The Natural Running Network Live

Many runners are afraid to change the way they run even though they are plagued with running injuries. Richard Diaz and guest Peter Faletto, PT, gait correction expert, explain how a runner would change the way they run to reduce injury and improve performance. Both Richard and Peter are highly experienced in the practice of neuromuscular re-education through a very unique system of unweighting and passively correcting poor gait mechanics while in motion. Any runner who is engaged in marathon training, half marathon training or even high intensity sprint speed athletics should tune into this episode.

Once an illegal substance, Marijuana is now gaining popularity among Runners as a training enhancement.  Legal in 28 states many runners are smoking pot to improve performance. Join our host Richard Diaz and Jimmy Reed as they visit, “Runners who get high”. Once considered taboo, smoking or possessing marijuana could land you in jail.  Now there is a growing trend and experimentation in the benefits of cannabis use among competitive runners.  The vaporize it, eat, rub it on tired and sore muscles and swear by the benefits provided opposed to taking other over the counter and prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.   It’s an interesting topic and The Natural Running Network is going to tackle it head on.

Once an illegal substance, Marijuana is now gaining popularity among Runners as a training enhancement.  Legal in 28 states many runners are smoking pot to improve performance. Join our host Richard Diaz and Jimmy Reed as they visit, “Runners who get high”. Once considered taboo, smoking or possessing marijuana could land you in jail.  Now there is a growing trend and experimentation in the benefits of cannabis use among competitive runners.  The vaporize it, eat, rub it on tired and sore muscles and swear by the benefits provided opposed to taking other over the counter and prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.   It’s an interesting topic and The Natural Running Network is going to tackle it head on.

An interview with Jim Gourley author of The Race Within –The Ultraman World Championship and Christian Isakson, 2 x competitor.  Ultraman is one of the toughest events in the world, a 3 day event that tests the stamina and grit of the few willing to brave it.   A race born in Kona, where competitors begin on day one with an ocean rough water 6.2 mile swim, followed by another 90 miles by bike.  Day two is another 171 miles of cycling to conclude with a double marathon the final day, over 52 miles of running.  We discuss the history of the event, the challenges the race promoters face to keep the event running along with some very interesting history of the Ironman World Championship.

Joe Friel is back!  Learn how to train and Race as a senior athlete as we explore training tips from the most respected endurance coach in the country.  Joe is cofounder of Training Peaks, The Triathlon Training Bible and several other great books on training. Very few coaches are as well versed on the application of heart rate and prescription of training based on scientific evidence. Joe Friel is a best-selling author of more than a dozen books for athletes.  He is also a masters multiple champion and has coached athletes from novice to elite both amateur and professional.

Junyong Pak, 2 time Toughest Mudder World Champ smashes Guinness Book World Record by  running the fastest marathon (3:12:47) carrying a 40lb. weight.  Pak says: “it's an addictive rush when you're so good at tolerating pain—and you come out the other side”.   Richard Diaz catches up with him to find out how he does it.  We’ll talk nutrition, training and grit and plans for future competitions, obstacle racing and marathon running.

Every competitive runner works hard to improve running speed.  Often, these attempts lead to injury and often progress is elusive.  Richard Diaz shares his training secrets for achieving running speed for various events from the mile to the Spartan Beast. This episode is perfect for runners of all distances.  The advice provided is a result of decades of field testing, comprehensive work in diaz human performances lab on athletes of all shapes, size and sports; from Sprinters to Ultra Marathon runners.  The path to successful speed begins with some critical first steps.  Be sure to tune in!

Joseph Gray 5-Time USA Mountain Runner of the Year.  Joe is a runner with an amazing story to tell.  In Mexico he challenged one of the toughest races in North America the Itzaccihuatl Skyrace de Mexico starting at 11,000 feet ascends to 15,750+ and back. In 2014 Joe became the first athlete in USA Mountain Running History to win back to back USA Mountain Running Titles while also becoming first Male athlete to win both Uphill/Downhill and Uphill Formats for the Championship. This is a recap of an amazing running adventure from one of the true running greats of our time.

Joe DeSena, creator of Death Race and the fastest growing sport in America, obstacle racing or more precisely, Spartan Racing. Sure to become an Olympic event, Spartan racing is breeding a new generation of athletes, many were once dedicated runners. Joe is infamous for his no nonsense approach to fitness. He himself once a highly respected adventure racer, ironman and ultra-marathon runner, is known for accomplishing the unheard of in endurance sport. Joe has invited literally thousands to train with him at his 700 acre farm in Vermont; few ever stay due to the sheer intensity of the training he prescribes.  If you enjoy hard core training and endurance adventure, you will enjoy this interview.

There is a growing trend surrounding the prospect of becoming “Fat Adapted” by changing diet.  Join Richard Diaz and guests Anthony Almada MSc, FISSN and Michael Wardian Elite Ultra Endurance Runner as we discuss the pros and cons of a high fat diet. Many Ultra Runners have experimented with high fat diets due to the claims that by doing so will enhance fat burning and carbohydrate sparing potential. This about face in sports nutrition goes against the grain of traditional sports science.  Anthony Almada is an expert in the field of performance nutrition and Michael Wardian, is a world class Ultra Runner whose performance depends on proper refueling before and during competition.  We hope to shed some light on this hot topic of “Fat Adaptation”.

Max King is a force to be reckoned with at any distance from a 3K to 100K and beyond. He has placed 1st in some of the most competitive races in the world from the Transrockies 6-Day Stage Race to the IAAF World Mtn Running Championships while still able to produce blistering speed at the shorter distances.  Our host Richard Diaz, asks, how he does it and what’s in store for the New Year.

An amazing account of faith, running as a national champion, hope and inspiration.  A true story of genocide survival and a second chance to give back as a running coach in America.  As told by Gilbert Tuhabonye. Gilbert Tuhabonye, a native of Burundi Africa, a nationally ranked runner and genocide survivor.  Tells how he escaped being burned to death with all his schoolmates, now a renowned running coach in America. An inspiring story every runner must hear. Gilbert narrowly escaped an attack on his school as the Hutu’s sought revenge for the murder of the president of Burundi by the Tutsi’s. With 30% of his body burned he escaped a burning building where as many as 200 of his class mates lay brutally tortured and burned to death.  Fortunately, this story ends well as Gilbert now coaches runners in Austin Texas.

Runners get injured, often needlessly. Join Richard Diaz and his guest Jason Fitzgerald-USATF Certified Running Coach as they share insights into the cause of most running related injuries and the misconceptions of what does NOT prevent these injuries. If you have been sidelined by running injuries, incapable of finishing a marathon and are unsure why you often plagued by reoccurring problems with your run, this is a show you don’t want to miss. Some of the information may surprise you, the solutions are simple to employ and may be what is needed to get you back on track and running with confidence once again.

Running a Marathon is tough, when it takes 5 hours, even tougher. Richard Diaz shares tips with a runner who struggles to break the 5 hour barrier. Marathon Running Tips that focus on what to do and how to feed when the race takes longer than planned. Look at any major Marathon and you’ll see that greater than half of the participants run within the 5 hour range.  This may be because more and more people are meeting the challenge than ever before.  Unfortunately, there is little information provided for these runners.  Most of what is written on training focuses on runners who hope to run in the sub-4 hour finish time.  One of our listeners asked that we address this problem and serve up some running tips.  If you are running a marathon for the first time, or have struggled when you are beyond 20 miles, this show is for you!

Will running keep you young?  As we get older should we walk instead?  Many people assume they need to quit running as they get older, fearful of causing injury.  Is it healthier to walk and does walking spare our joints?  Are you too old to run a marathon?  We’ll give you some insight into these questions and you’ll be surprised to learn the scientific facts. This is an interesting topic for anyone who is running over the age of 45 and has experienced running related injuries.