The Halfstep Pod

Episode 13: 1500m Race Recap: Out of Danger, Up the Inside

On Episode 13 of the Halfstep Pod, Connor and Grant recap Grant's 1500 meter race at the Sound Running Track Meet in L.A. this past weekend. Grant came in 4th place, running 3:36.52. The guys talk about Grant's pre-race preparation, some things he wishes he could have another shot at in the race, and the things he executed well to bring him home in a solid time and place. They also discuss the early race tangle up between Moh and Eric Avila that somehow didn't get recalled. Grant also mentions when and where his next race will be! 

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

Episode 12: Moh Ahmed Interview, Part 2

On Episode 12 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant's and Connor's interview with Moh Ahmed continues with an in depth recap of Moh's bronze medal performance at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Moh's first global medal. The guys then fast forward to how training was for both Moh and Grant in the early days of the pandemic (featuring their hastily created "Big Blue Workout Group") and how they both used each other to stay motivated during that difficult time. We conclude by discussing Moh's 12:47 5k from last year. You can follow Moh Ahmed on instagram at moh_speed23 and @Moh_Speed on instagram. Thanks again to Moh for taking the time to sit down with us! We hope to have him on again soon.

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Also let us know which guests you would like to hear from next. Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

 

Episode 11: Giveaway Winner Revealed & 2013 Footlocker Finals Race Flashback

On the much-delayed Episode 11 of The Halfstep Pod, Connor and Grant recap the events of the Mt. Sac meet this past weekend- including Sean's 8:20 steeple debut and DK Metcalf's 100 meter race. They also briefly preview Grant's 1500 race this Saturday, 11am PST at The Track Meet presented by Sound Running. The guys then reveal the winner of the first ever Podcast giveaway (30:30).

The second half of this week's episode is dedicated to Grant's 2013 victory at Footlocker Nationals his Junior year of high school (34:10). This race is most memorable for Grant's intense battle with John Dressel over the closing kilometer, culminating in repeated contact between the two right up to the finish line. Hear Grant breakdown his Junior year XC season, his State and Footlocker Regional victories, his journey out to San Diego, and lastly, the race itself. The best video to follow along with is titled: “2013 Boys Championship Race” on the footlockerxc youtube account.

We will be dropping the second half of our interview with Moh Ahmed on Sunday morning, hopefully in time for everyone's long run, and will get in a race recap of Grant's 1500 that will most likely be released midweek next week. Thanks everyone for following along, participating in the giveaway, and continually giving us feedback. Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Also let us know which guests you would like to hear from next. Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

Episode 10: Moh Ahmed Interview, Part 1

On Episode 10 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor interview Moh Ahmed, a 2x Olympian and World Championship Medalist and current teammate of Grant's at the Bowerman Track Club. The guys start by talking about which of them dropped the other on the long run earlier that day. Moh then opens up about his background in running, starting with his family's immigration to Canada when Moh was a 10 year old. They then talk about his teenage running career, his time at Wisconsin (including the 2011 team title and making his first Olympic team for the London Games), and finish by talking about his first years as a pro, the Rio Olympics, and his mindset going into Doha 2019, where he captured his first global medal with a gutsy 3rd place finish in the 5k. You can follow Moh Ahmed on instagram at moh_speed23 and @Moh_Speed on instagram. Part 2 of this interview will be dropping late next week. Thanks again to Moh for taking the time to sit down with us! We hope to have him on again soon.

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Also let us know which guests you would like to hear from next. Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

 

Episode 9: Six Weeks Out, Plus Grant Ducks DK

On Episode 9 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor immediately get side-tracked talking about Seahawks Wide Receiver DK Metcalf's entry into the 100 meter race at the  Mt. Sac meet this weekend. Things then get back on track as Grant reveals he has a race on the schedule in the near future. The guys talk about the value of a 1500 for a longer distance runner and Grant's mindset as he tunes up not just for that meet, but for the Olympic Trials in 6 weeks, too. Stay tuned for our first ever interview Pod- coming this weekend with 2x Olympian and World Championship Medalist, Bowerman Team Member Moh Ahmed!!

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

 

Episode 8: Improvements for Track & Field Broadcasts, Respectfully

On Episode 8 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor quickly discuss another week up in Park City for Grant, as well as Connor's return to running after dealing with some persistent leg soreness. They then get into the main topic of the day, prompted by a busy schedule of televised races this past weekend: how to improve television broadcasts of Track & Field. The guys each share a couple things they would change in an ideal world and go from there. Stay tuned for a potential bonus episode end of this week/weekend!

The Halfstep Pod giveaway is continuing through the end of this week! Thanks to everyone who has participated so far! And if you haven't yet, be sure to enter by following the Pod account on instagram (halfstep_pod), and subscribing wherever you get your Podcasts, and send proof of those things to us either via Instagram DM or to our email halfsteppod@gmail.com in order to get an entry into the giveaway. Send proof giving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your Pods in order to receive a bonus entry into the giveaway pool! 

Once again, thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

Episode 7: Thoughts About Nutrition & Race Flashback #2

On Episode 7 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor quickly discuss Grant's continued adjustment to altitude training after another week in Park City, then the guys hit some listener questions regarding nutrition. After those segments, the boys spend the latter part of the Pod flashing back to the 1990 Commonwealth Games 5000m Championship, won in stunning upset fashion by Australian Andy Lloyd over three heavily favored Kenyans and some other strong contenders. Follow along by watching the race on Youtube before or after listening!

 

The Halfstep Pod is also launching our first giveaway of Nike/Bowerman items!! (Details to be ironed out soon) . Be sure to follow the account on instagram (halfstep_pod), subscribe wherever you get your Podcasts, and send proof of those things to us either via Instagram DM or to our email halfsteppod@gmail.com in order to get an entry into the givewaway. Send proof giving us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your Pods in order to receive a bonus entry into the giveaway pool! 

Once again, thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

Episode 6: Mountain Air, Pasta Duty

On Episode 6 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant joins from Utah to discuss his transition up to altitude and how the first week has been for himself and the Bowerman crew. The guys follow up on last week's injury conversation and also respond to some of the feedback they got regarding Grant's plantaris. Grant talks about some of the key differences between training at altitude and training at sea level, and explains just what exactly Jerry Miles are.

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

Episode 5: Secret Plantaris & Other Anomalies

On Episode 5 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor talk about Grant's past week of training, including how he dealt with a calf muscle flare up during his long run, and his approach to the remainder of the week. This leads to a fuller discussion on injuries, including Grant's achilles struggles at a previous altitude camp in Colorado, and how a timely ultrasound revealed a secret muscle only 5% of the population possesses. 

As Grant preps to head to Utah next week for altitude camp, the guys also discuss packing essentials, Grant's shoe game, the plan for altitude camp, and (of course) The Big Meet 3k.

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop! 

Episode 4: Eleven Laps To a Mile

On Episode 4 of The Halfstep Pod, Grant and Connor discuss Grant's training week back home in Portland, and then dive deep into the history books to analyze the 1983 Millrose Games Boys High School Mile, held at Madison Square Garden. They talk about racing on a 150 meter track, what it must have been like when track events sold out, and the best indoor racing techniques they've picked up on. The guys then discuss their top 5 favorite tracks they raced on, and how those races went. 

 

Thanks to everyone for listening! Please continue sending us your listener questions (halfsteppod@gmail.com) or DM us on instagram! Be sure to rate us and subscribe if you haven't already in order to get our podcasts as soon as they drop!