Latest / Reimagine Running / Reimagine Running | Interview with Devin Henninger S1E13
Transcript
- Coach Ryan Head: Running is a strange thing. Some people find it on the sidewalk at sunrise. Some find it deep in the mountains chasing daylight. And some of us find it when life feels heavy and running is the only thing that makes sense. For some, starts with the 5k. For others, it's a marathon. And for a few, it's a hundred miles that changes everything. But somewhere between the first step and the finish line, something happens. Running stops being about pace or distance or medals. It becomes about purpose. I'm your host Ryan Head. All right, everybody, welcome back to Reimagine Running, the podcast talking about why we run. But this time we got something unique. It's gonna be a little bit different than just running. So I'm excited. This is a little bit different of a podcast, different episode for everybody. We are gonna be talking about with our athlete today, not just running, but also bicycling and swimming. So you're not gonna wanna miss this one. It's gonna be. Hey runner, thanks for hanging out with me today on Reimagine Running. I'm grateful you're here and a part of this great podcast. I just want to remind you, if you ever feel stuck and unsure or just want someone in your corner, I do offer coaching for runners at any distance, whether you're starting out with the 5K or you're chasing some crazy big goals and dreams like the marathon or the 100 miler, I'd love to help you. Please reach out and I'd be happy to set up a time to go over options and plans and goals with you. Well, until next time. super exciting. I am excited to have ⁓ of my good friends join us for this episode. know, ⁓ one thing as I kicking off this podcast, ⁓ one of the things I was really wanting to do ⁓ with ⁓ every guest I on is, you know, my focus is running. That's what my passion is, that's I love, but. And this is Reimagine Running, the podcast dedicated to talking about why we run. Each episode, we'll sit down with runners from every background, trail runners, road runners, beginners, veterans, and talk about their journey. Not just where they've run, but why they run. Because for many of us, running didn't just change our fitness. It helped us find clarity, healing, discipline, hope, and sometimes even ourselves. Whether your why was born on a short loop around the block or somewhere deep inside a long, lonely mile. Take care of yourself, trust the process, stay disciplined and keep chasing that Y. One of the big things that I have always wanted to do ever since I had this idea is I want to bring other people on who aren't just about running. They like swimming, they like bicycling, they like mountain biking, road biking, whatever. I want it to be a little bit diverse and so I figured why not bring on one of my good friends, Devin Henniger, to kick this off for all of us. So I'm excited to have him on. ⁓ ⁓ little bit about Devin. I'm fortunate, just like a previous guest who I had on just This podcast is for you. Welcome to re-imagine running. For us, it was just last night, but whenever this gets recorded, it might be a couple of weeks, but have someone who is one of my neighbors. He doesn't live too far from me, ⁓ he is someone who grew here ⁓ in Davis County area. He currently still lives in the Davis County area, ⁓ and has just absolutely been crushing it with all kinds of different sports. ⁓ A years ago, I remember him talking to me about wanting to tries. Devin Henninger: me. Coach Ryan Head: involved with biking, know running swimming all that jazz and it's been fun to do multiple races with them We have ran ⁓ the a half marathon together We last year did the Ogden marathon, which we're gonna talk about for sure today But we've doing a lot of races together. He has Just been someone who for running his first marathon last year, and I don't want to give it away I was impressed ⁓ at how fast he it how he was just like on point, dedicated, and he truly hit his training block really, really well, which I think was just super, super cool to see from him. So I'm excited just because I think he's someone who like, you know what, when it comes down to like getting after a training plan, really following through, making things happen, ⁓ someone that gets that done. So I'm excited for you guys to hear his story today, talk about not only what he's done, but you know, why he does all this. ⁓ I think it's going to be amazing. So Devin, welcome to the podcast, man. Devin Henninger: Thank you. Thanks for having me. Coach Ryan Head: Yeah, dude, is an honor to have you and you know, I more than anything, it's not only is just awesome to have you on as a, you know, as a great athlete, but I appreciate you as a good friend as well. We've known each other now for, in a weird way, I can tell people this story, ⁓ we grew up, we actually went to high school together, but Devin was a year younger than me and worked with my older brother as a janitor. you probably like to cut that crap. Don't say that, but ⁓ anyways. Devin Henninger: Thank Coach Ryan Head: They worked as editors at a local junior high. And so it's been cool. We've known each other, hung out a few times in high school and knows all my brothers, which is just crazy just because of, you know, living in the same neighborhood or working with them. It's just been kind of crazy. So it's been cool to, know, just this weird connection that we have, this small world connection. You know, one thing that I've been doing with every guest that I've had on recently, it's kind of been a new thing. So I, and I haven't been given it away to anybody yet a question, cause I just for all of our listeners, I don't just crush people with just random questions. I usually give them a list of different questions so they can kind of feel like they can come prepared. ⁓ But one question I haven't been given people, ⁓ which it's kind of fun. It's kind of a wild card thing. Before we get into talking about running, for you, for this episode, before we get into biking or swimming, I'd like to know something about you that has nothing to do with any of those sports. ⁓ is something that you're passionate about, ⁓ you like to do? I've had someone on recently who talked about planting, they love flowers, they love gardening, ⁓ I recently had someone also on that we talked about Star Wars for ⁓ minutes, which we both geeked out for a long time, which was amazing, by the way. But yeah, tell us something about you not, you know running swimming biking related triathlete related What what's what's something unique about you that maybe it's we don't know about? Devin Henninger: love scuba diving. It's water sport. It's not necessarily exercise can be, but I love scuba diving. My wife and I try to go anytime we have a trip together. It almost always is revolving around something diving. Coach Ryan Head: That's it. That's super cool. I remember you talking to me a little bit about that. What was it last year or the year before? How you feeling from that? I know that there was a little bit of a scary episode there with your ear and stuff like that, but do you feel like things have healed up Devin Henninger: Yeah, no, they, yes, they filled up. I have had incidents, but this last January, we were able to go and do it again, and actually the year before that. So I've had several times to go out and dive since my most recent incident. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome. So name, tell us a place that you've been. it's not just like a swimming pool or something. If it is, that's cool. But what's fun place that you guys, you and your wife have gone to ⁓ to scuba diving? Devin Henninger: I would just did a a dive. That was something new for us ⁓ doing at night. We've done lots of day, but we've done the Atlantic, we've done the Pacific, like the Atlantic a little bit more, but Pacific and ⁓ Hawaii was awesome. Coach Ryan Head: Wow. That's cool. That's super cool. Huh, wow. insane. So man, scuba diving. I don't know. I think could do it. We've had people on here talking about like skydiving and stuff like that. And I'm like, dude, there's no way. That's not, I'm never gonna do it. You can't pay me. There's just no way. ⁓ don't think there's good reason to jump out of a perfectly operational plane, but I digress. I think I could that off. I know Cody Vable's gonna laugh at this. He's always wanting to cure my fear of flying, but anyways, he's gonna laugh at that one. ⁓ think scuba diving I might be able to do. I think that's pretty, ⁓ actually pretty cool. That's awesome. I love that. So awesome, dude. Well, let's jump into it. It's the same question I ask every single person to start off with. I'm gonna throw it at you as well. ⁓ did all become important to you? ⁓ Or did, know, whether it was when you were a little kid, maybe it was, you know. teenage, adult years, when did running, biking, and swimming become important to you? And maybe each one's a different time and all that jazz, but yeah, when did it become what it is to you now? Devin Henninger: Well, a teenager, I liked running. I did it more for exercise ⁓ than until about 2024. I did it just for exercise. And to be honest, I thought who in the world would want to pay to go and run? Like, why would you do that? Anyway, I had a cousin reach out and hey, there's a triathlon up in the Spudman. up in Idaho that we've been doing it for a couple of years and you should really, you should really think about it. I didn't know too much about triathlons then. And the first year that he invited me, I was like, that sounds unfun. And so I declined and he persisted on me and said, no, this is, this is really a lot of fun. It's pretty easy. First one, it's a river. It's going to be easy on the swim. The biking's fun. You use a road bike. I thought how uncomfortable. That's miserable. he persisted on me and convinced myself and my wife to, to join in the, uh, the 2024. And so I started, uh, training for it and was super nervous for it for about six months of, of training. And that's probably where I first got into it. I didn't necessarily have a, a why behind it besides, Hey, I have this coming up and I don't want to die. Um, Coach Ryan Head: Yeah. Devin Henninger: And I want to be somewhat comfortable as I do it so when I finish I'm not feeling like... I had never swam that distance before. That one was an Olympic race distance, so that's a mile swim. being a Boy Scout, I had swam, but never did the mile swim. So I thought that was kind of a decent go. But it didn't occur to me until after that race finished that this was a lot of A lot of fun, and then I kind of went from there. of signing up for more and then after one or two, ⁓ think I started to find out my why, ⁓ ⁓ a little different, but that's how I got into it. Coach Ryan Head: Dude, that's super cool. And thank you for being like, letting us know the distances. Cause dude, I know I've heard it a million times, and not a million times, that's an exaggeration. But when people talk about tries and like Olympic versus sprints or whatever, I dude, I don't know what those mean. So I always appreciate when you can kind of clarify what that means. So, so was the spud man an Olympic? Is that what it's called? Like an Olympic try? What does that entail? Devin Henninger: was No, so the the Spudman does too. They do the sprint and they do the Olympic. The sprint is a little bit shorter. So. See if I explain it in a way that's not too confusing. A sprint ⁓ is. I think around ⁓ half mile swim, by a 12 to 13 mile bike ride, followed by a three mile run or a 5K. The Olympic is a double that, so one mile swim. and a 26 plus mile ride and then a 10K, so six miles. Then you jump to a half. And it's not quite double, it's actually a little bit more. So it's a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile ride, and 13.1 mile or half marathon run. And then a full Ironman is double that. Coach Ryan Head: Okay. No, that's... Okay. Yeah. Okay. Devin Henninger: So a half Ironman is 70.3 miles and a full Ironman is 140.6. Coach Ryan Head: Hmm, that's crazy. Okay, okay. Well, I'm, know, for all of our listeners who are just runners, like, there you go. That's all the miles and the distances you have to go for doing an Ironman. That's super cool. I, again, I'm in awe of people that do that. And I'll tell you why. We'll jump into those stories in a moment as we, you know, as we continue forward. But I'm so impressed that in 2024, this is when you got into it, because you're just like, yeah, like, I'm going to try this and just see what happens. then, you know, one thing's led to another. And I know you've just been getting after it and, you know, just chasing down one goal after another, after another. And it's been cool to see. It's been kind of fun to watch your progression as you've gone forward. You know, and as you just continue to get after each, you know, each distance and each, you know, each race or event, you will. So that's awesome. So I guess tell us how did that first spudman go for you? What was your time on that? I know usually I always ask everybody what their time was for their first marathon and we will ask you that shortly but what was your time for any of our listeners who are triathletes? What was your first time on that? Devin Henninger: I think for the Spudman it was around two hours and 35 minutes. Coach Ryan Head: Awesome. That's awesome. That's cool. I'm sure I know it's kind of fun. I'm like, have no idea what we're talking about, but I'm sure that's a really good time. And regardless, you know what? You were out there. You did it. so many of us who are like me that refuse to do like any of that kind of stuff. So that's awesome. ⁓ I, ⁓ know, ⁓ I will share story I'm not going to talk about it otherwise, like on any other episodes if we're talking about running exclusively, but I have like a pretty bad fear of swimming. think I've told you this personally, but I'm happy to share it on here. I mean, could I go swimming if I needed to? Yes. Can I do it if I'm in a life and death situation? Sure. But there's a big lake here in Utah, kind of on the Idaho Utah border called Bear Lake. And I was 22 years old, I was kind of of shape. Very, very big guy. I put on a lot of weight ⁓ and but I still felt like I was a teenager. So I jumped into Bear Lake without a life preserver on or a life jacket, whatever. you know, just my luck being, I in the water and sure enough, like a storm starts coming in and I knew it was coming in, like we could see it, but I didn't think it was gonna hit this hard on Bear Lake. And we've all heard the stories. So why I thought I was gonna be any different, but you don't think it's you until you're in this situation, right? And so I'm in the water ⁓ and... Sure enough like it starts white capping like Bear Lake's white capping and I'm like, okay I got to get back to the boat. Well, I'm trying to swim right and I'm I can't catch up to the boat the boats game push faster than I can swim and I'm like This is it man. Like I think this is how it all ends and I was getting really scared Well, my niece was in the water with me and I kept yelling to her I was like, hey stay away from me because I know I'm getting like I'm in shock not in shock, but like getting super panicky and I'm like I'll drown you like I know I'll drown you and so one of my brothers could tell I was kind of in distress ⁓ he just like perfect You know, Joe Montana throw whatever he hits me with a lifejacket. They come speeding as fast as possible to get over there He grabs a lifejacket and throws it hits me I'm able to wrap around it and just stay afloat ⁓ I I'm not kidding. I was probably 20 seconds away from being like, done. was just that severe fatigue in my legs, in my chest. Like I couldn't breathe. I was like, I've given everything I can. And bare legs already kind of had a little bit of elevation, maybe like 5,000 feet or so above level. And so I was scared. I was really, really scared. And so it's left a mark on me. I'm always like, dude, I do not even want to try like getting in deep water. It just scares me so bad after something like that. And again, can I swim in a bad, know, in a worst case scenario? Sure. But I'm usually hesitant to just jump in for kicks and giggles, but we'll move on. I'll share my biking one here soon. We'll share why I'm afraid of biking to hear it a minute. So we'll keep moving forward. So well, awesome, dude. Well, I don't want to miss the opportunity to talk about what you did last year in twenty twenty five. with two races that me and you shared together because that was really, really fun for me to run with you on a half marathon and a full marathon. So why don't you take a minute and walk us through what happened with both of those. Devin Henninger: ⁓ So yeah, we started out with the half kind of used it at least for me and as a prep ⁓ for full marathon. And I was, ⁓ I was a little bit nervous. I had been suffering ⁓ from some shin splints and didn't know if I was going to be able to ⁓ make it, but we, decided to get there a little bit early for the ⁓ half and it out. And that did the trick. And I thought it was a blast running with you and your brother. And that was just fun. mean, we encountered some interesting scenarios there near the end. But it ended well. then the full was just, oh, it fun. It was so fun. I thought, I was nervous. I didn't know how I was going to hang on there. But I did and just loved every second. Coach Ryan Head: ⁓ good. That's awesome. I remember on that, on that half marathon. it was the Farmington half marathon here in Utah and it's run by a really good organization, Race Pace. Laura's doing awesome stuff with it. ⁓ I remember cause it was what I think it was a week before the Ogden marathon, right? Is it a week or maybe two weeks? One of the two. Yeah. One week. ⁓ I remember my brother, he kind of likes to go fast always. He just wants to run, run, run, run, run. And I'm like, Devin Henninger: Yeah, it was moving. It's not a circle. Coach Ryan Head: I remember just being like, hey, I'm going slow. You guys can do whatever pace you want, but like I'm keeping it like a 930, 940 pace. Don't even feel bad that I'm going to go that slow because I know we have Ogden the week after that's when it's really going to matter. And it was really cool because you were just like, hey, like if that's what we're going to do, that's what we're going to do. ⁓ And just ⁓ stuck us and we slowly went after it. It was fun to see other people fly past us and whatnot. I'm like, and I remember just always having in my mind, I'm like, remember, we got something coming up next week that that's gonna be the kicker. Like that's where our focus needs to be and what have you. But yeah, dude, why don't you tell what happened at mile, what was it? 11 and a half, 12 of the race? What happened there, dude? It was crazy. was kind of, it was one of those moments that kind of shook you. It shook me. I've been, how long have I been running now? It shook me, I'm not gonna lie, Devin Henninger: I think it started actually closer to around mile six or so is this this individual ran past us and told us that they weren't feeling very good and and I remember you and the rest of us kind of said well you know take it easy you want to like race race another day this isn't a kill yourself sort of a thing this individual I don't Coach Ryan Head: You're right. Devin Henninger: listen to that and so they seem to continue to run fast and slow down, run fast and slow down. So we could always see them in front of us and then yeah, what is it around mile 11 or so is we were coming up and we saw this individual laying on the ground and got closer and I think it was her sister or someone who she's not feeling good and she's kind of like a little bit unconscious. And I remember we kind of picked her up and brought her to the shade and you called the race official just to let them know saying, hey, someone's here. think the sister had already called parents that were coming to check up on. Don't know if I ever heard what happened at the end, but that we kind of stopped for a few minutes to make sure we could get her into the shade and had help along the way. Coach Ryan Head: Yeah, yeah, that's right. was kind of crazy because, ⁓ know, it's always, I mean, I don't know if this was fun, but it's always fun with running because you'll make these memories ⁓ some of them are good, some of them are a little scary like this one, but I remember it was a hot day. It was a warm, like ⁓ May, and May's starting to get warm here in Utah for those listeners outside of Utah. Devin Henninger: Yeah. Coach Ryan Head: but it's not supposed to be like in the high 70s, low 80s and the morning was just warm already. we start race, right? And, and I remember like you're saying, like she was kind of with us a lot of the time. And I remember thinking like, is she like a walk, run method? Like where she will like, like run really fast for a mile. And then do like a walk break for a quarter mile, whatever. And I'm like, is she doing this? Like I was trying to figure out what she did. And I remember, like you said, it was like mile six. She's like, I just threw up. And we're like, dude, like you probably should calm down. Like just bring it back a little bit. Like it's a hot day. We all realize that. like bring your pace back anyways. So you're right. We were kind of playing like this yo-yo game with her where we would like pass her and then she pass us and It just kind of, it kind of went that way for a long time. and then anyways, I don't know if you saw this because I remember seeing it, but I remember as we were coming down that rail trail path ⁓ and truly less than a mile from the finish line. ⁓ She, could see her in front of us and she was doing like the wobble, right? Like the wobble. ⁓ Yeah. Devin Henninger: Yeah, just where she collapsed, Coach Ryan Head: And I remember being like, and I think I said a swear word, but I was like, crap. And I was like, we gotta get up to her. And so I'm like trying to run as fast as possible because you could see her just doing this. Now she's gonna block out. Like that's exactly what my thought was. And ⁓ obviously too far back and she ⁓ kind hits the ground. I don't think she smacked her head, at least not hard. And like said, like we got over there and she's just like, right, like ⁓ not in good place. And so. I still remember my brother Kyle, had his water bottle with him and I was like, Kyle, you got to give her your water. And he's like, dude, like that's weird. Like I, it's my water bottle. I like, dude, she's not doing good. Like you got to put it up to her mouth and let her drink some cause she's like completely dehydrated. And so he's like, you know, he's like trying to put it up. Like it's like some baby calf or something. I don't know. It's just kind of funny. And he's like trying to get her to drink some water. And so she was, and then I remember we're like, we've got to get her over to the shade. Cause it was a hot day, right? The sun was out. And so we like all of us like kind of grab like a leg of hers and arm and I remember being like, hey, are you okay if we do this? And I don't think she ever responded. But I was like, you know, I work in HR professionally and you know, all of us are pretty good guys. Like I don't think any of us would do anything malicious, but I'm always like, I still want to ask like to make sure we can touch you and pick you up and carry over. And I don't think she responded. I think she was just like so out of it, dude. And I was like, holy cow, like that. Devin Henninger: Thank Coach Ryan Head: That was a little scary. anyways, remember we got her over there. We got her in the shade. We stayed with her for a while. ⁓ remember just being like, not that we were going that fast. I think we probably would have got like it just a slightly over two hour finish. But remember just at that point, I was like, you know, this really kind of brings everything into focus and you know, what's most important in life. And I'm like, I don't really care about my pace. I don't really care about the race right now. And like you said, I did call the race director and was like, dude, you guys had someone that just fell. anyways, did. Luckily all ended well there. was told that yeah, their family got there, was able to get her off the course. And she was doing a lot better because we got her in the shade and we got her a little bit of water. So it helped out a ton. Just getting her feeling a little bit better. And then from there, things just kind of progressed. So it was good. I kind of think me and you both played a pretty good part in trying to get her. off of that and keep her from getting worse. Let me put it that way. So, but that's awesome. Well, that's crazy. Well, walk us through Ogden. did the Ogden, so last year in 2025 was the Ogden Marathon your very first marathon. Devin Henninger: Yes, yes it was. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome. So how did it go? Tell us, tell us what it was like. mean, obviously I was there, but yeah, tell us, tell everybody how it went. You know, I mean, you don't have to go mile by mile, but how did it feel and what, how did the day go? Like, what was it all like for you? Devin Henninger: I thought it was good and the way that you had described it to me, ⁓ we hit some really, really good weather, even though there was a thunderstorm, we ran in the rain for a minutes. It's not really well. So I mean, cold in the beginning. I'm glad that you gave me the suggestion to go get like a DI sweatshirt that I could ditch along the way because that helped. And I thought, you know, probably because it was downhill, it just, it seemed like it just was a little bit easier. And I kept at a pace that I didn't think that I could and maybe that's because it was downhill a bit, but I don't know. To me, the miles went really, really fast and we came up on the half, the halfway point pretty quick. And at least in my mind, obviously the time irrelevant. It is what it is, ⁓ but ⁓ happened fast. then shortly after that is when we turned the corner and we hit the hill. And I just remember you saying, don't leave me, just stick with it and you'll get, you'll get past it. And I think that was good. was so grateful to run alongside you because I probably would have stopped and walked a little bit. But we found a pace that we could manage up it and continue on with it. And then hitting on down through the canyon was just so fun. I remember probably around mile 22, 23, I remember I turned and looking at it and I thought, I think I hit the wall. I am tired. I am hurting. And finished out and... And I mean, I remember I took all the gatorades and the waters. I didn't take any of the other gels because I only wanted to use my own that I had been training with and didn't want to make stomach issues. I remember at the bottom of the canyon, there was one aid station that they were like handing out bacon. was like, what are you doing? Like, that's going to ruin me. Like, get it on my face. And I remember I had stopped for water and you passed me. And so I caught up to you. And then we were going through the the nature park area, the Ogden walkway. And ⁓ you had told me, you said, hey, if you have anything left, go. And I'm thinking to myself, I don't have anything left. I'm just looking make So I think I went a little bit ahead, ⁓ then ⁓ was fun. But I'll say, to be honest, at the very end, when you turn the corner and you just got to head down the last stretch, that's like the stretch that never ends. And it just ⁓ hurts. And hurt and then I'm running past, I'm watching these other people who had already finished and they're walking with their medals and I'm like, ⁓ my word, have forever to go. And I'm hurting and I don't want to stop and walk and I'm hurting. So, but I did it. I was so happy. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome, dude. Okay, let's dive into this because you touched on a lot of fun parts and so many things that everybody has like, they all have the same, you know, thoughts as you and, you know, kind of wear your heads out with a lot of that race. you know, ⁓ it really cool to see you like stay with me. I was having a good day because it was cooler and. ⁓ I was actually surprised at how fast I went for the race. didn't anticipate because I hadn't done a true, you know, like speed work for the race. So was like, well, we'll just see what happens. And I remember I just kept looking over at you and I was like, man, he looks strong. He looks really, really good. And I guess, you know, that would be my first question I throw at you is like, how, how, how were you able to sustain that effort for so long? Because I mean, obviously, right, you faded a little bit at the end, but who doesn't? We all do. there, unless you're an elite and you're running for the Olympics, you're probably not going to fade too much. But what did you do in your training to get you to that point? Because it was impressive. Like, dude, you, you were just, you were moving. And I was like, okay, this is his first marathon. He's going to do like a three 40 with me. Like, and I'm not saying that that's not possible, but like most people don't do a sub four. In my opinion, most people don't do a sub four hour marathon prior to, ⁓ know, on their very first, but yeah, you did a 340. So yeah, like what did you do in your training to get you ready for that in your opinion? Devin Henninger: ⁓ whether I should or shouldn't, continue with pain. I think I had had several injuries ⁓ and learned to live with pain and just keep going. Just endure and say, I can't imagine how I would feel if I didn't. ⁓ And I of think to myself like, this is, this is not lasting. This pain is not going to last forever. Coach Ryan Head: Just endure. Yeah. Devin Henninger: but I'll wonder forever could I have given it more? And so I just pushing through it saying it'll end, it'll eventually end. Coach Ryan Head: Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, well it was really cool to see because I just kept thinking like, I can't, not trying to downplay what you are as an athlete because ⁓ are really good and you told me a lot about yourself that day but I just kept thinking he's not gonna stay with me. I seriously kept thinking like he's not going to, he's gonna fade because there's no way this dude on his first marathon is be able to stay with someone who's on his. whatever it was at the time, his 16th marathon or eight 17th marathon. was like, not a chance. He's not doing this. And I'm just like, you know, we get down the canyon and the canyon, everyone can go fast down the canyon. We get through mile eight of Ogden and you're just right there with me. You're like, dude, I'm feeling good. I'm like, great. Like let's, and then I'm like, Hey, make sure you're taking your trition. Let's get hydration at all the eight stations. And we were just on point. We're boom, boom, boom, just hitting everything. You know, trying to hit every 30 minutes on nutrition. was like, dude, Let's keep it going, like we're gonna be fine. And then the whole time thinking to myself like, okay, let's see if he can do this. And like you said, we get to the halfway point and I'm like, I remember just turning to you and I was like, I got kind of emotional, like I was like really excited, I guess not emotional, but just like full of energy. was like, dude, you're kicking butt, man. I'm like, dude, I'm so proud of you. Like, let's go, let's keep it going. And I remember I told you, I was like, hey, if you stay with me on marathons, I don't do a lot of talking unless I'm going slow, like unless I'm just gonna. what I'm doing tomorrow where I'm going to pay somebody and I'm just staying with them all time and I'll talk the whole time then. But I was like, hey, if you're going to stay with me and ⁓ I'm going all out, I'm going to chat. So if you want to hang, that's totally cool. But let's just, we'll talk periodically. And I just kept looking and you're like right there. And so I ⁓ periodically like every like three four miles, I'm like, dude, you're doing amazing. Like you're right there sticking it. And so like you said, we got to the infamous mile 14 of the Ogden marathon and it feels, it feels like big hill, doesn't it? Like I think does not. Yeah. It it it it's destroyed many people's races and I'm sure it was probably in my I don't know. Maybe one of the last miles was your slow smile. But was it your one of your slower miles climbing up that hill? Devin Henninger: It is. No, actually it wasn't. It was the end. Coach Ryan Head: It wasn't? That's awesome, dude. I asked that just because it's funny how whenever I talk to people about that, that mile, so it truly like almost starts right at mile 14. And it's like, it's like a half mile of climbing and it's really not that high. It's maybe like 200 feet. But when you see it, it looks like just forever. And it has like so many people will get like totally wrecked on it. And and they'll look at their pace and they're like, I just dropped down by like a minute on my overall pace. ⁓ me on my first marathon. ⁓ was like, dude, that was awful. But it was really cool for you, like me and you talking. I was just like, hey, stay with me. Lock in on my pace and focused. Don't lose focus because if you can push and get to the top of this from here, it's rolling until... We hit the spillway and then it's basically all downhill with some flat sections, but there's no more major climbs. Like you're done. This is the end of it. And it was so cool to just see you power through that. And we got up there to the top of it, get to mile 15, that eight station there. And I'm like, he's doing good. But I remember when we got to the spillway, I don't know if you remember that, but we got to the spillway, so it's mile 18. I'm like, how you doing? And again, you may not remember it's totally fine, but I just remember you being like, yeah, I'm hurting dude. You're like, I'm starting to hurt a little bit. And I was like, that's okay. That's okay. Hey, we got, we got eight miles to the finish. Like you've done eight miles and you're training so many times. This isn't going to be even a problem. Um, and like you said, we ran down the canyon, the canyon was fun. And I remember, like you said, we got, we got down there. We were like 20 mile 24, 23, 24. And I was like, dude, you look super strong. And. me right road marathons are fun. I love them. They're great, but it's not my it's never my a race And so I was like dude, I've had fun. I don't know if I want to keep pushing this hard I'm good 24 miles at this effort was amazing for me I'm to slow it down to a nine minute pace and just finish at a nine minute pace and I remember you just ⁓ I like dude Just go if you've got it left go for it you did and it was like man. He's he's good Like he's he's got this all figured out but yeah, I mean And then like you said, then everybody always talks about that last mile as you pass like the Ogden temple and you're, know, you just Grant Avenue feels like a lifetime. And you're like, dude, it might ever gonna get to the finish line, but dude, you did man. And I remember you were like, dude, you barely like, you're like, was just, I was barely in front of you. had a, know, kind of a couple of hiccups there at the end. But yeah, we both came in right around what it was at three 43, three 44, three 45, something like that. And I just was impressed, man. Devin Henninger: you Coach Ryan Head: Like I was so impressed with the work that you put in to do that and to just to just power through that race. It was it was super impressive. What ⁓ bit of advice would you share ⁓ somebody doing first marathon? What would you tell somebody that you're like, you know, like let's say someone's like, you know, Devin, you crushed it on your marathon. And I know you're like just in dirt pain and I get that I'm with you, but Whether it was you you learn that in training or nutrition or hydration or whatever? What would you what would you recommend to somebody? That's doing the first marathon and how to be successful at it Devin Henninger: Definitely put in the effort, put in the time. It's not something you probably should do last minute. Definitely focus on the nutrition, find out what works for you. Don't wait till the very last second on what works for you. yeah, like I mentioned, the pain, or to be honest, you need to figure out when things go wrong, what do you need to do to adjust to be able to push through. If you haven't out... ever had a problem before, well, you're going to. And ⁓ race day is probably not the best day to find out what you're gonna do. I'll ⁓ examples on that on other races, but yeah, ⁓ out what works ⁓ and put in the time. Coach Ryan Head: Dude, I wanna hear an example, throw us an example, and it can be anything, Because I 100 % agree with you. There are reasons why I do certain races leading up to Wall Sucham Bear, because the purpose of that race is not to race. The purpose of that race is to test everything out and see if I'm ready to go. But yeah, give us an example of that. Like maybe on a run, it didn't have to be another race, because I don't expect that to be the case, but. Yeah, sure, sure. I'd love to hear an example of that. Maybe it's just on a training run or whatever. Yeah. Devin Henninger: actually it was a race. So I had actually signed up for the Ogden Marathon in order to prep myself for something a little bit more, see if I could take on more. And if I couldn't have finished the marathon, then I would maybe reconsider. So I was using that to prep for my 70.3, the half Ironman in Boise that I did last July. And ⁓ I did that marathon. Then I went and did another Olympic triathlon Jordanelle. And wasn't a flat race like Spudman was, it was relatively flat. So this one had hills. I underestimated it. I completely it and was just, it was horrible. ⁓ after, well, wasn't horrible, but I felt horrible. ⁓ And after race, I thought, how in the world am I going to be able to do double this? And so, When my Ironman came, ⁓ nutrition was one of those things. I made it through, but I did not dial it in. I was so worried about having stomach issues that I was going to be sick for ⁓ sitting the bike, giving it 80, 90 % effort for three hours. ⁓ Is stomach going to shut down? And so ⁓ thought that I had loaded the before. And then the morning came and I'm feeling nauseous. Right before the swim, I'm feeling nauseous. I get in the water, I swim the 1.2 miles, I'm fine. I get out of the water and I'm nauseous. Okay, whatever, get on the bike and I go. I took through 56 miles of riding, I took two gels, 200 calorie gels. Totally not enough, but I was so worried the whole time, like I'm gonna be sick if I try to force feed myself more. I took enough electrolytes, had enough electrolytes, but didn't do that. And so I'm coming down near the end of mile 53 and knowing I only, I'm slowing down a bit and I'm like, I am feeling nauseous. If I don't like rain it back a little bit, I'm not gonna be able to run 13 miles. And so I rained it back a little bit, started my run. I'm four miles in and I'm thinking, I'm done. I am not gonna make it. And then I start realizing like, need to start Even though you're fearful, it's gonna start making you ⁓ So I started taking a lot more electrolytes. I was downing tons of electrolytes every mile and energy just came back and soared and made me feel a lot better. Now on the reverse side, I had a cousin who went with me and I think he took a few too many gels and he had the reverse effect where he ended up being sick at the end. but we're feeling sick at the end. So for me, I to figure it out. I didn't figure it out enough. I thought I knew, but then I got a little bit nervous and didn't know how to adjust until near the end. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome. Dude, I love that you figured that out. And again, sometimes it does take a race to do it. it's just you do it on your training runs. But sometimes, I'm not gonna lie, a lot of times it's been the same for me as I'm like, okay, I guess I gotta go figure this out on a race. you know, for better or worse, I mean, there's a reason why tomorrow will my 19th marathon and then, you know, in a month from now it'll be my 20th because I spent like first 10 to ⁓ 12. like just figuring out why I bonk so hard every time, why I struggle on the downhills, why I struggle on flats, why I struggle with the heat. I learned the hard way on someone that just so much of his stuff and I wish I would have hired a coach, but I'm also stubborn. So I don't know if I would have listened to another coach tell what to do, but it's cool to hear you just be like, I had a kind of problem solve and figure out how to do all this stuff. so that you could in turn be able to just slay it get after your races. So yeah, so how did that Ironman or half Ironman go later in the summer? How did that go for you? Devin Henninger: It was fun. It was also hard. There's on the bike race, ⁓ there some hills. Luckily I had with his cousin, I'd gone up a month ⁓ earlier or a couple weeks earlier and we went and actually rode that course. So that was super helpful that it wasn't my first ⁓ time on the course. The run was good. It was hot and warm. So I was grateful for all ⁓ the supporters were out there, little kids with squirt guns hosing us down. That was nice. The swim was I Thought it was hard. It was hard in the morning up at Lucky Peak in Idaho There's a wind and so you you get pushed around they get They can get a little bit of white caps and you're swimming through it And then there were enough people there that were struggling that needed to be rescued That they didn't have enough kayaks and so they had wake boats. They brought in wake boats So wake boats are like coming in and casting this monster wave while we're trying to swim. And so you go to take a breath, you're like, well, no breath there, because I'm going to get slammed by a wave. ⁓ The waves were so bad that I couldn't properly rotate in my swim. And so I would just rotate my head and my wetsuit was, either I didn't put enough lube there, but I rubbed raw. And so I'm out of the water. And then the whole rest of the race, I'm like sweating or putting sunscreen on it. And I'm just pain because I've got this massive raw spot. Coach Ryan Head: my gosh. Devin Henninger: Um, but, but I did it. I was worried that I wasn't going to make it. Um, I got in the water and I know some people are like, Oh, it's not cold. Yeah. was freezing. I was numb. Luckily. And I'm going to say it was, it turned out so well. Every other triathlon I have, I struggled to figure out my breathing. And so I'm gasping or I'm on my back and about two minutes into this swim, it clicked and it just, everything I could do, I could do the front crawl. Coach Ryan Head: I love it, yeah. Devin Henninger: with ease and I mean I still wasn't lightning fast but I could do it and I wasn't gasping and I was just, I was so awesome to do that. So it was a blast. I just absolutely loved it. I was hoping for under six but I finished just slightly above six. I'm still super excited, ready to give it another shot this year. ⁓ Coach Ryan Head: That's Huh, that's cool, dude. I think that's really awesome that you've just taken so many of these lessons that you've had and you've put them all together and you feel like you had a great race. And again, I know we all have times that we all shoot for and you're like, ⁓ I'd to hit this time, but I always feel like you're building that fortress, you're building that bridge, whatever you wanna call it, get yourself to where you'll be able to just send it and just crush it here. Shortly because you've just been so consistent you've been just trying to get after it over and over and over You know just good things are gonna happen because of that. So that is that is super cool to hear Love love to hear that. So awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Well Love to gears a little bit with you and more about your why and why you do any of this stuff and and the reason why I love having this conversation on this podcast and the episodes is everybody that I have on, we're all just regular people, right? Like every one of us is working our nine to five. Every one of us is, you know, most of us have families, um, kids were, we're busy, right? And then. You know, it's almost like we're, if you will, we're kind of like superheroes. Like we have this other reality that we live in, if you will, or secret identity that we get to go and just do crazy stuff. it's not normal. Like even though for us it's normal and me and you can sit and talk about it, I'm sure people in our neighborhood who will just stare at us like, you two are crazy. Like, why would you do that? Like that is nuts. it makes zero sense, but to us, it makes sense. So yeah, I mean, ⁓ do you do this? And I'm kind of excited because I don't wanna lead the witness to start off, but I ⁓ wanna lead the witness eventually because I know something about you that I've observed and I think is really cool. But yeah, why do you do all this, man? Why ⁓ it so important to you? Devin Henninger: Well, just real quick to go back, I'm to say for those who say that we're nuts, most of those are ones who have never tried it or done it. I have found that the biggest supporters, the biggest cheerleaders are those of us who are actually doing it because we know what it takes and we know how hard it is. And so that's actually for me what it turned to for the first one. It was because I was compelled do it. And ⁓ then thought this was fun. Let me do it again. And then it continued and then I started looking for something more and more difficult and it's come to morph into I do it because it's hard and I need it to be hard. And if it's not hard, why am I doing it? I need it to test me. I need ⁓ question like do on some of ⁓ the swimming portions why in the world am I out here? I need a question like I do on some of the swimming portions saying why in the world am out here? And then I have to quickly refocus and say, I'm glad that I am out here. This is hard. Because if I can figure out how to overcome something hard physical in this short six hour, hour, whatever small period, if I can figure out how to make it through some really hard times when my mind and my body say stop, you shouldn't do this anymore. If I can overcome that then. And then I have to quickly refocus and say, I'm glad that I am out here. This is hard. Because if I can figure out how to overcome something hard physical in this short six hour, hour, whatever ⁓ time period, if I can figure out how to make it through some really hard times when my mind and my body say stop, you shouldn't do this anymore. If I can overcome that then. I can overcome more difficult things in life anything that comes my way of needing to learn patience of how am I treating others? How am I speaking others? What are actions doing? And if I'm doing something wrong, do I the strength, the mental strength to say, no, I can correct, can do, I can not give I can do something harder. I can overcome more difficult things in life anything that comes my way of needing to learn patience of how am I treating others? How am I speaking others? ⁓ What my actions doing? And if I'm doing something ⁓ wrong, I have the strength, the mental strength to say, no, I can correct, can do, ⁓ I not give in, I can do something harder. So ⁓ that's. For me, I'm doing it because it's hard. And even when I'm training, I'm used to, I'm in pain. I have a few injuries that I've gone through. I've even done one of these races on a broken rib against medical advice. And I'm not condoning that saying that someone should go against their doctors with issues. But I did it and does it hurt? Yeah, it hurts. And if it's not hurting, I'm thinking something's wrong. Now, yes, it's nice to have some nice, just easy, fun. unhurting times, but that's what I'm looking for. I'm doing it because I'm going to grow from it. And if I'm not trying, if I'm not making it more difficult, then I'm not growing. Coach Ryan Head: Dude, I love it, man. I love it. I love that you want hard. that resonates with me ⁓ much. And I it because that's the one thing I've known about you ⁓ ever like, know, ever you got really into all this stuff and you've been really pushing it and you've asked questions about running and you know, with me and everything. I'm like, he likes this. is really cool to see of him. Devin Henninger: This is really... Coach Ryan Head: And to see him just push himself and continually go after it. I think that's just so cool of you. and seeing you just, you know, try to push your boundaries. Cause I'm the same way. Like when I think of like Wasatch or bear, they're so hard ⁓ and know, that mean you've talked about it so many times, but you know, just because maybe I make it look like it's possible doesn't mean it's necessarily easy. And I love to tell people that I'm like, It's not easy. It's really really hard and it's something that I just put so much work in and I perfect it and like you said like I am constantly you know in the spring in the summer in the fall Trying to figure out every little thing on and and trying to find every advantage I have with my body like what can I do to improve my knees? What can I do to make me a better climber? What can I do to make my sure my core my back stays healthy? during the races and been fun. It's fun to sit here and troubleshoot because like you said, yes, it's physical and I love that, but the real game, it's always up here. It's always in the mind for me. And I'm like, that's the stuff where I always say to myself like, ⁓ focus, ⁓ focused mentally. Like you can do the hard things, you're gonna go far. Like you're gonna go far, you gotta stay locked in mentally because a lot of times all you gotta do is just move. You just gotta be moving. And even if you're slow at it, if you're moving, is a pace, forward is a pace. Whatever that pace is, doesn't matter. As long as you're moving forward, you're gonna do great things. And so I love that. I think that's super cool. So thank you for sharing that. ⁓ thing I wanted to touch on, ⁓ because as an observer, I'm always watching little things ⁓ paying close attention. definitely see that from you. You like hard. But one thing that I've noticed ⁓ your kids are watching you and you're an example to them. And I've noticed that because well, is one of your kids running the half marathon with you here in a few weeks? Devin Henninger: Yep. My oldest. Yep. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome. And I know it's hard for him. I mean, how old he again? We don't need to say his name, but he's what, 14, 13, something like that? Yeah. And he's gonna run a half marathon. When I was 13, I was not considering running a half marathon. That was probably the last thing I would have ever wanted to do. But you've set this example for him. Devin Henninger: 13. Coach Ryan Head: And maybe it is your wife, maybe it's part of your wife, maybe it's not. And that's okay if it is or isn't and you're like, I don't care if my kids do it. And I'm the same way. don't care if my kids ever run a marathon. I don't care if my kids ever run a hundred miler. That's not the point. What I want to prove to my children is that hard is possible. And just because it looks hard, it looks impossible, doesn't mean it is. That you can do hard things and get after it. And I share this just because, It was really cool. Like he's doing a half marathon, which is just really cool to see him do. But he ⁓ around, this was ⁓ a month or so ago, him and one of his buddies in my neighborhood, and was asking to do work around the house, around my house, or detail my car. And I was like, you know what? I'm gonna give him an opportunity. So I was like, you guys come back and detail my car later this week. Let's do this. I'm excited. I want to let you guys do this. And they spent, I think it was three hours cleaning my car. And I'm gonna be honest, they did amazing. And I remember thinking to myself, there's no way when I was 13, I would have detailed somebody's car. I hated, I still don't like it. I don't even like it now. Why would I want to do it now? And I just remember thinking like, You know, your son has probably seen your example and I'm sure your wife's example too of doing hard things. And he's like, I'm going to do this. And of course he's probably driven by money as well. He's like, that'd be pretty sweet to make a little bit of cash. And you know, that's okay. I know a lot of us are driven that way, but it wasn't like he was giving it. It wasn't like it was like, Hey, would someone just fed me only 10 bucks so I can go buy myself a snack or something. He wouldn't do something really hard, clean my car. And I'd want to give him the opportunity. was like, dude, if you're willing to, if you and your buddy are willing. to do something hard, you deserve it. And I'll pay you guys to do it. And it was just really cool. And I remember just thinking to myself, you know, for your son and his friend, I was like, there's been somebody that set an example to them. And they thought, you know what, I'm gonna do something really hard and not so fun. ⁓ Because yeah, I mean, they're willing to do anything. They're willing to cut your yard or do the lawn. They're willing to pull weeds. I mean, they're willing to do anything to make money and I was impressed. And I think, I personally believe your example of doing hard things played a part in that. That's just my opinion. Devin Henninger: Thank you. He is a hard worker. Coach Ryan Head: Yeah, that's he is a hard worker. It's super cool to see so and sometimes people just come that way they're inherently that way but I've seen enough of the other side especially working in HR that I know not everybody comes born or programmed to be a hard worker. So that's awesome. Well, dude, what's next for you? What's next on the docket? Where are you going next with your races, your runs, your tries, your iron mans? What's What's the game plan for you this year in 2026? Devin Henninger: So we got the half in two weeks and then we've got the Ogden marathon after that. yep. And I've got the Boise Ironman again in July. And then September, I've got half. It's just not through the Ironman brand, but it's ⁓ local here out Syracuse. ⁓ So another 70-miler And then we'll if I end doing the Mueller park. Coach Ryan Head: Let's go. Nice. Devin Henninger: two years in a row, I've fallen pretty good and crossed the finish line all bloody and I don't wanna jinx myself. don't know if I wanna do that again. Coach Ryan Head: that's awesome. Well, dude, that's a full slate. That's a really full slate. I've got to ask the million dollar question. When are you going to do the full Iron Man? Devin Henninger: It is still, it is still on my mind. just, it's always in the back of my mind that I would love, love to do it. It takes an enormous amount of, of training. the cutoffs still scare me, but I'm, I, I, I can do, I can do a, marathon. I can do the bike. Can I do the swim? Can I do 2.4 miles in, what is it, two hours or something like that? So. Coach Ryan Head: I put you on the spot. I put you on the spot. Devin Henninger: So ⁓ definitely on my mind. It's on my mind as is a 100 miler. That also intrigues me. So we'll see what 2027. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome. Well, I think after seeing how well you've trained and how dedicated you are, I think you could do great at a hundred miler for sure. You know, trail race, think you'll be able to pull it off for sure. And I know we've chatted about that, me and you, there's just, I can, you know, I'm not gonna say I'm some like guru or sage that knows everything about running, but I can tell when I know someone could be good at it. And I know you could, like you could really. Be successful just because you're so committed making it happen and you you carve it out you you carve it out amongst all the other requirements and and Obligations and things that you choose to do in life and and I think that's what that what that's probably what sets you apart and would easily get you there So I think it's that's super super cool That that you do that I want end by just not end but I want to share one last story of mine because I promised our listeners I would talk about my biking experience So that's why running is what I'm down to. I almost died swimming and I almost died biking and that happened, of all places, yet again at Bear Lake. Bear Lake has been a place ⁓ horrible experiences me. Anybody that is familiar with it, I was coming down the Logan Canyon on my bike when was 13 years old and lo and behold, ⁓ back the olden days, in... ⁓ you know, when all we had was horses and buggies, I'm just teasing, but, you know, we didn't wear helmets back in the day. You know, that's just how it was. I mean, when you were a kid, I didn't wear a helmet. had no idea that I was supposed to do that and had a very cheap bike, but we were coming down the Logan Canyon. We got to kind of where you can see Bear Lake and you're over, you're up there by the sunrise campground and they're like, okay, it's time to start biking down, down to Garden City. And so we start going down and ⁓ I was on some cheap, huffy bike. It was just a bad, bad move on my part. no kidding, about two miles down the path, my starts doing the death wobble. ⁓ And you ⁓ ride motorcycle, or I guess bikers probably know what the death wobble is too, but I started doing the vroom, vroom, vroom like this. ⁓ And 13 years, whatever it was, 12, 13 years old, and I knew it was game over. so... ⁓ I either was going to go off a ledge or I needed to lay my bike down because I knew that if I just did this with my bike, I would go down. So I was like, well, I don't want to go off because I think I'll die doing that. So I'm like, I'm just going to eat crap and go. I, my mind has blanked out a lot of it, but I remember sliding across the asphalt ⁓ just, just, I still have scars to this day from this, by the way. ⁓ so I'm just sliding. Devin Henninger: Okay. Coach Ryan Head: And my brother who was with me, he said he remembers seeing my bike the moment I laid it down and I came off. My bike did some kind of like recoil thing and it went boom and it jumped up way high in the air. My bike just flew off side of the path, the road going down and ended up in the brush or whatever. Anyway, so I slide, which was, I don't know how far it was, but I'm sure it was maybe 50 feet at least, maybe further. Finally come to a stop and I'm just bleeding everywhere. Miracle. I didn't hit my head. I was able to survive that. But I was just bleeding everywhere. so, love my parents. My parents are great. But they're just like, oh, hey, you don't need to go to the hospital. We'll just throw some like this pink red flute like stuff. And they put it all over my, and it hurts so bad. I was like, I'm already in so much pain. I'm bleeding everywhere. And now my dad is wiping this like, He's like, it'll kill all the bacteria, you're good. And it's probably from like his military kits when he served in Vietnam or something. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I'm in so much pain, dad. Like stop putting the stuff on me. And I remember being like, I'm gonna die. So anyways, have I rode bikes since that point? Yes. Do I want to do anything where I can get going really, really fast? No, I have zero, zero interest. And so as I always joke, I'm down to my last sport. The other two. Are no-go's for me. That's why I'm like, I'm never gonna do a try. I don't see it ever happening I'm having fun with my hundreds and my marathon. So we'll keep it there. But that's my story behind biking and swimming You know, ⁓ you know cuz I'm just yeah, I'm a little bit nervous about both of those So it's more more comical than anything. So anyways, I guess I'm weird, but it's it's been a ⁓ been definitely been a journey and And as you know, mean you both served LDS missions and I was on a bike on my LDS mission and luckily Houston is as flat as you can get. So I never picked up much speed. It was always really safe to ride bikes out there. well, cool dude. Well, ⁓ want to wrap this up by doing the same thing I've been doing with all of my guests. And called lightning round or the lightning round questions. ⁓ And I know how I be able to ⁓ turn these to. ⁓ Devin Henninger: Thank Coach Ryan Head: like biking and swimming so I'm gonna leave them as running for you ⁓ You can tell me your thoughts on all these so ⁓ then yeah, I mean I guess you could throw out to like your favorite distances with tries and I mean, sorry I'm just gave one of the questions away, but But there's you can you can say if you if you're like well that actually is applicable to you know You know the tries or Ironman, so I'll tell you what that is as well, but first lightning round question I'll throw at you favorite race distance Devin Henninger: you I like half, Coach Ryan Head: Let's go, let's go. think, I would say at this point about 80 % of the people that I've interviewed have all said the same thing. Everyone loves a half. Personally, if I'm running roads, the half marathon is my favorite distance. No question, so I love it, I love it. That's super cool. Okay, next question. Road or trails? Devin Henninger: like both. I like the trails because it's more beautiful, but the road feels safer to me. I'm less likely to eat it. Coach Ryan Head: I love it. There's so many people that feel the exact same way. I mean, I do too. always like, I love when I can go up on the trails because it's more chill and I can like, you said it's like, it's nice. And I'm like, I can keep my heart rate super low. But man, if I start going like eight minute pace up there or whatever, try to push on the trails, I'm like, you're asking for it. You know what's gonna happen, Ryan. Like it's just a matter of time until you trip So anyways, ⁓ I get for sure. Roads are, I can always open it up. I'm like, man, I wish I was this confident. on trails as I am on roads. like, ⁓ man, I can just send it, not even think twice about it. ⁓ or evening runs? Devin Henninger: are good. I can't pick one. I like both. Coach Ryan Head: Nice, okay, that's fair. I've had a few other people have said the same thing. They're like, Ryan, I like them both. I really don't. Like some people are very picky one way or the other. I actually think it's super healthy in your training to do both. I think it's super, super smart because at times you need to be training in warm weather. You need to be doing it in cold weather when there's low visibility and total visibility. I think it's all good. So I think it's awesome. That's super cool. Favorite. post-run race meal or event meal. What is your favorite meal to have after a race? Devin Henninger: The only thing that comes to mind on my Jordanel triathlon, as I said, the hills, was unexpected, not expecting the hills. And I remember just started the run and I am ⁓ I'm tired, I don't want to run. And all I could think of was there's cheese dip in the fridge. ⁓ want that cheese dip. ⁓ one was the most memorable because that's what got me through that race was I wanted Coach Ryan Head: Hahaha Yeah. Dude, that's cool, man. I love it. I love it. I kind of jump all over as well. the majority of people talk about a hamburger and fries sounds really good. And I'm not going to argue that. I think it always sounds good. I don't even care if it's a race. I think it sounds good all the time. I've devoured pizzas post race, but after a hundred miler, the biggest thing for me is I just, I don't want to eat just because I feel like I ate crap for 36 hours and I just don't even. Like food doesn't sound good, but the one thing that always sounds good no matter what is one of my protein shakes with water with that chewable ice. I call it good ice. That's the nickname I always give it. I don't know if anyone else calls it good ice, but I call it good ice. I don't know why we ever gave it that name as kids, but man, ⁓ man, just a big protein shake with my protein powder. I've had this ⁓ conversation a episodes already. and they'll definitely come up more. But I've chosen in some areas of my life to be vegan. I'm not 100 % but I do try. And if I do whey protein, it just wrecks me. So I have this really awesome plant-based protein. And oh my gosh, it tastes so good. And I just love the whey, the flavor of it. And so between that and the ice and the cold water, just, it's my favorite. So after Salt Lake City Marathon tomorrow, You bet I'm having one those and I'm so excited. It's gonna taste so, good. I already know it, so that's awesome. okay, last question, last lightning run question, and it could be a two parter depending on your answer. During a run, race, whatever, music, podcast, or silence? Devin Henninger: Yeah. Silence. So, or for triathlons, music is not allowed. So, which I was so surprised for the Ogden Marathon. like, yeah, you can listen. I was like, oh, cool. Listen to a book. And so that's what I did. I listened to a book while we were running the Ogden Marathon. So most of mine, I do a lot of my training in silence because I've got to get used to that. And that's actually something I really, really enjoy because I get... Coach Ryan Head: Wow. ⁓ wow, okay. Devin Henninger: and that's another portion of my why is not only is hard but it's it's a very important time for me to just be silent and think and and ponder. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome, dude. I love that, man. That's super, super cool. I know, as I've mentioned before, on 100 milers, I love to just know music. For me, I always say to myself, I don't know how long I'll be able to do these. I hope I can do them for many years in my life, but ⁓ I wanna present when I do them. I don't wanna wish it away, because I'm like, this is about as good as it's gonna get. And again, I've said this before, but... You it's, you you've, you've, you've alluded to this today, which I've loved, but I always think to myself, like, get to do this. It's not like, it's forced upon us. get to do it. We choose to actively do this. And because of that, like, we should respect it. Like, I think a lot of people are like, they dread going to race day. And they're like, oh, this is gonna suck. And I'm like, then why did you sign up for it? Like, I'm not trying to be a jerk. I'm just being honest. I'm like, then why did you sign up for it? Like, don't do something that you're gonna hate. Now, it's okay to be nervous and it's okay to be like, oh man, how's this gonna go down? But if you're like, if you absolutely hate it, I would never sign up for it. I remember I came upon this, I've shared this story a few times with some of my friends, but I came upon this couple on the Wasatch 100 in 2024 and they were just screaming at each other. Now I'm like four miles before the aid station and they were just going like at each other and I was like, why are you guys even here if you hate it this bad? Anyways, and again, I get it's a hundred miler and I get there's times where there's you have lows and you have highs, but I always say to myself like, I get to do this. Like this is amazing. And so one of those things like you, I love to sit there and do it in silence. I love to sit there and think the whole time on the hundred miler. Do I listen to music on marathons and shorter races? Yeah, I do. But on my trail hundreds, ⁓ yeah, every time, I'm like, we're gonna have fun with this. So that's awesome. Book, this is the two parter. If you were like exclusively silenced, then I'd be like, well, there's not much, there's no other versions of silence. A book, name a book that's been fun for you to read recently that you liked. ⁓ If there's whether it's on audio or ⁓ audible, audiobook Devin Henninger: you Coach Ryan Head: You know, or you've read an ⁓ book, a physical book, what's one that you've enjoyed? Devin Henninger: I really enjoy like true stories. So some that a bunch I listened to last year ⁓ the woman in the sea. So about a woman who swam the English channel facing the mountain. ⁓ It's a story about Japanese and how were treated in the United States during World War II. And then boys in the boat, another. Coach Ryan Head: Mm-hmm. Devin Henninger: true story of rowers competing in the Olympics. So I don't know, listen to all those while I'm exercising, doing these cool gives me motivation and it's inspiring because these things actually happen. Coach Ryan Head: That's cool. I love it, man. No, with you. ⁓ love those things as well. And super cool to hear you ⁓ about that. And I love like actual books or like actual stories. Like I love fiction. fun when it's not real, whatever, right? It's fun. I like my imagination as well. But when you hear some of these stories, you're like, that's super cool. It's just amazing. So that's cool. Well, awesome. Well, ⁓ last questions I'll throw at you and then we'll wrap it up. Again, thank you so much for spending so much time with me tonight to go over all this stuff. My second to last question I'll throw at you is, what would you say to someone who's maybe lost their why with doing all this? What bit of advice would you give to somebody if they were like, I've lost my why, I don't even wanna do this anymore. What bit of advice would you share with them? Devin Henninger: I ponder and think doing this is not gonna help your wife find something that is going to Don't let it go away. doesn't, again, doesn't have to be running, doesn't have to be biking, swimming, doesn't have to be something, but figure out, have a purpose for something that is allowing you to grow. And so evaluate on what is, where do you want to grow and what can you do to get there? Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome, I like that. Because yeah, there's all kinds of ways. mean, each of us in our careers, there's ways we can continue to grow, whether that's like getting certifications, going back to college. Like, okay, what can I do to like really get better at something and just find a way to push themselves. So I love that, man, thank you. I think that's really good, you know. Because it doesn't always have to be running. doesn't always have to be biking. It doesn't always have to be swimming. I mean, go find something else that will stretch in and make you look at things a little bit different. Go to the gym. Go have fun doing that for a while. Like, I've kind of gotten back into that myself and I'm surprisingly really enjoying it. I didn't think I'd ever like the gym again and here we are. I'm actually really loving it. Like, it's surprised me to be honest with you. So, that's awesome. Okay, last question I'll throw at you. I appreciate it. You've shared so many different whys. throughout this, which again, that's obviously what this podcast is about. And I know sometimes I like to ask this question, because maybe sometimes people think in their head, they're like, ⁓ I meant to say this, or I wanted to like add one more why when he asked me that question earlier. Anything, any last things about your why, anything else that maybe you're like, Ryan, you what, I forgot to say this, I want to share this about my why, why I do all this stuff. And if you're like, Ryan, I've said it all, that's okay too, but. anything else about your why that you want to share about why you do all this stuff, why you continually push yourself, anything we missed. Devin Henninger: think I've hit it. I want to be a better person. I want to grow and I want to overcome my flaws and I feel that right now this is the best way where I could have, I don't want say quick, but quicker or small successes that will keep me motivated, that will, if I were to just look at most of my flaws, I could become overwhelmed and say how am I ever going to overcome any of those. But by doing these small races and things, It's giving me the encouragement or giving me the motivation to say, can do hard things. I can do it little by little and little by little, I can be a better person. ⁓ that's it. I want to be a better person and this is going to help me. Coach Ryan Head: That's awesome. Dude, that's super cool, man. I love that. Thank you for sharing that. And I resonate with that so much. I think that aligns with, I think that's why we're good friends. think me and you see the world in so many ways very similarly. And we just like to push ourselves ⁓ we want to be better people. And I echo the same thing. Like I do all this because I ⁓ to be better. And maybe it's a weird way to do it, but it's how I sharpen my saw, right? It's how I'm forging myself to be better. ⁓ Maybe people, most people think we're crazy, but don't really care. I'm gonna do what I feel is the best way to make myself better. And I think there are lots of ways to do that. But for us, this is how we do it. And this is where we find happiness, if this is where we find God, if this is where we find ⁓ spirituality, if this is where we find our value, I think it's amazing. And I would never tell someone not to do it if this is where they feel like they're becoming a better person. So thanks for sharing that, dude. I think that's amazing. Well, awesome. Well, I want to wrap this up. Last couple of things. First and foremost, I want to give a quick shout out to our premier sponsor for the podcast Fleet Feet, who has been amazing. They've done so much for this podcast and just for our community. You know, if you have any needs with shoes, with gear, with nutrition, go see those guys both in Layton and Ogden. They'll get you taken care of. Jamie over there is doing a fantastic job. And I'm just telling you. Go see those guys, they'll get you the right, whatever it is, whatever you need, they'll get you taken care of. So definitely wanted to give them a quick shout out and just thank them for everything they're doing for us and the community. Devin, ⁓ question or last ⁓ I'd throw out to you, if anyone wants to follow you, are you on Strava? Are you open ⁓ having people follow you on Strava or on Instagram or Facebook? You opened into that stuff? Devin Henninger: opposed to it but I'm not currently I kind of just keep to myself at the moment. Coach Ryan Head: Nice, well from what I've been told is usually people once they've been on this, which is awesome and that's kind of the goal is just continue to build the community. People tend to get a couple more follows and a couple more friend requests and whatnot. Now obviously be careful with each and every one of those but I know that people have gotten a couple more follows and whatnot. So definitely if you're okay with that I'll throw the ⁓ links your profile in the show notes here. Definitely if you have questions for Devin or you want to know more about triathlons and what it takes to do that stuff, Devin's would be a great resource and someone smart that knows just how to go after it. So awesome. Well, Devin, dude, it's been a blast, man. Thank you so much for coming on. And it's been a blast to chat with you and get to know you a little bit more and let our listeners get to know your story. Devin Henninger: Thank you. I appreciate it. It's been fun.