This episode explores how training, performance, and recovery are deeply influenced by the nervous system and our ability to manage stress. Stress from both life and workouts can overload the body, so balancing intentional training stress with effective recovery is essential. The host highlights breath work as a key tool for nervous system health, introducing CO2 tolerance testing and breathing exercises for running like nasal breathing, box breathing, waterfall breathing, and humming. These practices improve oxygen efficiency, tap into the parasympathetic state, and build stress resilience, ultimately helping athletes recover more effectively, prevent burnout, and perform at their best. 

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In this episode, Alison shares how a knee injury at camp inspired her to discuss shifting from the traditional RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the more modern PEACE & LOVE approach for recovery from injury. While RICE can help in the acute stage by reducing swelling and pain, it doesn’t address the need for movement and tissue loading. PEACE focuses on the early days post-injury—Protection, Elevation, avoiding overuse of Anti-inflammatories, Compression, and Education—while LOVE guides the subacute phase with Load, Optimism (or nervous system safety), Vascularization, and Exercise. She emphasizes that effective recovery from injury means transitioning from passive rest to active healing, reducing pain, protecting the injured area, and progressively restoring strength, mobility, and function. 

Resources Mentioned:

• The Big Six: https://youtu.be/5YuaQPUA_yM 
  
  

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This episode offers a comprehensive guide to returning to running postpartum, outlining six key strategies to rebuild strength, movement quality, and impact readiness after pregnancy. Host Alison explains how physical changes like pelvic tilt, rib flare, and altered hip mobility affect running mechanics, and emphasizes the importance of restoring core and pelvic floor connection, improving rib and thoracic mobility, and retraining hip function and mid-stance loading. Through intentional progressions in foundational movements like squats and lunges, listeners are guided to build a strong, confident base for running that supports long-term performance and prevents injury. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Postpartum Resources: There you will find options for postpartum with a living child at home and for postpartum after pregnancy or infant loss. Each will include the following where workouts and main content are essentially the same but each is taught in its own context and with respect to what postpartum life looks and feels like right now.
  • Postpartum Run Ready Road Map: This FREE resource will introduce you to the 5 steps in my START Formula so that you have confidence that you are taking the steps back to that thing that makes you feel like you, in a way that feels good in your body and builds a solid foundation for all your future performance goals.​
  • Postpartum Run Ready Fundamentals: With this full course eliminate the guesswork with a full step-by-step plan using my START Formula so that you have confidence that you are taking the steps back to that thing that makes you feel like you, in a way that feels good in your body and builds a solid foundation for all your future performance goals.

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This episode explores the journey of running postpartum, with Alison sharing her personal struggles with incontinence, pain, and a premature return to running. Emphasizing that recovery is highly individual, she outlines a thoughtful, phased approach focused on rebuilding pelvic floor strength, core connection, and overall stability before gradually returning to running with a structured milestone plan. The episode highlights the importance of patience, tuning into your body’s signals, and avoiding rushed progress to prevent injury. Listeners are also directed to free and paid resources designed specifically for running postpartum, offering step-by-step guidance tailored for postpartum runners aiming for a safe and confident return.

Resources Mentioned:

• Postpartum Resources: There you will find options for postpartum with a living child at home and for postpartum after pregnancy or infant loss. Each will include the following where workouts and main content are essentially the same but each is taught in its own context and with respect to what postpartum life looks and feels like right now.
  • Postpartum Run Ready Road Map: This FREE resource will introduce you to the 5 steps in my START Formula so that you have confidence that you are taking the steps back to that thing that makes you feel like you, in a way that feels good in your body and builds a solid foundation for all your future performance goals.​
  • Postpartum Run Ready Fundamentals: With this full course eliminate the guesswork with a full step-by-step plan using my START Formula so that you have confidence that you are taking the steps back to that thing that makes you feel like you, in a way that feels good in your body and builds a solid foundation for all your future performance goals.
• Postpartum Ready To Run Checklist Video Walkthrough: This video will walk you there the strength based assessments in the Postpartum Ready To Run Checklist
  
  

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In this episode, host Alison dives into the science and strategy behind building running performance “from the ground up”—both literally and figuratively. She explains how consistent, progressive training lays the foundation for long-term gains, while strength, coordination, and tendon health help the body store and transform energy through ground reaction forces. By breaking down key movement skills—like posture alignment, single-leg stability, rotational control, and proper hip-to-knee extension—Alison shows how strength training, especially with plyometrics and isometrics, can improve running efficiency and reduce injury risk. With a blend of physics, physiology, and practical coaching, this episode makes a compelling case for training your relationship with the ground so you can run stronger—and fly.

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In this episode, Alison dives into the importance of squats for runners, highlighting how this foundational movement improves force production, coordination, and running mechanics. She explains that effective squatting—particularly through the often-overlooked mid-range—requires proper foot pronation, hip internal rotation, and a stacked body position. By mastering these elements, runners can enhance stability, strength, and stride efficiency. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Glute Accelerator: A 7 Day Crash Course on Building Strong Glutes for Female Runners
• Women’s Running Academy Membership: Smart, female centered, run supportive strength training month after month. With the Women’s Running Academy Membership you can successfully continue to strength train year round in a way that is supportive of your running and long term health.
• Squat Wedgiez: My favorite wedges for squatting. 
  
  

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In this episode, host Alison Marie emphasizes the importance of stepping back from constant racing to focus on intentional base building as a critical foundation for long-term running progress. She explains that frequent racing can lead to excessive stress, inadequate recovery, and stalled development, while consistent base phases—focused on easy running, gradual mileage increases, and foundational habits like strength training, sleep, and nutrition—build the aerobic fitness and structural resilience needed for effective race-specific training. Alison shares clear signs that a runner is ready to move beyond base building, including stable mileage, good recovery, and mental readiness, and encourages viewing training as a series of purposeful seasons to support sustainable growth and performance. 

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In this episode, Alison reflects on her recent half marathon success—finishing in 1:42:17 and winning her age group—achieved through a year of patient, low-volume running, strength training, and consistent fueling. She introduces the Women’s Running Academy, a holistic training plan for women runners that emphasizes sustainable progress through tailored strength and running programs, education on female physiology, and a flexible approach to training. Designed to help women avoid burnout, prevent injury, and train with purpose, the academy offers structured support, community access, and expert guidance for runners looking to stay strong and healthy for the long haul.

Resources Mentioned:

• Women’s Running Academy Membership: Smart, female centered, run supportive strength training month after month. With the Women’s Running Academy Membership you can successfully continue to strength train year round in a way that is supportive of your running and long term health. (Enrollment opened May 21 - May 30th)

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In this episode, Alison discusses the trend of walking backward on a treadmill at an incline to strengthen knees and reduce pain. While she acknowledges that this exercise may offer short-term benefits, such as improving foot mechanics and providing a novel stimulus to the quads, she emphasizes that it should be part of a broader strength training routine for lasting results. Alison critiques the pervasive idea of quick-fix exercises, arguing that consistent, progressive strength training with exercises like squats and lunges is more effective for long-term knee health and overall performance. She highlights the importance of building a strong foundation through regular strength training, tailored to each runner's needs, to avoid injury and achieve sustainable progress. 

Resources Mentioned:

• Women’s Running Academy Membership: Smart, female centered, run supportive strength training month after month. With the Women’s Running Academy Membership you can successfully continue to strength train year round in a way that is supportive of your running and long term health. (Enrollment opened May 21 - May 30th) 

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In this episode, host Alison explores the popular advice for midlife women—especially runners—to “lift heavy” and breaks down the science and strategy behind it. She explains that while lifting heavy can support muscle retention, bone density, metabolic health, and running performance during perimenopause and menopause, the real key is lifting to failure for maximum muscle fiber recruitment. Alison emphasizes that lifting heavy is often promoted because it requires less training volume, which pairs better with running, and also empowers women to shift focus from being small to being strong. However, she acknowledges that it may not feel good for everyone due to anatomical factors such as a narrow pelvic and rib cage structure, which can affect core engagement, internal rotation, and force production. The episode highlights the importance of building a strong foundation first, and introduces the Women's Running Academy as a resource for female runners to develop the necessary biomechanics and strength safely and effectively. 

Resources Mentioned:

Women’s Running Academy Membership: Smart, female centered, run supportive strength training month after month. With the Women’s Running Academy Membership you can successfully continue to strength train year round in a way that is supportive of your running and long term health. (Enrollment opened May 21 - May 30th) 

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