Rust Belt Running

In this episode, we get to explore the mind behind one of the premier road races in the country.  Brian Polen discusses the massive course overhaul, running 100 mile races, and exclaims that running a 17:00 5k in high school after playing football the night before is no big deal.

Join Adam and Andrew as they discuss ways to improve running economy.  They do this all while their internet providers could learn a thing or two about the subject.  Pardon the gaffes, lags, and glitches in this show, as we strive to get better - even when it seems difficult.  Sounds a lot like marathon training, doesn't it?  

In this episode, we have the tremendous honor of talking with Darris Blackford about all things running. It was only supposed to be half an hour, but we had just too much fun, you get the full hour. Find out why Darris started running, how he started as Race Director, and (potentially) when the Horseshoe will be added back to this wonderful course.

Recorded before the Fourth of July, and released just after, Adam and Andrew discuss plans for Independence Day.  Included in this is Andrew intermittently ranting about his disdain for residential fireworks.  As far as running goes, the boys discuss the reliance on technology vs. running on feel, and how technology has impacted their running. 

Summer runnin', having a blast. Summer runnin', runnin' so fast. In our newest episode we discuss what to watch out for during the summer months of fall marathon prep, dive into some current events involving plogging, discuss the mystery that is the RBR social media disappearance over the past week and there's a whole lot of stumping going on.   Thank you for listening!

On the Lebron James episode of Rust Belt Running, Adam and Andrew talk about the deep feelings they connect to the sport of running, in honor of Global Running Day.  They discuss the various events surrounding the great sport's recent holiday addition, they go over current events that highlight the best of the running world, and talk about the show's new logo.  Big thanks to Twitterverse's @DesignGuyEd for the amazing logo! Thomas did not make the episode due to illness, and oddly enough Andrew sighed a lot less in this episode.  Hmmmmmmm... Thanks for listening!  BTW, we aren't sponsored by Global Running Day.  We really like running. If you pledge on GlobalRunningDay.org select team Rust Belt Running!

Episode 22 comes a few days removed from the Cleveland Marathon, and Cleveland Ambassador/half marathon finisher Sara November-Gobbins aka @redheadontherun_2 joins the podcast.  On the pod, we discuss how we're working through the loss of Taylor Ceepo and its impact on the local running community. Sara, Andrew, Adam, and Thomas discuss how their races went, and Sara shares about running a scorching hot race while twenty weeks pregnant, her journey to completing a 100 mile race, and running in cotton shorts. The pod ends with our wishlist for improvements involving race adaptability with unpredictable weather. Thank you for listening.

In the final Countdown to Cleveland Ambassador Series interview, Andrew and Adam talk with Clevelander, marathon veteran, and TTUN alumni Leah Backo.  Leah discusses how she became the runner she is today, her passion for helping others (people and animals) and an update on her recent injury concerns leading up to the marathon. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you in Cleveland!

Rust Belt Running does not hide their affection for the Cleveland Marathon.  We do an even worse job of hiding in episode 21 where the entire episode is focused on the upcoming Cleveland Marathon race weekend. Before we talk about our expectations for the race, breakdown all associated events, and share awesome tips on making the best of the weekend; we talk about Eliud's new sub-2 attempt, the new world record for running 50 miles, and Andrew and Adam share one sentence responses on Mo Farah and Galen Rupp running the Chicago Marathon. In Stump the Hosts, Adam and Andrew go head-to-head in a world record themed competition.  The final outcome will leave you on the edge of your seat!!! Ok, not really, but someone does win without the need of a tiebreaker. If you decide you want to watch this podcast on YouTube, you can see us do some wicked air guitaring.  If you opt only for audio, use your imagination and place an air guitar wherever you see fit.  Just watch your hands and don't hit some

On this episode of Rust Belt Running, we welcome Berlin, Boston, and New York City marathoners Erica Gennaro and Heather MacLeod.  They discuss their history with running, how they met, and how they combined raising money for worthwhile organizations with running in the world marathon events. We talk about the track and field ruling for Caster Semenya, and the awesome story of a Cincinnati runner who's running with someone else's heart. All that and we play a May the 4th Star Wars edition of Stump the Hosts!  Contrary to what the episode may sound like, we are NOT sponsored by Trip Advisor.

The episode this week is all about "medal moments" aka different memories we have associated with races; sometimes designated with a race medal.  We share our favorite medals, that you won't see because it's an audio podcast, but do explain the stories behind them (which works for your ear holes). In current events we discuss the recent London Marathon steroid scandal, discuss our thoughts on the believability of those who say they're clean, the Marvel Avengers 3 day marathon, and all the free stuff you get, in London, for completing the marathon. Andrew facilitates a rousing edition of Stump Adam! with a quiz about metal band names.  Shocking development: Adam does not listen to metal music (sarcasm). This pod is brought to you by nobody.  We have no sponsors.  We do this pod for you and only you.

Allison Szedlock, aka @midwestmotherrunner, joins Rust Belt Running to talk about her long history with running, running through adversity, and her plans to hide in the plants at the Cleveland Ambassador event.  

The emcee of the Cleveland and Columbus marathons talks with Rust Belt Running about how he got started voicing races, how Ralph Staph compares to the Terminator, and the eclectic sign choices in Andrew's kitchen.

Rust Belt Running welcomes Boston marathoner Scott Long aka The Active Guy!  Scott discusses how he decided his first races would be marathons, and how close he decided to time them.  Scott and Adam also have a “small world” moment in their Running lives.

Rust Belt Running succeeds at surviving a week without Andrew Hettinger.  While Andrew's away, the soccer fans will play.  Adam and Thomas talk about Save the Crew, Cleveland SC, Hell is Real, and mostly about Liverpool FC. They share their predictions for the end of the CL and PL seasons, discuss the matches against Tottenham and Southampton, and play a word association game.

New Yorker turned Clevelander Melissa Carney joins the pod to talk all things math, double (quadruple?) negatives, but mostly about her life as a runner.  She talks about running whilst pregnant, running whilst not knowing she's pregnant, and how the extra dimensions in a person's height makes all the difference. The pod also discusses who is fastest (not Andrew) and tallest (not Andrew) of the RBR team.

Rust Belt Running takes a brief sabbatical from being a running podcast to focus on the upcoming (errr already happening) 2019 MLB season!  They share their fiery hot division, wild card, pennant, and WS picks.  In addition, Adam takes on the role of Cleveland Indians PR guy with a velvety smooth calming down of the Cleveland Indians fans with one finger on the lighter hanging over their Lindor jerseys.   You can't see it in the audio version but Thomas wears a beautiful hat.  Check it out on YouTube to see the beautiful cap.

Adam, Andrew, and Thomas discuss having flexibility in training.  Flexibility for vacations, injuries, and other setbacks that may get in the way.  They discuss their own personal setback stories and how they have worked their way back or are still working their way back.  They talk about Meb's new book "26 Marathons", cheater cheater pumpkin eaters, and we play Stump the Host: Adam's birthday edition! Andrew and Thomas wear party hats and eat cake throughout, but you can't see it in the audio podcast version for obvious reasons.

Rust Belt Running welcomes teacher, marathoner, and ultra-marathoner Stephani Itibrout to the pod.  Stephani talks about how an interaction with a student got her to run a half-marathon and tells all about co-host Andrew Hettingers debauchery.

Rust Belt Running welcomes Stephanie Lesco!  Stephanie is the most hardcore guest that's been on RBR with stories about how she began running, how her 10 year old sons can do just about anything involving athletics, and how she broke her back and was running a half-marathon within 5 months!