251. How 2x Olympian Kara Goucher Handles Expectations, Pressure, and Pre-Race Anxiety
Release Date: 06/09/2022
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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_outline
Isometrics vs. Strength vs. Plyos: What’s Missing in Your Strength Training with Dr. Matt Silver
The Strength Running Podcast
Dr. Matthew Silver is a physical therapist, author, and owner of Alpha Project Phyzio and Performance in Maryland. His book is now available. While he set his college’s 8k record and made the all-conference team, injuries prematurely ended Matt’s career, sparking his interest in physical therapy. In today’s conversation, we’re talking about the different types of strength training that exist, their benefits and drawbacks, and how to integrate them into your training. It’s important to recognize that not all strength training is the same. We’re going to discuss traditional...
info_outline
Atlantic CEO Nick Thompson on Master’s Training, Motivation, and Breakthroughs
The Strength Running Podcast
Nick Thompson has been running and racing for 35 years. He’s the 40-44 age group American record holder in the 50k with a 3:04 finish time (that’s 5:56 per mile for 31 miles), and was previously the world’s top ranked runner in his age group in the 50-mile. He's now the CEO of the Atlantic Magazine and his new book is now available: You'll hear: How Nick’s relationship with his father helped him get into running What drives him to compete today vs. 30 years ago His recommendations for passing along a love for running to your kids How his cancer diagnosis changed his relationship with...
info_outline
Movement, Strength, and Injuries: Dr. John Rusin on How to Run Pain-Free
The Strength Running Podcast
Dr. John Rusin is a physical therapist and trainer who's worked with nearly every professional sports league as well as Olympic athletes. His new book, , is now available. Our conversation focuses on movement, coordination, and building efficiency. We discuss: common mistakes in the weight room how to structure better strength workouts mindfulness and breathing a nervous-system oriented warm-down when to know if you’re putting in too much effort in the gym We should not consider strength training to be "cross-training" - it’s just part of the normal training process. Learn how to...
info_outlineKara has retired from competitive running but remains an active presence as an athlete advisor for Oiselle and Altra. She is a sports analyst and broadcaster for NBC Sports, and had an opportunity to be on the other side of the camera as a color commentator at the Tokyo Olympics.
Competitive from a young age when she would regularly beat all the boys, Kara has learned how to handle pressure and expectations throughout her career. Although Kara dealt with pressure at an elite level, that feeling is something all runners can relate to.
Whether it’s the expectations you set for yourself, feeling pressure from other individuals, or comparing your accomplishments with other runners, the burden of pressure can be overwhelming when you aren’t able to manage it. But nervousness and pre-race jitters can also mean that you are invested in what you are about to do. When you learn how to channel that adrenaline to help instead of hurt, you can use pressure to your benefit.
Kara and I cover a lot of ground on the podcast this week, including:
- The pros and cons of feeling pressure, and how to manage it to get the best from yourself
- The value of personal mantras
- How that feeling of pressure has evolved for Kara over the course of her career
- Kara’s intense preparation for broadcasting races, and her goals as a commentator
- What makes a good race for Kara as a runner and as an an analyst
- And perhaps most importantly, if and when she’s starting a podcast with Des Linden!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Check out Kara on Instagram and Facebook
- Follow Kara on Twitter
- View Kara’s racing highlights
- More ways to deal with pressure and stress
- Lear how to Master your Mindset
Thank You InsideTracker!
This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body’s data and get a firm idea of how well you’re responding to training.
Understanding your body’s biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you’re over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.
I’ve personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven’t done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology.
If you’re ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.
Thank you Tanri Outdoors!
Thank you to a previous sponsor who has rejoined us, Tanri Outdoors! They're offering 10% off your order with code JASON at checkout.
Tanri makes all-natural mineral sunscreen, lip balm, and moisturizer that protects you from both types of UV rays. Tanri is made by runners, for runners! All of their products are reef-safe and never tested on animals.
If you spend a fair amount of time outdoors, you know the importance of applying sun protection. I have had to make it a habit myself, living in the mile high city of Denver. Using Tanri products is easy and effective, so I hope you'll give them a try.
Mineral sunscreens like the ones from Tanri typically work better than chemical sunscreens as they protect you from both types of UV rays. And none of their products have phthalates, parabens, or artificial fragrances.
Tanri also gives back 1% of their proceeds to help protect our National Parks. That's a win for you and for our planet! Browse all of their sun care products and use code "JASON" to save 10% on your order.