#194 Grief, Boston, and Building Something New: Mark Guyer Returns

Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb Kristian welcomes back a good friend of the podcast, Mark Guyer, for an emotional conversation about Boston Marathon 2025, the loss of his father to pancreatic cancer, and the new projects he has poured himself into since. Mark shares the story of running Boston as part of Puma Project 3 while his father was in his final days, cramping badly at mile 18, and stopping at mile 26 to take off his shoes in tribute to his dad, a lifelong barefoot running enthusiast. He opens up about getting the call that sent him home early, running a big PR just two weeks later on the morning of his father's service, and how leaning on his running community carried him through. The conversation then shifts to what Mark has built since: Syndicate Running, a content platform spotlighting smaller running brands, and Battle of the Run Clubs, a new Strava-based team competition kicking off in August. In this episode: - Running Boston as part of Puma Project 3 while his father was in hospice - Taking his shoes off at mile 26 in honor of his dad - Getting the call and flying home the night of the race - Running a marathon PR on the morning of his father's service - How running and community helped him process grief - Fundraising for pancreatic cancer research with his sons - Building Syndicate Running, a platform spotlighting smaller running brands - Discovering brands like Speedland and the story behind them - Announcing Battle of the Run Clubs, a Strava based team competition - What's next: coaching, Monumental Marathon, and Syndicate's growth Content note: this episode includes an open discussion of a parent's terminal illness and death, and grief. Please take care while listening. Timestamps 00:01 Welcome back and a special shared moment after Boston 00:16 Running Boston as part of Puma Project 3 01:30 Cramping badly at mile 18 02:14 Thinking of his dad, a lifelong barefoot running enthusiast 03:19 Taking his shoes off at mile 26 in tribute 05:24 Getting the call that his father was declining 07:38 Reconnecting after the race and the news that followed 11:24 How community support carried his family through 15:48 Running a big PR two weeks later at the Indy Mini 16:31 Racing on the morning of his father's service 19:27 How running helps him process grief 22:46 Introducing Syndicate Running 27:19 The idea behind spotlighting smaller running brands 29:52 Discovering the shoe brand Speedland 34:02 Announcing Battle of the Run Clubs 36:00 How the August competition works and the prizes 42:53 Where Syndicate Running is headed long term 47:17 Mark's own racing plans: heat exhaustion and Monumental Marathon 51:16 Closing thoughts and where to follow Mark Links referred to by Mark and Kristian: - Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Fundraiser for Philly Marathon - Chris Blow - My Boston Marathon Recap Reel - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXazBs8DopQ/?igsh=MWFzaWt2ZmswbHNoYg== - Battle of the Run Clubs(BOTRC) - https://syndicaterunning.com/battle - Speedland profile by Syndicate Running - https://syndicaterunning.com/journal/speedland-brand-story - The MG Academy coaching - https://themgacademy.com/ - Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irunindy Syndicate Running: https://syndicaterunning.com/ Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwick Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs Music from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY