Shows
Keep GoingWeaponize The Love: A Chicago Marathon '25 DebriefWelocome back to the Keep Going podcast. In this one-off episode, your hosts debrief Michael's recent Chicago Marathon experience, as well as how the "training by feel" experiment worked. We hope you enjoy & Godspeed!
2025-10-311h 12
The DirectorsMichael Krajicek: AtreyuIn this conversation, Cooper Knowlton speaks with Michael Krajicek, founder of Atreyu Running, about his path to starting his own shoe company, the challenges of entering the footwear space, and the unique obstacles he faced along the way. Michael discusses the importance of running a business authentically—doing things your own way and not selling out. He also opens up about the difficult decision to begin winding down Atreyu, the impact of tariffs and outside market forces, and the lessons learned throughout the process. Finally, Michael reflects on what the next chapter looks like and how he’s thinking about what...
2025-10-071h 03Keep GoingThe Dance: Analytic Assessment of a Long Run SessionThis episode breaks down an iconic & specific key session in the Telos Running marathon program as Michael prepares for the 2025 Chicago Marathon. The Dance is a marathon specific session that, on paper, looks like the following:2M warm-up6 sets of 2M at Marathon Goal Pace w/ 1M Float (continuous)0-2M cool-downJoin us as we dissect Michael's experience of this particular session. We hit on heart rate, paces vs efforts, how to adjust in session, etc.We hope you enjoy this deep dive on one race specific session. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2025-08-181h 01Keep GoingTrusting Your Gut: An Atreyu StoryIn this very special episode, Michael shares his Atreyu journey. Having recently announced that Atreyu would not be continuing to produce shoes & would be shutting down at the end of 2025, Steve asks Michael some questions about his Atreyu journey. This episode is not the whole story, by any stretch, but it is a conversation around what really matters. We hope you enjoy this candid conversation around Michael's Atreyu journey. Godspeed, friends; godspeed.
2025-06-231h 09Keep GoingRun To The Hills: The Super Power of HillsIn this episode Michael calls Steve out on his administration of hilly routes for easy long runs. We talk about hills, easy running & how hills can become your superpower. Godspeed, friends, godspeed. Note the inclusion of the fantastic Iron Maiden song, Run To The Hills from the classic album, The Number of the Beast.
2025-05-2949 minKeep GoingAn Invitation for the Training By Feel ProjectAn invitation to join the experimental Training By Feel Project which will follow an approach of training by feel for any race between 5K & a marathon this fall. If you are interested reach out to me directly at sisson at telosrunning dot com. Also, we are looking for listener input on topics for Michael & Steve to riff on for a maximum of 15 minutes. We'll take your topics & curate them with others of our own & the Telos Running community to put out a couple of hot/cold takes on any topic you'd like us to riff on. Just reach o...
2025-05-2006 minKeep GoingAn Experiment: Running By Feel ProjectThis is the initial exploration of an experiment we are planning for this fall. Listen along & look for the next episode - a solo one by Steve unpacking & presenting the project more concretely. Reach out if if you have any questions: sisson at telosrunning dot com. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2025-05-151h 15Keep GoingLiminal Running (Part II): Soul-Style RevisitedEven though we didn't plan this episode to link up so well with the last one (see Ep 88: Liminal Running (Part I): Breaking Frames), it just does. A continued bending of the tariffs impact on Atreyu & Michael's livelihood with one of Steve's major philosophical positions, soul-style. We really catch a groove here & are interested in your feedback, if you've got any. Thanks for listening, we truly appreciate our listeners. Godspeed, y'all, godspeed.
2025-04-241h 07Keep GoingLiminal Running (Part I): Breaking FramesMan, this podcast is so fucking cool. I mean, it certainly is an acquired taste - like nattō or Limburger cheese or Mr Twit's Odious Ale - but when it hits, it hits. This episode (88) should be paired with the next episode (89, duh) in terms of full on Keep Going. We sense we are getting into rarified air, if lack of oxygen is your thing, in these two epsiodes of sharing our personal experiences alongside some pop culture references & our continued anti-running culture vibes. We are't likely gonna win over any new listeners with tour views, but we will c...
2025-04-2252 minKeep GoingA Mouthful of Ginger: Bukowski, AI & TariffsA little musical prelude where we talk about Dan Reeder, Ted Lucas & Charles Bukowski before we wander back into the AI discourse on our way to what beauty & art mean in our current crazy world. Steve asks Michael about these damn tariffs & we all get a great education on the struggles & strategies around running a small businessFor more on this please don't miss Michael's heartful & revealing Tariff Talk on his YouTube channel. This discussion was recorded on April 3rd & Michael's talk was released a week after this episode. At the time of this episode's release, there w...
2025-04-1759 min
SMD Running PodcastEpisode 26 *Bonus Episode* - Michael Krajicek (www.Atreyu.com)Welcome back to SMD running and a bonus episode.After a brief (by our standards) catch up between Damo and Scott, we ask: who would be crazy enough to start a running shoes brand, just before Covid, in the boom of Nike’s dominance? Luckily for us and for episode 26, the answer was Michael Krajicek with Atreyu Running.www.atreyu.com | @atreyurunningIn the coming weeks, we have more great guests lined up as we look ahead to London Marathon and Damo and Scott will catch up on...
2025-04-101h 41Keep GoingTrying Not To Tri: The Benefits of Cross TrainingCross training is always a fruitful topic & one we haven't really explored on together. Michael makes his arguments for why cycling & swimming are really optimal cross training options for the serious runner. We also discuss the longterm potential of this podcast, take a listener's recommendations really seriously & ask any of our consistently listners to chime in on requested topic suggestions. This one is for all our dedicated listeners. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2025-04-0156 minKeep GoingTrying Not To Tri: The Benefits of Cross TrainingCross training is always a fruitful topic & one we haven't really explored together on this podcast. Michael makes his arguments for why cycling & swimming are really optimal cross training options for the serious runner. We also discuss the longterm potential of this podcast, take a listener's recommendations really seriously & ask any of our consistently listeners to chime in on requested topic suggestions. This one is for all our dedicated listeners. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2025-04-0156 minKeep GoingHigh, Low & In Between: Why Do We Run?Of of our heroes is the late, great Townes van Zandt & this episode is named after one of his great albums. In this episode we loop back to the ideas of running as Practice & running as Pursuit that we unpacked many months ago.
2025-03-131h 14Keep GoingRunning Trends We'd Like To SeeNote: If you tried to listen to this early on Monday, March 10th, we'd uploaded a repeat of last week's episode. This has been corrected. If you downloaded it prior to our correction, you may need to refresh to get the actual episode. Sorry for any confusion. Your intrepid hosts were completely winging it on this one & we thought it might end up on the cutting room floor. Then we decided that we among friends here so why not air out some crazy thoughts & theories. Certainly we meant for there to be more levity & laughter on this one...
2025-03-101h 35Keep GoingReality is Fucked but Running is MagicShit is gettin weird around here, y'all. & fair warning: Steve gets really riled up on this one. & drops lots & lots of f-bombs. It's helpful to remind you that this is just a conversation between friends. If you take this episode's title at face value, you may be a bit confused for the first 10-15 minutes where we touch into personal addictions & thoughts on sobriety. Eventually we transition into our more general discussion around magic & the desire we all have for altered states. Our foundation is that our current models of what is real & how the world is r...
2025-03-061h 16Keep GoingThe Mind/Body as InstrumentPlease be patient in listening to this episode, friends. We take a little while to get rolling on our topic but we think its worth your time & listening investment. ichael & Steve use the analogy of playing a musical instrument for how we might approach our body/mind experience in running. As Michael is learning how to bring his music theory & experience of musicianship to learning how to play the pedal steel. We take that & run with it, no pun intended. Steve ends with a short introduction of his developing theory of Four Intelligences. We end with a little ou...
2025-02-201h 01Keep GoingIs Expertise an Antidote to the Attention Economy?While this was entirely unintended, this episode feels like a part two of last week's discussion. This one leans into the struggles we both feel about this late capitalist, social media saturated attention economy as entrepreneurs & "experts" in our respective fields. What would happen if it all fell apart? Is mission enough? What is our expertise worth? We wrestles with these topics & many more in an attempt to stay optimistic & creative in a challenging market that seems to suck the soul from any entrepreneurial effort. We hope this frank & vulnerable conversation resonates with you. Godspeed, friends, godspeed.
2025-02-061h 00Keep GoingTraining When Not Training: Groups, Goals & GrowthA deep dive into training with a group & what training even is anyway. Is "Everything is Training" really true? What about when you aren't in a series training mode? How do you process not having a goal race staring right down your face? In this episode we cover a lot of ground but we stay committed to the topic & hope you enjoy our ponderings. Until next time, friends, godspeed!
2025-01-301h 04Keep GoingA Running Kōan: Listening to the BodyWe dive into a favorite topic of Steve's: listening to your body. Along the way we discuss the Japanese kōan, guitar pedals, old school running magazines, book collecting, etc. In this episode, Steve mentioned that he has an online lecture series created in 2020 that he was willing to offer. If you are interested, send Steve an email at sisson at telosrunning dot com. We hope y'all enjoy this one & godspeed!
2025-01-231h 09Keep GoingThe Marathon is NOT Good for Your Health: Varieties of Racing ExperiencesAppreciation of the radio, early Genesis & Keep Going Radio kick this episode off but our main topic is on the importance of racing various race distances for all runners. We cover how training for & racing different race distances is incredibly beneficial for all runners. We hope you enjoy this one...Godspeed, friends, godspeed.
2025-01-091h 11Keep GoingDeath, etc: Desire, Change & the BardosWe start with Steve's experience of the "Fuck You Beer" & move into much more important matters like Michael's discontinuing of Atreyu's iconic Base Model. We recorded this episode on December 12, 2024. It seems important to mention this at the outset of this episode. There is a lot of early chatter around bodily functions - yikes Steve - but it is all a part of what we appreciate about this podcast: conversation. There is a lot in this discussion around endings, getting older, dying & the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Par for the course over here in Austin, Texas. ...
2025-01-041h 07Keep GoingA Vending Machine on Mars: Exploring The Artist Archetype"Aspiration without attachment." - MichaelPlease join us in a discursive, yet oddly flowing conversation exploring the paradoxes around being an Artist. For more on Michael's analogy of "a vending machine on Mars" see below, curated from the Atreyu Running's newsletter that you should be subscribed to: Before there was Atreyu, there was this audacious dream: to design a pair of running shoes that could be purchased from a vending machine on Mars. I know, I know... it's a wacky idea, but stick with me. This motivation was vivid and visceral to me...
2024-12-121h 19Keep GoingLiminal Racing: Ways of Revisioning RunningNeither of your two intrepid co-hosts planned to continue to explore, analyze & interrogate "the race experience", but here we are. The past few months have followed Michael's preparation & execution for the 2024 Detroit Marathon & we covered significant prep/debrief in episodes 71 & 72. Then in episode 73 we discussed the importance of felt-sense for training & racing thinking we'd moved on...& that was not the case. in this discussion, I felt it was really important to unpack more a specific comment Michael made in the episode on felt-sense. Here we unpack this in much greater detail. This episode was recorded on November 7th b...
2024-11-2754 minKeep GoingWhat's New In Running? A 2024 Industry ReportThis episode is released as The Running Event (TRE) - an annual trade conference for the running industry - is in full swing in our hometown of Austin, Texas. As a provocation, I asked Micheal the question "What's New In Running?" thinking we might just skate along the surface. Instead, Michael unloads in an open & honest reflection of the thoughts, insights & fears surrounding the business side of the business of running. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-11-211h 10Keep GoingAll The Feels: The Importance of the Felt-SenseWhat is the felt-sense? How important is it for runners to be conversant & skilled in the varieties of the feeling states we encounter in our running practice & pursuit? While this episode only scratches the surface on this topic, it does try to grapple with what we feel is a critically overlooked aspect of training & racing for runners across a variety of domains, from footwear to easy running to racing paces & effort. We hope you enjoy this episode. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-11-071h 14Keep GoingA Race Debrief Session: Detroit Marathon 2024In part two of our race series discussion around Michael's Detroit Marathon performance, we debrief his experience. Surprises ensue, respect is gained. Godspeed my friends, godspeed. As mentioned in the short intro, check out THIS REALLY COOL RACE VIDEO Michael made documenting his race experience for his Man on the Run YouTube channel. Very cool & inspiring. Like & subscribe, as they say. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-10-2556 minKeep GoingCreating A Race Plan: Detroit Marathon 2024Consider the first of a two part series on the Detroit Marathon 2024. Michael & Steve create a race strategy for Michael's Detroit Marathon run from scratch in this episode & in the one well release tomorrow, we'll debrief the race itself. Godspeed!
2024-10-241h 10Keep GoingFlat Earth, Immune Systems & the Danger of MonocultureThis conversation goes a thousand different directions. If you need a little help in determining if you want to join us on this crazy ride based on the topics we cover, here are a few: flat earth theory, running monoculture, the mind as immune system, recovery, failure/mistakes are required, capitalism, suffering well, etc. This is the podcast episode we reference in this episode: AI EXPERT ON THE DAWN OF CONSCIOUSNESS. Curt Jaimungle's Theories of Everything podcast is one of Steve's favorites. In this episode, he interviews William Hahn, associate professor of Mathematical Sciences & CEO of a...
2024-10-171h 08Keep GoingThe TaperThe taper is the least discussed aspect of a runner's training plan that causes the most distress in the 2-3 weeks before a command performance race. Michael & Steve break it all down in this episode. Godspeed, y'all!
2024-10-101h 21Keep GoingThe Beauty of Life & RunningA conversation exploring beauty & how it plays into our experiences of running.
2024-10-031h 02Keep GoingLove Portals: The Psychology of RunningIn this episode of the Keep Going podcast, Michael & I discuss the psychology of running.
2024-09-121h 00Keep GoingThe Mysteries of Racing Strategy: Practice That Shit Now!In this episode we trace many of the mistakes that an athlete makes at the midpoint of their training for a big command performance. Ostensibly, it is about dialing your strategies in way before race day: pacing for your race, dialing a specific strategy, fine tuning nutrition, getting your shit straight NOW! Don't make the mistake of waiting until your taper phase to be planning your work & working your plan. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-08-291h 06Keep GoingRhythm & Pattern: Curiosity & Creativity in TrainingWe finally take a break from all the track & field talk & get back to talking training. Michael has been following the telos Running training model in preparation for his upcoming marathon in Detroit. In this episode we catch back up with his training progress, answer some questions & do what we are pretty "famous" for here at Keep Going, talking shit about running. We discuss mileage, how to execute in hot/humid conditions & adapting to these on race day, "sneaking in" last chance Boston qualifying races, strength training - in praise of the pistol squat!, curiosity & creativity in training, racing...
2024-08-221h 12Keep Going🏁Track Geeks Unite! 🏁 - The Olympic Are Halfway ThroughHalfway through the Olympic Games, Michael continues to reflect on his track & field education. We reflect on our experiences as fans during the amazing Paris Olympics. This episode was recorded on August 8th, about halfway through the Olympics T&F events. We know we are risking a little overkill for some of you who prefer our discussions around running culture & training more than this experiment in building a track & field fan. But we know there are some of you who are loving this shit. Don't worry. We'll get back to regular Keep Going content in the coming episodes.
2024-08-211h 07Keep GoingTrack & Field Is A Complete Shitshow - Olympic Trials/Pre-Games DiscussionDefinitely a provocative title, but true to how a new fan has experienced this compressed tutoring in the sport. This episode was recorded way back in early July, post-Olympic Trials & Pre-Olympics. For certain this is outdated discussion but we still feel like its interesting listening for those who have been following our ongoing attempts to turn Michael into track fan, for those who are interested in Steve's "hot takes" (racism, elitism, diversity, etc) & for our thoughts on how the sport is distributed across media channels. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-08-211h 19Keep GoingDangerous Decisions: Mileage, Phases & DoublesYou can't get strong & fast at the same time.-Steve SissonA mistake many runners make at some point in their running career is breaking the rule above. This episode covers the dangers of ramping up mileage while in the specific phase of a training plan. Steve describes the phases that he uses in any training program: Base, Foundations, Specific & Taper. We also discuss what the right mileage is for marathoners, what pace should our easy runs be & can they be too slow, & what about doing doubles? & much more great training intel in this episode. We hope you...
2024-07-0358 minKeep GoingThe Olympic Trials: The First HalfThis is a special episode discussing/analyzing the first half of the Olympic Trials this past week in Eugene. The Women's 800m Final VideoThe Women's 5000m Final VideoThe Men's 1500m Final The Men's 10,000m Final
2024-06-2859 minKeep GoingTraining Data for Runners: A Conversation with Coros' Darian AllberryIn this special edition of Keep Going, Michael & Steve interview Darian Allberry, Head of User Experience or "Product Translator" at Coros. They discuss smartwatches, GPS & data & their uses in our training experience.
2024-06-271h 13Keep GoingTraining As TransformationThis episode ends up being a continuation of last week's discussion around the important aspects any runner should be considering when starting a training plan. We covered so much ground last week but it felt to us that there were still things we needed to address. Every runner who embarks on a training journey desires transformation. Ultimately, every runner who sets a goal time for a race wants to be somewhere different from where they find themselves in the moment. They are desiring transformation. & because they are working extremely hard for this change, there is a significant risk t...
2024-06-131h 02Keep Going🎶Start At The Very Beginning…🎶Last time around we covered the essentials of a quality session. This time around we attempt to cover what to consider when starting a training cycle. Jury is out on whether we succeed or not. What we most certainly do is get our rant on. Steve pops off all over the goddamn place. Trigger warnings for vegans, overreachers, those who are full of shit & many others. This is definitely a wide open conversation heavy on Steve's "strong opinions".Godspeed, friends, godspeed.
2024-05-301h 34
Banking on Community with Jeff WilkinsonThe Building Blocks of Wisdom with Michael KrajicekMichael Krajicek, founder and CEO of Atreyu Running Company, shares his insights on achieving extraordinary results in business and life. He discusses the values of curiosity, simplicity, and hard work that shape his approach to business. Michael also talks about the inception of Atreyu and the importance of community engagement in the Austin running community. He emphasizes the significance of having a mentor, making mistakes, and the power of sobriety in personal and professional growth.Honor simplicityhttps://atreyu.com/Strategic solutions for real life from people like you. Visit us today!https...
2024-05-2934 minKeep GoingForm Ever Follows Function: Crafting Quality WorkoutsWhat makes a workout something other than just a run? In this training deep dive, Michael & Steve describe the architecture of a workout. The two categories we use are form & function - following the famous quote of Louis Sullivan: "Form ever follow function." The full quote is pretty cool, actually: Whether it be the sweeping eagle in his flight, or the open apple-blossom, the toiling work-horse, the blithe swan, the branching oak, the winding stream at its base, the drifting clouds, over all the coursing sun, form ever follows function, and this is the law. Where function do...
2024-05-161h 17Keep GoingThe Exquisite Suck: Processing Challenging RacesIn essence a Part II of episode 54 - The Privilege, in this episode we unpack Michael’s IM Woodlands race experience. We cover how we can think through race results that go wrong & so much more.
2024-05-091h 07Keep GoingHow To Become A Track Fan: The Women's 10,000m & 5000mThe Women's 10K/5K HistoryThe 10K wasn't even added into the WC or Olympics until 1988. Again, the domination by the East African countries, especially Ethiopia & Kenya has been total. I'll mention Ingrid Kristiansen, a Norwegian badass in the 80's who revolutionized the women's 5000/10,000 before moving up & getting steam-rolled in big races by the inimitable Joan Benoitin the inaugural women's Olympic Marathon (LA-1984). After this though, she utterly dominated the marathon between 1985-1989. Why is she not the GOAT? 4th in 1984; DNF in 1988. After this the East Africans come in & start dom...
2024-05-021h 09Keep GoingThe Privilege: Meditations on RacingWhere we start with X - & weak sauce social media takes, move into Michael's pre-race thoughts around IRONMAN Texas on April 27th (no pressure, dude!) & finish with privilege of celebrating the human experience of training & racing. Hot takes on Death, predictive processing, & the recent Kara Goucher/Rich Roll episode.We hope you dig this one. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-04-181h 21Keep GoingHow To Become A Track Fan: The 10,000mIn this episode Steve takes a deep dive into the 10,000m track event in our series on trying to make Michael into a track & field fan in anticipation of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. For the notes Steve created to help introduce Michael to the event, please see below. Please note that we while we didn't go into the women's 10K nearly enough, we'll continue to bring out the important storylines over the coming months to ensure Michael has as much intel on the women's events as the men's. The 10,000m Episode NotesRelevance. It's more l...
2024-03-281h 19Keep GoingHow To Become A Track Fan: IntroductionIn this episode we introduce a series in which we endeavor to educate & inspire Michael to become a track & field fan as we approach the 2024 Paris Olympics. As the series unfolds, we'll go through each of the distance/middle distance events & unpack the event, its history & attempt to set the stage for whatever transpires this spring & summer. It is an incredible time to be a track fan. Each event now has an unprecedented about to drama, really compelling storylines & rivalries & we are seeing an absolute renaissance in the sport, & especially in the middle & ling distances as America is finally...
2024-03-211h 17Keep GoingFrom Beer to Vodka: Some Thoughts On Strength TrainingIn this episode Steve critiques Michael's strength training regimen. We cover four domains that should be considered when spending any time working on developing strength. Some links to resources discussed in this episode:The two classic text's Steve references here are by Jay Dicharry are Anatomy for Runners & Running Rewired.
2024-03-181h 18Keep GoingRoots of the Local in a Global SocietyIn this episode we discuss the roots of being local. In Austin, we have a local business support rallying cry that has become the de facto Austin vibe: Keep Austin Weird. We spend a lot of time wrestling with the concept of being local in a global running culture. This is our 50th episode & while we don't really celebrate the milestone in any concrete way, we definitely hit our favorite themes here. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed. Some links around what we discuss in this episode:Comedor Running Club in AustinAtreyu Run Club is M...
2024-03-141h 20Keep GoingDavid vs Goliath: The Leo Manzano InterviewWhat an awesome opportunity Michael & I had last week to interview the legendary Leo "The Lion Manzano. This is a personal & wide-ranging discussion around his experiences in the sport & industry of distance running. One of Keep Going's missions is to explore local running culture & this episode does not disappoint on that level, but it is also so much more. Leo is incredibly candid, funny & insightful in detailing how a young Hispanic boy in Granite Shores/Marble Falls with limited options or opportunities ran himself into the American running legend he his today. In this episode we cover a l...
2024-02-291h 33Keep GoingRunning & Purpose: Towards a Natural StyleWe have been dancing around the edges of capital P "purpose" in many of our discussions over the past year, but in this episode Michael & I dive in deeper. We consider if purpose should be considered as an ultimate aim or if we are in need of a less grandiose & more useful conception. As usual we get into pretty deep waters. But you've come to expect that by now. So we hope you'll join us for a conversation we call Running & Purpose: Towards a Natural Style. Godspeed, my friends, godspeed.
2024-02-221h 17Keep GoingOur Chosen Family: Ryan Yambra on Running CommunityOne of the core opportunities every runner needs to experience is getting embedded in a running community. Having others do the work along side you significantly nehances the running experience. In this episode we interview Ryan Yamba, president & social media coordinator for the Rose City Track Club based in Portland, Oregon. We discuss his personal running journey, the benefits of training in a group, the hazards & responsibilities of training in group environments & more. In the final 30 minutes we really dig deeper into the meaningful experience of group running & how perhaps the cliche of the Church of the Long Run i...
2024-02-081h 36Keep GoingThe Grind: Varieties of Training ExperienceThere are so many varieties of training experience: the easy run, quality sessions, long runs, VO2 max, threshold, etc. The list is very long here, for sure One very specific varietal is commonly called, The Grind. In this episode we steep deeply on this concept & the ways it can be considered. Is The Grind essential? Is it good? Is it dangerous? What kind of wisdom, of felt sense, are required to balancing The Grind with the very real risks of overtraining. We mention discernment as being critical in this regard. An analogy of the defensive backs in American football h...
2024-02-011h 10Keep GoingSome Thoughts on Mental TrainingWe have all experienced the existential dread around the 48 hours prior to a command performance: bubble-guts, lack of ability to focus or relax, the feeling that wish the race would not happen or there would be a cancellation so you don't have to go through the actual suffering you know is going to be served. In this episode, Michael & I explore this space in some details. We get meta & highly practical. Typical of how we've been rolling in these last few episodes. Because it may be of interest, since I mention my recent episode of Running on Purpose...
2024-01-181h 13Keep GoingWrestling with the Angel of RiskLove & light are not all there is. While at some foundational metaphysical level, perhaps all is emptiness or bliss or any other altered state of consciousness. But in the day to day operations of being a human in this crazy, fucked up world at this "interesting time" in civilizational history, things are much more painful & messy & hard. How we wake up everyday pretending to be ready for the chaos that is awaiting us once we step out our doors of safety, is astounding to me. We talk about purpose or meaning or manifesting. But reality of the situation is...
2024-01-111h 24Keep GoingYour Life Is Here For You Right Now: 2023 ReflectionsThe nature of human endeavor is to keep moving, to keep pressing forward. What is it about the human condition that looks forward & plans? We've all nodded knowingly when someone quotes, "Man plans; God laughs." & yet, we're incorrigible planners. In this episode, Michael & I break down our 2023 experience of this crazy life & look forward to whatever 2024 might bring. Maybe you are already tired of our personal reflections or, in general, are experiencing "year in review" fatigue. If so, maybe skip this one. But we hope you'll join us if only to get a clearer understanding of the themes that t...
2024-01-041h 06Keep GoingOn Japan & Journeys: Personal Reflections on Running CultureThis is an episode that has a lot really personal revelations. I felt maybe it was a little too personal, entering TMI zone from my perspective, but Michael's trip to Japan has become so important to his overall worldview & the direction he is beginning to be called to take Atreyu & his own creative journey. It would be remiss to let this episode sit on the cutting room floor, so consider it a Christmas gift from Michael & I to you in this holiday season. We recorded this right after his trip, in mid-November & much of the discussion is devoted to...
2023-12-251h 03Keep GoingA Perfect Day: On The Long RunAhhh, the iconic Lou Reed with singing the title to this week's Keep Going podcast. In this episode, Michael & I finally get back to a specific running training topic. We wax poetic, abound locquatious platitudes & reach toward the profound. All in search of the perfect long run. Thank your for listening to Keep Going & if you want this podcast to reach others like you, give us a rating or review wherever you drop into these conversations. Not that we really care that much...it's like Christmas comes every Thursday for us. Here's the episode we call, A Pe...
2023-12-211h 30Keep GoingAnthony Bourdain Ain't No Sell OutIn this episode of the Keep Going podcast, Michael & discuss some of the implications around a recent podcast episode discussing various aspects of GenX culture that inspired us. You can view this at Howl in the Wilderness' YouTube channel or search Erik Davis, Is Generation X Still Relevant? HITW 125, in your podcatcher of relevance.We get started talking about the recent The Running Event in Austin & how that experience impacted Michael & Atreyu. We bow deeply to Anthony Bourdain & get really hot under the collar around the idea of selling out. Good luck hanging on to the twists & turns...
2023-12-141h 11Keep GoingA Pebble on the Beach of Your FitnessIn this episode, we break down what is really happening when we gain fitness. I sense that there is a pretty big misunderstanding around the actual mechanisms, the levers that we pull to develop fitness. What transpires is an episode that explores the subtle & & not so subtle mindset shifts that are required to truly maximize the training & our thinking around the training, the recovery & all the other things that we consider when we consider fitness. Thank you for listening. Without further ado, we bring you the episode we call A Pebble on the Beach of Your Fitness. ...
2023-11-161h 05Keep GoingEmbracing Uncertainty: Pattern & Chaos in Assessing ResultsThis episode is in honor of Lightenin' Larry Bright. Larry was an athlete I coached, a coach I mentored & a friend with whom I shared miles & smiles & tears. Larry took his own life recently & I want to take this opportunity to ask each of you to reach out to someone you know today to tell them you care for them. We never know how our actions might positively impact a friend or colleague who may need your touch. Do not miss this opportunity. We are all interconnected & what happens to one of us, happens to all of us.
2023-11-091h 00Keep GoingCobbled Together: Talk Talk, Triathlon & TakeawaysIn this episode, your intrepid hosts try something new. We didn't feel like we had enough of a robust topic to fill our usual 60-75 minute conversational window, so we decided to cobble something together & see if it adheres. Likely it doesn't but each of these topics felt like they needed to be aired, so here we are airing them out. In the first third of the episode, we discuss my favorite album of all time - Talk Talk's Laughingstock. Their final album, released in 1991 which is - in my opinion - as close to a perfect ablum a...
2023-11-0658 minKeep GoingThis Podcast Is Our Therapy (The Practice)The conversations Michael & I have sometimes feel like therapy. There is the sense that we can work out whatever happens to be front & center in our personal & professional lives through talking it out every Thursday morning at his condo. That's pretty much what psychotherapy is designed to do. Holding ourselves accountable for the choices we make is radical responsibility: from waking up & getting out the door on those stormy mornings to battling the inner & outer demons that feel like they want to devour us where we sit. I mention the book Tough by Greg Everett in this episode & I...
2023-11-021h 08Keep GoingDo We Really Need Shoes?An episode where we talk about the foundations & fundamentals of footwear.
2023-10-191h 03Keep GoingLocals, Classics & Epics: How To Select A RaceComing at you with back to back episodes this week...a little 2 fer 1 action. We have a little back log in the Keep Going pipeline & decided to try to get caught up. We are doing this because we've started recoding video for the podcast & are now on YouTube, check out the link below or search Atreyu Running over there & you'll find us gesticulating & oscillating wildly...just jamming multiple Smiths references in one episode. If we didn't these out, they'd end up all soft & moldy in my hard drive & nobody wants that. So here we go. I expect we'll toss a...
2023-09-2859 minKeep GoingDrinking From A Poisoned Well: A Hot Take On DopingGet ready for some heat, folks. Please be advised that there are portions of this episode where I go off on obscenity laden tirades & passion fueled laments. Michael holds down the emotional fort to keep some semblance of balance & objectivity, but you'll have to determine if he succeeded. If he didn't, don't blame him - this is all on me. We are releasing this episode the day we recorded it, September 28th, because I make some bold predictions that I want to be held accountable for & because the hot takes are flying all around the sprot this week & I...
2023-09-281h 08Keep GoingLoaded: Optimizing Training in a Base PhaseIn this episode, Michael & I discuss how to add quality training into a base phase. We talk through a specific session that Michael jumped into a few weeks ago in the middle of this experimental base phase he is in the middle of. Along the way, we cover the three basics of training in the Telos model: effort, economy & efficiency. For those of you who have been missing the nuts & bolts of training discussion, this one is for you. At the end of the episode, I tease a new podcast I have planned that dives deeper into t...
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Keep GoingStrange Attractors: A Conversation on Living & DyingThis episode is in memoriam to my father, Thomas Edward Sisson, who passed from the finite game into the Infinite Game on September 12, 2023. Michael & I discuss mentors, living & dying, strange attractors & a beautiful life. Godspeed, Dad, godspeed.
2023-09-141h 08Keep GoingThe Systems 04: Maffetone & the Maximum Aerobic FunctionThis episode is a first for us, we take a listener question about a specific training method - The Maffetone Method - & discuss Michael's experience training with the method for between 12-24 months & our views on the pluses & minuses of it. This is a next episode in our The System series. Let us know what your thoughts are & what we should cover next in this series. You can reach us at sisson at telosrunning dot com. We hope to hear from you. So pull up a chair, sit down & join us around the table as for this conversation w...
2023-08-0858 minKeep GoingA Magical Sense of PlaceThis episode is both an homage to Austin's unique & idiosyncratic running vibe & a call for listeners to explore their own local running haunts as power places. We try to set the stage for how the soul of a place - its flora & fauna, its land & waters, its roads & neighborhoods - can be tapped into for inspiration, gratitude & soulmaking. Wether we are traveling to another location for a change of pace or traveling for work or going epic with a running pilgrimage, perhaps the best way to get to know a place in a deep & meaningful way - & drink in...
2023-08-0157 minKeep Going10,000 Runs: Curiosity as Ultimate AimWhat started in an insightful conversation at the dinner table between Michael & his wife, Lena, inspires this dive into the nature of the meaning of running & life & a challenge is issued. This episode is a conversation based on an idea that was burning a hole in Michael's mind. We'd already had a topic planned but we needed to pivot & Michael had the courage to unpack this concept with me & - as it turns out - all of you. We have not checked in on the journey Atreyu is on in awhile & here entrepreneurship acts as an initial spark but...
2023-07-251h 03Keep GoingA Suffering Diptych, Part II: The Feast of SufferingThis is the second part of a diptych, a two-part artwork designed & connected in theme & style, yet retaining their own individual frame. The first part, released yesterday was recorded in early July after John decided he needed to take a break from the podcast. This second part was recorded in mid-January & include the original three "expeditionaries". Both episodes are themed around suffering. We wanted to honor John's extraordinary style & insights even as we continue to carry the torch of Keep Going. We hope we are making the right decision. John is already sorely missed.
2023-07-191h 29Keep GoingA Suffering Diptych, Part I: Meeting the Devil at the CrossroadsIt's been awhile but we're making it up to you with two episodes being released on back to back days. Unfortunately we hit a little bump in the road. A few weeks ago, John determined that he couldn't continue to be a part of the podcast. So Michael & I needed to regroup & decide the best way to approach this monumental loss. We considered not going forward with the podcast as we both recognize John a critical part of what makes the podcast work. We continued to record each week in hopes it would allow a little time to see i...
2023-07-1800 minKeep GoingOpenSourcing A Running Culture: Paul Carrozza Part IIThe second in our series of episodes highlighting the iconic & inspiring "Godfather of Austin Running", Paul Carrozza.
2023-07-031h 21Keep GoingThe Systems 03: A Very Good Place To StartIn this episode of Keep Going, Michael & I roll without John but his spirit is certainly present. In the last episode, John & I introduced our concept of Four Systems & how nearly all training can be slotted into one of these categories. Michael & I decide to kick the tires on this concept by considering his current planning of his training through the lens of these four systems. As Michael shares, he wants to compete at Ironman Texas in The Woodlands on April 27, 2024 & make it a Beautiful Race. We introduced the Beautiful Race in Episode 21 (The Art of Running). Here we l...
2023-06-131h 07Keep GoingThe Systems 02: The Four Systems of the ApocalypseHello. Welcome back to another edition of the Keep Going podcast. In this episode we dive into what we have craft-fully termed the Four Systems of the Apocalypse. The four horseman are: The Musculoskeletal System: The tendons, ligaments & bones; how they act, react function & coordinateThe Cardiovascular System: The heart & lungs & the role they play in getting oxygen & blood to where they need to beThe Metabolic System: aka energy systems, or how the body is fired & fueled for enduranceThe Nervous System: The brain, spinal column, peripheral nerves or "The Mind".John & I give a rough breakdown of each sy...
2023-06-081h 26Keep GoingThe Systems 01: Training's 5 W'sAlrighty. So I am going to keep this intro very short & sweet. What we have on tap for you this week is a lengthy introduction into what we think will be a series of episodes on what makes training Training. Here we explicate the who, what, where, when & why - as we see it - of training. Next week, John & I will be recording without Michael as he'll be traipsing across the Italian peninsula on his honeymoon. We plan on breaking down the various systems that we train when we train. Hopefully this resonates with you as a listener...
2023-05-291h 32Keep GoingThe Art of Running: Grace & a Beautiful RaceThe struggle is real, my friends, the struggle is real. While it's understood that we can't be on all the time, as creative folk, we feel the pressure to bring the heat every week. This week's episode is an attempt to salvage an entire day's recording where we'd flopped around like fish in the bottom of a leaky boat. Of course, the reason for the flopping was hubris...We'd gotten pretty confident that we could pull off any conversational trick with flying colors, so we decided we'd freestyle on this morning. Good luck with that. After an hour of...
2023-05-1730 minKeep GoingDrugs, Beauty & the ApocalypseAfter the amazing results in London, the interwebs exploded again in allegations of doping. While we've danced around this topic a few times, in this episode we dive into the deep end. While we don't have any answers or novel suggestions, we do have opinions. But you know about opinions & assholes, right? It seems we'll really never get to the bottom of this topic but we hold that as fans it's important to focus on the Good, the True & the Beautiful. We refuse to be jaded & sarcastic about the sport. Sure, there are reasons to be skeptical but that...
2023-05-031h 12Keep GoingThat Old Boston MagicWe live in a world where the old gods have seemingly been tamed by the one God, & for the last 100 years the twin lords of order - reason & science - have declared the one God dead. But those of us who run know there is something deep & mysterious about the marathon distance. It seems to be a strange attractor, pulling anyone remotely interested under its spell. & if there is an old god attached to the marathon, Boston would be its primal home. It may seem strange to talk of old gods attaching themselves to a city, but Boston has...
2023-05-021h 12Keep GoingTed Lasso 800sThere are few legacy sessions with more legs than the Yasso 800s workout. In the fall of 2001, Amby Burfoot wrote an article in Runner's World about a session that the magazine's races services manager, Bart Yasso did repeatedly in preparation for a marathon. He'd been doing this session 3-4 times a cycle for over 15 years. It's simple as shit: 10 x 800m in your marathon goal time with tequal rest. So if you want to go sub 3, you do 10 x 800m in 3:00 w/ a 3 min rest. In this episode, we take this session to task. Or, more accurately, I d...
2023-04-1958 minKeep GoingHe Built This City: Paul Carrozza, the Godfather of Austin Running-Part IBuckle up, ladies & gentlemen, you're in for an amazing ride. This week on the Keep Going podcast, we are joined by Paul Carrozza, the Godfather of Austin running. In our No Direction Home episode a few weeks ago (Episode 11, for reference) we mentioned how one of the three pillars holding up the foundations of Austin running was the mercurial & magical energy bottled up in RunTex, the original local running store that Paul & his wife Sheila owed & operated between 1988-2013. In its 25 year run, it fundamentally changed the entire city, not just the running scene. On any given day...
2023-04-111h 10Keep GoingWhen It Hits You: Three Love Letters "One good thing about music, when it hits you you feel no pain."- Bob Marley & The Wailers from Trenchtown RockHas a truer statement ever been uttered?!? When we consider the source, one of the lions of 20th century music who expanded the musical palettes of millions of people around the globe, we have it on excellent authority. In this episode of the Keep Going podcast, we return to one of our common passions, "The Album". Your three hosts all are deeply enamored & passionately enthused about the artistic artifacts of a golden era where each s...
2023-04-041h 09Keep GoingDark Necessity: The Paradox of TechnologyAt the risk of eliciting hundreds of eye rolls due to another podcast discussing the perils of technology, Keep Going is diving into the fray. We know it's a bit risky because we too are experiencing the palate fatigue around the talking heads warning us about AI, the singularity & advancing techno-annihilation. But fear not! We are not experts! We are 1/3rd rube, 1/3rd luddite & 1/3rd dabbler...I'll let you attempt to determine who is what. But we are decidedly NOT in preacher mode, though I do have to step off my soapbox at least once. SO what do we...
2023-03-281h 14Keep GoingFUNdaMENTALS 02: Nine Magic BulletsIt was in the fall of 1993, that I was introduced to the concept of a "magic bullet". Tom Waits had recorded his album, The Black Rider which was based on a play co-written by William S Burroughs. Like any good Gen-X boy, I was utterly enthralled by the Beats in general but Burroughs in particular. The juxtapositions of fatalism & magical thinking, heroin-chic & creative genius were compelling but ultimately, his willingness to make beauty from chaos was foundational to my budding worldview. Enter the magic bullet. In Burroughs hands, a magic bullet is profoundly purposeful but the underlying telos is...
2023-03-211h 01Keep GoingThe Story of The Wasp: Change & Pattern in the Sport of RunningFor some, a nearly two hour conversation about the future of the sport of running - between three relative bozos - may be a bridge too far. For others of you, this will really help reveal significant changes we feel will revolutionize the sport. Recent NCAA legislation has slowly filtered into the real world of collegiate distance running. The first athlete to sign a significant NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) contract is Katelyn Tuohy of NC State, in signing with adidas, her school's shoe & apparel sponsor. This past weekend, Tuohy won both the 5K & 3K races at the NCAA Indoor...
2023-03-141h 43Keep GoingNo Direction Home: Austin as Cultural Case StudyDoes running have a home court or home base? With stakeholders across three distinct disciplines (track & field, road running & trail/ultra running), is there any cultural center where we can invest our effort, time & money to cohere & thrive? Using Austin as a case study, we explore various means & modes of bottling the magic that running provides us as individuals into an elixir to share with all movement culture. We come up against a number of seeming dead ends before we recognize that culture is about people, not places. It's about virtue & valor, not metrics & money. It's about growth & evolution...
2023-03-071h 23Keep GoingFUNdaMENTALS 01: The Art of the Easy RunWe announce a new series we are calling FUNdaMENTALS, where we break down a specific topic that we hold as fundamental or foundational for all runners, regardless of your pace or race (or lack there of). These will be shorter episodes & we'll be weaving these in every other episode. We hope that these are helpful to runners of all levels who want to improve their running over the long term. This week we cover the importance of the easy run. What is an easy run?The easy run is where all running begins. It is where al...
2023-02-2836 minKeep GoingA Half Decent Pair of ShoesThis episode is all about shoe porn. Michael returns from The Running Event & sparks a wide ranging discussion on the state of the shoe industry, foundations & fundamentals, how you can rejuvenate your running by using effort & more shoe porn.
2023-02-221h 11Keep GoingPower Chillin'The Big Questions of life, love & God are covered as Michael brings forth a challenge: What's one thing you want to accomplish before you die? Everything comes back to power chillin'.
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