Nike Running’s Global Head Coach Chris Bennett on Good Coaching, Community, & More
Release Date: 06/13/2024
The Strength Running Podcast
Do you want to improve and race faster in 2026? I want to help you do exactly that! In this episode, coach Jason Fitzgerald is sharing his most impactful training interventions for dramatic running improvement. We're discussing: Hill Sprints () Monthly mileage Aerobic cross-training Heat training Heavy weightlifting () If you haven't yet, follow or subscribe to the 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 optimizing for longevity. I want to be my...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineChris 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 simple and accessible.
- How runners' motivations have shifted from performance-driven to stress relief and mental wellness.
- How all runners can explore the sport beyond just competition and time.
- The growth of running and its perception as a competitive sport.
- You need more than just time goals.
- Common obstacles to consistent and effective running training.
- Adjusting training plans based on the athlete's needs and self-awareness.
- Don't rely on a coach entirely; listen to your body and mind-- and speak up!
- Self-sabotaging by "doing" too much without enough recovery.
- Running with the legendary Joan Benoit Samson.
Send this episode to anyone who could use more play and exploration in their running goals.
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Chris Bennett on Substack
- The Nike Running App
- Chris's Podcast, Coach Bennett's Podcast
- Chris on Instagram
- Chris on TikTok
- Chris on Threads
- Get a plan for your next PR
- Get the free injury prevention email series.
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 optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.
Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.
Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I'm now taking. Turning 40 - and having a thin frame - has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it's designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.
Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.
Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don't feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it! Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!
Thanks to The Performance Training Journal!
The Performance Training Journal is now available on Amazon and debuted as the #4 new release in the running category. Since I started running in 1998, I’ve kept a hardcopy training journal. Holding a tangible log, writing in it daily, and reflecting on the ups and downs of running is a surefire way to improve.
This hardcopy training journal helps you focus on the training metrics that matter, prioritizes a long-term outlook so you don’t take any shortcuts, and maintains your motivation with strategic self-praise. With a no-frills, functional design, the Performance Training Journal includes coaching advice on racing, injury prevention, strength training, and more. It will guide you through race scheduling, how to plan your race morning, the best workouts for endurance runners, and encourage you to track your personal bests over time.
You have the space to make this journal your own whether you're a new runner or a professional, a trail or road runner, or a mid-distance specialist or ultra marathoner. So don't just track your running, learn from it with the Performance Training Journal! Check it out today on Amazon.