136. Escape Injuries and Run a New PR: A Behind the Scenes Coaching Call
Release Date: 04/23/2020
Development: Workouts, Mindsets, & Strategy with Head Conn XC Coach Sam Alexander
The Strength Running Podcast
Sam Alexander is the head coach of the men's cross country and track & field teams at Connecticut College (Jason's alma mater!). Sam recently coached the track team to a historically high finish at the New England championships and helped the cross country team qualify for the National Championships for only the second time in program history. This episode focuses on development - or, how to progress through beginner to advanced stages of running. We discuss: Athletic development for college runners vs. new runners The "order of operations" of development How to build speed and...
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American Record Holder Zach Bitter on Carb Experiments, DNF’s, and Learning From Failure
The Strength Running Podcast
Why did American Record holder Zach Bitter fail at his goal of besting his own 100-mile record? Was it his new embrace of high carb fueling instead of his tradition low-carb approach? In this episode, former WR holder and current AR holder Zach Bitter joins us to discuss how he navigates failure, what led to his DNF at his recent 100-mile record attempt, his experiments with fueling and carbs, and a lot more. Don't miss Zach's amazing podcast, or his website . You can also listen to him in 2024's . If you have not yet, please follow or subscribe to the Strength Running Podcast! Thank you...
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5 Ways to Level Up in 2026 (My Top Ideas for Dramatic Improvement!)
The Strength Running Podcast
Do you want to improve and race faster in 2026? I want to help you do exactly that! In this episode, coach Jason Fitzgerald is sharing his most impactful training interventions for dramatic running improvement. We're discussing: Hill Sprints () Monthly mileage Aerobic cross-training Heat training Heavy weightlifting () If you haven't yet, follow or subscribe to the podcast! Thank you Previnex! After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my...
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What is “Training?” The Principles, Science and Art of the Training Process with Dan Cleather
The Strength Running Podcast
Dan Cleather is a strength and conditioning coach, professor at St. Mary's University, and author of . So, what exactly is "training?" Is it different than "exercise?" In this episode, we discuss what training specifically is, what it's not, and what it's attempting to do. Once you understand that we're after change in our bodies, we can better structure training to reach our goals. Visit or follow him on Please support the show by supporting our partners! Thank you 2Before! We are supported by , a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries...
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Zone 2 for Beginners, Hot Tubs vs. Altitude, & Improving Economy with Sport Scientist Jonah Rosner
The Strength Running Podcast
is an applied sport scientist who spent 10 years working with athletes and teams from all major American professional team sports, particularly the National Football League. He’s a certified running coach and strength and conditioning specialist and he previously partnered with Nike to run the Nike Running Performance Lab in New York City. You can sign up for his . Jonah was also the sport scientist on hand during a fitness retreat I attended last year where I had my VO2 Max measured. Jonah administered the test, which you can watch on . In this conversation, we myth-bust around the...
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Pacing Strategy, Zone 2, Easy Runs, & More with Running Explained’s Elisabeth Scott
The Strength Running Podcast
Elisabeth Scott is a USATF, RRCA, and UESCA certified running coach and the host of the enormously popular . She and Jason are answering questions from about: Optimal ratio of hard to easy mileage Physiological benefits of moderate paced running Helpful cues to ensure you’re truly running easy How you figure out your training paces Elisabeth is an authentic and powerful force in the running community and I hope you use her startegic advice in your training. Thank you 2Before! We are supported by , a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed...
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The Best Advice to Run Faster, with Extramilest Host & 2:44 Marathoner Floris Gierman
The Strength Running Podcast
Floris Gierman is a 2:44 marathoner, cofounder of , 100-mile ultramarathon finisher, and author of the new book . He's done something rare: interview the world's best runners (like Eliud Kipchoge, Courtney Dauwalter, and Killian Jornet) and put all the best lessons, insights, and wisdom into his new book. You'll learn what keeps the most competitive runners going, how they train, and their best advice to excel. Pick up your copy . I wanted to know: What has he learned from hundreds of conversations with such amazing athletes? What sets them apart? What makes them similar to us? From all...
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How the Fitness Industry Began: Exploring 200+ Years of Training Evolution with Professor Conor Heffernan
The Strength Running Podcast
How did we transition from a society with no "sports" or competition, to one where they're ubiquitous? Learn the history of the fitness industry: how weightlifting and running emerged, early versions of equipment, how people trained 200+ years ago, and more. Dr. Conor Heffernan explores the main themes from his book, . If you like history and training, you're going to love this episode! Thank you 2Before! We are supported by , a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote...
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Long Run Strategy, Balancing Intensity vs. Volume, Heavy Lifting, & More (Q&A with Jason)
The Strength Running Podcast
Listen in on a Team Strength Running coaching call, where Jason takes questions from the community about training, long runs, workout strategy, and more. To join one of these calls, . We discuss: Long run strategy ( with David Roche!) The value of lifting heavy weights () How to balance speed and mileage Thank you for listening and supporting the podcast! Thank You Lever! I'm excited to partner with - a bodyweight support system that helps you run further or faster with less effort and injury risk. You’ve probably seen pro runners using Lever...
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How to Learn From Any Injury (So You Stay Healthier) with Physiotherapist Brodie Sharpe
The Strength Running Podcast
Brodie Sharpe is a physiotherapist, the host of the , and author of . As a Physical therapist who specializes in endurance runners, Brodie Sharpe takes a holistic approach to . He helps runners learn how to correct mistakes and work with their bodies to get healthy. Brodie emphasizes the importance of looking at training as well as your lifestyle around it, since every aspect of what you do impacts how you feel and perform. This episode focuses on how to learn from a running injury: how to figure out what caused it the training changes needed to prevent it from recurring how to update...
info_outlineOne of my goals with Strength Running is to prevent you from making the same mistakes that I've made in my own running career. Because I've made almost all of them!
Some of my "favorite" mistakes have been:
- Running my easy days too hard
- Not doing any dynamic warm up exercises before each run
- Inconsistently completing my strength exercises
- Relying too much on intensity and brutal workouts to "prove" my fitness
Now, my coaching philosophy is more balanced. There's less pressure on any one individual workout and more on the total body of work completed during a training cycle.
And today on the podcast, I want to show you what that looks like in practice.
Brian is in his mid-40's and started running about five years ago. He's run a variety of races but only one marathon. A big reason why is that he's had a lot of injuries from knee pain, glute problems, and IT Band Syndrome.
We're discussing:
- How Brian typically prepares for the marathon
- His background in other sports
- The steps he can take to prioritize healthy, pain-free running
- Marathon training fundamentals
Show Links & Resources:
- Injury prevention for runners ecourse
- Elite runners on recovery and staying healthy
- Sub 3 hour marathon training
- How to run your fastest marathon
Thanks Brian for sharing your running life with us!
Thanks PATH Projects
PATH Projects made this episode of the podcast possible. They’re an online-only retailer of high-quality running gear and apparel that I’m falling in love with (and they're giving away three $75 gift cards!).
Currently, I’m wearing the Sykes 5″ Shorts (see them in action in this video), the Pyrinees hooded sweatshirt, and the Torch base liner. Their gear is unique, stylish, and a premium quality that feels great to wear. And because there’s no retail markup, PATH is quite affordable.
They’re using new technical fabrics and innovations to create award-winning apparel for endurance athletes. In fact, their Brim shorts and Tahoe base liner won Runner’s World’s 2018 Gear of the Year award. And the Pyrinees hoodie was named one of the best six sweatshirts for running in the cold by Gear Patrol.
Check out their full lineup of shorts, tops, hats, and base liners on their site - and don't forget to enter to win one of three $75 gift cards at PathProjects.com.