How to Stay Healthy By Strengthening Your Midstance, with Coach Chris Johnson, DPT
Release Date: 04/11/2024
The Meaning of Endurance: Anthropologist Michael Crawley on Why We Run
The Strength Running Podcast
What drives us as humans to push our physical and mental limits in endurance events? Michael Crawley is a 2:20 marathoner, professor of anthropology at Durham University, and author of the new book We talk about: The collective nature of running culture Why we voluntarily sign up for exhausting endurance activities An evolutionary perspective on running Technology's role in modern running Incorporating endurance into daily life How Michael's personal endurance approach has changed through his book research Send this episode to your running friend who's also a history or culture nerd,...
info_outline
Double Threshold, High Volume, & Lactate: Exploring the Norwegian Method with Brad Culp
The Strength Running Podcast
It's a common misconception that the Norwegian Method is just running double threshold workouts. Brad Culp is a sports journalist, endurance athlete, and author of the fascinating new book, We dug into Brad's knowledge of the training principles behind the Norwegian Method: lactate threshold, lactate testing, a focus on low intensity and high volume, heat training, altitude, and more. We talk about: The nuance behind the Norwegian Method and what it actually entails The role of lactate and lactate testing in the Norwegian Method High volume training and Zone 1 running The difference between...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineThe midstance phase of a running stride is a crucial element of running form, but many runners are ignoring it. If you have weaknesses, imbalances, or poor movement patterns, this is the part of the gait cycle that will show it.
Chris Johnson, DPT is a Seattle-based physical therapist, performance coach, entrepreneur, and multiple time Kona IRONMAN qualifier who shares how midstance affects your running performance and how you can improve it.
In this episode, Chris and I talk about:
-
Midstance importance in running mechanics and injury prevention
-
The impact midstance has on muscles and running form
-
Common problems in midstance technique from knees to hips
-
The gluteus medius muscle, a common problem area for runners
-
Training the gluteus maximus and hip abductors for running mechanics
-
How to train the midstance for stronger running
-
Single leg exercises for runners with injuries
-
“Movement snacks” for runners: simple movements throughout the day to help runners improve midstance
This is an excellent episode for any runner who’s considering how their running form plays into their performance, even beyond midstance mechanics.
Links & Resources from the Show:
-
Chris Johnson’s newsletter
-
Chris Johnson on Instagram
-
Chris Johnson’s website
-
Run easier and more powerfully with these form cues
Thank you 2Before!
We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.
If you want to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.
Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!
Thank you MOBO Board
Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that’s set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly!
Even if you’re a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You’ll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it’s not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength.
I was recently at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.