Runners Connect 2018 Success Stories, Bring on 2019 and Make it Happen!

Good-bye 2018 With Runners Connect 2018 Success Stories

As we enter into a New Year, we are taking time to reflect on some running success stories close to home, even if they’re half a world away. ‘Close to home’ because our guests today all have are part of the RunnersConnect family. Today we hear from our podcast editor, three of our coached athletes, and our founder, Jeff Gaudette.

Jeremy Noessel Interview #1 – NE USA

Jeremy Noessel began running in the spring of 2017 and completed his longest distance race to date this past summer; a 10-miler in the hot and humid New England summer. We get a glimpse behind the scenes and also insight into his approach to running. Jeremy also shares with us his favorite episodes from 2018.

Tensai Asfaw Interview #2 – Switzerland

In 2018, Ethiopian-born Tensai Asfaw started competitive running in boarding school in New Jersey at age 15. He finished as NJ state champ in cross-country and the mile and received All=State honors. He ran at Princeton University where he was a multi-time Ivy League Champion and Captain of the Princeton Track team. He has worked with RunnersConnect for just over a year and has shaved p2-minutes from his 8K and 10K times and 45 minutes from his marathon time.

Scott Borella Interview #3 – SW USA

Scott Borella added the RunnersConnect Strength Training to his training in 2017 and saw an amazing improvement in his 2018 5K, 10K and Half-Marathon races.  Scott talks about his competitive background and how he has applied swimming and strength training to his running program.

Rodrigo Jara Interview #4 – Paraguay

Our third success story is Rodrigo Jara from Paraguay. He started running seriously just a couple years back and his speed and training intelligence has led him to overall and age group victories. A software engineer by day, he started training with RunnersConnect 2 years ago and it changed his entire perspective about running. He shares with us how he achieved his 2018 goals by working with his coach.

Jeff Gaudette, Founder Runners Connect Interview #5

RunnersConnect founder, Jeff Gaudette, now experiences most of his running life through RunnersConnect. He shares his thoughts on 2018 and what the future of RunnersConnect looks like.

Questions Guests are asked:

1:36 Jeremy’s First Four:

  1. How old are you?
  2. Where were you born?
  3. Where do you live now?
  4. What is your favorite race distance or type of race?

3:17 What were some of your editing highlights in 2018?

5:57 What were some of your favorite episodes?

7:28 What are some of your 2019 running goals?

9:38 What would you like to share with listeners as they head into 2019?

13:30 Tensai’s First Four:

  1. How old are you?
  2. Where were you born?
  3. Where do you live now?
  4. What is your favorite race distance or type of race?

14:20 What was your running goal for 2018?

15:20 What race times did you achieve in 2018?

16:50 What did you have to overcome to achieve these results?

18:01 What are your goals for 2019?

19:10 What does your training week look like?

19:58 How do you stay uninjured?

20:39 What is your favorite local training run?

22:16 What would you like to share with listeners as they head into 2019?

23:33 When are you running your first marathon?

24:36 Scott’s First Four:

  1. How old are you?
  2. Where were you born?
  3. Where do you live now?
  4. What kind of work do you do?

24:51 What was your running goal for 2018 and how did it go?

25:27 What was your time and goal?

25:58 What was your strategy during the race?

26:53 Were you able to stay on plan?

27:10 When did you realize you were going to have a good race?

27:34 How has strength training helped?

28:14 What does your strength routine look like?

28:47 Has that made a big difference for you?

29:44 How do you make sure to not overtrain?

30:30 How much has competitive swimming helped you as a runner?

32:25 What did you have to overcome to achieve these results?

33:01 What are your goals for 2019?

33:58 What would you like to share with listeners as they head into 2019?

36:42 Rodrigo’s First Few:

  1. How old are you?
  2. Where were you born?
  3. Where do you live now?

37:38 What was your running goal for 2018 and how did it go?

38:25 What times were able to accomplish in 208?

39:05 What have you learned since working with RunnersConnect that has helped your racing results?

40:29 What are your goals for 2019?

41:00 Do you have a marathon in mind to run?

42:23 When are you making a ‘Go/No Go’ decision?

42:47 Do you have a favorite training run?

44:40 Do you have a book recommendation for 2019?

45:26 What would you like to share with listeners as they head into 2019?

47:30 Jeff Gaudette: What 2018 highlights would you like to share with us?

50:17 How do coaches help runners achieve personal bests?

51:34 What are your goals personally and for RunnersConnect in 2019?

53:03 What are your thoughts on Lifelong Running?

55:36 What would you like to share with listeners as they head into 2019?

57:45 Final thoughts by Stephanie Kay Atwood

Quotes by Guests:


“Start Slow, Have Fun, Don’t Get Hurt.” – Jeremy


“More than the overcoming I’d say it’s the positives that count: the friendships and the training buddies. I really felt supported by my growing local running community.” – Tensai


“When you do the running-specific strength training, it helps to recalibrate the muscular tension in your hips and your core and your legs. And so muscles that are tight loosen up and ones that are loose tighten up.” – Scott


“I knew nothing about proper training, but what has helped me the most was adoption of the easy run; to go really easy and truly enjoy running.” – Rodrigo


“In November 2018, we had 88 athletes PR in every distance from 5K to the Ultra Marathon.”  - Jeff Gaudette

Take a Listen on Your Next Run

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Mentioned in this podcast:


Run To The Top Winners Circle Facebook Community


RunnersConnect Facebook page


Jeremy’s 2017 RTTT Interview


Follow Jeremy on Strava


Allen Currano on RTTT


James Varner on RTTT


Holly Zimmerman on RTTT


Alex Hutchinson on RTTT


Book: Endure by Alex Hutchinson


Parcoursvita Trelex, Switzerland


Ñu Guazú National Park in Paraguay

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