CITIUS MAG Podcast

I hate running. Which is a bummer, because people who are all “when I’m sad I go for a run” or “I like to start my day with a long jog” sound like another level of evolved humanity. Meanwhile, I tried to convince my track and field coaches that I had asthma so that I would only be required to participate in the field events. Running is basically volunteering to feel like you’re dying, and I would much rather just feel like I’m dying emotionally than physically.

But, apparently, there are some people who find running enjoyable, even fun. Those people, as strange and superior as they clearly are, not only enjoy running but may enjoy listening to a show that’s all about this crazy sport they have joined. Chris Chavez, Sports Illustrated writer and running enthusiast, is here to answer the call of the runners who want a running podcast with the CITIUS Mag Podcast.

The Citius Mag Podcast is a weekly show where I interview some pretty high-profile guests within the track and field and running community. I try to interview an athlete, coach, or agent, or even like a writer who is in the news. Every week I try to vary it up with a different guest and it’s a pretty laid back, fun vibe to the conversation. We talk a little about training but we also hit on just general points about running and kind of what got them into the sport and what motivates them.

Chris says that there are a lot of fun topics to cover in running and in track and field and he and his guests get to cover all of those on the show. Plus, they answer a lot of listener questions, responding on the podcast to the questions that have been emailed to them. The idea of closing the gap between fans of the sport, lower-level athletes, and the pros is something that has helped drive Chris through a year and a half of episodes.

Chris is in a unique position to help bring those worlds a little closer because he has gotten to write on so many events, athletes, and competitions through his job at Sports Illustrated. He noticed that there weren’t a lot of shows like his idea – a “free-flowing conversation” with a new, interesting guest every week – and figured that the fact that he knew so many people in the sport meant he should be the one to make it happen.

I figured ‘why not just start my own?’ And I’ve got some pretty good access to these athletes, and sometimes it’s just a matter of sending them a message on Twitter or Instagram, and because of the relationships I’ve developed over time, people seem very willing to do it.

Chris is “one of the few track and field insiders” and he has built these relationships over five or six years in the industry. However, all of the time in the sports journalism field didn’t exactly prepare him for the world of podcasting.

The hardest part is definitely sometimes the editing process because I do it all myself. I dont have a producer. I do it all pretty much on my own time, and I work a full time job as a writer for Sports Illustrated. And I do like to do my own running and training so sometimes I don’t get home till ten pm and I look at the audio file and its an hour and a half and I want to cut it down to about an hour. So that’s gonna take some time.”

Chris says “sleep is a sacrifice sometimes,” but there’s one thing that drives him to keep making the episodes.

I keep doing it because I’ve received a lot of feedback from the listeners or followers on Twitter or anywhere on social media that they enjoy the show. And as long as people keep listening, I’ll keep doing it.

Chris believes that these people keep listening because of the amount of interaction they’re able to have.

The more questions people submit, the more fun the show typically gets because the listeners submit some off-the-wall questions and I’m not afriad to put those questions in front of the athletes and see what reaction we get. I think it’s that listener-involvement in the show that keeps listeners coming back… There’s a chance you get to submit a question, ad there’s a chance the athlete addresses what’s been on your mind.

The way Chris gets to provide a form of communication between athletes and listeners has Chris excited to really get his schedule down pat in putting out the show, not to mention adding more aspects to the show.

Right now, I’ve just been dealing with and interviewing just athletes and coaches and agents at the top level, but I also want to tap into some of the cultural side of running and interviewing some of the people who are just like me: who we work full-time jobs and we have our own goals. I think there’s gonna be an addition to the podcast where we delve into the running culture of New York City because it’s very fascinating.

If you are one of the blessed beings that loves to run or just a fan of track and field, The CITIUS Mag Podcast is almost definitely for you, especially if you have any nagging questions for the people at the top. Like, how does one enjoy running? Well, that might just be a personal question I have….

Chasing Pods is a Podchaser blog series dedicated to letting our readers know about podcasts they may not have heard of or provide a sneak peek into the making of their favorite podcast. We talk to podcast creators about their journey into podcasting, the creation of their shows, the ups and downs of the work, and what they’re looking forward to for their podcast

Do you love or make a cool podcast? Do you want to be featured on our blog? Email Morgan ([email protected]) to tell her why your favorite show should be featured next.