Overcoming The Training Valley: How To Stay Motivated When Training Gets Hard
Release Date: 12/05/2025
How to Run Without Getting Injured: 7 Principles Every Runner Needs
VMAX Running
In this episode, Coach Brad explores the critical issue of running injuries, exploring why they happen and how to prevent them. Highlighting the high injury rates among runners, Brad argues that smart training choices can substantially reduce injury risks. He outlines seven principles for injury prevention: increasing mileage intelligently, ensuring easy days are truly easy, incorporating strength training, distinguishing between soreness and pain, prioritizing recovery, focusing on consistency over intensity, and paying attention to running form without overanalyzing it. Acute-to-Chronic...
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Overcoming The Training Valley: How To Stay Motivated When Training Gets Hard
VMAX Running
In this episode, Coach Brad addresses the common challenge of losing motivation mid-way through a training cycle. He emphasizes that it's completely normal for enthusiasm to wane as training progresses and presents five strategies to help maintain momentum: shrinking the timeline by focusing on daily runs, connecting with your deeper 'why,' making the training process easier, changing the stimulus to prevent boredom, and celebrating small wins. Brad also distinguishes between productive and destructive struggle and provides red flags for when it might be smarter to rest rather than push...
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The 80/20 Rule in Running: Why Most Runners Train Too Hard
VMAX Running
In this episode of the VMAX Running Podcast, Coach Brad breaks down the surprising reason many runners plateau: running too hard on easy days. Brad introduces the 80/20 rule, a training principle used by elite runners, where 80% of running is done at an easy pace and only 20% involves high intensity. He explains the physiological benefits of easy running, such as building aerobic capacity, increasing mitochondrial density, and improving running economy, while reducing injury risk. Brad also discusses common pitfalls like the 'Strava effect' and ego-driven training, and provides practical...
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Welcome to VMAX Running: Podcast Trailer
VMAX Running
Welcome to the , where the goal is to help you become a better runner than the one you were yesterday. Join Coach Brad as he takes you deep into the world of running performance, breaking down science-based training principles and pulling back the curtain on what actually moves the needle. Listen and subscribe to VMAX Running on , , or wherever you get your podcasts.
info_outlineIn this episode, Coach Brad addresses the common challenge of losing motivation mid-way through a training cycle. He emphasizes that it's completely normal for enthusiasm to wane as training progresses and presents five strategies to help maintain momentum: shrinking the timeline by focusing on daily runs, connecting with your deeper 'why,' making the training process easier, changing the stimulus to prevent boredom, and celebrating small wins. Brad also distinguishes between productive and destructive struggle and provides red flags for when it might be smarter to rest rather than push through. Listen in and equip yourself with the tools to stay committed to your running goals, even when the going gets tough.
(00:00) The Morning Struggle: Overcoming the Snooze Button
(01:24) Understanding the Training Valley
(03:43) Why Motivation Fades and How to Handle It
(05:48) Productive vs. Destructive Struggle
(07:14) Five Strategies to Push Through Tough Training
(21:29) When to Push Through and When to Pull Back
(24:07) Final Thoughts and Encouragement