Callum Elson: Closing the gap / The Distance Project & Team Makou

We sat down with Team Makou's very own Callum 'The Distance Project' Elson to talk all things running, YouTube & winter Olympics?!Callum Holds PBs over 3:53 in the mile, 7:52 over 3000m & 13:35 in 5000m.Callum's journey from football to running, his experiences with the Distance Project and YouTube, insights into training and athlete development, reflections on recent British Indoors, and the complexities of selection policies in British athletics. Callum shares his thoughts on the importance of communication in the sport and the dynamics of training within Team Makou including how sessions are decided on with coach Andy Hobdell and the overlap with the distance guys. He also outlines his next race and goals for the rest of the season.In typical fashion Callum wears his heart on his sleeve during this interview and doesn't shy away from offering an opinion on some contentious topics.If you enjoyed this chat please leave us a review and follow the show on your chosen podcast player so that you don't miss more interviews like this one!It is the easiest way for you to show your support and helps us like you wouldn't believe.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Callum Elson03:25 The Distance Project and YouTube Journey06:29 Transitioning from Amateur to Professional Running09:30 Reflections on Recent Races and Training Strategies12:37 The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation15:19 Experiences at Major Indoor Events18:20 Looking Ahead: Outdoor Season and Future Goals21:19 Quickfire Questions and Personal Insights26:12 Winter Olympic Aspirations28:20 The Reality of Olympic Sports31:40 Athletics vs. Hobby Running33:06 Pre-Race Rituals and Nutrition35:15 Personal Bests and Competitive Pressure36:56 Cross Country vs. Track Racing40:13 The Future of Competitive Racing42:14 Shoe Preferences and Performance44:36 The Future of Hoka and Market Trends51:33 Callum's Journey into Running01:00:26 Training Dynamics and Team Collaboration01:03:09 Upcoming Races and Goals01:09:12 Selection Policies and Athlete Perspectives