The Running Explained Podcast

Sara Manderscheid, founder and head coach of Elevate Your Running, shares her insights as a dedicated endurance athlete. She dives into overcoming the anxiety of aging and highlights that time can be an ally, not a foe. The discussion emphasizes setting realistic goals, managing expectations, and embracing recovery. Sara inspires listeners to appreciate their progress and adapt their running ambitions as they age. Celebrate personal achievements and find joy in every step toward running dreams, regardless of age!

Dr. Kate Mihevc Edwards is a physical therapist and founder of RunSource, dedicated to supporting runners' journeys. She shares her emotional ride from a passionate runner to coping with a rare genetic heart condition, ARVC, which reshaped her life and running. Kate discusses the mental challenges of identity loss, resilience, and adapting to new realities while maintaining joy in running. She also introduces her innovative app that connects runners with vital resources, fostering a supportive community for all athletes facing obstacles.

In this insightful discussion, Ashley Mateo, a seasoned running journalist and coach, shares her expertise on the latest running trends for 2025. She reveals how personalized fueling strategies and innovative running gear are revolutionizing the sport. Mateo highlights the importance of balancing advanced technology with fundamental practices like sleep and hydration. Additionally, she dives into the rising popularity of run clubs and the shift towards sustainability in gear, all while emphasizing the need for community and inclusivity in running.

Coaching isn’t just about writing workouts—it’s aboutguiding, supporting, and adapting to each athlete’s needs. This week, Coach Elisabeth welcomes FIVE of the Running Explained run coaches to chat about their coaching journeys, favorite races, fueling strategies, and whatreally matters when guiding athletes. From breaking down common coaching myths to exploring the deep impact of the coach-athlete relationship, this conversation highlights thehuman side of coaching—because coaching isn’t just about training plans, it’s about understandingyou!We dive into the challenges and joys of coaching, the importance ofcommunication and trust, and why coaching is a collaboration, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether you’re a runner looking for guidance, an aspiring coach, or just love learning more about thewhy behind great training, this episode is packed with insights to help you run smarter, train better, and enjoy every step of the process.ww.runningexplained.com/runcoaching🎤Soundbites:🗣️“Coaching is a two-way relationship with feedback.”🗣️“Every runner, at every pace, deserves support.”🗣️“Being intentional with goal setting matters more than chasing PRs.”🗣️“Great coaching looks at the whole athlete, not just their mileage.”

Dr. Karin Nordin, a behavior change expert and founder of Body Brain Alliance, dives deep into the psychology of habit formation and motivation. She explains how our brains resist change and the importance of self-perception in achieving running goals. Karin offers actionable strategies to build lasting habits and overcome decision fatigue. The conversation explores the barriers faced by those with ADHD and emphasizes self-compassion, environmental influences, and adopting a runner's identity to foster consistent engagement in running.

The Running Explained Podcast is taking a hiatus for the next few months but Coach Elisabeth will be back!

"Why can't I just THINK my way out of performance anxiety?? I should be mentally tougher!!" Have you ever had this internal struggle? In this episode, former Division I athlete and licensed mental health therapist Emily Perrin flips the script on "mental toughness" and dives deep into the richer, more holistic concept of resilience. Emily helps us understand how resilience—rooted in childhood development, support, and self-compassion—offers a more complete set of tools for athletes navigating the mental and emotional ups and downs of training and racing. We explore how grounding techniques, body-based feedback, and self-compassion can turn pre-race jitters into a powerful tool for growth. With a focus on flexibility, self-awareness, and mindfulness, this conversation is packed with practical tips for building resilience and embracing the discomfort that comes with being an athlete. Coaches, take note—this one's all about empowering your athletes with a strengths-based approach! GUEST BIO: Emily Perrin, LMSW, is the CEO and Founder of Perrin Wellness and Performance, where she combines her expertise as a Licensed Master of Social Work, certified mindfulness and meditation teacher, and former Division I athlete to offer holistic mental health and performance coaching. Growing up in a sports-centric family with a Division I college basketball coach father and a background in competitive swimming and soccer, Emily’s journey has been deeply intertwined with athletics and coaching. However, her passion for mental health advocacy stems from her personal struggles with anxiety, depression, and PTSD, which led her to discover mindfulness and integrative health practices. With a Master's in Clinical Social Work from the University of Denver and advanced training in trauma-informed care, Emily is dedicated to transforming sports culture to be more mental health-aware and proactive in promoting overall well-being. She offers education, speaking engagements, workshops, and coaching to support athletes, coaches, and sport organizations in achieving fulfillment, joy, and success beyond just winning.

In this discussion, Matt Chittim, a dedicated coach and host of The Rambling Runner Podcast, emphasizes that age should not limit running ambitions. He highlights the power of consistent training and the concept of 'training age' for all adult runners. The conversation also delves into the emotional hurdles athletes face, such as guilt and self-judgment, especially when performance goals aren't met. Matt encourages celebrating small victories while navigating the journey from beginner to aspiring Boston Qualifier, reminding listeners of their hidden potential.

Dr. Alyssa Olenick, an exercise physiologist and hybrid athlete, discusses the benefits of hybrid training for endurance runners. She explains the interference effect, shifting training intensity, and the application of hybrid training from off-season to pre-race taper. Dr. Olenick emphasizes the importance of balancing strength and endurance for health and performance goals, debunking myths about bulking up and highlighting the necessity of strength training for runners.

Dr. Lisa Mitro, a physical therapist specializing in running, discusses the importance of Zone 2 intensity for runners. Topics include easy running to prevent injury, convincing runners to slow down, using heart rate for defining zones, improving race paces, and more.