Paul Stafford from BCET dropping absolute dimes with coach Smulders | Coaches RoundTable Ep. 3

In this episode, I sit down with Paul Stafford — former Florida State and University of Colorado Boulder standout — to break down the training principles, mindset shifts, and key lessons that shaped his journey from high school phenom to elite endurance coach. We cover: -How his high school training system laid the groundwork for future success -The moment he became a true student of the sport (and the first running book that changed his approach) -What he learned transitioning from high school to the collegiate level at FSU and then Boulder -The truth about FSU’s 3-workout-a-week system and his current philosophy on long runs -How altitude, experience, and precision training fueled huge leaps in his 5K & 10K times -The launch and growth of Blue Collar Endurance Training and the principles that guide it -Why he values precision in training — from lactate testing to running by feel Whether you’re a competitive runner or just curious about the science and grind behind high-level training, this conversation is packed with insights you can apply to your own running journey. 📸 Follow Paul: @paulstafford27 @bluecollaret @coachsmulders @wesfly.trained