How to Run an “Infinity Loop” of North America’s Tallest Volcano, with Jason Hardrath
Release Date: 10/26/2023
Alex Hutchinson, PhD on New Training Theory, High Mileage, Heat Training, and the Effort Paradox
The Strength Running Podcast
Bestselling author and acclaimed exercise science journalist Alex Hutchinson is back on the podcast! He is a regular columnist for Outside magazine writing the and has contributed to publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker. He’s a former member of the Canadian national team, holds a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge, a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, and conducted post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency. We're exploring the frontier: what Alex is most excited about from the latest research that has the potential to...
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Foundational Running Skills: Carolyn Coffin Interviews Jason on Fundamental Training
The Strength Running Podcast
Hear Jason getting interviewed about fundamental training: the most important elements of any training plan, why you should focus on middle distances, the remaining 1% of things to focus on, why the term "full marathon" should be banished, and more. This is a repost of an episode of the . Resources from the show: (case study) Don't forget to hit the follow button and subscribe to the Strength Running 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...
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2:24 Marathoner Jackie Gaughan on How She Trains + Works for Goldman Sachs
The Strength Running Podcast
Jackie Gaughan is one of the fastest marathoners in the United States. She’s a Boston-based, Saucony sponsored athlete who ran for the University of Notre Dame where she earned All-conference honors in both cross country and track. She qualified for the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials at Berlin, where she was the second American finisher. She holds a personal best of 2:24:40 in the marathon and 1:10:01 in the half marathon. Jackie's also a full-time financial analyst for Goldman Sachs, often working 50-60 hours a week. How does she run more than 100 miles per week, with hard workouts...
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Fueling & Nutrition for Young Runners: A Guide for Coaches & Parents with Michele Pettinger
The Strength Running Podcast
Our diet and fueling habits are setting important examples for our kids. Are we doing it right? Joining me is coach Michele Pettinger. She’s a Level 2 certified coach through the Road Runners’ Club of America, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition through the ISSA, and she’s the author of the new book . We discuss how young runners should be fueling and approaching nutrition (which during the teen years is a formative time period). It’s critical we get the basics of sound nutrition habits right early so that we can set kids up for success. We also chat about practical...
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A Smart Shoe that Measures Motion: Avelo & the Next-Generation of Running Shoes
The Strength Running Podcast
150 years ago, electricity was added to mechanical products to make them better. It ushered in the era of the automobile and was described as the Second Industrial Revolution. We're now experiencing a second revolution: adding intelligence to common products to make them better. And this intelligence is coming for your running shoes. is pioneering the world's first truly smart running shoe: one that measures motion over time, so you can determine how your body experiences impact and how your form degrades as you fatigue. This is game-changing: imagine knowing when you've over-extended...
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How to Mentally Rebound from Injury: Psychologist Carrie Jackson on Emotional Recovery
The Strength Running Podcast
No runner wants to get injured. But the worst part of an injury is often the mental side of it, not the physical! Sure, you can go to the PT or self-treat your injury. That will help you physically heal. But what about your loss of identity when you can't run? What about the loss of a future goal? How will you respond to feeling like you lost your community? Perhaps more importantly, your mental outlook will affect how you treat your injury and the level of success of that treatment. We have to get this right! Joining me is mental skills coach and psychologist Carrie Jackson. She is...
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Bestselling Author Matt Fitzgerald: How to Perfect the Craft of Running
The Strength Running Podcast
Bestselling author, running coach, nutritionist, and 2:39 marathoner Matt Fitzgerald is back on the podcast! Today, we're answering the big question: How do you master the sport of running? We're not talking about getting fast or turning pro. Instead, we're talking about mastering the craft of running: becoming process-oriented and in-tune with yourself so that you can achieve your potential in the sport. Matt's new book, , addresses this topic. He's also authored 30+ other endurance books, including some of my favorites: (with Brad Hudson) In this episode, we talk about...
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The 40+ Runner's Blueprint: Training, Strategy, & Mindset with “Coach of the Year” Michael McGrane
The Strength Running Podcast
Running gets harder as we get older. Being a master's runner makes it harder to focus on health, speed, and improvement. But with a sound approach, we can thrive in our 40's, 50's, and beyond. Joining us is Coach Michael McGrane, who has been in the running industry for more than 40 years. Currently the head coach of the Norwich University Cross Country team, he's won "Coach of the Year" awards, holds a 2:30 marathon PR, and is currently training for his 24th Boston Marathon. We’re going to discuss the physical and psychological changes that have to occur as Master’s runners if we...
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Warm-ups vs. Cool-downs, Strides vs. Sprints, & More (Coaching Q&A with Elisabeth Scott)
The Strength Running Podcast
Coach Elisabeth Scott hosts the enormously popular podcast and joins us today to answer your running questions! We’ll be answering questions about warmups and cool-downs, strides, tempo workouts, core routines, how to taper effectively, and when to schedule strength training. Want to get your questions answered by Jason during our live Coaching Call? Join ! Thank you Gut & Green! Previnex’s new powder is my new go-to. It has organic barley and oat grass, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, kale and broccoli… and that’s it. Their ingredients are backed by clinical data and...
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Behind-the-Scenes Coaching Call: How to Make a Comeback at 40
The Strength Running Podcast
Melanie is a 40-year old runner who had some success in her 20's but is now ready to make a comeback. How can she do it? In this behind-the-scenes coaching call, Jason helps Melanie with her training and goals as she re-commits herself to running after years focusing on weightlifting. Melanie is a member of Team Strength Running, our group coaching program that gives you a team of your peers, ongoing coaching guidance from me, a library of training plans and other resources gear discounts, and more. Join our team at to dial in your training and make 2025 your best year yet. We discuss: ...
info_outlineJason Hardrath was named one of the 20 most inspirational ultrarunners of 2021. After a car accident in 2015 derailed his triathlon career, he had to reevaluate his future in competition. But with an extraordinary dedication to rehabilitation and proving his doctors wrong, he was able to resume running.
Jason has earned well over a hundred Fastest Known Times (FKTs) and was a 2021 FKT of the Year top 10 finalist. As an adventurer and ultrarunner he has shifted his focus to a new project, completing “infinity loops” around the 7 highest volcanic summits in the world. Jason was inspired by the volcanoes he climbed around his home near Klamath, Oregon, throughout his recovery process.
Jason’s adventures are unique in the skills they require and the terrain that they cover, combining ultrarunning distances over elevations that can rise well above 18,000 feet. His most recent movie on YouTube, Journey to Infinity, documents his incredible story on the first of the seven volcanic peaks, Mexico’s Pico di Orizaba.
Our conversation today highlights Jason's story and his current and future adventures, including:
- Jason’s background that led him down the FKT path
- How a change in thinking allowed him to move forward from his accident
- The origin of the “infinity loop”
- The challenges and risks of adventures at high altitude
- Jason’s experience with HAPE (high altitude pulmonary edema)
- How Jason has trained for his recent adventures
- Why he chose to focus on the 7 Volcanic Summits
- What Jason faces on his next infinity loop attempt at Ojos Del Salado
Jason's story is a fascinating and inspiring one - enjoy!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Learn more about Jason and his journey to 100 FKTs
- Check out Jason's FKT on the Pico De Orizaba Infinity Loop
- Listen to the Dirtbag Diaries on the origin of the Infinity Loop concept
- Read about the Volcanic Seven Summits of the World
- Watch Journey to Infinity
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