Kylee Van Horn is the founder Fly Nutrition, which offers nutrition and coaching services to endurance athletes. She works with many elite trail and road runners and is also a runner and a coach, and writes a featured bi-monthly column for Trail Runner Magazine. When it comes to nutrition, misunderstandings abound among athletes. My conversation with Kylee covers a broad range of topics to help you better understand both the basics and nuances of fueling, and avoid common mistakes.  Some of our discussion topics include: Common <a href= "https://strengthrunni

This week the focus is on the psoas with Dr. Lara Johnson. She is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist, yoga teacher, personal trainer, former athlete for BAA Elite, and the owner of Yellow Brick Physical Therapy in Boulder, CO. Lara also co-leads annual running and meditation retreats with Runners Reconnect in the Colorado mountains. Lara’s unique experiences as an athlete and physiologist have all contributed to her holistic view of healing the human body. In her physical therapy practice, she uses a comprehensive approach to help runners get strong and athletic and build injury resiliency. The psoas is one of her favorite areas of focus due the impact it can have on

On the podcast this week to discuss the best way to plan your pre-season running is Matt Meyer, who competes with the competitive crew of The Track Club in Boulder, CO.  Matt is both a running coach and strength coach, and he joined me on a previous episode of the podcast to talk about high-mileage training. He recently ran a marathon PR of 2:34:35 in Berlin, and set a back squat PR of 265 pounds. Who says fast marathoners can’t be strong?!   Matt and I address the concept of a pre-season versus an off-season and why time away from heavy training is a great opportunity to address any weaknesses or imbalances you may have. <span style="font-wei

My guest for this special episode answering your training questions is running coach Sara Manderscheid. Sara has more than 15 years of competitive experience and is a Boston qualifier. She hosts the Elevate Your Running podcast and turned the tables to interview me in episode 257. Sara is an experienced coach who leads the Elevate Your Running camps held in Boulder, Colorado. Today she takes time to answer a variety of training questions with me, ranging fr

Jason Hardrath was named one of the 20 most inspirational ultrarunners of 2021. After a car accident in 2015 derailed his triathlon career, he had to reevaluate his future in competition. But with an extraordinary dedication to rehabilitation and proving his doctors wrong, he was able to resume running. Jason has earned well over a hundred Fastest Known Times (FKTs) and was a 2021 FKT of the Year top 10 finalist. As an adventurer and ultrarunner he has shifted his focus to a new project, completing “infinity loops” around the 7 highest volcanic summits in the world. Jason was inspired by the volcanoes he climbed around his home near Klamath, Oregon, throughout his recovery process. Jason’s adventures are unique in the skills they require and the terrain that they cover, combining ultrarunning distances over elevations that can rise well above 18,000 feet. His m

My guest on the podcast this week is a coach who takes a holistic view of endurance training and considers himself a problem solver for endurance athletes. Keith Mueller is the founder of Higher Ground Athletics in Boulder, Colorado. His understanding of the details of movement patterns - including pronation and supination - will help you get a better grasp of this essential running mechanism. Keith and I met a few months ago on a group run, and we soon found ourselves deep in discussion about performance and training theory. He has worked with an array of athletes, ranging from weekend warriors to state champion cross-country teams. Keith’s view of training is comprehensive, exposing athletes to the gamut of trainable qualities to make them better prepared for all the demands that running places on the body. <span style="font-weight: 400;

My guest on the podcast this week is Hannah, a former one-on-one coaching client who recently earned a PR at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Hannah and I met a little over a year ago at a running retreat in Colorado and started working together shortly thereafter, with her focus almost exclusively on half marathons and marathons.  Recently Hannah started to contemplate going after a 5k PR, but has had questions about making the transition from endurance training to 5k specific workouts. Our discussion today revolves around the best way to make that transition. Hannah is already doing a lot of things right in her training, but needs help learning how to reorient her focus and tweak her workouts. In our conversation, Hannah and I cover: Hannah’s running history and recent trai

Alex Hetherington is the race director for the Marine Corps Marathon - but he's not your typical race director. Alex is a retired Marine aviator and a member of the All-Marine running team for 14 years. His resume includes a win at the Armed Forces Marathon Championship in 1998 as well as an astounding 27 finishes at the MCM. Our conversation focuses on what you can expect from this year’s race: What makes the MCM so special, and why it is referred to as “The People’s Marathon” Why there is no “typical” weather for MCM The importance of planning pre-race logistics to get to the starting area <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria

Matt Daniels is a professional athlete for Nike Trail Running who focuses on ultramarathon distances. He placed 7th in the NCAA 1500m, contributing to Adams State’s first ever 1st place team finish in the Outdoor NCAA Championships. He transitioned to ultra trail running ever since, most recently winning the Gorge Waterfalls 50k earlier this year and competing at UTMB this summer. Matt and I discuss our shared love of the mile and how his college coach helped to shape him.  We delve into: The events Matt ran in college and his experiences as a middle distance runner Matt’s unique comparison of the 3k and the 50 mile distances How his firs

If you’re looking for a fall marathon that’s the caliber of a big city race without the challenging logistics of the World Marathon Majors, be sure to consider the Twin Cities Marathon in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota. On the podcast this week I have Twin Cities Marathon race director, Eli Asch. Eli came to Twin Cities with extensive experience as the Director of Race Operations for the California International Marathon, as well as the Logistics and Operations Manager for the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon. He earned a BA at Whitman College where he was captain of the cross-country team, and received his MBA in Sports Business from San Diego State University. My conversation with Eli delves into all the important details of the Twin Cities Marathon. Whether you’re racing it this year or considering it for 2024, you’ll learn all the ins and

This week’s guest on the podcast is a doctor of physical therapy and owner of the Lux Physical Therapy and Medicine practice in New York. Dr. Grayson Wickham is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and creator of the Movement Vault app. He has worked with athletes in a wide variety of sports at the elite level, from Olympians to tennis pros to NFL and MLB players. Grayson’s specialty is sports and orthopedic performance and injuries. He has dedicated his time and energy to helping his patients use mobility to become pain free in their athletic endeavors as well as in their daily lives. Grayson and I discuss mobility work in depth and talk about the most effective practices for runners. We focus on: How Grayson develope

Jen Schumacher is currently the mental performance consultant for Northwestern University’s football program. Previously she was the Assistant Director of the Performance Psychology program at West Point Military Academy. She is also a professional speaker and provides training for elite performers in many fields, whether ultra-endurance athletes or Fortune 100 executives. Our discussion focuses on an introduction to sports psychology, how it applies to endurance sports, and how to create a regular practice that will allow you to reap the benefits. Some of the topics we touch on include: Jen’s background & the goals of the Performance Psychology Program at West Point The best way for endurance runners to get started with perf

Meniscus injuries can have a significant impact on your ability to walk, run and train consistently. Although this injury is less common for runners, understanding management and treatment is essential for long term health and durability. Dr. Kevin Stone graduated from Harvard and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. His clinical work focuses on keeping people active in the sports they love, and he has served a wide array of athletic groups including the US Ski Team, multiple ballet companies, and the US Olympic Training Center. In addition to his work as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stone is an innovator in the field. Some of his inventions include a glucosamine beverage, a collagen meniscus implant, and the three-tunnel technique of meniscus transplantation,<sp

Some of us are lucky enough to find a mentor to guide our long-term love affair with running. They set the standard high in their own accomplishments and inspire us to do the same. Jim Butler, whom I'll forever refer to as "Coach",  has been doing that for over 30 years as the head coach of men’s cross country team at my alma mater, Connecticut College.   Coach Jim Butler was the 2002 New England Cross Country coach of the year, the 2004 New England Small College Athletic Conference Coach of the year, and an impressive 2:37 marathoner. He coached multiple national qualifiers and took his 2002 team to the national championship meet. Our conversation includes: Memories from his competitive days at Rutgers and road racing in Connecticut <span st

Elisabeth Scott, a multiple-certified running coach and host of the Running Explained Podcast, joins us to discuss all things WORKOUTS. What is a workout? What is the purpose of a workout? What are the different types of workouts? We discuss pacing vs. running via perceived effort, the philosophy behind workouts, and how to structure them.  Links & Resources from the Show: Elisabeth's podcast Running Explained Let me help you with a training plan Follow Elisabeth on Instagram Thank you DrinkLMNT!

On this episode I have the dynamic duo of Tina Muir and Zoë Rom. Tina was formerly a professional runner for Great Britain and now hosts the Running for Real Podcast. Zoë is an elite ultra runner and Editor in Chief of Trail Runner Magazine. While each has been a guest on the podcast in the past, this is my first time having a discussion with them both! Zoë and Tina bring a unique perspective to running that has been missing from the books on training and racing that currently exist. Our discussion focuses on what it means to be a sustainable runner, and the various ways you can integrate your personal running journey with the broader community and environment.  Topics we explore include: <span style=

Racing a fast 5k is a thrill. In this episode, Jason shares the foundational and specific workouts that help you race your best over 5,000m. Links & Resources from the Show: Learn more about Team Strength Running Read more about training as a masters runner Structure your training to sharpen for a 5k Get a 5k training plan from our programs Thank you DrinkLMNT! A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They ar

This week’s coaching call with Team Strength Running member Chris Robinson will help put all the pieces together for running a fast 5k. This episode originally aired in 2021 but remains useful and relevant for any runner hoping to take their racing to the next level. Chris is a cross-country coach at Eureka College who has raced a variety of distances from 5ks to ultras. His sub-20 5k PR came several years ago in the midst of primarily aerobic half-marathon training. Since then his training has varied in consistency, as he has often put the needs of his collegiate runners ahead of his own. To challenge himself, Chris planned to race a 5k every month of the year as motivation to get back to consistent training and earn a new PR at the distance. We discuss his running background and training history, then delve into

When evaluating any new technology and whether it will help your running, product reviews are typically our first means of learning about the pros and cons of a product. By learning how to use these reviews to your advantage, you’re more likely to make better decisions about which products work best for you. This week’s guest on the podcast has reviewed just about every type of gear imaginable, from clothing and shoes, to recovery tools, to watches and smart rings. Ashley Mateo is likely a familiar name, as she has written for just about every major media outlet including Runner’s World, Bicycling, Women's Health, Health, Shape and  Self.  In addition to her writing and prolific product testing, Ashley is a RRCA and UESCA certified running coach and an accomplished marathoner. She also publishes one of my favorite running newsletters, <a href= "https://a

Running is one of the most popular and widespread activities in the country, yet coverage of the sport pales in comparison to team sports such as baseball and football. Media attention to trail and ultrarunning is even more limited, due to challenging accessibility and technology limitations. My guest on the podcast came to running nearly a decade ago, and quickly fell in love with the mountains, trails, and the ultra world. Finn Melanson is the host of Singletrack, one of the most successful podcasts about the trail and ultra scene. His experience covering and participating in the sport have given him unique insight into its recent growth, and where it’s headed in the years to come. While Finn and I start

Running shoe technology has evolved dramatically in recent years. More than ever, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the possible options. Add the arrival of carbon-plated “super shoes” and choosing a shoe becomes even more confusing. On the podcast today is Dr. Matthew Klein, a professor of Physical Therapy at West Coast University Center for Graduate Studies who specializes in orthopedic, geriatric, and sports rehabilitation. Matt has been running for over a decade and was an accomplished Division III runner as the 2012 NWC 10,000m champion. Matt’s love for running led him to specialize in treating runners of all ages and abilities. He is also the founder of Doctors of Running, which provides detailed running shoe reviews. When it comes to figuring out what to put on your feet, Matt is an incredible resource. While Matt and I begin by talking a

This week’s guest on the podcast has the amazing ability to build community wherever he goes. On an average week, you may find him leading a group of 40 runners or training alongside past Olympians. Jonathan Levitt is a runner and host of the For the Long Run Podcast, and perhaps secretly, the (unofficial) mayor of Boulder, Colorado. Jon moved to Boulder several years ago and is a huge presence in the running community. He thrives off the companionship of group runs, and often does at least 4 of his 6 runs each week with friends. Through trial and error Jon has learned how to manage the logistics of running with both faster and slower runners, while blending it seamlessly into his own training schedule. Jon and I discuss the incredible running community of Boulder, along with: How Jon finds joy in helping othe

The Western States Endurance Run (WSER) is an iconic fixture in the world of ultrarunning. As the world’s oldest 100 miler, it has become a symbolic representation of the ultimate endurance challenge. Few people have as much knowledge about Western States as my guest today, Andy Jones-Wilkins. Andy has completed Western States an incredible 10 times, along with other 100 milers such as Hardrock, Leadville, Wasatch and Vermont. Andy’s love for the Western States Endurance Run (WSER) is undeniable, but as a coach his understanding of training and racing applies to all areas of the sport. We discuss a variety of topics today, including: Andy’s detailed knowledge of the WSER history and course <span style= "font-weig

This week’s guest on the podcast did not start running until 2018, but he quickly developed an intense love for the sport. His passion for running coincided with his newfound sobriety, and the parallels he discovered in the two helped him truly live the mantra one day at a time. Tommie Runz has built an enormous following both on Instagram and through his podcast, the Run Eat Sleep Show. We happened to meet at Skratch Labs Cafe on Global Running Day in Boulder.  After sharing some miles together, I got him on the podcast the very next day to tell his unique story, including his adventures running multiple marathons. In his short running career Tommie has already run half of the World Marathon Majors and earned an impressive 2:46 PR on Boston’s challenging course this past April. Tommie continues to work with a number of running brands and represents those who a

This week’s episode is a repost from the Adaptive Zone Podcast, hosted by Matthew Boyd. Matt is a physiotherapist and running coach who specializes in helping runners overcome injury while setting new PRs. His podcast addresses runners and triathletes to help them move from injury and rehabilitation into performance. On the podcast Matt gives Jason a hypothetical case study for “Carrie”, a marathoner with a 3:48 PR who is looking to go sub-3:45 but can’t quite seem to get there. She runs 2 marathons each year and averages between 40 and 60 km (25-37 miles) each week. Matthew and Jason look at how Carrie’s training can change moving forward to help her earn a new persona

This week’s guest on the podcast can help you better understand all the varied components of activating our glutes. Lisa Mitro is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who focuses on helping runners prevent and treat repetitive stress injuries. Her practical, action-focused advice has earned her over 110,000 followers on Instagram. While the glute muscles are incredibly important for runners, they can also be a source of frustration and confusion. Whether it’s learning the difference between glute strengthening and activation, or discovering how we mistakenly compensate with other parts of the body, Lisa makes glute training easier to understand. Lisa and I address all things related to your glutes, including practical steps to improve your running and injury resilience

When it comes to health and fitness, Tony Horton needs no introduction. For over 40 years he has been involved in the fitness industry, and continues to be a model of health well into his 60s. Tony became a household name with the development of P90X, and has worked with a number of celebrities including Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty. Although Tony does not run competitively, he explores his local California trails on the run each week as part of his regular fitness routine. Tony has long emphasized becoming a well rounded athlete in body and mind, and his training reflects this. My discussion with Tony focuses on the mental and physical benefits of fitness. Without both elements, the journey is less valuable and meaningful. Some of the topics we delve into include:

This week we’re here to celebrate episode 300! Over the years several common themes have emerged from interviewing the best and brightest in physiology, strength, coaching and psychology. Ultimately, finding joy in the process of improvement is what drives my long term love affair with the sport, and I encourage you to do the same. This can come in a number of different ways, including: Knowing your “why” and finding your purpose - whether it’s running faster, further, or seeking new adventures Discovering running friends that make the improvement process more fun Immersing yourself in the sport with a coach, a club, or a like-minded com

If you are familiar with ketones, you know that they are commonly associated with a long term, low carbohydrate diet that can be challenging for runners to sustain. But what if you could get the benefits of ketones as a supplement, rather than a dietary change?  This week’s guest is Dr. Latt Mansor. He is the lead researcher at HVMN, holds a PhD from Oxford in physiology, anatomy, and genetics, and also earned his Master’s degree from Columbia in biotechnology. Latt is a renowned expert in metabolic health and cardiovascular disease, and regularly consults with elite sport, military, clinical and research organizations. Since this is far from my area of expertise, Latt explains the role of ketones in the body before we discuss their benefits for athletes. Some of the topics we focus on include: <li styl

Traditional training plans focus on one distance at a time, whether it’s a fast 5k or a marathon PR. But what if your race schedule looks a little less traditional? Today’s podcast answers a question from a listener named Mike who is curious about combining a fast road marathon and a hilly 50-mile ultramarathon into one training cycle. Is this possible? Is it risky to race a 50 miler only 2 months after a marathon? On the podcast today I have my friend and former competitor, Mario Fraioli, to discuss how to approach training for this type of endeavor. Mario is runner, coach, and host of The Morning Shakeout podcast. Over the past few months, Mario has run his own unique combination of races, including the Boston Marathon and an ind

If you’re looking to take your running to the next level, strategic use of a training log can help you get there. Using a journal to collect your thoughts, plan your goals, and analyze your short and long-term training can provide unique insights to improve as a runner. With that in mind, this week's podcast is a special edition to introduce something I have been working on over the past nine months. Strength Running's own running log - The Performance Training Journal - is now available! The power of reflection is real. While an electronic log on Strava can store your mileage and splits, it doesn’t encourage any interaction or reflection. There is little opportunity for growth. While a pencil and paper log may sound archaic these days, the simple act of writing and reflecting has more power t

Running form has often focused on concepts like cadence and footstrike to create change and improve efficiency. But a “top down” approach - focusing on the arms, torso, and cues - is an innovative and accessible way to become a stronger, healthier runner. This week’s guest on the podcast is Paul Mackinnon, a former semi-pro hockey player who has become an expert on gait retraining. Paul is from Melbourne, Australia and has worked with many high level athletes over the years to improve their running form, including former podcast guest and 2:19 marathoner Peter Bromka. My discussion with Paul is a masterclass on form. Despite this being a complex topic, his ideas are easy to grasp and  have made me rethink some commonly held concepts about ru

On the podcast this week I have Sarah Gearhart, a writer and 14-time marathoner. She’s a sports journalist whose work has appeared pretty much everywhere, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, ESPN, Runner’s World, and many others. Sarah is the author of the new book, We Share the Sun: The Incredible Journey of Kenya’s Legendary Running Coach Patrick Sang and the Fastest Runners on Earth. Patrick Sang is the coach of Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the world's best marathoner. But the culture he has created at his Kaptagat training camp focuses on treating all runners - Kipchoge included - as a whole person. Sarah's time at the camp allowed her a unique insight into this community that few of us know or understand, but sets an example that all runners can learn from. Sarah and I touch on a number of topics surrounding <a href="https://amzn.t

Shin splints are a common source of pain for newer runners, and misconceptions abound when it comes to managing them. Learn how to prevent and treat shin splints and keep them from developing into a more serious injury. Duane Scotti is a physical therapist, a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, a certified running coach, and the host of the Healthy Runner Podcast. After years in the gym, Duane developed a love for running and founded Spark Healthy Runner, a coaching-focused group devoted to helping runners love the sport and run injury free. Duane recognizes the major impact that training decisions have on injury, and uses his combined coaching and physical therapy skills to get the most from his runners. Since there are many misconceptions about shin splints, Duane and I start with the basics and discu

We spend far more time training than we ever will racing. By learning to love the process of improvement in all of its forms, you’ll come to enjoy the journey of training just as much as the outcome. Kenzie Barlow, a sponsored ultra endurance athlete, has finished in the top 10 of races like the Wasatch 100 and the Old Cascadia 100 Miler. She is also a USA Track and Field and Road Runners Club of America certified coach. But Kenzie has also dealt with setbacks and long term health issues, and has had to take time to rediscover her love for the process of training. Kenzie and I talk about how she came to running later in life, and how her path to racing and coaching was something her younger self never could have anticipated.  Kenzie’s outlook on longevity in the sport contains so much wisdom for every runner, including: <li style="font-weight: 4

When race day arrives, having the right mindset can be the deciding factor in your success. This week’s guest on the podcast knows the importance of mindset, and has worked with athletes on the world’s biggest stages. Dr. Nicole Detling received her BA in psychology and sports science from Ohio Wesleyan University, her MS in sport psychology from Ithaca College, and her PhD in sport psychology at the University of Utah. She is a certified mental performance consultant and coauthor of the book “Don’t Leave Your Mind Behind.” While we have glimpsed what the human body is capable of with extraordinary feats like a sub-2 hour marathon, opportunity for continued success comes from harnessing the power of our mind. In our  conversation, Nicole and I discuss how to approach intensity and make mindset training part of you

Dr. Justin Ross is a clinical psychologist and the Director of Workplace Wellbeing at the University of Colorado Health Hospital. He is also a competitive athlete, having qualified for the Boston Marathon 6 times. Dr. Ross has also competed in two Ironman 70.3 distance races, and recently completed the Leadville 100-mile mountain bike race. Our discussion today focuses on the essential components of mental toughness, and is full of practical advice that you can use in your own training: The varying definitions of mental toughness What doesn't work: classic mistakes athletes make when trying to become mentally tough Learning how to normalize the voice of doubt we all face What is attentional control and how can we use it for more focused workouts? How do our daily experiences contribute to mental toughness? Do non-sport spe

When you’ve already pushed your body to the limit and made it to the Olympics as an elite 800m runner, what’s next? Nick Symmonds returns to talk about his adventures since retiring from competitive running. Although Nick retired from competitive running in 2017, he has been busier than ever. Whether developing Run Gum or getting over a million followers on YouTube, Nick is always in pursuit on the next personal and professional challenge. In addition to talking about what Nick has been doing professionally since 2016, we also cover: How his desire to entertain has gotten him over a million followers on YouTube Why he loves running but has no desire to train anymore Nick’s curr

This week on the podcast I have strength coach and sprinting expert Kyle Davey to help runners gain a better understanding of hamstring injuries and how to prevent them. Kyle is the Coordinator of Athletic Performance at Northwest Rehabilitation Associates, regularly contributes to Simplifaster, and is the owner of Salem Speed Academy. Kyle and I take an in-depth look at hamstring injuries, especially as they relate to distance runners. Knowing how to prevent hamstring injuries and manage them if they occur is essential so they don’t become a chronic issue. Learn more about injury prevention here. Our conversation touches on many aspects of prevention and treatment, including: The most common types of

I’ve had the privilege of working with this week’s guest on the podcast for nearly four years. Thomas Shanabruch came to me as a gifted runner who was looking to push himself to the next level, while staying healthy as a master’s runner. This is the story of the last few years and how he has notched PR after PR in a variety of distances from the 5k to the marathon (but his progression in the marathon is just stunning!). Tom and I discuss a variety of factors that have contributed to his string of PRs, including: Taking your your workouts AND your recovery seriously  The importance of setting bold goals Stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it’s in a 5k or in the weight room How to make time for strength work, day in and day out The importance of mindset - taking the training seriously without it becoming a burden What’s next up

Comedian Laura Green has been a lifelong runner who competed in middle distance at Northeastern University. She now lives in Boston with her family, and in her own words “runs a lot and makes fun of running a lot.” Laura is the comedic influencer we didn’t know we needed, and her Instagram reels are so on point and relatable to runners that it’s hard not to sit and watch them all. Whether she’s poking fun at Strava, podcasters, or the varying personalities of different running apparel companies, you'll laugh out loud at her comedy. In this episode Laura and I discuss the value of humor in the sport, as well as how it can help us have conversations about more serious topics. We also talk about: How Laura gets the inspiration for her comedy Why her varying experien

This week’s guest has played a pivotal role in the trail running community. Dylan Bowman is an elite ultrarunner, podcast host, and leader and cofounder of Freetrail. He began his athletic career as a competitive lacrosse player, but after college discovered his love for the beauty and community of trail running. Early in his career, Dylan established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the ultra world, with podium finishes at many of the most competitive ultra races including Leadville and Ultra-Trail Mt Fuji. In the last couple of years Dylan has set his sights on a new project - Freetrail - best described as “a community dedicated to the life-changing sport of trail running.” <span style="font-we

Strength training is an essential component of becoming a better athlete. If you’re a runner who’s a newbie in the gym or an experienced weightlifter looking to run more regularly, you can balance your training to make it beneficial, fun and sustainable! This week’s podcast is from a conversation I had with Matt Chittim on the Rambling Runner Podcast. Matt is a runner and a coach, and his enthusiasm and knowledge about the sport has made his podcast enormously popular. We have covered an array of topics in our previous conversations, but this one focuses on one of my favorite topics: strength training. Matt and I talk about some different

If your job requires unconventional hours, it can be a struggle to find the time to run. But with a little creativity, even runners with challenging schedules can train to improve and reach their goals! This week’s episode features a coaching call with two runners who work unconventional hours. While both have found a way to fit running into their hectic lives, we discuss strategies to help them continue to upgrade their training. As an oncology nurse, Daryl works 12-13 hour shifts 3 days a week, in addition to her commute. She is on her feet for almost all of those hours, continuously working with patients. Tom juggles two jobs with one starting at 3 am, and on 3 days each week he has at most an hour to transition to his next shift. His work is also intensely physical in addition to the long hours. Some of the strategies we touch on include:

Are you a new runner or looking to get back into the sport after a long break? This episode is for you! We tackle all the questions to help you get started, run comfortably, and develop an amazing lifelong habit. Mark Kennedy is an RRCA Certified Running Coach and the founder of the None to Run community, which also has its own podcast and app. What started as a blog has become an impressive community of new runners all sharing in their ongoing successes. Mark and I talk a bit about the community, but focus on listener generated questions that include: How do I establish a consistent running habit? How can I

Sam Murphy is a journalist, author and running coach. She has written for numerous newspapers and magazines over the last 20 years, and pens the enduring Murphy's Lore column in Runner's World magazine. As a long time runner, Sam has raced a variety of distances from 5Ks to ultras, and she earned her degree in sports and exercise science. Sam and I discuss the common mistakes and misconceptions that can complicate marathon training, especially if you are new to the distance. Some of the myths we address include: The “perfect” training cycle - why it doesn’t exist Why a 20 mile training run isn’t

Meet Meghann Featherstun - a Registered Dietitian and board certified specialist in sports dietetics. Meghann is also a talented runner, having broken 3 hours in the marathon after starting to run as an adult in 2009. Throughout our discussion Meghann answers questions from listeners, in addition to many of my own! Some of these include: What’s a normal blood glucose range and why might runners be different from the average population? What impact does training have on your blood glucose over time? How is your blood glucose and other lab work impacted by an event like a marathon? How should diabetics think differently about pre-

This week’s podcast features a coaching call with a runner named Bradford. After a year of fast racing, Bradford had a taste of success and is looking to make continued improvement as a new master’s runner. Having recently turned 40, Bradford set some challenging but realistic goals for the year ahead: run a sub-3 marathon and qualify to run Boston in 2024. Bradford lives in Washington, DC and often runs several workouts each week with a local club of competitive athletes. While these structured workout sessions have enabled him to achieve fast times in the 5k and half marathon, Bradford is wondering how best to juggle all the elements of training for his first marathon. Bradford and I talk about his past and current training and plan for how he can achieve his goals in the years ahead. While he is doing a lot of things right, we discuss ways he can make

Grayson Murphy is a five-time Division 1 All-American, the 2019 World Mountain Running Champion, and the 2019 and 2021 US Mountain Running Champion. In addition to her racing success, Grayson is working on her Masters of Sustainable Natural Resources at Oregon State University. She also has her own small business selling a self-designed training log and planner. Catch her contribution to Episode 160: 5 Of The World’s Fastest Women On Injury Prevention & Recovery! Grayson and I discuss her year of injuries, and she shares how she has handled them both mentally and physically. Her openness abo

What exatly is the "off-season?" In this episode, coach Jason Fitzgerald discusses the often-confusing off-season and why it's really a combination of time off and the early base phase of training.  You'll learn how to plan that time off, what the early weeks of base training should look like, and the goals of base training.  More resources: Base Training 101 Training Programs How to build a bigger base Thank You InsideTracker! This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body’s data and get a firm idea of h

Any athlete who seeks to perform at their best knows the importance of mental training. Whether it’s a tough workout, a local 5k, or competing on the world stage at the Olympics, having confidence in your abilities will help you get the most out of yourself. Greg Chertok has over a decade of experience creating mental training programs for a wide range of athletes. He's worked with youth athletes as well as professionals, including Olympians, NCAA and Super Bowl champions, and Stanley Cup players. As a performance and mental skills consultant, Greg is an expert at helping others build sport-specific confidence. Greg and I discuss many aspects of developing confidence that will benefit your running, including: What does

If you haven’t thought much about power as it relates to your running, you’re not alone. As runners, power isn’t something that we often consider in our training.  To help us understand power, we have David Roche with us today. David Roche is an elite trail runner, author, and running coach. He is a two-time USATF trail national champion and the 2014 Sub-Ultra Trail Runner of the Year. David publishes regularly in Trail Runner Magazine and wrote the book, The Happy Runner, with his wife Megan. Although the subject of power and mechanical output may sound daunting, never fear! David breaks down the concepts in a way that makes it understandable, approachable, and easy to apply to your running year-round. We discuss: <span style= "font-weight: 400;

What exactly is stability and how does it impact our running? Stability allows us to transform strength into speed. The good news is that building stability doesn’t require hours of strenuous workouts - most of what we need can be accomplished in a few short sessions. This week’s podcast guest has a Masters of Physical Therapy and is a board certified sports clinical specialist. Jay Dicharry is an author, innovator and coach who has built an international reputation as an expert in biomechanical analysis. Jay has written 2 books many runners may be familiar with: Anatomy for Runners and Running Rewired. Jay is also the inventor of the MOBO board, a tool that helps you build stability

This week’s episode is with ultra endurance athlete Travis Macy. It was originally published on his podcast, The Travis Macy Show. Travis interviews me on a wide variety of topics, including training and strength work, running after COVID, and how I developed Strength Running, one step at a time. We also talk about: My background and development of my lifelong love for running The value of running both roads and trails How fueling options have changed for the better <li style="font-weight: 400;" ari

Whether it's illness, injury, or stale training, most runners have found themselves stuck in a rut at times. Learn the best way to assess your running and start making progress again with this one-on-one coaching call. This week’s episode features a coaching call with Ivan, a Team Strength Running member. Ivan was a runner in high school and came back to the sport after over a decade away. Ivan had a successful buildup to a strong half marathon last year, but has struggled with his running after some recent setbacks. Like many of us, Ivan's bout with COVID earlier in the year made for a slower than expected return to training.  He has struggled with finding the right volume and intensity in training to both feel good and make progress. <span style= "font-f

Most runners are familiar with common training flaws that can lead to injury - like running faster or farther than your body can handle. But understanding subtle causes of injury can make you a smarter, healthier runner and competitor. Our guest is Brodie Sharpe, a physiotherapist, the host of the Run Smarter Podcast, and author of the new book, Run Smarter. Brodie and I dig into some of the more subtle factors that can sabotage your training. Our discussion focuses on a number of elements that have a bigger impact on your running than you realize:

The Philadelphia Marathon is unique in its ability to provide big city race amenities coupled with an accessible, runner-focused event. This is your all-inclusive guide to Philly marathon weekend, from pre-race logistics to the post-race fanfare. Joining us is Philadelphia Marathon Race Director, Kathleen Titus. Kathleen has more than 25 years of experience in the marathon, ultra-distance and triathlon world, coupled with extensive work in event planning. She owns All Fitness Events, a digital marketing firm that specializes in endurance events. The Philly Marathon has special significance to me as the home of my personal best, so I was excited to meet Kathleen at the Endeavorun Boulder retreat last summer. Her energy, experience and attent

Born to Run inspired runners all over the world with its story of the Tarahumara Indians alongside Christopher McDougall’s quest to run with more joy and less pain. The follow up book digs into the details of training principles you can apply to your own running. Joining us are Christopher McDougall and his longtime coach, Eric Orton.  Their newest book - Born to Run 2 - lays out the path that McDougall followed as he went from chronically injured to successful ultrarunner.   Their new book helps runners revitalize their running through a combination of training principles and supplementary work that prepares the  body to run efficiently. We  focus on several important concepts of the Born to Run approach, including a “speed fir

Knee pain is a common and aggravating injury for many runners. In this week's coaching call, learn how to assess and fix your knee pain through strength work, training strategies, and more! This behind-the-scenes coaching call is with a Team Strength Running member, also named Jason. After a 10-year hiatus, Jason’s friend helped him get back into running, and he is currently preparing for an upcoming half-marathon. Jason has struggled with intermittent knee pain. The pain consistently occurs about halfway through each of his training cycles, but subsides during his down time in between harder training. While he doesn't have an exact diagnosis, he has worked with a physical therapist to help relieve his pain. To get to the bottom of this nagging injury, Chris and I talk about his running backgroun

Matt Meyer is a member of the Boulder Underground team, a running and strength coach at Revo Physiotherapy and Sports Performance, and owns a 2:34 marathon PR. With the help of an impressively high mileage training schedule, Matt's hoping to demolish that PR with a 2:25 this December at CIM (California International Marathon). Matt can now handle mileage that's jaw dropping to most of us. In our conversation, Matt and I discuss the the details of high mileage running: The necessity of balancing very easy and very hard running Why running requires having a continuous conversation with your body How strength work builds a foundation for durability The importance of seeing every training block as a stepping stone How to pick the low hanging fruit when it comes to r

The art of pacing yourself correctly is the key to success in workouts and races. But like any other skill, it requires practice and understanding what it really means to “listen to your body.” If you enjoy reading about running and training, then this week’s guest likely needs no introduction. Matt Fitzgerald is a prolific writer, having authored more than 30 books on endurance training and sports. He has immersed himself in the endurance world and is constantly at the forefront of communicating ways to make your training more effective and productive. Despite our shared last name, Matt is not a relative. But in addition to his

Runners of all levels can benefit from coaching, but it’s important to find the right match to get the most out of your relationship. If you’re looking for a coach or considering getting certified as one, you’ll benefit from learning more about both sides of the coaching experience. This week’s guest on the podcast is a fellow coach and my roommate from a recent running retreat, Bertrand Newson. “Coach B” (as he is most often referred to) came to running later in life, leaving a long career in the hospitality industry fueled by his love of running.  Coach B is a Road Runners Club of America certified coach, co-host of the Race Mob podcast, and on the Board of Directors at the 80/20 Endurance Foundation, which seeks to promote diversity in coaching. He is not only an outstanding coach and a prolific competitor, but he is also a master at bringing people together

As a runner, keeping your posterior chain strong and functional is the key to healthy running. The muscles that make up the posterior chain comprise the entire back side of your body. Runners will primarily focus on the lower portion of that chain, which includes the glutes, the hamstrings, and the calves. Dr. Asher Henry is a runner, coach, and physical therapist who loves to help runners get and stay healthy! She is also a certified strength and conditioning coach and a 4 time All-American and top 5 finisher at the USA Trail Half Marathon and 10k Championships. Asher was a co-coach with me on a recent Endeavorun Running retreat, and her knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm for what she does is contagious. We discuss all the essentials of th

We all face obstacles in our running, whether it’s illness, injury, or a race that doesn’t live up to our expectations. Learning how to navigate each of these challenges in a positive way is key to moving forward with our training. Our guest today is Matt Chittim, a certified running coach and the voice behind the Rambling Runner Podcast. He's also the cofounder of Relay, a premium content membership that features contributors like Kara Goucher, Peter Bromka, and Zoe Rom. Our conversation today focuses on how to make a comeback from the three most common obstacles that runners face: injuries, illness, and a poor goal race. Each has its own strategies that work well. Thank You Athletic Greens! Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that h

Strength training requires planning and periodization, just like running. Learn how to optimize your strength routine to get the best possible benefits from your efforts! This week’s episode features an interview from the Elevate Your Running Podcast, where the tables were turned and I was the guest. Our discussion focused on the topic of strength training for runners, including the importance of embracing strength training and the qualities of an effective training plan. My conversation with Sara and Austin dives into the nitty gritty decisions we make around strength training, and how to fit it into run training in a way that’s beneficial and sustainable. We focus on: Barriers that prevent runners from getting into weightlifting <span style= "font-w

Running form is a hot topic that can often confuse runners. This week’s guest offers actionable advice to help you discover your own best form to improve your running and stay healthy. Dr. Matt Minard runs the popular Learn 2 Run account on Instagram to help runners stay healthy, strong and improve their running technique. He is a physical therapist, orthopedic clinical specialist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist.  Matt’s experience with physical therapy as a high school athlete helped him discover a love for the profession, and as both a runner and physical therapist he is dedicated to helping athletes stay healthy and strong. Matt and I explore a variety of topics related to form to give you practical advice you can apply to your own running, including: <li style="font-weight: 40

There are broad elements of training that all runners need to work on in order to improve. But if you tailor your workouts to your unique physiology, you can continue to get stronger through your master’s years and beyond. A master’s runner himself (by European standards), this week’s podcast guest is Eoin Everard. He is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Biomechanics. He’s also a sub-4 minute miler, a sub-14 minute 5k runner, and a five-time Irish National Champion in the 1500 and 3000m. As an elite runner and chartered physiotherapist, Eoin brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to the athletes he works with.  Having faced his own struggles with injuries over the years, Eoin has learned how to change his approach to training to get the most from his body while also staying healthy. Since becoming a E

While endurance may not be the sexiest word when it comes to better running, it is certainly the most essential. Endurance is a broad term that applies to every aspect of your running, whether you are looking to run longer, faster, or both! But in order to build endurance, you first need to start with consistency. While there is no magic bullet to running faster, consistency in training is about as close as it gets.   In this episode of the podcast I’ll go in depth about each of the three strategies you can use to improve your endurance. While the second and third options each carry slightly more risk since they involve faster or longer, sustained efforts, they can all be safe, useful training tools when applied correctly: Lowest risk option: Run higher mileage, especi

Listeners know I'm a relentless advocate of strength training, whether you're doing bodyweight exercises at home or lifting heavy in the gym. But some runners take strength training to a level above and beyond the rest of us - and find great success along the way. This week’s podcast features a fellow running coach and one of my private coaching clients, Elizabeth Corkum. Elizabeth - who goes by the nickname Corky - is a 2:58 marathoner and 5-day per week weightlifter. Coach Corky has multiple coaching certifications, including USA Track and Field, Road Runners Club of America, and the Lydiard Foundation. She is also a certified personal trainer and specialist in sports nut

Kim Dawson is a professor of kinesiology at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, ON, Canada. Her extensive education and research in psychomotor behaviour and exercise science gives her a deep understanding of the issues that affect performance. She has worked with elite athletes, Olympians and professional sport organizations for over 10 years. This episode is all about managing emotions like stress, pre-race anxiety, and nervousness, so you can transform them into ambition for a great run. Don't miss even more ideas on how to build mental skills at strengthrunning.com/brain/. Thank you Athletic Greens! One scoop of AG1 gives me 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a gre

Jason Fitzgerald is the driving force behind Strength Running's website, video channel, and podcast, but you may not know as much about his life behind the scenes. Today Jason gets interviewed about his history, advice for runners and entrepreneurs, his current aspirations, and more! Jason's friend and fellow coach, Sara Manderscheid, agreed to spend some time talking with him about who he is behind the microphone. Sara is a running coach and Boston qualifier with more than 15 years of competitive experience. She hosts the Elevate Your Running Podcast and Elevate Your Running camps held in Boulder, Colorado. After Jason spoke at one of her recent camps, several campers reques

Living through the recent pandemic has made us acutely aware of the need to adapt to changing circumstances. We can only control the controllables, and there are very few of them! This week’s podcast guest has had an enormous impact on the world of high school coaching. Mr. Ryan Banta is a coach with more than 20 years of experience and the author of The Sprinter’s Compendium. At the high school level, Ryan has produced 135 All-State medalists, including 10 state champions and 15 runners-up. He also coached this year’s state championship team. A major factor in Ryan’s success comes from his ability to help others embrace the twists and turns of the training process. He is a master at reframing setbacks and teaching his runners that success comes from being adaptable. Ryan’s knowledge and expe

Ali Feller has become a beacon of enthusiasm for the sport of running and its passionate, supportive community. Her podcast, Ali on the Run, is one of the most popular running podcasts out there, with hundreds of episodes and countless fans. On her long-running podcast, Ali has had conversations with many of the sport’s most recognized runners. She is also continuing to work to make listeners more familiar with guests whose stories we don’t get to hear enough about. Ali is a marathoner, a TedX Speaker, and a race announcer for New York Road Runners and Millennium Running.  She is also a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in numerous publications including Runner’s World, Self, Fitness and Women’s Running.  But most

Running is essentially a series of one-legged hops repeated over and over again. The repetitive nature of running can exacerbate imbalances in any part of our body.  While many mild asymmetries are normal and not necessarily cause for concern, others can make you more injury prone.   This week’s guest helps runners deal with all types of imbalances. Dr. Sarah Ceschin is a physical therapist from Boulder, Colorado, who I had the pleasure of meeting in person at a recent group run. Sarah works with a variety of athletes, particularly runners and climbers.  If you ever find yourself in need of a physical therapist, try to seek out one who is familiar with treating runners! As a runner herself, Sarah understands the demands of running and helps runners stay healthy and strong. As a physical therapist, sh

Misconceptions and misunderstandings abound when it comes to running while pregnant and postpartum. With the research constantly evolving it can be tough to keep up, but patience in the recovery process will ultimately pay off in the long term. Dr. Rachel Selman is a physical therapist based in Georgia who specializes in pregnant and postpartum athletes. She is also a mom and a runner. Rachel is certified as both a Strength and Conditioning Specialist as well as a Pelvic Rehabilitation Practitioner. She is a wealth of information for new and expecting moms who are trying to figure out how their running will be affected by pregnancy and childbirth. She talks in depth about what to expect during each of the trimesters of pregnancy, and t

Holley Samuel is a Registered Dietitian who also happens to be a Boston Marathon Qualifier. She has a Master’s in Health Education and is a Certified Personal Trainer, and also happens to own a cookie company. Clearly, she knows how to maintain a balance when eating for both joy and health! Holley and I explore the ins and outs of marathon nutrition, including carb-loading before the race, your pre-race breakfast, mid-race fueling, and eating for recovery.  Holley and I tackle a wide variety of marathon nutrition questions: Is carb loading important? What’s the right way to go about it? What factors impact the amount of carbohydrates we can store? (It might not be what you think)<

This week’s guest on the podcast needs no introduction. As one of America’s most dominant female runners, Kara Goucher earned a spot on the Olympic team in the 10,000 meters in 2008, and the marathon in 2012. She was second in the 10,000 meters at the World Championships in Osaka and placed third in both the Boston and New York City marathons. Kara has retired from competitive running but remains an active presence as an athlete advisor for Oiselle and Altra.  She is a sports analyst and broadcaster for NBC Sports, and had an opportunity to be on the other side of the camera as a color commentator at the Tokyo Olympics. Competitive from a young age when she would regularly beat all the boys, Kara has learned how to handle pressure and expectations throughout her career. Although Kara dealt with pressure at an elite level, that feeling is something all runners can rela

No matter how much you love running, all runners should strive to be athletes for success and longevity in the sport. Being well-rounded in pursuit of your goals can make you strong and fit for the long haul, both mentally and physically. This week’s guest on the podcast is a mountain runner, climber, hiker and snowboarder. Kelly Halpin has a passion for exploring remote wilderness, often on her own.  Kelly’s incredibly diverse background has shaped her into the athlete she is today. She has the distinction of earning 14 FKTs (Fastest Known Times) on routes throughout Wyoming, Montana, Utah and California. Most of them have been unsupported - meaning she did them with no assistance and carried everything she needed with her -  sometime

This week’s guest on the podcast, Krissy Moehl, is an elite ultramarathoner and coach who has had unique longevity in the sport and is helping her athletes to do the same. Krissy has completed hundreds of challenging races and has more than 50 first place female finishes, along with several overall wins. For both herself and the athletes Krissy coaches, reflection is an important part of the process. Reflection allows us to see where we’ve been, know how to move forward, and can give us more confidence to reach daunting goals. Training is one piece of the complex and busy lives most of us lead, and training doesn’t happen in a vacuum. We often check one box and move onto the next thing, without giving each moment or activity a little bit of quality time for reflection.   Krissy

Dr. Anh Bui is both a runner and an expert on running form and gait analysis. She competed in cross country and track at UC San Diego and her interest in physiology and biomechanics, in addition to helping injured runners, led her to become a physical therapist. Anh completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy at Columbia University. She also furthered her education with a focus on advanced orthopedics, women’s health, and management of the running athlete. In her work at Columbia’s RunLab Clinic, Anh performed gait evaluations and provided individualized plans to high level runners. As a physical therapist, a certified strength coach, a USATF certified running coach (and a competitive runner!), Anh is able to provide a variety of tools to help runners get healthy and remain injury free. Some of the subjects we discuss

If you didn't start running from a young age, can you still get really fast? Yes! Today's guest is Brent, a member of our Team Strength Running group, and he’s a prime example of how a commitment to consistent training and improvement can help you achieve some impressive, speedy goals. Nine years ago Brent ran his first marathon in 3:40, and by fine-tuning his training over the years he took more than 48 minutes off that time on the challenging Boston course this past April. Brent and I discuss all aspects of his training and over the years, including: The path he took to becoming a runner <span style= "font-we

Stress fractures are an injury feared most by runners. And with good reason - they require extensive time off for healing and recovery.  By understanding common risk factors, you can stay healthy and prevent this distressing diagnosis. Joining us is Dr. Emily Kraus. She is the Clinical Assistant Professor at Stanford Children’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center, specializing in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation sports medicine. She researches bone stress injuries at Stanford's Healthy Runner Project, which is focused on bone stress injury prevention in collegiate distance runners. Emily is an expert on running injuries, stress fractures, and RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport). In addition to her research, she performs gait analysis at the Stanford Run Safe Injury Prevention Program and serves as a medical advisor for the Adaptive Sports Injury P

Elisabeth Scott has coaching certifications from RRCA, USATF, and UESCA. She's also the host of the enormously popular Running Explained podcast. In this episode, we take listener questions! We're answering Questions from Jason's Instagram page on pacing, intensity, zones, distribution of effort over time, and more. Links & Resources from the Show: Visit Elisabeth’s website Check out the Running Explained Podcast Follow Elisabeth on Instagram and <a href= "https

Without recovery, all those long runs, workouts, and training won't help you become a faster runner. We improve when we rest, so let's make sure we're recovering the right way! In this episode, Jason shares 5 of the most effective recovery methods - so you can focus on what matters and ignore the hype. Resources from the show: Recovery tips from Elites Recovery fundamentals Athletic Greens Thank You InsideTracker! This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one o

Training your brain to handle the difficult moments in workouts and races is an essential skill for runners. If you’re new to the mental training, this coaching call will help you learn the practical ways to develop and implement these techniques. Joining us is Patrick, a member of our Team Strength Running coaching program. Patrick began running a decade ago to improve his health, and discovered his love for the marathon.   Patrick is a 3:39 marathoner who wants to improve his mental toughness along with his race times. Patrick wants to improve the disconnect between body and mind that slows us down in the painful, late stages of a race where we all struggle. We discuss: Finding ways to get out of your comfo

Dr. Noel Brick is a lecturer and researcher in sport and exercise physiology who focuses on attentional focus and cognitive strategies in endurance performance. You’re likely to know an athlete he has had an impact on: marathon world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge is known for his serene smile in the most grueling moments of the marathon, a technique to reduce the perception of effort that Dr. Brick discovered. Noel is the co-author of The Genius of Athletes has run more than 30 marathons and ultra-marathons, including the Marathon des Sables and the Irish 24-hour Championships. We discuss: T

Molly Huddle is a two time Olympian and one of the greatest American distance runners in history. She is the current American record holder in the 10k and has set national records in the 20k and half marathon. She represented the United States in the 2012 London Olympics in the 5k, and set the American 10k record in 2016 in Rio. Molly has also found success at the marathon distance, earning a 3rd place finish in her debut marathon in NYC. This week, Molly is here to discuss her passion for the women’s running community and the completion of her book with coauthor Sara Slattery called How She Did It: Stories, Advice, and Secrets to Success from 50 Legendary Distance Runners. Links & Resources from the Show: Follow Molly on <a href= "https://www.ins

Andy Galpin, PhD has been an assistant professor at California State University Fullerton for more than a decade. He formerly won a Division 3 national football championship while earning his exercise science degree at Linfield College. He then got his Master’s in Human Movement Sciences and his PhD in human bioenergetics. He serves on many advisory boards in the area of human performance, wrote the 2017 book Unplugged, and is a sought after speaker and high performance coach. In this conversation, we’re focusing on the principles that influence the strength workouts of endurance runners how we can train power during our strength sessions common mistakes in this area how to lessen the risk of injuries during power

Resistance training should not be considered cross-training for runners - it’s essential! Seton Hall Strength and Conditioning Coach Angelo Gingerelli has worked in the field for two decades and has extensive experience working with kids, collegiate athletes, and pro athletes. Angelo’s work in the strength and conditioning field, combined with his personal experience as a runner, gives him a unique perspective on how best to integrate the two. His recent book Finish Strong helps runners address common weaknesses and build a foundation of general and specific strength. Angelo also digs into a variety of topics we don’t often think about in our typical run training, including: T

What runner doesn’t aspire to become unbreakable? It’s never too late to learn how to listen to your body to make yourself a healthier, more durable athlete! Our guest is an expert on how to understand and speak your body’s language. Kate Galliett is a movement specialist and coach who has worked with a wide variety of athletes to help them become unbreakable.  After getting her degree in Exercise Science, Kate earned multiple certifications as a personal trainer and in functional movement and mobility. She is an accomplished outdoorswoman who hikes, rock climbs, hunts and skis. Kate recently released her book, Becoming Unbreakable: How To Build A Body You Love To Live In, to help others learn how to take charge of their health and create a blueprint for change. <span st

Do you want to boost your training? Instead of focusing on new fads or training hacks, getting back to basic training essentials can pay big dividends with your running! The tables are turned this week as I get interviewed by Brodie Sharpe (this interview previously aired on The Run Smarter Podcast).  Our discussion focuses on essential elements of training, including the components that can help reduce your injury risk. Brodie and I tackle a range of topics that impact both new and experienced runners. We discuss a may aspects of training and racing, including: Why almost every runner will benefit from an individualized training plan <span style= "font-weig

It’s easy to overcomplicate running, whether it’s our goals, our training, or our recovery. Pro Adriana Nelson teaches us why simplicity and dedicated focus are key to a life well run.  Adriana went on to earn 6 long-distance national track titles for her home country of Romania, as well as a Romanian team gold at the 2004 World Half Marathon Championships with her teammates. She was second at the 2007 Chicago Marathon, and was the 2013 US half marathon champion. Adriana’s background is unique and compelling because of her hard work and talent and what she has overcome. But that’s only part of the story. Adriana’s successful business venture - ROLL Recovery - was born out of her dedication to taking care of her body while competing at the highest level. She is just as devoted to the recovery process as she is to pushing h

Jason Koop is one of the most sought after ultramarathon coaches in the country, the author of the most comprehensive manual on ultra training that exists, and a 20-year veteran of the coaching world. See his book, now in its second edition. He’s personally run some of the most difficult ultras in the world from Badwater 135, Hardrock 100, the Leadville Trail 100, and the Western States Endurance Run. We’re going to discuss why ultras are so different than any other distance race, how to best structure back to back long runs, the maximum distance you should aim for during training, how to get ready for mountainous races if you don’t have access to any hills, and a lot more. More resources:</sp

What are major red flags that increase your injury risk from running? In this episode, coach Jason Fitzgerald shares the 5 most serious training errors from his personal running career that led to most of his injuries. Since your training (how you structure your running) is the most important way to prevent injuries, these mistakes are important to avoid. For more details on injury prevention, sign up here. Thank You InsideTracker! This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body’s data and get a firm idea of how well you’re responding to training. Understanding your body’s biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you’re

I’ve had the privilege of working with this week’s guest on the podcast for nearly four years. Thomas Shanabruch came to me as a gifted runner who was looking to push himself to the next level, while staying healthy as a master’s runner. This is the story of the last few years and how he has notched PR after PR in a variety of distances from the 5k to the marathon (but his progression in the marathon is just stunning!). Tom and I discuss a variety of factors that have contributed to his string of PRs, including: Taking your your workouts AND your recovery seriously  The importance of setting bold goals Stepping out of your comfort zone,

This episode is a little different! Jaxon Burton, a personal trainer and nutritionist from New Zealand who hosts the Vegan Body Coach podcast, interviews Jason about running your first marathon. He asked Jason to talk about the ins and outs of tackling your first go at 26.2 miles - from how to know when you’re ready, training must-do’s, common pitfalls to avoid, and suggestions for executing on race day. Even if you’re not a first timer, I’m sure you’ll pick up on some valuable advice to better optimize your next marathon. This conversation originally appeared on the Vegan Body Coach Podcast.  Related Resources: How to stay healthy during marathon training

You may recognize this week’s guest: Dr. Victoria Sekely is a running coach, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and doctor of physical therapy who joined me on episode 135. Victoria was a varsity tennis player at Georgetown University before getting her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from NYU. As a runner herself, she knows that we want to spend our time on the roads and trails rather than in the gym. But her experience as a physical therapist has taught her the enormous value of building and maintaining a strength training habit, even for as little as 20 minutes, twice each week. Victoria emphasizes how strength training teaches us something we rarely think about as a runner: control. Rather than trying to force chang

This week’s episode tackles a variety of questions about the training process, including off-season planning, the concept of sandwiching, addressing cramps and side stitches, and more! Drawing from Instagram and Twitter, Jason is directly answering your specific questions. We’re going to discuss the “sandwiching” concept, side stitches, optimal cadence, off-season training, muscle cramps, and more. Thank you to the athletes who submitted their questions. If you want to contribute in the future, make sure you connect with Jason on Instagram and Twitter. Here's where you can find some of the questions I tackle on this episode: 3:03 - How should training plans vary for a road vs. a trail event? 6:25 -

Stephanie Howe is a heavy hitter from the ultra-endurance world who holds a PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Science. As an elite trail and mountain runner, Stephanie has won the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run and holds the course records for the Bandera 100k and Lake Sonoma 50 miler.   Stephanie's doctoral dissertation focused on the influence of exercise intensity on appetite in endurance-trained women. She is passionate about helping people learn how to fuel for competition and long-term health, and currently coaches runners and provides nutritional counseling. Stephanie answers a variety of questions from Strength Running listeners on training and race nutrition, along with some of

Recovering from injuries is challenging when they keep you away from running for days or weeks. But injuries that linger for years require a special type of perspective and perseverance. This week’s podcast guest received the kind of news you hope never to receive from a doctor - that you might never run again.  Connor Meakin had been an elite athlete long before he took up ultrarunning. He was a member of the Canadian Men’s National Field Hockey Team for four years before completing a road marathon. He quickly discovered his love for the mountains and trails and seemed to have found his calling, winning multiple races in 2014.   What began as a bad ankle sprain in 2014 quickly devolved into a much more serious injury. Connor tr

Geoff Burns, PhD helps us understand the changes in regulations in running footwear, as the industry figures out how to handle the performance impact of carbon-plated “super shoes.” His understanding of the technology, from both a personal and professional perspective, is uniquely informative. Geoff has competed at the highest levels of ultrarunning and was the 2016 US national champion at 100km, where he ran 6:30. He competed at the collegiate level for the University of Michigan, and went on to represent the USA over the 50km and 100km distances, and finished 5th at both the 2016 and 2018 IAU 100km World Championships. Geoff also has degrees in biomedical engineering and kinesiology with a PhD from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on running, physiology, biomechanics, and sport performance.  <

Nick Willis exemplifies longevity not only in the competitive world of elite running, but even more so in an event that typically favors young, powerful runners. He is the 2008 Olympic silver medalist and the 2016 Olympic bronze medalist in the 1500m. Nick’s PR of 3:29 established him as one of the fastest 1500m runners in history. Nick also holds a unique record of being the most consistent miler in history. For the past 19 consecutive years, he has run a sub-4 minute mile. On January 1st at midnight, he’ll be attempting his 20th year of sub-4 miles at the Armory in New York City.  In the podcast, we discuss many of the factors that have contributed to Nick’s success, including: The importance of who you surround yourself

This week's guest on the podcast has raced distances ranging from 5k to ultras. Although he's always been willing to put in the work, he has felt challenged by trying to create a successful training structure for himself. Chris Robinson is a Team Strength Running member and the Cross Country Head Coach at Eureka College in Eureka, Illinois. While his work as a coach has sometimes made his training take a backseat to that of his athletes, he’s setting some exciting new goals for 2022.   Chris is 49 and set some speedy PRs several years ago, including a 1:37 half marathon and a sub-20 5k.  Looking ahead to 2022, he’s setting the goal of running a 5k every month to rebuild training consistency and focus on getting faster. On this week’s podcast, we’ll take a closer look at Chris’ running background a

Sam Burke is the founder of Runner’s Tribe, one of Australia's largest running media sites. Recently he jumped into the competitive running shoe industry as the founder of Tarkine, a new startup shoe company for endurance runners. Runner’s Tribe began in 2008 and has grown into a home for an enormous array of running-related information, including news, product reviews, podcasts, articles, and training diaries from elite runners. Sam’s new company, Tarkine, is focused on making an environmentally responsible running shoe that reduces its ecological footprint in all stages of the shoemaking process. Links & Resources from the Show: Check out the <

Jimmy Picard is a doctor of physical therapy in Salt Lake City. He emphasizes the importance of taking an active role in the recovery process, rather than leaving your recovery in the hands of others.  With his physical therapy expertise working with endurance athletes, his history as a former cross-country runner at the College of William and Mary, and his experience as a Cat 2 cyclist, Jimmy has unique and valuable insights into effective injury rehab for runners. When it comes to healing yourself, Jimmy believes in the science behind the active components of injury rehab - including physical therapy exercises and strength training -  where you are the driving force behind the process. In the podcast, Jimmy also discusses how your outlook and planning for recovery can make a

David Joyce is an expert on optimizing athletic performance in a variety of sports from soccer to football to rugby and more. David joined us last year on the podcast to discuss injury rehabilitation, and he is back this year to focus on prevention. David is the co-editor of High-Performance Training for Sports: The Authoritative Guide for Ultimate Athletic Conditioning, the second edition. He holds master’s degrees in both sports science and sports medicine, as well as an MBA, and has over 50 publications in the field of sports performance. David has worked in Olympic programs in the UK, China, and Australia and has trained and rehabilitated multiple world-class athletes. David and Jason discuss facets of injury prevention you m

Strength training is critical for runners who want to get the most out of their training. While it’s easy to skimp on weights in favor of running more miles, weight training for runners has so many benefits:  Increased speed and power Greater running economy that helps improve endurance The ability to handle a greater workload (i.e., you can run more!) Improved injury resistance In short, there’s no good reason NOT to strength train if you’re a runner! To help answer all of your questions about strength, Tony Gentilcore has joined us. He's a former collegiate baseball player who graduated Magna Cum Laude from SUNY-Cortland with a degree in Health Education with a concentration in Health and Wellness Promotion. After almost going pro in baseball, he worked as a personal trainer for several years in NY, CT, and MA.<

The New York City Marathon is the largest marathon in the world, and its unique course makes it a bucket-list event for many runners. When it comes to navigating the logistics of the New York City marathon, there are few people who know it better than Richard White.  Richard is a fixture of the NYC running scene and a 17-time finisher of the race.  After more than 4 decades of racing, Richard will be going for his 18th NYC finish and his 60th marathon finish this weekend.  Richard is passionate about the race itself as well as its history, and he’s an invaluable resource on all aspects of the NYC Marathon. In this episode he’ll let you in on some of the useful tricks he’s learned from his 17 NYC finishes, including: How to segment the course to make it

Cat Bradley is an athlete that absolutely loves the sport. She's an ultra-endurance runner coached by Matt Fitzgerald who I had the pleasure of meeting this past August at the Endeavorun retreat in Boulder, CO. Her resume is shocking, in the best of ways: Winner of the 2017 Western States 100 Miler Winner of the 2017 Canyons Endurance Run 100k Former Fastest Known Time record holder of the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim in 7:52 (first woman to break 8 hours) Winner of the 2016 Rio Del Lago 100 Miler Winner of the 2018 Moab Red Hot 50k Winner of the 2018 Quicksilver 100k Winner of the 2019 Castle Rock Trail Festival 50k Winner of the 2020 TransRockies Run stage race (team division) I could go on, but I think you understand now that Cat Bradley is one of the best ultra runners in the United States. Cat didn't start

Brad Stulberg is a well-being expert, author, and a contributing editor to Outside Magazine. His work has been featured in the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Wired, and many others. Brad also coaches entrepreneurs, executives, pro athletes, and physicians on how to be a top performer, sustainably. He has written 3 powerful books on performance: Peak Performance, The Passion Paradox, and The Practice of Groundedness. Brad's focus on sustainability informs how we as runners can go after our big goals in a way that doesn’t burn us out. We all want to train harder, achieve our lofty

Years ago I set out to run my first ultramarathon and DNFed. While it wasn't exactly the debut I had hoped for, my fascination with ultras only grew since then. I have interviewed numerous ultra runners to get their take on the demands of the sport and what drives them. You can listen to episodes with: Damian Hall Clare Gallagher Krissy Moehl Dean Karnazes Doug Hay On today's podcast, I'm sharing my tips to successfully training for and completing your first ultra. And next time around, I'll make sure to follow th

Our guest today is Peter Bromka, who is a 2:19 marathoner, publisher of the Positive Split newsletter, and a recipient of The Best Sports Writing in 2021 award. We spoke earlier this year after he helped pace Desiree Linden to a world record in the 50k. Now he has his eyes set on his 8th Boston Marathon. This episode is an in-depth conversation about changes made for the 2021 Boston Marathon. We also talk about other specifics to the course and marathon racing in general: COVID precautions for a major marathon How to break the race up into segments Mantras and mindsets to help you overcome the tough parts Energy of the crowds and how to use it to your advantage Running by ef

Matt Fitzgerald is a 2:39 marathoner, acclaimed author, triathlete, nutritionist, and running coach. His most recent book is The Comeback Quotient, available now. The subject of his book is both timely and personal, as Matt is currently working through being a COVID long hauler. He first got coronavirus in March of 2020, got healthy, but then 6 months later started getting long haul symptoms. He’s still mostly unable to run, which makes this conversation so pertinent to him. In this conversation we’ll be talking about the 3-step process for recognizing reality, digging yourself out of any hole that you might find yourself in, and getting back on track. You can immerse yourself in other content focused on mental strength, too: <a href= "https://strengthrunning.com/202

Lydia Nader is a Registered Dietitian with a graduate degree in nutrition and wellness. She coaches athletes on how to optimize their nutrition. She’s a volunteer coach for Girls on the Run and has completed an ultramarathon, and numerous marathons. Lydia's areas of interest include weight loss, body composition changes, and female health such as amenorrhea and RED-S. Lydia was also the Endeavorun running retreat’s nutritionist, helping us eat great for the 4 day retreat last month in Boulder. During that retreat she gave a presentation on 10 of the most popular ideas in sports nutrition that we may have to rethink. This episode includes many of those ideas. Take a look at these statements yourself and see if you think that they are true or false: Sugar is bad for athletes Training for a marathon means

Today we're doing something a little different with a panel of running experts. We are discussing a variety of topics, everything from training-related questions to the not-so-serious ones.  Endeavorun created a unique experience for a group of runner enthusiasts. We got to spend a few days together in Boulder, CO at a retreat focusing on all things running. One of our highlight events was a panel discussion that you're about to hear. We sat down with Olympian Kate Grace, 2:19 marathoner Peter Bromka, author Matt Fitzgerald, registered dietitian Lydia Nader, and myself for a live Q&A. Our question

Abdi Abdirahman is a 5-time Olympian and the oldest American runner to qualify for the Olympics. He is the oldest male to podium at the NYC Marathon, and USATF’s master’s record holder in the marathon. Abdi is also a 4-time USATF champ in the 10k and a 5-time road racing champion at distances from 10 miles to the marathon. In other words, he’s one of the best runners ever to represent the United States. He's also found the time to become a new author. I'm thrilled he's written his first book to get an even deeper inside look into his mind.  Check it out here: Abdi's World: The Black Cactus on Life, Running, and Fun Today's conversation gives a glimpse of his laid back, lighthearted personality that contributes to Abdi's amazing longevity in the sport. We explore topics of: Balance

Professor Phil Hayes is a senior lecturer at Northumbria University where he spent 14 years as the leader of the Applied Sport and Exercise Science Program. He researches muscle strength and how it affects running performance, form, and injury risk. Phil is a UK Athletics Level 4 running coach and has experience coaching kids, adults, and world-class athletes. His new book, The Science and Practice of Middle and Long Distance Running, weaves together sports science and the art of coaching runners. Today's conversation is a highlight of those principles and an exploration of how they can be applied. We cover many topics from how to structure a training plan to outdated approaches. We talk about: Significant of a training log and which metrics to pay attention to Periodization and <a href= "https://strengthrunning.com/2020/07

Addie Bracy is an expert in mental training for the athlete. She excels on the road, on the track, and on the trails and mountains. She’s a Certified Mental Performance Consultant, author of Mental Training for Ultrarunning, and has consulted with elite athletes in swimming, softball, basketball, track, and running. Addie is a contributor to our Strength Running community as well. You may recognize her from the lifting demonstrations in our flagship weightlifting program High Performance Lifting. Today's episode is about becoming a more mentally fit athlete. Addie shares her view of sports psychology and how it can be leveraged by everyone: <span style="fon

Colleen Quigley, one of the most dominant steeplechasers in American history, has represented the US at the World Championships and Olympics, won the 2019 indoor mile national championships, and she’s hungrier than ever to get back to training and top form. In this episode, we’re discussing her months long foot injury and what she’s doing to properly diagnose it, treat it, and get back to top form. Colleen is tough as nails, honest, vulnerable, and so positive about her comeback. I know that will rub off on you, too. You can hear her top injury prevention tips (along with 4 other world-class runners) in Episode 160 here. And don't miss 9 pro athletes' best recovery advice here.

Ryan Wooderson owns Long Run Physiotherapy & Performance in Denver, Colorado and has spent nearly a decade helping athletes get healthy and stay healthy. He is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and completed his orthopedic residency at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s an Orthopedic Clinical Specialist and his practice focuses on injury prevention and helping athletes perform. In this episode, we explore further details about: Variability in perceived exertion during workouts Prioritizing restorative in the morning hours Improving the quality of your sleep with environmental factors How to do naps the right way Anyone can benefit from better sleep and I hope this episode will provide you with ideas on how to do just that. <span style="text-decoration: underline

Brodie Sharpe is a runner and a physiotherapist based in Australia who helps injured runners get healthy and stay that way. He is the host of The Run Smarter Podcast and has certifications from The Running Clinic, the Running Repairs Course, Sports Medicine Australia, and Athletics Victoria Run as a running coach. It's a pleasure to have Brodie as a part of our community. I was a guest on his podcast where we talked all about training plans and he was a prior sponsor of the SR Podcast. In this episode,

Our guest today is Scott Johnston, an expert in endurance sports including everything from alpine skiing to mountain running. He has worked with Killian Jornet, arguably one of the best ultra endurance athletes on the planet, and numerous top cross country skiers in the US. He's the author of Training for the Uphill Athlete and Training for the New Alpinism. Both books are manuals for athletes and coaches, filled with resources and tools to elevate endurance training. Scott Johnston is himself a lifelong endurance athlete, having performed at high levels in swimming, skiing, and climbing. As a coach, he has practiced and refined an approach to training athletes that emphasizes the skills that can be practiced and acknowledges the genetic determinan

Krissy Moehl has completed hunderds of ultra races and has over 50 first place finishes in the female category, along with several outright wins. She has won some of the hardest 100 mile courses on the planet, including the Hardrock 100 and the HURT 100 in Hawaii. Krissy is the author of Running Your First Ultra, which many athletes use as their ultimate guide to training. Although she didn't have a manual to follow for her own first ultra, she learned from a supportive community and shares those lessons with the readers. Krissy's longevity in a sport this difficult is something to admire and on the show today, we’re talking about what got her hooked on running long races after being an 800m runner in college, how she’s evolved and changed her approach to ultras and fueling since she first started, and her best training ti

Matt Chittim is the host for the Rambling Runner and Road to the Trials podcasts. He is a running coach and, of course, a passionate runner himself. He is enthusiastic about amateur runners and contributes so much to the community through his content. In this podcast, we talk about his recent injury, what lead to it, and the lessons that Matt learned through this experience. Our topics of conversation also cover: The start and evolution of a running career What leads to a running injury and how to recover from it Importance of the proper training process The difference between knowing the right things and doing them I loved this raw and real conversation and I hope you will find it to be informative as well. Links & Resources from the Show: Follow Matt on Ins

Damian Hall is one of the best ultra endurance athletes in the UK. He has represented Great Britain at the trail world championships, holds 7 records or Fastest Known Times (FKTs) and he has competed in the Sahara Desert and the Arctic. All this in less than a decade-long running career. Damian recently wrote a book called In It for the Long Run, which depicts his 2020 Pennine Way record attempt and details of his midlife crisis. In today's conversation, Damian shares about his most recent Wainwright Coast to Coast FKT and the hallucinations caused by hyponatremia (decreased sodium concentrations due to over hydration). We also talk about the lessons learned in ultra running that apply to life. In this episode we also talk about: How to prepare for days of running What drives someone to run for hundreds of miles How to know when you're ready... for anyth

Megan Roche is the 2016 USATF Trail Runner of the Year at the ultra and sub-ultra distances. She is a five-time national champion, a North American Mountain Running Champion, and a six-time member of Team USA. She graduated from Duke University with a degree in Neuroscience and received her M.D. from Stanford Medical School. She’s currently back at Stanford, doing a PhD in epidemiology, focused on population health and genetics for athletes. Today we’re focusing on how to modify your training after a positive test or after your vaccine. We’re going to learn what the vaccine does in our bodies, the effect it has on athletes, the types of exercise we might want to be cautious about post-vaccine, what side effects we can run through vs. what we should not run through, and more.  Thank you Precision Hydration! Thank you to our

Clare Gallagher burst onto the ultrarunning scene with her first attempt at a 100-mile race, the Leadville 100, which she won despite being brand new to the distance. She followed up with wins of the grueling Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run and the CCC 101K. She also has the Fastest Known Times on the Zion Traverse and Joshua Tree Traverse. As an outstanding athlete, Clare has a platform that she uses to amplify voices, causes, and efforts that she feels passionate about. Clare is an environmental activist, helping preserve public lands across the country and bringing much needed attention to environmental issues that threaten the very lands our sport depends on. In this conversation, we talk a

Chris Napier quite literally wrote the book on the Science of Running. He is a professor of Physical Therapy at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver as well as a practicing physiotherapist, 2:33 marathoner, and medal winner at the Canadian Track & Field Championships in 1996 and 1997. Chris earned his diploma in Sport Physiotherapy and has a PhD in Running Biomechanics and Injury Prevention. With his academic background, Chis shares his knowledge on what the research has proven out and what we've learned from experience. In this conversation, we talk about: Who should modify their cadence and when Why foot strikes are better left alone Benefits of logging more than your running stats We also cover the <a href= "https://strengthrunning.com/2020/12/10-common-run

Our guest today is coach Mario Fraioli, a 2:27 marathoner who hosts the Morning Shakeout podcast and publishes the newsletter of the same name. Mario coaches a wide variety of elite and sub-elite runners and has been involved in the running industry as an editor, book author, coach, podcaster, speaker, and thought leader for the better part of two decades. He’s also one fast dude, running a blistering 4:09 mile. And I’m very fortunate to call Mario a friend. In this conversation, we're discussing longer training cycles and why you might be interested (or not) in lengthening the cycle in which you plan your training. We discuss: The nuances of longer training cycles The goals they aim to accomplish <

Alli Felsenthal is a certified running coach, personal trainer, Boston Qualifier, 86-minute half marathoner, fitness class instructor, and host of the Run with Alli Live Podcast. She came to running later in life but has progressed quickly after leaving her corporate job and focusing all of her attention on her coaching and running. She has an interesting story of why she made the leap and how she was able to start a successful career in the fitness industry. Alli is hard-working, gritty, and determined. She passes those traits on to her clients and helps them to achieve their running goals. Today, we're talking about the common questions that new runners face, like: How can I run consistently? Why is running not getting any easier? What are the common pitfalls for new runners? When is a runner ready to start

This episode is about racing and the pacing approaches available to you to help you run your best. Most of us would love to run faster and a big part of that is how you approach racing.  But I’ve gotten countless questions about race strategy over the years, like… How do I negative split a marathon? Should I run even splits or run the first few miles slower? How do I get through the middle of a race where I always slow down? When do I know if I should go out really fast? And I want to give you a s

Tina Muir is a former pro runner and the host of the Running Realized Podcast and Running for Real Podcast. She’s an 11-time All-American athlete and elite athlete for Great Britain who has run in two British Olympic Trials. In this episode we talk about: Recognizing pain versus injury Importance of your body's physiology to help with injury prevention Can you be a bodybuilder and distance runner at the same time? How to manage pain Top factors in injury prevention (this one may surprise you!) <a href= "https://strengthrunning.com/2016/09/

Peter Bromka recently got to pace Chirine Njeim to a 2:36 marathon PR in pursuit of qualifying for the Olympics. On the same course, at the same time, Desiree Linden broke 3 hours in the 50K ultramarathon and set a new world record. Peter is here to share his experience of this event. Peter is an incredible athlete in his own right. He was a very competitive runner for Tufts University, running 15:16 for 5K, who ended up running his first marathon post-collegiately in 2:56. Over the years, he lowered his best to a staggering 2:19:03, just 3 seconds off from the Olympic Trials qualifying mark. In his front row seat run with the pros, Peter got to witness, hear, and implement strategies of the world's top runners. We talk about a variety of topics, including: Mental games of an ou

Strength and conditioning coach Kevin Carr has worked with Olympians and many other types of athletes. He has amassed a wealth of experience in functional anatomy, sports performance, and personal training. He is also the coauthor of the new book Functional Training Anatomy. Kevin has a bachelor's in kinesiology, he’s a licensed massage therapist, and has numerous professional certifications in the functional movement screen, NeuroKinetic Therapy, functional range conditioning,

Jake Tuber is a part-time graduate school professor, a former college teammate of mine, and the creative force behind the Endeavorun Running Retreat. He is a sprinter turned distance runner with a story about how his first real injury caused a downward spiral amid the pandemic. Jake doesn't claim to have the answers or enlightened moments where the truth was revealed. He struggled through the many things that life threw at him and came out on the other end. He's here today to share some of the raw moments along his journey. Our conversation has some great takeaways that I think all runners can benefit from: Action before thoughts - actions help to model your inner beliefs but you have to take the first step <a

Everything from training to fueling has predominantly been researched on men and written about by men. Women’s hormonal variations tend to skew research data so those results are often thrown out. As a professional triathlete, Dr. Stacy Sims recognized that she was poorly served by the same recommendations that male athletes were getting. So she set out to change that through her work.  She has written a book called ROAR: How to Match Your Food and Fitness to Your Female Physiology for Optimum Performance, Great Health, and a Strong, Lean Body For Life where she breaks down her message that “women are not small men”. Women can learn to cater their training, nutrition, and hydration when they understand the c

Dean Karnazes is an ultra endurance athlete who is highly regarded well beyond the world of running. He was named by TIME magazine as one of the most 100 influential people in the world, he is an ESPN ESPY winner, a three-time winner of Competitor Magazine’s Endurance Sports Athlete of the Year award, and recipient of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition lifetime achievement award.  Dean has a long list of impressive accomplishments, best told through his own narrative in the Ultramarathon Man. A short summary of his endeavors includes: Running 350 miles in one go Doing a marathon at the South Pole Completi

This episode features a coaching call about how to best prepare for a hilly trail race when you’ve never run one before. Even if you’re not gearing up for trails or hills, this is a valuable discussion on sound training for different types of terrain.  Aileen is a member of Team Strength Running and has very little experience with hills or trails. But she wants to "go for it" and do her first very hilly trail race coming up soon.  How can she best prepare? What opportunities exist for building strength for hills and trails? What must her long runs and faster workouts look like? As Aileen adds all new variables to this upcoming race, our goal is to make sure that she's not just physically prepared for the elevation changes and trails, but confident in her ability to do so. <a href= "https://

Tim DiFrancesco is the former Head Strength & Conditioning Coach for the Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball team. After spending more than six seasons in the NBA, he left to grow TD Athletes Edge, his performance-oriented strength facility in Salem, MA. He earned his BS in Exercise Science & Athletic Training from Endicott College and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. His experience includes professional athletes, sub-elite athletes in the NBA-Development League, and recreational athletes across numerous disciplines. In this conversation, we discuss what really happens in your body when you start lifting weights. We also talk about: Why lifting will turn you from a donkey into a gazelle How we change minds about endurance runners lifting weights Whether plyometrics are drills or strength exercises How to get start with plyos, plan them in your training, and mistakes to avoid</l

Alison Pope-Rhodius is a professor of Applied Sport and Performance Psychology and a Program Director at Holy Names University in California. She is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and the co-editor of Excelling in Sport Psychology: Planning, Preparing, and Executing Applied Work. As an expert in this field, Alison got to travel the world working with elite archers and coaches, culminating in working with the U.S. team and U.K. number one archer at the 2004 Olympics. She has been an active member of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP) for many years and was made a Fellow in 2018.  Alison brings an approachable understanding of what the growth mindset is and how athletes can use it to their advantage. In our conversation, we talk about: D

Jason Fitzgerald started Strength Running in 2010 with a small blog after he ran his first marathon in 2:44 and suffered through a severe IT Band injury. 11 years later, Strength Running is now a multimedia company with a YouTube channel, Instagram, award-winning blog, and Twitter. He also provides a number of training programs, including the popular Injury Prevention for Runners and High Performance Lifting. In addition to all this, Jason is the head coach of Team Strength Running - an engaged community of runn

Today, we're talking to Jonathan Levitt who took his high altitude training seriously. Not only is he paying attention to how he performs at 9,600 feet, he's also using blood tests to track important biomarkers that indicate how his body adapts. Jonathan is a sub-3 marathoner, sales manager for InsideTracker (code strengthrunning saves you 20% on any test), and host of the For The Long Run podcast. Jonathan shares not only anecdotal stories of how his body is responding, be he also has the data to back it up. He is lucky enough to have a team of experts helping him figure out how to adjust to altitude. In our conversation, Jonathan and I talk about: Adjusting workouts when first moving to

Candice Burt holds the FKT - or Fastest Known Time - on the 171-mile Tahoe Rim Trail, the 95-mile Wonderland Trail, and the 20-mile Enchantment Lakes Traverse. She won the Delirious W.E.S.T. 200-mile (which is actually 219 miles) and placed 4th at the HURT100 Endurance Run in 2019. She also has podium finishes at countless ultras over the years. Along with working out the arrangements for this year's races, Candice is currently getting ready to cover the Arizona Trail, which is 800 miles long. She shares details of her planning, logistics, and other intricacies of what it takes to run for weeks on end. In our conversation, we also cover topics on: Safety and comfort out on the Arizona Trail Gear considerations for runs and nights out in the wild What inspires the athletes that inspire us How Candice went about organizing her first ultra race Th

Brian is a consistent runner with two decades of experience and over 25 marathons under his belt. While his fastest marathon was 2:59 back in 2013, he hasn't been able to set a new PR since. As a member of Team Strength Running, Brian has the opportunity for these coaching calls. In this episode, listen to Jason and Brian talk about: His history and background as a runner What he's doing right in his training (and should continue) The improvements he can take to keep getting faster Why Jason is encouraged that he will meet his big goal! Brian is currently following the Half Marathon Training Plan from the <

Dr. Duncan Simpson has a PhD in Sport Psychology and is the Director of Personal Development at IMG Academy, a multi-sport training institution in Florida. He has worked with children, high school students, and professional and Olympic athletes in a range of sports. Duncan was formerly an Associate Professor in the Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology Program at Barry University. He is also a certified consultant with the Association of Applied Sport Psychology. Given his experience and education, Duncan possesses a deep knowledge of the mental game that athletes are faced with. In our conversation, Duncan covers a variety of mental skills and how athletes utilize them t

Shane Benzie is a running coach, movement specialist, researcher and the founder of the Running Reborn coaching platform. He has worked with beginners to world record holding runners all over the world to help them harness their elasticity and improvement their movement. His work has taken him to six continents and many different environments, where he lives with and trains with elite athletes, tribes and indigenous people to crack the code of natural human movement and how to turn it into human performance.  This conversation covers: Why impact doesn't cause running injuries but mismanagement of impact could How to assess your running form and what to look for Proper mechanics of a foot strike Tips on moving beautifully while running What you can do in your daily non-running life to support your training How to modulate stride length

Zoë Rom is the Associate Editor of Trail Runner Magazine, host of the DNF podcast and an outspoken advocate for environmental justice. She has a Master’s Degree in Environmental Journalism from the University of Colorado and has a deep passion for our public lands. Zoë lives, plays, and works in the mountains of Colorado. She has a firm belief that access to outdoor recreation should be equal for all. At the same time, the negative impacts of industrial development should not be weighted on certain racial or income groups. In today’s episode, we dive into many topics such as institutional negligence, equal access, and the fight for justice. Zoë has numerous suggestions on how you can get involved – everything from individual food choices to the support of organizations that are doing meani

Dana Giordano is a middle-distance pro runner for Adidas and the Boston Athletics Association (B.A.A.). Prior to becoming a pro, she worked at Reebok for several years as a Product Manager, while keeping up with running as a lifestyle sport. She was also an All-American at Dartmouth University and reflects often on those years of running. Dana has had an interesting year as a pro, given the global pandemic that we are all facing. Her impact goes well beyond her performance, as the host of the More than Running with Dana Giordano podcast, where she features stories of women in the sport. Dana left her job in pursuit of her Olympic dreams and shares the many challenges that she ha

Dr. Caitlin Alexander is a physical therapist at Build Sports Performance Lab & Physical Therapy in Boulder, Colorado with a certification in Applied Functional Science. She's a certified triathlon coach, running coach, and has experience working with elite-level athletes. She's also an incredible athlete herself! Caitlin has qualified for the Kona World Ironman Championships and is a category 3 cyclist. In our conversation today, we’re talking about what happens when you have an injury for a very long time. You see, our movement patterns live in our brain. Your brain is what controls how you run and if your brain learns over time to compensate for an injury, you’ll develop all new movement patterns - and they won’t be ideal.  Finally, Caitlin and I discuss: the origins of disrupted motor patterns <span style="font-weight: 40

Steven Sashen is a Master’s All-American sprinter and one of the fastest sprinters over 50 in the United States. He’s a former All-American gymnast, a professional stand-up comic, a cognitive psychology researcher, and he previously tought Tai Chi and Zen Archery. Steven has quite the background which is probably needed for starting a successful company in one of the most competitive industries in the world: footwear. He's now the cofounder and CEO of Xero Shoes. We’re going to talk about the beginnings of Xero Shoes, the benefits of minimalism, how to transition, plus feature a whole host of questions from members of Team Strength Running, our group coaching program. If you’d like to impact future podcast episodes, you can learn more about the team at strengthrunning.com/join/</a

Our guest today is Bryan Green, the co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Go Be More apparel, host of the Go Be More Podcast, organizer of the Ignite Sendai Conference in Japan that connects entrepreneurs, and author of the new book Make the Leap. Bryan ran for UCLA from 1997 - 2002 where he was a 2x National Qualifier for cross country, captain of the track team, and 3rd place finisher at the 2001 Pac-10 10,000m final. In this conversation, we’re focusing on the mental side of training. The mindset that is required for high performance and all of the little things that enable us to succeed that aren’t really little at all. We’re going to discuss feedback loops, his Optimal Training Pyramid, your hidden training program, and building your self-belief system. For more on mindset, sign up for Strength Running's <a

Michael Crawley is an anthropology professor at Durham University in England. A 2:20 marathoner, he spent 15 months training with the best runners in Ethiopia to figure out the secrets to their success. His book, Out of Thin Air, is a beautiful story of a culture where for many, "running is life." From their very different relationship to easy runs, metrics and pace, and even the social aspect of running, this episode will open your eyes to a different way of approaching running. But more than that, you’ll see how running is life for many in Ethiopia and how the sport is an integral part of the Ethiopian identity. Visit <a class= "yt-simple-endpoint style-scope yt-formatted-string" dir="auto" spellcheck="false" hr

Jay Dicharry is a physical therapist who rose to prominence as an expert in biomechanical analysis as Director of the SPEED Clinic at the University of Virginia. He has written two books that are highly recommended for our community: Anatomy for Runners and Running Rewired. Jay also consults for several footwear companies, the US Air Force, and USA Track and Field. Recently, Jay created and founded MOBO Board, an innovative foot stability tool.  In this episode we talk about the 4 skills that Jay deems absolutely necessary for healthy, pain-free running. Those are postural control, rotational stability, hip dominance, and individual skeletal alignment. We go into detail on all of these, talking about what they are, why they’re impo

Ryan Banta is a coach with more than 19 years of experience and the author of the Sprinter’s Compendium. At the high school level, Ryan has produced 135 All-State medalists, including 10 state champions and 15 runners-up. His teams have won 12 district championships and 5 top five state finishes in the last nine seasons. He has been elected Missouri Track and Cross Country Coaches Association (MTCCCA) president and served on the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) advisory board. In this podcast, we discuss: Prevention of sprinting-related injuries Common training errors in pursuit of speed Mechanics of maximum velocity running The speed development differences bet

Tom Schwartz, also known as Tinman, has over 30 years of coaching experience. He has worked with youth runners, masters, and professionals. Tom has developed dozens of D1 collegiate athletes, national champions, and national record holders and works with athletes across every distance and on every terrain from the track, road, to trail.  Tom has a bachelor's degree in Exercise Science with a minor in Coaching, a master’s in Human Performance, an MBA, and is currently working on his PhD in Health & Human Performance. You might recognize Tom as the coach of Drew Hunter, one of the fastest high schoolers ever a few years ago. Drew is now running professionally for Adidas on the Tinman Elite team in Boulder, CO. In today's podcast, we talk about all the things that make teams special and how Tom works with his athle

This episode is all about the off-season. The "in between" time between seasons of running. You'll learn how to best structure this time based on your goals, weaknesses, and ability. This episode was the suggestion from a listener. He asked if I could talk about what runners should do after they run a marathon but before they start their next big training block. Now, whether you’re training for a marathon or any distance race, this is a great question. A good example is what to do after the Boston Marathon but before you start training for the NYC marathon. If you train for 16 weeks for New York, that puts the beginning of your training in late July. Assuming you take a full two weeks off from running after Boston, you’re left with 11 weeks. What do you do with that time period? Our sponsor is the first tech-enabled

Eli Asch is currently the Race Director for the Twin Cities Marathon. Prior to this role, he directed the California International Marathon (CIM), which hosted two USATF marathon national championships. Under his direction, CIM was the fastest-growing major marathon in America. Eli also served as the Logistics and Operations Manager for the Austin Marathon and Half Marathon events. He holds an MBA in Sports Business from San Diego State University and a BA in English from Whitman College, where he was captain of the cross country team. I wanted to bring Eli on the podcast to share the details of what it takes to put on a major marathon race. We talk about: Nitty gritty details of getting a race permit How races are measured and certified Reconciling your GPS watch data with the race dista

Noah Droddy is a professional runner, 2-time Olympic Trials Qualifier, 2-time collegiate All-American, and a 2:11 marathoner. He is sponsored by Saucony and trains under Richard Hansen in Boulder, Colorado for the Roots Running Project. His sights are currently set on breaking the 2:10 marathon barrier, which he shares about in this podcast. Noah's path to professional running was indirect, to say the least. He ran through high school and college but didn't take it too seriously. In fact, Noah attributes this casual approach to his decision to go all in on the sport. Noah is also one of very few runners to turn pro after a Division 3 college career, making his trajectory even more impressive. I caught up with him to ask about his current training and how he has been able to make such leaps in his performance. We cover many topics, including: Work ethic to pursue your goals Environmental factors that he

Have you wondered if a BQ time is out of reach for you? Or if you’re “good enough” to hire a coach? Or maybe you’re still sorting out where running fits in with muscle building versus weight loss? We have you covered. On today’s episode, Anya and Jason  discuss the common misconceptions, set the record straight, and offer our own experience while debunking the myths. Anya has joined Jason on previous episodes and if you’d like to hear more, listen to a Q&A for new runners and a discussion about recreational runners. Anya has over a decade of running experience as a triathlete, marathoner, and ultra runner. She brings an interesting perspective as a mom and working professional (outside the

Molly is one of the best runners in the world. She holds the American Record in the 10k, 20k, and the half marathon. She represented the United States at the 2012 Olympics, qualifying for the 5,000m final and finishing 11th. Molly set the American Record in the 10k at the 2016 Olympics, finishing 5th overall. Later that same year she made her marathon debut at the NYC Marathon, making the podium in a 3rd place finish. Molly's talents are indisputable. Not only does she have range in her performance across a variety of distances, but she also has longevity. Molly has been a professional runner for well over a decade. In this podcast she shares about her unique training schedule and we also discuss: Training changes and records set during COVID How she stays motivated Advice for other runners in these challenging times Molly's new project (hint: it

Alex Hutchinson holds a PhD in Physics from Cambridge, a Master’s in Journalism from Columbia, and is a former national-class runner in Canada. He has written for Runner’s World, Outside Online, The Globe and Mail, Popular Mechanics, and many other major media. I am a big fan of his fitness books as well. He wrote: Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance  Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights?  Alex and I have partnered together before to bring you expert advise. We also recorded a podcast episode on the limits of human endurance. On today's episode, I wanted to have an in-depth conversation about all things related to tapering. I ask

Self-efficacy is one of the most important concepts in the world of performance psychology. Most of us understand this idea as "confidence" but it's actually more specific than that. It means: "Self-efficacy refers to an individual's belief in his or her capacity to execute behaviors necessary to produce specific performance attainments." Now you might have a lot of questions: How can we better prioritize our mental fitness so that we believe in our abilities? What are the sources of self-efficacy so we can draw from them during training? How can we use mantras for running to our advantage? Are there strategies for building confidence training (or self-efficacy training) into our running? To help us answer these critical questions, I invited Dr. Amber Shipher

Most diets claim to deliver one big goal. For some, that's making the body more alkaline (the opposite of acidic). Others promise to help you lose weight, reduce inflammation, improve gut health, increase mental clarity, burn fat, and generally just "upgrade your life." But are they real? Do these diets deliver on their promises? And they worth the hassle? These are critical questions because our nutrition and fueling is paramount to our success as runners. And as the saying goes, garbage in means garbage out. The days of believing that "the furnace will burn anything if the fire is hot enough" are over. We now know that nutrition plays a leading role in how energized we feel, how well we recover from hard efforts, and our general health and longevity. Without good nutrition, we're setting ourselves up for failure. But do we need a specific diet? To get a clear answer, I invited Registered Dieti

Breaking through a performance plateau when you seem to be slowing down can be frustrating. Running improvement sometimes can be difficult. How do you train differently? What are the low-risk, high-reward activities that will prompt you to keep improving? Sometimes, a fresh set of eyes on your training is what it takes. Use the improvement suggestions in this episode to help you think more strategically about your training, challenge yourself to try something new, and get out of your comfort zone.  For more, visit strengthrunning.com or our youtube channel. Our sponsor for this episode of the podcast is SteadyMD. They pair you with a primary care doctor, online, who’s available via phone, text, or video for all of your needs. It’s tele-medicine at its fi

Brian Zuleger is a professor of sport psychology at Adams State University, where he is also the mental strength coach for the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. He works directly with athletes in an integrative, holistic approach. Brian is a certified Exercise Physiologist from the American College of Sports Medicine. He applies his education with the athletes he works with as a personal trainer and coach. We discuss the partnership that he has with athletes, the skills that they focus on, and their unique psychology. We talk about the advantages and disadvantages of the youthful mindset, as well as what adult runners can take away. We also talk about: Healthy ways to view competition Temptation of numbers-driven outcomes Getting unstuck after a bad workout Advantages of having a team Show Links & Resources: Check out <a href="http://drzuleger.com" target="_blank" rel= "noopener noreferrer

Starting anything new can be overwhelming, especially if you do all the research upfront. Read about running and you'll find yourself wondering if you have the "right" shoes, gear, training plan, etc. To simplify, we have a free course to help you with getting started as a new runner. The information will help get you going and keep you running. Today's podcast addresses questions that we collected from our community. Many are frequent ones that every new runner will wonder about at some point. Others topics are more specific and interesting to be aware of, even if they don't pertain to you. We divided the questions into several categories: Getting started - the "how" and "why" of running Training strategies - we discuss different paces, stretching routines</a

Rose is a scientist and an enthusiastic runner. While she wasn't involved with organized running teams through her earlier years, she has been running for several decades. Now, in her 40s, Rose is wondering if she can continue to get faster in her marathon times and beat a PR from her 20's. Rose is a strong and committed runner who has made significant improvements in the last few years. She previously dealt with a lot of discomforts, but is now running pain-free. She attributed that to her strength from the High Performance Lifting program and mobility improvements.  In this conversation, you'll learn more about Rose's past race performance, training cycle lengths, and her goals. We talk though many other aspects that she can dial in and ultimately lay out a full year of training and races for her. <span style= "font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen-

Wondering what you can do to prevent injuries? Let's learn from the best in the sport! Today's podcast rounds up advice from the world's top female runners on what they do to prevent injuries and stay healthy while performing at the highest levels. I asked a single question to 5 of the best runners in the world - Colleen Quigley, Sara Hall, Grayson Murphy, Kate Grace, and Molly Huddle: What single idea, tool, or strategy is most helpful in keeping you healthy and running injury-free? The responses are fascinating. Particularly, pay attention to the commonalities. These women are especially focused on what allows them to run sustainably, improve over time, and focus on their own particular needs. Many of the women mentioned the importance of your mindset, and I couldn't agree more! That's why we offer a <a href= "h

Matt Phillips in an expert in the field of massage therapy and performance, which is why he's one of our few repeat guests! Our previous podcast focused on running form, but today we're discussing another specialty of his: massage. Originally a strength and conditioning coach with the National Academy of Sports Medicine, Matt turned his attention to Sports Therapy in 2004. Since then, he has focused his work on distance runners and endurance athletes. He is also a lecturer in Anatomy and Physiology and his work has appeared in most major media. In this episode, we talk about the common beliefs that are not supported by scientific data, in particular, that massages are not helpful for: Breaking down scar tissue Flushing out lactic acid Increasing circulatio

Tyler Andrews is a HOKA elite runner and multiple record holder. I had Tyler on the podcast a few years ago when he was gearing up for his 50k world record attempt. He just missed that record but he’s been busy staying fit and going after even more challenges. That’s our discussion today because Tyler finds himself in a similar situation as the rest of us: training without a clear goal on the calendar. So, he made up his own race! Recently, he organized the Chaski Challenge where over 50 Olympians and other elite runners raced a marathon relay with live tracking and thousands of other runners participating virtually. There was race com

Shawn Bearden is a professor of exercise physiology at Idaho State University where he focuses on ultra endurance performance. He has published research in the American Journal of Physiology and the Journal of Applied Physiology, and he’s previously studied at Yale, UVA, and George Mason. Shawn hosts a podcast of his own called the Science of Ultra, where he interviews the smartest scientists in the world about the physiology of ultra endurance. If you want to understand the intricate details of how our bodies are able to perform at extremes, this episode is for you. Shawn studies and lectures on the physiology, all while putting himself through the rigor of ultra running. In this conversation, we talk specifically about running ultramarathons and what that does to your body. You’ll hear what occurs in the body during a 100-mile race that doesn’t happen

Anne Mauney is a certified Registered Dietitian, has a master’s in public health, she has taught at George Washington University in Washington, DC, and has run dozens of half marathons and marathons. Her work has been featured in Glamour, The Washington Post, Woman’s Day, and in many other publications. She writes a nutrition and lifestyle blog at fannetasticfood.com and runs her own private counseling practice from annetherd.com. I admire her approach to nutrition because it's sustainable, well balanced, and supported by science. In this episode we discuss fueling strategies before and after a race, strategies for weight loss, and avoiding <a hre

David Roche is a two-time USATF trail national champion, the 2014 U.S. Sub-Ultra Trail Runner of the Year, and a member of Nike Trail Elite and Team Clif Bar. You might have read his work that he publishes regularly on the Trail Runner magazine website or perhaps you’ve read his book, The Happy Runner. You can hear me talk about that book with David’s wife Megan in episode 82 of The Strength Running Podcast. David isn’t just an incredibly talented trail runner, he’s a wonderful writer and a coach who works with a wide variety of athletes. With his legal background, David is able to clearly explain some difficult concepts which is just w

Today's guest is Anya Mullen - she's not a pro runner, she’s not a PT or a coach, but she is a regular runner just like you and me. She also has been working for Strength Running for the better part of a year now, helping me refine some of the content that you see on our various channels. We first met back in 2015 at a group run and started working together earlier this year. Her running career spans nearly a decade and her life has changed quite a bit over that time, along with her running. Anya has run everything from a 5K to an ultra, including an unsupported, unofficial 50 miler that her partner talked her into (listen to the podcast for the full story!). Anya Mullen lives in Colorado and has been juggling running with her work, family and home life. And that’s a big part of what we’re talking about today: just how we fit it all in, plus reflections

Todd is a former attorney turned manual therapist who scratched his own itch. After years of experiencing pain, he set out to understand what causes it, how to move better, and effective strategies for reducing pain and improving your athletic performances. He has written two books, A Guide to Better Movement and Playing with Movement, which are interdisciplinary ways of looking at the problems of injury and pain. He brings in a broad diversity of disciplines like stress physiology to complex systems theory and then explains how that all relates back to athletes. This conversation was wide-ranging and touches on subjects like <a href= "https://strengthrunning.com/2019/04/static-stretching-examples-for

Our guest is none other than 2004 Olympian Carrie Tollefson. You might recognize her as a 3-time national champion, or the 1998 NCAA Indoor Track Athlete of the Year, or maybe you’ve just seen her on TV a lot. She’s been a broadcaster for years, having commentated on races for ESPN, NBC, ABC, and USATF TV. Her commentary has appeared in numerous world class races from the Boston Marathon to Footlocker Nationals, to the Tokyo Marathon.  In our conversation, you'll hear about her many accomplishments in the sport. But beyond those, she's a very engaged member of the running community and an active mom of 3 kids. We discuss what us recreational runners can learn from the pros and her advice to new runners on how they can become more involved in the running community. She also shares her experience about the advantages of long and short runs

David Monti is the founder, editor, and publisher of Race Results Weekly, which is a weekly subscription service for the world’s running results. David also used to recruit elite athletes to race at New York Road Runners events and worked as a sports media consultant. Through his work, he has a fascinating perspective on the sport. He attended and watched some of the most electrifying races the world has ever seen - and we talk about the races that most stick in his mind after all these years.  David’s consistent exposure to the highest levels of the sport of running also gives him a certain wisdom about where running has been, where it is now, and where it’s going in the future. <

Madeline Strandemo is a 2018 graduate of the University of Minnesota where she was on three Big Ten Championship teams, an All-American, and two-time Big Ten individual champion in the indoor mile and the 3000m steeplechase. She graduated with a double degree in marketing and Mandarin Chinese. Madeline has an interesting background, having moved around the world numerous times and participating in a variety of different sports in her childhood. In fact, she attributes a lot of her success to these experiences. Madeline is now living in Bend, Oregon, coached by Lauren Fleshman and sponsored by Oiselle. As a relatively new pro runner, she has big goals and shares what she is doing in these times to prepare. In this conversation, we also talk about: Setback from injuries The significance of participating in different sports What makes a great competitor

How do you know if you'll be successful as a runner? It mostly comes down to luck (genetics) and work (training). We can't affect the former, so let's focus on the biggest variable that impacts our success: the training that we do. That training must follow some broad but important rules if you want to avoid performance plateaus and continuously improve year after year. Those rules can be best summarized in three of the most important words for runners: consistency, progressive, and modulation. Your training must be consistent: uninterrupted and continuous. It also must be progressive: evolving over time to gradually become more challenging. And it must be modulated: varied workload and training focus from season to season and year to year.  In this episode of the podcast, Jason discusses each idea and brings you time-tested strategies for improving each. Thank You Elemental Labs!

Lisa Tamati has overcome many challenges in her life. From body image issues and tough races to a childhood sense of insecurity and nearly losing her mom. Through all of this, she has developed many coping strategies that she shares with us in this episode. A favorite strategy for Lisa is "going all in". She recognizes the vast human potential and knows that if we are 100% committed, we will find a way and overcome barriers.  As one of New Zealand’s best ultra runners, she has 25 years experience running the toughest endurance events in the world.  She’s actually finished over 140 ultra-marathons, has a few National Titles, a number of podium places in international races, and many expeditions

Today's conversation is a long overdue episode on hydration. I'm thrilled to have Andy Blow on to share his expertise. Andy is a Sports Scientist with a degree from the University of Bath, focusing his expertise on sweat, dehydration and cramping. He's also a former elite level triathlete with numerous Top 10 finishes and an Xterra World title. He's now the CEO of Precision Hydration. As runners, we're all familiar with cramping, electrolytes, and hydration - but Andy really breaks these down for us. We talk about: Fluid loss, dehydration, and over-hydration (known as hyponatremia) Electrolytes Environmental factors Determining your sweat rate What to do if you are a salty sweater <span style= "font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Segoe UI, Roboto, Oxygen-Sans, Ubuntu, Cantarell, Helvetica Neue, sans-serif;"

Amelia Boone is a giant in the obstacle course racing world and she's started competing in ultramarathons over the last few years as well. Many of her fans know she has struggled with an eating disorder and spent time in treatment last year. She’s now in recovery, she just moved to Colorado, and she’s been riding her Ellipti-Go on the Front Range’s big climbs over the last few months.  Jason has always looked up to Amelia and admired her work ethic, her talent, and her drive. But also her vulnerability and how she invites us along as she deals with her struggles. Amelia gave Jason some courage last year to share how losing his grandfather was so incredibly hard and the toll that it took. In this podcast, she gives us a glimpse of how she pushes through challenges and the things that she continues to struggle with. In this episode as Jason and Amel

At Strength Running, we're focusing on mastering our mindset in 2020. How do we build the mental fitness to have unstoppable confidence, the mental toughness to persevere, and the fortitude to stay consistent with your training month after month? In this episode, coach Jason Fitzgerald discusses: The benefits you should expect from sports psychology Common mistakes he wants you to avoid A story of his first experience with the performance psychology strategy of visualization Two strategies for improving your mental fitness  Today's sponsor is our newest training program: Mindset Mastery. This course makes performance psych approachable for all runners by focusing on the 5 core mental skills for endurance athletes: Focus, Anxiety Management, Intensity, Mental Toughness, and Confidence.  It includes video presentations, guidance from renowned sports ps

In today’s episode, we’re discussing how to reframe adversity and manage fear. Cindra has numerous tools that she talks about for reframing adversity. One that I liked, in particular, is asking yourself "why is this happening for me?", instead of "to me". This helps to view challenges in light of the growth opportunities. She also suggests asking yourself questions like: What is the opportunity here? How is this situation a gift? What is amazing about my life/family? What can I be grateful for? Cindra shares facts about fear to highlight that fear is universal and that we can choose to act courageously. In this conversation, Cindra also provides actionable steps for: Overcoming negative bias Developing mental toughness Ways to train your mind daily with Grit Priming Exercises Dealing with fear I hope you'll

Our guest today is Jay Ell Alexander. She’s the owner of The Vaughn Strategy, a public relations strategy consulting firm. And in 2018, she become the owner and CEO of the Black Girls RUN! Organization. Black Girls RUN! wants to encourage African-American women to make fitness and healthy living a priority. Their goal is to create a movement to lower the disproportionately high health outcomes in the female African-American community and subsequently, lower the number of women with chronic diseases associated with an unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle. Our discussion today focuses on the history of Black Girls RUN, the health disparities African-American women experience, how we can all work together to create a more equal playing field, and how you can get involved with Black

Justin is currently the Mental Performance and Leadership Coach with the Tampa Bay Rays, a major league baseball team. Prior to that, he worked for the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Browns. He works with both coaches and players to improve the overall performance of their organizations. Justin holds a Master of Science degree in Sport and Performance Psychology and his framework for improving performance will give us a glimpse of how he works with a variety of his clients. We also address questions such as: What happens when you focus on results versus the process? Is it possible to "teach an old dog new tricks"? Should you tinker with your training plans to improve faster? Does goal setting work for everyone? I hope you find this conversation filled with use

Duane is the owner of Spark Physical Therapy in New Haven, CT and host of the Healthy Runner Podcast. Duane initially started running as an adult, wanting to add some cardio to his gym sessions. After having a hip surgery, his doctor advised him to get off the treadmill and run outside. Without having fully recovered, Duane suffered a running-related hamstring tendon injury. Through his own rehabilitation and his work as a physical therapist, Duane continues to set Personal Bests in his running career. He joins us today to have a deep-dive conversation about hamstring injuries: the root causes of hamstring injuries how to strengthen them (and his favorite hamstring exercise) prevention advice (it's far easier to prevent than treat an injury!) common myths about rehabilitation Duane not only has the clinical expertise to evaluate and treat hamstring injuries but the coaching expertise to design training that better p

David Joyce is a titan in the world of elite sport. He has worked at the highest levels of world athletics and with multiple national, world, and Olympic Champions. He’s worked at two Olympic Games, with elite rugby and soccer teams, and is currently the Head of Athletic Performance with the Greater Western Sydney Giants soccer team in Sydney, Australia. He holds masters degrees in both sports physiotherapy and strength and conditioning and teaches the Masters of Strength and Conditioning course at Edith Cowan University in Perth. He’s the main editor of two authoritative books on athletic performance and injury risk mitigation, the first is Sports Injury Prevention and Recovery: Integrating Medicine and Science for Performance Solutions and the second is High-Performance Training for Sports: The Authoritative Gide for Ultimate Athletic Conditioning.

Scott Caulfield is the director of strength and conditioning at Colorado College and previously the coaching education manager and head strength and conditioning coach for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). He holds a bachelor's degree in physical education, a master's degree in sports coaching, and three important certifications: Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with Distinction (NSCA) Registered Strength & Conditioning Coach with Distinction (NSCA) Level 2 Advanced Sports Performance Coach (USA Weightlifting) Scott has held strength coaching roles at Dartmouth College, the River Valley Club, the Vermont Frost Heaves, and Colorado College. Topics from this episode include: What a "Director of Strength & Conditioning" typically does on a day to day basis The strength training differences needed for runners vs. hockey players How to lift effectively at home wi

Runners, friends, I recorded this episode to give you a small jolt of encouragement when I think we all need it. I sincerely hope you are well, safe, healthy, and able to see those who you most care about. I’m in awe at the bravery of our healthcare pro’s who put their lives at risk to help others - and I’d like to give an enormous, public thank you to these heroes.  As we’re all experiencing more and more fatigue from being quarantined and isolated, I hope that you reflect on what’s most important to you, invest in that, and encourage those around you with positivity. We don’t have a formal sponsor for this episode but I’d like to thank all of you for making it possible. Without your support and feedback, we wouldn’t be here today. I’m still in shock that the Strength R

Angie Spencer is the cohost of the Marathon Training Academy Podcast and someone who just finished the 50 state challenge. But she added two important twists: first, not every race was a marathon. Some of them were ultramarathons! And she didn't run all of the marathons just to finish them. In fact, her 50th marathon this past January in Hawaii was a substantial Personal Best. How in the world did Angie run a PR in the marathon - a BQ no less - more than a decade after starting the challenge? She's on the pod to talk about just that. We're also discussing: How she maintained her motivation over more than 10 years to finish the 50 state challenge The mistakes she'd avoid if she were to start over again How her training evolved to make her into a more resilient, stronger, faster marathoner <

One of my goals with Strength Running is to prevent you from making the same mistakes that I've made in my own running career. Because I've made almost all of them! Some of my "favorite" mistakes have been: Running my easy days too hard Not doing any dynamic warm up exercises before each run Inconsistently completing my strength exercises Relying too much on intensity and brutal workouts to "prove" my fitness Now, my coaching philosophy is more balanced. There's less pressure on any one individual workout and more on the total body of work completed during a training cycle. And today on the podcast, I want to show you what that looks like in practice. Brian is in his mid-40's and started

Victoria Sekely was a varsity tennis player at Georgetown where she got her undergraduate degree in human sciences. She then went to New York University and earned her doctorate in physical therapy. She's a USATF-certified running coach, certified Kinesio Taping practitioner, and received her certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) certification from the National Strength & Conditioning Association. In this episode of the podcast, we're discussing a variety of weaknesses that are common in runners and how to address them: A history of repeated and chronic injuries No strength training or a lack of strength An inability to run higher mileage Poor technique With races cancelled for the foreseeable future, now is the time to put in the real work of improving (instead of racing). Focus on training, identify your weak areas, and make your comeback to racing stronger than ever. <span style="text-decor

Luke Tyburski has overcome more in his relatively short life than most of us. His dream as a child was to play professional soccer on the world stage. And he accomplished exactly that as an adult, playing in lower-level professional leagues in California, Louisiana, and the UK. But his dreams were cut short after a series of debilitating injuries. He couldn't maintain the workload of a high-level soccer player without getting hurt. Soon, he succumbed to severe clinical depression. With no backup plan and thoughts of suicide running through his mind, Luke felt lost. But then he discovered endurance sports. Reinventing himself as an ultra-endurance adventurer, Luke started competing in the most brutal events on the planet: The Ultimate Triathlon - a 12-day, 2,000km triathlon across multiple countries Marathon des Sables - a 6-day, 156-mile ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert The Everest Ultramarathon - a 40-mile ultra going dow

Today on the podcast, we're talking with Emma Coburn on the incredible success she's had over the last few years. For nearly a decade, Emma Coburn has been a force to be reckoned with in the 3,000m steeplechase - a notoriously difficult race that requires strength, coordination, and an unwavering focus. In this conversation, we're discovering how Emma has engineered such a tremendous career over a long period of time. Emma and I talk about: What she's doing right now to maintain her momentum now that the 2020 Olympics have been postponed The training staples that are consistently present in her training Advice for runners who've had their spring races cancelled The elements of her training that have changed over time Her advice for high school girls transitioning to college track and cross country When she knows its time to move out of her comfort zone Subscribe to the podcast in <a href= "https://

Abby Stanley is the assistant cross country and track coach for Cal Baptist and the cohost of the Up and Running Podcast. She's also my teammate for Rambling Runner's Virtual Race Series Podcaster Challenge. And I'm happy she's on my team - she's a 2:52 marathoner, too! Her first race ever was a marathon in college - not the best introduction to racing, but it got her hooked. Now, she surrounds herself with running as a coach and podcaster. On the Strength Running podcast, we're discussing a wide-ranging set of issues designed to help you improve: What aspect of fitness do most runners need to develop? How does she focus on injury prevention - and what are the most effective prevention strateg

This episode answers the #1 question runners have asked over the last week: 'now that my spring race is canceled, what do I do now?' You'll hear from Jen Miller, author of Running: A Love Story and the person behind the New York Times weekly running newsletter. She had a marathon and a 50k on her plate this spring but both races are canceled. Jason and Jen discuss what she can do now and her unique circumstances that take priority over running. Team Strength Running - our virtual team - is open indefinitely to help you stay connected to the running community. This is our group coaching program where you get a coach, a library of training plans, strength and core routines, ongoing education with a new expert interview every week, and the support and camaraderie of having a network of other runners just like you. It’s a team,

This is an extra episode this week about the coronavirus. All of our lives have been disrupted over the last few weeks and things seem to be getting worse, so I wanted to give some advice to runners out there on how to handle their training and race schedule in a time like this.  Beth Skwarecki joins us to discuss pandemics from a historical perspective, talk more about why this is unlike the flu, and what you can do to keep yourself and loved ones healthy and safe. Beth is the Health Editor of one of the largest blogs in the World, Lifehacker and runs their health and fitness vertical called Vitals. She has published two books - Genetics 101 and Outbreak! 50 Tales of Epidemics that Terrorized the World. Her work has been featured in Science, Medscape, Scientific American, and many other major media sources. Be sure

Justin ran his first marathon last year in 3:53 after a few years of consistent running. But he's recently taken the last 6 months off from running for a move and a new PhD program. His goal is to run a much faster marathon this fall. Without much race history and a relatively low training age, we're left with many questions: How will he do it? What aspects of his training demand improvement? What elements of training from his last cycle should remain the same? Should he start training for a fall marathon now? How can he take "the next step" with his running but also stay healthy? The marathon is a uniquely difficult event so our preparation must be methodical. It's the longest distance that's not considered an ultra marathon. And while many ultras a

A graduate of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Metzl is one of the most highly regarded doctors for runners. He delivers lectures around the world and has published numerous peer-reviewed papers. In addition to his medical practices in New York and Connecticut, Jordan has written several books for athletes including: Running Strong The Athlete’s Book of Home Remedies The Exercise Cure He’s the creator of the IronStrength workout for runners and is a multiple marathon and Ironman finisher. Today on the podcast, we’re discussing how to keep you healthy and running stronger. Our topics of discussion include: The importance of having a strong butt</

On Saturday, February 29, 2020 history was made in Atlanta Georgia as hundreds of athletes vied for the top 3 spots in the men's and women's Olympic Trials Marathon. This episode was originally recorded for the Road to the Olympic Trials podcast, where it was released one day before this episode. It features a recap of the 2020 Men’s & Women’s Olympic Trials Marathons with Matt Chittim, host of that podcast as well as the Rambling Runner podcast. This episode is sponsored by Inside Tracker, a company that helps endurance athletes optimize their training after taking a simple blood test. Figure out if you’re over- or under-training so you catch these problems early and train more effectively. Use code strengthrunning (no space) to save 10% on any of their blood testing kits at insidetracker.com. At this Olympic Tri

Chris Johnson is a physical therapist, Ironman triathlete, coach, and a three-time All-American triathlete. He started studying physical therapy as an undergraduate while he was captain of the tennis team at the University of Delaware. Chris then earned his PT degree while completing an orthopedic and sports graduate fellowship before working in New York City as a physical therapist and researcher. Chris then moved to Seattle where he started Zeren Physical Therapy. He's also a certified triathlon coach, three-time All American triathlete, two time Kona Qualifier, and is currently ranked 16th in his age group in the country for long course racing. I’m excited to bring you this conversation focused on injury prevention. We’re exploring a lot of fascinating topics: Stride smoothness Form drills and corrective exercises Injury assessments (like the Func

I first met Doug in 2012 for a trail run in Rock Creek Park. At the time, he had only been running for a few years but was quickly smitten by the peaceful grandiosity of trail running and exploring the woods. As someone who ran his first marathon on a whim (he agreed to it after a few beers one night...), Doug quickly transformed himself into a competent and experienced trail ultramarathoner. He's now run 100 miles (or more) five times. His idea of a fun weekend is going on a 12-hour adventure summiting peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains. And he has a 100-mile race coming up in May... You might know Doug as the creative force behind Rock Creek Runner or as the cohost of No Meat Athlete Radio with <a href= "https://strengthrunning.com/2017/02/matt-frazier-eating-healthy-hab

A Senior Staff Editor and OpDocs producer at The New York Times, Lindsay Crouse's most-read and watched work includes: How the 'Shalane Flanagan' Effect Works I Am 35 and Running Faster Than I Ever Thought Possible Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby I Was the Fastest Girl in America, Until I Joined Nike (<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/lindsay-crouse" target= "_blank" rel

In high school, my indoor track coach always told our team to “get out of your comfort zones!” This valuable mental toughness training always reminded us that racing is certainly not comfortable… And over the years, my ability to hone mental toughness into a skill to be used at will became easier and easier. In the beginning, it wasn’t that way: I sandbagged workouts just because I didn’t feel good I “settled” on placing 2nd or 3rd in races because I was afraid to believe in myself I’ve even dropped out of races for no good reason other than my head wasn’t in the right place Even now, I have experiences that shake my sense of self-belief. In 2015, I DNF’d an ultramarathon (my first and only attempt). In 2019, I was disqualified for cutting the course (by acci

Dr. Justin Ross' areas of expertise include: Mitigating anxiety, depression, and stress Managing the psychological impact of injury Developing high performing athletes Mindfulness and pain management He uses cognitive behavioral therapy, performance psychology, and mindfulness training to help athletes improve their inner self-talk and develop the mental skills to lead more productive and successful athletic lives. Justin joins us on the podcast to discuss a wide variety of issues: The most important psychological skills for endurance runners How to teach performance psychology for runners How mental fitness skills impact the rest of our life Reinforcing habits through mental training And more… Every runner has struggled with the mental side of the sport: doubts, despair, boredom, anxiety, lack of confidence, and no motivation. Dr. Justin Ross is here to

This was an incredible year for the Strength Running Podcast and I have you and our guests to thank! If you have shared the pod with your running group, left a rating or review in Apple Music, or supported our sponsors I want to thank you for making all of this possible. In 2019, we hit one million downloads for the podcast, we’ve already surpassed 1.5 million and are quickly en route to 2 million downloads. These are surreal numbers - and they're because of you. In this episode, host Jason Fitzgerald recaps the most popular lessons, ideas, and principles from the last year of the podcast.

I first met Peter at the US Trail Running Conference in Estes Park, CO. We sat together at lunch, had a great conversation, and I'm excited to bring his perspectives to the Strength Running Podcast. Peter is on the podcast today to discuss a wide-ranging set of issues that affect runners: What counts as "trail running" (especially if you live in a city) How you can get involved with trail maintenance in your area Plogging and how we can leave spaces better than we found them His favorite type of race The ATRA trail race calendar Show Links & Resources: The ATRA "Find a Trail" tool Strength Running's Trail Running Resource Page F

This coaching call is with a runner named Dena about training and goal setting as a Master’s Athlete. She’s about to turn 41, she’s running well, but she wants to make sure that she continues to do so as a Master’s runner. And there’s no doubt that when you start getting older, running starts getting harder. Recovery is slower, adaptation takes longer, injury risks are higher, and we all experience declines in reaction time, muscle mass, VO2 Max, and so many other factors that affect our running. In this conversation with Dena, we’re talking about the training updates that Master’s Runners can make to stall the aging process, continue to improve, and reduce their injury risk. We also discuss goal setting and how Dena can continue to keep things interesting as she runs far into her 40’s. You’ll notice that I spent a

Abby Levene is relatively new to the ultramarathon distance but has been racing for most of her life. She competed for the University of Colorado at Boulder as a grad student and has a background in the 5k and 10k. But as it happens so frequently to Colorado residents, the mountains came calling. In just the last few years, Abby has made a name for herself as an Adidas sponsored trail runner. And just about two weeks ago, Abby placed 5th at the renowned North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Championships in her first 50-mile race ever. Talk about a debut! In this conversation, we discuss: How track prepared her for long trail races, How her love for trail running began in Boulder, CO What her transition was like from the track to the trails The mindset shifts that are necessary as you start trail running Her advice for aspiring trail runners Show Links & Res

"Fast Kate" Grace is one of the United States' most decorated and accomplished middle-distance runners. She's an Olympian, Olympic Trials champion, and a runner-up at outdoor nationals in the 1500m. She was also our guest on Episode 97 of the podcast. Kate is a Nike-sponsored athlete, a member of the Bowerman Track Club, and a 4:22 miler. She joins us on the podcast to discuss how an elite runner like herself plans an entire season from start to finish. We're discussing: Overall length of the season, tune-up race scheduling and strategy, and planning Her support team of coaches, experts, and clinicians that makes it all possible Linear vs. nonlinear periodization and the progress of her workouts But she's not the only guest on the podcast today!

Pro ultramarathoner and trail runner Abby Hall joins us to discuss transitioning to longer distances after being a middle-distance athlete, when she thinks it’s a good idea to drop out of a race, what surprised her most when she started competing in long trail races, and what she considers her biggest failure. Abby has placed in the top 10 at races like UTMB CCC, Lake Sonoma, and North Face 50 Mile Championships.  She's a global athlete for adidas and is also sponsored by Ultimate Direction, LEKI, Unived, and CTS. Our sponsor for this episode is SteadyMD. SteadyMD pairs you with a primary care doctor, online who’s available via phone, text, or video for all of your needs. And not just any doctor, but a fel

I first became aware of Max King in 2014 when he won the World Warrior Dash Championship. I realized - after winning my own Warrior Dash in 2012 - that runners are often the best OCR competitors. Before I first interviewed Max, I studied his career and was absolutely amazed by his accomplishments in virtually every discipline there is in the sport of running: Trail races Ultramarathons Cross country 3,000m steeplechase on the track Road marathons Obstacle course races Mountain running If it involves mostly running, Max King is a dominant athlete. And he's not just a finisher - or even a medalist. He's often the ultimate victor, having won world Warrior Dash and mountain running championships and trail and ultramarathon national championships. He's even dabbled in triathlon and adventure races. <

Anna Mae is actually a recent entry into the world of ultramarathons. She debuted at the 2015 Way Too Cool 50k - only to have her finish time qualify as a top-10 all-time performance. Today, her sponsors include: HOKA ONE ONE Suunto Honey Stinger She's the current course record holder (and 2019 winner) of the Speedgoat 50 Miler. You can usually find her exploring trails and mountains near her home in Marble, Colorado. Anna Mae joins me on the Strength Running Podcast to discuss her training. Specifically, we talk about: The (big) role cross-training plays in her ultramarathon preparation How she mitigates and takes advantage of altitude What a typical, heavy training day looks like for her Her average weekly mileage and vertical gain How she recovers after a 100 miler vs. a 50k ultra Injury prevention strategies for

Today you’re going to hear from three Ultramarathoners on how they fuel for races, what their post long run fueling looks like, and how things might be different if they were training for shorter races. It’s helpful to study ultramarathoners when it comes to fueling, even if you have no interest in running ultra distances, because it’s here that fueling becomes virtually as important as the training itself. It doesn’t matter how fit you are if you don’t fuel well as an ultra runner... We’re doing this today because we’re celebrating the relaunch of our fueling program Finish Strong. I’ve added new material, updated our fueling schedules, included more expert interviews, and there’s now an extra discount for Tailwind Nutrition. You can see all the details of Finish Strong here. <span

Dr. Marc Bubbs, ND, CISSN, CSCS is a former strength coach and the current Performance Nutrition Lead for Canada Basketball. He's written the new book Peak: The New Science of Athletic Performance That is Revolutionizing Sports that discusses: The microbiome and how to resolve gut problems Sleep hygiene and circadian rhythms Endurance nutrition and refueling Emotions and mindset He regularly presents at health and medical conferences around the world and has consulted with the NBA, MLB, NFL, and NHL professional sports leagues in the United States. On the Strength Running Podcast, we're discussing a host of issues related to mastering your mindset: How to use mindfulness to improve your running Mindfulness tips & tricks (not so easy in today's social media

Base training gives runners a foundation of fitness in three major areas: aerobic capacity, strength, and neuromuscular coordination (or leg speed). Aerobic capacity is built through easy mileage, long runs, and workouts like tempos, progressions, and fartleks. Strength is also built with high mileage and long runs, but also includes strength routines and core workouts. Neuromuscular coordination is built through strides, hill sprints, and small amounts of race-pace running. Just like the foundation of a house can’t be built without concrete, plumbing, and reinforcements, you can’t build a running foundation without all of these ingredients. If you do, it’s not as strong as it could be. But is the Maffetone Method effective for this phase of training? MAF as it's known has you run

Jason is back with another coaching call episode, this time featuring a runner named JT who is committing to train more diligently for his upcoming 5mi race on Thanksgiving. He's currently training through the Texas summer heat and curious about setting an appropriate time goal, how to work through tune-up races, whether time trials work the same way, and how to pace his goal race. JT is a member of Team Strength Running, a group coaching program for runners passionate about improvement. You can sign up here to learn more. This episode would not have been possible without Inside Tracker, who is offering a 10% discount on any of their tests with code strengthrunning. They test over 40 biomarkers, like

Our conversation today features the creative lead and owner of XPollination Productions, Mr. Jeremy Green. Jeremy is a road cyclist and was damn close to being a pro during his younger years. He’s taken that same drive and intensity to his filmmaking. His company makes educational video courses for coaches and athletes and has focused on several track and field disciplines as well as golf and tennis. Now, it’s time for endurance running with the release of Running Smarter, Running Stronger. We’re going to talk about the origins of the program, how it was made (I was being filmed on a $50,000 camera), the lessons Jeremy learned about running that surprised him, and who this course is designed for. You can also <a href= "htt

To help us think more clearly about our mental skillset, I'd like to introduce you to Matt Pendola. Matt Pendola is a polymath and exactly the type of person I love bringing on the podcast. His diverse background includes success in not just coaching, but his education and his athletic career. Athletically, he's posted quite a few major accomplishments: He Won the Elite Spartan World Championships Masters Division (2015) Age group runner up Duathlon Nationals (2015) Qualified for Duathlon World Championships 3x 4th Overall at the Northface Trail Championships and 3rd in his division (2014) He’s also a Road Runner Club of America certified running coach, massage therapist, creator of Pendola Training, and has a host of continuing education certifications in strength training, performance, and even Jack Daniels' coaching program.

Today's episode is all Q&A about strength training for endurance runners featuring a guest cohost, Ms. Tina Muir! Tina is the host of the incredibly popular Running for Real podcast, a past guest here on the Strength Running Podcast, and a former professional runner. We're discussing many aspects of strength work: Do runners need upper body exercises? How often should we get in the weight room? Is it best to do core training before or after running? Is progressive overload in the gym too aggressive? Should runners lift to failure? Can circuit workouts be used for strength training? And a lot more! The answers to these questions - in much more detail - are also found in Strength Running’s email series about weightlifting for runners. It’s an email a day about the benefits of strength work, common myths that many of us be

What you’re about to listen to is a coaching call where we talk about Riley’s running background, the types of training he has experience with, and how he can structure the next 4 months of his running to not only finish his first half, but also race it well. Riley is a member of Team Strength Running, the most affordable virtual coaching group you can join. These behind the scenes coaching call opportunities are only available to team members so if you’d like to learn more about the team, just sign up and I’ll send you more details. I think you’re really going to like it. Riley and I are also going to talk about the enviable position he’s in right now (you’ll notice how excited I am for Riley because of where he’s at in his life), the types of long runs and workouts that work great for the half mar

Us distance runners are used to metering out our effort, cautiously sipping fuel to conserve energy, and waiting for the perfect moment to strike. We're creatures of patience, willing to grind for miles and execute a well-planned pacing strategy over the course of a race. But none of that happens in the 800m. In the half mile - possibly the "perfect" middle distance event - caution and patience are liabilities. Sipping fuel would be competitive suicide; blasting the after-burners is the only way to race it. And such a fast, aggressive race demands training that's very different from what distance runners are used to. In fact, 800m training looks like a blend of sprint and distance work: long runs and speed training, traditional track workouts with more strides, drills, and top-end speed reps. During my track days, I certainly didn't do <em

Katy Sherratt joins us on the podcast today to discuss the mission of Back on My Feet and the power of running to combat homelessness. And it is quite powerful! The organization has helped more than 7,000 and every dollar invested into Back on My Feet returns $2.50 to the local community. Talk about a positive return on investment! In this conversation, we're discussing: Why she initially chose to work at Back on My Feet What lessons she's learned from using running to combat homelessness How running works so well as a platform for self-improvement The power of community to help members escape homelessness Her history as a runner and what the organization is doing next Getting up at 5:30 in the morning to run requires commitment. And for those who can commit, they'll be rewarded with a supportive community, housing and employment resources, and other tools that will help them achieve more of their

After 100 episodes of the Strength Running Podcast, Jason announced a survey to get your feedback. What format episode is your favorite? Do you prefer longer or shorter episodes? What would you like to see MORE of? And of course, what can be improved? After analyzing hundreds of responses, there are some clear trends on what you like and would like to see in this podcast. In this episode, Jason talks through the main takeaways from the survey and what changes to expect in the podcast. The survey is still up so if you would like to add your voice, please do so! Visit strengthrunning.com/survey/ to give us your feedback.

Matt Phillips is a running injury and performance specialist from England who's written for most major media platforms and has spoken at numerous international conferences. You might recognize him! He's a massage therapist, video gait analyst, and is also the host of the Run Chat Live Podcast (I was recently a guest here!). In this conversation, we're covering a lot: When is gait retraining a good idea? Who should consider it? What are the risks of trying to improve your form? Are the risks of prolonged sitting substantial? How can we work around this? Can you reinforce proper running technique without trying to? What aspects of this topic have changed in the last 10 years? If you'd like to reinforce proper form, improve your efficiency, and make running more economical you can

Menachem Brodie is an exercise scientist, USA Cycling Expert level coach and USA Triathlon certified coach, and a graduate of an American College of Sports Medicine Accredited program with a bachelors in Exercise Physiology. He also has experience working in physical therapy, Emergency Medicine, and even with sports like basketball and CrossFit. By now, you've noticed that I love speaking with guests on the podcast with a wide diversity of experiences. And Menachem clearly fits the mold. Today, we're discussing strength training for endurance runners. More specifically, we're focusing on: The value of having a strength and conditioning certification (but why experience also matters) Strength work for rehabilitation vs. performance The lifting differences between endurance runners and cyclists How to think about st

Alexandra Ellis is a polymath, having studied and worked in many different areas of exercise science, fitness, and coaching. She has a degree in Exercise Biology and has amassed nearly 1,000 hours of yoga training. Alex also has additional education in: Human Dissection (of course, this was the first thing we talked about) CrossFit Mobility Movement education with Sarah Court, DPT Regeneration Techniques workshop completion through NSCA As you can see, she has experiences that most coaches would envy (human dissection and NSCA training in particular). And I'm always looking for new perspectives that will help us improve our running. Alex delivers in a fun episode that highlights her knowledge about the body, movement, recovery, and injuries. In this conversation, we discuss: What did she learn from dissecting human cadavers? The physiological, biomechanical, and behavioral aspects of her

Today's episode is about recovery, and specifically recovery through three different perspectives: acute recovery - or what you do immediately after a hard workout or race, recovery as preparation - or what you do in training that makes recovery easier, and finally long-term recovery from season to season so you can avoid over-training and burning out. It’s helpful to talk about recovery from different perspectives but also different time scales. Because recovery can happen in the micro and in the macro. And I think this is really important because we runners tend to get caught up in this one dimensional form of thinking about recovery where we’re only focused on recovery after a run. It’s what we do after a race, or long run, or workout, that defines recovery. But recovery is bigger than that and we’ll be better ru

Today's podcast episode features one of the lead coaches for Rogue Running, a massive running group in Austin, Texas. After discovering the Running Rogue podcast and learning more about the group, I instantly recognized Chris McClung as a thoughtful coach who truly "gets" training (he's not going to tell you to run less, run faster...). In this conversation, we focus on three key areas: How he learned to be a great coach The training theory and principles that influence his coaching The role of community and how that impacts your performance This episode is an excerpt from Team Strength Running, our group coaching program that connects you to me as your coach, a team of your peers, and a new monthly expert interview. Sign up here to get notified the next time we open!

Borrowing an idea from our mutual friend Nicole Antoinette, Kate has decided to choose courage over comfort when it comes to showing up and racing. When it comes to getting the most from our bodies, all of us have some trepidation about the discomfort of racing. It can be unpleasant and downright painful. But deciding to "go all in" and embrace that fear is the only way we can reach our potential. It's not an easy choice. Comfort is far easier: the comfort of sleeping in, not signing up for that big race, or not pushing hard during the final mile. But comfort can be the invisibility cloak that masks failure. After all, if we're only operating at 85%, are we really thriving? Today's conversation with Kate Grace covers many areas of training and mastering your inner psychology: How she handles workout anxiety and pre-race jitters

You’re about to listen to Strength Running’s first live show with author Matt Fitzgerald. If you’re not familiar with Matt, he’s written more than 20 books about sports nutrition, endurance, running, and the marathon including my favorites, The Endurance Diet, Brain Training, Racing Weight, and Diet Cults. This was recorded in front of a live audience at the Tattered Cover bookstore in Denver, Colorado. Matt's latest book is a memoir called Life is a Marathon that chronicles his career as a coward when it comes to the suffering that inevitably accompanies endurance running. But he learns to overcome that suffering, and in doing so discovers the person he wants to become, for himself and for his wife Nataki who has severe bipolar disorder. It’s a very different type of book about running that I highly recommend, especially if you want a moving read that i

I ran competitively against Peter while we were both in college. He was at Tufts University while I ran for Connecticut College. Bromka was faster. In college, he was consistently a Varsity runner for their competitive Division III cross country team. But while he was a very good college runner, I wouldn't say he was a standout athlete. Things started to change post-collegiately when Peter started running marathons. His first was 2:56 - a relatively pedestrian time by a former collegiate runner (one who was capable of running 25:xx for a 5-mile cross country course). Soon, he dropped his time to 2:47. And then 2:41. His progression of improvement over 26.2 miles is eye-popping. After that 2:41, he ran: 2:36 2:34 2:29 2:23 2:19 His fastest finish came last December at the <a href= "https://www.athlinks.com/event/3241/results/Event/695349/Course/1133196/Bib/358" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer

Brad Stulberg is a polymath whose first book with coach Steve Magness, Peak Performance, was one of my favorite reads from 2018. His work focuses on helping athletes, business executives, and other top performers improve their chances of success by work on: Defining a path for long-term progression Mental toughness Developing sustainable motivation and purpose How to get into a deep-focus "flow" state Building resilience Development of optimal routines His latest book is also coauthored by Steve Magness, titled The Passion Paradox: A Guide to Going All In, Finding Success, and Discovering the Benefits of an Unbalanced Life. In this conversation, we spend time focusing on the nuances of passion, obsession, and building inte

You might know Craig as the 2013 Pan-American Jr. Games 1500m champion or the 4th place finisher at the 2016 US Olympic Trials in the 1500m. More recently, Craig won the USATF indoor mile and set a blazing 3:53 mile PR. His list of personal bests is eye-popping: 800m: 1:46:03 Mile: 3:53.93 5k: 14:20.27 Craig is a fun guy to talk with because he doesn’t take running too seriously. He’s a fierce competitor but you’ll also see how his running really took off in college when he was able to have fun with his team. (it's funny how you perform better when you're having more fun outside of training...) He also doesn’t take himself too seriously, which I find incredibly refreshing. He rocks a mullet and an absolutely perfect 1980’s style Burt Reynolds mustache. The RV only came after the mustache because he wanted to keep the 80's theme going. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jason and Craig talk abo

After college, Deena traveled to Amarosa, Colorado to train under Coach Joe Vigil. That's when her running took off. To discover why and how this happened (it wasn't better training), Deena joined me on the Strength Running Podcast to discuss the mental journey she's taken throughout her career. Our conversation focuses on several topics: How to turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts - while running or in everyday life Why Deena used to race "with fear" (and how she recovered from this dangerous mindset) The mental expectations she's had to abandon to reach higher levels of performance How to "participate in the process" rather than overly worry about results These are all major themes of her award-winning memoir Let Your Mind Run: A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory.

You don’t have to just “hope” that your motivation to run will be there in the morning when the alarm blares… But motivation is fickle and unpredictable. Some days, you’re ready to crush a track workout or long run. Other days, you can barely bring yourself to jog for 30 minutes. You don’t have to be a hostage to the whims of your running motivation, though. Relying on motivation is a fool’s errand.  Instead, you can structure your running life in such a way that missed runs or skipped workouts are virtually nonexistent. You can do this without: <span st

Sanjay Rawal is a filmmaker, runner, and the man behind the documentary 3100: Run and Become. Before becoming a filmmaker, he spent 15 years in over 40 countries working on human rights and international development. His new film is about the longest certified road race in the world: the Self-Transcendence 3100 Miler. It's an event that boggles the mind: 3,100 miles around a single city block in Queens, New York for nearly two months in the heat of summer. To win, you have to average about 60 miles per day (for nearly two months). A race like this is less of a race and more of a journey of self-discovery that reveals the limits of human ability. In this wide-ranging discussion about the spiritual side of running, Sanjay Rawal and I discuss: Why this race is more of a pilgrimage than a race The mechanics of a 52-day, 3,100-mile race What we can lea

Meb's legacy is cemented as a world-class runner: he's the 2004 Olympic Marathon silver medalist, winner of the 2009 New York City Marathon and 2014 Boston Marathon, and 4-time Olympian. He's also the author of three books guaranteed to get your competitive juices flowing: Run to Overcome: The Inspiring Story of an American Champion's Long-Distance Quest to Achieve a Big Dream Meb for Mortals: How to Run, Think, and Eat Like a Champion Marathoner 26 Marathons: What I've Learned About Faith, Identity, Running, and Life From Each Marathon I've Run Perhaps more impactful is his approach to the sport of distance running and the marathon. Free from any personal scandal, Meb is a true ambassador to

Don't be surprised if a Metcon workout includes: Running Cycling Rowing Gymnastic movements Strength exercises Any combination of these forms of exercise They're put together to condition the metabolism. In other words, to enable you to work at a near maximum intensity for a prolonged period of time. They sound very much like a running workout - like a challenging hill workout, for example. But the crucial difference is that they don't have to include any running. And that makes them useful for runners who may not be ready for a hard workout (or who want a different, less-specific workout). I've brought Dr. Mike Young onto the podcast to discuss metcon workouts for runners (and more topics) in more detail. You can also sign up here for our free course on runner-specifi

Running nutrition can be confusing. To begin with, there’s your day-to-day diet. The debates will forever rage on in running circles on how to fuel your training, from keto to high carb to whole 30 and everything in between. At the end of the day, simple whole foods are your best bet, not following specific, restrictive rules on quantity and substance. On top of that, there’s a general sense that running means you need “extras” in your diet. Extra iron, extra protein, extra…. fill in the blank. Runners frequently turn to supplements to satisfy these “needs.” There are thousands of articles and blog posts, not to mention advertising, dedicated to convincing you that as a runner, you need to add specific nutrients to your diet.

Beth Skwarecki is the author of two books and the Health Editor of Lifehacker. She's here to dispel fitness and health myths that might be leading us astray. Beth is a member of the National Association of Science Writers and the Association of Health Care Journalists. After getting a BA in biology from Alfred University, she received her Master's in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Rutger's University. She also has previously taught nutrition and environmental sciences at the Community College of Allegheny County. Her two books will interest the science nerds out there: Outbreak: 50 Tales of Epidemics That Terrorized the World Genetics 101: From Chromosomes and the Double Helix to Cloning and DNA Tests, Everything You Need to Know About Genes This conversation focu

Lindsey has always been a runner. She ran cross country in high school and after running for fitness and health in college, started running marathons post-collegiately. To date, she's run 14 marathons and is currently preparing for the 2019 Boston Marathon. She's also a RRCA-certified running coach. Her podcast is one of the most popular running podcasts out there: I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein has more than 160 episodes and features the most talented runners on the planet: Meb Keflezighi Paula Radcliffe Sco

Recovery means much more than what you do - it's also about what you don't do. For example, many runners think foam rolling or taking an ice bath are effective recovery methods. And if you enjoy them, I won't argue! But what you're not doing is equally important: Are you using your day off from running to do your own taxes and run 34 errands? Did you plan your big (i.e., stressful) family vacation for your post-marathon recovery week? Do you stay out late enjoying one or several too many adult beverages? If the answer is yes, then it almost doesn't matter what you do for your post workout recovery. Because the addition of stress - whether physical or mental - derails our best recovery efforts. That's why when I was in college, our track coach was very understanding of poor workout splits during mid-terms. You simply can't perform physically and mentally at a high level for very long. We prev

Last week, I had the pleasure of spending an hour talking to Sarah Canney. She's a Road Runners Club of America and USA Track and Field certified running coach in addition to being a competitive mountain runner and member of the 2018 US National Snowshoe Running Team. In fact, she recently placed 9th at the World Championships in Val di Non, Italy on January 5th. Now, I've never gone snowshoe running. I don't own any snowshoes. Frankly, I don't even like the cold. But after hearing Sarah speak more about the sport and how fun it can be, it's something I'm dying to try (and you can't get a better snowshoe running venue than Colorado's Front Range!) And while snowshoe running might be a lot of fun, it can also be an extraordinarily helpful method of cross-training

Megan Roche is a professional runner for HOKA ONE ONE and the 2016 USA Track & Field Trail Runner of the Year at the ultra and sub-ultra distances. A five-time national champion, she’s also the North American Mountain Running Champion and a six-time member of Team USA. Her new book The Happy Runner: Love the Process, Get Faster, Run Longer was written with her husband David Roche (also an elite runner who contributed to our Little Black Book of Recovery & Prevention) and presents a unique and compelling view of how to excel as a distance runner. In it, she discusses a wide range of fascinating topics for runners: The difference between hard and fast – and when to prioritize each How to define “the process” Why kindness can help you become a be

Over the last two years, I've been learning more and more about strength training. In fact, our new strength program High Performance Lifting (details here) has rocketed to our most popular training course. Like many runners, I'm not in love with weightlifting (I'd rather be running!) but I've come to appreciate just how valuable it is for endurance athletes. Higher levels of strength almost always lead to faster race times.   That's why I'm thrilled to present a new podcast with strength coach Tony Gentilcore. Tony previously joined us on the pod to talk about why runners should lift. He's back on today to go into more detail. Tony pointed out during our conversation that all of us deadlift all day long. Whenever we pick something up from the ground (a child, a bag of groceries, your running shoes), we're perf

Now, my goal at Strength Running is to always show you the most effective approach. The training that will most likely get you to achieve your biggest goals. That’s why we don’t waste time on minutiae. We don’t chase shiny objects like CrossFit Endurance or wonder if we should go keto or run all of our miles barefoot. We focus on what has been shown to conclusively work for runners. As you can imagine, some prevention strategies are better than others: If the goal is a fast marathon, great long runs are more effective than pool running workouts If the goal is a fast mile, speed development is more critical than foam rolling or core routines If the goal is to stay healthy long-term, a good dose of strength training is better than regular ice baths This episode will rank the most effective injury preven

Verrelle Wyatt is a 2:24 marathoner, 4:18 miler, and an Athletic Hall of Famer for his high school. He received his doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from Walsh University in Ohio. He has two medical licenses in both Physical Therapy and Sports Physical Therapy in addition to being certified as both a Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES) and Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES). In this conversation, we discuss a lot: His experience working with Cirque du Soleil athletes How having a doctoral degree in PT has informed his running The training that led Verrelle to a 2:24 marathon How to avoid the common injury mistakes that land runners in his office This episode is an excerpt from our full conversation for Team Strength Running, Strength Running's affordable group coaching program.

As a runner himself, Jason Koop has two top-10 finishes at the Leadville Trail 100 and has finished some of ultrarunning's most challenging races like the Badwater 135, Wasatch 100, and the Hardrock 100. He's the Director of Coaching at Carmichael Training Systems where he's been for over a decade working with runners, cyclists, and triathletes. Today, coach Jason Koop focuses more on trail ultramarathoners, guiding some of the best ultra runners in the country: Dakota Jones, winner of the 2018 Pike's Peak Marathon (after he cycled 250 miles in the four days before the race...) Missy Gosney, 4th at the 2015 Hardrock 100 Mile <a href="https://www.instagra

Running injuries are formally called repetitive stress injuries. Do the wrong thing (over a prolonged period of time) and you can rest assured that you’re probably going to get hurt. Here’s a great example from outside the running world. Recently I interviewed Staci Ardison in our monthly interview series for Team Strength Running about weight lifting. She’s become a very competitive powerlifter over the last few years and asked about injuries in the weight room. What causes them? How do you stay healthy while lifting? Her answer was surprising. It wasn’t a neat new trick or fancy wrist strap for dead lifts. <p

With some runners hesitant to brave the yoga studio – and the benefits unclear – I wanted to get a leading expert on the podcast to discuss yoga for runners. Please say hi to Sage Rountree. Sage isn’t just an internationally recognized yoga expert with the highest level of training possible. She hasn’t just worked with Olympians, NBA and NFL players, and collegiate athletes. She’s also a running and triathlon coach and the author of eight books, including: The Athlete’s Guide to Yoga: An Integrated Approach to Strength, Flexibility, and Focus Racing Wisely: A Practical and Philosophical Guide to Performing at Your Personal Best The Runner’s Guide to Yoga, 2nd Edition</

Today I want to help you avoid the most common mistakes among new runners. These "unforced errors" derail your progress, invite injury, and make running harder than it needs to be. Simply not doing the wrong thing can be the difference between success and failure. It’s like Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz once said: “It’s not the great play that wins the game. It’s eliminating the dumb play.” Here are three of the most common mistakes I see beginners make with their running – whatever you do, avoid these at all costs! For more on beginner running, get our Bonus Podcast for new runners at https://strengthrunning.com/new/

Pam is a Team Strength Running member. Every month, I get the team together for a live video coaching call. We talk about workouts, scheduling races, planning around vacations and injuries, and how to strategically plan a season. I recently asked the team if anybody was planning a BIG goal and wanted to come on the podcast to talk more about how to achieve that crazy goal. [These opportunities are only available to Team SR members. Learn more about the team here.] Pam stepped up. She’s not new to running but wants to run a marathon even though she’s never run longer than about 9 miles. Her longest race has been 10k. This is a unique place to be: an experienced yet low-mileage runner who wants to make the leap to running 26.2 miles. We’re left with a lot of questions: How can this trans

To kick off 2018, we’re focusing on strength training for runners. And there’s an undeniable advantage from getting the fundamentals right before you learn how to start lifting weights: Progress is faster (you get better sooner!) Risks are mitigated (far fewer injuries!) Results are more substantial (you get stronger!) My goal is to help you limit the early mistakes as you start lifting weights so you can enjoy all of the benefits of strength training exercises: power fewer injuries speed coordination lean muscle efficiency We cover a lot more on Strength Running’s free weight lifting ecourse

If you don't know Dr. Mark Cucuzzella, you're missing out. He’s a professor at West Virginia University School of Medicine and a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force Reservists. He designed the US Air Force Efficient Running Project and has presented running workshops on over 50 military bases. Mark has been a national-level Masters runner, completed more than 100 marathon and ultra-marathon races, and is a two time winner of the Air Force Marathon. His PR? A staggering 2:24. He's also strongly involved in the local West Virginia running community: race director of Freedom’s Run race series owner of Two Rivers Treads in his hometown of Shepherdstown Mark's new book, <a href="ht

Tempo runs are beneficial for virtually every runner – from milers to marathoners, tempos are nearly ubiquitous. Of course, they’re a staple for longer distance runners training for the marathon and beyond. If you’re not familiar with this type of workout, there are three popular definitions: 1. Comfortably hard. A pace that’s faster than “moderate” but not exactly “hard.” If you have a high training age and prefer running by feel or perceived effort, this may be the most helpful definition for you. 2. The pace you could race for an hour. For some runners, their tempo pace is similar to or about the same as their 10k pace. This definition is best used for more advanced runners. 3. 85-90% of maximum heart rate. If you train by heart rate (learn how to calculate your max heart rate <a href= "http://strengthrunning.com/2012/06/hear

Most coaches - including myself - don't have the tools to discuss this serious issue. I have no personal experience or training with eating disorders in runners (though I have friends with disordered eating). So I brought on someone who does: Annyck Besso. The goals of this conversation are threefold: Give coaches better tools to educate, help, and guide their runners with eating disorders Open a dialogue among all runners and foster a healthy, productive conversation Provide resources to those who might be suffering from any type of disordered eating Annyck is a Registered Dietitian with expertise in the treatment of eating disorders in private and academic medical center environments. She has a Bachelors degree in nutrition and dietetics, a Master's degree in dietetics, and specialty training in approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therap

I'm not promoting running trails because they're beautiful. Or awe-inspiring. Or jaw-dropping. Though, that's certainly an added bonus! Trail running is a welcomed alternative to road running because it's a different type of stress that helps you become a better runner: The uneven surface can limit the repetition of running, thereby reducing your injury risk The varying terrain and obstacles (rocks, roots, holes, more turns and elevation changes) requires more athleticism Softer surfaces can promote recovery on easy days Plus, let's not forget that running trails usually means that you're going

Dr. Ryan Smith is a lead instructor for the Institute of Clinical Excellence in the Fitness Athlete division. He specializes in treating individuals who participate in CrossFit, Olympic Lifting, powerlifting, and other recreational sports like running. He also specializes in pelvic health therapy, utilizing an external approach that focuses on education and management of diastisis recti, pelvic organ prolapse, and post-partum issues. Ryan is an avid supporter of the Senior Rehab Project and promoting individuals to strength train throughout their lifetime. You might recognize his name - he contributed to an earlier article on bodyweight strength training for runners. And I'm excited to introduce a longer discussion with Ryan on many related topics: The common movement dysfunctions among runners (and how to address them) Should you worry abou

Jonathan Marcus is to running as Charlie Munger is to investing: a coach that uses “elementary, worldly wisdom” to mold his athletes into high-level runners. His past coaching and running industry experience includes: Assistant track coach at Portland State University Division I / NAIA / post-collegiate club / Oregon High School levels Involvement with the Portland Track Festival, USA Track & Field, NIKE’s Bowerman Track Club, and the Run Portland/Team Athena running clubs He was appointed USA Track & Field High Performance Coordinator for the men’s middle distances in 2011 and his national role with USATF included serving as co-meet director for the prestigious USATF High Performance track meet held annually at Occidental College. Currently he’s the Director of High Performance West, an elite training group in Portland Oregon. He a

You might recognize Tina from Episode 31 of the podcast. She’s an 11-time All-American athlete and elite athlete for Great Britain who’s run in two British Olympic Trials. Tina recently overcame amenorrhea by taking a break from training, had a daughter, and is now returning to competitive running. But we’re not here to talk about Tina. We’re here to talk about YOUR questions, problems, and struggles. In this conversation, we’re discussing: If you can only run a few times per week, should those runs all be “hard?” Do compression socks actually work? How do you advance beyond walking to run all of your miles? What are the most important things to remember when training for a Ragnar Relay? How do you pace a long run? And a lot more!

Nichola - or Nic as her friends call her - has such a long list of credentials and accomplishments that I simply can't share them all here. But just a sampling of her education and experience demonstrates her expertise: Graduated from Loughborough University with a First Class Honours Degree in Sports & Exercise Science Graduated from Leeds Metropolitan University with a post-graduate diploma in Dietetics Holds a Master's Degree in Health Science Published author in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Her blog has also been voted as the UK's best health blog in 2015! Clearly, we're in good company. In this conversation, Nic and I discuss a wide variety of topics important to runners: How can athletes running with diabetes fuel appropriately while managing their disease? Why is being "calorie-aware" important but f

I’m a proud omnivore. I firmly believe that eating a balanced, “whole-foods” diet is the key to both long-term health and improved running performance. But the issue isn’t which diet is best, but the results that a certain diet can give to you. Over the past decade, I’ve been borderline obsessed with discovering the optimal diet for running performance. I’ve read many of the best diet books, interviewed Registered Dietitians, pro athletes, and best-selling diet authors: Q&A Podcast with Anne Mauney MPH, RD How elite OCR athlete Kimber Mattox fuels her running Matt Fitzgerald on “The Endurance Diet” <a href= "http://strengthrunning.com/2015/04/diet-elite-marathoner-h

Angie and Trevor Spencer are the hosts of the Marathon Training Academy podcast and have helped thousands of runners over the years successfully run their first marathons. Angie ran her first marathon in 2008, promptly got injured, but turned things around in a big way: since then, she's run 51 marathons and 4 ultras with not a single injury (!). A Registered Nurse, she also has USATF-Level 1 and RRCA-Level 2 coaching certifications. Trevor followed in his wife's footsteps and went from couch potato to marathoner in just a few short years. After his first marathon in 2011, he's since completed 14 marathons, 15 half marathons, and a Spartan Trifecta. They've both joined me on the podcast to talk about the subject of "Couch to Marathon" or how to: Transition from sedentary to marathon with as little injury risk as possible Differentiate between

Over the years of coaching hundreds of athletes to new personal bests from 1.5 mile military fitness tests up to the 50-mile ultramarathon distance, I’ve been given a “private look” inside how runners approach their training. And most of the time, I’m horrified! There’s no progression. They avoid race-specific workouts. I see pacing mistake after pacing mistake. If you want to run faster you need to take the next logical step in how you prepare and plan your training schedule. Even though you might think the 5k is short, it demands very specific workouts. Good 5k training includes three distinct aspects of running fitness: speed, race-specific fitness, and endurance. Over-emphasize endurance and you won’t have that “higher gear” to hammer the last mile. Skip the

Alex Hutchinson holds a PhD in Physics from Cambridge, a Master’s in Journalism from Columbia, and is a former national-class runner in Canada. He’s written for Runner’s World, Outside Magazine, The Globe & Mail, Popular Mechanics, and many other major media. I’ve been pestering Alex to write another book after Which Comes First, Cardio or Weights? became one of my favorite exercise science myth-busters (if you haven’t picked it up yet, I highly recommend it). And he finally delivered! His new book, Endure: Mind, Body, and the Curiously Elastic Limits of Human Performance has quickly become my favorite running book from the last few years. Our conversation centers on the psychological limits of endurance: intrinsic motivation peer pressure joy and running for “the right reasons

Warrior Dash is a fun vacation from more traditional road racing. If you’re bored and need a new challenge, an obstacle race might be just the cure. They’re fun – but you need the right training to prepare yourself for the challenge of completing a difficult obstacle course. With obstacles every few hundred feet on courses that are almost always hilly with uneven terrain, it’s downright difficult to maintain your pace and get in a groove. For most runners, it’s a challenge just to run in between each obstacle! But there are specific ways that you can train to ensure you have a successful race. Make no mistake: whether you’re running a Warrior Dash or Tough Mudder, these aren’t your typical road races. It takes a particular mindset to conquer them. Here’s how.

Sam started running in 2002 to lose the weight he put on in college. But his training really picked up years later when he started racing more in 2015. He told me: I set a goal to run another marathon in December, 2016 with a goal of a BQ. I dumped weight lifting  and boot camps, to focus on running. I jacked up my miles going from running 10-15 miles and week quickly to running 30-40 miles a week. Leading up to the marathon I developed plantar fasciitis but was able to train through it. A week before the race I developed ITBS and ran the marathon anyways. It was a horrible race that left me sitting on the side of the road at one point. But I finished (actually setting a PR in 3:30) and could barely walk afterward. After 2 months, I started training again and decided I wanted to try triathlons. I jacked up my miles and completed a Half Ironman. But I didn’t take time to recover and developed ITBS. And I've been battling with issues eve

Heather Caplan is a Registered Dietitian, certified running coach, and host of the RD Real Talk Podcast. She’s also the former Head of Nutrition and Coaching at tech startup Spright, Inc. She’s also worked in corporate wellness coaching and public health nutrition counseling. Her work has been featured in national media such as Runner’s World, The Washington Post, Women’s Running, Outside Online, and others. Heather is on the podcast today to answer YOUR nutrition questions: Are superfoods legit? What’s her hot take on fasting and the vegan diet? How much meat is too much? Can nutrition play a role in injury prevention? And more! This is a very wide-ranging discussion based on your answers to my Twitter question here. If you like this format of podcast, we have <a href="https://strengthrunning.com/nu

Running uphill (against gravity) stresses your body in a unique way that you can’t mimic on flat land. That stress results in some fantastic adaptations and benefits: There’s less impact running uphill so it’s easier on your joints and connective tissues Hills “force” you to run with better form, reinforcing a more efficient stride Running up steep grades builds power more safely than running fast on flat terrain Hills provide the most specific strength work runners could ask for Hill workouts build strength, speed, endurance, VO2 Max, and every other metric runners care about! While hill sessions aren’t too race-specific (unless you’re training for an entirely uphill race), they have a valuable place in any training program. This episode discusses these benefits, when hills should be incorporated into your season, my 3 favorite types of hill workouts, and the type of runner who will benefit most from hills

In reality, we have to make time and shuffle our schedules to accommodate all of our responsibilities: Kids and family Work and professional obligations Social events Sleep? Maybe? It's no easy feat to train well, work, have a family, and find some free time to read or have fun. I remember back to one of the most challenging times of my life: the year after college when I had a 75-minute commute and a 9-hour work day. That meant I was running 80-85 miles per week at 5:30am in the dark, in the freezing winter of Massachusetts. I had no time to do anything besides work, run, and ensure I slept 8 hours a night. Now that I have a family, that's not a possibility. Hard decisions have to be made... To help with those tough decisions, I want to introduce you to Keira D'Amato. She was a <a href= "http://www.aueagles.com/sports/c-track/recaps/0610

Tyler Andrews  was a competitive Division III runner - but certainly not a multiple All-American or other kind of standout performer. But that never stopped him from chasing big goals. After graduating from Tufts University, Tyler kept training and improving. He's since qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials and currently holds the world record for the fastest half marathon ever run on a treadmill (63:38). Now he has his sights set on another world record: the 50K ultramarathon distance. And this Friday, he'll be making that WR attempt in California at the Santa Barbara Easter Relays. After 125 laps on the track, we'll know if he was ready to topple the 30-year record of 2:43:38. In this far-ranging conversation, Tyler and I discuss a host of issues: The geeky nitty gritty of his training - most at 9,000+ feet altitude in Quito, Ecuador His pacing and fueling approach for a

It’s no easy feat to run a marathon under three hours. It’s faster than the fastest Boston Qualifying time of 3:05 (for young men) and according to one analysis, only 4% of men and just 1% of women achieve this level of performance. An article from LiveStrong notes that: “the nonprofit organization RunTri used the times of 230,251 finishers in 25 races to determine that in the 2011-2012 marathon season the average time for any person, regardless of gender or age, was 4 hours, 24 minutes and 0 seconds.” I’m not familiar with either of these sources so we should be careful with the results. Let’s take them with a big grain of salt. But still, they underscore the general idea that a sub-3 marathon is really hard! And especially for women, who weren’t born with many of the biological “tools” that aid performance (higher muscle mass, more testosterone, etc.). So this coaching call was particularly exciting for me. Lindsey has

Henry Wynne has an unusual origin story: he’s a former lacrosse player who had no interest in running but his parents encouraged him to stick with the sport in high school. Fast forward about 10 years later and today, he’s an elite middle-distance athlete sponsored by Brooks. A former runner for the University of Virginia, he's had several notable accomplishments over the years: 2016 Indoor NCAA Mile - Champion 2016 Outdoor NCAA Mile - 3rd 4 x All-American School Record Holder, 1500m His personal best in the mile is 3:55 (from less than two weeks ago!) - and he's going to let you in on how he prepares to race. Resources helpful for milers and other middle-distance runners: Increase muscle tension to race fast

I had the pleasure of getting to know Maggie last fall when she modeled the exercises for our new strength training program. We spent a few hours at a weight lifting gym called Barbell Strategy in Boulder, CO. Maggie and Addie Bracy (2x Mountain Runner of the Year) demonstrated 40+ exercises and we had a videographer to capture all of the magic. During her time at the University of Arizona, she won the PAC-10 Steeplechase Championship (she'll also tell you that she's twice won her beer in weight!). Her PR for the steeple - one of my absolute favorites - is 10:03 or the equivalent of about 10:45-10:50 for 2-miles (with 30-inch barriers and water jumps). It’s quite impressive. Now, Maggie trains under elite coach Brad Hudson. Brad, as I’m sure you know at this point, is the author of my favorite book on running - Run Faster: How to be Yo

Dimity is the cofounder of Another Mother Runner - one of the largest communities you'll find for women runners. Besides the blog, the AMR ecosystem includes a helluva lot: The Another Mother Runner podcast AMR retreats Run Like a Mother Train Like a Mother Tales From Yet Another Mother Runner The AMR store I'm publishi

Two years ago, I was interviewed for an event called The Running Summit. I spoke about wide-ranging topics: How I started running My injury prevention philosophy The biggest areas of improvement for runners Strength training do's and don'ts Warm-ups and cross-training My favorite aspects of coaching How running "scales" My favorite running authors The two principles of sound form you must remember Who benefits from getting a coach? How to build your mileage more safely than the 10% rule Why 'Run Less, Run Faster' fails as a training methodology and a lot more! As you can see, we went DEEP on running and touched on nearly every important element of sound training. This is an audio recording of our interview where you'll be able to glean insights from my experience as a runner, coach, and a coached athlete.

You might recognize Jesse as the dude who races in Aviators (there's never an inappropriate time for Aviators). He was an All-American and school record holder at track and field powerhouse Stanford University. After graduating with a Masters in Mechanical Engineering, Jesse started a company and got an MBA before going pro in triathlon in 2011. You might say that Jesse likes to stay busy. Today, he's the CEO of Picky Bars - a company he cofounded with his wife Lauren Fleshman - and an elite triathlete who's a 2x Ironman Champion. After reading a fascinating article in Triathlete Magazine last year, I reached out to Jesse to learn more about his nutrition

I've fielded hundreds of lifting questions from runners who all want to know, "How do I lift the right way?" It's a great question. In fact, it's THE question! Knowing how to lift properly will: Save you a lot of wasted time Give you the actual results you want Reduce your injury risk But without knowing WHY runners should lift then it's impossible to answer HOW runners should lift. Do runners need to build strength? Or power? Or neuromuscular coordination? When is the right time to work on each skill? Also: Can kettlebell work be added into a lifting program for runners? If so, how? Are CrossFit or other HIIT sessions appropriate? If so, when? Should trail runners lift the same way as road runners? Clearly, this is a complex topic! Thankfully, we're featuring a top strength coach on the podcast to answer all of your question

Cross-training is supplemental exercise that can be helpful to your running, like cycling. But just like form drills, strides, or dynamic flexibility exercises, I consider strength training to be an integral part of how to train distance runners. If you’re not strength training, then you’re not training. Running by itself only gets you so far. It’s a fairly one-dimensional form of exercise, after all. If you look at how pro runners train (hell, even high school runners), you’ll see a lot of “other things” in their training: Form drills Plyometrics Bodyweight strength workouts Mobility Barefoot work Skill-based strength exercises (like Olympic lifts) <a href= "http://strengthrunning.com/2015

I’m doing something a little different today in that I’d like to share with you what I think are the best gift ideas for runners this year. Now as a running coach, my focus is on improvement so I’m only going to recommend things that are going to help you improve. That’s why I won’t be suggesting sweatshirts, socks, shoes, or anything like that. Those are “nice to haves” but what’s in this episode are gifts that will help you get to the next level. I also want to be completely transparent on three things: #1 - If you follow any of the links that I mention or use the discount codes, then Strength Running is going to get a small kickback. It won’t cost you anything extra but it does help support the podcast so I can keep churning out episodes. Ok #2. I’m only promoting products where I can give you a discount. The hol

I invited Nick to share as much detail as possible about his marathon training, race strategy, and post-race recovery so you can understand how an elite marathoner tackles the race. Just recent he posted on Instagram: To run your best, you have to put in the work, know your body, and keep reminding yourself that you can do it. Train both your mind and body.  And today, you'll hear what "the work" means to a professional marathoner. You'll learn: How many weeks Nick prepares for the marathon Why his marathon training includes no cross-training How he structures his taper and recovery after the race His preferred marathon fuel The types of long runs necessary to race 26.2 miles This episode goes deep into marathon training - the nuts and bolts and nitty gritty details of how an elite marathoner trains and races 26

Depending on whether you started running today or last year, today's podcast will clarify the most high-impact training available to you. Because certain training strategies and workouts are either too easy for some runners - or too difficult. Like Goldilocks, it's important to plan training that's "just right." And new runners are at an interesting time in their running careers. There's so much potential and improvements will come quickly as long as runners stay healthy and focused. So first, don't get injured! Next, run consistently! If you're healthy and running consistently, now you can take "the next step" and start focusing on bigger goals. Jenny Hadfield has been helpin

If you can replicate the principles (not necessarily the exact workouts, mileage, etc.) that lead to personal bests then you can keep improving and setting personal bests. The alternative is hitting a performance plateau. Stagnating. Running the same times over and over again... And nobody wants that! After working with a lot of runners for the better part of a decade, I've come to understand that there are three areas that most contribute to declining performances. In this episode, we go over all three of those issues, simple fixes, and more strategies to help your speed keep increasing!

The best runners know when to get help and work together. If you're a Lone Wolf, some things are inevitable: Have a question? Prepare to spend hours going down the Google rabbit hole... Feeling unmotivated? Sorry, you're on your own. Not sure how to break through your plateau? Time to "try everything!" But the runners who get the support, guidance, and camaraderie they need always seem to reach their goals. Which one are you?  Today, my friend Mario Fraioli is joining me on the podcast to help me answer your toughest questions and give you the support needed to reach new levels of performance. Mario and I competed against each other in college (he always beat me) while he was at Stonehill and I was at Con

For a lot of runners, what started as a way to get in shape or lose a few pounds turns into a lifelong passion. Soon, you're going on running retreats and flying across the country to run a marathon. What did we do with all of our free time before running?! Alas, not every runner gets to experience a lifetime of running bliss. Some of us over train, burn out, or get so injured that we simply give up. But I will not let that happen to you! Instead, let's learn from lifelong competitors who are still running after decades of workouts, long runs, and races. These are athletes that have discovered the secret to unlocking a lifetime of racing, trail runs, and workouts (in other words... a lifetime of FUN!). And Jonathan Beverly interviewed 50 of them to help you run for decades. In his new book Run Strong, Stay Hungry: 9 Keys

Last August, we witnessed the most electrifying track race in history at the World Championships: the women's 3,000m Steeplechase. Before this race, no American woman had ever won a medal in the steeple at the World Championships. Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs changed that with an historic 1-2 finish, decimating a field that included the current World Record holder and Olympic Champion. This was also the first time any Americans had taken home both gold and silver at the World Champions or the Olympics in a race longer than 400m since the 1912 Olympics. Both Emma and Courtney also ran faster than the existing American Record. NBC Sports called the race "shocking." <a href= "https://www.si.com/olympics/201

But we almost never discuss the failures of the world's best runners. What does it feel like to never achieve your biggest goal throughout your entire career? How does an elite keep perspective? Do they ever think about quitting? Most importantly... how do elites bounce back from setbacks? Do they have a different mindset than us normal runners? What enables them to continue training at high levels for years? How do they overcome a bad workout, long run, or race? These are the questions that I couldn't get out of my head. So I interviewed six pro runners to get their hot take on failure: Alexi Pappas - Olympian, Greek national record holder, and star of Tracktown Mike Wardian - racing phenom, world record holder, and nicest guy ever <a href= "https://www.runnersworld.c

Meet Devon Yanko. On August 19, 2017 she won the Leadville Trail 100 - a race where 9,200 feet altitude is the lowest you'll experience on the course. She finished in 20:46:29, averaging 12:28 per mile - a half hour ahead of her nearest competitor. With nearly 16,000 feet of elevation change through Colorado's gnarliest mountain terrain, the course is so difficult that in most years, less than half of the field finishes the race. Having run in similar places, I can vouch for how strenuous this terrain can be (even for experienced runners). With precious air at a costly premium, the steep grades and uneven footing make traversing these trails a form of slow-motion torture. Going uphill burns the lungs after just a few steps. Each muscle contraction seems to draw double the amount of oxygen to fuel their movements. Running downhill isn't much better. The rocky t

Alexi's talents extend far beyond the track and screen. She's been a... columnist for Women's Running Magazine improvisational comedy performer in Los Angeles author of a one-act play As you can see, Alexi has done a lot more than just running. That's why, in this interview, we don't talk much about running. I didn't ask her what it was like being a multiple All-American for Dartmouth College. Or how it felt to set the Greek Record at the Rio Olympics of 31:36 in the 10,000m. Instead, we talk about what it's like to pursue so many goals, what she's reading, and how she differentiates between her creative pursuits and being an elite athlete. This conversation will show you how to pursue many goals and interests (while still prioritizing what's most important to you). Alexi is a boundless source of quotables and wisdom that I found refreshing. I hope you enjoy this episode. And please, don't criticize my H

You might know David from drdavidgeier.com where he simplifies the complex area of sports medicine. David's most notably an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist in Charleston, South Carolina. He was Director of MUSC Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina for eights years and is currently the Communications Council Chair for the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Board of Directors. Major media have featured his advice in interviews from The New York Times, The Washington Post, CNN, NBC News, The Atlantic, Forbes, and many others. Check out David's new book, That's Gotta Hurt! The Injuries That Changed Sports Forever. As you can see, I was quite excited to chat with him about the best injury prevention practices for younger athletes. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

In Episode 33, I introduced you to Joel Runyon who recently ran an ultramarathon on every continent - and raised a staggering $190,000 in the process. Today, we're diving deeper into the obstacles he faced, lessons learned, and what he'd change if he were to do it all over again. In part two of our conversation, Joel opens up about the obstacles he faced while attempting to finish the 777 Project. They included injuries, unrelated lawsuits, brutal trail races in the mountains of Thailand, and the normal logistical nightmares of running races all over the world. Of course, Joel didn't quit. It didn't matter that he had to take 6 months off to rehabilitate a peroneal tendon injury. He didn't care that every race - and the travel that went along with it - was self-funded. Nor was it even an option to quit during a race (how's that f

To help you shatter your perception of what's possible, discover the training necessary to run 100 miles, and inspire you to chase your next stretch goal, I've invited Magdalena Boulet onto the podcast to talk about her performance at this year's Western States Endurance Run. One of the biggest names in the world of ultramarathons, Magda Boulet has an impressive list of credentials: 1st - 2002 and 2003 Pittsburgh Marathon 1st - 2002 San Francisco Marathon 1st - 2006 Orange County Marathon 2nd - 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon 1st - 2015 Western States Endurance Run 5th - 2016 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc 2nd - 2017 Western States Endurance Run She prepares methodically for challenging races, leaving no stone unturned as she strives to compete with the fastest endurance runners on the planet. This unique "testing mindset" helped her identify potential injury warnings before this year's Western St

Joel smashes through goals normally considered impossible.  Recently, he completed an ambitious project to run 7 ultramarathons on 7 continents for charity to build 7 schools in developing countries. He succeeded - raising over $190,000. The 777 Project brought him to: Thailand Antarctica Australia Patagonia South Africa Finland and Chicago! Joel's philanthropic quest brought him around the world to extreme locations and terrain that nearly broke him. But his persistence led to the constructions of seven schools through Pencils of Promise, a charity where 100% of donations go toward its mission of school construction, scholarships, and trains teachers. Joel is on the podcast to talk about what it takes to run a series of ultramarathons i

Jonathan Beverly was the editor-in-chief of Running Times for 15 years. He’s run nearly 30 marathons and hundreds of road and trail races around the world. He’s also coached with the New York Road Runners Club, taught several college running classes, and has coached junior and high school track and cross country since 2003. Jonathan’s new book quickly became one of my favorites. Your Best Stride: How to Optimize Your Natural Running Form to Run Easier, Farther, and Faster – with Fewer Injuries is a holistic look at how to run with better form. He does not promote a certain brand of form (like Chi or POSE). He won’t make you run on your forefoot (that’s a big no-no). And he isn’t even gung-ho about “cues” that make you run slightly differently. Instead, the goal is to bring you back to when you were 10 years old. Remember back then? If not, just know that you ran with a lot better form ba

Tina is a professional distance runner, Great Britain Olympic hopeful, and 11-time All-America Track and Field/Cross Country athlete for Ferris State University. She's run in two British Olympic Trials, finishing 3rd in the 10k in 2012 and 5th in the Marathon in 2016. Her personal bests, as you can imagine, are out of this world: 5k - 16:08 10k - 33:24 Half Marathon - 1:13 Marathon - 2:36 Earlier this year, Tina made a stunning announcement that she was taking a hiatus as a pro runner. She's recovering from amenorrhea (she didn't have a period for 9 years) and is hoping to start a family soon. But she realized that she just didn't enjoy her running anymore. Every run was a struggle. She dreaded upcoming workouts and just wasn't excited about training anymore. I consider this to be an unspoken problem in the running community. Amid calls for consistency, putting in the work, and training "no matt

I invited Simon Marshall, PhD and his wife Lesley Patterson to talk about practical strategies for building confidence, reducing pre-race anxiety, and managing fears. Their new book The Brave Athlete is a handbook for the athlete's brain, showing you how to: Resist the urge to quit Embrace difficulty Respond positively to setbacks Build confidence and self-belief Cope better with stress and anxiety This husband and wife team is quite the duo. Simon is former professor of family and preventive medicine at the University of San Diego and a professor of sport and exercise psychology at San Diego State University. Currently, he's the performance psychologist for BMC Racing - a World Tour professional cycling team. His wife Lesley Patterson is a dominant triathlete, having won three world off-road triathlon champions and an Ironman Triathlon. A professional mo

What we put into our bodies has a profound impact on our ability to train effectively. In short, if you care about you running, you have to care about your eating habits. And I've brought a Registered Dietitian on the SR Podcast to help. Over the last few weeks, I've surveyed the Strength Running Twitter and Facebook communities about dieting, weight loss, nutrition, and race fueling. I collected about a dozen of the best questions and got my friend Anne Mauney to help me answer them for you. Anne worked with me to create one of SR's flagship programs, Nutrition for Runners. She's one of the busiest RD's I know with a private practice in Washington, DC and a popular lifestyle blog. She also gives healthy eating presentations and workshops to organizations like Whole Foods. Her work has been featured in Glamour, Self, The Washington Post, and Fitness Mag

Usually, I fire off answers as fast as I can. Whether that's on Facebook or Twitter, I try to be as responsive as possible. But sometimes, life gets in the way. I simply don't have the time to answer all of your questions - especially when a single SR email goes out to about 80,000 runners... That does not, however, mean I'm not paying attention. In fact, I often save your running questions to get to them later. And that's exactly what we're doing today. Joining me as the SR Podcast's first co-host is my friend, fellow coach, and ultra runner Doug Hay. Fresh off his sub-15hr run at the Ultra Run of Champions (snagging him a sweet belt buckle!), Doug is helping us get to the bottom of some of your toughest questions. Let's dive in.

I met Ian in August, 2016 one day before the Leadville Trail 100. We got coffee with a friend of ours and then watched a Beer Mile (it took place on the road behind us in the above picture). Ian officiated – starting the race and cheering on runners as they raced and chugged beers. Two days later, Ian crossed the finish line of the Leadville Trail 100 in first place – his third victory. He’s no slouch in the world of ultra running. In fact, he’s one of the best ultramarathoners in the world: 3 x winner (and course record holder) of the Rocky Raccoon 100 3 x winner of the Leadville Trail 100 Completed about 200 ultras and 100+ marathons (!) Record Holder – Grand Slam of Ultrarunning 7 x silver medalist at the Comrades Marathon And over the last year, I’ve been fortunate to work with Ian on a few different projects: He contributed a <a href= "http://strengthrunning.com/2016/09/how-to-train

I invited Tom Foreman on the podcast to philosophize about running, goals, and racing throughout life. You might recognize Tom as an emmy-award winning journalist at CNN. He's reported on wars, natural disasters, and political skirmishes across 20 countries. He's also quite the runner. Author of My Year of Running Dangerously, Tom has a handful of marathons and ultramarathons under his belt and is chasing a BQ soon at the Cincinnati Marathon. More than anything, Tom has a unique perspective on what running means at various stages of life. Speaking with Tom is always a treat so I hope you enjoy this conversation. I think it will bring you new appreciation for running!

Is it surprising that I don’t think strength workouts are cross-training? Rather, strength work is just part of your training as a runner. Cross-training is supplemental exercise that can be helpful to your running, like cycling. But just like form drills, strides, or dynamic flexibility exercises, I consider strength training to be an integral part of how to train distance runners. If you’re not strength training, then you’re not training. And to help you get things right in the weight room, I invited top strength and conditioning coach Tony Gentilcore on the Strength Running podcast to talk about: What are the benefits of strength training? Do runners need to lift differently than other athletes? How do you strength train without a gym membership? What are the most common mistakes in the wei

You might recall George from episode 6 of the Strength Running podcast. We talked about a lot: What’s the ideal length long run during marathon training? And half marathon training? Should you keep running marathons if your ultimate goal is to run a faster marathon? If your long runs are already 15+, what types of LR’s should you focus on during a marathon season? How long should you run at tempo pace during training? What is the optimal marathon pacing strategy? George wanted help planning for a PR attempt at the half marathon. Episode 6 was a “behind the scenes” coaching call where we strategized on how he could make it happen. Now, he’s back on the podcast to see if my ideas actually worked! For a long time, George’s episode was the most downloaded show because folks loved listening “over my shoulder” as we str

It's not every day that you meet somebody with so many varied interests. And when you do, pay attention. Their insights and mental models are light years ahead of the average person. Simon Donato is one of these "Renaissance Men." His many accomplishments include: A PhD in Geology from McMaster University and a Masters in Paleontology from Western University Credit as the creator and host of the television show Boundless chronicling his pursuit of adventure and ultra-endurance Creator of both Stoked Oats and Adventure Science Finishes at the world's toughest races, including 220km of stand-up paddle boarding to running 250km across the Sahara Desert He's on the podcast today to help us find more adventure in our life. I think runners are uniquely suited to be adventurers because of our endurance, appetite for suffering, and thirst for new experiences. This episode is an excerpt from an intervi

Boston is unlike any marathon in the world. It first started in 1897 with a whopping 18 runners. In 2011, nearly 27,000 runners ran the race on “Marathon Monday,” also known as Patriot’s Day in Massachusetts. In one of the most famous stories, Kathrine Switzer finished Boston as the first woman with a race number in 1967. She registered as “K.V. Switzer” to avoid detection since women were not allowed to run at that time. When officials found out she was running, they tried to physically eject her from the race. Luckily another runner body checked the official to the ground and she was able to keep running. Her historical finish proved that women could run marathons and sparked a women’s running revolution. Race officials eventually recognized the female race winners from before they were officially allowed to compete in 1972. After Bill “Boston Billy” Rodgers, a Boston legend, won the race four times in trademark style in the 1980’s, the race has become one of

Nate is the cofounder of The Run Experience. And he doesn't just have a USA Track & Field coaching certification. He's also completed continuing education courses in: USA Triathlon CrossFit CrossFit Mobility CrossFit Endurance Carol Paoli's Free Style connections Like me, he recognizes that injury prevention and athleticism are what make faster, healthier runners. And in this conversation, we dive deeper into mobility work for runners and how to implement a daily mobilization routine into your schedule. Plus, the differences between mobility and flexibility. You'll notice that Nate has quite the background in CrossFit. While I've gone off on CrossFit in the past, we acknowledge the helpful parts of this sport that runners can use to design smarter training. If you're injury-prone or looking for ways to level up your training, you don't want to miss this episode.

Diet is more important than most runners realize - and the effects of poor eating habits can derail anybody's running: If you don't eat enough, you're more prone to running injuries and won't run as quickly during races or workouts If you eat too much, you'll gain weight and running economy will suffer A sub-par diet results in poor recovery (and could result in weight gain, too) A sub-par diet also causes low energy levels outside of running But if you dial in your nutrition then performances will improve, recovery will be faster, and you'll just feel better. And I think every runner would benefit from that. To help optimize our dietary choices and approach to fueling, I invited author Matt Fitzgerald onto the podcast today. Over the last several years, Matt has been investigating the eating habits of professional endurance athletes around the world. <

Ritz has more career highlights than there are spectators at the Boston Marathon (ok maybe not but still!): 3x Olympian at the 10,000m and marathon distances Former US Record holder in the 5,000m (12:56.27) 3rd fastest American marathon time in history (2:07:47) Three-time USA Cross Country Champion Two-time Foot Locker National high-school Cross Country Champion Half-marathon PR of 60:00 (2nd best HM time in US history) A Generation UCAN-sponsored athlete, he is now preparing to run the River Bank Run 25k this May. I kicked off the episode with an embarrassing story - one I debated sharing but I thought it was funny. Enjoy! On more serious topics, we chat about: His injury prevention approach that's helped him rebound after so injuries (stress fractures, hernias, Achilles problems, and more) His favorite confidence-building workout His go-to meal after a marathon</li

James doesn't look like the "typical" runner - he's 6'6" and 250 pounds. A former professional rugby player, James has a degree in Sport Rehabilitation and is fully insured member of the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT). He's the founder of Kinetic-Revolution and has an ongoing fascination with the functional biomechanics of running (in other words, how you move while running). In this far-reaching discussion, we talk about quite a few issues: Should overweight runners be more worried about injury? Is gaining weight more important for injury risk than being consistently overweight? Does training for weight loss differ than training for a race? How? Enjoy my conversation with James (and don't miss the announcement at the end of the show!).

In this short episode, Jason shares a letter from a runner named Colleen. She experienced self-doubt and was afraid of failure before a race. But with a positive mindset and a few inspiring lessons, Colleen successfully finished her race. In this letter, Colleen shares her journey. And I hope you find it motivating as you push through with your training.

Long runs, weekly mileage, and faster workouts are all important - but they won't help you improve if you don't prioritize a healthy lifestyle. Without proper nutrition, you won't have as much energy to tackle your training. Without enough sleep, recovery will be sub-par and some of your hard work will be wasted. Without reducing stress, the risk of over-training and injury increases (and you'll rarely feel good). So it makes sense to give yourself every advantage and set yourself up for success, especially if you're gearing up for a big race or attempt at a personal best. When you get these "little things" (which are not so little) right, it makes training much easier to accomplish. After all, success in running depends on the lifestyle that surrounds the training. So I invited No Meat Athlete founder Matt Frazier on the podcast. In just the last few years, Matt has implemented  a staggering number of changes to his life: <l

Dr. Mike Young is the Director of Research and Performance at North Carolina-based Athletic Lab. A Lead Instructor for both USA Track & Field and USA Weightlifting, he also works with elite athletes and has consulted with the MLS, MLB, NFL, PGA, and NHL. He has degrees in exercise physiology, coaching science, and biomechanics – not to mention his prowess publishing multiple peer-reviewed journal articles. Mike has coached seven national champions in Track & Field and at four Division I NCAA programs. He’s on the Strength Running Podcast today to talk about how distance runners can benefit from speed development – from specific workouts to other ways of getting faster (it’s not all sprint work).

Claire Shorenstein is no stranger to running long: she's a Boston Marathon-qualifying runner, frequent triathlete, and multiple ultra marathon finisher. Perhaps more importantly, she's a Registered Dietitian and New York State Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist with a Master’s degree in Clinical Nutrition from New York University. A certified Road Runner's Club of America running coach, she works at several private practices to counsel athletes and non-athletes on their nutrition goals. Her specialties include weight loss, sports nutrition, chronic disease prevention and management, and pre- and post-natal nutrition. Read more about Claire on her website, Eat for Endurance. She is also very pregnant as of now! In this episode of the Strength Running Podcast, we discuss how pregnancy will change your approach to running, nutrition, and exercise in general. Please enjoy!

Current research shows that strengthening the small stabilizing muscles around the arch and plantar fascia can improve ankle stability and balance - but it's often neglected. So I invited Matt Ferguson, the founder of AFX, on the Strength Running podcast to discuss several topics around foot strength: How to build strength in these oft-neglected muscles Mistakes to avoid and myths that can derail your progress The value of being a "cautious minimalist" How to choose shoes that are right for you personally We also dive into the history of running shoes and why they look very different today than they did 40 years ago. Enjoy!

Bart Yasso is a legend in the running community. And as the “Mayor of Running” and Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. If you don’t yet know Bart, here’s a short list of what he’s been up to over the last 30 years: Competed in more than 1,000 races during his 30+ career at Runner’s World Successfully finished the 56-mile Comrades Marathon, the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon, and the Badwater Ultramarathon Has run races on all 7 continents (yes, even Antarctica) Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions Inventor of the “Yasso 800’s” marathon predictor workout Winner of the 1987 U.S. National Biathlon Long Course Championship 1998 winner of the Smoky Mountain Marathon 2:39 marathon PR (like me!) Has cycled twice across the country by himself with no support </ul

This episode of the Strength Running podcast is brought to you by... YOU! Coach Jason Fitzgerald answers 7 of your biggest questions about running consistently, improving your trail running skills, motivation, and how many miles you should start with when you first begin running. For beginner runners or those who are just getting back into running after a long layoff from injury or simply taking a break, how you tackle your training is really important. For more beginner-oriented training advice, sign up at http://strengthrunning.com/new and you'll also get the bonus encore podcast that answers even more of your burning questions!

Dr. Justin Ross is a Denver health psychologist who focuses on sports and performance psychology among other specialties like stress reduction and pain management. He’s also a triathlete, Boston-qualifying marathoner, and a founder of Mind Body Health, a Denver-area integrative health psychology and counseling center. And we talk about a lot: everything from managing anxiety before a race to practical strategies for both increasing and decreasing arousal around key performances. But we also get into behavioral change - in other words, how do you change specific behaviors (like waking up earlier) that make running a lot easier? Finally, I share a lot of my own running stories and we play a good game of role-reversal where he interviews me about my inner self-talk and why in the world we chanted “Grimace” before high school cross country races. The reason is not

Lara has a background in adventure racing and 24-hour team mountain biking. She also loves the trails, so splits and finish times aren’t usually that important. Lara decided to cut through the noise and join Team Strength Running where she could follow proven training programs, have a team to support her, and get all of her questions answered by a running coach. She recognized that runners sometimes need a little extra nudge to accomplish a challenging goal: One night I read an article about habit-making and how one’s intrinsic motivation is finite. That’s why it’s so important to have an external motivator to form good habits. My lightbulb went on and I joined Team SR that evening. If I was going to take my training seriously, I had to realize that I AM an athlete and there will be days where my intrinsic motivation won’t be enough and that’s when I can rely on my team.

Travis Macy is an endurance Renaissance Man. If it exists, he’s probably done it. Multiday, team stage race? Snowshoe racing? Ski mountaineering? He’s completed all of that – and a lot more. Sponsored by brands like Hoka and Injinji, Travis has completed over 120 events in 17 countries. When he’s not running up mountains in Colorado’s front range (even bringing me along for a run), he’s skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, or gearing up for his next 100-mile ultra. His book, The Ultra Mindset, is a blueprint for success in running, business, and life. Miss his actionable running lessons at your own peril… In the latest episode of the Strength Running Podcast, I sit down with Travis to talk about his many adventures in the world of ultra-enduran

There's no better investment in your running than a book. For the price of a movie and popcorn, you can learn the training strategies of elite coaches, Olympians, and the lessons that have taken others decades to learn. Wouldn't you like to shortcut that learning curve? Coach Jason Fitzgerald shares his six favorite running books (and the other - admittedly weird - books he's currently reading) that will propel your training to new heights and deepen your understanding of the sport.

Have you ever run a marathon and thought you could have raced faster? A lot of marathoners do! And in Episode 6 of The Strength Running Podcast, Jason dives into the background, training, and race execution of a member of Team Strength Running. In this episode, you'll hear how George trained to run his recent best marathon and Jason's advice on how he can take his performance to the next level. You'll learn more about mileage building, long run specificity, workouts that help your marathon goals, and a lot more.

You might know Steve as the creator and Rebel Leader of Nerd Fitness, a wildly popular community of desk jockeys and average Joe’s looking to level up their lives. He’s also author of Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Being the Hero of Your Own Story (if you’re into personal development or self-improvement, I can’t recommend this hilarious, insightful, and uplifting book more strongly). But Steve is way more interesting than the books and businesses he’s created. He’s also a former skinny dude who’s bulked up to look like Captain America. Today, he can do muscle-ups. He’s spoken at Google and Facebook. And the dramatic transformations he’s enabled are truly remarkable. The best part? Steve is one of the good guys – someone I’ve had a few adult beverages with and let stay at my house. I respect him. And I think you will as well after you listen to us chat about health, goal-se

Mario Fraioli is a collegiate cross country All-American, 2:28 marathoner, formerly a Senior Editor at Competitor Magazine, and the publisher of the morning shakeout newsletter. He’s interviewed pros like Ryan Hall, Adam Goucher, Shalane Flanagan and many others, in addition to being the 2012 Costa Rican Men’s Marathon coach. Mario is also the author of The Official Rock ‘n’ Roll Guide to Marathon & Half-Marathon Training, coach to local runners in the Bay Area, and his latest pursuit is as the founding head coach of Ekiden Coaching. In this conversation, Mario and I discuss coaching for runners. You’ll lear

Born in the coastal town of Marblehead north of Boston, Massachusetts, Shalane showed an early aptitude for distance running. A three-time All-State cross country athlete, she also finished first in the state in the mile and her 4:46 performance won the National Scholastic Indoor championships. Her two-mile performance still stands as a Massachusetts record. Flash forward to to 2004 when Shalane turned professional and her achievements kept piling up. A two-time national champion in the 5,000m, she won the short course cross country championships in 2004 and 2005. Today, Shalane is one of the most dominant female distance runners on the planet, boasting achievements like: 2008 Bronze Medalist in the Olympic 10,000m Multiple American Record holder 2nd fastest American female marathoner of all time with a 2:21:14 personal best 2012 Olympic Trials marathon winner and 10th overall at the 2012 London Olympics 6th overa

Running ain't always easy. And with over 18 years of running experience - and 6+ years of coaching thousands of athletes - Jason wanted to share some of his biggest mistakes and the lessons that he's learned the hard way.   Why share these lessons? So you don't have to make the same mistakes! Trial and error works, but it's messy. Instead, eliminate all that wasted time and effort and instead focus on these Big 7 Lessons to avoid injury, gain endurance more quickly, and race a lot faster.

Nick Symmonds is one of the world's best middle distance runners. A two-time Olympian and 2013 silver medalist at the World Championships, he has a personal best time of 1:42.95 in the 800 meters (and a 5:19 beer mile PR!). An outspoken advocate for athletes rights, his company Run Gum has sued the US Olympic Committee and USA Track & Field to help track athletes better market themselves. Considering that more than 50% of elite track and field athletes live under the poverty level, this would dramatically help them land more sponsorships and make a better living. In this far-ranging conversation, Nick and coach Jason Fitzgerald talk about everything from Tesla and SpaceX, auctioning off ad space on Nick's shoulder to the highest bidder, what it feels like to perform on the world's biggest stages, and starting his performance running gum company Run Gum.