{"podcast":{"title":"Ross and Petar's Pod on the Run","slug":"ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run-7301227","podcast_index_feed_id":7301227,"rss_url":"https://media.rss.com/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run/feed.xml","website_url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run","image_url":"https://media.rss.com/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run/20250417_070420_2bfa8b11e91bdc232dfe216b84c1c8bb.png","author":"Ross Field and Petar Milardovich","episode_count":25,"summary":"What happens when two buddies hit 42 and decide to celebrate with 42 kilometers? The Birth-K sparked something extraordinary, and now Ross and Petar are here to reflect on their journey—mud, memories, and all—while exploring the heartbeat of Chico’s running culture. Whether you’re here for the behind-the-scenes tales, the spirited banter (serious runners? not really...), or the chance to meet the incredible people pounding the trails and roads of Chico, this podcast is your go-to for all things running—and a lot of things not running. From the history of the running community to favorite routes, future challenges, and even the big existential question, “Why do we even run?”, Ross and Petar serve up insights, laughs, and plenty of moments where things didn’t go quite as planned. And speaking of incredible people: Chico’s running community is fueled by local legends, inspiring everyday athletes, and fantastic organizations like Fleet Feet Chico and the Bidwell Run Club . These groups offer camaraderie, unforgettable events, and shared experiences that embody the true heart and soul of Chico's running scene. Ross and Petar will spotlight these organizations, their impact, and the run…","last_synced_at":"2026-07-18T20:17:11.080627+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run-7301227"},"episode":{"title":"The Chico State XC Dynasty","slug":"the-chico-state-xc-dynasty","published_at":"2026-02-08T01:05:08+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run-7301227/the-chico-state-xc-dynasty","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run-7301227","url":"https://rss.com/podcasts/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run/2532725","audio_url":"https://content.rss.com/episodes/326112/2532725/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run/2026_02_08_01_04_14_b78dac22-0774-46a7-8a39-ca1a331100c0.mp3","summary":"In Episode 18 of Ross and Petar’s Pod on the Run , the hosts sit down with legendary Chico State head coach Gary Towne , the man behind one of the most dominant dynasties in collegiate distance running. After a quick warm‑up on the latest running news and local chatter, they dive into Gary’s staggering résumé—23 straight conference titles (men), 20 of the last 23 West Region titles (men), 19 of the last 23 CCAA titles (women), 11 women’s regional titles, 31 combined regional titles, 42 combined CCAA titles, and 43 Top‑10 NCAA team finishes between the two genders since 1999. Both teams have qualified for NCAA’s together every year since 2000. Gary begins by sharing his own story: growing up in Corning, discovering running at Shasta College almost by accident, and eventually becoming a very strong marathoner. He talks about the endurance adventures that shaped his toughness and empathy—most notably his “Everest on Cohasset” ride—and how staying fit continues to influence his coaching today. The conversation explores the foundations of the Chico State XC machine: the early years, the culture he built, and the principles that have kept the program consistently elite. Gary opens up about managing a roster of 50 athletes, navigating confidence dips and injuries, and the human side of coaching that often goes unseen. He also breaks down his training philosophy, the importance of Chico’s trails and terrain, and the moment he realized he was building something special. The episode moves into recruiting, where Gary discusses what he looks for beyond times, how the landscape has changed, and how he pitches Chico State to athletes who may not know the program’s history. He shares memorable stories from meets, unforgettable races, and the athletes who left a lasting impact, while…","meta_description":"In Episode 18 of Ross and Petar’s Pod on the Run , the hosts sit down with legendary Chico State head coach Gary Towne , the man behind one of the most do…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":11026,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run-7301227/episodes/the-chico-state-xc-dynasty/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/ross-and-petar-s-pod-on-the-run-7301227/the-chico-state-xc-dynasty.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}