The Path to Going Pro: How Annie Rodenfels Went from D3 to Elite Runner
Release Date: 08/14/2025
The Strength Running Podcast
has a Master's degree in Human Performance, writes the incredibly popular , and has recently run a 2:24 marathon. He also trains unconventionally: gone are the 100-mile weeks and in place of them are moderate mileage weeks (60-80) with 10+ hours of cycling. In this episode, we rank the core 3 performance metrics of VO2 Max, Lactate Threshold, and Running Economy and discuss how they interact with physiological resiliency, how they can be improved, and which one is the most important. Extra Resources: (one of our most popular episodes with Brady!) Thank you Previnex! Get...
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Stevie Lyn Smith is a board-certified specialist in sports dietetics, a Registered Dietitian, and an 11x Ironman competitor with an 11:35 PR. Today, we're exploring the most recent advances in sports nutrition for fueling: How many carbs are now recommended per hour of hard running? What about workouts or long runs? Is "proteinmaxxing" valuable for runners? What are its potential drawbacks? How much dehydration is acceptable before a decrease in performance is inevitable? Should every runner consider sodium bicarb for better performances? A lot more... A big thanks to Stevie for her...
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Thomas Nobbs is a running coach with 10+ years of experience and newly minted 2:09 marathoner - making him Canada's 4th fastest marathoner ever! He joins us to discuss training myths and best practices: Training "myths" and overblown ideas Trends in the running community When it’s a good idea / bad idea to model elite runners The most impactful levers to pull for marathon improvement for 3-4 hour marathoners GIve Tom a follow or on ! Thank you Previnex! Get yourself 15% off your first purchase . Previnex is a unique supplement company - one that I trust because they do things...
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Brant Stachel is a tour de force: he's a massage therapist, coach to elite marathoners, published author of , licensed psychotherapist, and former professional triathlete. Incredible. Coach Stachel's athlete Tom Nobbs just became Canada's 4th fastest marathoner with his 2:09 finish. Today, we discuss: How Nobbs ran 2:09 off entirely treadmill training Can you separate mindset training from physical training? His favorite tools for building mental toughness Is running therapy?! Don't miss these related resources: Follow Brant on or Learn Thanks Boulderthon! is a...
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Tom Walters is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist, former college professor, and author of (a bestseller on Amazon). Besides running his , Tom served as a full-time undergraduate kinesiology professor for eight years, teaching human biomechanics, therapeutic exercise, and pain science. Today, we discuss the science of pain and the injury treatment process: Is all pain bad? Why does some pain feel good? The value of cross-training during injury Why blood flow is so important for healing The timeline it takes to heal from common injuries If you're injury prone, sign up for...
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Duane Scotti is a physical therapist, certified running coach, and host of the Healthy Runner Podcast. Today, we're focusing on IT Band Syndrome. I've personally had ITBS twice - and once so severe that it nearly ended my running career. After seeing 4 PT's, I developed the to build hip and glute strength. You can also get an to the routine. Duane and I discuss: How to know if you have ITBS Common training errors and injury causes What can make this injury worse Can you run through pain? Treatment steps for IT Band Syndrome Thanks Duane for this masterclass on how to approach IT Band...
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Bill Evans has a PhD in Exercise Physiology, coaching experience at the D1 level, and is the founder of . He has more than 20 scientific papers published in his field and was formerly a senior scientist at Johns Hopkins University in their Applied Physics Laboratory. Today, he's helping you improve your running economy. We discuss: The impact of easy running and different types of workouts on economy How to order workouts during a season How drills, plyometrics, and strength training improve efficiency Long-term and short-term perspectives on economy To improve your form, don't miss our...
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Listeners know I'm a relentless advocate of , whether you're doing bodyweight exercises at home or lifting heavy in the gym. But some runners take strength training to a level above and beyond the rest of us - and find great success along the way. Elizabeth Corkum is a fellow running coach and one of my former private coaching clients. Elizabeth - who goes by the nickname Corky - is a 2:58 marathoner and 5-day per week weightlifter. Coach Corky has multiple coaching certifications, including USA Track and Field, Road Runners Club of America, and the Lydiard...
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Vikash Sharma, DPT is going to help you return to running after your next injury - faster and with less fitness loss possible. He's the owner of , a certified running coach, the creator of , and a Board-Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. Our conversation today is about how to come back after your next injury. The "return to run" plan post-injury can be as confusing as planning advanced workouts. Managing load, recovery, strength training, mobility, and more during a period of uncertainty is daunting. Vikash is here to help. We discuss: Specific injuries and their...
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is an ART certified massage therapist, a Stanford All-American in the 3,000m steeplechase, and a former pro runner for Reebok, ASICS, and the Mammoth Track Club. Not only has he competed at the Olympic Trials, he's worked there as a therapist. He's also the founder of in San Diego, a physical therapy and performance center for athletes. Jonathan joins us to discuss his experience working with elite athletes and how they approach the process of staying healthy. We also talk about: The training and mechanical causes of running injuries The role of movement in...
info_outlineAndrea (Annie) Rodenfels is a 7x All-American in the steeplechase and 5,000m, national champion, Drake Relays 3,000m steeplechase champion, and 2x Olympic Trials qualifier.
Annie is also one of the few pro runners to come from a Division III school. In this episode, we discuss her path to going pro:
- The evolution of her career from college to now
- Her experience with the new pro team Meridia
- How she trains today (mileage levels, long runs, etc.)
- Her approach to double workouts in one day
- How she manages energy and caffeine for 8:30pm races
- A lot more!
You can support her team Meridia by registering for their virtual mile here!
Resources:
- More info about Merida from Colleen Quigley
- Training & Coaching programs
- SR's strength series
Thank you Avelo!
Avelo is the world’s smartest running shoe created by a team of ex-Nike engineers. I’m so excited by Avelo that I’ve been advising them for nearly two years. And the market has spoken - they raised over $100,000 on Kickstarter on their very first day because they’re doing something unique.
Embedded in their bouncy, lightweight Supertrainer is a sensor that measures impact and your running form, showing you how much force your body is experiencing and when during your run your form starts deteriorating. This gives you incredible insights into your unique form, how it changes, and when it breaks down so you better understand your injury risk and when you get fatigued.
The shoes never need to be charged and you can reuse the sensor in each pair of Avelo’s. Their app gives you real-time coaching that I had a lot of input on, based on your unique data. They’re still available on Kickstarter at 34% off for a very limited time, so get yours today!
Thank you to 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.
Just like beetroot but more effective, blackcurrant berries are vasodilators, helping you get more blood flow to where it's needed.
Boost your performance and immune system with 2before: use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.
Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!