Coach Chris Bennett

Ali on the Run Show Episode 558: Beyond the Run with Coach Chris Bennett

“Don’t just celebrate the final finish line. One of the ways to get through a training plan successfully is to make sure you’re stopping along the way and celebrating.”

Chris Bennett is on a mission: He wants runners to have more fun! (There’s a reason he’s been called “the real-life Ted Lasso.”) The Nike Running Global Head Coach — known by hundreds of thousands of runners as simply “Coach” — takes a no-BS approach to running. He might dish out some tough love, but he always has a plan and a reason. He’ll never tell you that you suck (and he really doesn’t want you to say that to yourself, either), but he might tell you to “calm down,” and he’ll definitely tell you to “slow down.” In this conversation, Coach Bennett talks about the importance of finding purpose on the run, explains why kindness is a secret weapon, and shares his take on run streaks (and whether or not he’s doing one).

SPONSOR: New Balance — Click here to learn more about how New Balance is supporting conversations around mental wellness in running. (And check out the SuperComp Trainer! I’m obsessed!)

LISTEN HERE:

What you’ll get on this episode:

  • What is the purpose of Coach Bennett’s run today? (8:25)
  • Finding purpose on the run vs. having a goal (11:40)
  • Is it unrealistic to expect every run to be fun? (18:20)
  • How to turn a bad run around (24:30)
  • “I’m not a run streaker, but I have a run streak” (33:00)
  • How can runners be more kind to ourselves? (42:15)
  • What it’s like being “The Ted Lasso of Running” (56:00)
  • Coach Bennett’s love letter to New Jersey (1:02:40)

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Ali

Ali

One Response

  1. One of the best conversations! Coach Bennett continuously drops nuggets of wisdom applicable to running and life in this podcast.. Especially loved ‘Be a good teammate to yourself’ concept. He’s not afraid to drop the hard truths and effortlessly balances it with the positive. Thanks for having him and I hopefully there will be a Part 2, 3, 4……

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about ali

I’m the creator of the Ali on the Run blog and the host of the Ali on the Run Show podcast. I’m also a freelance writer and editor, a race announcer, a runner and marathoner, a mom, and a huge fan of Peanut M&Ms, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (way better than the first one!), and reliving my glory days as a competition dancer in the early 2000s. I’m really happy you’re here.
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