Running New Mexico Podcast

Episode 126 - Kurt Thomas; Hobbs Graduate, Head Track and Field Coach at University of Alabama at Birmingham

This week I was able to talk with Kurt Thomas. He is a Hobbs High School graduate and the current Women's Track and Field Head Coach at UAB, University of Alabama at Birmingham. It was such a pleasure to talk to him and learn about his journey.

He talks about running at Hobbs High School, under Coach Jackson, and then walking onto the UNM track team after graduation. Kurt talks about just walking into the coaches office and talking to him, which he says wouldn't happen today.

He gives some insight about what it looks like today with kids looking to join his program or walk on. I liked his honesty and how he said he tries to be honest with the kids and let them know if it's a reality.

We continue to talk about his coaching journey and how he ended up at the University of Tennessee, where he graduated and worked as a student assistant, before moving on to Mississippi State. Kurt talks about the coaches he was able to study under during those times and how it helped influence his own coaching.

We finish up talking about getting the job at UAB and what this season is looking like for them, as we are getting closer to the indoor season. So, tune in and enjoy the conversation.

New Mexico cross country is wrapping up with the state meet coming next week, November 5th and the first Red vs Green Championship race the next Saturday. I hope you have had an opportunity to support your local teams and can get out to one of these fantastic races coming up. Good luck to anyone with a race coming up. Those mornings are cool, but the afternoons are so nice. Make sure you layer, wear reflective clothing in the dark, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 125 - Christina Aragon; 9x Stanford All American, Bowerman Track Club Athlete

This week I had the pleasure to talk to Christina Aragon. She is a 9x All American for Stanford, 3rd in the 1500 at the 2022 NCAA Outdoor Championships. She went on to run in USA Championships and recently signed a pro contract with Bowerman Track Club. 

Christina talks about her start with running and gymnastics. Then how she balanced the two in high school. She also talks about how her background in gymnastics has helped her with her running.

We talk about her time at Stanford and some of her best memories. We also talk about some of her struggles, like a coaching change and dealing with injuries. She talks about cross training and swimming to help deal with them and manage her running load.

Christina then talks about signing with Bowerman Track Club. She talks about taking her time with the process and finding the place that works well for her. She talks about the excitement about walking into Hayward Field on a weekly basis (even though it's a Stanford rival).

It was a fun conversation that I hope you enjoy this week. I certainly enjoyed it.

As high school cross country reaches championship season, I was able to compete in my first USATF cross country race as a master. It was a different feeling. But I encourage you to think about your training, your races, and put yourself out of your comfort zone. I learned something from it and I think you will as well. Enjoy the marathon season, dress in layers, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 124 - AJ Jones; Talking about Oregon Cascades 100

This week I had the pleasure to speak with AJ Jones. They are a trail and ultra runner based in Albuquerque. They talk about their first 100 miler at the Oregon Cascades 100.

We start with how AJ got into running in high school and took a long break before getting started again. They talk about some difficult life events that pushed them back into running. AJ talks about wanting to prove that their body could handle tough things.

We talk about the southern Oregon area where the Cascades 100 was held and where AJ grew up. We then really get into the experience of the race. AJ talks about their crew, getting through the night, and much more.

It was fantastic hearing about their dad being there and helping them get through the end of the race. It's a beautiful moment to listen to.

It was great getting to know AJ and I hope you enjoy our conversation and it helps you get motivated to do something big as well.

The rain has been a welcome surprise and it's fantastic to see the weather cooling down. I hope everyone's training is going well and injury free. So layer your clothing, stay hydrated, dream big, and keep running, New Mexico. 

Episode 123 - Timothy Tays; Author of Wannabe Distance God

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Timothy Tays, also known as Timmy 2 Mile. He is the author of Wannabe Distance God: The Thirst, Angst, and Passion of Running in the Chase Pack. He graduated and ran for Eldorado High School and the University of Kansas.

Timothy has a great story and details that story in his book. In it, he talks about trying to be the best he could be in order to fill a need to fit in, to show he was someone. It is a universal feeling. 

We talk about the book and around the book. Since he answers so many of the questions of his story, I didn't want to give too much away. But I really enjoyed our talk. He talks about getting into running. We touch on Chuck Aragon's Olympic Trials, talent factors, and running marathons when water stations were still almost optional.

Timothy was a talented and hard working runner that gave his all to be one of the best in the country. There are plenty of people that would have loved to make it as far as he did, but as he says, it's all about perspective. One thing I learned was that there's always someone faster, another milestone you want to reach, but there's something to enjoying where you are at and enjoying the moment.

Here's an Amazon link to purchase the book (here), but look it up if you prefer to support other stores.

It's nice to have cooler weather to run in and that the major marathons are rolling around. Good luck to all of the runners (New Mexicans especially) that are competing at the Chicago Marathon this morning. Enjoy your runs, dress in layers, continue to hydrate, and keep running, New Mexico.

122 - Alicja Konieczek; On Sponsored, Polish Olympian, Steeplechaser

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Alicja Konieczek. She is a Polish runner based in Albuquerque and working with Jackrabbit Race Management. She is an Olympian, finishing 20th in her specialty, the 3000m Steeplechase, at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. She is also an On sponsored athlete.

Alicja talks about getting started in running in Poland and that she hated it at first, but found some success. She talks about running with her siblings and even following her brother to Western Colorado University.

 

We talk about her journey to Albuquerque and joining the On Athletics Club. She also talks about leaving the team, coming back to Albuquerque and working with Jackrabbit Race Management. She is helping to create and promote races, including the Albuquerque Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day that she is helping to set up. It was fun to hear her talk about finding passions outside of running that she can continue to do after her competitive career is over (though hopefully not for a while). We also talk about how she is now self coached, with Ben Fletcher (previous guest) as a support.

 

She also talks about the European Championships where she finished 4th in the Steeplechase with a time of 9:25.15, in what was the fastest finals in European Championships history. We also talk about the rest of the year and how happy she was to reach the final. She also talks about her next goals and some competition with her sister.

 

Alicja has been on my radar for a while and I was so happy to finally have a chance to talk with her. I hope you enjoy the conversation as well.

 

Cross Country season is already about halfway done. It feels like we are just getting started. There are so many wonderful athletes out there competing and I encourage you to support your local school. It is also the middle of marathon season. I hope everyone is getting in the training they need for the results they want. Stay hydrated, listen to your body, and keep running New Mexico.

Episode 121 - Lindsey Herman; Leadville 100 3rd Place Finisher

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Lindsey Herman again. Last we spoke, episode 89, I got to know her and her story. If you haven't listened, you should. This time we focused on the last year and her amazing finish at Leadville.

Lindsey talks about some of the races she did in the last year and how much fun she's been having. We also talked about being able to be a pacer and how that experience helped her with this race. It was fun to hear about a couple of the amazing women that she teamed up with to pace and help her through Leadville.

We talk about her coaching and how she has used what she knows to help others grow into the sport of running as well. She also talks about knowing how far her experiences can go in directing people, but also when they should be talking to a professional in another space, such as nutrition.

Lindsey is such a fun person to talk to and I'm excited to continue to watch her grow as a person and an athlete. I am so happy to have been able to catch up with her again and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

This heat does not want to go anywhere, but at least the mornings are cooler. It's a good thing to get out in that cooler air, if you can. So hydrate, enjoy that fresh green chile, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 120 - Lan Yazzen; Dine Runner and Ute 100 Finisher

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Lan Yazzen. He is a recent finisher of the Ute 100.

We talk about his start in running, beginning with growing up on the Navajo Nation and the traditions his mother taught him. We then talk about how he got back into running later in life.

Lan talks about jumping up in distances and finding new ways to challenge himself. He also talks about training while making time for his family. He talks about his kids being out at the races as well.

I really enjoyed talking with Lan. There is so much that he talks about that is relatable. I found myself laughing a lot, but he's so positive and just keeps going. I'm excited for what he does next.

Cross country season is in full swing. Most APS schools opened their seasons at the Macen Holderman Memorial Cleveland Invite. It was a muddy and fantastic event. I hope you take some time to find a way to support your local team.

It is also marathon training season. The fall schedule is packed full of goodness. Good luck to all in their goals. Listen to your bodies, hydrate, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 119 - Kevin Brennan; Runner, Father, CPA, and Creator of the High Desert Dirt Blog

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Kevin Brennan. He is the creator of the High Desert Dirt Blog. He is also a father, a runner, and a CPA.

Kevin is someone I've been wanting to talk to for a while. When I started this podcast and would do my research, his blog would constantly come up. He did much of the leg work work that I have relied on when researching many of the New Mexican Runners that came before our current crop.

He talked about his early days running and we both reminisced about high school running. He talks about the great Gallup teams and their coach, Curtis Williams. He talks about having fun running in the arroyos of Santa Fe.

Kevin also turns the table on me and asks me about getting into the podcast and my build up to Houston last year. It was fun to hear the things he thought about and where his mind went when creating content. It all felt very familiar.

So check out the blog and perhaps he will get the creative bug again and produce some more content. I hope you enjoy our talk.

Cross Country season is officially a week away. I hope you are able to support your local school and kids. It is also almost marathon season. I hope all your training is going well. So listen to your body, be smart, be safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode118 - Del Jenkins; Owner of Ardor Elite Training Academy, Assistant Coach for Hope Christian High School

This week I had the pleasure to speak with Del Jenkins. He is the owner of Ardor Elite Training Academy and Assistant track coach at Hope Christian High School. He's been a part of Albuquerque's athletic community for a while, helping coach football and start the Cougar Track Club.

I've known about Del for a while and the work he's done with runners and other athletes through his gym, but it was insightful to hear his journey to that. He played multiple sports in high school and eventually earned a football scholarship to Colorado State. He studied biology before transitioning to political science and history. It's a unique path to what he does now with his coaching and to hear him tell it was inspiring.

Del has a great work ethic and love for what he does. He has a real passion for helping people grow and you can hear that when he talks. He talks about helping kids get better and spending time learning new things to help different kinds of athletes.

I really enjoyed hearing him talk about coaching his own kids and what the kids at his gym mean to him. I gained a new appreciation for him and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

We've switched out some heat for some humidity. It's a nice change and it's great to have some much needed water, but it still requires you to hydrate up. So drink your water, stay safe, and keep running, New Mexico.

Episode 117 - Emily Clarke; Manzano High School, Claremont Mudd Scripps to University Nevada Reno

This week I had the pleasure to talk with Emily Clarke. She is a Manzano Graduate, DIII runner at Claremont Mudd Scripps, and transitioning to a DI runner at the University of Nevada Reno.

We talked about getting into running, getting to experience her dad coaching her in middle school, and when running felt like it belonged to her.

We also talk about her training over Covid and her decision to take a break from school. It seems to have worked out since she had a fantastic senior year finishing in the top ten in all her cross country races and ending with a 26th place finish at the DIII Cross Country National Championships.

We talked about choosing her school and choosing where she would do her graduate work. She is excited to be a part of the Wolfpack and to be running with her sister, who is also transferring to Nevada. 

We talk about a lot of different things, but I think you really get to know Emily. Since she'll be a part of the Mountain West, you might be able to watch her run in Albuquerque again as well. So I hope you enjoy it.

This week was hot. I hope you listened to your body and adjusted your runs accordingly. This week should be cooler, but with a possibility of rain, that brings humidity. So hydrate, stay cool, be kind, and keep running, New Mexico.