Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, former editor-in-chief of Wired, 2:29 marathoner, and daily LetsRun visitor, joins this week’s LetsRun.com Track Talk Podcast to talk about his new book, The Running Ground: A Father, a Son, and the Simplest of Sports (buy it here).

Thompson shares how he went from a decent high school runner to running 2:29 in his 40s and setting the American record for 50K in the 45–49 age group. He opens up about the mental breakthrough that unlocked his improvement, lessons from surviving thyroid cancer, and how running helped him understand his complicated relationship with his father.

Nick talks about why we run, how it fits in our life, and also he tells wild stories about getting fired from 60 Minutes after 59 minutes and being kidnapped in Morocco. Plus some business advice for LetsRun.com, and his thoughts on today’s top track stars.

Bonus: Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club for a year and we’ll send you The Running Ground for free ($30 value) + a free LetsRun.com shirt. You get all the LetsRun content, a bonus podcast every week and savings on running shoes.

Buy the book at Amazon here or support independent booksellers here.

00:00 Get The Running Ground for free by joining the LetsRun.com Supporters Club
02:00 Introducing Nick Thompson
03:56 What inspired The Running Ground
05:57 Nick’s realization and running breakthrough
09:31 His complicated relationship with his father
19:32 Balancing running with life and career
23:00 Training and staying injury-free with the Alexander Technique
30:42 Reflecting on Stanford and early running years
34:00 Moving to ultras and the joy of trail running
36:58 Getting kidnapped in Morocco
40:38 Fired from 60 Minutes after 59 minutes
46:20 Nick’s thoughts on today’s track and field stars
54:04 Nick’s advice for LetsRun.com and navigating the AI era
1:00:18 Wrapping up and how to get the book free
Email podcast@letsrun.com or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN podcast voicemail/text line.

Bonus: Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club for a year and we’ll send you The Running Ground for free ($30 value) + a free

nick thompson

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