The Run Smarter Podcast

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨ In this episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie dives into the latest running research released over the past month. As always, the goal is to cut through the myths and confusion to bring you evidence-based strategies to improve your performance, prevent injury, and run smarter.What You’ll Learn in This Episode 🏃‍♂️📚Cadence & Injury PreventionA new systematic review on how running cadence influences biomechanics and injury risk.Why a 5–10% increase in cadence can reduce knee impact forces by ~20%.How cadence changes affect running economy, injury risk, and sustainability over time.Training Volume & Marathon PerformanceInsights from the 2022 Boston Marathon survey.Why higher yearly training volume and more quality sessions (speed work) are linked to faster race times.How slightly reducing training frequency/volume in the 4 months before race day may improve results.HIIT Frequency for Recreational RunnersA six-week study comparing 1, 2, or 3 weekly HIIT sessions.Why two HIIT sessions per week seems to strike the best balance between adaptation, recovery, and adherence.The surprising improvements seen even with just one session per week.Plantar Plate InjuriesA narrative review on diagnosing this under-recognized but common source of forefoot pain.Key clinical tests (like the drawer test and toe purchase test) and why MRI remains the gold standard.How to distinguish plantar plate injuries from similar conditions such as Morton’s neuroma or stress fractures.

 Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨ On this Q&A episode of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie tackles a range of listener-submitted running questions—covering everything from calf pain management to the best time to reintroduce speed work during tendon rehab. Drawing from both research and clinical experience, he provides practical, evidence-based strategies you can apply directly to your training.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeCalf Pain & Cadence Adjustments – Why increasing step rate can help, and what other factors (like load, recovery, and footwear) you need to balance for lasting relief.Tendinopathy Rehab – Should you introduce speed workouts or back-to-back run days first? Brodie outlines safe progression strategies to avoid setbacks.Strength Training for Runners – The four cornerstone exercises every runner should be doing, including recommended rep ranges and frequency for performance and injury prevention.Post-Marathon Motivation – What to do after the high of race day wears off, how to reflect on your performance, and strategies to find your “next thing.”Key TakeawaysRunning injuries often come down to load vs. recovery balance. Tweaking cadence, training intensity, or footwear can shift stress away from vulnerable tissues.In tendon rehab, symptom tolerance and gradual progressions are key—starting with strides before intervals.When it comes to strength training, lifting heavy (safely) has the greatest impact on running performance.After a big event like a marathon, self-reflection on what you loved (and what you didn’t) is the best guide to your next goal.

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨In this episode, Brodie Sharpe sits down with Sara to share her inspiring journey of overcoming Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy (PHT) after struggling with it for several years. Sara's story is filled with ups and downs, from navigating misdiagnoses and passive treatments to discovering the power of strength training and the mind-body connection. Whether you’re currently battling PHT or looking for guidance on chronic pain, this episode offers valuable insights and hope.Episode Highlights:00:00 – Introduction to today’s episode and Sara’s success story00:33 – Background on Sara’s PHT journey and how it developed over the years01:07 – Sara shares the onset of her symptoms dating back to 200902:34 – The chronic resurgence in 2017 and the role of life transitions03:54 – Seeking treatment: from passive treatments to sports medicine05:49 – Ineffective treatments: PRP, dry needling, and acupuncture06:48 – Diagnosis of PHT and later gluteal tendinopathy08:15 – Attempting different procedures: Tenex, injections, and shockwave therapy09:43 – The mental and emotional toll of chronic pain10:41 – Finding Brodie’s podcast and beginning strength training12:18 – The importance of slow, heavy progressive strength training in recovery14:13 – Balancing treatment approaches and avoiding unnecessary interventions16:29 – Returning to running: overcoming fear and rebuilding confidence19:22 – A pivotal moment: discovering ‘Think Away Your Pain’ and the mind-body connection24:27 – The impact of personality traits on chronic pain and recovery27:53 – How stress and responsibility play a role in pain persistence31:36 – Understanding the emotional component of pain and its management34:27 – Key strategies for overcoming hypervigilance and overanalysis37:45 – How to shift treatment strategies when progress plateaus41:02 – Sara’s current status: running again and symptom management42:51 – Final advice for PHT sufferers and key takeawaysKey Takeaways: ✔ Passive treatments like PRP, dry needling, and injections may not provide long-term relief for PHT. ✔ Strength training, specifically slow, heavy progressive loading, is a crucial foundation for recovery. ✔ Addressing the mind-body connection can be a game-changer in managing chronic pain. ✔ Hypervigilance and fear of movement can perpetuate pain—learning to reframe these thoughts is essential. ✔ Recovery is a journey—adjusting your approach when progress stalls is key to success. ✔ Stress and personality traits (perfectionism, responsibility, self-criticism) can influence chronic pain.Resources Mentioned:Sara's email: sarashaff@gmail.comThink Away Your Pain – David SchechterHealing Back Pain – Dr. John SarnoEmily's TMS InstagramDan’s YouTube Channel: Pain Free You

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨O₂ max is often thrown around as the holy grail of endurance performance—but how much does it really matter, and how can you train it effectively? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Will O’Connor, exercise physiologist, endurance coach, and experienced researcher, to break down the science, myths, and practical strategies behind VO₂ max.We cover what VO₂ max actually measures, whether your Garmin or Coros watch is giving you reliable readings, and the key workouts proven to raise your aerobic ceiling. Will also shares valuable insights into how long it takes to lose fitness when you’re sidelined with injury, and why efficiency and running economy might matter more than the raw VO₂ number.If you’ve ever worried about your fitness dropping during time off, or if you’re curious about how to truly get faster by training smarter, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhat VO₂ max really represents and how it’s measured in a labWhy running economy and fractional utilization matter more than a single numberHow accurate VO₂ max data is from wearables like GarminProven interval sessions to raise your aerobic ceilingThe difference between short, sharp efforts vs. 4-minute intervals (and when to use each)How quickly fitness declines during injury or downtimeThe importance of deciding: are you training or are you rehabbing?Why performance—not your watch’s algorithm—is the true indicator of progressGuest Bio – Dr. Will O’Connor Will holds a PhD in Sport & Exercise Science, specializing in performance metabolism and physiology. With hundreds of VO₂ max tests under his belt, published research, and years of coaching endurance athletes, he brings a unique balance of scientific rigor and practical know-how. He also runs the Performance Advantage Podcast and creates evidence-based training content on his YouTube channel, helping runners and triathletes worldwide optimize performance.Resources & LinksConnect with Will on YouTube: Dr. Will O’ConnorVisit his website: drwilloconnor.com

In this fascinating discussion, Dr. Phil Hayes, a senior lecturer at Northumbria University and seasoned running coach, explores the intersection of science and running practices. He reveals the importance of neuromuscular factors in endurance beyond traditional metabolic models. Phil emphasizes critical speed testing as a practical tool for runners and shares insights on effective training load monitoring to prevent injuries. He advocates for consistency over intensity, highlighting the value of a balanced approach to training for long-term success.

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨In this month’s research breakdown, Brodie dives into four fascinating studies every runner should know about. From bone health and marathon pacing to hamstring flexibility and recovery tools, these findings reveal how science can help you train smarter and avoid common pitfalls.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Bone Health in Distance Runners Why running alone isn’t always enough for strong bones, and the crucial roles of nutrition, vitamin D, strength training, and recovery. Learn the red flags—like stress fractures and missed periods—that signal compromised bone health.The Science of Negative Splits in Marathons How running the second half faster than the first can preserve glycogen, improve thermoregulation, reduce cardiac drift, and even protect your biomechanics. Plus, practical training strategies to master pacing discipline.Hamstring Flexibility & Performance A small but insightful study shows how hamstring tightness may reduce quadriceps strength—but doesn’t necessarily affect speed or endurance. What this means for your strength balance, mobility work, and injury prevention.Foam Rolling vs Massage Guns for DOMS Which recovery tool actually works? Foam rolling improved muscle tone, elasticity, and stiffness faster than rest, but neither reduced soreness compared to doing nothing. Find out what this means for your post-run recovery routine.Key Takeaways for Runners:Fuel properly—low energy availability harms bone health.Strength training twice a week boosts bone density and performance.A slight negative split is often the optimal marathon pacing strategy.Hamstring flexibility supports strength balance but doesn’t guarantee speed gains.Foam rolling may help restore function, but don’t expect it to erase soreness.

Steph Mundt, a physical therapist and running coach, shares her transformative journey from battling multiple bone stress injuries to achieving strong bone health. She discusses the profound effects of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) on her physical well-being and running performance. Steph reveals essential nutrition strategies and targeted strength training exercises for building bone density, emphasizing why every runner should prioritize their bone health. Her insights are a game-changer for anyone looking to enhance their running longevity and prevent injuries.

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨🧠 Episode SummaryIn this episode, Brodie dives into a newly published paper titled “Female Tendons are from Venus and Male Tendons are from Mars: But Does it Matter for Tendon Health?” by Gerard McMahon and Jill Cook. The paper explores how male and female tendons differ in structure, adaptation, healing, and injury risk—and what it means for those dealing with tendinopathy.🔍 What You’ll LearnKey structural differences between male and female tendons (size, stiffness, collagen synthesis)Why female tendons may stretch more but adapt less to trainingHow men and women respond differently to tendon rehab protocolsSurprising findings about pain, healing, and tendon blood flowWhether injury prevention or rehab should differ based on sex📌 Key TakeawaysFemale tendons are more compliant, have lower stiffness, and show slower collagen production—even at rest.Male tendons respond more favorably to traditional rehab (like eccentric loading), often reporting greater pain reduction and functional improvements.Despite men experiencing more frequent tendon injuries in some data, women may be closer to their strain “danger zone” during exercise, possibly increasing injury risk.Women may need longer rehab timelines, heavier resistance training (beyond just eccentrics), and closer attention to recovery, nutrition, and hormonal cycles.Men should be cautious about overloading tendons due to higher force-generating capacity and should still progress gradually.💡 For Runners With TendinopathyDon’t compare your progress to someone of the opposite sex—recovery is sex-specific.Trust the process: healing may be happening at a microscopic level even if pain relief is slow.Tailor your rehab by considering not just gender, but also age, training history, injury severity, and more.

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨To celebrate 400 episodes of the Run Smarter Podcast, Brodie brings on his sister Zoe for a heartfelt and relatable conversation about one of the most transformative shifts in her running journey: learning to truly slow down.After years of red-lining every session, feeling fatigued, and struggling with motivation, Zoe had a revelation that changed everything. In this episode, she shares what triggered this shift, how removing the pressure of apps like Strava helped, and what it actually feels like to run slow enough to enjoy the process and stay consistent.💡 Key Takeaways:Slowing Down Can Speed You Up: Running slower than you think you “should” may be the key to unlocking consistency and long-term improvement.Strava & Social Pressures: Public tracking apps can subconsciously push you into unsustainable efforts. Zoe ditched Strava and focused on how running felt rather than how it looked.Enjoyment Fuels Consistency: For the first time, running became enjoyable — not a chore. Zoe looked forward to her runs instead of dreading them.Signs You’re Running Too Hard:You constantly red-lineYou struggle to breathe or feel exhausted post-runYou feel unmotivated to start your runsTips for Running Slow Enough:Try “embarrassingly slow” pace for recovery runsSing a line of a song as a breathing testFocus on how your legs and breath feel, not your watchFinish feeling like you could do it againThe 80/20 Rule: About 80% of your weekly mileage should be at low intensity — slow enough to hold a conversation or feel relaxed throughout🧠 Reflection Prompts:Are you genuinely running slow enough on your easy days?Do apps or social comparison affect your running intensity?Would removing pressure improve your enjoyment and consistency?

Learn more about Brodie's Research Database & AI Assistant 📄🔍For MORE Run Smarter Resources 🏃‍♂️📚- Including Free Injury Prevention Courses 🩹🎓- The Run Smarter Book 📖- Access to Research Papers 📄🔍- & Ways to Work with Brodie 🤝👟👉 CLICK HERE! 🎉✨Struggling with running during illness, lingering muscle pain, or training for a faster marathon? In this special Ask Me Anything episode, Brodie dives into listener-submitted questions to cover a range of critical topics—from when to return to training after a cold, to how long injuries actually take to heal, to strategies for a faster marathon.🎧 What You'll Learn:🔹 Running After Illness:How to know when you're ready to return to training after a cold, flu, or COVID.The role of heart rate variability in gauging recovery.Brodie's personal recovery experience from COVID and his return-to-run strategy.Practical illness recovery tips: breathwork, hydration, supplements, and more.🔹 When Rest Isn’t Enough for Muscle Healing:Why complete rest often delays recovery.How early rehab exercises support healing and reduce dysfunction.The “pain-rest-weakness” spiral and how to avoid it.Step-by-step progressions for hamstring rehab.🔹 Injury Recovery Timeframes:Why Brodie avoids giving specific timelines for recovery.The importance of physical benchmarks over time-based goals.Key recovery factors: daily load, psychological mindset, treatment methods, and training mistakes.🔹 Is Chronic Injury Harder to Heal?The impact of long-term pain on your nervous system and mindset.Why recovery is still possible—even after years of dealing with injury.🔹 Marathon Performance Boosters (Beyond Mileage):Strength training (and how heavy you really need to lift)Pacing strategy (even or negative splits for optimal results)Fueling & hydration (don’t wait until race day to figure it out)Recovery strategy (why sleep is your best performance tool)Footwear (how super shoes like Vaporfly affect performance)