This week we are extremely excited to welcome Nat's awesome coach, 2020 Olympic Trials Qualifier, Jared Carson to the show! 

Originally from Atlanta, GA, Jared now resides in Portland, OR where he works as a data analyst at Nike, coaches athletes at Run Free Training, and spends most of his energy chasing around his four year old son, Brady!  Jared has PR’s of 14:45 in the 5K, 66:39 in the half marathon and 2:17:50 in the marathon.
In this conversation, we talk in detail about Jared's running journey, the huge goal of qualifying for the Olympic Trials and his path for achieving the impressive accomplishment. We also dive into his training with the Bowerman Track Club Elite and how he felt crossing the finish line at CIM in 2018, knowing that he was going to Atlanta to run the trials.
We pivot into chatting all about the incredible beauty of Portland, OR - including Jared's amazing and detailed recommendations on his favorite places to run, the best places to refuel after these beautiful runs, where to get great beer and coffee, places of interest in Portland, great races and so much more. Filled with a wealth of fantastic information, you absolutely will not want to miss this conversation.



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*This episode is sponsored by InsideTracker and we are so excited to have them on board as a ongoing sponsor of the show!*
InsideTracker wants to help you stay committed, energized and focused on maintaining success on your resolutions. Every year, more than 80% of all New Year's resolutions are abandoned by February.  And among these, exercising, losing weight and eating better are almost a third of resolutions being made. InsideTracker can be a secret ingredient to help you make positive behavior changes so you can successfully stay on track with your wellness goals.
Suite Run is partnering with InsideTracker with a sweet giveaway! From Nat: "Last year when I was training for a huge marathon PR, I had everything I needed: An amazing coach (When Olympian Ryan Hall offers to train you for a marathon training block, you bring everything and more!), a supportive family and a great work ethic. What fit the pieces together was finding out what was going on inside me. InsideTracker came to my house, took some blood and sent me a comprehensive plan on what to do to improve my health as an athlete. I've been a fan of InsideTracker ever since."

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Click HERE to be entered for a chance to WIN this sweet package worth nearly $700!

Follow InsideTracker, Natalie Mitchell and Suite Run on Instagram for more entries. 

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Jared's recommendations for Portland:

RUN

1. The Waterfront (in the city of Portland, a beautiful place to experience the cityscape and bridges).

2. Forest Park (located in the Pearl District, a natural, scenic place to run).

3. Bank Verona Trailhead (located 25 minutes west of Portland. Beautiful countryside, quaint and peaceful).

4. Sauvie Island (a hidden gem located north of Portland. The island has lots of fruit and vegetable farms to visit and is the perfect place to pick berries in the summer. There is a beautiful 12 mile loop around the island - it is a pancake flat, asphalt road that is perfect to do marathon specific work. Go with a friend or a few people to run with. Also if you are there in the fall or spring during peak training season, you just might run into a famous runner!)


EAT AND DRINK

1. For coffee: Insomnia Coffee Company, Haven Coffee Co, Stump Town, Sisters Coffee Company (they also have great pastries and breakfast sandwiches).

2. Breakfast: Besaw's (good restaurant, sit down restaurant), The Stepping Stone Cafe.

3. Beer: Deschutes Brewery is popular, but Jared's favorites are: Breakside (great atmosphere and good food menu), and Great Notion (good hazy beers).


DESSERT

1. Blue Star Donuts (amazing, large donuts)

2. Sesame Donuts (more like Dunkin Donuts)


STAY

Rent a house on the north east side of the city (real Portland feel in a neighborhood setting).


PLACES OF INTEREST

1. Washington Park

2. Rose Garden

3. Zoo (tucked in the woods). 

4. Rent a car and drive to Mt. Hood (90 minutes away)

5. Timberland Lodge

6. Columbia River Gorge (45 minute drive - great hiking trails)

7. Hood River. 

8. Also, the beach is in the opposite direction with a breathtaking landscape. May - October is a beautiful time of year to visit.


RACES

1. Shamrock Race (takes places in March along the waterfront, a big race for St. Patrick's Day)

2. Hood to Coast (199 miles race with 12 runners, starts at Mt. Hood and goes to the beach)

3. Eugene Marathon (great race, well organized, finish the race on Hayward Field which has been renovated.)


RUNNING STORES

1. Fleet Feet

2. Foot Traffic

3. Portland Running Company


Where to find Jared:
https://www.instagram.com/jaredcarson/

Where to find Natalie and Jerold:
Natalie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/natrunsfar/
Suite Run Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suiterun/
Natalie's Twitter: https://twitter.com/natrunsfar
Suite Run Twitter: https://twitter.com/suiterun
Natalie's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natrunsfar
Suite Run Website: https://www.suiterun.com/
Suite Run Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SuiteRun/
Natalie's Blog: http://www.natrunsfar.com/

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Intro music: Pipes of a Stranger