The Strength Running Podcast

Keith Mueller, a holistic endurance coach, discusses the relationship between pronation and supination, the role of rotation in pronation, the impact of flat feet and high arches, and the importance of variety in improving movement patterns in running.

Hannah, a former coaching client, discusses transitioning from marathon to 5k races, including 5k specific workouts and mental engagement. The podcast also explores incorporating shorter races and offers advice on balancing training for shorter distances. Get insight on planning your training and improving your 5k PR.

Alex Hetherington is the race director for the Marine Corps Marathon - but he's not your typical race director. Alex is a retired Marine aviator and a member of the All-Marine running team for 14 years. His resume includes a win at the Armed Forces Marathon Championship in 1998 as well as an astounding 27 finishes at the MCM. Our conversation focuses on what you can expect from this year’s race: What makes the MCM so special, and why it is referred to as “The People’s Marathon” Why there is no “typical” weather for MCM The importance of planning pre-race logistics to get to the starting area How the newest race sponsors help support its environmental ethic Locations of hills on the course and how to tackle them How the course layout helps runners runners approach it in segments Fueling and hydration options and pace group support Unique aspects of the race, including support from active duty Marines throughout Links & Resources from the Show: Follow the Marine Corps Marathon on Instagram and Facebook Learn more about the Marine Corps Marathon Watch more about the Marine Corps Marathon on YouTube Want to PR your next marathon? Maximize Your Recovery with a Lagoon Pillow Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever used. And that’s no hyperbole. I’m pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I’m taking it a lot more seriously. I took their sleep quiz to find the right pillow for my body size and sleeping position at. It only takes 2 minutes and you’ll find the type of pillow that will work best for you. I’m using the Fox and absolutely loving it. A big reason why is because it’s adjustable. Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it’s a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn’t training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It’s the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters. Take your rest and recovery to the next level with Lagoon and get 15% off your purchase with code strengthrunning here. Optimize Hydration with DrinkLMNT A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.  DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day. My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium. There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.

Matt Daniels, a professional athlete for Nike Trail Running, discusses his transition from mile races to longer distances like marathons and ultra-marathons. He shares insights on his training routine, including running 150 miles per week and building a strong aerobic foundation. The podcast explores the impact of his college coach on his life and the importance of relationships within the running community. Matt's story of injury, recovery, and pushing himself to be the best is inspiring and relatable.

Twin Cities Marathon race director, Eli Asch, discusses the unique aspects of the race, course specifics, pacing strategy, and race day logistics. They also touch on the challenging hill, the history of the marathon, and the available pace groups. This episode provides valuable insights for those considering the Twin Cities Marathon.

This week’s guest on the podcast is a doctor of physical therapy and owner of the Lux Physical Therapy and Medicine practice in New York. Dr. Grayson Wickham is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and creator of the Movement Vault app. He has worked with athletes in a wide variety of sports at the elite level, from Olympians to tennis pros to NFL and MLB players. Grayson’s specialty is sports and orthopedic performance and injuries. He has dedicated his time and energy to helping his patients use mobility to become pain free in their athletic endeavors as well as in their daily lives. Grayson and I discuss mobility work in depth and talk about the most effective practices for runners. We focus on: How Grayson developed an interest in mobility and injury resilience The differences between mobility and flexibility How we can add functional mobility to our training as runners The variety of ways that runners can gain mobility How cross training can help runners learn new movement patterns What it means to have active joint mobility Grayson’s favorite dynamic stretches If you are trying to understand how mobility work can benefit your training, be sure to check out this episode! Links & Resources from the Show: Learn more about Grayson Check out the Movement Vault  Connect with Grayson on LinkedIn Follow Grayson on Instagram Invest in Strength Running training program here Thank You Previnex! We’re supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank you Impossible Sleep! We’re also supported by Impossible Sleep, a performance sleep drink to help high performers get the most out of their nightly rest. Impossible Sleep is a melatonin free sleep drink mix that provides deep recovery while gently lulling you to sleep. It only has two ingredients, with magnesium to promote muscle recovery and deep sleep, and L-theanine for a subtle calming effect that helps you wind down at the end of the day. High achieving runners have to prioritize their sleep - it’s like a performance enhancing drug that allows us to absorb our training, improve, and race faster. The Impossible Sleep drink helps you optimize your bedtime routine so you can get as much deep recovery as possible. When you consider that studies have shown that sleep loss can lead to glucose imbalances, increased anxiety, and your risk of getting sick, it’s a no-brainer to get as much high quality sleep as you can. Learn more about Impossible Sleep drink and be sure to use code jason20 to save 20% on your first subscription order, plus you’ll get a free sleep kit as a welcome gift.

In this episode, guest Jen Schumacher shares insights on performance psychology and its application in endurance sports. They discuss developing mental skills, the power of affirmations and mantras, and overcoming negative thoughts. They also touch on comparing oneself in a healthy way and applying sports psychology to ultra endurance events.

Meniscus injuries can have a significant impact on your ability to walk, run and train consistently. Although this injury is less common for runners, understanding management and treatment is essential for long term health and durability. Dr. Kevin Stone graduated from Harvard and the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. His clinical work focuses on keeping people active in the sports they love, and he has served a wide array of athletic groups including the US Ski Team, multiple ballet companies, and the US Olympic Training Center. In addition to his work as an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Stone is an innovator in the field. Some of his inventions include a glucosamine beverage, a collagen meniscus implant, and the three-tunnel technique of meniscus transplantation, and he has been issued approximately 50 US patents for his work. If you’re looking for expertise on meniscus injuries, Dr. Stone is at the top of his field. Our discussion today will give you a better understanding of this type of injury, including: Understanding the meniscus and what it means to have a meniscus injury Are meniscus injuries a concern for runners? The most common causes of meniscus injuries How to prevent a meniscus injury (it’s probably not what you think!) The importance of good mechanics in injury prevention Why you need to investigate your doctor’s bias for treatment Meniscus injury treatment options and the recovery process Hopefully you will never be faced with a meniscus injury, but if so this podcast will help you get back on track to running pain free. Links & Resources from the Show: Learn more about Dr. Stone at The Stone Clinic Read more about ongoing studies at Stone Research Get Dr. Stone’s book, Play Forever Listen to Dr. Stone’s TED Talk on the future of joint replacement  Get our complimentary injury prevention course! Thank You AG1! We’re also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. It’s recommended by professional athletes and has over 7,000 positive reviews. One scoop per day is what I’ve been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I’m getting sick and can’t train. I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. They've made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable and rigorous with the 3rd party testing that they do. For our listeners, they are offering a year's worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop - the choice is yours. Check out AG1 to redeem your offer today. Thank you MOBO Board! Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that’s set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly! Even if you’re a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You’ll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it’s not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength. I was just at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.

Some of us are lucky enough to find a mentor to guide our long-term love affair with running. They set the standard high in their own accomplishments and inspire us to do the same. Jim Butler, whom I'll forever refer to as "Coach",  has been doing that for over 30 years as the head coach of men’s cross country team at my alma mater, Connecticut College.   Coach Jim Butler was the 2002 New England Cross Country coach of the year, the 2004 New England Small College Athletic Conference Coach of the year, and an impressive 2:37 marathoner. He coached multiple national qualifiers and took his 2002 team to the national championship meet. Our conversation includes: Memories from his competitive days at Rutgers and road racing in Connecticut What has kept him invested in the sport for so long The intangibles he seeks out in prospective athletes above and beyond fast finish times Training strategies and mindset to take your performance to the next level The impact of new technology on the sport Coach has had such an impact on my running and my career - I know you'll enjoy our conversation! Links & Resources from the Show: Want your own team?  Join Team Strength Running Read more wisdom from Coach (and check out my 2005 cross-country picture!) Become a fan of the Connecticut College Men's Cross Country Team Thank You Previnex! We’re supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen. Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need. I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex! Thank you Lagoon! Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever used. And that’s no hyperbole. I’m pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I’m taking it a lot more seriously. I took their sleep quiz to find the right pillow for my body size and sleeping position at. It only takes 2 minutes and you’ll find the type of pillow that will work best for you. I’m using the Fox and absolutely loving it. A big reason why is because it’s adjustable. Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it’s a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn’t training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It’s the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters. Take your rest and recovery to the next level with Lagoon and get 15% off your purchase with code strengthrunning here.

Elisabeth Scott, a multiple-certified running coach and host of the Running Explained Podcast, joins us to discuss pacing, structure, and philosophy of running workouts. We explore the different types of workouts and the purpose behind them. We also discuss the importance of understanding pace ranges, training for hilly races, and the philosophy of running workouts. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of consistency in running and finding the balance between rest and work intervals in workouts.