Issue 11

The Pre-Run Drink That’ll Have You Going Like This 👇️ 

Marathon training has officially started for Reed Fischer, which means he’s surviving almost entirely off of 2before. Grab some for yourself to get through the miles and the weight room sessions!

P.S. Make sure to use code HAX10 for $10 off!

Interview with Joey Berriatua Ahead of a Small Racing Stint in Europe

Some things to know about Joey — While competing in the NCAA at Santa Clara University, he hit marks of 14:13 for 5k, 4:08 for the mile, and 8:52 for the steeplechase. Good marks, but not nearly good enough to get him noticed by any pro teams. After college, Joey continued training as he felt he still had unfinished business in the sport. His attitude and ambition made a strong impression on the athletes and coaches of Tinman Elite, so they welcomed him aboard. Since joining TME in 2019, Joey has bettered all of his college marks, running 13:38 for the 5k, 3:57 for the mile, and 8:25 for the steeplechase. His story is far from finished.

Hey Joey, good to finally have you on The Hammer. How are you doing today bro?!

Life is good! A couple more races on the calendar that I’m excited about, but also looking forward to some downtime post-season.

Your career has been constantly progressing, with every year better than before. This year, you set PBs in the 5k (13:38) and the steeplechase (8:25). How have you felt about this year so far?

This year has been a bit of a mixed bag. It’s always encouraging to progress, but I felt as though I was due for some faster times. The training Coach Hunter and I have been doing has been spot on since last October, and the racing has gotten way more consistent. It’s felt more of a big year in terms of how I’m able to compete with guys I wasn’t keeping up with in the past, but it hasn’t produced the huge PBs I once thought it would. I know the fast times will come with good competition, I just need to be patient!

Let’s recall your USA performance from last month. What were your goals going into it, and what did you take from that result going into the Olympic trials next year? Is there any specific thing you need to work on?

USAs was tough. I really thought I was ready for a top 5 kind of performance – every bit of training hinted towards that. Falling in the prelim and not making the final was pretty rough for me, I just need to not let it shake me going into the Trials next year. There are always little tweaks, mentally and physically, to be made when it comes to the steeple, and that’s why it’s my favorite event. You can have those big days and still know there’s something to work on. I’m not changing anything big going into next year– what we did worked, and another year of that consistency will get me where I want to be going into the Trials.

From training with you, I know that you ooze confidence. What kind of advice can you offer those struggling with imposter syndrome and confidence in themselves?

I wouldn’t say I ooze confidence as much as I think I try to be as intentional as possible when it comes to my training. I’ve been struggling with the idea of whether I belong at this level of the sport every day since I moved to Boulder five years ago. The one thing I bring with me to my training and racing is that I’ve done everything right leading up to the important days. Every day has a purpose, and every rep, drill, exercise, etc. needs to serve a purpose. Having that routine where you know exactly what you’re doing, and exactly how it’s going to benefit your strengths and weaknesses gives me confidence when I step on the line.

Every athlete has something that motivates them in the sport. As a pro, what motivates you to wake up and train every day?

I really like to think I’m one of the more stubborn people in this sport. It seems as though failure and setbacks are a huge deterrent in the sport, especially for young professionals. There are so many external factors that come with life and running after college, and that equation doesn’t line up perfectly for everyone to keep running professionally. I’m glad I’ve been able to make it work because it’s genuinely what I’m passionate about. I love the feeling of being able to do things with running that very few people in the world can do. As for competing, I know I can be one of the best steeplers in the world, and I’m going to do everything I can to see that through.

Is a move to the roads in the equation for you in the coming years?

Not until I do what I need to do on the track. If I keep improving on the track, I’ll stick to that. I love the shorter road races though, so I hope I can sprinkle those in as we go on... Manchester, Falmouth, etc. They’re all incredible events that bring me a lot of joy competing in. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the track– on the track I often feel very alone during a race. It can be daunting and almost as if people are waiting to watch someone fail for another’s success. On the roads, I feel like everyone on the course and watching at home are there with me– as if we’re all going for it together. It’s such an empowering feeling. But like I said, I’m too stubborn to not see my time on the track through.

What races are on the horizon for you?

I’m doing a quick Europe trip before I call my track season. I’m racing a mile in Pfungstadt, Germany on Sept. 6, and then a steeple in Zagreb on the 10th. Points are becoming so important, so getting in a gold-label race in Zagreb is a fantastic opportunity to run fast and get in that Olympics quota.

Let’s do some rapid-fire questions to cap this off.

1. If you could run any event as well as you currently do, which event would you choose?

I’m a steepler through and through. It’s the most difficult event in track.

2. What are you good at that people wouldn’t guess?

I crush sudoku. It’s my go-to flight activity. I have an app on my phone that I play; I only play the “extreme” levels now (1 step above “expert”).

3. I know you’re a big dog guy. What is your dream dog?

My dachshund, Dill, is my dream dog. HOWEVER, my girlfriend Roxie and I are thinking about getting another dog. In a perfect world, I’d get a German Wirehair Pointer, but I don’t hunt and we live in an apartment. So maybe a retired racing greyhound will do for now.

4. Favorite cheat meal or snack?

No such thing as a cheat meal. When the furnace is hot enough, anything will burn. I love a good Mackers (McDonalds) run.

5. Favorite sparkling water?

Ollipop > sparkling water. Root beer flavor to be specific.

6. And, last but not least, why should people work with you on Hammer & Axe?! What kind of athletes are you looking to add to your roster?

Anyone who thinks they have more to give to themselves in running. I’ve been training a handful of athletes who are either looking to get recruited for college running or are trying to walk on their university teams. It’s been very rewarding to see athletes like them progress towards their goals (Shoutout Michael Burke! He’s starting his 1st season at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. He went through hell and back to get to this point, so well deserved!)

Need a Core/Strength Plan?

Hammer & Axe has you covered for your core and strength training plans. We have some built by athletes, and some by our team PT, Doug Adams. Pick your poison and get strong for the upcoming season!

If you haven’t already, check out our other newsletter, The Axe, and read interviews from athletes that have used Hammer & Axe’s 1-on-1 coaching.