The Strength Running Podcast – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Scott Johnston is one of the top coaches in the world, especially in mountain and high alpine sports. He's worked with Killian Jornet and recently coached both winners of the most prestigious trail race on Earth, UTMB (Tom Evans & Ruth Croft).

He's also author of one of my favorite training books, Training for the Uphill Athlete and founder of the Evoke Endurance coaching group.

This conversation focuses on fatigue resistance: 

• What is fatigue resistance?
• Local vs. global fatigue
• Top workouts to build fatigue resistance
• The role of the nervous system in fatigue

Scott's wisdom has helped the best runners in the world reach the top of the podium. I know it can help you, too. 

Resources: 

• Training & Coaching Programs
• Scott's last podcast appearance
• SR's YouTube channel

Thank You Lever!

I'm excited to partner with Lever - 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 - it attaches to any treadmill and you hook into it like a harness. It effectively makes you lighter, enabling you to run more volume than you normally could with reduced injury risk, run faster with less effort, or return to running after an injury more effectively.

Lever allows you to do more running with less risk. From building mileage, introducing faster workouts, aiding your return to running after a break, Lever has a place in every phase of training. The pro's have been using Lever for years, giving them the advantage of more training with fewer injuries.

They're also common in physical therapy offices. Because you can run with less body weight, you can gain fitness and practice good technique without risking your recovery.

Go to levermovement.com and use code Strength20 for 20% off any system (and that's with a capital S). If you're injury-prone or are looking to take a big swing at your goals this year, now is the time for Lever. That's levermovement.com with code Strength20 for 20% off any system.

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before main mechanism for boosting performance is acting as a vasodilator - it increases blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

Just like beetroot but more effective, blackcurrant berries are vasodilators, helping you get more blood flow where it's needed, quickly and efficiently. 

My personal favorite option includes 100mg of caffeine, so you get the proven performance (and psychological) benefits of caffeine combined with the vasodilation effects of blackcurrant berries.

Boost your performance and immune system with 2before: use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Sara Hall has been competing at the highest level for nearly 30 years. She was the 2000 high school national cross country champion before earning 7-time All-America honors at Stanford University.

Not only has she won 10 US National Championship titles, but she's the only American to win national titles in both the mile and the marathon. Her incredible range is also demonstrated by her gold medal at the 2011 Pan American Games in the steeplechase, while also being the second fastest American female marathoner with a time of 2:20:32.

She was previously on the podcast when I interviewed 5 elite women on their preferred injury prevention and recovery strategies: https://strengthrunning.libsyn.com/160-5-of-the-worlds-fastest-women-on-injury-prevention-recovery

Her memoir, For the Love of the Grind, is now available!

For more resources on longevity and how to stay healthy, download our free Little Black Book of Recovery & Prevention.

A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You'll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.

And BIG news! Their newest flavor is now available for a limited time: LEMONADE SALT!

LMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you're not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I'm now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They're the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

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.

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.

Keira D'Amato holds the American record in the 10-mile and is the former half-marathon and marathon American record holder. Her new book, Don't Call it a Comeback, is now available for preorder. 

She was a 4x All-American at American University in both Cross Country and Track but took about a decade off from running seriously in her 20's and 30's. Keira joined us on the podcast in 2018 to discuss her comeback to running. Now, she's back to discuss what that comeback looked like and how she made it happen. 

Keira and Jason discuss: 

• Her mental relationship with running
• How it felt not being able to jog to the end of her street
• Why she craves both fun and variety in her training (and how she adds them)
• How she made the decision to commit 100% to running
• Why she considers herself a "bulldozer"

Thank you Keira for joining us and talking about your journey back to running. The community is better with you in it!

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.

They're now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.

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!

If you haven't tried 2XU technical compression gear, you're missing out. 2XU has been the world leader in performance compression for 20 years, helping runners feel better and recover faster with compression gear that's backed by scientific evidence. Their graduated compression gear is engineered to improve blood flow and performance while speeding recovery.

My personal favorites include the Light Speed React half-tights (with tons of pockets for your phone and fuel!) as well as their Ignition Shield tights (for colder weather). But the recovery tights for use after running are more highly graduated and make me feel better after tough runs. 10/10 would recommend!

Knowing that their gear is engineered for runners by runners and backed by research makes me absolutely love 2XU. Go to 2xu.com and use code "JASON" in all caps to get 20% off sitewide, except clearance items or wetsuits.

On 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

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.

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.

My guest for this special episode answering your training questions is running coach Sara Manderscheid. Sara has more than 15 years of competitive experience and is a Boston qualifier. She hosts the Elevate Your Running podcast and turned the tables to interview me in episode 257.

Sara is an experienced coach who leads the Elevate Your Running camps held in Boulder, Colorado. Today she takes time to answer a variety of training questions with me, ranging from injury prevention and warm ups to planning your long-term training.

We discuss:

• What, if any, are the warning signs before straining a muscle?
• Beyond training design, what should athletes prioritize for continued progress?
• How concerned should you be with heart rate fluctuations during a taper?
• What are the different ways to approach warming up for a variety of workouts?
• How do athletes strategize for long-term planning?
• Sarah's road to continued progress in her own running!

Sarahs knowledge and enthusiasm for helping runners is contagious, and your training is sure to benefit from our discussion!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Check out my previous episode with Sara
• Learn more about Coach Sara
• Listen to the Elevate your Running podcast
• Let me help you with your training

A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You'll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I'm drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It's tasty and delicious and I find that I'm not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn't eating enough sodium.

There's now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you're worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being 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.

I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!

Jason 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

We're also supported by Impossible Sleep, a performance sleep drink to help high performers get the most out of their nightly rest. Impossible Sleep is a melatonin free sleep drink mix that provides deep recovery while gently lulling you to sleep. It only has two ingredients, with magnesium to promote muscle recovery and deep sleep, and L-theanine for a subtle calming effect that helps you wind down at the end of the day.

High achieving runners have to prioritize their sleep - it's like a performance enhancing drug that allows us to absorb our training, improve, and race faster. The Impossible Sleep drink helps you optimize your bedtime routine so you can get as much deep recovery as possible.

When you consider that studies have shown that sleep loss can lead to glucose imbalances, increased anxiety, and your risk of getting sick, it's a no-brainer to get as much high quality sleep as you can. Learn more about Impossible Sleep drink and be sure to use code jason20 to save 20% on your first subscription order, plus you'll get a free sleep kit as a welcome gift.

Get primed for your run with an all-natural pre-workout called 2before made from New Zealand blackcurrant berries. Blackcurrant berries have been scientifically proven to increase cardiovascular endurance, speed up muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and support immunity. 

Blackcurrant berries are actually more effective than beetroot, which has been used for some time to improve performance. They help with improved blood flow and inflammation management and are full of immune-boosting antioxidants. Go to 2before and use code JASON at checkout to save 30% and get free shipping.

My guest on the podcast this week is a coach who takes a holistic view of endurance training and considers himself a problem solver for endurance athletes. Keith Mueller is the founder of Higher Ground Athletics in Boulder, Colorado. His understanding of the details of movement patterns - including pronation and supination - will help you get a better grasp of this essential running mechanism.

Keith and I met a few months ago on a group run, and we soon found ourselves deep in discussion about performance and training theory. He has worked with an array of athletes, ranging from weekend warriors to state champion cross-country teams. Keith's view of training is comprehensive, exposing athletes to the gamut of trainable qualities to make them better prepared for all the demands that running places on the body.

Our conversation today will help you think differently (and likely in greater depth) than ever before on pronation and supination.  We discuss:

• The relationship between pronation and supination
• Why flat feet and high arches matter less than you might think
• The important role of rotation in pronation
• Your range of motion: use it or lose it
• Whether barefoot running helps retrain your movement patterns
• How variety gives your body the ability to improve
• The importance of moving away from idea of "good" or "bad" movement patterns

Keith's ability to communicate complicated concepts make this a podcast that all runners will enjoy and benefit from!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Learn more about Keith and Higher Ground Athletics
• Follow Higher Ground Athletics on Instagram
• Watch more from Higher Ground Athletics on YouTube
• Need help with injury prevention?

Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I've ever used. And that's no hyperbole. I'm pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I'm taking it a lot more seriously.

I took their sleep quiz to find the right pillow for my body size and sleeping position at. It only takes 2 minutes and you'll find the type of pillow that will work best for you. I'm using the Fox and absolutely loving it. A big reason why is because it's adjustable.

Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it's a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn't training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It's the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters.

Take your rest and recovery to the next level with Lagoon and get 15% off your purchase with code strengthrunning here.

A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You'll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I'm drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It's tasty and delicious and I find that I'm not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn't eating enough sodium.

There's now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you're worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being 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.

I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!

My guest on the podcast this week is Hannah, a former one-on-one coaching client who recently earned a PR at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Hannah and I met a little over a year ago at a running retreat in Colorado and started working together shortly thereafter, with her focus almost exclusively on half marathons and marathons. 

Recently Hannah started to contemplate going after a 5k PR, but has had questions about making the transition from endurance training to 5k specific workouts. Our discussion today revolves around the best way to make that transition. Hannah is already doing a lot of things right in her training, but needs help learning how to reorient her focus and tweak her workouts.

In our conversation, Hannah and I cover:

• Hannah's running history and recent training
• What her typical week looks like
• How 5k training can help her long term development as a runner
• Learning how to engage psychologically with more intense efforts
• How to "bridge the gap" from marathon to 5k training
• Using shorter races on the road or track to get out of your comfort zone
• Transitioning to 5k specific workouts

No matter what your preferred racing distance may be, you're sure to gain some insight on how to plan your training from this episode.

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Join one of our coaching programs to run your next PR
• Get strong like Hannah with High Performance Lifting
• Learn more about 5k specific workouts
• How to engineer a 5k personal best

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being 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.

I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!

We're also supported by Impossible Sleep, a performance sleep drink to help high performers get the most out of their nightly rest. Impossible Sleep is a melatonin free sleep drink mix that provides deep recovery while gently lulling you to sleep. It only has two ingredients, with magnesium to promote muscle recovery and deep sleep, and L-theanine for a subtle calming effect that helps you wind down at the end of the day.

High achieving runners have to prioritize their sleep - it's like a performance enhancing drug that allows us to absorb our training, improve, and race faster. The Impossible Sleep drink helps you optimize your bedtime routine so you can get as much deep recovery as possible.

When you consider that studies have shown that sleep loss can lead to glucose imbalances, increased anxiety, and your risk of getting sick, it's a no-brainer to get as much high quality sleep as you can. Learn more about Impossible Sleep drink and be sure to use code jason20 to save 20% on your first subscription order, plus you'll get a free sleep kit as a welcome gift.

Get primed for your run with an all-natural pre-workout called 2before made from New Zealand blackcurrant berries. Blackcurrant berries have been scientifically proven to increase cardiovascular endurance, speed up muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and support immunity. 

Blackcurrant berries are actually more effective than beetroot, which has been used for some time to improve performance. They help with improved blood flow and inflammation management and are full of immune-boosting antioxidants. Go to 2before and use code JASON at checkout to save 30% and get free shipping.

Alex Hetherington is the race director for the Marine Corps Marathon - but he's not your typical race director. Alex is a retired Marine aviator and a member of the All-Marine running team for 14 years. His resume includes a win at the Armed Forces Marathon Championship in 1998 as well as an astounding 27 finishes at the MCM.

Our conversation focuses on what you can expect from this year's race:

• What makes the MCM so special, and why it is referred to as "The People's Marathon"
• Why there is no "typical" weather for MCM
• The importance of planning pre-race logistics to get to the starting area
• How the newest race sponsors help support its environmental ethic
• Locations of hills on the course and how to tackle them
• How the course layout helps runners runners approach it in segments
• Fueling and hydration options and pace group support
• Unique aspects of the race, including support from active duty Marines throughout

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Follow the Marine Corps Marathon on Instagram and Facebook
• Learn more about the Marine Corps Marathon
• Watch more about the Marine Corps Marathon on YouTube
• Want to PR your next marathon?

Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I've ever used. And that's no hyperbole. I'm pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I'm taking it a lot more seriously.

I took their sleep quiz to find the right pillow for my body size and sleeping position at. It only takes 2 minutes and you'll find the type of pillow that will work best for you. I'm using the Fox and absolutely loving it. A big reason why is because it's adjustable.

Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it's a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn't training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It's the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters.

Take your rest and recovery to the next level with Lagoon and get 15% off your purchase with code strengthrunning here.

A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You'll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I'm drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It's tasty and delicious and I find that I'm not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn't eating enough sodium.

There's now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you're worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.

Matt Daniels is a professional athlete for Nike Trail Running who focuses on ultramarathon distances. He placed 7th in the NCAA 1500m, contributing to Adams State's first ever 1st place team finish in the Outdoor NCAA Championships. He transitioned to ultra trail running ever since, most recently winning the Gorge Waterfalls 50k earlier this year and competing at UTMB this summer.

Matt and I discuss our shared love of the mile and how his college coach helped to shape him. 

We delve into:

• The events Matt ran in college and his experiences as a middle distance runner
• Matt's unique comparison of the 3k and the 50 mile distances
• How his first trail race led him down the path to ultra running
• Typical training weeks for ultra races with different terrain and distances
• How Matt's college coach had a long term impact on all of his relationships
• Learning to get comfortable with slower ultra paces
• Great options for a fun first 50k!

While Matt's success at a variety of distances is unique, his story of injury, recovery and learning how to get the best from himself is entirely relatable. Enjoy our conversation!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Follow Matt on Instagram and Strava
• Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
• Watch From Sub-4 to States on YouTube
• Learn more about injury prevention

We're supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I'm cautiously changing my tune. I'm less than a year from being 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.

I've been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I'm giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!

We're also supported by Impossible Sleep, a performance sleep drink to help high performers get the most out of their nightly rest. Impossible Sleep is a melatonin free sleep drink mix that provides deep recovery while gently lulling you to sleep. It only has two ingredients, with magnesium to promote muscle recovery and deep sleep, and L-theanine for a subtle calming effect that helps you wind down at the end of the day.

High achieving runners have to prioritize their sleep - it's like a performance enhancing drug that allows us to absorb our training, improve, and race faster. The Impossible Sleep drink helps you optimize your bedtime routine so you can get as much deep recovery as possible.

When you consider that studies have shown that sleep loss can lead to glucose imbalances, increased anxiety, and your risk of getting sick, it's a no-brainer to get as much high quality sleep as you can. Learn more about Impossible Sleep drink and be sure to use code jason20 to save 20% on your first subscription order, plus you'll get a free sleep kit as a welcome gift.