Some of us are lucky enough to find a mentor to guide our long-term love affair with running. They set the standard high in their own accomplishments and inspire us to do the same. Jim Butler, whom I'll forever refer to as "Coach", has been doing that for over 30 years as the head coach of men’s cross country team at my alma mater, Connecticut College.

Coach Jim Butler was the 2002 New England Cross Country coach of the year, the 2004 New England Small College Athletic Conference Coach of the year, and an impressive 2:37 marathoner. He coached multiple national qualifiers and took his 2002 team to the national championship meet.

Our conversation includes:

Memories from his competitive days at Rutgers and road racing in Connecticut
What has kept him invested in the sport for so long
The intangibles he seeks out in prospective athletes above and beyond fast finish times
Training strategies and mindset to take your performance to the next level
The impact of new technology on the sport

Coach has had such an impact on my running and my career - I know you'll enjoy our conversation!

Links & Resources from the Show:

Want your own team? Join Team Strength Running
Read more wisdom from Coach (and check out my 2005 cross-country picture!)
Become a fan of the Connecticut College Men's Cross Country Team

Thank You Previnex!

We’re supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

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Thank you Lagoon!

Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever used. And that’s no hyperbole. I’m pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I’m taking it a lot more seriously.

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Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it’s a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn’t training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It’s the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters.

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314. ‘Coach of the Year’ Jim Butler on 30+ Years of Coaching, Talent vs. Intangibles, Tech, and More

The Strength Running Podcast