The Strength Running Podcast
Jason Fitzgerald
The Strength Running Podcast treats you like a pro runner: we surround your with coaches, physical therapists, strength experts, elite runners, sports psychologists, and other thought leaders. We only have one goal: to help you run faster.
Guests include world-class academics, clinicians, runners, coaches, and subject matter experts like David Roche, Victoria Sekely, Sally McRae, Zach Bitter, and hundreds more! We also publish coaching calls with Jason working directly with a runner chasing a big goal and course previews for major races like the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the Philadelphia Marathon, and the Marine Corps Marathon.
You'll learn how to prevent injuries and become resilient to niggles and common overuse injuries, the best ways to structure marathon training and how to fuel for endurance races, how to improve your speed and ability to kick at the end of races, run more consistently, and make running a more sustainable part of your life.
The Strength Running Podcast is hosted by Jason Fitzgerald, a 2:39 marathoner and USATF-certified running coach. He's a monthly columnist for Trail Runner Magazine and was previously Men's Running Magazine's Influencer of the Year. His coaching advice and running guidance has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Runner's World, Health Magazine, and most other major media.
If you want to become a better runner, you've found the right running podcast!
Connect with Jason and Strength Running:
- Instagram: http://bit.ly/2FARFP2
- Strength course: http://bit.ly/2Pjvlge
- Training: http://bit.ly/2YgBLAv
Guests include world-class academics, clinicians, runners, coaches, and subject matter experts like David Roche, Victoria Sekely, Sally McRae, Zach Bitter, and hundreds more! We also publish coaching calls with Jason working directly with a runner chasing a big goal and course previews for major races like the New York City Marathon, the Boston Marathon, the Philadelphia Marathon, and the Marine Corps Marathon.
You'll learn how to prevent injuries and become resilient to niggles and common overuse injuries, the best ways to structure marathon training and how to fuel for endurance races, how to improve your speed and ability to kick at the end of races, run more consistently, and make running a more sustainable part of your life.
The Strength Running Podcast is hosted by Jason Fitzgerald, a 2:39 marathoner and USATF-certified running coach. He's a monthly columnist for Trail Runner Magazine and was previously Men's Running Magazine's Influencer of the Year. His coaching advice and running guidance has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Runner's World, Health Magazine, and most other major media.
If you want to become a better runner, you've found the right running podcast!
Connect with Jason and Strength Running:
- Instagram: http://bit.ly/2FARFP2
- Strength course: http://bit.ly/2Pjvlge
- Training: http://bit.ly/2YgBLAv
Episodes
Mentioned books
14 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 1h 5min
The Limits of Endurance: Dr. Andrew Best on Running's "Metabolic Ceiling"
Dr. Andrew Best, a biological anthropology professor and endurance researcher, dives into his groundbreaking study on the metabolic ceiling in ultrarunners. He reveals that most athletes can sustain energy outputs near 2.5 times their basal metabolic rate over extended periods. The conversation explores the importance of proper fueling, the risks of underfueling, and how to maximize gut absorption with carbohydrate blends. They also touch on the physiological limits of endurance running, including central fatigue and muscle damage, and why training enlarges your 'engine'.
23 snips
Jan 15, 2026 • 60min
Development: Workouts, Mindsets, & Strategy with Head Conn XC Coach Sam Alexander
Sam Alexander, head coach at Connecticut College and a former competitive runner, shares insights on athletic development. He discusses the importance of building a broad training base and the balance between various workout types like hills, strides, and tempos. Sam emphasizes injury prevention while improving speed and highlights tailored strategies for both college athletes and adult runners. His experience in coaching offers valuable lessons on progression, consistency, and effective racing strategies, making for an enlightening conversation for runners of all levels.
18 snips
Jan 8, 2026 • 1h 13min
American Record Holder Zach Bitter on Carb Experiments, DNF's, and Learning From Failure
Zach Bitter, an elite ultramarathoner and former 100-mile world record holder, shares insights on his recent DNF during a 100-mile race. He discusses how an overextended training phase affected his performance and explores the shift from a low-carb to a high-carb fueling strategy, detailing his experiments and gut-training techniques. Zach emphasizes learning from failure as a critical part of training, providing advice on optimizing race preparations and adjusting fueling strategies for endurance athletes.
12 snips
Jan 1, 2026 • 28min
5 Ways to Level Up in 2026 (My Top Ideas for Dramatic Improvement!)
Explore five transformative strategies to enhance your running performance. Discover the power of hill sprints to boost speed and resilience. Learn how to safely hit monthly mileage personal records for long-term aerobic capacity. Delve into the exciting benefits of heat training and its impact on your physiology. Uncover the advantages of incorporating high-volume cross-training, like cycling, to minimize injury risk. Finally, understand how heavy weightlifting can improve your strength and running economy.
19 snips
Dec 25, 2025 • 54min
What is "Training?" The Principles, Science and Art of the Training Process with Dan Cleather
Dan Cleather, a professor and strength coach, delves into the nuances of training versus exercise. He highlights that training is about purposeful, structured change aimed at specific goals. Discover why not all training systems fit every athlete and the importance of flexibility in plans. Dan emphasizes skill development through practical drills and reframes easy runs as essential for recovery. He also cautions against the common pitfall of inconsistency, urging runners to focus on quality over quantity for lasting progress.
20 snips
Dec 18, 2025 • 48min
Zone 2 for Beginners, Hot Tubs vs. Altitude, & Improving Economy with Sport Scientist Jonah Rosner
Jonah Rosner, an applied sport scientist with a rich background in professional sports and the Nike Running Performance Lab, dives into running myths. He debunks the idea that beginners should obsess over heart rate zones, emphasizing the value of easy runs for recovery. Jonah explains how heat training mimics altitude benefits, and clarifies the impact of overpronation and sodium on injury risks. He also discusses how intuitive running can enhance technique, revealing that cramping is influenced by fatigue, not just hydration.
22 snips
Dec 11, 2025 • 1h 9min
Pacing Strategy, Zone 2, Easy Runs, & More with Running Explained's Elisabeth Scott
Join Elisabeth Scott, a certified running coach and host of the Running Explained podcast, as she dives into the nuances of training strategies. She explains the vital 80-20 rule for balancing hard and easy runs, emphasizing its importance for injury prevention. Discover insights on using heart rate for effective easy runs and how to accurately determine training paces. Elisabeth highlights the importance of listening to your body and the cues for maintaining truly easy runs. Plus, learn when to consider hiring a coach for optimal training progress!
21 snips
Dec 4, 2025 • 1h 5min
The Best Advice to Run Faster, with Extramilest Host & 2:44 Marathoner Floris Gierman
Floris Gierman, a 2:44 marathoner and host of the Extra Mile-List podcast, reveals key insights drawn from interviews with elite runners. He emphasizes the importance of slowing down and consistency for new runners, while discussing how life stress influenced his focus on recovery and sleep. The conversation touches on using journaling to track training and adjusting goals realistically. Floris also shares advanced strategies like incorporating heat exposure and cross-training, ensuring a balanced, enjoyable approach to running.
11 snips
Nov 27, 2025 • 1h 1min
How the Fitness Industry Began: Exploring 200+ Years of Training Evolution with Professor Conor Heffernan
Join Conor Heffernan, a professor at Ulster University and author specializing in the evolution of fitness, as he dives into the fascinating history of the fitness industry. Discover how the 19th century, influenced by Napoleon and industrialization, paved the way for modern training practices. Heffernan shares wild early fitness claims, the emergence of competitions, and the role of mass media in democratizing fitness. With insights into historical equipment and the shift from natural movement to structured training, this conversation is a treasure trove for history and fitness buffs alike!
29 snips
Nov 20, 2025 • 41min
Long Run Strategy, Balancing Intensity vs. Volume, Heavy Lifting, & More (Q&A with Jason)
Discover the secrets behind effective long run strategies, with tips on goal-pace work and fueling practices. Learn how to expertly balance intensity with volume, especially for senior runners. Gain insights into the importance of heavy lifting and safe strength training protocols. Explore high-carb fueling recommendations for marathons and how to effectively train your gut for race day. Jason also discusses pacing strategies and the significance of tapering weightlifting as you prepare to compete.
