The most listened to running podcast in North America! TheFinalSprint.com Podcast features audio interviews with the most prominent athletes and figures in the worlds of running, fitness and nutrition.


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The Final Sprint Podcast (69847 subscribers)
by TheFinalSprint.com (TFS Media Network) (144 shows)

The most listened to running podcast in North America! TheFinalSprint.com Podcast features audio interviews with the most prominent athletes and figures in the worlds of running, fitness and nutrition. Past episodes have welcomed an eclectic variety of renowned guests; from today's superstars (Sanya Richards, Ryan Hall, Alan Webb ) and Olympic marathon medalists (Deena Kastor, Meb Keflezighi) to ultra-elite champions (Dean Karnazes, Scott Jurek) to track & field and distance running heroes from years past (Gail Devers, Tommie Smith, Jim Ryun, Billy Mills, Marty Liquori, Grete Waitz, Kathrine Switzer). There are also special episodes that feature live race coverage of the Boston, Chicago and New York City Marathons. After listening to the podcast, visit TheFinalSprint.com for all the news, training advice, product reviews that you'll need to reach your goals. "Start Here ... Finish Strong!"

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Show title Description Reviews
JON RANKIN: Olympic Dreams After a long, summer hiatus while TheFinalSprint.com helped organize the first annual Running Film Festival and provided LIVE and comprehensive coverage of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and Beijing Olympics ... the TFS Podcast is back! Our first episode of the new season features my interview with Team USA 1500m alternate and TFS Elite Athlete Blogger JON RANKIN. Rankin, fresh off his record setting victory at the Falmouth Mile, speaks about that race, disappointment in Eugene, Americas performance at the Beijing Olympics and turning his focus to the 2012 Olympic Games. Download the podcast to hear Rankin discuss these topics, as well as, his participation in Team Darfur, end of summer and fall racing plans, training under the tutelage of Coach Cruz, and much more! 0
HS Track Star: GERMAN FERNANDEZ Today on Episode 142 I had a chance to speak with German Fernandez of Riverbank High School in Riverbank, California where he was preparing to run the 2 mile at the Nike Outdoor Nationals which will be held in Greensboro, North Carolina from June 19th through the 21st, 2008. German recently broke Ryan Hall’s state record in the 1600m run by winning in 4 minutes, 0.29 seconds and then followed that by eclipsing Dathan Ritzenhein’s National High School Federation 3200m Record by winning in 8:34.23. He is headed to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he will major in Criminal Justice and run track with Colby Lowe, another outstanding member of the class of 2008 runners. In the interview German talks about Colby and fellow seniors Michael Fout, Luke Puskedra and Chris Derrick and compares them to the outstanding class of 2001, which consisted of Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein and Alan Webb. He explains why he decided not to run the 2 mile at the Prefontaine Classic. Download the podcast to hear German discuss these topics, as well as, his outstanding double, the type of training he does, his plans for the rest of 2008 and for the long-term, and to check out his answers to our rapid-fire questions segment. 0
Univ. of Texas Star LEO MANZANO Today on Episode 141 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast I’m joined by University of Texas Senior Leo Manzano, who has just won an unprecedented 4th NCA Midwest Regional Championship in the 1500m and is headed to Des Moines, Iowa to compete in the NCAA National Championships from June 11th through June 14th, 2008, where he is hoping to win his 3rd NCAA National title in the 1500m run. In the interview Leo talks about his experience at the 2007 Osaka World Championships and how the timing of that experience couldn’t have been better. He also discusses his upcoming race at the US Olympic Trials, whether or not he will turn pro and how the 90 degree heat he’s experienced all spring while training will help him. Download the podcast to listen to Leo talk about his long-term goals, both running and otherwise, the favorite race of his distinguished career and his advice to young runners. 0
BRIAN SELL: 25k Champs & Olympic Prep Today on Episode 140 of TheFinalSprint.com Running Podcast, I had an opportunity to chat with Brian Sell, the third place finisher in the US Olympic Trials Men’s Marathon who, along with Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein, will represent Team USA in the 2008 Olympic Marathon in Beijing. Brian talks about the adjustments he has had to make now that he turned 30 last month, future plans for his running career - including what he hopes will be continued success in the marathon, why that is his ideal distance, the importance of not dwelling on his qualifying performance at the Trials, and how the conditions in Beijing ‐ especially the heat and humidity ‐ are going to affect his training and racing. Download the podcast to hear Brian discuss these topics, as well as, competing on Saturday for his third title and trying to gauge the progress of his Olympic preparations at the USA 25k Championships, his teammates at the Hanson-Brooks Distance Project, his hobbies, advice for young runners and much more! 0
XC Runner of the Year: CHRIS DERRICK On Episode 139 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I had the pleasure of being joined by Chris Derrick of Neuqua Valley High School in Naperville, Illinois. In January, Derrick was named the 2007-2008 Gatorade National Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year. Derrick became the first student-athlete to win the award since The Gatorade Company announced the addition of boys cross country to the Player of the Year program this past October. Derrick finished second behind TFS Elite Athlete Blogger Michael Fout at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships and most recently he ran the fastest 5k ever (13:55:96) in a high school at the Arcadia Invitational. *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com *** *** *** 0
PAT HENRY: Head Track Coach @ Texas A&M On Episode 138 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I had the distinct privilege of being joined by Pat Henry, the head track & field coach at Texas A&M University. In his 21 years at LSU, Coach Henry built a dynasty that allowed his teams to win 27 NCAA Championships in 17 seasons at the helm. He now utlizes his renowned talents as a coach, recruiter and technician to Texas A&M. In his 4 years at College Station, he has built the Lady Aggies into a national powerhouse. They have won 3 Big 12 titles in a row, placed 10th in the nation in 2006, 4th in 2007 and have been consistently ranked in the top 3 in 2008. The men’s team has been ranked has high as #1 in 2008. In the interview, we talk about all of these things plus the development by Texas A&M of one of the premier indoor track facilities in the nation as well as his coaching philosophy. Coach Henry contrasts the LSU and Texas A&M teams, his recruiting classes, the supposed rivalry between the Tigers and the Aggies, international recruiting and much, much more! *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com *** *** *** 0
High School XC Champ MICHAEL FOUT Today on Episode 137 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I had an opportunity to speak with LaPorte, Indiana High School senior Michael Fout, the winner of the 2007 Foot Locker High School Cross-Country Championships. In the interview, Fout talks about his goals for the 2008 for track season, which include breaking Rudy Chapa’s state record in the 3200 meter run and to repeat as state champion in the 3200. Since he is just coming of an injury, Fout talks about what he’ll need to do to get ready for the upcoming sectional, regional sand state meets. He also talks about what it’s been like to be able to blog alongside his running heroes Ryan Hall and Dathan Ritzenhein, his long-term running goals, his faith, and he also answer some of the questions the readers of his blog have asked him. Not only that, but we introduce a new feature on the Final Sprint Running Podcast, a series of rapid fire questions in which Fout reveals, as the old song goes, a few of his favorite things. *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com *** *** *** 0
ALLEN JOHNSON: Pre-Drake Teleconference Today on Episode 126 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I participated in the Drake Relays Media Teleconference which featured 110m hurdler Allen Johnson. In his distinguished career, Johnson has won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games, 4 golds and 1 bronze in the World Outdoor championships and 3 gold and two silvers in the Indoor world championships, including his 2nd place finish this year in Valencia, Spain. I joined Mike Mahon, the media coordinator for the Drake Relays, Peter Gambaccini from Runner’s World and reporters from the Associated Press, Oakland Tribune and Reuters in the teleconference. We asked Allen questions that covered a wide range of topics, including his career, doping, promotion of track and field, the athletes’ ability to speak out at the Olympics, how much longer he plans to compete, and much, much more. *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com/ *** *** *** 0
Kate O'Neill: Pre-Olympic Marathon Trial Today I had the pleasure of speaking with 2004 Olympian Kate O’Neill who will be running in her first US Olympic Marathon Trials this weekend in Boston. Kate is the 2008 US Half-Marathon champ and goes into the trials with an impressive debut marathon time of 2 hours 36 minutes and 15 seconds (Chicago, 2007). In the interview, we talk about her goals and thoughts on the Trials and her preparation at altitude in Mammoth Lakes, CA alongside her Team Running USA teammates Deena Kastor and Ryan Hall. We also talk about fellow Yale Alumnus Frank Shorter and about her blogging for The Final Sprint’s Elite Athlete blog series. Download the podcast to hear Kate talk about getting used to training at altitude, the similarities of her training to Deena Kastor’s and much more! *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com/ *** *** *** 0
Peter Gilmore: Hopping the Pond for a PR In Episode 134 of TheFinalSprint.com Running Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I proud to be joined once again by U.S. marathon runner Peter Gilmore. Gilmore, who is sponsored by MarathonGuide.com and Enlyten Strips, will hop the pond to London for the first time this Sunday where he’ll face many of the world’s top marathoners on his quest to break 2:10 and set a new PR. In the interview Gilmore talks about his goals for Sunday, choosing London over Boston, the world-class competition, Ryan Hall, running one of his first international races, and adjusting to a new course. Download the podcast to hear Gilmore discuss these topics, as well as, his health since the U.S. Olympic Men’s Marathon Trials, whether or not the disappointment from having to drop out of the Trials haunts or motivates him, the definition of a “blue collar runner”, why he does not plan to run the 10,000m at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials and much more! *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com/ *** *** *** 0
Pre-London Teleconference: RYAN HALL Episode 133 of The Final Sprint Podcast features a teleconference interview with Ryan Hall and David Bedford prior to the 2008 Flora London Marathon. The teleconference was hosted by the London Marathon and was promoted by USA Track and Field (USATF) & the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). In the teleconference Hall and Bedford, the London race director, respond to questions from the international running media and from a select panel that included Race Result Weekly’s David Monti onsite in London. *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com/ *** *** *** 0
Ryan Hall: Pre-London Marathon Interview Now several months removed from his victory at the USA Olympic Marathon Trials last November, Ryan Hall joins us for Episode 132 of The Final Sprint Running Podcast to share this thoughts on turning the page, the Olympic year, and beginning the next big chapter in his young, but already exhilarating career. In the interview he talks about his preparations for his next race, this Sunday’s Flora London Marathon, his tapering strategy, expectations, not having a specific time goal, and many other details regarding his second trip across the pond. Download the podcast to hear Ryan talk about how his younger brother Chad is adjusting to college life as he runs track and cross country for the University of Oregon. He also replies to some of the critical comments that readers have made on some of the other running websites about his faith. In addition, he explains why he enjoys blogging and he answers some of the questions that some of you have asked on his TFS Elite Athlete Blog (http://ryanhall.thefinalsprint.com), including questions about weight training for marathoners, why he’s running London instead of Boston, how he motivated himself back to the top of his game when he was struggling at Stanford and much, much more! *** *** *** Episode Sponsored By: U.S. Army Special Forces If your measure of success goes way beyond the mainstream, if you think limits are something to be pushed, if your greatest motivation is doing the impossible, we may have a career for you. U.S. Army Special Forces. Visit goarmy.com/specialforces. There’s strong and then there’s Army Strong. *** *** *** To check out more episodes of TheFinalSprint.com podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, please visit: http://podcast.thefinalsprint.com/ *** *** *** *** 0
Andrew Carlson: Taking It Up A Notch Today ion Episode 131 of TheFinalSprint.com Running Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I’m joined by Andrew Carlson, the 2008 15k US National Champion who runs for Team USA Minnesota. Andrew has embarked on a career-defining season in 2008, kicking it off on New Year’s Eve with a course record in the New York Midnight 4-mile Run, then winning his 1st national championship in the Gate River Run 15k, then placing second in the 8k national championship in the Central Park Challenge. In the interview, Andrew talks about his expectations for the 2008 season and his place within the resurgence in American distance running. He discusses his favorite events and what his plans are for the rest of the season. He also talks about Team USA Minnesota and the types of community outreach activities he does with them, what he meant when he said he revamped his training in 2008, how he got his start in running, when he plans to tackle his first marathon and much, much more! 0
Matt Tegenkamp: '08 US Indoor 3k Champ Today on Episode 130 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, we had the chance to speak with Matt Tegenkamp, the American record holder in the two-mile run and two-time US Indoor champion in the 3000m who competes for Nike and KIMbia Athletics. In the interview, Matt talks about his repeat victory in the 2008 US Indoor Championships 3000 meters, why he’s staying home while his KIMbia Athletics teammates Chris Solinsky and Jonathon Riley (who finished 2nd and 3rd) are heading to Valencia for the world championships while he’s staying home. He also talks about what’s in store for him in 2008 leading up to the Olympic Trials in Eugene, OR and the Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Download the interview to listen to Matt talk about his plan to assault the American record in the 5000m, his long-term goals for running and beyond, and much, much more! 0
Best of Series: MARTY LIQUORI A year ago, The Final Sprint had the opportunity to interview legendary middle-distance runner and Olympian Marty Liquori. Liquori was the 3rd American high schooler to run under 4:00 in the mile when he ran a 3:59.8 in 1967 while at Essex Catholic High School in Cedar Grove, New Jersey. By nineteen he was already an Olympian, finishing 12th in the 1968 1500m final in Mexico City. He was ranked #1 in the world in 1969 through 1971 at the 1500m/Mile distance, in part because of famously defeating then world-record holder Jim Ryun in the “Dream Mile” on May 16th, 1971. In 1977, he ran an American record of 13:15.1 in the 5000m and was ranked 1st in the world at that distance. He retired from competition in 1980. Since his retirement, he has hosted and executive produced Saucony Running and Racing, an endurance sports event show now in its 13th year on ESPN, has been a track & field broadcaster on network TV, has owned a chain of specialty running stores, performs as a professional jazz guitarist with the Marty Liquori Quintet, and is the national chairman and spokesperson for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training. Ironically, he was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia just months after becoming their spokesman. He is now in remission. Listen and/or download the podcast to hear Marty discuss defeating Jim in the Dream Mile, bouncing back from injury, American running today and much more! 0
Anthony Famiglietti: "Run Like Hell" Today I got a chance to talk with Anthony Famiglietti, know to the running world as Fam. In the interview we talked about his disappointment in having to pull out of the 2008 US Cross-Country Championships and the reasons why he chose to do so. We also talked about his goals for 2008 which include winning the steeplechase in both Eugene at the trials and in Beijing at the Olympics. But that's certainly not all. Fam is a creative person so, if you download the podcast, you can listen to him talk about some of his creative outlets including helping his sponsor adidas design a revolutionary new XC spike, his follow-up to Run Like Hell the documentary DVD he produced, his music and plenty more. 0
DAN BROWNE Sets His Sights On Eugene Welcome to anther episode of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America. Today we're joined by Dan Browne, a 2004 Olympian in the marathon and the 10000m and a graduate of West Point. In this interview, Dan walks us through his gutsy performance at the Olympic Trials marathon and talks about how things have gone since he hooked up with his new training group, Team Running USA. He splits his time nowadays between the US Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, CA and Mammoth Lakes, CA for his altitude training. He also talks about his recent illness and his plans for the rest of the 2008 season, including running the USA 15 km Championships that will be held on March 8th in Jacksonville, FL. Download the podcast to listen to Dan talk about this year's Prefontaine Classic 2 Miler, his fondness for the Army 10 miler and his military service with the Oregon National Guard, the strong faith he shares with his teammates and much more. 0
Khadevis Robinson: 4-time 800m US Champ Today's podcast features top-ranked American 800 meter runner Khadevis Robinson who has won the US National Championship in that race four time, including the past three years in a row. Coached by the legendary Johnny Gray, Khadevis is trying out new race strategies for the 2008 season including, sitting and kicking and running more-even splits. These are strategies he hopes will augment the aggressive front-running tactics for which he's well known. Download the podcast to hear Khadevis talk about the Ken Doherty Memorial Fellowship for which he's recently been selected, his life as a new father, Alan Webb's venture into 800 meter running last year and his goals for his post-competitive career. 0
Olympic Hopeful JON RANKIN Episode 126 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with U.S. Olympic hopeful Jon Rankin as he prepares for next weekend's USA Cross Country Championships. Rankin, who ran two early season races in Bermuda and California, overcame injuries to finish strong in 2007, continues to stay healthy, and reports great injury-free results throughout his recent training. In the interview Rankin talks about his early season travels, his pursuit of at least a top ten finish at the XC Champs, how he enjoys training for and racing these longer distances, and that down the road may even pursue a future in events up the marathon. Download the podcast to hear Rankin discuss these topics, as well as his success with Hypocxico’s altitude tent and being able to “Train High, Live Low” without ever leaving San Diego, his new charity organization “Shoes 4 the Soul”, and his responses to TFS’s newest podcast segment: “Rapid Fire Questions". 0
H.S. Running Phenom COLBY LOWE Episode 125 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast features my interview with Colby Lowe, who recently ran in the prestigious Reebok Boston Indoor Games’ Boys’ Junior Invitational Mile, finishing 2nd with a time of 4:08.99, just 0.22 seconds behind Luke Puskedra. Colby’s impressive accomplishments in his young career include being only the 5th boy in Texas high school history to win back-to-back Class 5A state titles in cross country and winning back-to-back Texas State 5A Cross Country Championship in the 3200m Run in 2006 and 2007. He also doubled as state champion in the 1600m Run in 2007. In the interview, Colby talks about how the race in Boston played out, what his goals are for the 2008 (including running a 4:05 mile and a sub 8:50 2 mile), the reasons behind his decision to commit to OSU and his future goals for running, his college major and his future career. Download the podcast to hear Colby discuss his current training leading into the 2008 season, what meets he will be running, what he does in his spare time and much, much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
Team USA MN's Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle Episode 124 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with Kristen Nicolini Lehmkuhle of Team USA Minnesota who finished 5th at the recent US Women's Half-Marathon Championships in Houston, TX on January 14th, 2008. She a solid debut at this distance with a time of 1:12:58. In the interview Kristen talks about the challenges and advantages of training in Minnesota during the winter. She also talks about finally getting to have some consistent training under her belt after years of injuries, her goals for the 2008 season, including qualifying for the US Olympic Track & Field Trials' women's 5,000m and 10,000m and, hopefully, on to the Beijing Olympics from there. Download the podcast to hear Kristen talk about her support group, which includes new husband Jason Lehmkuhle and Team USA Minnesota, and much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
'08 USA Half-Marathon Champ JAMES CARNEY Episode 123 of The Final Sprint Podcast features my interview with 2008 USA Half-Marathon Champion and 10,000m Olympic hopeful JAMES CARNEY. ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
ADAM GOUCHER: Olympic Dreams Episode 121 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast features my interview with world-class distance runner Adam Goucher; whose long list of accomplishments include being a two-time U.S. Outdoor 5,000m champion (’99, ’00); 2000 USA 12km and 4km XC champion; 2006 USA 4 km XC Champ; 2007 USA Cross Country runner-up; 1998 NCAA 5,000m Outdoor champion; 1998 NCAA XC champion and 2-time NCAA 3,000 Indoor champion (’97, ’98). In the interview Goucher talks about his recent ankle surgery and the subsequent (and ongoing) recovery, his plans for competing at the marathon distance after the Olympic season, his victory over Kara in their Nike challenge, the excitement and challenges of the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs at the Olympic Trials and his specific focus on the 5k race. Download the podcast to hear Adam discuss these topics, as well as, the role of faith in his religiously-eclectic training group, coach Alberto Salazar's recovery, and much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
Spirit of the Marathon's JON DUNHAM In today's episode of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast I had the pleasure of being joined by Jon Dunham; Director and Producer of the feature-length documentary "Spirit of the Marathon". The film, which will be shown at 7:30pm tomorrow evening at select theatres around the country, is the first ever non-fiction feature film to capture the drama and essence of the famed 26.2 mile running event. Filmed on four continents, the movie brings together a diverse cast of amateur athletes and marathon luminaries. The past and present running legends showcased in the film include: Paula Radcliffe, Bill Rodgers, Grete Waitz, Frank Shorter, Deena Kastor and Kathrine Switzer. More than a sports movie, Spirit of the Marathon is an inspirational journey of perseverance and personal triumph; a spectacle that will be embraced by runners and non-runners alike. Download the podcast to hear Jon discuss his film making background, the concept and purpose behind the film, his personal love and admiration for running and specially the marathon, what it was like to work with some of the sport's greatest heroes, the potential for a related, spinoff documentary about the history of the marathon, and much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
KARA GOUCHER ... Back in Action! In today’s installment (Episode #120) of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, I am joined by KARA GOUCHER; one of Nike's most formidable elite distance runners and the surprise 10,000m bronze medalist at the 2007 IAAF World Championships in Osaka. Although its been a mere three months since she underwent knee surgery, Kara is already back on track, training hard, and confident that 2008 will be the most successful year of her blossoming running career. In the interview we discuss her plans and priorities for the 2008 season, her current and upcoming racing schedules, her experience with the Nike Oregon Project, the dynamic among the team and with Coach Alberto Salazar, and what she believes it’ll take to defeat renowned kickers like Meseret Defar and Tirunesh Dibaba in Beijing. Kara also evaluates how an Olympic medal compares to a World Championship medal, her thoughts on competing in Beijing's infamous pollution, and much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
Hall of Fame Coach BEVERLY KEARNEY TheFinalSprint.com (TFS) is honored to present our monthly Success Story award to individuals who have overcome tremendous obstacles, changed their own lives and/or the lives of others through running, sports or fitness. Past recipients of TFS's Success Story award include female running pioneer Kathrine Switzer, father-and-son team of Rick and Dick Hoyt, and amputee athletes Oscar Pistorius and Rudy Garcia-Tolson. I am proud to announce that TFS’s January 2008 Success Story, and my guest on Episode 119 of The Final Sprint Podcast is courageous survivor and hall-of-fame track & field coach BEVERLY KEARNEY, head coach of the University of Texas women's track & field team and founder and president of "Pursuit of Dreams," a non-profit organization comprised of leaders from athletics, business, and medicine whose mission is to provide the necessary assistance and guidance to individuals in order to fulfill their total mental, physical and spiritual goals. Coach Kearney uses those same principals in her coaching. Her success in track and field is almost unprecedented. In her distinguished career, she has led her Longhorns to 6 NCAA National Championships and 14 top-three team finishes, She is 3-time NCAA Outdoor Coach of the Year, 2-time NCAA Indoor Coach of the Year and 15-time Conference Coach of the Year. She has coached 14 individual NCAA Champions who have earned a total of 28 NCAA titles, 36 different student-athletes to 51 NCAA national titles overall (individual and relay) and 15 relay-team NCAA Champions. To top it all off, she recently was inducted to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association Hall of Fame. She has accomplished all of her remarkable achievements despite having to overcome incredible adversity, including losing her mother in high school and becoming homeless, and suffering a near-fatal car accident that killed two of her friends. Using her own principles, she is walking now and has coached her young ladies from her hospital bed, a wheelchair, a walker, and now stands and walks on her own. In our interview we talk about all of this and much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
JACQUES SALLBERG: Overcoming Injury Episode 117 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with American steeplechaser and Team Running USA member JACQUES SALLBERG. After being ranked fourth in U.S. for the 3000m steeplechase by Track & Field News at the end of 2006, Jacques struggled with some injuries for the last year but is now headed back on track and focused on earning the right to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. I encourage you to listen to this special podcast and to please share it with your readers and other contacts. Here is the direct link to play/download the interview and/or subscribe to our podcast feed: In the interview Jacques talks about his battle with heel spurs and plantar fasciitis, trying to get back to the success and P.R. performances of 2006, and working towards a spot on the U.S. Olympic Tam. Download the podcast to hear Jacques discuss these topics, as well as, his special relationship with Coach Bob Larsen, how their different personalities have created an advantageous dynamic, Team Running USA, his work as a high school track & field coach, and much more! 0
Best of Series: MIKE HUCKABEE Having won last week's Republican Caucuses in Iowa, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee hopes to carry that momentum throughout the U.S. Presidential Primaries and this April's Boston Marathon (where he will compete on a charity relay team). TheFinalSprint.com had a chance to speak with Governor Huckabee in a podcast interview last March and he discussed his life-saving battle with obesity and how that experience has influenced his plans for health care reform as a 2008 candidate for the U.S. presidency. Download this installment of the TFS Podcast "Best of" Series to hear how Huckabee, who once had trouble even walking up the steps of the U.S. Capital Building without being out of breath, changed his life and inspired others by losing over 110-pounds, holding off Type-2 Diabates, and becoming a marathon runner! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
ANNE MAHLUM: Founder of Back On My Feet Episode 117 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, featured my interview with ANNE MAHLUM; The Final Sprint’s December 2007 Success Story honoree and the founder and president of Back on My Feet. This incredible non-profit organization promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
SCOTT RIGSBY: 1st Double-Amputee Ironman Episode 116 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most listened to running podcast in North America, features my interview with SCOTT RIGSBY who recently became the first double-amputee to ever complete the grueling Ironman Triathlon. In the interview Scott talks about realizing his dream, what enabled him to push through the intense pain during the finals miles in Kona, and the unique challenges faced by runners and triathletes who use prosthetics. Download the podcast to hear Scott discuss these topics, as well as, his dedication to inspiring other amputee or otherwise physically challenged athletes, The Scott Rigsby Foundation, and much more! ***** This episode is sponsored by Nike Plus ... Long Live Running. Nike Plus will improve the way you run. Get feedback from your iPod on pace, time, distance and calories burned. Log into Nikeplus.com to track your progress, set goals and challenge friends. ***** 0
CU Middle-Distance Coach JAY JOHNSON 2/2 Episode 115 of TheFinalSprint.com Podcast, the most lis