The Elevate Your Running Podcast

By Sara ManderscheidSports Running

The Elevate Your Running Podcast episodes

February 26 EP. 212 - Racing Is a Skill: How to Actually Get the Most Out of Your Race
You’ve done the workouts. You’ve built the fitness.

So why does race day sometimes feel like you’re not quite hitting your potential?

In this episode, we’re breaking down what it really means to get the most out of your race — and why fitness alone isn’t enough. Because racing is a skill. And like any skill, it requires intention, discipline, and emotional control.

I’ll walk you through:
Why execution matters just as much as fitness
The biggest mistake runners make in the first 10 minutes
How to handle the “this is getting hard” moment mid-race
What separates participating from competing
And how to reflect properly so every race builds toward your next breakthrough
This episode is a teaser for a deeper conversation I’ll be having with my 1:1 coaching team — where we’ll build out race execution plans and break down how to stop leaving time on the course.

If you’ve ever crossed the finish line knowing you had more in you… this one’s 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

Where to Listen
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
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!
54 min
February 19 Ep 211 - Five Phrases to Remind Yourself When You’re on the Start Line of Your Next Race!
The start line is where nerves, adrenaline, and self-doubt all show up at once. In this episode, I share five simple phrases every athlete can use to stay grounded, patient, and present when it matters most.

We talk about trusting the work you’ve done, resisting the urge to race too early, narrowing your focus to what’s right in front of you, and normalizing the fact that things will get hard. We also zoom out and remember what racing is really about — celebrating the work, the community, and the joy of showing up on race day.

Whether you’re racing a 5K, marathon, triathlon, or stepping into competition for the first time, these phrases are tools you can come back to again and again to execute better and enjoy the experience more. Save them. Repeat them. And take them with you to your next start line.

Resources & Links:
Work with Sara – Coaching and Programs
elevateyourrunning.com

Instagram – Join the Community
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Where to Listen
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
Senitas Athletics: save 15% off your total order using the link attached
Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
52 min
February 12 EP. 210 - When the Marathon Ends Early: Carolyn Coffin on DNFs, Belief Shifts, and Trusting Yourself Again
In this episode, marathoner Carolyn Coffin joins the podcast to talk about trusting yourself when the plan breaks down. We dive into her Marathon Project experience, the DNF that followed, and what it taught her about self-trust, coaching yourself, and redefining success.

Whether you’re in the middle of a build that feels off or reflecting on a goal that didn’t pan out, this episode will help you rethink what “trusting the process” actually means — and how to move forward with clarity and confidence.

Carolyn Coffin is a certified running coach (NCCP, RRCA, UESCA) with an educational background in physiotherapy (Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Queen's University, 2003) and kinesiology (Bachelor of Kinesiology from McMaster University, 2000). Through her online coaching business, she helps everyday athletes pursue their road running goals with confidence and joy. A lifelong runner and curious storyteller, Carolyn believes every runner has a story worth sharing, which she brings to life each week on Inspired Soles. She loves competing in events from 1500m to the marathon, and is on a mission to prove that her fastest marathon is still ahead of her at age 48. Carolyn lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, with her military spouse and their two teenage children.

Resources and Links:
Link to her podcast, the Inspired Soles Podcast

Work with Sara – Coaching and Programs
elevateyourrunning.com

Instagram – Join the Community
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

Where to Listen:
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
Senitas Athletics: save 15% off your total order using the link attached
Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
1 hr 6 min
February 05 EP. 209 - How To Tell If A Workout Was a Success
Have you ever finished a workout wondering, “Did that even do anything?” Or maybe you nailed every interval and still questioned whether it counted as progress. In this episode, we break down how to measure the true success of your workouts — beyond pace, distance, or how hard you pushed.

YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO:

Define a successful workout based on your goals

Use both objective metrics and subjective feedback to track progress

Recognize when recovery signals success

Focus on patterns over perfection to build long-term results

Whether you’re chasing a PR, training for your first race, or just looking to stay consistent, this episode will help you train smarter, not harder.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Mindset matters first – Success is about meeting the goal of the workout, not comparing yourself to others or yesterday.

Use objective metrics – Pace, heart rate, completed intervals, or RPE all help you know if you executed the plan.

Listen to subjective signs – Energy, focus, and mental clarity during a session are strong indicators of progress.

Recovery is part of success – How you feel 24–48 hours later often tells you more than the watch.

Look at the big picture – Patterns over weeks and months matter far more than any single session.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Many runners overvalue speed and intensity and undervalue smart execution and adaptation. By learning how to measure workout success correctly, you’ll reduce burnout, prevent injury, and stay consistent in your training for longer-term results.

RESOURCES AND LINKS

Work with Sara – Coaching and Programs
elevateyourrunning.com

Instagram – Join the Community
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

WHERE TO LISTEN

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
Senitas Athletics: save 15% off your total order using the link attached
Cheribundi: code ELEVATE for 15% off
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
Skratch Labs - Use this code for 20% off your next order!
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
46 min
January 29 EP. 208 - 8 Lessons I Learned From Racing 8 Marathons
Training hard doesn’t always lead to faster marathon times. In fact, for many runners chasing a new PR or Boston Qualifying time, effort is rarely the missing piece.

In this episode, I’m breaking down eight key lessons I’ve learned from running eight marathons. These are the mindset shifts, execution skills, and training principles that helped me move past marathon plateaus and finally unlock better performances.

If you’ve ever felt stuck despite doing “everything right,” this episode will help you rethink how you train, race, and measure progress.

In this episode, we cover:

Why marathon fitness doesn’t show up linearly and how to spot real progress

The critical role easy running plays in breaking through performance plateaus

How long runs should train execution, not just endurance

Why restraint early in the marathon leads to stronger finishes and faster times

How to interpret fatigue without panicking or overcorrecting

Fueling as a performance skill, not an afterthought

Where real race-day confidence actually comes from

Why breakthroughs often happen when you stop forcing the outcome

This episode is especially helpful for runners who:

Have run multiple marathons but feel stuck at the same finish time

Are chasing a PR or Boston Qualifying standard

Want to train smarter without burning out

Are ready to shift from “working harder” to “executing better”

🎧 Listen now and learn how to turn consistency, patience, and execution into your next marathon breakthrough.

The Fueled Runner Club: https://www.marathonnutritionist.com/thefueledrunnerclub

Where to Listen:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel

Connect with us:
elevateyourrunning.com
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

The Elevate Coaching Team has 1:1 coaching spots available for the spring and fall race seasons! If you love running and want to break through that plateau, run stronger + faster than ever before, we’d love to have you join our team! You can find more information about our coaching packages at https://elevateyourrunning.com/virtual-coaching or email Sara at [email protected]

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
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
1 hr 7 min
January 22 EP. 207 - 7 Signs You Shouldn’t Run and How These Mindset Shifts Can Lead to Your Next Breakthrough
Most runners don’t hit a plateau because they aren’t working hard enough. They plateau because they don’t know when to stop running.

In a running culture that celebrates grit, streaks, and pushing through pain, it’s easy to believe that more miles are always the answer. But for many runners, especially those chasing a breakthrough or coming up just short of their goals, constantly pushing harder is exactly what keeps them stuck.

In this episode, we break down the key signs you shouldn’t run, how training plateaus show up before injury or burnout, and the mindset shift that helps runners finally move forward.

You’ll Learn:

Common signs runners ignore that signal the need for rest

How plateaus often feel before they show up in race results

Why pushing through fatigue can stall progress and increase injury risk

How learning when not to run can lead to stronger, faster breakthroughs

What to do when rest feels uncomfortable or like you’re losing fitness

This episode isn’t about running less.It’s about training smarter, staying healthy, and creating long-term progress.

If you’re a runner who feels stuck, flat, or frustrated despite consistent training, this conversation will help you rethink rest, redefine strength, and reconnect with sustainable performance.

Sometimes the breakthrough isn’t another hard run.It’s knowing when not to run.

Where to Listen:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube Music

Connect with us:
elevateyourrunning.com
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

The Elevate Coaching Team has 1:1 coaching spots open for spring and fall race season! If you love running and want to get better + faster at this sport, we’d love to have you join our team! You can find more information about our coaching packages at https://elevateyourrunning.com/virtual-coaching or email Sara at [email protected]

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, 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
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
1 hr 2 min
January 15 Ep 206 - The Products and Training Concepts I’m Taking with Me into 2026 as an 8 x Boston Qualifying Runner (and the things I’m leaving behind)
2025 was the year of the snake, and Coach Sara shares everything she is sheding and leaving behind, and the training concepts, products, and mindset shifts she’s taking with her into 2026! Let’s make this the year that we DREAM BIG, CHASE GOALS, and finally break through that running plateau!

If you are a running struggling with running a PR, running a Boston Qualifying Time or breathing through a plateau, this podcast episode is for you!

Where to Listen:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube Music

Connect with us:
elevateyourrunning.com
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

The Elevate Coaching Team has 1:1 coaching spots open for spring and fall race season! If you love running and want to get better + faster at this sport, we’d love to have you join our team! You can find more information about our coaching packages at https://elevateyourrunning.com/virtual-coaching or email Sara at [email protected]

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, 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
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
1 hr 5 min
January 08 EP. 205 - The Power of Mental Rehearsal with Mindset Skills Coach, Carrie Jackson
Mental Skills Coach, Carrie Jackson is back for another episode - we are deep diving into visualization for runners! What it is, why it matters, how to achieve strong visualization in training and racing, the benefits, who can and should practice it, and any drawbacks.

For those looking to hear Carrie in the previous Elevate episode, How to Elevate Your Mindset with Mental Skills Coach, Carrie Jackson (ep 189)

Carrie has a bunch of offerings:

online course called Training the Mental Game: Mindset Coaching Course.

https://learning.8020endurance.com/courses/Training-the-Mental-Game

She also offers a free 4 Week Race Day Mindset Plan on TrainingPeaks: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/training-plans/running/tp-579492/4-week-race-day-mindset-plan-mental-skills-for-race-day-free-w-code-8020mindset

Her website is carriejackson.com. Follow her on IG here.

Where to Listen:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube Music

Connect with us:
elevateyourrunning.com
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

The Elevate Coaching Team has 1:1 coaching spots open for spring and fall race season! If you love running and want to get better + faster at this sport, we’d love to have you join our team! You can find more information about our coaching packages at https://elevateyourrunning.com/virtual-coaching or email Sara at [email protected]

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, 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
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
55 min
December 18, 2025 EP. 204 - How to Prepare for the New Year with Preparation Receipts
As 2025 crosses the finish line, join Coach Sara for a powerful episode focused on maximizing your reflection and setting yourself up for success in 2026. This year was massive for the running community—from booming run clubs to record race participation—and now it’s time to claim your personal wins.

In this episode, we'll guide you through your annual review:

Reviewing your "Running Receipts" for 2025: Races completed, mileage logged, process goals achieved, and key connections made.

Identifying what worked and what didn't, so you can clearly decide what gets to stay and what gets left behind.

Then, discover the transformative power of Preparation Receipts—a concept inspired by a recent coaching conversation with an Elevate runner preparing for their next cycle. We dive into the practical, daily behaviors that build confidence and consistency before training even officially begins. Learn how to:

- Ask yourself the critical question: "How do I specifically want to be better two months from now?"

It’s not just about making training deposits but building a foundation of preparation for a stronger, more confident 2026.

Thank you for making this another fantastic year for the podcast! We’ll be back on January 8th with a brand new episode featuring a special guest to discuss our favorite mindset practice: Visualization.

Where to Listen:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube Music

NEW: The Taylor Swift Season of Speed Era - 8 Week Plan

Connect with us:
elevateyourrunning.com
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

The Elevate Coaching Team has 1:1 coaching spots open for spring and fall race season! If you love running and want to get better + faster at this sport, we’d love to have you join our team! You can find more information about our coaching packages at https://elevateyourrunning.com/virtual-coaching or email Sara at [email protected]

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, 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
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
17 min
December 11, 2025 EP. 203 - How Stephanie Schofeld Conquered 7 Marathons in 7 Days on 7 Continents, The Great World Race Experience
Imagine running a marathon. Now, imagine running one every single day for a week—while hopping on a plane to a new continent between each finish line.

In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Schofeld, an Elevate athlete and finisher of the Great World Race. We dive deep into the logistics, the exhaustion, and the sheer grit required to complete 7 marathons on 7 continents in just 168 hours.

From the freezing winds of Antarctica to the humidity of Miami, Stephanie breaks down exactly how she prepared her body for the impossible and what it felt like to cross the final finish line.

In this conversation, we cover:

The Prep: How to structure a training block for back-to-back endurance efforts.

The Experience: Managing sleep deprivation and jet lag while running 183 miles.

The Low Point: The biggest challenge she faced (and how she overcame it).

The Surprise: The unexpected joy she found in the middle of the chaos.

The Aftermath: What real recovery looks like after global trauma to the legs.

Whether you are training for your first 5K or your tenth ultra, this episode will redefine what you think your body is capable of.

Where to Listen:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube Music

Connect with us:
elevateyourrunning.com
Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy

The Elevate Coaching Team has 1:1 coaching spots open for the 2026 season! If you love running and want to get better + faster at this sport, we’d love to have you join our team! You can find more information about our coaching packages at https://elevateyourrunning.com/virtual-coaching or email Sara at [email protected]

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, 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
RNWY: Use Code Elevate15 for 15% off your order
KETONE-IQ: Your post-run recovery ketones can be found here
Cozy Zero: merino wool running clothes! Save 20% with code SARAM20
LEVELLE GELS - Save 10% on all natural gels using code HAPPYRUNNING10
1 hr 5 min

About The Elevate Your Running Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Ready to transform your running? Welcome to the Elevate Your Running Podcast, hosted by Sara Manderscheid, a seasoned running coach and eight-time Boston Marathon qualifier. Join our community as Sara shares expert running tips, training strategies, and inspiring stories to help you reach your personal best. Whether you're training for a marathon or just starting your running journey, this podcast is your go-to resource!