The RUNEGADE Podcast

Embracing Aging and Finding Strength Beyond Running with Chris Ryan

Discover how to enhance longevity, strength, and recovery while aging, as Chris Ryan, former Division 1 athlete and top trainer featured on NBC Strong, shares insights on training smarter over the years.

Learn simple, effective routines for runners and non-runners alike, emphasizing the importance of strength, proper form, and surface choices to stay healthy and motivated.

Key Topics:
The importance of training for longevity and aging well, not just aesthetics.
How small, consistent, 10-15 minute workouts can build strength and improve health.
Common misconceptions about aging and physical decline—truths uncovered through experience.
Core exercises like reverse planks, calf raises, and hex bar deadlifts for runners.
Why surface choice (trails vs pavement) impacts joint health over time.
Strength training's role in improving running economy and preventing injury.
The significance of proper running form—ball of the foot strike, keeping eyes ahead.
Cross-training strategies used by elite athletes—cycling, elliptical, water running.
The value of strength exercises for endurance athletes, including pull-ups and plyometrics.
How to integrate fitness into busy lifestyles, especially for executives and parents.
Personal stories: Chris’s journey from collegiate track star to fitness entrepreneur.
The impact of strength training on mental resilience and aging gracefully.
Practical tips for beginners: starting small, focusing on form, and enjoying the process.

Connect with Chris
Chris Ryan Fitness Website
Chris Ryan on YouTube: @chrisryanfitness
Instagram: @chrisryanfitness
LinkedIn
Facebook

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save $$$ with RUNEGADE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - friends of the podcast offering great savings to RUNEGADE listeners.

Connect with Todd and Mark:
​Email: runegadepodcast@gmail.com
​Todd on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@altramarathonman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
​Mark on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runclemark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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RUNEGADE on YouTube: ⁠⁠@TheRUNEGADEPodcastTM⁠⁠

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About RUNEGADE: RUNEGADE is what happens when two ordinary friends dare to to better understand what it means to run, be a runner, to be human. We interview athletes, doctors, scientists, olympians, adventurers, elites, and every day athletes - those doers of Big Things - to help you navigate the run and life, a bit better.

"Running is just something that brings us all, it’s a shared, it’s something that’s shared between all humans. And that’s a beautiful thing" - Dean Karnazes

Listen to Dean's first appearance on Episode 26

Step back with us to 2006 (20 years ago this month)

Social media didn’t exist. Ultrarunning was still a fringe obsession. And running one marathon was, for most people, the absolute edge of human endurance.

This episode is sponsored by Thrive Protein | Canadian made supplements, nutrition, and hydration to fuel all your adventures. Check them out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrive Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code RUNEGADE to save 20% off your order.

Comment your biggest takeaway from this conversation for a chance to win a special RUNEGADE prize

Just a few years earlier, on his 30th birthday, celebrating with friends, Dean Karnazes spontaneously left a San Fransisco bar and ran 30 miles through the night to Half Moon Bay - an experience that changed everything. Soon after, he quit his corporate job to fully chase his obsession with human potential.

Into that world he stepped with a challenge that sounded impossible: 50 marathons in 50 days, in 50 different states.

No one had done it. Many believed it couldn’t be done. But over 50 straight days, from Missouri to New York City, Dean ran 1,310 miles, turned skepticism into awe, and helped spark the modern endurance movement.

For longtime runners, this is a return to the moment the legend was born. For everyone discovering Dean for the first time - welcome. You’re about to meet one of the most inspiring figures in running: a man fuelled by relentless curiosity, unbreakable discipline, and a deep belief in what’s possible when you simply refuse to stop.

We time travel and go back to 2006 to experience the energy, the doubt, and the magic of the Endurance 50 - straight from Dean himself.

In this episode:
What the running world felt like in 2006
Dean’s place as one of the first true endurance icons
The story behind 50 marathons in 50 days across 50 states
Why the feat felt almost impossible at the time
What motivated him to keep going when most people would have quit
How his story helped bring long-distance running into the mainstream
Why new runners today still find inspiration in his journey
The enduring power of grit, curiosity, and belief in the impossible

Connect and Find More Dean Here:
Instagram: @ultramarathon
Facebook
Dean's Website
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All Night Runner
50 Marathons 50 Days

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save $$$ with RUNEGADE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - friends of the podcast offering great savings to RUNEGADE listeners.

Connect with Todd and Mark:
​Email: runegadepodcast@gmail.com
​Todd on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@altramarathonman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
​Mark on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runclemark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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RUNEGADE on YouTube: ⁠@TheRUNEGADEPodcastTM⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | our favourite running gear and apparel. Look great and perform to your potential by gearing up with Path Projects. Elite running gear and apparel, by runners, for runners. Hats, T-shirts, base liners, hoodies, shorts, jackets ... everything performs. Use code TRP10 for 10% off (limited time, first time order)

“What I love about running and what I love about the running and particularly the trail running community is how inclusive it is, or at least it can be. You can be a runner and not ever do an ultra in your life, and that doesn’t make you a lesser person or a lesser runner.” - Jacob Puzey

The Power of Community, Resilience, and Passion in Trail Running - with Jacob Puzey

This episode is sponsored by Thrive Protein | Canadian made supplements, nutrition, and hydration to fuel all your adventures. Check them out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrive Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code RUNEGADE to save 20% off your order.

Comment your biggest takeaway from this conversation for a chance to win a special RUNEGADE prize

Ever wonder what it takes to be an elite trail runner, race director and community builder all at once? Join us as we explore Jacob Puzey’s inspiring journey from humble beginnings in rural America to setting world records on a treadmill, inspiring thousands through Five Peaks races, and his unwavering love for nature and community.

This episode is a testament to the idea that running is about people, passion, and purpose- no podium required.

In this episode:
Jacob's early love for running and coming from a big, supportive family
How a childhood in rural America shaped his connection to nature and running
The story behind setting a 50-mile treadmill record in 2016
Building the Five Peaks trail series as a celebration of nature, family, and community
The importance of inclusivity and accessibility in trail running for all ages and abilities
The mental, physical, and emotional benefits of trail running beyond competition
Insights into maintaining a balanced, sustainable approach to racing and life
The role of mentorship, perseverance, and mindset in transforming challenges into growth
How community connects us across diverse backgrounds and beliefs
Jacob’s thoughts on the future, race ambitions, and staying true to the love of the run
Connect with Jacob:
Instagram: @jacobpuzey
Five Peaks Series

Remember, the trail isn’t just a place to run, it’s a space to grow, connect, and inspire. Cheers to the everyday act of showing up on the trails, in life, and in community - and we're happy you're a RUNEGADE.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save $$$ with RUNEGADE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - friends of the podcast offering great savings to RUNEGADE listeners.

Connect with Todd and Mark:
​Email: runegadepodcast@gmail.com
​Todd on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@altramarathonman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
​Mark on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runclemark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | our favourite running gear and apparel. Look great and perform to your potential by gearing up with Path Projects. Elite running gear and apparel, by runners, for runners. Hats, T-shirts, base liners, hoodies, shorts, jackets ... everything performs. Use code TRP10 for 10% off (limited time)

The Long Run: And The Decade the Marathon Became Cool.

Ever wonder how a sport that once seemed on the fringes transformed into a global phenomenon? Or how icons like Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, and Bill Rodgers, influenced not just running, but the culture and identity of a generation?

This episode is sponsored by Thrive Protein | Canadian made supplements, nutrition, and hydration to fuel all your adventures. Check them out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrive Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code RUNEGADE to save 20% off your order.

In this episode, we dive into Martin Dugard, New York Times best-selling author's new book, The Long Run, which reveals the untold stories and powerful moments that made running what it is today - a testament to human potential, rebellion, and perseverance.

In this episode:
The legendary counterculture of Prefontaine and his role in shaping the identity of runners
How the 1970s initiated the running boom and its evolution across decades
The influence of iconic figures like Joan Benoit, Greta Weitz, Frank Shorter, and Bill Rogers
The shift from solo, rebellious runs to a collective global movement - fueled by technology, pop culture, and social change
Surprising myths about marathon history and the quirky origins of the 26.2-mile standard
The role of women in the rise of running and why their participation was historically underestimated

Whether you're a seasoned marathoner or just lacing up your first pair of kicks, The Long Run reminds us that running is much more than a sport - it's a mirror of life itself. It’s about showing up, pushing limits, and becoming a little better with each step.

So keep moving forward, embrace the long run, and remember - in a world of runners, it's cool to be a RUNEGADE.

Find more Martin here:
Martin on Instagram: @authormartindugard
Martin's Website

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save $$$ with RUNEGADE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - friends of the podcast offering great savings to RUNEGADE listeners.

Connect with Todd and Mark:
​Email: runegadepodcast@gmail.com
​Todd on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@altramarathonman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
​Mark on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runclemark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | our favourite running gear and apparel. Look great and perform to your potential by gearing up with Path Projects. Elite running gear and apparel, by runners, for runners. Hats, T-shirts, base liners, hoodies, shorts, jackets ... everything performs. Use code TRP10 for 10% off (limited time)

"The scariest thing is making the decision to jump into it. Once you've signed up, your goal is just to get ready. It's always possible to get ready, but it's just so scary to make the decision." - Wes Plate

This episode is sponsored by Thrive Protein | Canadian made supplements, nutrition, and hydration to fuel all your adventures. Check them out: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thrive Protein⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code RUNEGADE to save 20% off your order.

Discover how Wes Plate transformed his life through running incredible 200 and 240-mile ultra marathons, turning obsession into resilience.

This episode isn’t just about endurance; it’s about breaking mental barriers, forging deep connections with places, and inspiring ordinary people to realize their extraordinary potential. If you’re thinking about upping your game or just looking for a story that proves we’re all capable of far more than we believe, this is your GPS.

In this episode:
Wes's inspiring journey from alcohol addiction to ultra marathoner
The mental shift: ultra distances as metaphors for life and resilience
How running teaches us about suffering, decision-making, and persistence
Practical insights on training smarter, not harder, with coaching and intentional practices
The power of community, gratitude, and connection in ultra running
Behind-the-scenes on training, gear, and filming epic race documentaries
The courage needed to sign up for big challenges like 200-milers
The upcoming adventures: Vol State 500K, Copper Kings, and beyond

Find more Wes and Resources here:
Wes Plate’s YouTube Channel
Mid Pack Elite Instagram
Wes Plate's Website

Remember, tackling the extremes of ultra distances isn't about being superhuman - it’s about making a decision, taking small consistent steps, and refusing to give up when it gets tough. Wes teaches us that we can all much more than we believe possible.

In a world of runners, be a RUNEGADE.

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Save $$$ with RUNEGADE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - friends of the podcast offering great savings to RUNEGADE listeners.

Connect with Todd, Mark and Harvey:
​Email: runegadepodcast@gmail.com
​Todd on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@altramarathonman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
​Mark on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@runclemark⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
​Harvey on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@altra_harvey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Path Projects⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | our favourite running gear and apparel. Look great and perform to your potential by gearing up with Path Projects. Elite running gear and apparel, by runners, for runners. Hats, T-shirts, base liners, hoodies, shorts, jackets ... everything performs. Use code TRP10 for 10% off (limited time)