The Drop

The gang took the actual train to NYC to run the New Balance and New York Road Runners 5th Avenue Mile. We talk about the worst seat on a train, Thomas's race day regrets, and Robbe making questionable decisions about stuff found on the ground (again). We also cover the legendary life of Mike the Headless Chicken, which is marginally more entertaining than our conversation about the New Balance 1080v13, which features some major upgrades.

What's going on behind the scenes of the Adidas Adizero podium push over the last few years? That's what we ask Robbie Paterson, Senior Manager of Footwear Development in the Adizero Elite Racing line. We get all the details on how they almost had a 50 mm race shoe until World Athletics laid down the law, how much testing and development goes into an Adizero shoe, and everything that went into the Adidas Adizero Prime X 2 Strung.

If you follow track, the man needs no introduction. Chris Chavez is the founder of Citius Mag, a media brand dedicated to all things track and field. We talk about his role at Citius, the world of track and field, and what's it's like behind the scenes of running.
Follow Citius Mag on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citiusmag/
Follow Chris on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris_j_chavez/

Blink and it's 182. I guess this is growing up, but we're still kids at heart when it comes to discussing airplane etiquette, STD billboards in Baltimore, waterbeds for the rich and poor, and the all-new Brooks Ghost Max. This episode is sponsored by Electrolit, a scientifically formulated hydration beverage that replenishes the body during physical activity, intense heat, and other outdoor warm-weather activities. It's legit, we drink it, you should check them out. Learn more: Website: https://electrolit.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/electrolit/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/electrolitusa

Things go sideways real quick this week as we try to test the limits of our listeners' attention spans. Thomas and Robbe discuss toothpaste squeezing methods, Thomas gets Robbe to try a drunken cookie recipe, Meg is handed a get out of jail free coin, and we also respond to the torrent of comments on our Dr. Phil Maffetone episode. One more stop on our Summer Hydration Tour! 8/19 - Boston - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #7 RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-7-boston/

Look, we had to know what they were all about, so we went straight to the source. Brett Fraser is the Chief Athletes Officer for the Enhanced Games, a sporting event without drug testing, billed as "an alternative to the corrupt Olympic Games."
This is an open conversation about the persistence of drugs in sport, the idea of "scientifically-enhanced" athletes, and whether or not that's a good thing or a bad thing for sport overall. There are definitely two sides to this issue and both have certain merits, whether you agree or not. Either way, we're interested to see how it plays out over the next year and a half.
Learn more about the Enhanced Games: https://enhanced.org/

This week, Thomas and Meg survive an animal attack (barely), Robbe narrowly avoids an animal attack, oh and also we had an amazing time at the Summer GRIT Party and Asics/Skratch Summer Hydration Tour stop #4. All that and a whole lot more in this episode, including an overview of the Salomon DRX Bliss.

Learn more and register for the Under Armour Sunset Tour: https://bit.ly/UA-SUNSET-TOUR

RSVP for our upcoming events!
7/29 - Nashville - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #5
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-5-nashville/

8/10 - Atlanta - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #6
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-6-atlanta/

8/19 - Boston - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #7
RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-7-boston/

Alison took the unconventional route to running, having started at the age of 30. She has completed 7 full marathons, and a handful of half marathons, 10ks, and 5ks. Her love for the sport has quickly transcended into wanting to give others the same sense of accomplishment she felt after completing her first race. She is the leader of R.I.OT. Squad run club, and an SCI Physical Therapist Assistant, as well as a run coach.

Follow Alison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alioop_0_o_runs/

It's hard enough to run a 5:25 mile, but what about doing it nine months pregnant? Makenna Myler is a professional runner for Asics who qualified for the Olympic Trials in the 10k in 2021 and finished 14th less than a year after giving birth to her daughter. She's been running PRs ever since and in this episode we talk about what that looks like.

Follow Makenna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benzmakenz/

Meg's in Boston at the New Balance Research Lab with the Train to NYC team, but no worries, the podcast must go on. Thomas and Robbe manage to not burn headquarters down, though next week may be a different story when we go full Joe Dirt on our stash of 4th of July fireworks. Also, we talk about the On Cloudboom Echo 3, a $290 race day shoe that may or may not live up to the price tag. Also– Summer GRIT starts on Saturday! Kind of crept up on us, so not sure we even mentioned it, but we're ready to roll. RSVP for our upcoming events! 7/8 - Oakland - Norda 002 Launch w/ Renegade Running (& Live Podcast) RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/norda-launch/ 7/14 - Austin - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #1 RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-1/ 7/17 - Miami - Summer Hydration Tour Stop #2 RSVP here: https://believeintherun.com/event/summer-hydration-tour-stop-2-miami/

Delano Johnson is unique in the world of runners in that he's a 6'5", 250-pound Canadian football defensive end (currently a free agent). A current Baltimore-area resident, Lo played college football at Bowie State University and has played professionally for the Houston Texans, Toronto Argonauts, Portland Thunder/Steel and Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He's also a member of our Train to NYC 2 team with New Balance and we couldn't be more excited to have him along on this journey. Follow Lo on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/so_thankful10

After a tame time in Boulder, we're back in the wild, folks. That means we talk about everything from Meg's new gambling addiction (jk... maybe) to rat trapping in Baltimore to why it's absolutely criminal that Matthew Lillard wasn't nominated for an Oscar for his flawless portrayal of Shaggy in Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. Think about it though: he really was robbed. Oh, we also talk about the Adidas Boston 12 and why it's finally come around to the greatness it once was.

Passionate about showing that everyone can be a runner, Martinus Evans weighed 380 pounds when he decided to run a marathon in response to an orthopedic specialist who called him "fat." Since then, he's lost over 80 pounds, started a run club with over 10,000 members worldwide, coached others, and written a book (available now). And his journey's just getting started.

Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run to is available now Follow Martinus on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/300poundsandrunning

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: ⁠https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

We tried to talk as little about running as possible, but it turns out that Emma Bates is a pretty good runner (2nd at Chicago, 5th at Boston), so it kind of snuck in at times. We did talk about life during breaks between marathon blocks, living in Colorado, martini preferences, and more.

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: ⁠https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

Ever wonder who's behind the direction of a brand's running shoes? Like, at New Balance? Here's your guy, Paul Zielinski, Sr. Global Product Manager of Running at New Balance. We talk about running London and Boston and his career before diving into the behind-the-scenes business on the SC Trainer v2, Propel v3, and More Trail v3.

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: ⁠https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

I guess this is growing up... or not. Let's be real, we've never done that nor do we have any intention of doing so. On this episode of The Drop, we talk about Thomas and Robbe's Memorial Day date to Camden Yards, seeing Blink-182 in Baltimore, Meg crushing her workouts, and more. We also talk about the New Balance SC Trainer v2, which is different, but still pretty great. And another very special guest check-in!

Sub to Kofuzi's YouTube: https://youtube.com/@kofuzi

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: ⁠https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

This spring, Ben Johnson (aka @benjohnson763) ran four marathons in four weeks: Boston, London, Eugene, and Wobegon, averaging a 2:49 pace. He only started running 5 years ago and has since lost a ton of weight and paced Meaghan to some of her personal bests along the way. He's also the true embodiment of Midwest nice and we're lucky to call him a friend. Hear about where he's at with his running, what it was like to run all those races, and what his goals are for 2023 and beyond.

Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benjohnson763/

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: ⁠https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

Florida man does 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 continents. David Kilgore did just that as part of his job as a sponsored Red Bull athlete. Oh, he's also the Global Head of Sports Innovation for On. And he's a professional trail runner who lives in New York City, which totally makes sense. All that to say– we had a great time talking to this amazing athlete about all his wild adventures.

Follow David on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidkilgore

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

Thomas and Meg sit down and chat with Ali Feller, host of the number one running podcast in America (every once in awhile we get there too) and probably also the nicest person in America. She's also a race announcer, recently handling finish line duties at the Boston Marathon. She's also a marathoner. And a mom. And a wife. She's pretty much a transformer but not in disguise. And she just ran a 3:41 marathon PR in Eugene! Hope you enjoy this talk as much as we did.

Things get regional on this episode of the drop as we discuss coke and pop, tennis shoes and sneakers, and also try to figure out Formula One. We also talk about our experience with Gnarly Hydrate margaritas and how Meg may have a new career in betting since her family won't support her. Drop your FanDuel referral link in the comments. Oh, we also talk about the Asics Magic Speed 3, a tempo trainer that seems like a sizable improvement over last year.

This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we get crazy good sleep with them and you should too. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run

Logging thousands of miles a year means we could always use strength and conditioning advice. Applying it is a whole different thing, but at least we'll have the knowledge. To get that knowledge, we talked to Jess Movold, a licensed strength and running coach for Runner’s World+ members. Just ran a lifetime PR in Boston, 3:12, and her first postpartum marathon. She currently lives in Austin, TX with her husband and son Battle, which is probably the coolest name a human could ask for. She’s also a new member of the Train to NYC!

Well, the whole gang hit the trails last week and it was part awesome, part humbling. Thomas and Jarrett went on a bro-date to the monster truck rally and came away with some revelations. Robbe navigates his running or lack thereof, as well as human waste issues that aren't his. Meg reports back on her first week of being coached by Andrew Kastor. And we also talk about the New Balance More Trail v3.

Be sure to check out Saysky running apparel, because summer is coming and you need to look hot but feel cool. Save 15% off your order by using code DROP15: https://saysky.us/

We talked about her entry into running (her first marathon was London in 2012, where she ran for MIND in memory of her university housemate, Vic, who sadly took his own life after battling depression). Thoughts on being considered an influencer. How she’s a Six Star finisher. Her fertility journey -- she just had a child via surrogacy. And her next goal of hitting a BQ at the Valencia Marathon.

Our break from Boston has gone a bit sideways and we're okay with it. Thomas and Meaghan go full James Bond in their drinking, Robbe buys his family's first pet, and our running is full of injuries as usual (we'll be okay). We also talk about the Li-Ning Feidian 3 Ultra, a performance shoe that may or may not cost $500.

Be sure to check out Saysky running apparel, because summer is coming and you better look good while feeling gooder. Use code DROP15 to save 15% off your order: https://saysky.us/

His name would have you think he bats cleanup for the 1927 Yankees, but Casey Comber is actually an Under Armour athlete with the UA Mission Run team right here in Baltimore. (Update: the man just finished in second-place at the iconic B.A.A. Mile over Boston Marathon weekend, less than a half-second behind winner Hobbs Kessler.) We got him into the studio to talk shoes, life as a professional athlete, and what it's like to sleep in an altitude tent all the time.

We went down to D.C. and did our cherry blossom thing as we led a run through the pouring rain on Saturday and raced a windy route on Sunday. We recap that whole thing, we talk about Tetris, we check in on our own running, and we tell you how to hang with us in Boston. Thanks for everyone who showed up this past weekend, can't wait to see a bunch of y'all in less than two weeks. Check out and RSVP for our Boston meet-ups: https://believeintherun.com/events/boston-marathon-weekend/ This episode is sponsored by Lagoon pillows, we've been using them for a year and they're amazing. Save 15% on your order with code BELIEVE: https://lagoonsleep.com/pages/lagoon-believe-in-the-run