In this episode of The People Run Podcast, I sit down with Zach Bitter, one of the fastest 100 mile runners in history, to talk about training, longevity, recovery, and what it really takes to improve over the long term.

We dive into why Zach has incorporated cycling into his training, how he thinks about consistency versus hero workouts, and why many runners may be overemphasizing mileage at the expense of quality. Zach also shares his thoughts on recovery, gut training, super shoes, the evolution of endurance sports, and what he’s learned after years of competing and coaching at the highest level.

Whether you’re training for your first 5K, a marathon, an ultra, or simply trying to stay healthy and consistent, this conversation is packed with practical insights that apply far beyond running.

Chapters

00:00 Why Zach Bitter Replaced Miles With the Bike
05:23 Super Shoes, Gut Training, and the New Era of Training
13:05 How Fast Can a Human Run 100 Miles?
17:37 Why Zach Loves Running in Circles
20:40 The Risk of Chasing Personal Bests
26:50 When Do Runners Actually Peak?
28:44 Why Fitness Is Built in Layers
33:14 The Only Workouts Zach Cares About
38:15 Balancing Training, Work & Family
41:19 The Problem With Chasing Volume
49:20 Why Running Advice Gets Lost Online
54:16 Where Is Running Technology Headed Next?
01:05:38 Has Zach Solved the Puzzle Yet?

Follow Zach:

Instagram: instagram.com/zachbitter/


Follow The People Run Podcast:

Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Bailey didn’t plan on building one of the biggest run clubs in America. What started as an idea for a running clothing brand eventually turned into Cooldown a community now spanning 18 cities and helping reshape modern run culture.

In this episode of The People Run Podcast, Bailey shares how Cooldown accidentally exploded, why run clubs became the new social space, and what it actually takes to build community across cities while keeping the same vibe everywhere. We also talk about the current running boom, modern run culture, brand partnerships, and what’s next for Cooldown.

From handing out gels during her first marathon to building one of the most recognizable run communities in the country, this was a fun one.

Chapters
00:00 How It Started
05:49 City by City
11:14 Building The Culture
17:15 The Cooldown Experience
23:09 Partnerships
26:13 What It's Taught Her
29:13 What's Next for Cooldown

Follow Cooldown :

Instagram: instagram.com/cooldownrunning/


Follow The People Run Podcast:

Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/

Kara never planned for running to become her life.

Before coaching runners, building a community, and becoming one of the first women to complete all seven World Marathon Majors, she was pursuing dance and theater in New York City while trying to figure out where life was taking her.

In this episode, Kara shares the leap from corporate life into coaching full time, the relationships and breakups that shaped her running journey, how she unexpectedly became faster over time, and why running eventually became about freedom more than performance.

We also talk about race anxiety, building confidence, mental performance, balancing coaching while training at a high level, creating community through running, and what it really feels like to build a life around something you genuinely love.

This is one of the more honest conversations we’ve had about identity, growth, and what running can become when it turns into more than just training.

Chapters

00:00 The Turning Point: From Dance to Running

06:20 The Coaching Leap

12:13 Finding Her Voice

16:08 Chasing Seven Stars

20:56 Freedom & Getting Faster

28:27 Inside Her Training

31:03 Lessons From The Marathon

39:51 The Mental Side of Racing

47:47 Building Something Bigger

53:09 Community & Connection

57:46 Betting On Herself

Follow Kara:

Instagram: instagram.com/karagracedudley/

Follow The People Run Podcast:

Instagram: instagram.com/thepeoplerunpodcast/

Spotify, Apple Podcasts & YouTube: The People Run Podcast

Music: instagram.com/mech__beats/