Running Lean

Today’s episode is called “Run Faster Without Getting Fitter: The Truth About Running Economy.”

Most runners think getting faster means building a bigger engine—more miles, harder workouts, better VO₂ max. And while that stuff matters, it’s not the whole story.

There’s something else that might be even more important.

Running economy.

It’s one of the most overlooked performance variables out there—and improving it can mean running faster at the exact same fitness level. Same heart rate. Same oxygen use. Same engine.

Just less wasted energy.

In this episode, I’m breaking down what running economy actually is, why most runners misunderstand it, and how improving it can change everything—from your pace to your endurance to how hard running feels.

If you want running to feel smoother, easier, and stronger without just piling on more training, this episode is for you.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 321. Run Faster Without Getting Fitter: The Truth About Running Economy appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

Today’s episode is called “Your Weak Links Are Slowing You Down” — and if running has been feeling harder than it should lately, this might be the reason why.

Most runners think the problem is fitness. Or age. Or mileage. So they run more. Push harder. Add speed work. But they ignore the small, unglamorous parts of the body that actually control everything: the ankles, the hips, and the core.

When those areas aren’t doing their job, your stride gets inefficient. Your power leaks. Your pace plateaus. And little aches start to show up.

This isn’t about random corrective exercises or doing clamshells forever. It’s about understanding where strength actually matters — and how to fix the weak links that are quietly holding you back.

If you want running to feel stronger, smoother, and more efficient, this episode is for you.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 320. Your Weak Links Are Slowing You Down appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

Winter can either break your running routine—or quietly make you a stronger, smarter runner.

In this episode, The Winter Running Survival Guide, I’m breaking down how to train, eat, and think differently during the coldest months of the year.

This isn’t about pushing harder or “toughing it out.”

It’s about adapting your approach so you don’t lose momentum, fitness, or confidence when conditions aren’t ideal.

We’ll talk about why winter training should look different, how to stay consistent without burning out, and how to come out the other side feeling stronger instead of starting over.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay on track once daylight disappears and temperatures drop, this episode will give you a clear, practical path forward.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 319. The Winter Running Survival Guide appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

If you feel like you’re constantly struggling with food…

…but somehow, your running is fine?

This episode is for you.

Today’s episode is called If You’re Always Struggling, You’re Doing It Wrong—and yeah, I know that sounds harsh.

But hear me out, because this isn’t about shaming you or telling you to “try harder.”

It’s about something way more important.

I talk to runners all the time who tell me they’re disciplined, motivated, and committed—yet food and strength training feel like a constant battle.

And the interesting thing is, those same runners don’t say that about running.

So today, we’re going to break this down.

What the struggle really is.

Why it keeps happening.

And how putting simple systems in place—not more motivation—is the real solution.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 318. If You’re Always Struggling, You’re Doing It Wrong appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

Let me say this straight up—you can’t rush progress.

And yet, almost every runner tries.

In this episode, “You Can’t Rush Progress,” we’re talking about why fat loss, strength, and better running performance take longer than you want—but not longer than they need to.

If you’ve ever jumped from plan to plan… pushed harder when your body was already tired… or wondered why you’re doing “all the right things” but still not seeing the results you expected—this conversation will hit home.

I’ll break down what real progress actually looks like, why impatience is one of the biggest things holding runners back, and how to shift from constantly chasing results to building momentum that actually lasts.

No hype. No shortcuts.

Just clear thinking, practical examples, and a better way to approach training and nutrition—so you stop fighting your own progress and start working with it.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 317. You Can’t Rush Progress appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

In The Leaner, Stronger Runner Framework – Part 3: Why Motivation Isn’t the Problem (And What Actually Creates Consistency), we’re talking about the missing piece that determines whether anything you’ve learned so far actually sticks.

Most runners think they need more motivation, more discipline, or more willpower.

But if that were true, you’d already have the results you want.

The real issue isn’t effort—it’s the system you’re relying on to stay consistent when life gets stressful, motivation fades, and things don’t go perfectly.

In this episode, I break down why motivation always runs out, why starting over feels so normal for runners, and what actually creates long-term consistency without burnout.

This is about identity, structure, and learning how to trust yourself again—not trying harder or being perfect.

If you’re tired of resetting and ready to build something that lasts, this episode brings everything together.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 316. The Leaner, Stronger Runner Framework Part 3: Why Motivation Isn’t the Problem appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

In The Leaner, Stronger Runner Framework – Part 2: How Runners Should Actually Eat, we’re talking about the piece that confuses more runners than anything else: food.

Most runners think eating better means eating less, cutting out carbs completely, or just being more disciplined.

And for a while, that might seem like it’s working.

But then the hunger ramps up, recovery slows down, energy crashes, and running starts to feel way harder than it should.

In this episode, I’m breaking down how runners should actually eat if they want to burn fat, recover faster, and stop feeling like food is a constant mental tug-of-war.

This isn’t about meal plans, calorie counting, or eating perfectly. It’s about fueling in a way that supports your training instead of fighting against it.

If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or stuck when it comes to food and running, this episode is going to bring a lot of clarity.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 315. The Leaner, Stronger Runner Framework Part 2: How Runners Should Actually Eat appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

If you’re a runner who feels like you’re doing everything “right” but still not getting the results you want, this episode is for you.

This is The Leaner, Stronger Runner Framework – Part 1: Why Running More Isn’t the Answer. And today, we’re going to take a hard look at one of the biggest mistakes runners make when they’re trying to lose weight and improve performance—just doing more miles and hoping it eventually works.

Because for most runners, running more often, longer, or harder doesn’t fix the problem. It actually makes things worse.

In this episode, I’ll explain what’s really happening inside your body, why effort doesn’t always equal progress, and what you should focus on instead if you want to feel lighter, stronger, and make running feel easier again.

This is Part 1 of a short, powerful series designed to give you clarity, quick wins, and a simple framework you can start using right away—without burning yourself out.

So if running feels harder than it should…

this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 314. The Leaner, Stronger Runner Framework Part 1: Why Running More Isn’t the Answer appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

This episode is called “What This Year Taught You (If You’re Willing to Look)”, and it’s probably one of the most important conversations we can have right now.

Before you rush into setting new goals, new races, or another plan that promises everything will be different next year, I want you to pause.

Because if you don’t take the time to reflect on what this year actually showed you—about your habits, your mindset, your training, and your relationship with your body—you’re likely to repeat the same patterns all over again.

Today, we’re not talking about success or failure.

We’re talking about lessons. Honest ones.

The kind that lead to real change—if you’re willing to look at them.

This is a reflective, slightly uncomfortable, but incredibly powerful year-end reset that can change how you show up next year—not just as a runner, but as a human being.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

The post 313. What This Year Taught You (If You’re Willing to Look) appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.

Every January, runners do the same thing. They get fired up, set big goals, promise themselves this year will be different… and a few weeks later, they’re right back where they started.

That’s why today’s episode is called “Why Starting Over Every January Never Works (And What Actually Does)”.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason January motivation fades so fast, why relying on willpower is a losing strategy, and how the motivation → burnout → quitting cycle keeps runners stuck year after year.

More importantly, I’ll show you what actually works if you want to get leaner, get stronger, and make running feel easier—not just in January, but all year long.

This episode also connects directly to something I’ve been building for a long time—because so many of you have been asking for a better way.

If you’re done starting over and ready to do this differently, you’re going to want to listen all the way through.

Ready to stop guessing and start making real progress?

If you’re training hard but not getting the results you want…

That’s exactly why I created The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project.

This is a step-by-step coaching program for runners who want to:

You’ll get clear guidance, proven strategies, and ongoing coaching — all designed specifically for runners. No extremes. No random plans. No spinning your wheels.

If you’re ready to train smarter, fuel better, and finally feel strong in your body again,

That’s how you stop starting over — and start running lean.

The post 312. Why Starting Over Every January Never Works (And What Actually Does) appeared first on Running Lean with Patrick McGilvray.