In this episode, Coach Elisabeth chats with Jason Fitzgerald, the founder of Strength Running, about how much running volume, i.e. how much you in a week, matters for your goals. They tackle the big questions: Can you really race your best on fewer runs? How important is volume for serious performance? What role does cross-training play in your overall training plan? And, spoiler alert—junk miles don’t exist!

They dive into balancing intensity and volume to become the strongest, fastest version of yourself. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned marathoner, you’ll leave with actionable tips to boost your running performance (and prevent injury.

Sound Bites:

• “Volume matters for long-term success in running.”

• “There’s no such thing as junk miles.”
• “You can get some benefits from cross-training, but don’t skip your runs.”
• “Intensity is what beginners need to be careful with.”
• “The long run should be a significant part of training.”
• “Faster is NOT always better in training.”

• “It’s just not as fun when you’re pushing too hard all the time.”

• “We cannot copy pro runners; we need a training plan tailored to us.”

• “Sometimes, you need to take a step back to move forward.”

Connect with Jason:

• Website: Strength Running
• Instagram: @strength_running

About Your Host:
Coach Elisabeth is a passionate running coach and the founder of Running Explained. With a goal to simplify the science behind running, Coach Elisabeth helps runners of all levels train smarter and race stronger. Whether you're building your aerobic base, tackling your first marathon, or managing injury, Elisabeth’s approach combines expert knowledge with an empathetic and supportive coaching style. After starting her own running journey with a goal to complete a 5K, Elisabeth went on to run six marathons (including qualifying for Boston) and develop a coaching philosophy centered on building sustainable training habits for long-term success. Follow Coach Elisabeth for actionable advice and expert tips to fuel your running journey!

Research and production assistance by Sophie van Leeuwen