The Strength Running Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Imagine a running festival combined with a retreat plus a race thrown in there: That's Jesse Itzler's Runningman.

Jesse Itzler is the founder of Runningman and All Day Running Co., a serial entrepreneur, an author, an endurance sports enthusiast, and a 100-mile ultra marathoner.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Translating running's discipline and consistency into other areas of life

• Sharing the values of health and wellness with children

• Jesse's approach to long-term running planning

• Finding the sweet spot of having a plan while being flexible

• The parallels of 100-mile races and running a business

• What you'll find at Runningman: a track, sauna, cold plunges, yoga, expert sessions, and community

• If Jesse could ask David Roche, course record holder at Leadville, any question, what would it be?

Send this episode to a friend you'd love to go to Runningman with (and use code JASON for 10% off passes).

• Join us at Runningman: use code JASON at checkout for 10% off passes

• Follow Jesse on Instagram and TikTok

• Follow All Day Running Co. on Instagram

• Jesse's website

• Download the free Little Black Book of Recovery & Prevention featuring 9 pro runners and their strategies for recovering and staying healthy.

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!

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 helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

How do we develop new runners, young runners, and master's runners, into great runners?

Paul Greer is a professor of Health and Exercise Science at San Diego City College, coach of the San Diego Track Club, and the 2016 and 2024 Team USA Men’s Junior Cross Country coach.

With about 40 years of coaching experience, Paul has a lot of wisdom to share for runners from youth to master's levels. His athletes include hundreds of Boston qualifiers, several top age-group competitors, and a handful of Olympic qualifiers.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Reasons for the lack of adult cross-country races

• Resources and sponsorships for track and field vs. cross-country running

• Differences in developing new runners versus experienced and master's runners

• Consistent training and effective long runs without overtraining

• Pool running for injury prevention and fitness through injury

• Early warning signs of injuries and how to prevent them

• Tips for dynamic warm-ups and post-run stretching and recovery

• Training adjustments for older and master's runners

• The need for individualized training plans, rest days, and noticing stress load

Remember to put your name in the drawing by August 30th for the chance to win running products we love. Enter our 10 million download giveaway here! 

• Paul's book: "Going the Distance, Strategies from the First Stride to the Finish Line"
• Learn common mistakes that cause running injuries and how to prevent them.
• Enter the 10 million download giveaway!

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!

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.

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 DrinkLMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

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 swelling, and whether you should stop running
• The true cause of osteoarthritis
• How running can actually help knee health and cartilage
• Running types that put runners at higher risk for knee injury
• Managing knee injuries through load management and smart exercises
• Exercises to improve power and quickness for running on hills and trails
• The effects of shoe choice and training surface

Next time somebody tells you that running will hurt your knees, send them this episode.

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Howard on Twitter/X
• Howard on Instagram
• Read Howard's book, "Longevity… Simplified"
• Injury prone? Download our free Little Black Book of Recovery & Prevention featuring 9 pro runners and their strategies for recovering and staying healthy.

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!

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.

The art of pacing yourself correctly is the key to success in workouts and races. But like any other skill, it requires practice and understanding what it really means to “listen to your body.”

If you enjoy reading about running and training, then this week’s guest likely needs no introduction. Matt Fitzgerald is a prolific writer, having authored more than 30 books on endurance training and sports. He has immersed himself in the endurance world and is constantly at the forefront of communicating ways to make your training more effective and productive.

Despite our shared last name, Matt is not a relative. But in addition to his writing, he is also a fellow coach and 2:39 marathoner. Matt’s most recent book, On Pace, seeks to help runners learn the art of pacing to get the most out of their training and racing. 

Matt and I discuss many of the essential elements of pacing that he further addresses in his book, including:

• Pacing as the art of finding your limit
• Three key elements of pacing
• How GPS devices can both help and hinder your ability to pace yourself
• The simple and effective method of using perceived effort
• How experience and practice are essential to improve your pacing
• The importance of pace planning and evaluation for training and racing
• Why the road to pacing mastery is filled with mistakes  - just don’t make them twice!

Enjoy this in-depth conversation on pace with my friend and colleague, Matt Fitzgerald!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• See where you can find On Pace
• Visit Matt’s website
• Check out the impressive collection of books Matt has authored
• Follow Matt on Instagram and Twitter
• Check out 80/20 Endurance
• Listen to our previous conversation on making a comeback
• Get race pacing advice from the best!

I’m thrilled to introduce our newest sponsor, SOAR!  This London-based brand makes high-performance running apparel that I’ve been loving over the last 5 months. If you watch our YouTube videos, you’ll have seen me rocking a ridiculously short pair of blue 1” split leg shorts. 

I have been inseparable from my 1” split leg SOAR shorts and my SOAR painter’s hat this summer. And for good reason: their gear is elite-level. They have technically-groundbreaking wet and cold weather gear that’s guided by a “function-first” mentality. The result is just amazing apparel that is comfortable, light, and just effective and helping you train. 

SOAR is at the forefront of design innovation with ergonomic designs, cutting edge fabrics, and continuously updated clothing that just keeps getting better. See for yourself at SOAR Running and make sure you use the code SRUN15  to save 15% off your order until the end of October.

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' 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.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. 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 Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack. 

Runners of all levels can benefit from coaching, but it’s important to find the right match to get the most out of your relationship. If you’re looking for a coach or considering getting certified as one, you’ll benefit from learning more about both sides of the coaching experience.

This week’s guest on the podcast is a fellow coach and my roommate from a recent running retreat, Bertrand Newson. “Coach B” (as he is most often referred to) came to running later in life, leaving a long career in the hospitality industry fueled by his love of running. 

Coach B is a Road Runners Club of America certified coach, co-host of the Race Mob podcast, and on the Board of Directors at the 80/20 Endurance Foundation, which seeks to promote diversity in coaching. He is not only an outstanding coach and a prolific competitor, but he is also a master at bringing people together. Coach B’s love of running and community led him to become the founder of Too Legit Fitness, a Bay Area group with more than 700 members.

Whether you’re looking for a coach or thinking about becoming one yourself, Coach B and I discuss a variety of topics that can help you on your journey, including:

• How Coach B’s unique background benefits his coaching
• Various types of coaching certifications and their benefits
• What makes a runner coachable
• Why coaching is both an art and a science, and the role of intuition in coaching
• The importance of relatability and other qualities athletes should look for in a coach

This is both a thoughtful and pragmatic discussion you won't want to miss!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Check out Too Legit Fitness
• Follow Too Legit Fitness on Instagram
• Listen to the Race Mob Podcast
• Learn more about the 80/20 Foundation
• Are you looking for a training or coaching program?

I’m thrilled to introduce our newest sponsor, SOAR!  This London-based brand makes high-performance running apparel that I’ve been loving over the last 5 months. If you watch our YouTube videos, you’ll have seen me rocking a ridiculously short pair of blue 1” split leg shorts. 

I have been inseparable from my 1” split leg SOAR shorts and my SOAR painter’s hat this summer. And for good reason: their gear is elite-level. They have technically-groundbreaking wet and cold weather gear that’s guided by a “function-first” mentality. The result is just amazing apparel that is comfortable, light, and just effective and helping you train. 

SOAR is at the forefront of design innovation with ergonomic designs, cutting edge fabrics, and continuously updated clothing that just keeps getting better. See for yourself at SOAR Running and make sure you use the code SRUN15  to save 15% off your order until the end of October.

I have a big announcement! We’ve partnered with Long Run Coffee to develop the first-ever Strength Running Roast. The Strength Running Roast is designed for performance: it’s electrolyte-infused coffee that can be ordered as light, medium, or dark roast. It's also free from sugar, additives, flavorings, and dyes. 

Earlier this year, Tom - the founder of Long Run Coffee - got in touch and sent me a bag of their coffee. I was skeptical at first (would electrolytes added to coffee affect the taste?) but my hesitation was misplaced. This stuff is delicious! This was an easy partnership for me because I love coffee. Caffeine is actually the safest, most studied, and legal performance enhancing drug on the market. 

Partnering with another small business like Strength Running was a no-brainer for me. I love supporting the small businesses that keep this sport moving forward.

If you're not running stimulated, you’re running slower. Order your bag.

As a runner, keeping your posterior chain strong and functional is the key to healthy running.

The muscles that make up the posterior chain comprise the entire back side of your body. Runners will primarily focus on the lower portion of that chain, which includes the glutes, the hamstrings, and the calves.

Dr. Asher Henry is a runner, coach, and physical therapist who loves to help runners get and stay healthy! She is also a certified strength and conditioning coach and a 4 time All-American and top 5 finisher at the USA Trail Half Marathon and 10k Championships.

Asher was a co-coach with me on a recent Endeavorun Running retreat, and her knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm for what she does is contagious. We discuss all the essentials of the posterior chain and its importance in your running, including:

• Common issues associated with dysfunction in the posterior chain
• How taking care of your muscles allows your connective tissues to do their job
• Why drills and plyometrics can be great but you need to be strong enough to handle them
• Methods of testing and continued assessment  to determine your problem areas
• Using isolated strength to improve weak areas before working larger muscle groups
• How to avoid building dysfunction on top of strength to aid injury prevention

Enjoy my conversation with Dr. Asher Henry!

• Learn more about the link between mobility and weight training
• Let me help you prevent injuries!

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' 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.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. 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 Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack. 

Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

We all face obstacles in our running, whether it’s illness, injury, or a race that doesn’t live up to our expectations. Learning how to navigate each of these challenges in a positive way is key to moving forward with our training.

Our guest today is Matt Chittim, a certified running coach and the voice behind the Rambling Runner Podcast. He's also the cofounder of Relay, a premium content membership that features contributors like Kara Goucher, Peter Bromka, and Zoe Rom.

Our conversation today focuses on how to make a comeback from the three most common obstacles that runners face: injuries, illness, and a poor goal race. Each has its own strategies that work well.

Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

Ice Barrel makes at-home barrels you can use for ice baths that don’t take up an entire room. And they’re lightweight enough that even I can carry it without help. There’s an easy drain system and it’s made in the United States from 100% recycled material.

Cryotherapy has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce inflammation. It can reduce pain and blood flow to jump start the recovery process. Cold plunges are great for when you need extra recovery, like if you accidentally ran a lot longer or faster than planned. 

But the real reason I love a good cold plunge is because of the profound mental benefits. It’s been shown to reduce depression and anxiety, improve mood and brain function, and even 5 minutes gives you a great shot of dopamine afterward. If you can sit in an ice bath up to your shoulders, you won’t have any mental issues with racing a negative split and finishing strong!

Go to IceBarrel.com and use discount code strengthrunning for $125 off your barrel.

Strength training requires planning and periodization, just like running. Learn how to optimize your strength routine to get the best possible benefits from your efforts!

This week’s episode features an interview from the Elevate Your Running Podcast, where the tables were turned and I was the guest. Our discussion focused on the topic of strength training for runners, including the importance of embracing strength training and the qualities of an effective training plan.

My conversation with Sara and Austin dives into the nitty gritty decisions we make around strength training, and how to fit it into run training in a way that’s beneficial and sustainable. We focus on:

• Barriers that prevent runners from getting into weightlifting
• Proactive ways to prevent injury with strength work
• Similarities and differences in strength training for a 5k runner and marathoner
• The role of strength training in muscle activation
• How to periodize weight training alongside your running
• Minimizing the impact of DOMS on your training

Enjoy my discussion with Sara and Austin!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Check out the Elevate Your Running Podcast
• Let Strength Running help you get stronger
• Get more of your weightlifting questions answered
• Learn more about Coach Sarah
• Join our flagship weightlifting course

Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' 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.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. 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 Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack. 

Running form is a hot topic that can often confuse runners. This week’s guest offers actionable advice to help you discover your own best form to improve your running and stay healthy.

Dr. Matt Minard runs the popular Learn 2 Run account on Instagram to help runners stay healthy, strong and improve their running technique. He is a physical therapist, orthopedic clinical specialist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist. 

Matt’s experience with physical therapy as a high school athlete helped him discover a love for the profession, and as both a runner and physical therapist he is dedicated to helping athletes stay healthy and strong.

Matt and I explore a variety of topics related to form to give you practical advice you can apply to your own running, including:

• Matt’s general philosophy on running form
• How a tennis ball necklace might help you improve your technique
• The complexities of posture and how to improve it
• What makes a GOOD forward lean in running
• How to run without jumping
• The most helpful cues for runners working on their form

This conversation is full of practical advice you can apply immediately to your own running - enjoy!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Follow Learn 2 Run on Instagram
• Learn more about Matt on LinkedIn
• DIY tennis ball necklace
• Ankle Screen
• Hip Screen
• How to film your form outside
• Don't miss out on my favorite form cues to reinforce proper technique!

Ice Barrel makes at-home barrels you can use for ice baths that don’t take up an entire room. And they’re lightweight enough that even I can carry it without help. There’s an easy drain system and it’s made in the United States from 100% recycled material.

Cryotherapy has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce inflammation. It can reduce pain and blood flow to jump start the recovery process. Cold plunges are great for when you need extra recovery, like if you accidentally ran a lot longer or faster than planned. 

But the real reason I love a good cold plunge is because of the profound mental benefits. It’s been shown to reduce depression and anxiety, improve mood and brain function, and even 5 minutes gives you a great shot of dopamine afterward. If you can sit in an ice bath up to your shoulders, you won't have any mental issues with racing a negative split and finishing strong!

Go to IceBarrel.com and use discount code strengthrunning for $125 off your barrel.

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At OMEGA SPORTS, your savings are faster and go further - just like you. Learn more about them and see their wide selection at omegasports.com.

There are broad elements of training that all runners need to work on in order to improve. But if you tailor your workouts to your unique physiology, you can continue to get stronger through your master’s years and beyond.

A master’s runner himself (by European standards), this week’s podcast guest is Eoin Everard.

He is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Biomechanics. He’s also a sub-4 minute miler, a sub-14 minute 5k runner, and a five-time Irish National Champion in the 1500 and 3000m. As an elite runner and chartered physiotherapist, Eoin brings an incredible amount of knowledge and experience to the athletes he works with. 

Having faced his own struggles with injuries over the years, Eoin has learned how to change his approach to training to get the most from his body while also staying healthy. Since becoming a European Master’s athlete, he has focused less on exact splits and more on running by effort.

Eoin and I dig deep into a variety of training related topics, including:

• His unique insights on training and how to stay healthy
• The differences between neuromuscular-type runners and aerobic oriented runners, also known as finding your superpower
• Developing workouts that play to your unique strengths
• How to stay healthy as a master’s runner
• The importance of strength training and specific activation work
• Why strides are the best thing since sliced bread!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Check out Everard Pilates and Eoin’s book
• Discover the BackAware belt
• Follow Eoin on Facebook
• Connect with Eoin on Linked In
• Learn more about Eoin’s athletic accomplishments
• Learn how to incorporate strides into your training

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' 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.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. 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 Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack. 

Ice Barrel makes at-home barrels you can use for ice baths that don’t take up an entire room. And they’re lightweight enough that even I can carry it without help. There’s an easy drain system and it’s made in the United States from 100% recycled material.

Cryotherapy has been shown to improve mood, reduce anxiety, and reduce inflammation. It can reduce pain and blood flow to jump start the recovery process. Cold plunges are great for when you need extra recovery, like if you accidentally ran a lot longer or faster than planned. 

But the real reason I love a good cold plunge is because of the profound mental benefits. It’s been shown to reduce depression and anxiety, improve mood and brain function, and even 5 minutes gives you a great shot of dopamine afterward. If you can sit in an ice bath up to your shoulders, you won't have any mental issues with racing a negative split and finishing strong!

Go to IceBarrel.com and use discount code strengthrunning for $125 off your barrel.