Hardloop Endurance Podcast

Hardloop Endurance
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Fitness
  • Updated Monthly

Join veteran coaches Kirk Elias and Cal Neff for weekly conversations covering the latest news in running, standout races, training philosophy, coaching insights, and everything in between. From elite performances to everyday runners, we share what we're learning from our athletes, what's shaping our coaching, and what's happening in our own lives—always with the goal of helping you become a stronger, smarter, and more resilient runner. Whether you're into track, road, trail, or ultrarunning, there's something here for every runner.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    #4 Listen to Your Body: Smarter Training, Summer Heat & the Latest in Running + Special Guest and Brave Like Gabe Spotlight

    In this extended episode, Cal Neff and Kirk Elias are joined by legendary University of Minnesota coach Gary “Wilson” Wilson, a USTFCCCA Hall of Fame inductee with more than four decades of collegiate coaching experience. Wilson shares his perspective on the changing NCAA landscape, roster limits, recruiting, athlete development, and why great coaching must account for the person—not simply the workout. He explains how athletes can become better coaches of themselves, why “the body never lies,” and how individual development, honest communication, and the human side of training helped walk-ons grow into All-Americans. The conversation also celebrates the remarkable life and legacy of Gabriele “Gabe” Grunewald. Wilson recounts recruiting and coaching Gabe at Minnesota, her growth from an overlooked athlete into an NCAA runner-up and professional runner, and the toughness she demonstrated throughout her 10-year battle with cancer. Learn more about Gabe’s legacy and the movement she inspired through Brave Like Gabe. Before Wilson joins the show, Cal and Kirk discuss: Lessons from the brutally hot Habanero HundredTraining safely in extreme summer heatWhy pain and fatigue are information—not complainingAdjusting workouts by effort instead of forcing a paceTreadmill training, heat adaptation, and recoveryHealth warning signs runners should never ignoreNews from UTMB and professional track and field Show Notes 00:15 – Cal and Kirk catch up07:31 – Habanero Hundred and racing in extreme heat10:48 – Communicating pain, fatigue, and warning signs to your coach14:04 – Letting your body give what it has that day16:07 – Training by effort and escaping pace comparisons17:37 – Heat training and the treadmill as a performance tool22:02 – Habanero race operations, ice usage, and runner safety24:25 – Course accuracy, GPS limitations, and race tracking28:18 – UTMB results, coverage, and trail-running news31:00 – Cardiac health and listening to your body36:40 – Professional track news and upcoming championships56:43 – Special guest Coach Gary Wilson joins the show58:15 – Wilson’s Hall of Fame career at the University of Minnesota1:01:18 – How collegiate coaching and the NCAA have changed1:09:02 – NIL, money, scholarships, and roster limits1:14:02 – What the new NCAA rules mean for young runners1:22:35 – Finding overlooked talent and introducing Gabe Grunewald1:23:41 – Wilson shares Gabe’s story1:26:20 – Gabe’s collegiate breakthrough and professional career1:27:27 – “Not today”: Gabe’s courage and lasting legacy1:30:06 – Brave Like Gabe and runner road safety1:31:42 – Developing athletes beyond the training plan1:32:31 – Teaching runners to become coaches of themselves1:37:30 – Reading an athlete and recognizing when to stop1:44:03 – Why coaching requires a human connection1:47:14 – Returning from injury through cross-training1:53:13 – Rapid-fire questions with Coach Wilson1:58:35 – Track update and the “Summer of Kerr”2:00:37 – Closing thoughts and the value of human coaching

  2. Jul 27

    #3 World Records, Old Methods & New Fads, and Big Salt

    Cal Neff and Coach Kirk Elias return to discuss Josh Kerr calling his shot—and delivering a mile world record under enormous pressure. They examine how Kerr and his coach built toward one defining performance, the value of racing outside your primary event, and why racing itself must be counted as part of an athlete’s training. The main coaching discussion compares Arthur Lydiard’s foundational system with Marius Bakken’s Norwegian Method. From high-volume aerobic development and hill bounding to controlled threshold training and lactate testing, Cal and Kirk explore where the methods overlap, where they differ, and how an athlete’s environment, climate, schedule, and personality should shape the final plan. They also recap the latest track action, consider how American championships could become more compelling, and explain why fans of road racing and ultrarunning should appreciate the full range of track and field. Finally, Cal continues his investigation into endurance nutrition and performance products. Sodium is reframed as a fluid balance rather than a fuel tank, while the discussion examines bicarbonate, high-carbohydrate fueling, lactate gels, fat adaptation, and the risks of everyday athletes blindly adopting methods originally developed for exceptional performers. Along the way, Cal shares an update on his own marathon build, experiments with lactate testing in the Houston heat, and his latest connection between endurance training, Phil Maffetone, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Links: The sodium paper that electrolyte companies don't want you to readThe Rise of the Red Hot Chili PeppersProduct/Book List

  3. Jul 6

    #2 Bicarb, The Norwegian Method, Pre Classic & Comrades

    Is bicarbonate supplementation the next breakthrough in endurance performance—or are we overlooking the long-term health implications? In Episode 2 of the Hardloop Endurance Podcast, coaches Kirk Elias and Cal Neff continue their deep dive into The Norwegian Method, discussing why precision, recovery, and patience may be replacing the traditional "harder is better" approach to training. The conversation begins with the latest debate surrounding sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) supplementation. With more elite marathoners and track athletes using products like Maurten Bicarb, Cal and Kirk discuss the evidence, potential performance benefits, and whether there may be unintended consequences of consuming massive sodium loads in pursuit of marginal gains. The discussion then returns to The Norwegian Method, exploring why threshold training, cumulative recovery, muscle tone, double threshold sessions, and learning to truly run easy may be some of the biggest takeaways for everyday runners—not just Olympic athletes. The coaches also break down a busy week in the running world, including: Highlights from the Prefontaine Classic Tactical lessons from the men's and women's 800m and Bowerman MileWhy running the shortest distance isn't always the fastest way to raceTravel fatigue and international competitionThe incredible history and atmosphere of Comrades Marathon, the world's largest and oldest ultramarathon, including the story behind the name HardloopWhether elite marathoners could dominate Western States—or if trail running demands an entirely different skill set To wrap up, Kirk shares one of his most memorable coaching moments from more than 50 years in the sport, while both coaches discuss the psychology of racing, pre-race nerves, helping athletes perform under pressure, and why having fun may still be one of the greatest performance enhancers. Whether you're chasing a marathon PR, preparing for your next trail race, or simply love learning about the science and art of endurance training, this episode is packed with practical coaching insights and thoughtful discussion. Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover in a future episode? Leave a comment or reach out to us on Instagram:@hardlooprun Hosted by: Cal Neff and Kirk Elias Episode Links: Storm II: https://youtu.be/x6_mbnsh6VU?si=L1ijhsFs8fueWCuj&t=255 This is America: https://youtu.be/VYOjWnS4cMY?si=YUyFqx-pLDa11r_6 Fika w/Will Gadd: https://youtu.be/jHnZn02U1vY?si=YVbWWcsPbRN5AMc2

  4. Jun 29

    #1 The Norwegian Method, Western States Recap, Diamond League

    In the debut episode of the Hardloop Endurance Podcast, coaches Kirk Elias and Cal Neff sit down in Houston after an evening celebrating the retirement of a longtime friend and fellow coach. They catch up on life, discuss how The Norwegian Method has challenged and reshaped their coaching philosophy—particularly around recovery, threshold training, and building sustainable performance—and share practical takeaways they're already applying with athletes. They also break down the biggest storylines from the Western States 100, follow standout performances from the Diamond League, kick things off with recommendations for the classic film The Thin Man and the latest SURFILMMUSIC release, and set the stage for the conversations to come. Whether you're chasing a PR or simply love the sport, this is where coaching, running, and life intersect. Cal Neff is the founder and head coach of Hardloop Endurance, an elite runner, professional marathon pacer, and Canadian National 50K record holder. With over 20 years of coaching experience and more than three decades in the sport, Cal has coached athletes of every ability—from first-time 5K runners to Olympians and ultramarathon champions. A multiple Guinness World Record holder and lifelong student of endurance performance, he combines science, experience, and individualized coaching to help athletes achieve long-term success while enjoying the process.Kirk Elias brings more than 50 years of coaching experience to Hardloop Endurance and is one of the few coaches to have successfully guided athletes at the high school, club, NAIA, NCAA Division I, II, III, and international levels. His athletes have set national records, earned international medals, and competed on the world stage. Known for his thoughtful, athlete-first approach and deep understanding of endurance training, Kirk is passionate about helping runners of all levels unlock their potential—from chasing a first personal best to competing at the highest levels of the sport. www.hardloop.run Title Music: Chateau Getaway by TrackTribe

    #1 The Norwegian Method, Western States Recap, Diamond League
  • 4 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Join veteran coaches Kirk Elias and Cal Neff for weekly conversations covering the latest news in running, standout races, training philosophy, coaching insights, and everything in between. From elite performances to everyday runners, we share what we're learning from our athletes, what's shaping our coaching, and what's happening in our own lives—always with the goal of helping you become a stronger, smarter, and more resilient runner. Whether you're into track, road, trail, or ultrarunning, there's something here for every runner.

Information

  • Creator
    Hardloop Endurance
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Hardloop Endurance
  • Show Website
    Hardloop Endurance Podcast