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 ye...
Aug 24, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep 314•Transcript available on Metacast 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 DrinkLMN...
Aug 17, 2023•1 hr 17 min•Ep 313•Transcript available on Metacast 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 discu...
Aug 10, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep 312•Transcript available on Metacast 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,...
Aug 03, 2023•31 min•Ep 311•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Jul 27, 2023•57 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 famil...
Jul 20, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 p...
Jul 13, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 Divi...
Jul 06, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jun 29, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Jun 22, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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,...
Jun 15, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 mara...
Jun 08, 2023•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast 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 stren...
Jun 01, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 emph...
May 25, 2023•1 hr 8 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
May 18, 2023•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 metab...
May 11, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 di...
May 04, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 po...
Apr 27, 2023•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 runn...
Apr 20, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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...
Apr 13, 2023•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 de...
Apr 06, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ha...
Mar 30, 2023•58 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 “D...
Mar 23, 2023•55 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 vary...
Mar 16, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 pr...
Mar 09, 2023•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 i...
Mar 02, 2023•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 o...
Feb 23, 2023•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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,...
Feb 16, 2023•51 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 a...
Feb 09, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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 ...
Feb 02, 2023•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast