123. How to Build Mental Toughness & Mindset Mastery
Release Date: 01/30/2020
Becs Gentry: How this Peloton Instructor and 2:32 Marathoner is Running the Great World Race
The Strength Running Podcast
If you had the chance, would you sign up to run 7 marathons in 7 days on 7 different continents? Becs Gentry is a popular One Peloton instructor, the 4th place finisher at the 2021 UK Olympic Trials, a former Nike Run Club Coach, and a 2:32:01 marathoner. She’s getting ready to start the Great World Race on November 15, 2024. We talk about: Whether Becs expects more challenges physically or logistically How Becs intends to approach each of the 7 days The recovery strategies Becs will implement throughout the week Expected challenges of the Antarctica marathon Becs’ goals for the weeklong...
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Phil Batterson, PhD on Tissue Tolerance: The Key to Preventing Injuries?
The Strength Running Podcast
"Tissue tolerance" might be a hard term for the average runner to define. But it could also be how you prevent your next big running injury. Phil Batterson, PhD, is a former competitive runner with a background in human bioenergetics. As the founder of Critical Oxygen, he gives athletes and coaches knowledge, testing, and coaching to optimize their physiology and maximize endurance performance. We talk about: How pliability, range of motion, and mobility affect tissue tolerance The impact of shock on the body while running Approaching training with injury prevention in mind Strength training...
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The New Rules of Carb Loading with Sport Scientist Jonah Rosner
The Strength Running Podcast
You might give carb loading a quick thought in your taper, but are you actually looking at the current science to make it effective? Jonah Rosner is an applied sport scientist who spent the past 10 years working with athletes and teams from all major American Professional Team sports. Jonah is a running coach and a certified strength and conditioning specialist who uses the latest sport science technology to individualize running programs. Jonah was also the sport scientist on hand during a recent fitness retreat where I had my VO2 Max measured. We talk about: The old vs. new recommendations...
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Marathon Volume, Injuries, and Tune-up Races with 2:25 Marathoner Laura Thweatt
The Strength Running Podcast
From poor tune-up races to switching up nutrition, pro runners face the same lessons more casual runners do. Laura Thweatt is a 2:25 marathoner, professional runner for Saucony, and former US cross country champion. She placed 5th in the 10k at the 2016 Olympic Trials and 5th in the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials. We talk about: The emotions before a goal race and working with a sports psychologist during a taper Using a training journal to calm pre-race nerves and boost confidence Injury management with high mileage Handling a bad tune-up race Laura’s goals and strategies for the Chicago...
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Are Super Shoes Unethical? Philosopher Sabrina Little on the Fairness of Super Shoes
The Strength Running Podcast
Do super shoes give runners who use them an unfair advantage? Do they make it impossible to compare modern finish times with earlier performances? Sabrina Little is a trail and ultra runner, formerly a professional runner for HOKA. She has won 5 national titles and a World silver medal, she previously held American records in the 24-hour and 200K, and she was 2013 USATF Ultrarunner of the Year. Sabrina earned her doctorate in Philosophy and teaches ethics at Christopher Newport University. We talk about: The ethical concerns of super shoes Sabrina’s lack of satisfaction post-5k due to...
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Gait Analysis Masterclass: Form Problems & Solutions with Jessica Wulke, DPT
The Strength Running Podcast
Want to run faster with fewer injuries? Take a look at your gait. Jessica Wulke is a dual board-certified specialist physical therapist in orthopedics and sports. She has extensive experience treating professional athletes and continues to treat athletes in the NFL and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Jessica was the leading gait analysis and running injury therapist at Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation. We talk about: The basics of gait analysis for runners Common issues that gait analysis can identify, like hip and core weaknesses Hip drop, crossover gait, and foot...
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Dr. Spencer Nadolsky on Losing Weight, When to Diet, and Weightlifting for Weight Loss
The Strength Running Podcast
How much attention do you need to give to your weight as a runner? Dr. Spencer Nadolsky is an obesity and lipid specialist physician who’s helped thousands of patients across the US. After competing on a college track team in the horrible early 2000’s culture of “lighter is better,” I wanted to bring a medical expert onto the podcast to discuss weight loss in a responsible way. We talk about: The balance between fueling for performance and the potential need for weight loss Assessing whether weight loss is clinically indicated or potentially harmful Focusing on nutrition rather than...
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Marathon Pacing, Training, & Problem-Solving Q&A with Coach Sara Manderscheid
The Strength Running Podcast
Hoping to improve your marathon performance this fall? Sara Manderscheid is a running coach and podcaster living in Boulder, CO. Sara fell in love with the marathon training process after BQ'ing in her 2019 marathon debut. This fall, she's attempting to get as close to the 3 hour barrier as possible in the marathon. Sara's been a guest on the podcast twice before and returns to take your marathon specific running questions. We collected your Instagram and Twitter questions and answer them together, including: How does being sick affect fitness, and is it better to just rest and not run? What...
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Decoding Your Bloodwork: What Blood Tests Reveal with Stevie Lyn Smith, RD
The Strength Running Podcast
When’s the last time you got bloodwork done? Stevie Lyn Smith is a Registered Dietitian on a mission to educate and coach athletes on how to fuel their goals without sacrificing health and happiness. As a board certified specialist in sports nutrition, Stevie Lyn has helped hundreds of athletes fuel to improve performance, energy levels, and recovery– without feeling guilt or restriction. In this episode, we talk about: Using bloodwork as a tool for performance and overall health How bloodwork can help identify nutritional deficiencies and overtraining Ideal timing for bloodwork testing...
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Why David Roche Needed 4-Minute Mile Speed to Win the Leadville 100 (+ more secrets)
The Strength Running Podcast
Many runners called The Leadville Trail 100 Run's near-20 year record "unbeatable." David Roche raised the bar with an astonishing 2024 performance. David Roche is an elite trail runner and running coach. He's a two-time USATF trail national champion, the 2014 Sub-Ultra Trail Runner of the Year, and former Mountain Runner of the Year. As of August 2024, David is also the new course record holder of the Leadville 100 Mile Endurance Run, finishing in 15:26:34. In this episode, we talk about: How David blends consistency with fun in his training The recovery routine that helped him perform at...
info_outlineIn high school, my indoor track coach always told our team to “get out of your comfort zones!” This valuable mental toughness training always reminded us that racing is certainly not comfortable…
And over the years, my ability to hone mental toughness into a skill to be used at will became easier and easier.
In the beginning, it wasn’t that way:
- I sandbagged workouts just because I didn’t feel good
- I “settled” on placing 2nd or 3rd in races because I was afraid to believe in myself
- I’ve even dropped out of races for no good reason other than my head wasn’t in the right place
Even now, I have experiences that shake my sense of self-belief.
In 2015, I DNF’d an ultramarathon (my first and only attempt).
In 2019, I was disqualified for cutting the course (by accident) of a trail race.
These experiences shook my self-confidence and made me question whether or not I even possessed any mental toughness.
But I soon realized that I wasn’t approaching mental toughness in the right way. It’s not an issue of whether you “have it” or “don’t have it” – it’s an issue of, “are you working on it?”
That’s because mental toughness training is an ongoing practice that must be cultivated over time.
You’re never “done” with developing this valuable mental skill – just like you’re never “done” with workouts, long runs, or recovery runs as a runner.
This episode also includes an announcement about Mindset Mastery, our new coaching program. It's now open for up to 20 runners but registration closes on Monday, February 3rd!