Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

Runners are often divided on whether they prefer the solitude of running alone or the sense of community that comes with running in a group. Whatever your preference, most of us have found ourselves needing to head out the door alone at some point. Maybe you’ve had to sneak in a quick run before your next meeting or maybe you couldn’t find someone at the same pace for a workout. Luckily, there are a lot of strategies runners can use to make the most of these solo adventures. On today’s show, we’ll talk about why these runs may actually be beneficial for your running and how to make them more enjoyable if you struggle to get excited about training without a group. Over the course of the next hour or so, we’ll cover topics including: How solo runs can make you a better runner Tips to stay engaged when running alone And we’ll even hear from you, the RC community, on your favorite strategies to keep these runs fun Footpath Mapping Tool: footpathapp.com Strava: strava.com Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MetPro Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro’s team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle.  MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Get a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert at metpro.co/rttt ARMRA If you’re looking for the best way to strengthen your immune system and improve recovery during your taper or as the seasons change, you need to check out ARMRA Colostrum.  ARMRA Colostrum is a superfood concentrate of bovine colostrum that harnesses over 400 living, bioactive nutrients that rebuild the barriers of your body and fuel cellular health In fact, Colostrum has been shown in scientific literature to strengthen immunity, enhance nutrient absorption, improve fitness endurance and decrease recovery time. The literature speaks for itself and adding ARMRA has one of the best additions to my post-workout nutrition.  You can check out all the research for yourself at tryarmra.com/RTTT.  Plus, to make it easier for you to personal experience the benefits, we’ve worked out a deal where you can save 15% off your first order.  Just head to tryarmra.com/RTTT to see the research yourself and get 15% off your first order.

Join us on this episode as we delve into the remarkable journey of Fitz Koehler, a renowned race announcer for iconic events like the Los Angeles Marathon and Big Sur Marathon, fitness instructor, and author. Discover how her boundless energy and enthusiasm engages runners of all ages and backgrounds, making their times in this sport an unforgettable experience. Specifically, listen in to learn about: her personal cancer journey and how it led to the creation of her inspiring books series: Cancer Comeback  the key lessons and moments that fueled her running motivation during challenging times, and the specific breakthroughs that kept her moving forward. the powerful role of media in shaping attitudes toward fitness and health, and why making fitness accessible to a wide audience through various channels is essential.  the heartwarming story behind the Morning Mile initiative, aimed at promoting physical activity among school children. valuable tips for making running a sustainable and enjoyable part of life, regardless of your current fitness level. Join us for an inspiring conversation that will motivate you to pursue your own dreams and create a life you love. Meet Fitz Koehler  Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: TimeLine Nutrition Timeline Nutrition has developed a groundbreaking product called Mitopure that revitalizes your mitochondria, which create energy in nearly every cell in your body Improving your mitochondria is one of the best things you can do for your health and with Mitopure from time-line nutrition, it has never been easier. Go to timelinenutrition.com and use promo code RUNNERSCONNECT for 10% off the plan of your choice. BiOptimizers Today’s episode is sponsored by Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers. Their industry-leading magnesium supplement helps you sleep better and reduce stress. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top listeners, go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use the code Run10 to save 10%. AG1 If you’re someone who struggles to get in all the fruit and veggies you need, or who wants to get more consistent but always falls off, or you end up finding tons of fruits and veggies gone bad in the fridge, AG1 will make it simple and delicious. If you want to try them out and get a special bonus of 5 travel packs and a year’s supply of vitamin D, head to athleticgreens.com/rttt.

Nailing your workouts and getting consistent mileage is key to improving as a runner, but in order to absorb this training and avoid injury you need to make sure you’re prioritizing recovery.  The period between runs is when your muscles and tissues can repair themselves so that you’re ready for your next session  Recovery is a broad topic that includes anything from complete rest to stretching and even light exercise. There are lots of options out there and the list is growing with brands coming out with new tools and gadgets to help speed up the recovery process. That’s why we’re bringing you a recovery edition of our underrated/overrated format to tell you which recovery topics are going to deliver results. We’re going to explore the benefits of tons of recovery options to answer questions such as: Is doing nothing a good recovery strategy? Do you need to cool down after your workout? Which recovery tech actually works? And we’ll discuss what other strategies you can use to speed up the recovery process So let’s get into it, with underrated and overrated recovery topics! Foam rolling routine for runners: youtube.com/live/td81rzxXQV4?si=iv5aHtZPWLjb67KH&t=414 3-minute active warmup: youtu.be/i6rWCPZNHxQ Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MetPro Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro’s team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle.  MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Get a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert at metpro.co/rttt Previnex Joint Health Plus from Previnex is clinically proven to reduce joint pain, joint stiffness,and improve joint flexibility in 7-10 days.  In fact, it is clinically proven to be up to 5 times more beneficial than glucosamine and chondroitin alone or in combination. I saw immediate results when I started using Joint Health Plus and that’s why I reached out to Previnex to see if we could put together an offer for you guys. If you’re suffering from joint pain or simply want to get a jump start on protecting your joint health as you get older, head to runnersconnect.net/joint and use the code RTTT15 to save 15% on your first order.

On this episode of the Run To The Top Podcast we are talking with Andrejs Birjukovs, a certified coach and multisport athlete whose latest book, “The Resilient Athlete”, ultimately argues that the true source of strength for any athlete who values performance and improvement isn’t talent, or commitment, or experience - it’s resilience.  Under the umbrella of this appreciation for resilient running, I ask Andrejs about: how the hero’s journey applies to running how you measure resilience in running why it’s not possible to live long-term with a competitive mindset how we can consistently hit flow states in running what emotional fitness looks like the 3 pillars for energy and vitality in running And way more! Tune in for a fascinating conversation about the role that resilience plays in running. Book: amzn.to/46ujvWY  Blog: theathleteblog.com/ Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: BiOptimizers Today’s episode is sponsored by Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers. Their industry-leading magnesium supplement helps you sleep better and reduce stress. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top listeners, go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use the code Run10 to save 10%. LMNT  LMNT is loaded with everything you need to replenish your electrolyte balance with 1000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium, and doesn't include anything you don't need like extra sugar or anything artificial. Even better, they are currently running a special deal where you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order. So, order your favorite flavor and get a free sample pack to try out new flavors or share with your running friends.   To get this special offer and make sure you’re hydrating properly this summer, head over to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect.

While conventional wisdom suggests runners may peak as early as in their 20s, many amateur and elite runners alike are running their best well into their 30s, 40s, and beyond.  Some of these high-performing athletes may not even start running until later in life but manage to perform at incredible levels.  These athletes are proof that you can find success at any age and today’s show is going to explore how runners of all ages and experience levels can find success at running. This one is for any runners out there, whether you’re a competitive high-school athlete or retired and just taking up running for the first time. We’ll go deep into what leads to long-term success in the sport with topics including: Is there a peak age for running? How age affects running, including the ways your training should change over time Tips for masters athletes to perform their best Can you run fast while taking up running at a later age? And most importantly, we’ll cover how you can maximize your potential no matter where you are in your running journey. So let’s get into it! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MetPro Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro’s team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle.  MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Get a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert at metpro.co/rttt NuNee Struggling with Runners Knee? NuNee is an innovative new product designed specifically to treat Runner’s Knee. In fact, independent clinical research has shown that NuNee helped 9 of 10 runners start running again, immediately, without knee pain. Unlike other knee sleeves and supports that use compression, NuNee’s unique design relieves the pressure on your patella (knee cap), which provides immediate relief and aids your recovery. To learn more head to runnersconnect.net/NuNee. And to make it easy, the discount code RTTT50 will automatically be applied so you’ll save 50%. Even better, they offer a full money-back guarantee if you don’t experience immediate relief.

"Long Run To Glory" chronicles the remarkable morning of August 5, 1984, when four legendary marathoners, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, Ingrid Kristiansen, and Rosa Mota, converged for the historic Women's Olympic Marathon in Los Angeles.  These women had already shattered records and dominated the running scene for half a decade, revolutionizing the sport in the process. Their journeys, rivalries, and the inaugural Women's Olympic Marathon are vividly depicted in this gripping account of athletic prowess and determination. In today’s episode of Run To the Top, we are joined by the author of “Long Run To Glory”, Stephen Lane to talk about: the personality traits, reputations, running styles, and challenges faced by each of these four star marathoners the historical and cultural aspects of women’s long-distance running, specifically how Title IX shaped the landscape of women's participation in sports in the years leading up to the 1984 Olympic marathon how this particular race influenced the world of marathon running and women's sports in general for years and decades to come And much more! Tune in for a reflection on one of the most interesting and pivotal moments in long-distance running history.  Long Run To Glory Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: TimeLine Nutrition Timeline Nutrition has developed a groundbreaking product called Mitopure that revitalizes your mitochondria, which create energy in nearly every cell in your body Improving your mitochondria is one of the best things you can do for your health and with Mitopure from time-line nutrition, it has never been easier. Go to timelinenutrition.com and use promo code RUNNERSCONNECT for 10% off the plan of your choice. BiOptimizers Today’s episode is sponsored by Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers. Their industry-leading magnesium supplement helps you sleep better and reduce stress. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top listeners, go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use the code Run10 to save 10%. AG1 If you’re someone who struggles to get in all the fruit and veggies you need, or who wants to get more consistent but always falls off, or you end up finding tons of fruits and veggies gone bad in the fridge, AG1 will make it simple and delicious. If you want to try them out and get a special bonus of 5 travel packs and a year’s supply of vitamin D, head to athleticgreens.com/rttt.

Running can be an isolating sport. It can also be a sport where we just barely get by with what we are doing.  In an effort to bring our athletes together and hold each other accountable while also creating new and lasting habits, we started a series of monthly challenges.  We focused on attainable challenges that focused more on feeling the benefits than being perfect. No better way to make a habit stick!  On today’s podcast we dig into: How we set up these challenges Some success stories What we’ve learned and how you can create these for yourself! Doing the little things or making time for strength can pay off, but we have to see it for ourselves sometimes. Tune-in and then let us know - would you be up for the challenge? Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: ARMA   With fall weather and big races on the horizon, strengthening your immune system is critical to staying healthy and maximizing your performance.   ARMRA Colostrum is a superfood concentrate of bovine colostrum that harnesses over 400 living, bioactive nutrients that rebuild the barriers of your body and fuel cellular health   You can check out all the research for yourself at tryarmra.com/RTTT.  Plus, to make it easier for you to personally experience the benefits, we’ve worked out a deal where you can save 15% off your first order.   Previnex   The repetitive stress inflicted on your joints from running can slowly break down joint cartilage and reduce flexibility, which creates a vicious cycle of further breakdown and pain.   That’s why I started researching how I could start to protect my joints as I got older and this lead me to Joint Health Plus from Previnex.   If you’re suffering from joint pain or simply want to get a jump start on protecting your joint health as you get older, head to runnersconnect.net/joint and use the code RTTT15 to save 15% on your first order.

How should your diet change when injured? Do you eat less to offset training less? Do you eat more to give your body extra nutrients to aid in the recovery process? What about antiinflammatory foods - do they help or hinder? And are there any supplements that can help?  In today’s episode, we’re bringing you a never published episode we recorded with the late professor Kevin Tipton.  Kevin was a Senior Lecturer in Exercise Metabolism in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences at The University of Birmingham and an Assistant Professor, Department of Surgery, at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.  Sadly, Kevin passed away last year but we still wanted to share this episode with you since it’s so helpful and packed with valuable information all runners can use when they are injured. Kevin’s passion for his work, his dedication to science and research, and most importantly his compassion and caring for others shines through in this interview.  We hope that you enjoy and walk away with some actionable advice so that food can be an asset and a source of pleasure—rather than a source of stress—during an already trying time. You’ll learn… What supplements are scientifically proven to help facilitate recovery and maintain muscle mass during injury. Some of the best foods to eat to deliver the vitamins and minerals you need to help with healing. The types of foods to avoid How to rebalance your macronutrient and calorie intake Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MetPro Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro’s team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  Your MetPro coach then works with you to consistently make adjustments based on your metabolic data as well as how your plan fits your lifestyle.  MetPro’s coaches are not only educated experts in their field, but they’re empathetic that people have demanding schedules and often stressful lives. They will work one-on-one with you to identify the best nutrition and fitness strategy that is going to work for your personal goals and lifestyle needs. Get a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert at metpro.co/rttt LMNT  Maintaining healthy electrolyte levels will not only improve performance and endurance on the run, but can help with preventing headaches, maintaining a healthy weight, and help with recovery.  That’s why we recommend all runners check out Element this summer. It's loaded with everything you need to replenish your electrolyte balance with 1000mg of sodium, 200mg of potassium, and 60mg of magnesium, and doesn't include anything you don't need like extra sugar or anything artificial. Even better, they are currently running a special deal where you can get a free LMNT Sample Pack with any order. So, order your favorite flavor and get a free sample pack to try out new flavors or share with your running friends.   To get this special offer and make sure you’re hydrating properly this summer, head over to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect.  

The fall racing season is an exciting time for runners but if you’ve been training hard for a race, it can be tough to regain your motivation and excitement for the sport. In a phenomenon known as the post-race blues, runners can often find themselves feeling lost or even depressed in the days and weeks after racing.  In today’s show, we’re shedding some light on this condition that affects runners of all levels from amateurs to trained elites. Runners spend long blocks of time preparing for races, commonly 12-16 weeks if you’re training for a marathon. The build-up can create a lot of excitement that is suddenly missing afterward so it’s no wonder the post-race blues cause some pretty strong emotions. You’ll come away from this discussion learning all about what it is and how to cope if you or a fellow runner find yourself suffering from the post-race blues including topics such as: What are the signs and symptoms of the post-race blues? Strategies for managing these symptoms and rekindling your racing excitement How to tell whether you need a break after racing and when to jump back into training And we’ll talk about how you can make the most of the period between training blocks RC tips for overcoming the post-run blues: 7 Ways to Overcome the Runner Blues When You Are Struggling - Runners Connect Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Previnex Joint Health Plus from Previnex is clinically proven to reduce joint pain, joint stiffness,and improve joint flexibility in 7-10 days.  In fact, it is clinically proven to be up to 5 times more beneficial than glucosamine and chondroitin alone or in combination. I saw immediate results when I started using Joint Health Plus and that’s why I reached out to Previnex to see if we could put together an offer for you guys. If you’re suffering from joint pain or simply want to get a jump start on protecting your joint health as you get older, head to runnersconnect.net/joint and use the code RTTT15 to save 15% on your first order. UCAN If you’re looking for a better energy gel that contains no sugar and instead uses a revolutionary slow burning carbohydrate called LIVESTEADY, then you should check out UCAN. Independent, peer-reviewed studies have shown LIVESTEADY is absorbed quickly through the stomach to reduce GI distress, yet is released into the blood stream slowly to provide sustained fueling without the spikes and crashes typically associated with traditional gels.  By avoiding the sugar spikes, UCAN can help be less reliant on frequent feedings of sugar-based fuels during the run. All this data means using UCAN can help you avoid hitting the dreaded wall during the half, full and ultra marathon distance. Head to runnersconnect.net/UCAN to get 6 Edge energy gels for FREE. All you pay is shipping. You can also save 20% on your entire order at ucan.co with code RUNNERSCONNECT  

In this episode of Run To The Top, MetPro Founder and Transformation Specialist Angelo Poli returns to talk about: the importance of metabolic profiling for runners why we all respond differently to diet and exercise the reasoning behind compatibility profiles for working with a nutrition coach baseline nutritional testing to understand why our bodies handle certain meal prepping and meal plans better than alternatives what it means to have metabolic leverage and more.  If you’ve ever been curious about working with a program like the ones MetPro offers or working with a Nutrition Coach for reasons similar to why you might work with a Running Coach, or you just want to learn more about the relationship between metabolism and running performance, this episode is for you! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! Complimentary MetPro Consultation This week’s show brought to you by: NuNee Don’t let runner’s knee keep you from your final weeks of training or your big race. An innovative new product called NuNee has been clinically proven to deliver immediate relief from runner’s knee.  Head to runnersconnect.net/nunee to learn more and receive your 20% discount at checkout. Timeline Time-line Nutrition's Mitopure is backed by over a decade of research and is clinically proven to revitalize mitochondria, so every cell in your body has the energy to do its job and keep you healthy and functioning right.  Go to timelinenutrition.com and use promo code RUNNERSCONNECT for 10% off the plan of your choice. AG1 One scoop of AG1 contains 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals and whole food-sourced ingredients, including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, greens superfood blend and more. If you want to try them out and get a special bonus of 5 travel packs and a year’s supply of vitamin D, head to athleticgreens.com/rttt.