PreRace Podcast

• Danny Johnston & the Indianapolis Half Marathon ft. Lauren Wolf

  In S5Ep12 of the PRP, Adam heads to O’Toole’s to break bread with longtime Michigan running mainstay, data deep diver, impassioned RFB co-organizer and steadfast steward of the sport Danny Johnston, who has been preparing for the Indianapolis Half Marathon. Lauren Wolf, fellow RFB co-organizer, clarinet connoisseur and proud data sorceress joins the show to offer her take on volunteering, larping and of course, the ever-expanding RFB offspring universe.Together, the crew digs into the story of RFB’s rise—from a casual Monday beer run between friends to one of Michigan’s most welcoming community fixtures. Danny & Lauren reflect on what it means to show up not only as a runner but as a volunteer, guide and advocate. More often than not, they note, supporting someone else’s finish line can be more joyful, and far more fulfilling, than chasing your own.Things get vulnerable when Danny deep dives into his thoughtful Runner Language Research Project—what began as curiosity has grown into a full exploration of how we speak about the sport we love. He explains how tiny phrases like “just a 5K” or “only eight miles” can unintentionally shrink accomplishments and quietly gate keep newcomers while simultaneously robbing experienced runners of the credit they deserve. He reminds us that language influences not just who feels included, but how we see ourselves.His mission isn’t to scold but to soften the edges of the sport and widen the on-ramp for anyone who hasn’t yet realized they belong. It’s a call to celebration over comparison, intention over ego and stewardship over splits. A reminder that every run counts, every effort matters—and that your “hard” is still worthy, even on the days you don’t feel impressive.From clarinet solos to crag lessons, analytics to alleyway 5Ks, this episode highlights what truly makes running magical: the humans. The ones who cheer loud, volunteer hard, carry the vibes (not the boats) and keep the joy alive. A celebration of showing up, lifting up and growing better together.Exposure therapy, echo chambers and nanner haters oh my! This and more in this laughter-filled, perspective-shifting & data-backed episode of the PRP!Recorded Monday November 3rd @ 5:00PM EST

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• Tommie Runz & the Javelina Jundred ft. Dawnta Campbell

  In S5Ep11 of the PRP, Adam heads to the desert with beloved community leader, running culture connoisseur, artistic trail blazer and newly minted ultra runner Tommie Runz, who’s been preparing for the Javelina Jundred — his first official 100-mile ultra marathon. Dawnta Campbell, talented distance runner, self-care sage, blossoming trail baddie & certified mantra machine joins the show to offer her unique perspective on running, representation and what it means to move through life with intentional energy & grace.Together, the trio unpacks Tommie’s evolution from Runz to Trailz; a shift that’s been less about performance and more about peace, intuition and the quiet confidence that comes from letting the miles unfold instead of forcing them. Road racing once thrived on precision & pressure; trail running, by contrast, invites surrender—permission to breathe, to feel, to move without expectation. It’s a new chapter for Tommie, one guided not by pace or splits, but by curiosity and trust in where the path leads.But this one moves past the metrics and into the soul of the sport. The conversation digs into the heart of race, culture, and belonging — what it means to show up as a Black runner in spaces that weren’t built with you in mind, and how the act of running itself can be both liberation & labor. Tommie & Dawnta explore the evolution of representation — the beauty of showing up as yourself in spaces and the power it holds when others recognize a piece of their own story in yours. Because it’s not just about being “welcomed” to the start line — it’s about helping redefine who the start line belongs to and is created by.Through reflection & laughter, the crew explores how running can evolve from a personal pursuit into a communal act of stewardship. From road miles to ridge lines, Tommie’s story is proof that growth isn’t just about finding new terrain — it’s about discovering new layers of self within it. The lessons? Run when it’s joyful. Rest when it’s heavy. Keep showing up. Keep building. And most importantly, keep sharing. Cactuses, batteries and salty shorts oh my! This and so much more in this important, encouraging & iconic episode of the PRP!Recorded Friday October 24th @ 3:00PM PST

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• Sarah Nitz & the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon ft. Coach Bambi

  In S5Ep10 of the PRP, Adam symposiums with radiant force of resilience, defiant survivor, corky community catalyst and proud Detroit Machine, Sarah Nitz, who has been preparing for the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon on Sunday October 19th, 2025. Coach Bambi, founder of Machine Athletics, culture missionary, and queen of conviction returns to show to offer her signature blend of mentorship, motivation, and trademark Machine-made wisdom.Sarah & Coach dive into a moving exchange about strength, stewardship, and the evolution of self through adversity. A proud member of both Machine Athletics and WeRun313, Sarah opens up about her journey from cancer diagnosis to comeback — how running became both a refuge and a reminder that healing isn’t about returning to who you once were, but embracing who you’ve become. Coach then ties in the power of belief — reminding us that strength starts in the mind. For Sarah, belief wasn’t just mindset—it was survival. That same faith now fuels her running, her purpose, and the light she gives back to others.The squad then explores the spiritual side of sport — how faith, community, and self-compassion can coexist with grit, ambition, and the drive to grow. They talk about what it means to mourn old versions of yourself, to release what no longer serves you, and to run lighter — not just physically, but emotionally. From surviving to thriving, Sarah’s story becomes a living blueprint for resilience & grace: proof that desire doesn’t age, and passion doesn’t need a finish line.Things get even more vulnerable when the crew unpacks mindset and attitude. What does it really mean to trust the process, embrace imperfection, and remember that rest isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom. Oh the places we’ll go when we embody the truth that running is a luxury, a practice of gratitude, and a celebration of what it means to simply be alive and moving forward.Where my OLG’s at?! Make me or break me coach! Dog aid?? Runnymoons?! Whale watching?! YOU HAVE TO GO GET IT. Puzzle pieces, self belief & tracking marathons in bars oh my! This and so much more in a deeply inspiring, joy-charged, and perspective-shifting edition of the PRP.Recorded Tuesday October 14th @ 6:00PM EST

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• Jeff Vito & the Chicago Marathon ft. Elliot Osoteo

  In S5Ep9 of the PRP, Adam saddles up with distance-running drip lord, group run superconductor, enlightened suffer-well philosopher and consistently inconsistent marathon dreamer Jeff Tyrone Vito, who had been preparing for the Chicago Marathon on Sunday October 12th, 2025. Elliot Osoteo, proud Pinoy pacer, charismatic community conduit, and all around empathy engine of the Must Be Nice Collective, returns to the pod to reflect on finding purpose through loss, community through art, and joy in the slow miles that lead to self empowerment.The lads crack open conversations about structure, struggle, and showing up—especially when the mind tries to talk you out of your own potential. Vito reflects on stepping into Saddler’s Saddles—his first time trading full running independence for coaching guidance—and discovering that sometimes the real growth comes from letting someone else hold the map while you find your own rhythm. From battling self-doubt to embracing accountability, he shares how finding more structure in training has opened up more freedom in life—reminding us all that forcing the process kills the joy, and at the end of the day, isn’t joy the whole point? In other words, the less he tries to control the recipe, the more the universe seasons it just right.Things get vulnerable when Elliot opens up about running the Detroit Free Press Marathon on the one-year anniversary of his mother’s passing. Instead of being paralyzed by grief, he’s learned to run with it—letting memory fuel movement and presence soften pain. Together, the duo explores how identity can warp when you cling too tightly to performance, how slowing down can really be a form of strength, and why documenting the sport is its own kind of stewardship. You don’t have to be the one pinning on the bib to build the culture—often times the lens, the support, or the vibe is the contribution.Must Be Nice mischief?! Saddler-certified?? Confusing showers?? Vito’s vengeance? Married to the game? Booty call bedtimes?? Quiche, honey croissants and crumb-covered naps oh my!This and so much more in this hilarious, heartfelt and sneakily profound episode of the PRP.Sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded Wednesday October 1st @ 10:00AM EST

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• Lauren Couls & the Red Moon Trail Run 25K ft. Jen Rock Buslepp

  In S5Ep8 of the PRP, Adam symposiums with decades-long distance runner, decorated Wayne State alum, physical therapy powerhouse, multifaceted running coach and proud mama bear, Dr. Lauren Couls, who has been preparing for the Red Moon Trail 25K on August 9th, 2025. Jen Rock Buslepp, Wayne State hall of famer, Olympic Trials qualifier, mama bear extraordinaire and blossoming photographer joins the show to offer her take on running burnout, mom brain and of course, the Ninja Turtles.Buckle up as the squad unpacks how Lauren’s PT and coaching approach has evolved—from prescribing fixes to fostering lightbulb moments. By guiding athletes to discover answers for themselves, she sparks lasting growth and resilience; shifting runners’ perspectives on body mechanics and training strategies in the long run (pun intended) instead of just slapping bandaids on injuries.Things get vulnerable when the trio digs into the hard questions around coaching, healing, and stewardship. What happens when your body says pause but your identity screams run? How do you balance competitiveness with compassion—for yourself and others? And how can each of us support this community, even when we’re not the ones pinning on the bib?For both Lauren & Jen, that journey has meant evolving from high-level competitors to coaches, healers, and now moms. Deconstructing their identities as runners, then slowly rebuilding them hasn’t always been easy, but that process has sharpened their perspective, deepened their empathy, and made them more attuned to what really matters. Together, the crew explores what it means to grow with the sport rather than against it: redefining success, embracing rest, finding identity beyond medals and splits, and guiding athletes to run not just stronger but smarter - all while cultivating a deeper relationship with the sport and, in turn, with themselves.Ummm, triple stroller Guinness World Record?!? Hootie & the Blowfish singalongs??? Gilligan's Island & Andy Griffith (yeah we old)! Jesus, is that you? Tornadoes, Facebook pokes and bilateral FAI, oh my!This and so much more in a laughter-filled, wisdom-packed, and deeply heartfelt running mama edition of the PRP.Sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Up & Running Performance⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ann Arbor Running Company⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Recorded Thursday August 7th @ 4:00PM EST

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