Unfiltered with Jon Levitt: Injuries, Business Updates, New Sauna Science, and More
Release Date: 02/29/2024
Zone 2 Q&A: Can You Run Too Slow? When Does Easy Pace Get Faster?
The Strength Running Podcast
Have we put Zone 2 running on an undeserved pedestal? A dug into Zone 2 as it relates to heat training. One listener named Nadine emailed me some great questions to follow up on the Zone 2 conversation. Like many of you, easy running has gotten confusing for Nadine because of so much of the advice on the internet to never go faster than Zone 2 and the value of very slow running. But Nadine was feeling better at slightly faster paces! I figured it'd be more helpful to record a conversation about these topics as a follow-up to our episode with Brady, and Nadine agreed. In this episode, we talk...
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How to Run a Faster Marathon (new coaching call!)
The Strength Running Podcast
Hoping to get faster at the marathon and reach a personal best? So is Nick Jordan, a member of Team Strength Running. Nick joined this coaching program in order to most effectively use his time and effort to get the best possible chance of reaching a marathon personal best. We talked about what he can do in the remaining months to stack the deck in his favor. is a program that includes ongoing coaching directly from me, access to a team of other runners just like you, a library of 30+ training plans, a whole bunch of discounts, bonus resources, and more. In this coaching call, we talk about: ...
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Alex Larson, RD on Sugar Cravings, Weight Loss & Training, Salt Supplementation, and More
The Strength Running Podcast
Sugar cravings, salt content, underfueling, post-race beers… Runners get a lot of conflicting nutrition information, so we’re asking your questions to a registered dietitian! Alex Larson is a Minnesota-based registered dietitian and Ironman triathlete who’s worked with thousands of athletes in more than fifteen countries. I get a lot of questions from endurance runners about nutrition, so we collected your questions for Alex to answer. In this episode, Alex answers these running nutrition questions: We have treats in the house for the kids, how do I stop stealing them? What are best...
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Mario Fraioli on Training for the Mile (at 40+) and Placing 3rd at the National Masters Championship
The Strength Running Podcast
Whether you love the mile or you want to continue running into your 40's or beyond, you'll be inspired by this Masters runner. Mario Fraioli is a Bay Area-based running coach who works with a number of Olympic Trials-level marathoners, top ultrarunners, and competitive age-group athletes. He’s one of the most competitive Master’s runners in the USA, having run the 2023 Boston Marathon in 2:34 and with his recent 3rd place finisher at the 2024 National Masters Road Mile. In this episode, Mario and I talk about: Mario's goal to break the 5-minute mile at age 42 Love for the mile: a perfect...
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Healthy Knees Masterclass: Knee Health Myths & Injury Prevention with Dr. Howard Luks
The Strength Running Podcast
As a runner, it's almost guaranteed that somebody has told you, "Running is bad for your knees!" Spoiler alert: It's not. Dr. Howard Luks has the education and experience to prove it. Howard spent more than 20 years as the Chief of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at New York Medical College, specializing in athlete care. As a board certified orthopedic surgeon, he focuses on a variety of joints but focuses on knee health. In this episode, Howard and I talk about: Squats for knee health: form and variety Functional strength training that mimics life activities Assessing risk with knee pain or...
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Zone 2 Myths, Heart Rate vs. Effort, Heat Training, and Zone 3 with Brady Holmer
The Strength Running Podcast
Brady Holmer knows a lot about running and a lot about science: a perfect combo for a conversation on the show. Brady is a lifelong endurance athlete who competed in cross country and track at the collegiate level. He currently works as a science writer and researcher, holding a Master’s degree in human performance. He also recently ran his PR in the marathon: a 2:37. In this episode, Brady and I talk about: The flexibility of heart rate zones and their impact on training adaptations Physiology is constantly fluctuating: zones aren’t static RPE (rating of perceived exertion) is a valuable...
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Nike Running’s Global Head Coach Chris Bennett on Good Coaching, Community, & More
The Strength Running Podcast
Chris Bennett is the Nike Running Global Head Coach and Senior Director Nike Global Running. Translation: Chris is an absolute powerhouse of a coach and runner. I got to chat with Chris about his role at Nike, how runners approach the sport from a variety of angles, what often prevents us from achieving our goals, his message to every runner in the world if he had the opportunity to speak to the global running population, and so much more. In this episode, Chris and I talk about: The multifaceted nature of coaching (it's not just creating workouts). Don't overcomplicate running; it can be...
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Men’s vs. Women’s Feet: Why Hilma Running Shoes is Making Shoes for Just for Women
The Strength Running Podcast
Brooke Torres is an ultra runner who couldn’t understand why running shoes were so uncomfortable. So, she started a running shoe company to fix that problem. Hilma Running Shoes makes shoes specifically for the needs of women’s feet, which are uniquely shaped and not just a smaller version of men’s feet (since as you'll hear, that doesn't work). In this episode, Brooke and I talk about: Women's foot shape and its impact on running shoe design How poor-fit shoes can lead to injury and discomfort due to differences in foot geometry Heels, high arches, and bunions: common foot problems in...
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The Value of Challenges: Sally McRae on Seeking Out Adversity & Scary Goals
The Strength Running Podcast
Sally McRae is known worldwide for her mental fortitude and ability to push through extreme discomfort. As a professional mountain and ultra runner for Nike, Sally is a two-time Top 10 Western States finisher, the Badwater 135 Champion, Tarawera 100 Champion, Mozart 100 Champion and Moab 240 Champion. Sally is also an author, podcast host, business owner, and a strength and running coach. In this episode, Sally and I talk about: The pros of using a treadmill for distance training The whole body needs to be strong for endurance races, not just the muscles How Sally structures strength training...
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The Drop Interviews Jason: Coaching, Strength, and Shoes with Thomas Neuberger and Meaghan Murray
The Strength Running Podcast
We're switching it up a bit this week so you can listen to the episode of The Drop where I was the guest! The Drop is hosted by Thomas Neuberger, Meaghan Murray, and Robbie Reddinger. Robbie wasn’t on this episode, but I had a great time chatting with Thomas and Meaghan and thought you'd enjoy a listen. We talked about: Preventing injury while high mileage training with proper warm-ups and cool downs Problem-solving in running: motivation, plateaus, and improving performance How training for a marathon can help build self-efficacy in the rest of life The difference in pain between a 5k and...
info_outlineThis week I decided to take you along on my conversation with my friend and fellow podcaster, Jon Levitt. Jon is a sub-3 marathoner and a Senior Sales Executive at InsideTracker. He also hosts the popular podcast, For the Long Run, where I was a guest on episode 264.
We usually have long meandering conversations on trail runs throughout Boulder, but this time we recorded it.
While we start by discussing our current running troubles (and our efforts towards solving them), we ultimately focus a lot of our conversation on the professionalization of the running industry. As the sport continues to grow, all players in the industry have a responsibility to up their game by encouraging high standards and broader inclusion.
Jon and I cover a lot of ground, including:
- Our current struggles with illness and injury and the road back to regular running
- My business decision to improve future content on StrengthRunning
- What we’re each doing to professionalize (and grow!) the sport
- The common thread of setting high standards in both running and business
- Studies on sauna benefits for running and longevity
- Jon’s exciting plans for 2024
- Some thoughts on the use and science of ketones
If you enjoy this episode, leave a review and let me know what you think about this new, conversational format!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Learn more about Jon and his podcast, For the Long Run
- Follow Jon on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter
- Listen to our previous conversation about the running community
- Let me help you with your training!
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 recently 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 Ultimate Training Bundle!
We’re also supported by Strength Running’s own Ultimate Training Bundle. Since 2010, Strength Running has helped runners around the world race faster, get stronger, and prevent more injuries with our evidence-based training programs and courses.
Now, you can get all of our best courses - High Performance Lifting, Injury Prevention for Runners, Bodyweight Power, Mindset Mastery, Nutrition for Runners, and Team Strength Running - at a massive 35% discount. Give yourself the gift of certainty this new year and get your running, strength training, nutrition, and mindset on the right track.
Get it here today!