Episode Notes
When it comes to the sport of running, every sprint, every breath, and every challenge is a testament to the resilience and spirit of an athlete. Today on the RunnersTribe podcast, I dive into the remarkable journey of a good friend of mine, Will Leer, a former professional American middle-distance star renowned for his dedication and achievements on the track. As a two-time indoor national champion in 2013, a world relays silver medalist in 2014, and a top 8 finisher in the 1500 meters at the World Indoor Championships in 2014, Will's career epitomizes the relentless pursuit of excellence.
But there's more to Will than just his accolades. Beyond the track, he has embraced new passions, finding as much joy in the tranquility of nature as in the adrenaline of competition. This conversation isn't just about running; it's a deeper exploration of life after the finish line, the pursuit of new challenges, and the enduring spirit that defines a true athlete.
Join us as we uncover the layers of Will Leer's journey, from the peaks of his racing career to the new adventures that keep the essence of his athletic spirit alive. Lace up for an inspiring episode that goes beyond the track, right here on the RunnersTribe podcast.
Summary
In this conversation, Jon Rankin and Will Leer discuss their experiences in running and the state of Track and Field. The conversation covers various topics related to track and field, including athletes' showmanship and storytelling, standout American athletes, field events, the Prefontaine Classic, and the mental side of running. They also dive into the role of storytelling in sports marketing and the impact of shoe technology on performance. They highlight the importance of creating visibility for athletes and celebrating their achievements. The conversation concludes with a discussion on standout athletes in track and field and the highly anticipated race between Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr.
Takeaways
Chapters 00:00: Introduction and Skiing
00:30: Rediscovering Running and Skiing
04:00: Running as a Social Outlet
05:06: Finding New Passions
07:02: Unfinished Business in Running
08:12: The State of the Sport
09:38: Athletes' Stories and Social Media
11:32: The Power of Storytelling in Sports Marketing
13:05: The Impact of Shoe Technology
14:31: Making Track and Field Entertaining
16:26: Under Armour's Focus on Running
20:28: The Challenge of Making Track and Field Popular
22:35: Telling Athletes' Stories
23:34: The Excitement of Fast Running
25:12: The Evolution of Running Shoes
27:07: Elevating Athletes and Celebrating Their Achievements
29:21: Creating a Special Experience for Runners
31:42: Standout Athletes in Track and Field
34:29: Athletes' Showmanship and Storytelling
36:24: Standout American Athletes
38:21: Field Events: Shot Put and Discus
39:17: Ryan Krauser's Dominance in Shot Put
40:15: The Athleticism of Field Event Athletes
41:14: Emerging Stars in Field Events
42:21: Yared Nuguse and His Story
47:12: Prefontaine Classic: Ingebrigtsen vs. Kerr
49:18: Yared Nuguse's Competitiveness
52:29: The Mental Side of Running
55:08: The Pursuit of Excellence in Running and Life
59:09: Question for the Next Guest
References:
Yared Nuguse - @yaredthegoose
Jakob Ingebrigtsen - @jakobing
Josh Keer - @joshhkerr
2024 Prefontaine Classic - https://www.preclassic.com/ | @preclassic
Guest:
Will Leer - @williamleer
Host:
Jon Rankin - https://gobemore.co/ | @chasejonrankin
Learn More:
RunnersTribe - https://runnerstribe.com/ | @runnerstribe
Noah Lyles is an American sprinter born on July 18, 1997, known for his exceptional speed and versatility across multiple track events. With personal bests that include a stunning 9.79 seconds in the 100 metres and 19.31 seconds in the 200 metres, Lyles is regarded as one of the top sprinters in the world, earning recognition in both individual and relay competitions.
Josh Kerr is a renowned British middle-distance runner, specializing in the 1500 meters. He rose to international prominence with a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and has consistently competed at the top level in European and World Championships. Known for his tactical racing and strong finishing kick, Kerr represents Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and continues to be a dominant force on the track.
Sha'Carri Richardson is a prominent American sprinter known for her performances in the 100m and 200m events. She gained international attention for her remarkable speed and vibrant personality. Richardson made headlines with her win at the 2019 NCAA Championships and secured her place as one of the fastest women in the world.
Yared Nuguse is an accomplished middle-distance runner from the United States, specializing in the 1500 meters. He gained national attention with his standout performances in the NCAA Championships while competing for the University of Notre Dame. Nuguse has continued to shine on the professional circuit, representing Team USA in international competitions.
Jakob Ingebrigtsen is a Norwegian middle-distance runner who has gained worldwide recognition for his remarkable performances on the track. Specializing in events such as the 1500 meters and 5000 meters, Jakob has achieved significant success, including winning gold at the European Championships and the World Championships. Known for his tactical prowess and strong finishing kick, he is one of the most promising athletes in middle-distance running.
