kenny Moore, ...

Innerwork Dialogues 01: Belief as Container & Fuel for Sensemaking

November 01, 2023 18:08 - 1 hour - 79 MB

I am very excited to introduce a new series & co-host to the RoP podcast. Over the summer I found a podcast created by a Belgian runner & coach, Kobe Blondeel, that addressed topics that I felt resonated the essential shift in consciousness that was undergoing around running as a spiritual practice. Kobe hosts In The Zone & his early episodes were a mix of solo discussions around his experiences as an athlete & coach around deep philosophical & spiritual modes of being a runner with...

Purpose Revisioned

October 18, 2023 18:17 - 38 minutes - 28.7 MB

As I was putting the finishing touches on the episode I planned to release today, I realized it might be helpful to discuss what I see purpose meaning now - in the fall of 2023 - vs how I framed it three years ago. This episode is a revisioning of what I mean by "running on purpose" & how I am doubling down on the concept, if in a slightly modified version. A meandering meditation, free-form & floating along.  I hope you enjoy. Godspeed. 

The Return

October 05, 2023 06:00 - 40 minutes - 32 MB

Wherein your host, Steve Sisson, marks the return of the podcast from a three year hiatus. This episode reintroduces the new reboot of the Running on Purpose with a Who, What Where, When & Why for this return. It's been a long time coin', but Sisson is BAAAA-AAACCCKKKK!

Legends: 2003 London Marathon w/ Deena Kastor

June 12, 2020 11:00 - 2 hours - 107 MB

Show Notes Full Video of this Episode (YouTube) Deena's Essential "Instructional" Memoir at Amazon Full video of 2003 London Marathon (PART I) (PART II) Footage of the 2001 World Championships 10,000m Race (YouTube) Deena book recommendations -Big Potential by Shawn Acor at Amazon -A Practice of Mountains by Andrea Mead Lawnrece at Amazon ($$$!) -The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin at Amazon Time - Content 00:00 - In da Club/Intro 6:30 - Women's Marathoning from 1985-2003 12:00 -...

Interview with a Legend: Dick Beardsley

May 12, 2020 15:00 - 1 hour - 54.4 MB

YOUTUBE VIDEO LINK Only 18 months after making the decision to train seriously, Dick Beardsley drives the best marathoner in world beyond his limits in the world's best marathon. How does an upstart develop so quickly in such little time? Listen to this interview & you'll find out.  After our inaugural episode of Legends, covering the 1982 Boston Marathon & the iconic Duel in the Sun, we had an opportunity to interview Dick Beardsley.  This interview runs the gamut, from history &...

Legends: 1984 Women's Olympic Marathon (Part II)

May 05, 2020 16:00 - 58 minutes - 78 MB

Show Notes         Time - Content 00:00 - Race Discussion 11:00 - Post-Race Interviews 16:50 - Post Olympic Careers - Joan Benoit 23:15 - Grete Waitz 28:50 - Rosa Mota 32:00 - Ingrid Kristiansen 35:00 - Who Was the Best of the Decade (1980's)? 43:00 - Rabbit Holes (Olympic Marathon Course Design & the History & Legacy of Athletics West) 47:20 - Questions/Debates/Loose Ends

Legends: 1984 Women's Olympic Marathon (Part I)

April 30, 2020 16:00 - 52 minutes - 73.8 MB

Show Notes Time - Content 3:30 - Reflections on Legends 1984 Boston Marathon 6:00 - 1984 Olympic background 13:20 - Women’s distance running history 23:55 - Grete Waitz 31:10 - Joan Benoit 41:40 - Ingrid Kristiansen 45:15 - Rosa Mota 49:20 - Who was supposed to win?

Legends: 1982 Boston Marathon

April 16, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 136 MB

Episode Breakdown 0:00 - Introduction of Legends 10:45 - Culture & Running Scene in 1982 17:55 - Background on Race Protagonists 34:55 - Race Discussion & Analysis 51:00 - The Race Finale 1:00:15 - Career Epilogue 1:13:15 - Hot Takes on Alberto 1:27:00 - Final Questions about Race Links Boston Marathon 1982 Video footage - https://www.runnerspace.com/video.php?video_id=62014 Duel in the Sun - https://www.amazon.com/Duel-Sun-Beardsley-Americas-Greatest/dp/1594866287

Q&A: On Planning Mental Training

March 30, 2020 19:30 - 56 minutes - 47.1 MB

A dialogue with Bill Corrigan on how to set up a metal training plan. Bill asks if there is a periodization model we can use to optimize our mental game in running & racing. Recorded before the outbreak of COVID-19 on March 6th.

On Stillness & Resilience

March 24, 2020 22:00 - 46 minutes - 36.9 MB

In this episode we discuss life on lockdown & how we recommend silence & resilience as tools for coping with change & uncertainty. We end with one key session you can add now that will pay huge dividends down the road.

On Practicing Being Human-An Injury Case Study w/ Tomek Baginski

March 11, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 62.4 MB

A wide ranging, honest dialogue about how injury impacts running & life. We start off talking about the US Marathon Olympic Trials & move into the specifics of how Tomek became injured, how he struggled with diagnosis, how it impacted his overall wellbeing & what he's going to be bringing to his running & his community as he returns back to full health. I mention late in the podcast about the need for community when athletes are injured. We are considering creating a community of In...

Q&A: On The Infinite Game

March 05, 2020 07:00 - 31 minutes - 23 MB

A Question & Answer episode on playing a long game in your running.

Q&A - On Weights

March 04, 2020 13:00 - 22 minutes - 17.2 MB

A Question & Answer episode on weight training.

On Creating a Marathon Race Strategy

February 20, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 57.2 MB

I. Preparatory Work: Review Your Why Review Your Goal Review Your Training Review Your Course Review Your Heart II.Align Your Fitness/Circumstances with Your Objective How Likely Are You To Achieve Your Goal 90-100% Likely: Negative Split 80-90% Likely: Slight Negative Split Less Than 80%: Even Split How To Assess Your Fitness Long Runs - How many 20+? Quality Long Runs? Closes? Tempo/Threshold Work - Helpful but less indicative; if you are good at them, it is very help...

On Suffering (A Rant)

February 12, 2020 20:00 - 12 minutes - 10.1 MB

The first in an ongoing series of short exhortations or "rants", if you will. This week I discuss the essential & necessary aspects of suffering in our training & racing.

On The Long Run

February 05, 2020 20:00 - 51 minutes - 36.2 MB

The Long Run  What Even Is a Long Run? Why It Matters Most Important Run For All Distances Benefits for Aerobic Development (covered below) All Distances (800m to Marathoners/Ultramarathoners) Arthur Lydiard’s Legacy Peter Snell 20M Hilly runs as an 800/1500m runner) Special Concern for Marathoners Other races distances the LR is longer than the race. Not so for marathoners. Specificity  Can there be too much cost for this specificity? (Hanson’s, covered below) What Happ...

Game Changers 1.0: Sleep, Nutrition, Letting Go & Trail Running

January 30, 2020 23:00 - 58 minutes - 41.2 MB

Dr Zach Bush on the Rich Roll podcast discussing gut health & biome. Episode 353 Episode 414 Episode 456 Highly recommended. 

On Mileage & Sweet Spots

January 23, 2020 17:00 - 58 minutes - 48.7 MB

In this episode Steve discusses: Why Mileage Matters Why Dick Measuring is Ridiculous Why More Mileage Is Not Always Better Junk Miles, Long Runs & Medium Long Runs What a Sweet Spot Is & How To Find It How To Safely Raise Your Mileage What Mileage Has To Do With Your "True Potential" Enjoy! Telos Running has a new FREE Base Building program beginning February 3rd called, Basecamp. You can find out more at www.telosrunning.com/basecamp

On Your Why - Creating A Running Purpose Statement (Part II)

January 15, 2020 13:15 - 34 minutes - 26.2 MB

RoP 12 - On Your Why: Creating a Running Purpose (Part II) Quick Review from last Week:  Why Your Why is Important Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Reasons for Running & Why Intrinsic is the only one that will stick.  How to get started: Brainstorming with Mind Mapping, clustering or other brainstorming techniques that work for you.  Take your time Write a Letter to Running (LtR) that discusses  Relationship Challenges Gifts Emotions/Feelings Take the LtR & pull out the most reson...

On Your Why-Creating A Running Purpose (Part I)

January 08, 2020 20:00 - 53 minutes - 39.9 MB

RoP Episode 11 - Finding a Running Purpose INTRO Why It Is Important (6:18) Stop chasing numbers start letting the process  Deepens & expands the running process Helps develop meaning Helps develop balance Pulls a beautiful form of expression back into the totality of your life. It is not separate or other. It IS you & you ARE it.  Intrinsic vs Extrinsic Purpose (20:05) Intrinsic means it is INSIDE you, it is part of your whole experience as a human being.  Extrinsic means...

On Trails & Energy - An Interview with Joe Prusaitis

December 17, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 114 MB

In this episode, Steve interviews the Wiseman of the Trails. A mentor to me for many years, Joe is a coach & former race director by trade but he is really more like a Taoist sage of the dirt. We discuss the early years the Austin running scene & the parallels between running, coaching, positive energy flow & trail running.  We also cover Joe's years as a race director & the impact that he has had on the sport of ultra running. He is working on a book that should be available in 202...

On Reflection & the Future

November 25, 2019 17:00 - 47 minutes - 65.1 MB

A month early we ask you to take a look back on your running year & check your process & results against your 2019 goals, your purpose for running & how this reflection can be really impactful on you 2020 goals & results. 

On Unreasonable Expectations

November 05, 2019 23:00 - 48 minutes - 67 MB

A rant on the unreasonable expectations we all have in training & racing. We cover the expectation of linear progression, of expecting races not to hurt & training to gain fitness rather than proving fitness among other topics. We end on a positive note with some preliminary thoughts on a universal purpose for running.

On Mind & Meaning - An Interview with Lennie Waite

October 22, 2019 01:00 - 1 hour - 111 MB

An interview with Certified Mental Performance Consultant & Olympian in the 3000m Steeplechase, Lennie Waite. We discuss a wide range of mental training topics including nervousness, fear of failure/success, how we find meaning through running & a host of other topics.

Finding Balance

October 08, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 85 MB

ATTENTION ALL PENDULUM SWINGERS!! In this episode, we discuss ways to find balance in your training & your life.

On Finding Balance

October 08, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 85 MB

ATTENTION ALL PENDULUM SWINGERS!! We know from experience how hard it is to find balance in training & in life. In this episode we discuss balancing the body in a few key training areas: mileage, periodization, neuromuscular recruitment patterns & nutrition. We also discuss the crucial need to find balance in life in order to keep running healthy, happy & strong. Steve goes on a few #sissonrants & Krysten has to talk him off the ledge. We start the episode off with a discussion of t...

Never Fucking Quit

September 26, 2019 22:00 - 56 minutes - 77.2 MB

Why do people quit in training or a race? We argue there are really only two reasons: negative mental feedback loops & Imminent dangers like injury, etc. If you make the decision to Never Fucking Quit & you stick to that commitment, you'll be amazed at the power inherent within you. If you have quit, how can you keep yourself from doing so in the future? We provide a number of effective techniques to get you through the pain cave to across the finish line.

How To Self-Coach

September 18, 2019 07:00 - 37 minutes - 51.7 MB

In this final episode in the self-coaching series, Steve provides a basic outline & discussion for what you need to get started self-coaching. Topics include: Radical Personal Responsibility.  Come Prepared. Get Your Data In One Place.  Reflect on it.  Share the Key Points With Your Coach Every Week.  Set Goals with Your Coaches Input.   Create Your Own Race Plan.  Write a Race Report.  Determine What Worked & What Didn’t.

Dirty, Dark Coaching Secrets

September 18, 2019 06:00 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MB

Steve delves deep into the dark secrets of the coaching profession & calls all coaches, including himself, out on their methods of coaching & coercion. His topics include: Your Coach Thinks You Are Full of Shit Your Coach Is Fucking With Your Head Your Coach is Experimenting On You. Your Coach (Probably) Knows Less Than They Let On & They (Probably) Stopped Learning. Most Coaches Coach From A Place of Fear.  Most Coaches Are Dogmatic & Inflexible. Your Coach is a Thief & Copy...

Why To Self-Coach

September 18, 2019 05:00 - 24 minutes - 33.1 MB

In this episode, Steve covers the importance of self-coaching to all runners even if you already have a coach. If you can say yes to the following statements then you need to listen to this episode & the next two that follow it: You care about your performance You care about your race results You want to get better  You want to know how These are the basic prerequisites for self-coaching. This podcast episode will cover the basics of how to set up your mindset & provide an init...

Welcome to Running On Purpose

August 30, 2019 19:00 - 7 minutes - 10 MB

A short introduction to the podcast.