Off-Season vs. Base Training vs. Pre-Season with 2:34 Marathoner Matt Meyer
Release Date: 11/09/2023
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_outlineOn the podcast this week to discuss the best way to plan your pre-season running is Matt Meyer, who competes with the competitive crew of The Track Club in Boulder, CO. Matt is both a running coach and strength coach, and he joined me on a previous episode of the podcast to talk about high-mileage training.
He recently ran a marathon PR of 2:34:35 in Berlin, and set a back squat PR of 265 pounds. Who says fast marathoners can’t be strong?!
Matt and I address the concept of a pre-season versus an off-season and why time away from heavy training is a great opportunity to address any weaknesses or imbalances you may have. Our conversation will help you get the most out of both your pre-reason and race-specific training.
We discuss:
- Why Matt's recent PR training cycle necessitated more time off
- The importance of true rest for physical and psychological recovery
- Why pre-season is a great time to become a more well-rounded runner
- How to use past training cycles to plan the length of your pre-season and race-specific training
- Using pre-season training as a chance for a new stimulus
- Limiting pre-season intensity to avoid burnout
Matt's positive energy and nuanced approach to training will benefit runners of all levels!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Follow Matt on Instagram and Strava
- Learn more about Matt
- Listen to my previous episode with Matt on high mileage running
- Read more about base-building
- Don't miss out on our complimentary strength series
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 just 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.
Thank You AG1!
We’re also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. It’s recommended by professional athletes and has over 7,000 positive reviews.
One scoop per day is what I’ve been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I’m getting sick and can’t train.
I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. They've made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable and rigorous with the 3rd party testing that they do.
For our listeners, they are offering a year's worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop - the choice is yours. Check out AG1 to redeem your offer today.