You might know Craig as the 2013 Pan-American Jr. Games 1500m champion or the 4th place finisher at the 2016 US Olympic Trials in the 1500m. More recently, Craig won the USATF indoor mile and set a blazing 3:53 mile PR. His list of personal bests is eye-popping:  800m: 1:46:03 Mile: 3:53.93 5k: 14:20.27  Craig is a fun guy to talk with because he doesn’t take running too seriously. He’s a fierce competitor but you’ll also see how his running really took off in college when he was able to have fun with his team. (it's funny how you perform better when you're having more fun outside of training...) He also doesn’t take himself too seriously, which I find incredibly refreshing. He rocks a mullet and an absolutely perfect 1980’s style Burt Reynolds mustache. The RV only came after the mustache because he wanted to keep the 80's theme going. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jason and Craig talk about how his career exploded in college, his affinity for running fast, and why your next breakthrough might require you to take running less seriously.

Episode 93: 3:53 Miler Craig Engels on Training for Speed and his '80s-era Mustache

Running and coaching tips for beginner and advanced runners with Coach Jason Fitzgerald. Featuring guests like Nick Symmonds and Shalane Flanagan, listeners will learn how to race faster, stay healthy, prevent running injuries, and get stronger in this informative and fun podcast.

Sports

Fitness

Health & Fitness

Running

Runners ask all the time: How should I fit strength training into my endurance goals, and how can I get as strong as possible with limited time? Holly Martin is a personal fitness trainer and run coach based in Nashville, TN who specializes in time-efficient circuit training and individually tailored run programs. Holly comes from a diverse background of professional ballet, ultramarathon running, and 10 years of experience in CrossFit. She’s finished many ultra marathons, including two 100 milers. In this episode, Holly and I talk about:  Strength training for ultra runners to prevent injury and improve endurance Single leg work to reveal weaknesses, imbalances, and poor movement patterns Proper mechanics and activation of certain areas, particularly for runners with weak glutes or other imbalances Purposeful workouts over working out for appearance Strength training for trail runners, focusing on heavy lifts and single leg exercises Alternating between heavier weights and technical work like agility to improve power and explosiveness Quality over quantity in strength training while training for an ultra-marathon When to modify or cut back on strength training for runners based on hunger, fatigue, and form Matching strength training to current fitness level and adjusting as needed in the final two months before the race Enjoying the training process for an ultra-marathon, rather than solely focusing on numbers and metrics Avoiding technical or skill-based movements in the gym that don't directly benefit running Mobility work and static stretching for runners who experience tightness or muscle boundness after training  This is a must-listen episode for an ultra runner who knows they need to step up their strength training game in an approachable way. Links & Resources from the Show:  Holly Martin's Patreon Holly on YouTube Holly's website Holly on Instagram Learn to lift weights like elite runners.   Thank you 2Before! 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! 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.

Ultrarunning + Strength Training: How to Get Strong and Gain Endurance with Coach Holly Martin

The running world gets to watch in awe as elites set new records and perform incredible feats. But it’s not all rainbows and unicorns for these athletes. World record holders face injuries and challenges, too. Charlie Lawrence set the record in the 50-mile distance in 2023, clocking in at 4:48:21. That’s an unbelievable average of 5:46 per mile. Charlie also ran his marathon personal record of 2:16 while qualifying for the US Olympic Trials Marathon for the second time. In this episode, Charlie and I talk about:  The glute injury and hip labral tear that led Charlie to pull out of the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials The emotions behind dropping out of the Trials How a series of injuries in 2024 led Charlie to take almost 3 months off of running The treatment and recovery Charlie applied to heal from the injuries, including aqua jogging and pool running Using PRP (platelet rich plasma) and a levering off-load device on the treadmill to aid recovery An aggressive approach to ultra training and the mentality needed to make it work Being proactive in injury prevention, from foam rolling to activation work How Charlie trained to set a 50 mile World Record at a 5:46/mile average pace Charlie’s fueling strategies for ultrarunning and a World Record What running goals Charlie wants to focus on next  This is an inspiring episode for runners of any distance who could use a realistic take on performance and recovery from an elite runner. Links & Resources from the Show:  Charlie on Instagram Get strategies to prevent injury. Let me help you with your training!  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 LMNT! 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.  

How 50mi World Record Holder Charlie Lawrence Treats Serious Injuries, Fuels his Ultras, and More

The midstance phase of a running stride is a crucial element of running form, but many runners are ignoring it. If you have weaknesses, imbalances, or poor movement patterns, this is the part of the gait cycle that will show it. Chris Johnson, DPT is a Seattle-based physical therapist, performance coach, entrepreneur, and multiple time Kona IRONMAN qualifier who shares how midstance affects your running performance and how you can improve it. In this episode, Chris and I talk about:   Midstance importance in running mechanics and injury prevention   The impact midstance has on muscles and running form   Common problems in midstance technique from knees to hips   The gluteus medius muscle, a common problem area for runners   Training the gluteus maximus and hip abductors for running mechanics   How to train the midstance for stronger running   Single leg exercises for runners with injuries   “Movement snacks” for runners: simple movements throughout the day to help runners improve midstance   This is an excellent episode for any runner who’s considering how their running form plays into their performance, even beyond midstance mechanics. Links & Resources from the Show:   Chris Johnson’s newsletter   Chris Johnson on Instagram   Chris Johnson’s website   Run easier and more powerfully with these form cues   Thank you 2Before! 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.  If you want 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!   Thank you MOBO Board Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that’s set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly! Even if you’re a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You’ll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it’s not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength. I was recently at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.

How to Stay Healthy By Strengthening Your Midstance, with Coach Chris Johnson, DPT

If you're starting to wonder whether your running form is helping or hurting your performance, we’re sharing two important tests that can help you better conceptualize how your body moves through space. Dr. Matthew Silver is a doctor of physical therapy, coach, cross country athlete, founder of Alpha Project Phyzio and Performance in Maryland, and author of the book "Built to Run." We spend a lot of time on foot strike, the problems associated with over-striding, and the many solutions for resolving this form error. In this episode, Matthew and I talk about:  Testing running form through the jump test: How to do it to find the optimal jumping pace Running cadence and its relationship to form and performance Testing running form through the heel strike test: How to feel the difference between landing on the ball of the foot and the heel (which can lead to potential injury) Strength training and plyometric exercises for runners for improved tendon efficiency and cadence Running form and footstrike mechanics, including heel striking and overstriding Running form and balance during sprinting: Don't run like a ballerina Running form and power training with dumbbells Focusing on simplicity and effectiveness in strength training: the "big three" exercises and the "KISS method"  If you’re already wondering whether your current recovery tactics are helping you perform better and stay healthy, this episode will give you great recovery strategies to start implementing today. Links & Resources from the Show:  Dr. Matthew Silver on Instagram Alpha Project Phyzio on Instagram Read Matthew's book: Built to Run Run easier and more powerfully with these form cues  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 LMNT! 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.

Running Form Tests, Technique Cues, and Footstrike Patterns with Physical Therapist Matthew Silver

What makes the biggest impact when it comes to recovery strategies and tools for runners?  Dr. Peter Tierney is a health and performance researcher, consultant, and coach who’s worked with many professional sports organizations to help athletes recover effectively from exercise. Peter’s “Big 5” recovery strategies are science-backed and possible for runners to add to their training and lifestyle. In this episode, Peter and I talk about:  Recovery as part of a lifestyle, not just a post-exercise tool. The Big 5 recovery strategies for runners and endurance athletes, and how to use them. Adaptation vs. performance as recovery outcomes in endurance athletes. Tips for better sleep strategies for runners. Nutrition for running recovery. Balancing running, commitments, and life stressors for optimal performance. Hydration and electrolyte balance for runners and the link to recovery. How socializing with friends and family can be an effective recovery tool.  If you’re already wondering whether your current recovery tactics are helping you perform better and stay healthy, this episode will give you great recovery strategies to start implementing today. Links & Resources from the Show:  Peter on Instagram Peter on LinkedIn Peter on X/Twitter Hear 9 pro runner's favorite recovery and prevention tips  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 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.    

Episode 93: 3:53 Miler Craig Engels on Training for Speed and his '80s-era Mustache

Download our free app to listen on your phone