

Tread Lightly Running Podcast
Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris
The Tread Lightly Running Podcast provides data-driven, evidence-based running advice in a practical, accessible, and inclusive manner. . You'll learn about how to run faster, marathon training, the latest fueling science, how to prevent running injury, and more.
Tread Lightly Running Podcast is co-hosted by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Together, they have over 20 years of coaching experience and have helped thousands of runners reach their goals through 1:1 coaching and group training. They've appeared in Runner's World, SELF, NPR, Outside, and other major media.
Tread Lightly Running Podcast is co-hosted by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Together, they have over 20 years of coaching experience and have helped thousands of runners reach their goals through 1:1 coaching and group training. They've appeared in Runner's World, SELF, NPR, Outside, and other major media.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 17, 2026 • 36min
The Pep Talk You Need for Managing Parenthood with Training Goals With Danielle Pascente
Parenthood brings so many new joys and new challenges alike. Of those challenges, it can feel so difficult to find the time and energy to exercise. In this episode, we’re joined by Danielle Pascente as she discusses how to manage your athletic goals in early parentood.Danielle Pascente is a personal trainer/fitness expert in Los Angeles and the creator of the DPFIT APP & Danielle Pascente Training Guides. She can be found as the lead trainer for FitOn App and BeFit, as well as a guest trainer for Studio Tone It Up & Pop Sugar Fitness. Danielle was recently named "trending fitness star" by Shape Magazine. She's been in the industry for over a decade and is responsible for thousands of women's transformations online. Danielle specializes in strength + conditioning, as well as HIIT.You can connect with Danielle at @daniellepascente on Instagram.✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting in December, when we’ll be releasing special subscriber-only content!In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ How to navigate poor sleep in the first year✅ Balancing parent guilt with training✅ How to fit in training around the balance of parenting and working✅ Tips for implementing a flexible schedule mindset into your training✅ What new parents should know as they resume trainingIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:🎧 How to Fit Running and Training into Your Life (14 June 2024)🎧 Postpartum Running (9 June 2023)🎧 How to Get Your Family and Kids Involved in Running (22 Sept 203)Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

Jan 10, 2026 • 37min
Winter Running 101: Everything You Need to Know (Ep. 150)
Love it or hate it, winter running poses several unique challenges, from speed workouts on icy roads to low motivation from seasonal affective disorder. In this episode, we discuss training modifications, running gear, and nutrition approaches for training in the cold and snow.✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting in December, when we’ll be releasing special subscriber-only content!In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ How to deal with cold hands and Raynaud’s syndrome✅ How to layer for winter runs✅ Shoe choices for winter running✅ When to run on the treadmill in winter✅ How to handle race training during the snow and cold✅ Do you run slower in the cold?✅ Dealing with low motivation and seasonal affective disorder✅ How to balance running and winter sports✅ Hydration on winter runsIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like: 🎧 Your Guide to Cold Weather Running (ep 42, 24 Nov 2023)🎧 Your Treadmill Running Questions, Answered (ep 87, 11 Oct 2024)🎧 A Science-Backed Guide to Hydration for Runners (ep 92, 15 Nov 2024)Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris. Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

Jan 3, 2026 • 36min
Base Building Blueprint To Set Yourself Up for a Year of Running Success
Base building is not very exciting – but it is highly effective, whether your goal is to run a faster marathon or 5K. While often conflated with an off-season, a base building phase is a distinct and crucial training phase. This phase of lots of easy miles develops both aerobic fitness and tissue tolerance, so that you can later build race-specific fitness with lower risk of injury and greater adaptations overall. In this episode, we discuss the adaptations of base building, how to structure a base building phase, and more!✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting in December, when we’ll be releasing special subscriber-only content!In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ What is base building and why is it beneficial?✅ Is base building solely easy running?✅ How long should a base building last?✅ Sample workouts for a base building phase✅ The role of long runs during a base build✅ How often should you run during a base building phase?References:🔬 PMID: 40913707🔬 PMID: 40878015Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

10 snips
Dec 27, 2025 • 33min
What is Zone 3 Really Doing to Your Running Fitness? [Remastered]
This discussion dives into the nuances of running in the 'grey zone,' focusing on the benefits and risks of moderate intensity. Learn how to use the talk test and why not every long run should be at marathon pace. The hosts share insights on fueling strategies for morning runs and the physiological effects of zone 3 training, including its role in lactate clearance and biomechanical adaptation. They clarify the differences between training models and emphasize the importance of balancing easy runs to avoid burnout.

Dec 20, 2025 • 36min
Running Through Exhaustion: Why You're Tired All the Time and How to Fix It
Are you tired all the time, both during runs and during the rest of the day? This remastered episode from 2024 examines training fatigue, abnormal fatigue, vitamin deficiencies, low energy availability, training load management, and more!Thank you to our sponsors:✨ FlipBelt: Sleek storage options, including no-bounce running belts and shorts. Use code TLF20 at flipbelt.com for 20% off your purchase.✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting in December, when we’ll be releasing special subscriber-only content!In this episode, you'll learn: ✅ Normal vs abnormal fatigue✅ Vitamin D deficiency and low iron levels✅ Low energy and low carbohydrate availability✅ Is caffeine or pre-workout overriding your body’s signals?✅ Eating disorders and disordered eating✅ Is it your training plan that is making you tired?✅ Other factors that may cause fatigueIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:🎧 The Burnout Episode Every Runner Needs to Hear (7 Nov 2025)🎧 Why Running Fasted Won't Make You Run Faster (2 May 2025)🎧 What to Eat Before Runs, Recovery Nutrition, and Low Energy Availability (26 July 2024)References:🔬Jeukendrup & Gleeson. (2016). Sport nutrition. Third edition. **Human Kinetics.🔬Gropper & Smith. Advanced nutrition and human metabolism. Sixth edition. Wadsworth Cengage Learning.🔬PMID: 34181189🔬PMID: 28012184🔬PMID: 33095376🔬PMID: 37329147🔬PMID: 37052052

Dec 13, 2025 • 35min
Why 80/20 Doesn’t Work for Every Runner with Jonah Rosner
Jonah Rosner, a sport scientist and running performance coach, delves into the nuances of 80-20 running. He reveals how this popular training method, initially intended for elite runners, is often misapplied to recreational runners. Jonah emphasizes the importance of varying training intensities, discussing the significance of mechanical load, and when more demanding workouts are necessary, especially as race day approaches. He also addresses who might not benefit from the 80-20 method, encouraging personalization in training regimens.

Dec 6, 2025 • 34min
You Finished Couch to 5K: Now What?
If you are a new runner or returning to the sport after a hiatus, you likely started with Couch to 5K program. But what comes next after those initial weeks? In this episode, we discuss the different approaches of how to build your endurance and speed after finishing Couch to the 5K. ✨ Amazfit: User-friendly simple running watches with advanced features, at an affordable price point. Use link http://bit.ly/4nai73H for 10% off your purchase.✨ FlipBelt: Sleek storage options, including no-bounce running belts and shorts. Use code TLF20 at flipbelt.com for 20% off your purchase. ✨ Previnex: Previnex creates clinically effective, third-party tested supplements made with high-quality ingredients, including Muscle Health Plus (creatine). Use the code treadlightly for 15% off your first order at previnex.com✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting in December, when we’ll be releasing special subscriber-only content! In this episode, you will learn:✅ Realistic goals after completing Couch to 5K✅ Whether to build volume or speed next✅ What to do if you got injured during couch to 5K✅ Why you need to gradually progress any speedwork✅ What to do if you used Couch to 5K to rebuild after injury or a hiatus✅ How to know if you are ready to run a marathonIf you enjoyed this episode, you may also like:🎧 The Benefits of Using the Run-Walk Method (17 Oct 2025)🎧 How to Train for Your First Half Marathon (28 June 2024)🎧 First Marathon Training Tips (2 June 2023)Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

Nov 29, 2025 • 39min
What You Really Need to Know about Fueling Your Runs
Discover the secret power of carbohydrates during your long runs! Fueling with 60-90 grams of carbs per hour can boost performance and lower injury risk. The hosts dive into the science behind gels and sports drinks, offering practical tips on hitting your carb targets. Learn why hydration and balance are key, and hear about the surprising effects of temperature on fueling needs. Plus, they bust common myths around glycogen depletion and share how to incorporate real foods into your fueling strategy.

Nov 22, 2025 • 41min
Timelines for Getting Faster, Handling Slow Progress, and Other Q&As
How long would it take to get from a 4:30 marathon to a BQ times? When should you change your training paces - or your training approach in general? We answer these and other listeners' questions in this episode! Thank you to our sponsors:✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and recovery mixes. Use code TREADLIGHTLY20 at https://tailwindnutrition.com/TREADLIGHTLY for 20% off your first purpose.✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting in December, when we’ll be releasing special subscriber-only content!In this episode, you will learn:✅ Are BQ marathons possible for anyone?✅ How do you know you need to progress your training?✅ How should you adjust training paces throughout a training cycle?✅ Understanding mid-run cravings✅ Advice for a first time back of the pack marathoner✅ When should you visit physical therapy vs self-treatReferences🔬 PMID: 37115611Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

11 snips
Nov 15, 2025 • 36min
Running for Health vs. Running for Performance: Can You Have Both?
Explore the fine line between running for performance and running for health. Discover insights from a colon cancer study involving ultramarathoners and learn if too much running can be detrimental. The discussion emphasizes the importance of balancing mental health, nutrition, and recovery with performance goals. Find out how training should evolve with age and why VO2 max isn't the only metric that matters. Tune in for tips on creating health-focused training plans that promote longevity and well-being.


