The Strength Running Podcast

Current research shows that strengthening the small stabilizing muscles around the arch and plantar fascia can improve ankle stability and balance - but it's often neglected. So I invited Matt Ferguson, the founder of AFX, on the Strength Running podcast to discuss several topics around foot strength: How to build strength in these oft-neglected muscles Mistakes to avoid and myths that can derail your progress The value of being a "cautious minimalist" How to choose shoes that are right for you personally We also dive into the history of running shoes and why they look very different today than they did 40 years ago. Enjoy!

Bart Yasso is a legend in the running community. And as the “Mayor of Running” and Chief Running Officer at Runner’s World, he’s one of the most recognizable faces in the sport. If you don’t yet know Bart, here’s a short list of what he’s been up to over the last 30 years: Competed in more than 1,000 races during his 30+ career at Runner’s World Successfully finished the 56-mile Comrades Marathon, the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marathon, and the Badwater Ultramarathon Has run races on all 7 continents (yes, even Antarctica) Inducted into the Running USA Hall of Champions Inventor of the “Yasso 800’s” marathon predictor workout Winner of the 1987 U.S. National Biathlon Long Course Championship 1998 winner of the Smoky Mountain Marathon 2:39 marathon PR (like me!) Has cycled twice across the country by himself with no support He’s also the author of My Life on the Run: The Wit, Wisdom, and Insights of a Road Racing Icon. In 2014, I had the pleasure of meeting Bart at the Runner’s World Half Marathon and Festival (recap here) where he shared the running stories that have shaped his life. In particular, how the Comrades Marathon brought South Africa, a country weighed down by the horror of Apartheid, closer together. And how his favorite running memory is drinking coffee by the Trevi Fountain with his mom during the Rome Marathon. More importantly, Bart spoke about the people that make the sport of running so incredible. Meeting other runners is what keeps him going – and he meets a lot of people flying to 45 races every year!

This episode of the Strength Running podcast is brought to you by... YOU! Coach Jason Fitzgerald answers 7 of your biggest questions about running consistently, improving your trail running skills, motivation, and how many miles you should start with when you first begin running. For beginner runners or those who are just getting back into running after a long layoff from injury or simply taking a break, how you tackle your training is really important. For more beginner-oriented training advice, sign up at http://strengthrunning.com/new and you'll also get the bonus encore podcast that answers even more of your burning questions!

Dr. Justin Ross is a Denver health psychologist who focuses on sports and performance psychology among other specialties like stress reduction and pain management. He’s also a triathlete, Boston-qualifying marathoner, and a founder of Mind Body Health, a Denver-area integrative health psychology and counseling center. And we talk about a lot: everything from managing anxiety before a race to practical strategies for both increasing and decreasing arousal around key performances. But we also get into behavioral change - in other words, how do you change specific behaviors (like waking up earlier) that make running a lot easier? Finally, I share a lot of my own running stories and we play a good game of role-reversal where he interviews me about my inner self-talk and why in the world we chanted “Grimace” before high school cross country races. The reason is not entirely legal but you’ll have to hear that story yourself...

Lara has a background in adventure racing and 24-hour team mountain biking. She also loves the trails, so splits and finish times aren’t usually that important. Lara decided to cut through the noise and join Team Strength Running where she could follow proven training programs, have a team to support her, and get all of her questions answered by a running coach. She recognized that runners sometimes need a little extra nudge to accomplish a challenging goal: One night I read an article about habit-making and how one’s intrinsic motivation is finite. That’s why it’s so important to have an external motivator to form good habits. My lightbulb went on and I joined Team SR that evening. If I was going to take my training seriously, I had to realize that I AM an athlete and there will be days where my intrinsic motivation won’t be enough and that’s when I can rely on my team. Lara had been making steady progress when she suddenly faced an enormous setback: Three months before her 50k she tore a ligament in her ankle and was unable to run.   She was devastated.  Her doctor didn’t think she would be able to race, but Lara remained positive and with focused physical therapy and smart adjustments to her training, she got healthy and fit enough to run her race.   Lara’s perseverance paid off, and against challenging odds she was able to make it to the starting line healthy. In this call, we dive deeper into her bacckground and training history to help her continue to improve.

Travis Macy is an endurance Renaissance Man. If it exists, he’s probably done it. Multiday, team stage race? Snowshoe racing? Ski mountaineering? He’s completed all of that – and a lot more. Sponsored by brands like Hoka and Injinji, Travis has completed over 120 events in 17 countries. When he’s not running up mountains in Colorado’s front range (even bringing me along for a run), he’s skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, or gearing up for his next 100-mile ultra. His book, The Ultra Mindset, is a blueprint for success in running, business, and life. Miss his actionable running lessons at your own peril… In the latest episode of the Strength Running Podcast, I sit down with Travis to talk about his many adventures in the world of ultra-endurance. I’m sure you’ll find it inspiring – but more importantly, the advice can help you plan your next adventure.

There's no better investment in your running than a book. For the price of a movie and popcorn, you can learn the training strategies of elite coaches, Olympians, and the lessons that have taken others decades to learn. Wouldn't you like to shortcut that learning curve? Coach Jason Fitzgerald shares his six favorite running books (and the other - admittedly weird - books he's currently reading) that will propel your training to new heights and deepen your understanding of the sport.

Have you ever run a marathon and thought you could have raced faster? A lot of marathoners do! And in Episode 6 of The Strength Running Podcast, Jason dives into the background, training, and race execution of a member of Team Strength Running. In this episode, you'll hear how George trained to run his recent best marathon and Jason's advice on how he can take his performance to the next level. You'll learn more about mileage building, long run specificity, workouts that help your marathon goals, and a lot more.

You might know Steve as the creator and Rebel Leader of Nerd Fitness, a wildly popular community of desk jockeys and average Joe’s looking to level up their lives. He’s also author of Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Being the Hero of Your Own Story (if you’re into personal development or self-improvement, I can’t recommend this hilarious, insightful, and uplifting book more strongly). But Steve is way more interesting than the books and businesses he’s created. He’s also a former skinny dude who’s bulked up to look like Captain America. Today, he can do muscle-ups. He’s spoken at Google and Facebook. And the dramatic transformations he’s enabled are truly remarkable. The best part? Steve is one of the good guys – someone I’ve had a few adult beverages with and let stay at my house. I respect him. And I think you will as well after you listen to us chat about health, goal-setting, and how to make exercise easy to do.

Mario Fraioli is a collegiate cross country All-American, 2:28 marathoner, formerly a Senior Editor at Competitor Magazine, and the publisher of the morning shakeout newsletter. He’s interviewed pros like Ryan Hall, Adam Goucher, Shalane Flanagan and many others, in addition to being the 2012 Costa Rican Men’s Marathon coach. Mario is also the author of The Official Rock ‘n’ Roll Guide to Marathon & Half-Marathon Training, coach to local runners in the Bay Area, and his latest pursuit is as the founding head coach of Ekiden Coaching. In this conversation, Mario and I discuss coaching for runners. You’ll learn who benefits most, how to make the most of a coaching relationship, and the biggest lessons we’ve learned from the numerous coaches we’ve had over our careers.