The Zone 2 Podcast

Usually, we like to stay in Zone 2, but we love a good race recap too! Enjoy this episode, featuring our dear friend and 5x marathoner Anthony Wiryaman. Today we're recapping Francis's experience running the Copenhagen 5k, what it's like running/racing abroad, and highlights from Boston Amateur Athletics's international debut! We're also looking forward to our future goals and the rapidly approaching track season along with the every-changing world of running. All this and more in today's episode!

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For more race-day recaps, chec...

Did you miss us? After taking the summer off from the pod, Francis and Brian are back to recap our summers over some homemade iced lattes.

The tall ships (and the Scots) came to Boston, Francis got some shirts with a bunch of holes in them, Brian ran a mile in scrubs, both of the guys had euro trips, and it's somehow September already! Stick around until the end as we look ahead to fall races, and stay tuned on instagram for new interviews, collabs, events, and merch??? Thanks for listening, and happy running!

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In this week's episode we sit down with New Balance Research Engineer, Ben Hazelwood, to discuss what goes into testing and evaluating some of the best shoes on the market. We reference a few different studies in this conversation and we've linked them here:

Papers on modeling marathon performances by Michael Joyner:
https://journals.physiology.org/doi/abs/10.1152/jappl.1991.70.2.683
https://www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/abstract/10.1055/a-2539-1381
Paper about foot strike and response to super shoes:
https://www.ovid.com/jnls/acsm-msse/abstract/10.1249/mss.0000000000003411~the-influence-of-super-shoes-and-foot-strike-pattern-on
An abstract from Ben's master’s:

The Boston Marathon is the oldest and arguably the most popular of the world major marathons. We had the amazing privilege to be involved with the Adidas activations in the city and meet some really cool people!

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For more race-day recaps, check out the following episodes:

⁠⁠36: From Miles to Meaning with Adi Bandekar⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠35: There Once Was a Race on Nantucket with Ted Trozinski⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠29: It's Mobbin Time: Mob Mile Recap⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠17: Maple Syrup and Marathon Splits: with Zach Schrull⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠15: Break to B...

This week, the Zone 2 crew sat down with South African record holder, 2x Olympian, and 5x NCAA champion Dom Scott! We discuss running origins, burnout, the transition from collegiate to professional running, motivation, shoes (or lack thereof) and robot runners! This episode has something for everyone (except clankers)!

As referenced, check out Cardiac Cowboys wherever you get your podcasts!

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Check out these interviews with some other professional athletes!

39: Elise Cranny

30: Marielle Hall

18: Meg Morgan

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What does it mean to run a major marathon in your home town? In this episode, we chat with three-time guest, Devin Miller, to discuss his approach to running the 2026 Boston Marathon and what being able to run it means to him.

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⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars!

For more race-day recaps, check out the following episodes:

⁠36: From Miles to Meaning with Adi Bandekar⁠⁠

⁠⁠35: There Once Was a Race on Nantucket with Ted Trozinski⁠⁠

⁠⁠29: It's Mobbin Time: Mob Mile Recap⁠⁠

⁠⁠17: Maple Syrup and Marathon Split...

Enjoy this interview with runner, videographer, and cinematographer Pat Fogarty! In this interview Pat talks all things storytelling in the running space as we follow his journey from running cross-country in high-school and college to capturing the icons of the sport.

⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars!

Check out these other interviews to hear about more taste-makers in the running space!

22: Heartbreaker, Dream Maker with Chief Heartbreaker Dan Fitzgerald⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/episode/3DjRktS4AdzTLxrOq5UR0g?si=39de005b62784b4b⁠⁠ 

24: Sun’s Out, Tum’s Ou...

Enjoy this interview with Dan Epstein, a miler turner marathoner who made his start in the running community at Heartbreak Hill Running Company, and now leads Endorphins Running Boston. In this interview, we talk about community, the importance of showing up, and Dan shares some tips and tricks for getting your runs in amidst a busy travel schedule. As always, we wrap things up with a discussion about footwear and a sneak peak ahead at what's coming up for Dan in 2026.

Want to run with Endorphins? Check them out at their website linked above, on instagram, and...

Enjoy this interview with Lead Product Line Manager for Performance Footwear at Puma, and OG Heartbreaker, Conor Cashin! In this interview Conor talks all things performance footwear as we follow his journey from running cross-country in the capital region to designing the next seismic shift in performance running shoes.

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Check out these other interviews!

8: Running the Show with Castle Island Track Club founder Nora Johnson⁠ https://open.spotify.com/episode/2R2jO9J6Voom4eiarKRM4R?si=f9a197a4550a4d0f⁠...

Enjoy this interview with Leader of Gansett Run Club, Heartbreaker, founder of November Project Providence, Abbott 6-star finisher, and self-proclaimed out-of-shape runner Steven Blais! In this special interview, Steven shares his incredible story and talks about what it means to give back through running. Tune in and learn what helps set Gansett apart!

Run with Gansett every Wednesday at Narragansett Brewery in Providence at 6pm. Want to learn more? Check them out on instagram! https://www.instagram.com/gansettrunclub/ 

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Check out t...

How do your favorite race day shoes go from an idea to your local running store? in this week's episode, we get to sit down with Sam Truax, a member of the Adizero racing team at Adidas, to hear what goes into creating record setting shoes!

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⭐️ Did you like this episode? Remember to leave us 5 stars!

Check out these episodes:

⁠36: From Miles to Meaning with Adi Bandekar⁠

⁠35: There Once Was a Race on Nantucket with Ted Trozinski⁠

⁠29: It's Mobbin Time: Mob Mile Recap⁠

⁠17: Maple Syrup and Marathon...

Usually, we like to stay in Zone 2, but we love a good race recap! Enjoy this episode, featuring our dear friend and 5x marathoner Anthony Wiryaman, who ran a huge PR at the Philly Marathon a 2 weeks ago! In this episode, Anthony and Francis both recount their experiences in Philly: marathon expos, hilly out-and-backs, cramps, lost gels, and so much more!

As a bonus, Anthony shares his experience running two major marathons in the fall of 2024. In the end, we tie it all together for a discussion about goal-setting, burnout, and if "the wall" actually exists. Stick...

Last week we heard about what it takes to run at the division 1 level. This week we're turning on the jets to talk to 2-time Olympian and American record holder in the women's indoor 5k, Elise Cranny.

🏃From turkey trots to time trials, in this episode we learn about her start in running and her quick growth which allowed her to turn pro and represent the 🇺🇸United States on the world stage in the 2020 and 2024 Olympics 🏆! We also discuss the difficulties that athletes of all levels face when balancing their sport and their lives.

...

What does it take to compete at the Division 1 level? In this week's episode we take a look behind the curtain of elite collegiate training with Boston College miler and steeplechaser, Colin Shaver, who shares his journey from being sidelined inhis freshman year due to injury to quickly becoming one of the best runners on the roster.

Colin breaks down the critical questions every athlete faces: What are the grueling workouts that build champions? How do you manage the constant threat of injury? What mental strategies cut through the pressure? And in the end, what is the...

Running your first half-marathon can seem like a daunting task. All the miles of preparation, all the early mornings (and early evenings), all the workouts... None of that guarantees anything, yet we still go to that starting line every time to see what we're capable of.
🏃‍♂️ In this episode, we talk with one of Brian's oldest friends, Tim Scott, who shares his journey from a background in competitive powerlifting to taking on a half marathon! This past Sunday, he crossed the line at the Cambridge Half Marathon, but there’s so much more to the story than just a finisher’...

🌃 For many, running is all about community. This week’s guest, Heartbreak Coach (and Heartbreak regular) Adi Bandekar, embodies that spirit completely.

🏃‍♂️ In this episode, Adi shares his journey from solo runner to a pillar of the Heartbreak community. We talk marathon training, routine, finding belonging, and what it really means to connect through running. To wrap it up, Brian picks Adi’s brain about run commuting, and why it just might be the best way to get to work.

Enjoy!

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🐳 We ran a half marathon! In part one, we are joined by our friend and former guest Ted Trozinski as we debrief our experiences running the Nantucket Half Marathon together. We talk about race day experiences, training progress, setbacks, and relate it all together for a candid discussion about burnout and goal setting!
👂 In part two, we hear from some listeners and discuss some distance-running hot takes! Be sure to stick around for some fun facts about Nantucket and the whaling industry!
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Be sure to listen...

🚑 Endurance sports have long been an important part of Mark Sibold's life, but everything changed in May 2023 when he was struck by a car going over 60 miles per hour while out for a bike ride. What happened next is sure to leave you speachless.

🎙️ Enjoy this inspiring conversation as Mark takes us through his miraculous recovery, from two weeks in the ICU to running 26.2 miles in less than a year. He reflects on the power of goal-setting, self-belief, gratitude, and how his lifelong dedication to fitness helped him to survive and rebuild.

🏃 This is 2024 Boston Marathon fi...

🏃Running is art in motion and this week’s guest has made it his business to capture that art.

📸If you’ve ever seen a photo of either Brian or Francis that looks like it was professionally shot, it probably was shot by the man himself, Fidelis Teixeira. Through running, Fidelis has been able to create narratives with photos.🎞️

💔Whether it’s Heartbreak Signature Speed, The Speed Project relay, or his own portfolio, Fidelis sees the world as moments to be captured. In this episode, we discuss his entry into running, and his evolution as a photographer and c...

🐘 An Olympic Trials Qualifying (OTQ) marathon time has long represented the standard of excellence in distance running, and this week, we were thrilled to be joined by a man who has done it, not once, but twice: Eric Ashe!

☄️ Eric is a 2-time OTQ marathon runner, 4-time team MVP and 2-time team captain at BU, 4:03 miler, conference champion in the Steeplechase, and former head distance coach at Tufts University Eric Ashe!

💫 Enjoy this glance into Eric’s impressive journey as we explore running origins, high school breakouts, the transition from events like the mile and 3000m steeplecha...

🇩🇰What’s it like trying to run abroad in a new city? This week, we were joined once again by our dear friend, former guest, and Nike Women’s Running Ambassador Cate Schultz! In this episode, Cate reflects back on her summer in Scandinavia, and shares her experience running in Copenhagen. 

✈️ How do you stay focused on training when travelling?

🥵 How do you manage burnout when training amidst a busy schedule?

🌎 What are the differences between running abroad and in the US?

Additionally, we look back at Cate’s race at this year’s Boston Mara...

🏅 Lace up and enjoy this inspirational conversation with Olympic 10,000m runner, GM of Heartbreak Santa Monica, and host of the Unexpected Curves podcast Marielle Hall! In this episode, we learn more about Marielle's story and shed light on some important conversations in professional athletics and women's sports.

🌎 What were some standout memories from Rio 2016?

🔀 What was it like transitioning from a professional athlete to a creator and community leader with Heartbreak?

🏃‍♀️ What are the most important conversations we should be having in women's sports?

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Marielle's experience is unmatched and her perspectiv...

🏃This week, tune in for a special race recap hot off of Heartbreak's 2025 Mob Mile. We'll unpack Brian and Francis' race-day strategy and have them relive the trauma of an all-out mile ⚡️

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Don’t forget to leave 5⭐️, we really really appreciate it!

🎉 Race shoutout time!

A huge shoutout to everyone who ran Mob Mile 2025! y'all killed it!

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☕ Running and coffee go hand in hand, and it’s almost impossible to imagine one without the other. This week’s guest has spent years living in over 15 major cities exploring roads, trails, and cafes through the lens of a runner and creating guides for others to follow suit. Please enjoy our interview with The City Runner: 40-time marathoner Yü Wu!

🤔 How does our love of running grow and change through the miles?
👟 How do I choose a run club?
🍓 What the heck is the… Raspberry double??
☕ Last but not least, what is the best coffee shop in B...

👤 This week were lucky enough to invite our friend: Nike performance running EKIN, Heartbreak Coach, and retired collegiate 800m runner Russell Wells back on the podcast for the second time. This week, we chatted about everything from backyard ultramarathons to new shoe releases.

📏 Wait, what the heck is a backyard ultra?
🏎️ What is it like ripping a 4-minute 1500m?
👟 Should I be running in the Structure 26 or the Vomero Plus… or both?

If you still wanted to learn more about shoe foams, check out this spreadsheet breaking down all the premium foams from top running brands...

👬 Welcome to episode 26.2, celebrating a marathon of memorable moments on The Zone 2 Podcast. Join us as we look back at some of our favorite moments from the last 6 months!

🏆 In this bonus episode, Francis and Brian look back at our 5 favorite moments, with a few honorable mentions. We also pick some superlatives including our favorite running moments, favorite fun facts, and most proud accomplishments! We also do a rose-thorn-bud and look ahead to what comes next for the pod!

👣 We hope you have enjoyed the journey so far! Stick around for new episodes streaming every Wednesday...

🧱 This week, we’re thrilled to sit down with retired collegiate runner and founder of the Brick Layers Union: Ben Weingart!

We kick things off with some light banter before diving into Ben’s running origins, life transitions, and thoughts on self-discipline.

🏃 Who are the Brick Layers Union, and why run with them?
🧩 How does BLU’s online presence tell a unique story?
🗺️ Why should you go run an “out of the box” relay?

If you want to learn more about the Brick Layers Union, check them out on Instagram, and catch them for a group r...

🐐 This week, we are delighted to welcome Heartbreak Coach and community organizer Devin Miller back on the Podcast! This time around, we dove headfirst into a discussion about determination, grit, and going the extra mile.

🫥 How can you learn to grow from hard days and setbacks?

💡 How can you turn your ideas within your community into reality?

🩲 What kit should you be wearing to your next run club?

This was an interview so good we didn’t want it to end! If you haven’t already, stay caught up and check out our first inte...

☀️On the off-chance you haven’t seen him running around Boston, you’ve definitely seen him on social media. This week, we had the pleasure of chatting with Alex “Herm” Hermanson, known on socials as @herm.runs, for a philosophical yet fun discussion about perspectives, motivation, goal-setting, and community.

🌆How do you tap into the communities around the activities you love?

🙂‍↕️How do you learn to disregard social norms and do what you want?

👟Seriously, what’s the hype with the Adidas EVO SL?

Be sure to check Herm out online and enjoy an interview that w...

🔋 This week, we are joined by Rafe Gangi — Social Strategist at WHOOP, Heartbreak pacer, retired collegiate 400m runner, and all-around chill guy. We covered everything from Rafe’s transition from the 400 to the marathon, to building social media strategy at Saucony and WHOOP, to Joey Chestnut’s outrageous performance at the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest.

📈 What makes a running brand campaign really stick?

📊 How should you be using your wearable data to train smarter?

🏠 What really holds people back from lacing up and getting out the door?

🌭 And seriously… how does Joe...

💔 This week, we sat down with one of the faces behind Boston’s iconic Heartbreak Hill Running Company: Dan Fitzgerald. Dan’s role is finely structured around his passions for community, coaching, and of course, running. Join us in unpacking Dan’s journey at Heartbreak from humble beginnings in the South End all the way to new frontiers in LA and beyond. 

In this episode, learn all about: 

💥 What it takes to launch a running retail brand from the ground up

🏙 How Heartbreak carved its identity in Boston’s running scene

📈 The evolution of the r...

🚀 In this week’s special episode, Francis and Brian take a deep dive into one of the most revolutionary developments in modern running: supershoes💨. From record-shattering performances by Kelvin Kiptum and Tigst Assefa to the carbon-plated kicks showing up at your local 5K, we break down the science, the history, and the hype behind the shoes that are changing the sport. 

In this episode, we get into:

The evolution of shoe tech from kangaroo skin to PEBA foam

What the research says about performance gains

What the heck a carbon plate actually...

🏅 This week, we’re thrilled to introduce Mike Beeman, who you may know from his energetic and motivational TikTok videos featuring his mantra: “Slay the day, rep the steps!”—always followed by his signature dab. Known online as @Runboston48, Mike has an incredible 48 Boston Marathon finishes under his belt and is looking ahead to number 49. We spent some time talking with Mike to hear about his unique perspective on distance running, community, longevity, and how the sport has evolved over his 56 years of running.

In this episode:

– How has the sport of running changed over the decades?<...

🌟 This week, we sat down with Liv Barbier, 3x marathoner and runner for the Tracksmith Hares, for an inspiring conversation about motivation, goal-setting, and self-belief. If you haven’t already signed up for a marathon, you will after hearing what Liv has to say. From her background as a competitive skier and mountain biker, Liv shares about her rapid transition from hobby runner to a competitive marathoner, gives a unique perspective into her TikTok presence, and looks ahead to some big future goals.

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⛰️ This week, we’re going long — really long. We’re joined by professional ultramarathoner Meg Morgan, who runs for La Sportiva and has taken on some of the gnarliest races out there — including the iconic Western States 100. In this episode, Meg walks us through her journey from hobby runner to pro, why she chose to go beyond the marathon, and what actually happens inside your head (and feet) during a 100-mile race.

We talk about the training that sets ultrarunners apart, the mindset that keeps them going, and the trail-tested gear Meg swears by. You can...

🍁This week, tap in for a special race debrief from this past weekend’s Vermont City Marathon. We’re joined by our friend and fellow marathon debutant Zach Shrull, who finished in an impressive 3:17:07, and managed a negative split. In this episode, Francis and Zach both take a good hard look at all their life decisions over the last 6 months: specifically, we unpack their first training cycles, reflect on their race-day experiences, and look ahead to the possibility of more races to come. Whether you're training for your first marathon or you're just here for the chaos, there’s something...

This week on The Zone 2 Podcast, Francis and Brian are joined by Seth Wolfman, the founder of the widely popular Brighton Bangers Running Club! Since its founding in 2012, the Bangers have grown into one of the most vibrant and welcoming running communities in Boston — with hundreds of runners showing up to weekly group runs. In this episode, Seth shares:

🏙️ The joys and challenges of building a running community

📈 How he keeps momentum going and attracts new members

🧠 Insights into group dynamics, leadership, and club culture

🎽 And of course — marathon stories! From Boston favorites t...

Welcome back to The Zone 2 Podcast! This week, Francis and Brian chopped it up with former URI varsity runner and freshly minted marathoner Aidan Kindopp. Aidan may be humble, but we’ll brag for him — coming from a 1500m PR of 3:54.83, Aidan BQed in his debut marathon with 2:45:53 at the 2025 Rhode Races Newport Marathon. And just to round things out, he’s currently pursuing his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at MIT. Yes, he might somehow be even smarter than he is fast. 

In this episode, we dig into:

🏃‍♂️ Aidan’s transition from middle-distance to marathon

🧠 B...

Welcome to The Zone 2 Podcast! If you enjoy today’s episode, don’t forget to leave a review, comment, and share this episode with your friends & on social media!

Episode 14 features Boston College Senior and varsity distance runner Peter Fox. To celebrate Star Wars day, the lads kicked things off with some light-hearted Star Wars banter before Peter takes us through his life as a collegiate runner. We discuss running origins, Peter setting his school record in the indoor 5000m (14:07.32), injury setbacks. We also discuss the transition away from competitive collegiate running and look ahead to what is n...

Welcome to Episode 13, featuring 2022 Boston Marathon finisher Savannah Gigandet! As with all our guests, we dive into Savannah’s background in running and her journey thus far - from her time as a competitive gymnast to taking on the Boston Marathon, and now balancing her passions both for running and strength training. 

Savannah also speaks candidly about her experience with eating disorders related to athletics. She shares how these challenges have influenced her relationship with sports and what recovery has looked like over time. This powerful and vulnerable conversation sheds light on a struggle many athletes face and...