It's easy to overcomplicate running, whether it's our goals, our training, or our recovery. Pro Adriana Nelson teaches us why simplicity and dedicated focus are key to a life well run.

Adriana went on to earn 6 long-distance national track titles for her home country of Romania, as well as a Romanian team gold at the 2004 World Half Marathon Championships with her teammates. She was second at the 2007 Chicago Marathon, and was the 2013 US half marathon champion.

Adriana's background is unique and compelling because of her hard work and talent and what she has overcome. But that's only part of the story. Adriana's successful business venture - ROLL Recovery - was born out of her dedication to taking care of her body while competing at the highest level. She is just as devoted to the recovery process as she is to pushing her body in training.

On this week's podcast we'll discuss what makes Adriana's perspective so unique, including:

• The impressive mindset she has carried through her entire journey
• How she prioritized recovery even as a newly elite runner with limited finances
• Why it's important to embrace where you are, even if that means running becomes one of life's competing demands
• How simplicity should be prioritized in recovery, including hydration, nutrition and sleep
• Why her emphasis on recovery is more important than ever now that she has a young child
• How she can still can run marathons in the 2:30s even on far less mileage

Whether she was running to get bread for her classmates as a 12 year old, or building the successful life she has today, Adriana's story is an inspiring one you're bound to enjoy.

Thank You InsideTracker!

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body's data and get a firm idea of how well you're responding to training.

Understanding your body's biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you're over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.

I've personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven't done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.

Jason Koop is one of the most sought after ultramarathon coaches in the country, the author of the most comprehensive manual on ultra training that exists, and a 20-year veteran of the coaching world.

See his book, now in its second edition.

He's personally run some of the most difficult ultras in the world from Badwater 135, Hardrock 100, the Leadville Trail 100, and the Western States Endurance Run.

We're going to discuss why ultras are so different than any other distance race, how to best structure back to back long runs, the maximum distance you should aim for during training, how to get ready for mountainous races if you don't have access to any hills, and a lot more.

More resources:

• Coaching programs
• Coach Jason Koop on episode 78
• Jason Koop's website
• Training Essentials for Ultrarunning

Thank You InsideTracker!

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body's data and get a firm idea of how well you're responding to training.

Understanding your body's biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you're over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.

I've personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven't done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.

What are major red flags that increase your injury risk from running?

In this episode, coach Jason Fitzgerald shares the 5 most serious training errors from his personal running career that led to most of his injuries. Since your training (how you structure your running) is the most important way to prevent injuries, these mistakes are important to avoid.

For more details on injury prevention, sign up here.

Thank You InsideTracker!

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body's data and get a firm idea of how well you're responding to training.

Understanding your body's biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you're over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.

I've personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven't done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.

Thank You Athletic Greens!

Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

I've had the privilege of working with this week's guest on the podcast for nearly four years. Thomas Shanabruch came to me as a gifted runner who was looking to push himself to the next level, while staying healthy as a master's runner.

This is the story of the last few years and how he has notched PR after PR in a variety of distances from the 5k to the marathon (but his progression in the marathon is just stunning!).

Tom and I discuss a variety of factors that have contributed to his string of PRs, including:

• Taking your your workouts AND your recovery seriously
• The importance of setting bold goals
• Stepping out of your comfort zone, whether it's in a 5k or in the weight room
• How to make time for strength work, day in and day out
• The importance of mindset - taking the training seriously without it becoming a burden

What's next up for Tom? He'll be running the Boston Marathon in 2022 and as well as the Berlin Marathon to complete the world marathon majors. Although most of us aren't as fast as Tom, everyone can learn from his love of running and racing, and his continued commitment to improvement!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Get your own PR Race Plan
• Learn how weightlifting can help you get faster
• Read more about strength training for marathon runners
• Learn more ways to PR as a master's runner

Thank You InsideTracker!

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body's data and get a firm idea of how well you're responding to training.

Understanding your body's biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you're over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.

I've personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven't done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.

This episode is a little different! Jaxon Burton, a personal trainer and nutritionist from New Zealand who hosts the Vegan Body Coach podcast, interviews Jason about running your first marathon. He asked Jason to talk about the ins and outs of tackling your first go at 26.2 miles - from how to know when you're ready, training must-do's, common pitfalls to avoid, and suggestions for executing on race day.

Even if you're not a first timer, I'm sure you'll pick up on some valuable advice to better optimize your next marathon. This conversation originally appeared on the Vegan Body Coach Podcast.

Related Resources:

• How to stay healthy during marathon training
• Strength Running training programs
• Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Thank You InsideTracker!

Our show is supported by our longtime sponsor InsideTracker. Today, more than ever, it's essential that we're making the right decisions to keep our bodies healthy. To help us be resilient, prevent over-training, and optimize our running to get the most from it.

InsideTracker is the ultra-personalized nutrition platform that analyzes your blood and DNA biomarkers along with your lifestyle habits to help you optimize your body and reach your goals.

InsideTracker's patented system will transform your body's data into knowledge, insights, and a customized action plan of science-backed recommendations. The data can help you determine whether you're running too much, not enough, or have some other issues that could be affecting your recovery or performance.

I've had my own blood drawn with InsideTracker several times and have been amazed at the valuable information that they provide. Not only are the results very detailed, but they also share guidance for how to improve any markers that are out of range.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, InsideTracker offers a selection of plans that best suit your needs with a limited time 25% discount.

Thank You Athletic Greens!

Thank you to our newest sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

You may recognize this week's guest: Dr. Victoria Sekely is a running coach, certified strength and conditioning specialist, and doctor of physical therapy who joined me on episode 135.

Victoria was a varsity tennis player at Georgetown University before getting her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from NYU. As a runner herself, she knows that we want to spend our time on the roads and trails rather than in the gym. But her experience as a physical therapist has taught her the enormous value of building and maintaining a strength training habit, even for as little as 20 minutes, twice each week.

Victoria emphasizes how strength training teaches us something we rarely think about as a runner: control. Rather than trying to force changes to our running form, strength training gives us an opportunity to slow down, pay attention, and be more mindful of how our bodies are moving. With consistency, that can translate into more efficient, stronger running.

We discuss the ins and outs of bodyweight training and how it can help every runner, including:

• The best time to start strength training and how to fit it into your schedule
• The relationship between rehab and prehab
• How to make your bodyweight routine progressive
• Why bodyweight exercises make you a better athlete
• The physical benefits of training mindfully
• Victoria's top five exercises to build functional strength

Victoria's knowledge and humor make for an engaging and informative discussion!

Thank You InsideTracker!

This episode is brought to you by InsideTracker, one of the most reputable blood testing companies in the world. They were founded in 2009 by aging, genetics, and biometrics scientists to help you analyze your body's data and get a firm idea of how well you're responding to training.

Understanding your body's biomarkers, from stress hormones to testosterone to Vitamin D, can help you figure out if you're over-training, under-training, optimally training, or if you have a health issue that might be affecting your running. But the best part is that they give you personalized optimal ranges for each of these biomarkers and a host of ways to improve these markers through diet, lifestyle, or exercise changes.

I've personally gotten three Ultimate tests from them and the process is simple, easy, and very eye-opening if you haven't done a deep dive on your biomarkers yet. Of all the investments you can make in your running, this one is like getting a detailed checkup or regularly scheduled maintenance for your internal physiology.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, get 25% off any of their blood tests with code STRENGTHRUNNING at InsideTracker.

This week's episode tackles a variety of questions about the training process, including off-season planning, the concept of sandwiching, addressing cramps and side stitches, and more!

Drawing from Instagram and Twitter, Jason is directly answering your specific questions. We're going to discuss the "sandwiching" concept, side stitches, optimal cadence, off-season training, muscle cramps, and more. Thank you to the athletes who submitted their questions. If you want to contribute in the future, make sure you connect with Jason on Instagram and Twitter.

Here's where you can find some of the questions I tackle on this episode:

• 3:03 - How should training plans vary for a road vs. a trail event?
• 6:25 - How often should you "sandwich" your runs with strength training? (hint: every run!)
• 13:48 - What you should do if the weather impacts your long run?
• 19:36 - How do volume and intensity fit into your running workload?
• 26:30 - What inexpensive options are effective if you're trying to do more strength training?
• 35:54 - What should an off-season look like to avoid losing too much fitness?

Enjoy this week's questions and answer session!

To get even more personal support from Jason, join Team Strength Running for live coaching sessions, a group of runners to support you, 30+ training plans, and more!

Thank You Athletic Greens!

Thank you to our newest sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

Stephanie Howe is a heavy hitter from the ultra-endurance world who holds a PhD in Nutrition and Exercise Science. As an elite trail and mountain runner, Stephanie has won the Western States 100-mile Endurance Run and holds the course records for the Bandera 100k and Lake Sonoma 50 miler.

Stephanie's doctoral dissertation focused on the influence of exercise intensity on appetite in endurance-trained women. She is passionate about helping people learn how to fuel for competition and long-term health, and currently coaches runners and provides nutritional counseling.

Stephanie answers a variety of questions from Strength Running listeners on training and race nutrition, along with some of the controversial fad diets and nutrition strategies:

• The ins and outs of marathon fueling - is it ever too late in the race to fuel?
• How to use different types of fuels at various stages of longer races
• A "pyramid" plan for ultra fueling
• Should you still carb load before races?
• How to simplify good nutrition for a busy family with mix and match meals
• The benefits of using a nutritionist
• Her take on the Keto diet, intermittent fasting, the carnivore diet, and bonk runs

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Follow Stephanie on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
• Visit Stephanie's website
• Check out Strength Running's Nutrition for Runners program
• Sign up for more free nutrition Q&A!

Thank you Elemental Labs!

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' 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.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. I'm drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It's tasty and delicious and I find that I'm not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn't eating enough sodium.

There's now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you're worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense.

They just released their first new flavor of 2021, their most requested flavor, watermelon salt. So check out Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.

Recovering from injuries is challenging when they keep you away from running for days or weeks. But injuries that linger for years require a special type of perspective and perseverance.

This week's podcast guest received the kind of news you hope never to receive from a doctor - that you might never run again.

Connor Meakin had been an elite athlete long before he took up ultrarunning. He was a member of the Canadian Men's National Field Hockey Team for four years before completing a road marathon. He quickly discovered his love for the mountains and trails and seemed to have found his calling, winning multiple races in 2014.

What began as a bad ankle sprain in 2014 quickly devolved into a much more serious injury. Connor tried to continue running and racing but the injury worsened and created new issues with his foot.

Soon, a radiologist told Connor he had one of the worst injuries he had ever seen. The doctor recommended he take up cycling and told him that he might never run again, especially in any sort of competitive fashion.

In the face of this grim news, most athletes would give up hope. But 5 years later, he's back to winning races!

Connor discusses a number of the strategies that did contribute to his recovery, including

• Facing the reality of the severity of his injury
• Finally resting
• Cross-training
• Gait retraining
• Digging into scientific research on rehabilitating injuries
• Physical therapy

Whether you're struggling physically or mentally with an injury, or just trying to avoid them altogether, you'll find something in Connor's journey that you can relate to.

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Connect with Connor on Linked In
• Visit Connor's business online
• Follow Connor on Instagram and on Facebook
• Prevent injuries that keep you sidelined from running
• Discover strategies for recovery and injury prevention from 9 elite athletes

Thank You Athletic Greens!

Thank you to our newest sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.

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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.

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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

Geoff Burns, PhD helps us understand the changes in regulations in running footwear, as the industry figures out how to handle the performance impact of carbon-plated "super shoes." His understanding of the technology, from both a personal and professional perspective, is uniquely informative.

Geoff has competed at the highest levels of ultrarunning and was the 2016 US national champion at 100km, where he ran 6:30. He competed at the collegiate level for the University of Michigan, and went on to represent the USA over the 50km and 100km distances, and finished 5th at both the 2016 and 2018 IAU 100km World Championships.

Geoff also has degrees in biomedical engineering and kinesiology with a PhD from the University of Michigan. His research focuses on running, physiology, biomechanics, and sport performance.

This week's podcast delves into the science of super shoes, including what has made them such a useful tool for both elite and amateur runners and how you can use them to your own benefit. The episode is unique because all the questions that Geoff answers came directly from Jason's Twitter community.

We discuss:

• What types of runners will benefit most from these types of shoes?
• At what distances are super shoes most beneficial?
• Can (and should?) you still use an insert in shoes with carbon plates?
• Do shoes with carbon plates increase your injury risk?
• How should these types of shoes be used? Every day? For racing only? Or something in between?
• What is the longevity of these shoes?
• What is the future of this technology? How will these super shoes become even better?

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Follow Geoff on Twitter and Instagram
• Visit Geoff's website
• Read Geoff's discussion on the pros and cons of thicker shoes

Thank You InsideTracker!

Our show is supported by our longtime sponsor InsideTracker. Today, more than ever, it's essential that we're making the right decisions to keep our bodies healthy. To help us be resilient, prevent over-training, and optimize our running to get the most from it.

InsideTracker is the ultra-personalized nutrition platform that analyzes your blood and DNA biomarkers along with your lifestyle habits to help you optimize your body and reach your goals.

InsideTracker's patented system will transform your body's data into knowledge, insights, and a customized action plan of science-backed recommendations. The data can help you determine whether you're running too much, not enough, or have some other issues that could be affecting your recovery or performance.

I've had my own blood drawn with InsideTracker several times and have been amazed at the valuable information that they provide. Not only are the results very detailed, but they also share guidance for how to improve any markers that are out of range.

If you're ready to take control of your health and optimize your training, InsideTracker offers a selection of plans that best suit your needs with a limited time 25% discount.

Thank you Elemental Labs!

A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.

Elemental Labs' 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.

The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. I'm drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It's tasty and delicious and I find that I'm not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn't eating enough sodium.

There's now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you're worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense.

They just released their first new flavor of 2021, their most requested flavor, watermelon salt. So check out Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.