Episode 17: Running in Europe vs. America & Jaime’s ‘Late’ Start to Track

What’s it like to start track at 29 and still hit elite level times? 🇪🇸 Jaime  known as The Corporate Runner  joins me to share his unique journey from soccer in Spain to racing 800s in 1:55 and 5Ks in the 16s, while balancing career, travel, and now life in NYC.

We dive into:

• The big differences between running culture in Europe vs. the U.S.
• Why you need a license to run official races in Spain.
• How New York’s social run scene reshaped his love for the sport.
• His PRs, training philosophy, and the workouts that made him fast.
• Nutrition staples from a Spaniard’s pantry (and why olive oil > everything).
• Tips on speed, endurance, and recovery you can apply today.

Whether you’re curious about global running culture or want to sharpen your own training, Jaime’s story is proof that it’s never too late to level up.

🎙️ Listen in and subscribe to The People Run Podcast for more conversations with everyday runners chasing extraordinary goals.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Jaime's Running Journey
03:53 Transition from Soccer to Track
06:31 Differences in Track Culture: Europe vs. USA
12:32 The Structure of Track Teams in Europe
17:59 Experiences of Competing at a National Level
23:14 Moving to New York: A New Running Environment
28:38 Social Aspects of Running in New York
34:26 Challenges and Etiquette in the Running Community
35:43 The Ethics of Competition in Running
38:25 Training Smart: Finding the Right Group
39:15 Learning to Train Smart: Lessons from Experience
41:08 Nutrition: A Comparative Analysis of Spain and the U.S.
49:27 Tapering and Carb Loading: Strategies for Race Day
57:53 Long-Term Health: The Importance of Sustainable Habits

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