The Elevate Your Running Podcast

Want to Boston Qualify in 2027 or achieve a breakthrough marathon performance? The work you do now can make a significant difference in your next training cycle. Whether you're chasing a Boston Qualifying (BQ) time, trying to break through a marathon plateau, or looking to become a stronger, faster, more resilient runner, this episode breaks down what to focus on now to set yourself up for success in 2027.

In this episode of the Elevate Your Running Podcast, we explore the key areas that can help you make meaningful running performance gains, long before your next marathon training cycle begins. From building your aerobic base and increasing running volume to incorporating strength training, prioritizing rest, and developing speed, we'll discuss how to train smarter and create a foundation for your best running yet.

In this episode, we explore different avenues you may take to get stronger for 2027 Performance Gains:

• Running volume

• Is strength training

• Lingering Niggles

• Speed Development

• Supplements

• Planning for 2027: How to use the coming months intentionally to build the habits and fitness that will support your next breakthrough.

If you're a dedicated runner who wants to qualify for the Boston Marathon, improve your marathon PR, run a faster half marathon, or finally break through a performance plateau, this episode will help you identify where to focus your energy now.

You don't need to do everything at once. You need a purposeful plan, consistent training, and the right balance of hard work and recovery.

Ready to elevate your running in 2027? Start building the foundation now.

🏃‍♀️ Want help reaching your next running goal? Elevate Your Running offers personalized 1:1 coaching and group coaching for runners who want to train with purpose, get stronger, and achieve their next breakthrough. Learn more at https://elevateyourrunning.com and book your 15 minute coaching fit call here.

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Magna Electrolytes: use this link to save 30% off your order

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this link for 20% off your next order!

Coach Sara recaps the 2026 Chicago Marathon from the pro field, to her race experience and how to move forward after a tough race experience.

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

A new episode is coming tomorrow about all things Chicago. In the meantime, here is a new episode about race week!

Sometimes, you need to hear the right phrase heading into race week. This week, I share where I'm at with my Chicago Marathon race, and the 3 Things I Shared with my Fall Marathoners. These phrases can be used for all types of races, and the mindset around them. If you're looking for more in-depth coaching, Coach Hailey and Coach Sara have 1:1 spots open for 2027! Let's work together to crush some amazing run dreams, process goals and more!

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

Heading into my 9th marathon, I'm sharing four things that no one talks about that you should consider for race day. These are four things I've learned along the way that can create irritations in the last handful of miles in the marathon.

In addition, Coach Sara shares about Boulderthon Race Weekend and Regency Bias - what it is, how it shows up in your training, and how to flow through it so it doesn't impact your long term running goals.

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

Have you found yourself traveling during an important week of training and unsure how to balance it all? Coach Sara had a recent experience of traveling during her peak week of Chicago Training and she breaks down how to set yourself up for success with three key things to think about before you set out on your travels.

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

Will jumped back into his endurance running journey a few years ago, as as a high mileage Master's Runner, he is breaking through plateaus and finding more speed, strength and health than ever before.

In this episode, Will shares the reason he decided to shift training gears after his first two marathons, and partner with a Boulder Run Coach for his current build to Indianapolis Marathon.

Coach Sara and Will talk about how he balances having fun, and focused efforts, running high mileage, community and more. This is an inspiring episode, not to miss!

You can follow Will on Instagram and Strava. If you're a local runner, Will periodically kicks off and is a pace lead at Citius on Saturday mornings in Denver, Colorado.

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

Clayton Young is chasing the American Record—and in this episode, we’re talking about what it really takes to perform at the highest level.

In Episode 226 of the Elevate Your Running Podcast, we’re covering elite marathon training, my latest Chicago Marathon training updates, and one of the most important performance tools a runner has: your mindset.

Clayton Young is coming off an incredible stretch of marathon racing and has his sights set on the American Record. We’ll talk about what makes Clayton such a consistent and competitive marathoner, what elite runners can teach all of us about the process, and what it looks like to chase a big goal when the margin for error is incredibly small.

I’ll also share a Chicago Marathon training update, including what my training is looking like, how I’m approaching the final stages of marathon preparation, and the lessons I’m learning along the way.

And finally, we’re diving into something every runner can use: how to make your mind your greatest asset. Your mindset can either become a limiting factor or one of your biggest performance advantages. We’ll talk about confidence, staying present, handling hard workouts, managing doubt, and learning to trust the work you’ve put in.

Whether you’re training for a marathon, chasing a PR, working toward a Boston Qualifying time, or simply trying to become a stronger and more confident runner, this episode will give you plenty to think about—and hopefully put into practice.

In this episode:
• Clayton Young’s pursuit of the American Record
• What we can learn from elite marathon training
• My latest Chicago Marathon training updates
• How to build confidence as a runner
• Turning your mindset into a performance advantage
• Staying focused when training gets hard
• Learning to trust your training and yourself
• The mental side of chasing a big marathon goal

If you’re ready to run stronger, think stronger, and elevate your running, this episode is for you.

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

• Email Coach Sara for podcast feedback, training questions, and if you’re curious about working together! 

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this link for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

Meghan Howard is back to share what she’s been up to since she ran a breakthrough marathon in Toyko earlier this year!

We spent time connecting on how she is thinking about her next marathon in October, the Chicago Marathon

How she balances running high volume (86 - 90 miles a week) with life, staying consistent while having fun!

What she's changing for her Chicago Marathon build

How being a Lululemon Ambassador gives back in more ways than she could have ever imagined! 

Resources & Links:

• Follow Meghan on Instagram 

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

In this month's episode, Coach Sara shares the importance of mindset relating to Josh Kerr's world record in the mile, her own Chicago training and if she found a coach, and how to get out of the summer running rut if the weather is getting you down!

Resources & Links:

• Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Senitas Athletics: save 15% off your total order using the link attached

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen:

• elevateyourrunning.com

• Instagram – Join the Community

• Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel 

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on social media using #elevateyourrunning. 

Do you want to be an inclusive insider? Help support the Elevate Your Running Podcast! Get exclusive content, Sara’s training updates, Q + A coaching advice, and more through this platform! 

PARTNER DISCOUNTS AND LINKS:

Boulderthon 2026: save $20 off the marathon or half marathon with code SARA20

Dynamic Runner:⁠ code SAYRAHRUNSHAPPY for 10% off your subscription

Senitas Athletics: save 15% off your total order using the link attached

Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off

Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!

Where to Listen: