THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST How Coach Ryan Waite Produced an NCAA Indoor Mile Champion — The Scouting System, Race Simulation Workouts, and Mental Edge That Won It
Mar 22, 2026
Ryan Waite, BYU assistant coach and five-time All-American runner, shares the behind-the-scenes of Carter Cutting’s NCAA Indoor Mile win. He discusses scouting prelims, using championship races as simulations, race-specific pacing lessons, and the mental preparation that turned a qualifier into a champion. Short, tactical, and full of racing candor.
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Mindset Was The Deciding Edge
- Carter Cutting's biggest edge was his mindset rather than a unique physical trait.
- Ryan Waite credits detailed film study, belief, and mental preparedness from scouting reports that made Carter feel like the pick to win.
Process Over Probability
- Waite kept the program process-based: define what to do to give the athlete a chance rather than obsessing over probability.
- That approach guided specific workouts, film study, scouting reports, and advice gathering toward winning the NCAA title.
Qualifier Moment Changed The Goal
- After Carter qualified at Valentine (3:52), he told Waite he wanted to start winning races, which shifted their preparation.
- That permission allowed Waite to move from qualifying focus to race-winning simulations at Big 12 and nationals.