Every time I sit down to write an update, I reflect on how fast time moves these days. It certainly doesn’t feel like late November, especially since it has been nearly 80º here in Boulder within the last two weeks, but here we are at Thanksgiving again…🦃 (happy Thanksgiving!)

Running has ramped back up. I’m hitting a consistent bunch of miles again, and have played around with some variables in training and hit some harder long runs. A couple of weeks ago, I did a little trial of miles challenge, and ran 39 miles in 3 days via 10/4 (Tuesday), 12/3 (Wednesday), 10 before 6 on Friday, and then a much more chill weekend. I don’t know how people do that with normal weekend mileage, either! I did it because I anticipated not being able to run much that weekend due to travel.

Last weekend, I hit one of the hardest long runs I’ve done all year: starting at 8500’ and running downhill for four miles, then back uphill for 12 (a two-hour climb!), and then another mile and change downhill back into town, finishing with a 6:19 final mile to totally destroy the quads.

It is fun being in a place (physically and geographically) where I can say yes to adventures like this. More to come! I’m already thinking about 2026 adventures… 🤔

Now that I’m about six months into my own self-employment journey, I’ve started to get more serious about the systems and structures that make it possible. I’ve put together a 23 podcast collective where I’m selling ads in aggregate, and am working on some fun deals with non-running brands like a dairy company, a meat delivery company, the running community’s favorite pancakes and oatmeal (Kodiak Cakes!), and a financial services platform, Rocket Money. I am psyched to use my sales skills to help other podcasts level up their partnerships! 🚀

On the For The Long Run side of things, I’ve recreated my website through beehiiv (where I’ve been hosting this newsletter since 2022!) and added more information about the other pieces of the business, like Long Run Labs Podcast and Long Run Labs Collective.

I’ve also created a few membership tiers. People have asked over the years how they can support all this content (425 podcasts since 2019!) and my normal answer is “keep tuning in to the podcast and share it/review it if you love it, and use the discount codes I share if you want to buy any of the products I recommend!” but now I’m taking it one step further.

I’ve set up an $8/month offer and a $96/year offer. With the latter, I’ll send an FTLR* hat and some other brand partner goodies if you share your address with me, and there’s also a one-time $5 “tip jar” too.

I understand that it’s a trying time for many with the uncertainty of the economy and gestures broadly to everything around us, but if you are able and interested, I would certainly appreciate the support!

You can find the site here. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Another fun update: all podcasts (FTLR and LRL) are now going to be produced and shared in full on YouTube, so if you’re one of the many people who prefer to watch a podcast, you can now do that with ours, too!

*hat offer valid for the first 5, unless I can get some more hats :)

What are you excited about for 2026?

— Jon Levitt, Host and Creator of For The Long Run

Christina Henderson has spent more than a decade shaping the places where the running and outdoor worlds come together. As the Director of The Running Event (TRE) and Switchback, she leads two of the industry’s most influential trade shows; gatherings that not only showcase products but define culture, spark relationships, and keep a rapidly expanding industry connected. In this episode of Long Run Labs, Christina shares how she went from managing behind-the-scenes logistics to becoming the person steering the future of these events.

Christina talks about the evolution of TRE, which has doubled in size since 2018, and how she ensures the event still feels personal, intentional, and community-first. She explains why retailers remain the heart of the show, how her team supports them through education and connection, and why TRE’s move to San Antonio was guided by one core value: choosing a city where people would naturally bump into each other, not just brush past.

She also dives into Switchback, TRE’s sister event that brings the running and outdoor industries under one roof. As more brands straddle both spaces, Christina sees the need for shared storytelling, clearer discovery opportunities, and events that help retailers make sense of an increasingly blended landscape. That’s why she champions thoughtful floor design, support for emerging brands, and the mix of legacy players with newer innovators that give both events their unique energy.

Throughout the conversation, Christina reflects on the leadership lessons that shaped her approach: leading from within, understanding every role because she’s done them herself, and grounding every decision in purpose. For her, the magic of TRE and Switchback isn’t the size of the expo floor or the big-name brands. It’s the relationships formed in hallway conversations, morning group runs, and yes, the legendary Brooks Party that caps the week.

Looking ahead, Christina sees big shifts coming: lifestyle blending with performance, a deeper push toward inclusivity, and an industry learning to grow with intention rather than speed. Through it all, her mission remains clear — build events that help people feel connected, supported, and excited about the future of running and the outdoors.

Give this one a listen 🎧

Thanks to our major sponsors this month, PUMA, AmazFit, Boulderthon, Tailwind, Eternal, Superfiliate, Janji, and Tifosi. By supporting our sponsors, you are supporting the show and the whole team behind it. Y'all are the best!

As a newsletter subscriber, you get any of the discount codes and special promos that we work out with our partners:

Jonathan is a runner, cyclist, and podcast host from Boston, MA, who now lives in Boulder, CO. For The Long Run is aimed at exploring the why behind what keeps runners running long, strong, and motivated.

Follow Jon on Instagram, LinkedIn, Threads, and Twitter.