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Artwork for For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Jonathan Levitt
Running
Mental Health
Ultra Running
Trail Running
Entrepreneurship
Running Community
Community
Community Building
Nutrition
Personal Growth
Marathon Running
Marathon Training
Endurance Sports
Western States
Boston Marathon
Puma
Boulder, Colorado
Marathon
Ultrarunning
Coaching

For The Long Run explores the why behind running. Since 2019, host Jon Levitt has recorded 500+ conversations with the people who shape endurance sport: Olympians and champions, ultrarunners, coaches, and the founders building the brands runners actually use. Recent guests include Rachel Entrekin, Jenn Lichter, and Zach Miller. Jon also hosts Long Run Labs, a show about the business of endurance. ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes455Founded8 years ago
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SportsFitnessHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for For The Long Run: Exploring the Why Behind Running

Latest Episodes

Tara Dower has accomplished some incredible things in ultrarunning, but her journey hasn't been without challenges. From battling anxiety on the Appalachian Trail to taking on Western States and Hardrock just 13 days apart, Tara has learned a lot abo... more

Amanda Vestri isn't playing it safe heading into the New York City Marathon. After leaving Boston feeling like she hadn't pushed her limits, the Brooks professional runner committed to doing things differently: going to Boulder for altitude training,... more

Vikash Sharma is a physical therapist, runner, and founder of Perfect Stride Physical Therapy in New York City and Running for Life Education. After 14 years of working with runners, he's seen firsthand how often injuries come down to being underprep... more

How much data do we really need to become better runners?

Recorded live in Chamonix during UTMB week, Jon Levitt hosts a panel discussion presented by TrainingPeaks with Alison Lynch of Amazfit, Arnar Larusson of Tymewear, professional athlete a... more

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Recent Guests

Tara Dower
Professional ultrarunner, YouTuber and co-host of DNF Diaries.
Episode: Tara Dower on the Cost of Pushing Your Limits
Amanda Vestri
Professional marathon runner for Brooks.
Brooks
Episode: Amanda Vestri Is Going All In on the NYC Marathon
Vikash Sharma
Physical therapist, runner, and founder of Perfect Stride Physical Therapy and Running for Life Education
Perfect Stride Physical Therapy
Episode: Why Runners Keep Getting Injured (and What Actually Helps)
Alison Lynch
Marketing Director for Amazfit, run category
Amazfit
Episode: Are We Overthinking Running? The Future of Wearable Tech, Data, and Coaching
Arnor Larson
Co-founder at Tyme Wear, mechanical engineer with prosthetics and exoskeletons background
Tyme Wear
Episode: Are We Overthinking Running? The Future of Wearable Tech, Data, and Coaching
Doug Stewart
Founding coach of the Elite Trail Team; PhD researcher
Elite Trail Team
Episode: Are We Overthinking Running? The Future of Wearable Tech, Data, and Coaching
Dakota Jones
Runner, running program director at Craftsbury Outdoor Center (Vermont), environmental activist
Craftsbury Outdoor Center
Episode: Dakota Jones on His Plan to Run 260 Miles Around the Great Salt Lake
Victor Zetouine
Entrepreneur and ultrarunner
Party Place
Episode: 300 Miles, No Watch, and the Search for What’s Next with Victor Zetouine
Emma Zeiger
28-year-old runner, public health professional, and creator of Ghosted by Grief
Ghosted by Grief; Experience Camps
Episode: Grief Is a Long Run: Finding Purpose in the Hard Miles with Emma Zeiger

Host

Jonathan Levitt
Host of the show, focused on exploring the why behind running and the business of endurance.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 756 ratings
  • A must have podcast for runners of all kinds

    I have been enjoying For The Long Run as a listener for a few years now as it provides runners - elite or back of the packer and anyone in between - with so much valuable resources. Whether it’s a runner like myself sharing his/her story or a sports psychologist offering advice, For The Long Run is that podcast that runners need to have as their go-to source. Jonathan Levitt is the host with the most - putting the guest at ease and capturing the message that listeners need and want to hear. I am... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Triangelmom
    United States3 months ago
  • Best host

    It is always such a joy, and a privilege, to be on the show with Jonathan. He’s such a gracious host and I can’t speak highly enough about what he is doing for the sport!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Grayson Murphy
    United States7 months ago
  • Disappointment in recent episode

    I have been a long time listener of the podcast and was disappointed that you went political recently. Running and politics are two separate things so why can’t we just stick to running?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    jmorton0531
    United States7 months ago
  • Great interviewer!

    Jonathan does such a great job interviewing a variety of guests. Highly recommend a listen. He is authentically eager and you can tell he loves what he is building.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelli MB
    United States9 months ago
  • Nicholas Thompson A+ episode!

    Jonathan is an excellent interviewer overall & this one really knocked it out of the park! Thanks so much

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BethFWTX
    United States10 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise authentic, in-depth conversations and the host's interviewing skill.
Guests repeatedly highlight the host's gracious, engaging style.
A few listeners feel recent episodes drift toward politics or self-promotion, diverging from core running topics.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#143
Finland/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Tara Dower on the Cost of Pushing Your Limits
Q: What led to the decision to do that double in the 13 days? And what did you learn?
Dower wanted to return to Western States after a disappointing prior race and had already committed to Hardrock after being selected in its lottery. The double was physically stressful, and a hamstring injury taught her that her body has limits and that recovery sometimes requires stepping back.
Tara Dower on the Cost of Pushing Your Limits
Q: Where does that come from? The desire to explore the mental side of all of it?
Dower says her interest comes from struggling with anxiety and not seeing people she admired talk openly about it. She wants to normalize mental health challenges and quitting when necessary.
Why Runners Keep Getting Injured (and What Actually Helps)
Q: How do you think about running through pain versus pain that should create time off, right? The difference between bone, tendon, muscle-related injuries or niggles?
Sharma says bone-related pain should be treated seriously and running should stop to allow recovery. Some tendon and muscle pain may respond to an appropriate warm-up and continued loading, but runners should monitor whether symptoms improve and adjust activity if they persist or worsen.
Why Runners Keep Getting Injured (and What Actually Helps)
Q: At what point should they consider looking for a physical therapist?
Sharma recommends seeking help when pain alters running mechanics, requires pain medication to run, lingers for more than a day or two, or resembles a previous injury. Pain at rest or at night and pain triggered by jumping or ordinary steps are also reasons to get assessed.
Amanda Vestri Is Going All In on the NYC Marathon
Q: What's the takeaway for an amateur runner? How can somebody listening to this improve their own marathon training based on what you're learning here?
She advises runners to optimize their available time by doing purposeful runs and hill strides, and making room for recovery, massage or meal preparation where possible.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A long-running interview series that centers on endurance and the motivations behind running, featuring elite athletes, coaches, physicians, and brand founders. Conversations routinely explore career pivots, sponsorships, fueling strategies, and the evolving business of endurance sports, with a strong emphasis on community, authenticity, and personal growth. Listeners are likely drawn to practical, long-form storytelling about training culture, health, and the intersection of sport and entrepreneurship, often with actionable takeaways on mindset, sponsorships, and lifestyle balance. A notable strength is the host's ability to create candid, in-depth dialogues across a wide spectrum of running-related topics, from trail ultrarunning to athle... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Everyday Ultra
2. The Trail Network Podcast
3. I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast
4. The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman
5. Trail Society

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this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 455 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Tara Dower
2. Amanda Vestri
3. Vikash Sharma
4. Alison Lynch
5. Arnor Larson
6. Doug Stewart
7. Dakota Jones
8. Victor Zetouine

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