How to Improve Your Running Economy and Set Effective Goals with Applied Sport Scientist Jonah Rosner
Nov 29, 2024
auto_awesome
In this conversation, Jonah Rosner, an applied sport scientist and running coach, shares his impressive journey from working with NFL athletes to focusing on running performance. He discusses the importance of understanding running physiology for improved economy and speed. Jonah offers practical tips for marathoners, emphasizing consistency and setting progressive mini-goals. He also highlights the role of proper nutrition and recovery in maximizing performance, advocating for self-experimentation to find what works best for individual runners.
Understanding running physiology is essential for improving performance and requires a commitment to education and experimentation.
Building consistency with gradual mileage increases is vital for marathon runners to avoid injuries and maintain long-term motivation.
Effective fueling strategies and proper nutrition during long runs significantly enhance energy levels and aid in post-training recovery.
Deep dives
The Importance of Consistency in Marathon Training
Building consistency is crucial for marathon runners, especially those new to the sport. Many beginners tend to start their training at full intensity, which increases the risk of injuries and burnout, both physically and psychologically. A more sustainable approach involves gradually ramping up mileage and intensity over time, allowing the body to adapt and recover effectively. This long-term strategy fosters better performance and helps runners maintain motivation throughout their training journey.
Jonah Rosner's Transition to Running
Jonah Rosner's journey into the world of running and sports science is marked by a significant transition from traditional team sports to marathon running. Initially working in professional football, he found the role unfulfilling and turned to running for solace amidst the long hours. His past experiences in exercise physiology and data science ultimately led him to focus on helping the running community, where he applies the knowledge gained from elite sports to benefit everyday athletes. This shift not only aligned with his personal interests but also fulfilled his desire to make a positive impact in a largely under-resourced running community.
Maximizing Performance Through Proper Fueling
Effective fueling strategies are essential for marathon success, as proper nutrition significantly affects performance and recovery. During a run, especially those lasting over 90 minutes, athletes should aim to consume around 45 to 90 grams of carbohydrates per hour. This approach not only supports energy levels but also prepares the body for subsequent training sessions by aiding recovery. Many athletes overlook the importance of nutrition during workouts, but incorporating intra-run fueling can lead to enhanced performance in both training and races.
The Role of Recovery in Endurance Sports
Recovery plays a vital role in the training of endurance athletes. Consistent training without adequate recovery can lead to diminishing returns, resulting in fatigue and heightened injury risk. Athletes need to pay attention to sleep, nutrition, and stress levels to optimize recovery and, consequently, improve performance. By prioritizing recovery strategies, runners can maximize their training efforts and achieve their long-term goals more effectively.
Curiosity and Self-Experimentation in Performance Science
Curiosity drives Jonah's approach to sports science, motivating him to explore how fueling and training impact performance through self-experimentation. This hands-on approach allows him to better understand the physiological responses of runners and create tailored training regimens. By sharing his findings and experiences with the running community, he encourages others to adopt a similar mindset and explore their own athletic potential. This commitment to ongoing learning not only enriches his work but also fosters a culture of knowledge-sharing among runners.
You could get an edge on your next running goals by learning a bit about running physiology.
Jonah Rosner is an applied sport scientist and strength and running coach living in Brooklyn, NY.
Jonah spent the past 7 years working with athletes and teams from all major American Professional Team sports, and at 25 was one of the youngest sport scientists in NFL history.
He currently collaborates with Nike to run the Nike Running Performance Lab NYC.
Listen to hear about:
Jonah’s transition as a sport scientist from the NFL to running
Why runners need to understand the physiology of running
How to increase your running economy
Tips for the average marathoner to get faster
Building in consistency with progressive mini-goals over time
Tifosi Optics: Fantastic sunglasses for every type of run. Anti-bounce fit, shatterproof, and scratch resistant. Use code FTLR2024 at this link for 15% off your pair.
Get all of your endurance sports nutrition goodies from one place and support an Asheville-based local business. You may even get a free FTLR hat in your custom box! https://fuelgoods.com/pages/forthelongrun