The CITIUS MAG Podcast with Chris Chavez | A Running + Track and Field Show CITIUS MAG Podcasts

"This particular conversation, I did cry more. It was the most pivotal moment of my life. I was just telling her, ‘This is my breakthrough moment.’ I told her that before this even happened… I told her, ‘Just let me feel you, let me know that you're here.’ And she did in the blocks."

McKenzie Long of Ole Miss swept the sprint titles with victories in the 100 meters, 200 meters and anchoring the 4x100 meters. All of that happened in a span of about 90 minutes. Her winning time in the 200 meters of 21.83 seconds is the fastest in the world as we head into the U.S. Olympic Trials. She has a very strong chance of qualifying for Team USA and making the Olympic team, if she finishes in the top three of either individual event.

After one of the races in Eugene, McKenzie got emotional on-air on ESPN while dedicating her win to her mother, who died during this past indoor season. In this episode, McKenzie opens up about how she grieved and coped with the loss while in the middle of a season. She shares how she sees and feels her mother’s presence with her daily.

A beautiful photo captured by photographer Kane Nguyen went viral where she’s sitting in the bleachers at Hayward Field with her head down, reflecting and connecting with her mother. She tells us about that photo and a surprise she had when she got into the blocks before the 100 meters.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: McKenzie Long | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@kenzielong21 on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🩴 VELOUS: VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. We are excited to announce an upcoming collaboration with the team at VELOUS with their number one selling recovery sandal the Hoya adjustable Slide. Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week in track and field, Chris Chavez and Anderson Emerole recap some of the highlights from New Balance Nationals Outdoor in Philadelphia, where we saw Quincy Wilson run 45.13 in the open 400m, Drew Griffith break 4:00 for the first sub-4 in NBN history, Sadie Engelhardt closed a 4:37 mile with a 61s final lap, Christian Miller dropped a 9.95s in the 100m and more. We baked in our interviews with Quincy, Sadie and Christian at the end of this episode.

We dive into Part I of our U.S. Olympic Trials previews by tackling the sprints. We hit every top storyline in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles, 110m hurdles and some field events.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🍊 OLIPOP: This Barbie has great gut health! Introducing Barbie: Peaches & Cream flavor, the newest addition to Olipop’s lineup, guaranteed to make your summer sparkle brighter than ever before. But hurry, this limited-time treat won’t stick around for long! Inspired by the iconic Peaches & Cream Barbie doll's 65th anniversary, this soda is a refreshing homage to '80s nostalgia. Crafted with real peach juice, rich vanilla, and a hint of white peach gummy flavor, each sip is a trip down memory lane. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order online today and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your order at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🩴 VELOUS: VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. We are excited to announce an upcoming collaboration with the team at VELOUS with their number one selling recovery sandal the Hoya adjustable Slide. Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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"You never know what you can do until you're going out and doing it. You have no shot at running fast unless you give yourself an opportunity to run fast. If you go out in a race slow, how are you going to run fast if you’re already not going out hard enough? I think that’s just kind of given me the confidence that, ‘You can do it.’"

The University of Virginia star stole the show on the final day of the NCAA Championships with a crazy kick in the 800 meters. Cohen went from last to first in the final 100 meters, clocking a personal best of 1:44.97.

Cohen’s journey is nothing short of inspirational. Just a year ago, he was virtually unknown, running for Division II University of Tampa and struggling to regain his form after a stress fracture in his femur. Despite a personal best of 1:48, he never broke 1:53 in six 800-meter races last spring. With results like these, Division I interest for his fifth year wasn’t extreme. But University of Virginia coaches Vin Lananna and Trevor Dunbar saw something special in Cohen’s kick and decided to take a chance on him.

Throughout the 2024 season, Cohen showed remarkable improvement, running 1:47 in April and third at the ACCs with a 1:46 in May. He ran 1:45 at regionals. Even after these impressive times, he was still largely overlooked heading into the NCAA Championships. That all changed during the prelims, where Cohen showcased an insane burst of speed, going from last to first in the final straight. That video caught my attention and some of the track internet community.

In the final, Cohen replicated his prelims strategy and ran close to even splits and finishing in 1:44.97. His racing style drew comparisons to Robby Andrews, who won the 2011 NCAA 800 title in similar fashion for the same school. Although Cohen was only ten years old during Andrews’ iconic race, he now finds himself following in those legendary footsteps.

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👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🩴 VELOUS: VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. We are excited to announce an upcoming collaboration with the team at VELOUS with their number one selling recovery sandal the Hoya adjustable Slide. Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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"It means a lot to me. Especially to all my teammates and my leadership in the Army. If you make the Olympics while you are in the Army, it's a huge accomplishment. Making these Olympics is not only for me. It's about people serving in the Army. All those people in the Army.

Also, it's about my teammates. When I make the team I know my teammates will also want to make the team because I am one of the leaders in our platoon. If you see the leader making the team, you want to make it too...It's not about me. It's about representing other people who are looking up to me. I'm so happy. I'm grateful. I can't wait to represent Team USA and represent the Army too."

Finally! After four months of stress and uncertainty, Leonard Korir is heading to the Olympics. Just last week, World Athletics added one universality place and four rankings places to the Olympic marathon field on Tuesday. With that, Korir gets the United States’ final spot – thanks to CJ Albertson’s ranking unlocking it – and he will be racing on Aug. 10th.

Korir was third at the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, which was awesome because he had just missed the U.S. Olympic marathon team for Tokyo by just three seconds. This will be his second Olympic team after representing the United States in the 10,000m in Rio de Janeiro back in 2016.

Following the Trials, Korir went to Rotterdam in April in hopes of getting under the Olympic standard but faded in the second half of the race to a 2:12:47 finish. We discuss that race, his preparations for Paris and why this means a lot not just to him but also to his fellow members of the U.S. Army.

We waited until it was official to get Lenny on the podcast. Now we’ve completed the set. We have podcasts with all six of the U.S. Olympians for Paris + the two alternates (Jess McClain and Elkanah Kibet, who have amazing stories) – you can go back and listen to those race recaps and reflections.

Time Stamps:5:44 - How he’s feeling after officially qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team.7:56 - How he and his coach structured his training after the Olympic Marathon Trials.10:07 - Reflecting on his race at the Marathon Trials.14:12 - What qualifying for his second Olympic team means to him.15:44 - How he fits in his training while serving in the army.17:21 - How training has been going leading into the Olympics.19:40 - His running career trajectory.23:06 - Thoughts on the Olympic Marathon course.28:28 - His goals and mindset for the Olympic Marathon.

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🩴 VELOUS: VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. We are excited to announce an upcoming collaboration with the team at VELOUS with their number one selling recovery sandal the Hoya adjustable Slide. Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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🎙️ 

We just wrapped up a jam-packed weekend with track and field taking place in Eugene with the NCAA Championships, Portland for the Portland Track Festival, Rome for the European Championships and New York City for the NYC Grand Prix.

NYC GRAND PRIX

Lots of action to recap including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone giving the 400m American record a scare; Noah Lyles clocked a 19.77 into the wind, Eric Holt goes viral after taking 2022 world champion Jake Wightman to the line in the 1500m, Elaine Thompson Herah may be seriously injured after pulling up after the 100m. But the biggest story was 2022 World champion Fred Kerley and his sponsor Asics decided to part ways. Kerley came out onto the track wearing a competitor's product. Kerley did not end up racing after slipping in the blocks twice. He was not disqualified but elected not to race.

NCAA Championships

From McKenzie Long and Parker Valby to Shane Cohen and Parker Wolfe, we look at some of the collegiate stars who could be poised for a breakthrough to make the U.S. Olympic team in just a few weeks.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Anderson Emerole | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@atkoeme on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🍊 OLIPOP: This Barbie has great gut health! Introducing Barbie: Peaches & Cream flavor, the newest addition to Olipop’s lineup, guaranteed to make your summer sparkle brighter than ever before. But hurry, this limited-time treat won’t stick around for long! Inspired by the iconic Peaches & Cream Barbie doll's 65th anniversary, this soda is a refreshing homage to '80s nostalgia. Crafted with real peach juice, rich vanilla, and a hint of white peach gummy flavor, each sip is a trip down memory lane. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order online today and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your order at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🩴 VELOUS: VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. We are excited to announce an upcoming collaboration with the team at VELOUS with their number one selling recovery sandal the Hoya adjustable Slide. Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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"I think anyone who has run, who has made running a part of their life, knows that it really does transform us as people. No matter what it is that we want to accomplish in life, we think that it makes everybody better by creating that habit of being physically active, moving your body, whether it's physical health or mental health. So we're hoping that this new way of talking about our mission and what we do will draw more people into the sport, into our community, and get people moving."

My guest for this episode is NYRR Rob Simmelkjaer, who also has a podcast of his own – Set The Pace. We’re at a point where we’ve got his boom happening. More than ever before, people are getting into running, joining clubs/crews/teams/training groups. NYRR puts on countless events in the city. I’m biased and think it’s got the best running community in the world.

So let’s take a look at the state of running and how someone like Rob and NYRR are striking that balance to accommodate so many people. Plus, we touch on his experience as an executive at ESPN and on-air talent at NBC has helped with the storytelling side to bridge the gap between the everyday runner and the elites.

Time Stamps:

3:51 - Sharing about his recent half marathon performance. 

4:53 - His first two years leading NYRR as the CEO. 

6:54 - What Global Running Day means to NYRR + upcoming NYRR events. 

9:38 - How NYRR decided on their mission statement.

12:20 - What he hopes to accomplish as CEO of NYRR + core pillars of NYRR’s mission.

16:17 - The direction he hopes to steer NYRR towards.

18:47 - How working at ESPN and NBC Sports helped prepare him for his role at NYRR.

22:27 - His thoughts on how to bridge the gap between elite runners and everyday runners in the running community. 

25:46 - How he got into the sport of running. 

28:34 - How working for NYRR rekindled his love for running. 

31:05 - Thoughts on how to continue growing the running community. 

33:22 - The role of running groups in helping grow the sport. 

38:56 - More thoughts on the role of running groups in growing the running community.

41:27 - Rapid fire NYC-related questions

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👟 NEW BALANCE: Discover the ultimate running shoe: Fresh Foam X 1080. With unbeatable comfort and top-tier performance, it's perfect for any occasion, from daily runs to races. Its innovative design includes Fresh Foam X midsole for seamless transitions and a breathable, supportive mesh upper. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit NewBalance.com/Running⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🍊 OLIPOP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Order online today and use code CITIUS25 for 25% off your order at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

🩴 VELOUS: VELOUS RECOVERY FOOTWEAR  is the active recovery footwear brand that is designed to help you Restore, Revive and Reenergize before and after you train. We are excited to announce an upcoming collaboration with the team at VELOUS with their number one selling recovery sandal the Hoya adjustable Slide. Enjoy a 20% discount by entering the code: CITIUSMAG20 at checkout at VelousFootwear.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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