The Running Explained Podcast is taking a hiatus for the next few months but Coach Elisabeth will be back!

Why can't I just THINK my way out of performance anxiety?? I should be mentally tougher!! Have you ever had this internal struggle? In this episode, former Division I athlete and licensed mental health therapist Emily Perrin flips the script on "mental toughness" and dives deep into the richer, more holistic concept of resilience. Emily helps us un…

In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Matt Chittim, coach and host of The Rambling Runner Podcast, about the incredible potential that runners have, no matter when they start. Matt and I dive into how age doesn't have to limit your running goals and why consistent training—what we call "training age"—…

This week we are diving into HYBRID TRAINING for endurance runners with exercise physiologist and hybrid athlete Dr. Alyssa Olenick (@doclyssfitness)! Hybrid training isn't just about picking between strength or endurance – it's about embracing BOTH for both health and performance goals. Dr. Olenick breaks down the interference effect, explains the…

LET'S TALK ABOUT "ZONE 2"!! Dr. Lisa Mitro rejoins the show to share her Zone 2 running journey, and we talk all about the importance of this intensity zone for runners, what it is, how to find it, and so much more!! What IS "Zone 2"? What are we ACTUALLY trying to achieve here? How easy running can help prevent injury Embracing slowing down (& how…

This one is for my sober and sober-curious runners out there!! Luc Zoratto's journey into running and sobriety is a tale of community, empowerment, and self-discovery. After being in the "sober closet" for 5 years, he decided to share his sobriety journey publicly on LinkedIn after hitting a major milestone: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Toda…

Get ready to level up how your body MOVES! In this episode, biomechanical expert Jay Dicharry dives deep into the art and science of running with the second edition of his book, Running Rewired (seriously, go buy it), breaking down why movement quality is the secret sauce to staying injury-free and improving your form. Jay explains why mobility, st…

Does it sometimes feel like there is an actual barrier preventing you from achieving a goal? In this episode, Coach Elisabeth sits down with sports psychologist/mental performance coach (and, of course, endurance athlete enthusiast) Ashley Eckermann, to explore how our thoughts control our outcomes and WHY we run into these mental blocks! From cult…

DUN-DUN-DA-DUN the Olympics are here! Coach Nick Klastava lends his analysis to this episode looking the major battle in the men's 1500m, the superstars in the women's 1500m, Sifan Hassan's decision to TRIPLE with the 5000m, 10000m, & marathon, and the battle of the Marathon GOATs: Kipchoge vs. Bekele. Who will come out on top??…

VROOM VROOM, BABY! Caffeine is THE most widely consumed psychoactive substance in the world, and it's one of the most commonly available ergogenic aids (i.e. substances that can improve athletic performance). In this episode we talk about the research behind caffeine and its effect on endurance performance, "fast" and "slow" metabolizers, dosing, t…

"Why am I GAINING weight in marathon training?? I'm running so much!" This week Holley Samuel, RD, returns to the pod for a conversation about weight loss, weight gain, 'weight anxiety', performance, health, and so much more! KEY HIGHLIGHTS Reasons for Weight Gain During Marathon Training Shifting the Focus from Appearance to Performance and Health…

HOW TO RUN BETTER IN THE HEAT: everything you need to know about heat acclimation/acclimatization, heat adaptation benefits, how long those benefits last, passive vs active heat training methods, cooling strategies, and hyperhydration! KEY TOPICS Differentiating Heat Acclimation and Heat Acclimatization Methods of Heat Training for Runners Benefits…

IT'S NOT YOU, IT'S JUST THE HEAT. But WHY do we slow down (sometimes a lot) in hot weather? Coach Elisabeth takes you through the science of hot weather endurance exercise and what's actually happening inside your body when you're going on that hot weather run Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview 02:26 - Running in the Heat: Performance Impac…

Is MOBILITY the secret sauce to your running?? In this episode, Dr. Matt Silver, DPT (@alphaprojectphyzio) dive into the science of mobility and tissue quality! We talk about how hip extension, ankle dorsiflexion, and thoracic mobility are KEY for not only performance but long-term running success, talk about tightness - when you need to stretch vs…

DATA DATA EVERYWHERE! VO2max, heart rate, training status, body battery, sleep score, intensity zones, HRV, heat acclimation status, training readiness, cadence, ground contact time, vertical oscillation... HOW DO YOU SORT THROUGH IT ALL? Sports scientist Jonah Rosner, MS, CSCS, is here to help YOU understand 1) what's important and what's just noi…

"This is not an episode of The Running Explained Podcast" ;-) UPCOMING EPISODES INCLUDE: The Updated Running in the Heat Episode Binge Eating in Distance Runners Paris Olympics Preview Data-Driven Training for the Everyday Runner Why Do I Keep Getting Injured? Hydration & Dehydration

ONE-TAKE Q&A RETURNS!! Answering extra questions from a recent Instagram story Q&A, Coach Elisabeth takes on YOUR questions about running, training, racing, and more! Learn about... Tapering for a week-long running event Can you do TOO MUCH base-building?? Keeping HR low while trying to increase cadence Adding an extra day of cross-training late in…

We are often praised for the relentless pursuit of a goal, but what about when it's actually better for you to STOP chasing that goal? Coach and runner Claire Bartholic (@theplantedrunner) shares her own journey of what it cost her to finally achieve her coveted sub-3 marathon goal... and why she decided to step away from marathons altogether after…

Now that "warmer than normal" is the NEW "normal"... what do we need to know for our training and racing?? Hosts of the podcast Between Two Coaches, Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava are here to talk all about it! So your race was canceled because it's too hot... Prepping for hot weather races Avoiding self-blame & unrealistic expectations when the tem…

LET'S GET SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS! In this UNEDITED, one-take episode, Coach Elisabeth goes through the leftover questions from a recent Instagram Story Q&A! Pre-written training plans & the Banana Republic pants analogy Workouts in off-seasons Post-half marathon recovery and the "reverse taper" Why are my easy runs getting slower in maratho…

DOUBLE THRESHOLD TRAINING is one of the recent "trends" in high-level endurance training, but is this something that YOU should be doing in your own training? Exercise physiologist Dr. Phil Batterson rejoins the show today to talk about this training framework and how it's ACTUALLY implemented (plus takeaways and guidance for the everyday runner an…

Much is made of dedication and "no days off" in the running world... except, sometimes, you SHOULD skip a run or take the day off! Conversely, sometimes that little voice in your head can convince you that you shouldn't for your run today... when actually, it's in your best interest that you do! But how to figure out the difference? And why does it…

Let's dive into VO2max! In this episode, Coach Elisabeth unravels the intricacies of VO2Max, its measurement, and its significance in endurance performance. How much do you ACTUALLY need to focus on VO2max? What VO2max measures, and the variations in ranges observed across different populations, spanning from beginners to elite athletes. The challe…

Your fitness isn't as fragile as you think it is!! Fitness loss is not as quick or significant as many people fear, and taking a few days or week off has essentially no impact on your fitness. And while detraining is a natural part of the training process and can be beneficial in certain contexts, taking long weeks or months off will definitely res…

My guest this week is Dr. Kate Bochnewetch, and we are delving into the world of running and training while living with a chronic illness. Drawing from her own journey coping with chronic migraines, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and POTS, Kate sharess valuable insights into being a runner with chronic illness and how to navigate a "new normal" in goal-se…

Let's talk about METABOLISM! No, running doesn't "break" your metabolism; no, your metabolism doesn't screech to a halt once you turn 40. Metabolism and nutrition researcher Dr. Stephanie Compton, PhD, RD, joins the show to discuss metabolism and its impact on our bodies. It's not just about burning calories; it also includes the biochemical proces…

LET'S DIVE INTO THE HALF MARATHON! This episode with Coach Elisabeth delves into half marathon training: uncover the secrets to conquering this popular race distance, armed with insights that focus on optimal performance. From building your aerobic endurance foundation to mastering targeted workouts like lactate threshold sessions, elevate your per…

Let's run MORE!! Why? In this episode with Coach Elisabeth, we talk about how to increase running volume effectively and the importance of finding the right balance between volume and frequency, and the relationship between volume and speed. Practical tips for adding volume to your training week include adding another day of running and distributin…

Eating to support your running can feel really overwhelming when you're ALSO being a partner, parent, employee, friend - ALL of the things you also are in your busy life! Sports dietitian Alex Larson, RD (@alexlarsonnutrition) and Coach Elisabeth cover topics such as post-workout breakfasts for busy mornings, easy fueling before and after workouts,…

Have you ever had a big goal race go SO CATASTROPHICALLY SIDEWAYS that you're plummeted into an existential crisis afterwards? Yeah, us too! In this episode with Dr. Victoria Sekely (@trainsmartunstrong) we discuss the pressure of setting goals, the impact of race disappointments, and the influence of others' opinions. PLUS, we talk about the chall…

FOOTSTRIKE is often a hot topic among runners... but should it be? Does where you land matter? If so, WHY? Physical therapist & founder of Learn2Run Dr. Matt Minard, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, CSCS, Cert. MDT, returns to the show for a deep dive into all things foostrike! -What is footstrike? -What footstrike can and can't tell you -Why you might be thin…

Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) describes a syndrome of poor health and declining athletic performance that happens when athletes do not get enough fuel through food to support the energy demands of their daily lives and training. RED-S can and does affect athletes of any gender and ability level. Melissa Lodge, PhD(c) is an elite runne…

Welcome to 2024! In this first episode of the year, Coach Elisabeth breaks down what makes an "elite" runner elite: their genetics, training, and more! -What is "elite"? A tiered framework for understanding athletic performance -Genetic predispositions: maybe they're born with it! -Why it's not just about good genes -The training: how much? What ty…

ANOTHER YEAR DOWN! What did I learn this year? What have I been reflecting on the most? From RED-S recovery to carbon plated shoes, to abolishing the binary of "rehab" vs. strength training, to why welcoming runners of ALL paces into our community is important (and why I want YOU to stop being ashamed of your paces), it's time for another year-end …

Are you derailed by performance anxiety? Are you pinning your self-worth & whether your training cycle was "worth it" on if you PR'd or not? Dr. Leah Avery, DPT, joins the show today to talk about her experience in healing from debilitating performance anxiety and her relationship with athletic performance. Leah was a D1 All-American swimmer and co…

Taking objective stock of your training cycle - what did you attempt to do, what actually happened, and how did it feel - can be an incredibly useful exercise so that you can learn what worked, what didn't... and ID any mistakes that were made! Coach Elisabeth walks you through training cycle analysis in this episode that will encourage you to... 1…

Can you get FASTER by running LESS?? This is NOT your clickbaity "smash a marathon PR by only doing 3 runs a week"-style low volume training; coach and elite mountain runner Kim Nedeau is here to talk about how to excel as an endurance runner in a low run volume/high training volume framework. -What is "low run volume/high training volume" training…

Is there anything worse than needing an emergency bathroom stop on a run... except for needing TWO? What about when our poor gut health interferes with our ability to absorb important micronutrients or tolerate the fuel we need to power our long runs and races? Sports dietitian Kylee Van Horn, RD (@flynutrition3) is here to talk all about gut healt…

Post-race recovery starts AS SOON AS YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE! What do you need to do to set yourself up for post-race recovery success? This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Try the probiotic that Coach Elisabeth takes daily for her own gut health, and save 15% using code RUNEXP on your first order from ⁠Previnex.com⁠! -The very first things to …

How can taking time OFF make you a better, faster, more resilient runner? Coach Toni Kengor, co-founder of Relentless Runners, joins the show to talk ALL THINGS OFF-SEASON! -Why you need them -WHEN to take them -What an off-season is (& is not) -How to handle feelings of anxiety around "running less" -The basics of training adaptation and supercomp…

Forward-thinking international exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr. Stacy Sims, MSc, PhD joins the show today for a wide-ranging conversation about fueling, hydration, and optimizing performance for female endurance athletes! In this episode, we cover... Getting past focusing on weight loss and body recomposition as "the magic solution…

YOUR KNEES AND RUNNING, PART TWO with Dr. Lauren LaPierre, DPT (@thepersonalizedrunningdoc). Thought we'd covered it all last season? Nope! -No, running still isn't bad for your knees -How is it that we sometimes experience whole-joint soreness in the knees? -Risk factors for knee injuries -Isometric exercises to address knee pain -Stabilization of…

BONES! Literally what holds us upright. So what do we runners need to know about our bones, bone health, and bone stress injuries? Dr. Steph Mundt, PT, DPT, OCS, CSCS (@stephmundt.dpt) joins the show today to teach us about... What are our bones made of and how do they get stronger? Who is at higher risk of bone stress injuries? What is "good bone …

Owwwww my hips hurt! Hip pain in runners is not uncommon, and physical therapist Dr. Sarah Louie joins the show to talk about hips, running, and what you need to know to "bulletproof" your hips as a runner! -What are some misunderstandings runners have about hip injuries? -The form and function of how our hips work -Why you need more than clamshell…

Comparison is the thief of joy... so why do we spend SO much time & energy comparing ourselves to others? To other runners, to other versions of ourselves. Coach Nick Klastava is here this week to help us understand WHY breaking free from the comparison trap is actually one of the best things you can do as a runner, why copying another runner's tra…

Many distance runners look at the 5k as no big deal; "it's only 3.1 miles!", you say! Well, Jason Fitzgerald of Strength Running is here to explain why running a fast 5k is one of the hardest skills you can master as a runner... AND how to do it!Why is the 5k a race that requires such skill on behalf of the runner? Learning how to pace yourself lik…

Running Explained Coach and 25x marathoner Jessie Gruca joins the show to talk about MARATHON TRAINING! Hear from Coach Jessie on the evolution on her marathon knowledge, what's been the most impactful changes for her (especially as a post-partum runner), and how she approaches coaching her own marathoners! -The biggest marathon training mistakes m…

Our miniseries on triathlon continues with Sports Dietitian Natalie Robertello, MS, RD, CSSD, CDN of BeFueled Sports Nutrition to educate us on the FOUNDATIONS of fueling for multisport events, i.e. triathlon! The basics of multisport fueling How do your daily nutrition needs change as training volume increases? Understanding your hydration needs P…

Let's answer some questions! In this episode, Coach Elisabeth answers 4 running related questions:What’s the deal with these menthol gels? Are they going tohelp me in the heat?The recommendations for running (or not running) when you’resick and how to deal with the “back to school” season of constant sicknessDealing with severe race anxietyCan men …

What is toxic fitness culture? It's attitudes and beliefs in the "fitness" space (yes, including running) that promote unrealistic and unhealthy approaches towards exercise and fitness, and unfortunately, sometimes these things show up in the endurance running space as well. Running Explained Coach and Personal Trainer Amanda Katz joins the show to…