Want to Run in College? Start Here (with TrackBeast)

Want to run in college? Not sure how to navigate recruiting, connect with coaches, or put yourself in the best position to compete at the next level? This episode of Runnah is for you.
We’re sitting down with Eric Avila, Co-Founder and Head of Coaching at Trackbeast and founder of San Diego Elite, to talk about developing the next generation of runners and helping athletes navigate the path from high school competition to collegiate running.
Eric brings an impressive résumé to the conversation. He was a high school standout in San Diego, earned a college scholarship to Northern Arizona University before transferring to Southern Oregon, and became a four-time NAIA national champion. He went on to spend 10 years as a professional runner for adidas and HOKA, compete for Team USA, reach two U.S. Olympic Trials 1500m finals, and win the 2021 USATF Road Mile title.
Now, Eric uses his experience as an elite athlete and coach to help runners reach their potential through Trackbeast and San Diego Elite. His coaching experience spans athletes at different stages of development, including high school runners who have gone on to compete at Stanford.
In this episode, we discuss:
• College recruiting: Navigating the transition from high school running to collegiate competition

• Athlete development: Building the fitness, consistency, and racing experience needed to progress

• The coaching perspective: What Eric's experience as a professional runner has taught him about developing athletes

• Training smarter: How the Norwegian method, lactate testing, and threshold training influence his coaching philosophy

• Beyond the times: Developing as a runner while learning to train sustainably

• Trackbeast: How the platform and its coaching system support runners pursuing their goals

Whether you're a high school runner hoping to compete in college, a parent helping your athlete navigate the recruiting process, or a coach working with the next generation of talent, this conversation offers insight into the work that goes into taking the next step in running.
Website: trackbeast.com
Instagram: @RunnahPod
Julianna's Instagram: @jellyanna_runs
Email: runnahpod@gmail.com
Follow along for more conversations about running, training, racing, and the people behind the sport.
If you're working toward running in college, share this episode with a teammate who has the same goal!
#Runnah #Trackbeast #CollegeRecruiting #CollegeRunning #HighSchoolTrack #CrossCountry #RunningPodcast