Run to the Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide to Running

Do you train your brain as hard as you train your body? World-renowned expert on performance, Olympic-level coach, author and podcast host Steve Magness is our special guest on the Run to the Top and he can teach us how. You’ll learn: How the stereotypical view of mental toughness has changed for the better What mental techniques elite runners use in their training, and How you can use the four pillars of toughness to maximize your own training. If you’ve ever struggled mentally during a run (that’s everyone!), this is a can’t miss episode! 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: 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.  My 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 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. MetPro This podcast is brought to you by MetPro, world-renowned concierge nutrition, fitness & lifestyle coaching company.  Using Metabolic Profiling, MetPro team of experts analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your goals.  MetPro analyzes your individual metabolism to get a baseline to see exactly how your body is responding against a very specific set of variables. This means no cookie-cutter diets or formulas. 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. Run to the Top listeners receive a complimentary Metabolic Profiling assessment and a 30-minute consultation with a MetPro expert. To claim this offer head to metpro.co/rttt

Are you stuck in a metabolic plateau? We run, eat less, maybe lose some weight, plateau, run more, eat less. The weight stays the same (or goes up!), but the belly or the thighs or the arms even get softer. What ends up happening is that the body fat stays stubbornly put but muscle growth stops or even reverses. More running and more calorie restriction aren’t the answer. It’s incredibly frustrating. But there is hope. Angelo Poli can shed some light on the mystery of metabolism. Angelo Poli is an internationally recognized nutrition and fitness expert. He has helped transform the bodies of some incredibly high profile clients from Olympians, NFL stars, MVPs and more.  He’s been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated and more, explaining the science of metabolism and the keys to fat loss and muscle gain. You’ll learn: Why calories in and out don’t tell the whole story What to do when our bodies adapt to the food we eat How to eat to fuel our best performance while also shedding extra weight if needed This is a fascinating discussion, not on how  to “diet,” but how to train your metabolism to be its best! 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 When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes. Most athletes I’ve coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it’s been hurting their performance.  Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets. They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored). Therabody’s RecoveryAir JetBoots RecoveryAir JetBoots are the world’s most advanced pneumatic compression system ever created. In short, what this means is that RecoveryAir flushes out metabolic waste post run or workout using the science of pressure massage.   With Therabody’s exclusive FastFlush technology, RecoveryAir flushes out metabolic waste more fully and brings back fresh blood to your legs at three times the speed of competitors. Faster cycles means faster recovery, so you don’t have to wait for legs to feel great.  Therabody’s RecoveryAir JetBoots are the first of its kind. They’re truly wireless for anywhere, on-the-go recovery, boosting circulation and radically reducing muscle soreness.    If you’re interested in experiencing the recovery power of Jetboots, go to therabody.com/rttt to get your Therabody RecoveryAir today, starting at just $699, or as low as $59 a month with Affirm.  Plus, with RecoveryAir’s 60-day money back guarantee and free shipping, there’s no risk.  

The beauty of following a pace group is that you don’t have to race alone. You’ll not only have a more experienced runner leading you to your dream finish time, but likely, you’ll have a whole group of people trying for the exact same thing. You can relax, keep your eyes off your watch, and ride the pace group wave all the way to a new personal record. Or maybe not… On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, I’m going to explore the pros and cons of pace groups.  You’ll learn: how to determine if a pace group is right for you what questions to ask the group leader, and when not to follow a pace group If you are thinking about following a pace group in your next race, listen to this first! 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: AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now! 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.  My 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 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.

Last January in Houston, Fiona O’Keefe crossed the finish line in 1:07:42, making her half marathon debut the fastest ever by an American woman. At age 23, this young runner has an incredibly bright future. Fiona specializes in the 10k and the 5k right now and--fun fact--she accidentally broke her 10k PR in the middle of her record breaking half. Coach Claire asks Fiona about her incredible day in Houston, what her favorite workouts are to prepare, and how she handles good and bad days mentally.   And then we talk about the REAL reason we wanted to have her on the Run to the Top today. We are thrilled to announce that Fiona is joining our team of expert coaches here at Runners Connect.   Learn about her coaching style and what she plans to bring to the table to help each and every RunnersConnect athlete discover their very best! 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: Inside Tracker Inside Tracker is the ultimate resource for runners who want to optimize their health and nutrition. Using their patented algorithm, InsideTracker analyzes your body’s data to provide you with a clear picture of what's going on inside you. Then, they offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle changes.  Next, InsideTracker tracks your progress every day and adjusts based on real-time feedback from your body. The best part is that you can do it all from home and it isn’t expensive. Plus, for a limited-time you can get 25% off any InsideTracker plan or service when you use the code RTTTPRO25 .  Just head to https://runnersconnect.net/insidetracker and use the code RTTTPRO25 for 25% off. 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.  My 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 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.

After her husband was killed in Afghanistan and the terrorist bombs at the Boston Marathon went off in front of her, Linda Ambard vowed not to let terrorism take any more from her. As of this year, Linda has run 220 marathons, with at least one in every state and one on each of the seven continents. Linda’s story is about more than just survival.  It’s about learning to thrive no matter what life gives you. Her running accomplishments are nothing short of amazing, but it’s her perseverance that resonates most with me. Coach Claire asks her about her incredible story, the naysayers who say she’s running too much, and how she trains and recovers to run so many marathons so often. Linda is deeply positive and inspiring so if you need a little lift in your steps today, this is the story that will do 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: Inside Tracker Inside Tracker is the ultimate resource for runners who want to optimize their health and nutrition. Using their patented algorithm, InsideTracker analyzes your body’s data to provide you with a clear picture of what's going on inside you. Then, they offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle changes.  Next, InsideTracker tracks your progress every day and adjusts based on real-time feedback from your body. The best part is that you can do it all from home and it isn’t expensive. Plus, for a limited-time you can get 25% off any InsideTracker plan or service when you use the code RTTTPRO25 .  Just head to https://runnersconnect.net/insidetracker and use the code RTTTPRO25 for 25% off. 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.  My 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 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.

Plant-based athletes are everywhere these days. But can a plant-based diet really be a performance booster for your running? What are the pros and cons of a plant based diet for runners? On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, we’ll going to go over the benefits that a plant-based diet provides runners the potential downsides to going plant-based, and we’ll give you  a day in the life of a vegan runner with meal examples that you can try today If you’re a plant-based runner already or just “plant-curious,” this evidence-based episode is one you won’t want to miss! Download our FREE Super Simple Plant Based Plate for Runners! No measuring, weighing, counting calories or macros! 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: Inside Tracker Inside Tracker is the ultimate resource for runners who want to optimize their health and nutrition. Using their patented algorithm, InsideTracker analyzes your body’s data to provide you with a clear picture of what's going on inside you. Then, they offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle changes.  Next, InsideTracker tracks your progress every day and adjusts based on real-time feedback from your body. The best part is that you can do it all from home and it isn’t expensive. Plus, for a limited-time you can get 25% off any InsideTracker plan or service when you use the code RTTTPRO25 .  Just head to https://runnersconnect.net/insidetracker and use the code RTTTPRO25 for 25% off. LMNT When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes. Most athletes I’ve coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it’s been hurting their performance.  Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets. They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).

For the first time in history, just over 50% of all races are run by women.   While women are leading in the number of participants, research on women in sport is still stubbornly behind the guys’. We know that women and men perform differently, carry and use fat differently, as well as react to pain differently. Typically, men are bigger, stronger, and faster, until you get to the ultra distance, where women can actually break the tape first. On today’s Run to the Top, Dr Megan Roche, 5-time national trail champion and Stanford researcher explores the science behind the biological differences between men and women in endurance running.   And this is not just a show for the women runners. Guys, you’ll want to listen up as well if you want to know why the women are getting better and better. 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: 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.  My 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 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. AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now!

Have you ever gotten a DNF? Sometimes quitting in the middle of a race is undoubtedly the right thing to do. Other times, you will be full of regret when you do. Either way, it will sting for a while. On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, Coach Claire talks about the dreaded DNF. She speaks from personal experience on this one, because she’s been there. She’ll go over: when it’s a really good idea to stop a race,  when you should probably push on try to finish, and  how to get over a DNF and get back to better racing in the future. If you’ve ever DNFd or if you haven’t (yet!), preparing yourself for how to manage now while help you make a better decision on race day! 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: 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.  My 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 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. LMNT When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes.  Most athletes I’ve coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it’s been hurting their performance.  Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets. They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).

Recovery can be a tricky balance for a runner. In order to train well, we sometimes have to train tired and under-recovered. But if we dig ourselves too deep into a hole of stressful training, it might be something that takes days, weeks, or even months to climb out of. That’s why having cycles of stress and rest over your day, your weeks, your months and even your years can be so beneficial for your long term sustainability in running. Coach Sara Manderscheid joins Coach Claire to talk about recovery techniques that you can incorporate into your training today to help you recover better, train smarter, and run faster than ever this year! 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: 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.  My 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 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. AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now!

If you’ve been running for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of the term “running cadence”. You may have even tried to improve yours. However, is it possible you’re falling victim to one of the many myths about running cadence?  On this episode of Run to the Top Podcast, we’re going to explore your running cadence, including… why focusing on your cadence can be an important tool for gaining speed with lower injury risk, some myths about the ideal cadence for runners, and I’ll explain a few techniques for improving your cadence to help you get faster quicker Definitely a must listen if you’re a beginner who knows nothing about cadence or if you’re a veteran who may be making many of the common mistakes with cadence. 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: AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now!