Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

Running and weight loss are two terms that always seem to go hand-in-hand. Almost everyone that wants to lose weight thinks they need to start running or run more. But, as you’ve heard us talk about before, for runners like us whose primary goal is to run faster, and stay injury-free, running and weight loss is a lot more complicated than many realize. Is weight loss actually going to help your running?  If it is a primary or secondary goal of yours, what is the best approach to not sacrifice your running progress?  What are the common traps runners fall into that derail either their weight loss or running goals and how do you prevent them? Well, on the show today is one of the leading experts in running nutrition, Nancy Clark. Nancy has over 35 years of experience helping thousands of active clients—from “ordinary mortals” to Olympians—win with good nutrition.  Her best-selling Nancy Clark's Sports Nutrition Guidebook has sold over 600,000 copies and her nutrition advice and photo have even graced the back of the Wheaties’ box! Today she’s going to help us dig into how to approach weight loss while still maintaining your running performance. We’ll go over… Why Losing (or maintaining) weight while properly fueling is so difficult for most runners. The biggest mistakes runners make when trying to lose fat All of the factors a runner should consider when determining how many calories to consume The consequences of “fad” diets and much, much more. I am excited to share this one with you guys, it’s chock-full of amazing advice! Calculate how many calories you burn while running easily using our Runner’s Calorie Calculator 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: 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. Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  Our recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top  listeners go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop  and use the code run10 and you’ll save an additional 10% on any purchase. 

How to handle training and racing in heat and humidity!  Something a lot of our athletes are talking about now, is the role heat and humidity plays in training and racing. As great as it would be to not see any effect, we know we need to adjust in order to stay on track.  Our athletes have the ability to click a button in their schedule to automatically adjust their paces based on the dew point and temperature. Yet, it can still sometimes take some convincing that it is alright to be a little slower during this time. On this week’s Podcast we cover: How our athletes adjust their training and how you can use our temperature adjustment calculator A comparison of how much you need to adjust based on different weather conditions The hydration and heat acclimation strategies our athletes are using How dehydration affects performance and tips for staying hydrated And, is heat and humidity training really the poor man's altitude? Master training in the summer, and we can really see the benefits pay off in the fall. Tune in and start maximizing your performance in any weather! Racing in hot weather? Use our exclusive Temperature Calculator on your workout and race days to adjust your goal pace according to the weather outlook! Hydration Challenge: https://app.runnersconnect.net/social/p/362912?s=75 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: Dri Seats If you’re tired of sweaty, smelly and stained seats after your runs then you have to check out the car seat covers made specifically for runners from driseats. DriSeats waterproof seat covers are designed specifically for runners. Unlike towels, they are 100% waterproof and easily fit over your entire seat so you don’t have any missed spots. Plus, they are super easy to slide over your seat so it’s ready in seconds and they are machine washable so they are easy to clean and be ready for your next run. You can head to driseats.com and use code RC20 to get 20% off first order Perform from the Amino Company Perform is an amino acid based formulation that I simply add to my water bottle during my run. It tastes great and is easy on my stomach. Clinical studies have shown that Perform helps improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increases muscle protein synthesis so you recover faster after the run. Check out the research here: aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30%

Sports and health journalist Christine Yu joins the podcast to shed light on the need for inclusive research and guidelines in sports and exercise science, and the transformative solutions that can empower women athletes at every stage of life. Christine’s ground-breaking book - “Up To Speed” -  addresses the gender data gap head-on. She exposes the limitations of current research and guidelines, revealing how they often fail to consider the unique experiences and bodies of women athletes. Through insightful interviews with researchers and advocates, she highlights innovative approaches proposed to enhance the athletic lives of women and girls, dispelling myths and biases while championing real science. In this conversation, we discuss: the challenges faced by women runners throughout different stages of their lives, such as adolescence, pregnancy, and menopause.  the crucial role of research in effectively addressing these challenges notable success stories and breakthroughs in sports science that have directly benefited women runners  the importance of promoting greater awareness and understanding of inclusivity in sports science research, and how change can be facilitated within the field and the general public. Instagram Newsletter website 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: Qualia Mind from NeuroHacker Tired of Morning Fatigue After Your Workouts? Qualia Mind is a natural neurotropic designed to improve daily mental performance, especially if you’re a morning runner and struggle to focus at work after runs. I noticed the difference in just days...to my focus, my mood, my memory and my willpower to GET. THINGS. DONE, especially on those days when morning training really has me feeling unmotivated.  Go to neurohacker.com/RTTT for $100 OFF, and use code RTTT for an extra 15% AG1 Adding AG1 to my daily routine has been the best thing I've done all year. If you've been thinking about trying AG1 as well, but the price kept holding you back, AG1 has made it an even better deal for Run to the Top listeners  by giving you a year's supply of Vitamin D plus 5 travel packs and a money back guarantee if you don’t love it when you use the link athleticgreens.com/rttt.  Timeline Nutrition Timeline Nutrition has developed a groundbreaking product called Mitopure that revitalizes your mitochondria, which creates energy in nearly every cell in your body so it 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.

Today we’re back with more listener questions, but this time we’re switching up the format and introducing one of the newest members of our team, Cory Nagler. Cory is coming on board as our podcast showrunner and today he and coach Jeff are going to answer the questions you’ve submitted to us over voicemail and through our social media channels. Along the way, Coach Jeff is going to introduce you into who Cory is and what exactly his role at RunnersConnect will be. They’re also going to cover topics such as… Whether you still get the benefits from a long run or workout if you have to split it up How to adapt heart rate zones for the heat If strength training is as beneficial for marathon performance as it is shorter events like the 5k And a few more. If you have questions you’d like our coaches to answer on the podcast, you can head to runnersconnect.net/daily and submit them to us or send them to us on any of our social channels.  Racing in hot weather? Use our exclusive Temperature Calculator to calculate exactly how much heat is impacting your race and workout times and to adjust your goal pace according to the weather outlook! 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: TANRI Tanri offers all-natural traditional suncreens, SPF 30 mineral sunscreen, SPF 15 lip balm, an SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer, and an After-Sun Restorative Moisturizer made for runners, by runners.    Unlike most chemical sunscreens, Tanri uses Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which protect from both types of UV rays. Plus, they use all-natural Ingredients that are better for you and the environment. And, the most important part for runners – it goes on smooth and won’t burn your eyes during a heavy, sweaty workout because of the natural ingredients.    Don’t be that runner that acts too late when it comes to taking care of your skin. If you’ve tried regular sunscreen in the past, but hated the slimy feel or how it got in your eyes, you’ll love how Tanri has fixed all those issues for runners.    If you want to give Tanri a try, head over to Tanri.com and use the code RTTT to get 10% your entire purchase.  Lagoon Lagoon specializes in making pillows designed specifically for runners and athletes to help them optimize their sleep and recovery. Their sleep quiz pairs you with the perfect pillow for you based on sleep position, body size and more. And the data on sleep improvement isn’t only from research papers. Using her whoop device, US Olympic Trials marathon qualifier Caitlin Keen saw her deep, restorative sleep increase by 52 minutes when she switched to a Lagoon pillow.   If you want to see the dramatic affect a pillow designed just for you can be, head to lagoonsleep.com/top  Then take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz that matches you with the Lagoon pillow that’s perfect for you. Plus, if you use the code TOP at checkout, you’ll also save 15% off your purchase. 

How do you know which supplements are actually improving your performance on race day and which aren’t? Well, you dig into the research.  And, since I know all of you listening aren’t researchers at heart (or you just don’t have time to dig into everything) we’ve brought on one of the foremost experts in the world at analyzing research studies and applying them to actual training, Alex Hutchinson. Hutchinson is a former physicist and national-class runner, and a National Magazine Award-winning science journalist.  Alex will help us… Look at the research on caffeine and how to best utilize it The research on beetroot juice and how to practically implement And explore if the hype of tart cherry juice has any evidence.  With his "what does the evidence show" mantra, I think Alex is one of the best people to speak on the subject of what ergogenic aids are worth trying and which aren’t 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: 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. Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  Our recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top listeners go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop  and use the code run10 and you’ll save an additional 10% on any purchase. 

A few months ago we shared a peek inside a week of training of an elite runner, our very own coach Alex Ostberg. Based on your feedback, you really enjoyed seeing how an elite runner shares the same struggles, doubts, and challenges you do, even though they are running paces and times that seem out of this world. Well, Coach Alex is back with another relatable glimpse inside a week of training of an elite runner. Alex is currently building back from a setback in his training, which I know many of us have also experienced. He’ll share… The mental and physical challenges of building back  The mindset of shifting goals and races when things don’t go as planned How he’s building his training to come back stronger. This is a really great, in-depth look at the mindset and training of an elite runner in a situation all of us can understand and learn from. 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: Perform from the Amino Company Perform is an amino acid based formulation that I simply add to my water bottle during my run. It tastes great and is easy on my stomach. Clinical studies have shown that Perform helps improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increase muscle protein synthesis so you recover faster after the run. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30% Dri Seats If you’re tired of sweaty, smelly and stained seats after your runs then you have to check out the car seat covers made specifically for runners from driseats. DriSeats waterproof seat covers are designed specifically for runners. Unlike towels, they are 100% waterproof and easily fit over your entire seat so you don’t have any missed spots. Plus, they are super easy to slide over your seat so it’s ready in seconds and they are machine washable so they are easy to clean and be ready for your next run. You can head to driseats.com and use code RC20 to get 20% off first order

Should runners be practicing their form?  Running is one of the few sports that we typically spend all our time training but not practicing. But running is a highly skilled movement, and while there is no perfect running form, should we look to optimize form to boost performance and reduce injuries?  Here to answer all these questions and provide a masterclass on the subject is Doug Adams Doug is a Physical Therapist who has published and spoken at an international level on all things related to running, taught thousands of professionals his approach to running gait analysis, and designed and created a widely-adopted portable 3D Motion Analysis system called Helix 3D for analyzing and categorizing running form. Specifically, we cover: how running gait impacts overall running performance common mistakes or inefficiencies in running form specific drills or exercises that can help improve running form? how optimizing running form can improve performance and reduce the risk of injuries Marching Drills - https://youtu.be/WnXk6GK9wPM Wall Drill - https://youtu.be/3yefkVPBLbQ FREE Essential Elements of Running Course - https://rundna.com/product/essential-elements-of-running/ If anyone is interested in taking a guided virtual runner readiness assessment we do have a way people can self-test and get a plan to help them with their top priority (Training, strength, flexibility, specific injuries, etc) - https://app.rundna.com/public/survey 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: AG1 Adding AG1 to my daily routine has been the best thing I've done all year. If you've been thinking about trying AG1 as well, but the price kept holding you back, AG1 has made it an even better deal for Run to the Top listeners  by giving you a year's supply of Vitamin D plus 5 travel packs and a money back guarantee if you don’t love it when you use the link athleticgreens.com/rttt.  Timeline Nutrition Timeline Nutrition has developed a groundbreaking product called Mitopure that revitalizes your mitochondria, which creates energy in nearly every cell in your body so it 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. BiOptimizers Today’s episode is sponsored by Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers. Their industry-leading magnesium supplement helps you sleep better and reduce stress. Just head to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10 percent when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, if it doesn’t improve your sleep and energy levels like it did for me, or if you’re not satisfied for any reason, they have a 100% money-back guarantee so there’s no risk in trying it out.

It’s that time of year again when most runners are starting the real meat of their training plan. The summer has started, you’ve had your few weeks of building back into a plan, and now the real work begins. At RunnersConnect, we work with hundreds of runners each season and one of the big benefits of that is how much data we’re able to see every year. We’re able to see huge patterns across what type of training runners are doing when they start training for their race, what types of training and plans they’ve done in the past, and of course what’s worked and what hasn’t. In today’s episode we go in-depth on 4 of the biggest issues we see when looking at the data and give you some helpful tips on how to make sure you don’t succumb to the same mistakes. How Race Specific Workouts Will Help You Smash Your Personal Bests Download your FREE Improvement Performance Calculator now. 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: TANRI Tanri offers all-natural traditional suncreens, SPF 30 mineral sunscreen, SPF 15 lip balm, an SPF 15 Daily Moisturizer, and an After-Sun Restorative Moisturizer made for runners, by runners.    If you want to give Tanri a try, head over to Tanri.com and use the code RTTT15 to get 15% off your entire purchase for the entire month of June.  Interested in a FREE 3-month coaching program?!  Also, don’t forget to enter our giveaway with Tanri   You can win… 1- National Parks Pass 1- $100 Fleet Feet gift card 1- piece of TANRI gear 1- TANRI Ambassador box which includes all of their suncare products 3 months Personal Coaching from RunnersConnect The giveaway runs throughout the month of June and the winner will be announced via TANRI’s Instagram account on July 3rd.   Enter and all other details here: https://runnersconnect.net/tanri  Lagoon Lagoon specializes in making pillows designed specifically for runners and athletes to help them optimize their sleep and recovery. Their sleep quiz pairs you with the perfect pillow for you based on sleep position, body size and more. And the data on sleep improvement isn’t only from research papers. Using her whoop device, US Olympic Trials marathon qualifier Caitlin Keen saw her deep, restorative sleep increase by 52 minutes when she switched to a Lagoon pillow.   If you want to see the dramatic affect a pillow designed just for you can be, head to https://lagoonsleep.com/top  Then take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz that matches you with the Lagoon pillow that’s perfect for you. Plus, if you use the code TOP at checkout, you’ll also save 15% off your purchase. 

I know I am often guilty of not wanting to warm-up like I know I should. Sometimes it feels like “just another thing” I need to do, especially when everything is feeling good. But, what always helps me step back and focus on warming up, even when I don’t want to, is thinking back to the scientific understanding of why it’s so critical and just exactly how much it can help decrease injuries. So, in today’s episode we’re going to help you by giving you that in-depth understanding of the why, the benefits and the how to so you can remind yourself just how important it is on those days you want to skip it. We’re going to dive into… Exactly why the warm-up is so important to performance and injury prevention How we often confuse flexibility with being warmed up and why we need to rethink this concept. The difference between active stretching and a dynamic warm-up Plus, how long and what type of warm-ups to do, even in bad weather You’ll learn a lot of helpful lessons in this one, so let’s get to 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: 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. Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  Our recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer for Run to the Top  listeners go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked.  

Chat GPT been hailed as a game-changer for many industries, but what about for your running training? In this week’s Coach Chat episode, Coach Michael and Coach Andie take on Chat GPT and break down their responses.  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: Perform from the Amino Company Perform is an amino acid based formulation that I simply add to my water bottle during my run. It tastes great and is easy on my stomach. Clinical studies have shown that Perform helps improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increases muscle protein synthesis so you recover faster after the run. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30%. Dri Seats If you’re tired of sweaty, smelly and stained seats after your runs then you have to check out the car seat covers made specifically for runners from driseats. DriSeats waterproof seat covers are designed specifically for runners. Unlike towels, they are 100% waterproof and easily fit over your entire seat so you don’t have any missed spots. Plus, they are super easy to slide over your seat so it’s ready in seconds and they are machine washable so they are easy to clean and be ready for your next run. You can head to driseats.com and use code RC20 to get 20% off first order