The Natural Running Network

Coach Diaz & Ryan Fischer’s program Hunter McIntyre was the hero of Spartan Racing. He brought color and attitude to the competitions and basically made things fun. Today he has retooled his skills with focus on an attempt at The CrossFit Games. He needed a miracle to get in, he needed to become a different type of athlete to even have a chance. Now, with 3 weeks out from the Games, he earned both. As a long time friend and coach, we know each other well enough to have an “unvarnished” conversation and we did just that! We spoke about Spartan Race, both the good and the bad, his chances at the games and his hope in being able to return and compete at The Lake Tahoe Spartan World Championships this year. You don’t want to miss this episode!

What happens when you mix one badass CrossFit athlete with Coach Diaz in The Secret Lab?  Answer: You get a hybrid training program that is sure to set the CrossFit community on fire!  I know what you’re thinking… Coach Diaz and CrossFit?  Had you asked me a year ago if this were ever likely to happen, I would have serious doubts.  It took an introduction from Hunter McIntyre to bring Ryan Fischer and I together and I have to say, I was intrigued. Ryan is one of the fittest athletes I have ever met. When you consider the fact that he can deadlift 600 pounds (over 3 1/2 times his weight), clean and jerk 315, run a 53 sec. 400 meters and a 5 min mile. Most rational people would be hard pressed to disagree with me.  This interview is way outside my playground and I love it!  If you’re a Spartan athlete, participate in obstacle course racing yet still enjoy intense strength training, this episode is for you!  We reference a few videos we did in The Secret Lab, if you want to see them Go to my YouTube Channel “Richard Diaz” and see these and many more!

There is a reason why your grip fails you and your back hurts when you carry a heavy bag or bucket up a mountain. In this interview I discuss this and many other entertaining topics that have to do with making YOU a better Spartan or OCR Athlete. Julien Pineau, is a world renowned Human Movement Specialist who took the CrossFit community by storm with his innovative approach in coaching to lift heavy and endure while minimizing injuries. You don’t need to be into CrossFit for what he teaches to make sense and work for you too! I was beyond pleased to have him on my podcast. This is definitely one of my favorite conversations in this format in a long time

I have always believed that a solid runner will always have a fighting chance as an elite in the sport of OCR. Nell Rojas came on the scene mostly out of peer pressure from her friends many of whom are elites in the sport. The conundrum for Nell is, does she take her eye off her potential to make the Olympic team and represent the USA in the marathon or does she take a shot at this new fledgling sport of Spartan Racing. Listen as Nell and I take a hard look at what lies ahead for her as a runner and OCR athlete.

I had to think long and hard before posting this particular episode because, for some, it may seem a bit “infomercial-ish”. Once I started the edit process, it occured to me that this is information that many of you may appreciate hearing in that explains a few projects that we have in the works. If you are not one of those… we will return to our normal training tip oriented format along with interviews of people that I think you would be curious to hear from. Now that I have warned you, what I wanted to do is share some of the success we had with a recent training project and explain what I have in mind for future projects. If you have been suffering from running related injuries, need some help with “How to” organize your training, this episode is right up your alley! Laura Messner was happy to help out and I am forever grateful!

The 2019 Spartan Race season is warming up and most of the elite field are paying pretty close attention on the competition to try and get a sense of who to watch for. In previous years, there had been a stir of optimism regarding the potential of one young athlete-VeeJay Jones. At the conclusion of the SoCal Spartan Races that went off on January 25-26, it was clear that VeeJay is a serious threat to the best in the elite pro field. Join us as VeeJay and I discuss his thoughts of the upcoming season, his thoughts on the Arizona event and what he feels were the principal influences over his recent success in his training.

The 2019 Spartan Race season is warming up and most of the elite field are paying pretty close attention on the competition to try and get a sense of who to watch for. In previous years, there had been a stir of optimism regarding the potential of one young athlete-VeeJay Jones. At the conclusion of the SoCal Spartan Races that went off on January 25-26, it was clear that VeeJay is a serious threat to the best in the elite pro field. Join us as VeeJay and I discuss his thoughts of the upcoming season, his thoughts on the Arizona event and what he feels were the principal influences over his recent success in his training.

If you enjoy a challenge and have done your share of Tough Mudder or Spartan events, it’s time you stepped up to an obstacle course event that was designed by Navy Seals fashioned after they types of challenges they face in Navy Seal training. It’s not too late to register for the Austin Texas event which is coming very soon. However if you want to try your hand at the mother of all Stadium style events, check out Talladega, I promise you its not what you think. I brought back Brian Carney founder of BoneFrog (also a Navy Seal) to share whats coming and I have also made a commitment to help bring their races West. Ya gotta listen to this one!

If you enjoy a challenge and have done your share of Tough Mudder or Spartan events, it’s time you stepped up to an obstacle course event that was designed by Navy Seals fashioned after they types of challenges they face in Navy Seal training. It’s not too late to register for the Austin Texas event which is coming very soon. However if you want to try your hand at the mother of all Stadium style events, check out Talladega, I promise you its not what you think. I brought back Brian Carney founder of BoneFrog (also a Navy Seal) to share whats coming and I have also made a commitment to help bring their races West. Ya gotta listen to this one!

One thing is certain, when the elite women’s field contains Rea Kolbl and there are mountains to climb, there is reason for concern.  Rea Loves to climb, the longer the better.  Having won 2 back to back World’s Toughest Mudder‘s and infamous for her 100 mile weekly workouts (without a day off), Rea is always a threat. I wanted to finally get her on to chat with her, try and figure out what makes her tick.  The short answer is; running and competition in Spartan races and Tough Mudder makes her happy.  She is not motivated by income, had that been the case, she would not have turned her back on her Masters degree in engineering to pursue a career as a full time athlete.  The rest you’ll need to hear from her, have a listen!

One thing is certain, when the elite women’s field contains Rea Kolbl and there are mountains to climb, there is reason for concern.  Rea Loves to climb, the longer the better.  Having won 2 back to back World’s Toughest Mudder‘s and infamous for her 100 mile weekly workouts (without a day off), Rea is always a threat. I wanted to finally get her on to chat with her, try and figure out what makes her tick.  The short answer is; running and competition in Spartan races and Tough Mudder makes her happy.  She is not motivated by income, had that been the case, she would not have turned her back on her Masters degree in engineering to pursue a career as a full time athlete.  The rest you’ll need to hear from her, have a listen!

Interview with the Co-Founder of Stick Mobility. This episode sheds light on a training tool and training concepts that can make a tremendous difference in your ability to perform in a Spartan Race, as a runner and an athlete in common.  I speak a lot about the role that stability and mobility plays in athleticism because in the absence thereof, there is only injuries.  Full disclosure I am not sponsored by or paid to introduce these concepts or products on my show.  I personally believe this is a tool that can truly make a difference if you follow the education they provide.  I have invited Dennis Dumphy the cofounder of stickmobility on to share this info with you.

Interview with the Co-Founder of Stick Mobility. This episode sheds light on a training tool and training concepts that can make a tremendous difference in your ability to perform in a Spartan Race, as a runner and an athlete in common.  I speak a lot about the role that stability and mobility plays in athleticism because in the absence thereof, there is only injuries.  Full disclosure I am not sponsored by or paid to introduce these concepts or products on my show.  I personally believe this is a tool that can truly make a difference if you follow the education they provide.  I have invited Dennis Dumphy the cofounder of stickmobility on to share this info with you.

This is an episode that every athlete needs to hear! If you run, if running is painful, if your running volume is limited by issues with your feet, ankles, knees, hips or back, it’s because you left out some very important elements in your training.  I’ve brought back Dr. Emily Splichal a world renowned Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist to discuss these issues and what you can do to rectify the defects in your training.  If you and I have ever met or you plan to attend one of my OCR Run Clinics, I highly recommend you listen to this podcast and share it with your friends! www.stickmobility.com/run-injury-free www.nabosotechnology.com  

This is an episode that every athlete needs to hear! If you run, if running is painful, if your running volume is limited by issues with your feet, ankles, knees, hips or back, it’s because you left out some very important elements in your training.  I’ve brought back Dr. Emily Splichal a world renowned Podiatrist and Human Movement Specialist to discuss these issues and what you can do to rectify the defects in your training.  If you and I have ever met or you plan to attend one of my OCR Run Clinics, I highly recommend you listen to this podcast and share it with your friends! www.stickmobility.com/run-injury-free www.nabosotechnology.com