Join us in Boulder on Saturday, April 26th at Fleet Feet!

We are co-hosting a fun event with Boulderthon on Saturday, April 26th from 8 am - 10 am at the Fleet Feet in Boulder, CO. We will be hosting a conversation with recent guest, Caitlyn Miller, on how to recover like a PRO.

Doors open at 8am and at 8:30am our 5k run will start. After the run, Breakfast Burritos will be provided to snack on while we do the live podcast with Caitlyn! PR Sports Lab will offer massage and a cold plunge pool to help you recover post-run.

• The first 50 runners to arrive for the run will receive a swag bag with items from Cheribundi, RNWY, Tifosi, and more!

• PUMA will be launching a soon to-be-released elite racing shoe!! Demo daily run trainers will be available for the 5k run to test out.

• Boulderthon will be raffling off 3 VIP entries

• Giveaways and raffles from multiple partners!

Join us there!

Designing the World’s First Smart Running Shoe?

What do you get when a former startup leader, a high-cholesterol blood test, and a marathon training plan walk into a podcast?

You get Royi Metser’s transformation from post-pandemic burnout to becoming the founder of Avelo, the company behind the world’s first smart running shoe.

In this episode, Jon reconnects with longtime friend Royi, who didn’t just take up running in 2021 - he used it to completely rewire his life and career.

From Health Wake-Up Call to Marathon Training

Like many of us, Royi saw his health take a nosedive during the early months of COVID-19. But when a 2021 InsideTracker test revealed a biologically “older” inner age and sky-high cholesterol, it became the wake-up call he needed. Just three days later, he signed up for his first marathon.

That decision snowballed into something bigger. With the guidance of elite coach Matt Daniels and a lot of trial and error (including two humbling marathon finishes), Royi discovered both his love of running and the limitations of current running tech.

Building a Smarter Shoe: Why the Future of Running Starts at the Feet

Frustrated by the lack of real-time, meaningful data about foot impact and form, Royi started asking questions - questions that eventually led him to launch Avelo.

“Running starts at the ground. Why are our feet the last place we look for data?” — Royi Metser

Avelo isn’t just a shoe. It’s a footwear + hardware + software solution designed to make smart, seamless, and science-backed running accessible to every runner. No clunky pods, no insoles to switch out, and no need to charge. Just lace up and go.

Avelo’s proprietary sensor measures form and impact data with every step, feeding into an app that provides real-time coaching to improve performance and reduce injury risk.

A Startup Fueled by Curiosity (and Cold Emails)

Royi didn’t have a playbook, but he had action, obsession, and the willingness to cold-email his way into an advisory dream team. From biomechanics PhDs to former Nike leaders, Avelo’s team has deep roots in both science and the running industry.

“You don’t have to know everything. You just have to start.” — Royi Metser

Entrepreneurship, Endurance & the Long Game

This episode goes beyond smart shoes. Royi and Jon dig into the parallels between building a business and building a sustainable running practice. Both require consistency, resilience, and a long-term mindset.

Royi’s goal? A sub-3 marathon by age 45, and a product that supports other runners chasing big dreams of their own.

“There are no shortcuts in running or entrepreneurship. You show up, you do the work, and you build, brick by brick.” — Jon Levitt

If you’ve ever wondered how to run smarter (not just harder), this is the episode for you. Whether you're recovering from injury, geeking out on data, or simply trying to go the distance, Royi’s story is a reminder that your biggest breakthroughs start with one bold step.

About Jon Levitt and For The Long Run

Jon 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, and Twitter.