Miles in the Mitten Ryan Squanda and Colin Riley

In episode 10 of the Miles in the Mitten Podcast, Ryan and Colin sit down with Zach Panning, who recently placed 11th in the Olympic Trials 10K representing the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. Zach came on to talk about his journey to that point, growing up in Indiana, winning multiple national titles with the Grand Valley State University track and cross country teams, and more!

Follow Miles in the Mitten on Instagram @mittenpodcast.

Follow Zach on Instagram @zachpanning or Twitter @ZachPanning.

Follow Ryan on Instagram @ryansquanda or Twitter @squandaryan.

Follow Colin on Instagram @criles_17 or Twitter @criles17.

In episode 9 of Miles in the Mitten, Colin and Ryan preview the 2021 Olympic Track & Field Trials, which begin today at the renovated Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.  They review the favorites and contenders to make the team for Tokyo later this summer, share the stories of less-heralded qualifers with Michigan ties, and discuss the events they are most looking forward to watching.  

In episode 8 of Miles in the Mitten, John Reed joins the pod to drop decades of high school coaching wisdom on Colin and Ryan. John talks about what he loves most about coaching, the experience of winning three consecutive MHSAA Division 1 state track titles at Farmington Harrison in the early 2000s, as well as the importance of helping every kid reach their potential and fall in love with the sport.

In episode 7 of Miles in the Mitten, Ryan and Colin chat with Shannon Osika. Shannon is a native of Waterford, Michigan, a former track and cross country athlete for the University of Michigan and currently a professional runner for Nike and True Blue Elite. Shannon has been a running superstar all her life while growing up in the legendary Osika running family. But whether it's beating all the boys in middle school cross country races or stepping to the line at the Olympic Trials, the pressure never gets to her.

3:34 - Growing up in a running family

7:31 - Running for Michigan and Coach McGuire

12:03 - Navigating the professional running scene

14:30 - Running a 4:01 1500 in 2019

17:45 - Running and training through a pandemic

23:10 - Looking ahead to the Olympic Trials

28:00 - Nike "super spikes"

30:38 - Schedule heading into Olympic Trials

32:08 - Running in Michigan

36:22 - Making her husband break five minutes in the mile

Buckle up, folks, because we've got a good one! In episode 6, Ryan and Colin chat with Michigan running guru Jeff Hollobaugh. Jeff has so many awesome running stories from his years of covering the sport for Track & Field News, becoming a stats nerd at michtrack.org, and so much more! Sit back and enjoy!

3:35 - Original interest in the sport. 8:15 - Covering track in 2020-2021.
11:52 - Announcing meets.
17:05 - Favorite memories at Div. I state meet.
25:45 - Michigan state meet format.
30:10 - MHSAA during Covid.
34:30 - Hobbs Kessler breakout.
43:55 - Remembering Paul McMullen.
52:27 - Mount Rushmore of Michigan running.
1:01:10 - Earl Jones story.
1:04:50 - Favorite place to run in Michigan.
1:07:12 - Quirkiest fact when researching books.
1:10:05 - Great interviews.

Lucas Bowman and Erin Zimmer, power couple and longtime friends of hosts Colin Riley and Ryan Squanda, join the Miles in the Mitten Podcast for Episode 5! Lucas and Erin are both Michigan natives, MSU Running Club alumni and Boston Marathon qualifiers. The two chat growing up around running, their unwavering commitment to the sport, in addition to what it takes to run virtual and solo marathon PRs through the dirt roads of Fenton, Michigan.