Run smarter, not harder! Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MS bring their combined 20 years of coaching experience to break down common running myths, running tips, and more. We provide evidence-based running tips for runners of all distances and experiences.
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Have you ever wondered how much your genetics influence your running? Are your paces or performances a matter of being a gifted athlete, or can you train beyond your genetic disposition? We explore the science of genetics on running performance in this episode. Additionally, we answer a listener’s question about using swimming as cross-training. Di…
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First, we answer a listener’s question about breathing issues during runs. Then, we dive into a whole episode based on requests from listeners: what running gear is overhyped, and what gear is actually worth the cost? Discussion points include: Do you need a Garmin or other running watch? Do you need a chest strap heart rate monitor? Are foot pods …
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How do you measure training intensity on easy runs and workouts? Should you use pace, RPE, or heart rate? We talk about the advantages and drawbacks of each method for measuring training intensity on your runs. Before our main discussion, we answer a listener’s question about caffeine supplementation, coffee, and energy drinks before runs. Discussi…
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Are you struggling with Achilles pain, a chronic high hamstring injury, or another tendon issue? This is the episode for you! We brought on an expert on tendinopathy and tendon health - Dr. Alex Nelson, DPT, owner of Training with Tendinopathy. You can follow Dr. Nelson on Instagram @training_with_tendinopathy Discussion points include: Defining te…
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As unfortunate as it is, it’s inevitable if you run enough: a disappointing race can happen. This experience happens to almost every runner! It’s part of putting yourself out there and chasing your goals. We talk about dealing with challenging races and missed goals in this episode. Before our main topic, we answer a listener's question about scrap…
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Our listener question follows up on the listener question from episode 72 - how do you take objective vs subject approaches to determine your best race distance? Then, we dive into an important topic: pre- and post-run nutrition, and why they matter so much. We dive into the science and provide practical tips that you can implement in your own trai…
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75: Why Your Easy Pace Isn't Improving, Low Volume Marathon Plans, and More: Our Informed Hot Takes
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In the midst of a running boom, there is more information than ever being shared on social media. However, some of that information is misguided or presented without nuance - if not just straight up inaccurate. Our “hot takes” episodes guide you through some of these topics, drawing from our years of experience in coaching and from an evidence-base…
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We are doing something a bit different in this episode! Periodically, we will bring guests onto the show. Today we have our first guest, who has graciously hosted us on her podcast before. Elisabeth Scott of Running Explained joins us for a discussion on running goals. Discussion points include: Process goals vs outcome goals How much can you impro…
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We collected listener questions on Instagram to provide you with a practical guide for how to use heart rate zones for running. Discussion points include: Who should use heart rate zone training? Are Garmin’s heart rate zones accurate? How to calculate your individual heart rate zones Understanding the five-zone model Should you use your watch or a…
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The half marathon is one of the most popular race distance out there, for both experienced and novice runners. This episode focuses on how to train for your first marathon - while minimizing injury risk and enjoying the experience. These tips can also be helpful even if you are an experienced half marathon runner! Discussion points include: Do you …
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Are you traveling for a marathon (or other distance) soon, either domestically or internationally? Then this episode is for you! We have tips on how to make your destination race - and all the travel logistics around it - the smoothest and most enjoyable experience possible. Discussion points: Managing your hydration while traveling for a race How …
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Easy runs, interval workouts, strength training, prehab work, warm-ups, cross-training, and recovery - it’s a lot for anyone, much less if you are balancing a job and family! Additionally, you may have received messaging before that you NEED to do more to improve - but maybe that doesn’t mesh with your real life. There is a big gap between training…
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This experience happens to virtually every runner. No matter how well your training cycle went, race day doesn’t go as planned. You get sick on race week, the weather forecast looks sub-optimal, you have a lot of work stress, or you just don’t feel great on race day. We draw on our coaching experiences as well as a basic understanding of race day p…
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Are stability shoes outdated or the magic key to preventing injury? It’s actually neither - for some runners, they are the appropriate shoes, but they aren’t for everyone. We discuss overpronation and stability shoes in this episode. Discussion points include: Understanding pronation and supination in the running stride Is overpronation bad? What a…
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The big marathons including Boston and New York are ubiquitous on social media - but do they live up to the hype? We take a different format in our episode today and provide you with a nuanced hot take (as paradoxical as that sounds) on the most popular marathons. First, we answer a listener’s question about taking Tylenol or Advil before a race. T…
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The running community talks a lot about longer distances, but we are focusing in this episode on an underrated distance: the mile. While most runners can run multiple miles without stopping, racing a mile as fast as you can is an entirely different challenge. In this episode, we discuss how to improve your mile time - whether you are aiming for a 5…
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A number of listeners have asked us some questions based on common running myths - and so we’re here today to refute some of those myths! From running making you look older to marathons being bad for your health, we wade through the myth and evidence in this episode. How does blood donation impact your running? Does running make you look older? Do …
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Larger encompasses a variety of body types: taller than average, more muscle, or higher body mass. Both Laura and Amanda are taller than the average female runner and have worked with runners of a wide range of body sizes. However, we’ve noticed that a lot of the online advice that focuses mostly on how to start running if you have a larger body - …
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First, we answer a listener’s question on how to do when your race doesn’t go as you hoped. Then, we dive into a commonly asked question: how do you start running again after an injury? Importantly, this is not medical advice nor is it individual guidance - this is generalized running advice. Discussion points include: When can you start running ag…
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One of the most popular running goals is to run a half marathon in under two hours. A 1:59 half marathon is faster than the average finisher - it's a time that represents lots of hard work and dedication. In this episode, we are sharing tips from our years of coaching runners to this goal. Even if you have already run a sub-2 half marathon, this ep…
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61: VO2max Workouts, Threshold Runs, and More: Understanding the Different Types of Running Workouts
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What’s the difference between a VO2max and threshold running workout? This episode is your guide to all the different type of running workouts, including interval runs, tempo runs, and more. Before delving into the main discussion, we answer a listener’s question on running shoes for the treadmill. Discussion points include: When should you start a…
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We received several listener questions about strength training for runners, and this episode has answers! Discussion points include: Sample schedules for how to include strength training with your running Should you always lift on the same day as a hard run? What are the benefits of strength training for runners? Managing muscle soreness from stren…
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How much of a difference do age and gender actually make when it comes to training and performance? We’re taking a deep dive into those topics in this episode! Discussion points: Why do some runners get faster with age? Shifting your perspective on goals as a masters athlete Understanding the physiological causes of gender differences in running So…
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Join us for another updated episode today! This episode is an update - with better audio quality and additional information - on our popular marathon pacing episode. Discussion points include: Understanding different pacing strategies How does weather impact your marathon pacing Should you use heart rate to set your race day strategy? How to pace a…
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Curious about how to build running endurance? If learning how to run faster and longer is your goal, you will want to listen to this episode. Discussion points include: The most important factor when building endurance (our answer may surprise you!) The importance of properly warming up How to overcome cardiac drift Should you use heart rate, RPE, …
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As a disclaimer, the advice provided in this episode is general. We encourage discussing your individual situation with your OB/GYN or other healthcare provider. This episode is targeted both toward pregnant runners and coaches who may work with pregnant athletes or those looking to support pregnant runners in their lives. Discussion points include…
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55: Beer as a Recovery Beverage, The Gotta-Go Urgency on Runs, and Other Listener Questions!
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You asked and we are answering! This episode answers listener questions on all things running, including: Should you do a tune-up race or a baseline race before training? Can anyone run a marathon? How to manage incontinence/leakage when running How do you pick the right running coach for you? Are apps like Apple Fitness or Peloton effective for ge…
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Are you tired all the time, both during runs and during the rest of the day? We have received a few listener questions on this topic, so we are taking a deep dive into training fatigue, abnormal fatigue, bloodwork, training load management, and more! Amanda’s experience with fatigue and running Normal vs abnormal fatigue Is your nutrition causing f…
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Is running the Boston Marathon a dream of yours? As most runners know, you need to run a Boston Marathon Qualifying time (BQ) if you want to run Boston (outside of doing a charity bib). BQ times are challenging for most runners - so we are sharing what we have found works in real-life coaching practice. Before all that, we answer a listener’s quest…
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52: How Far Should You Run Before a Marathon? An Updated Episode on the Three Hour Long Run "Rule"
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We recognize that the long run is only one piece of marathon training. However, one of the most common questions we hear as running coaches is: how long should you run before a marathon? Should you follow the commonly cited rule that you should never run longer than three hours in training? We re-recorded our first ever episode for an updated discu…
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We start with a listener about timing warm-ups before driving to go for a run. Then, we dive into one of the most common questions we hear as running coaches: when is it okay to quit a run? When should you push through? When should you skip a run altogether? How do you discern low motivation versus a legitimate reason to quit a run? Discussion poin…
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This episode answers a listener question: how can you prevent a pace drop at the end of your marathon? This is such a common question for so many runners! So many factors go into not hitting the wall during a marathon: training, fatigue resistance, nutrition, pacing, and more. Discussion points include: Why glycogen depletion can cause you to slow …
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We answer a listener's question on rebuilding mileage after a few weeks of lower-volume training before diving into a frequently requested topic - knee pain while running. We dive into the different types of knee pain, what causes knee pain for runners, how to treat runner’s knee and IT band pain, and more. Discussion points include: Is running bad…
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What is the grey zone in running? The benefits and detriments of running in the grey zone How to use the talk test When to use zone 3 training Should you do all of your long runs at marathon pace? What is polarized training (hard days hard, easy days easy) Marathon pace/zone 3 workouts Zone 2 vs zone running when you are a beginner runner If you en…
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We first answer a question about using the bathroom during races. Then, we dive into an exciting topic: the 2024 Marathon Olympic Trials! Discussion points include: A preview of the marathon course and spectating tips The start time controversy How are athletes chosen to go to the Olympics? Understanding the Olympic Standard times The financial cos…
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We start with a listener question on the type of terrain to train on when preparing for a flat marathon. Then, we dive into the main topic: how to start running at 40, 50, and beyond. Discussion points: Benefits of starting running as a master’s athlete (4:20) Why it may feel harder to start running at age 40 or older (7:15) Step one of how to star…
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We wrap up season 1 of the Tread Lightly podcast by answering some of your questions! Eating disorders/disordered eating in younger athlete population (0:50) Can you go too easy/slow on your easy runs? (7:40) Reducing fiber intake around races (11:20) Gel recommendations for sensitive stomachs (16:00) Isotonic gels and carbohydrate absorption rates…
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Ever wonder why you get muscle cramps when running? We have the answers - or at least, as the theories behind why you may get crampign from running. After we start with a listener’s question about bathroom issues during runs, we dive into the theories of cramping, how to prevent muscle cramps, and how to get rid of muscle cramps when running if the…
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This episode might seem like one big hot take, but we are coming at this topic based on real-life coaching experience and an understanding of the physiology of marathon training. As hard as it may be for some to hear, there are times when you should NOT train for a marathon. Our recommendations are not absolutist; individual situations may vary. Ho…
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This whole episode answers a listener’s question: what are our tips and tricks for running in cold weather? Amanda and Laura both have years of experience of running in the cold (from living in Northwest Indiana and Colorado). We take a look at what the research says about cold weather endurance training and share tips and tricks we’ve learned over…
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5K training and racing is hard, no matter your level of experience as a runner. Even if 3.1 miles is a warm-up for you, the distance can be challenging in terms of speed. If you want to improve your 5K time - whether that's a sub-40 min 5K, sub-30, or sub-20 - this is the episode for you! We also answered a listener question on run-walk intervals. …
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After a listener question about training logs, we dive into a controversial topic: diet trends. We are not registered dietitians, so please always defer to a sports RD for individual advice. Here, we take a hard look at what the evidence says on glycogen depletion training, fasting for runners, and low-carb diets. Discussion points include: Glycoge…
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Ever wonder why it feels so hard when you run in Colorado or Utah? We discuss the science of altitude acclimatization and running at high altitudes in this episode. We also provide some helpful tips to make your next runs at high altitude feel better! We also answer a listener question about easy pace for 5+ hour marathoners. Discussion points incl…
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In our opinion, the 10K is one of the most underrated distances to race and train for. It’s long enough to require endurance but short enough that you need to develop your speed. This episode is focused on everything you need to know if you want to race a 10K, including: How long should you train for a 10K? How to set a 10K goal pace Should you tap…
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Want to start running more on the trails or curious about trying a trail race? This is the episode for you! We talk about tips for train running to help you get out on the trails and enjoy the experience. These trail running tips and techniques are based both on our coaching experiences and own experiences as two road runners who also run on trails…
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Is a heel strike as bad as people say? How much does your running cadence actually matter? What is the proper running form for your feet? We answer those questions - and more - in our discussion on running gait. Discussion points include: Is there an ideal running cadence? Should you change your running cadence? What is vertical oscillation? Is the…
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We tackle an important topic in this episode: women's and girls' participation in running. How do we encourage young girls to stick in sport? How do we encourage adult women to participate in running despite barriers - and what are those barriers? How do we initiate more conversations around women's issues in running? Discussion points: The importa…
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We devote this episode to answering one of the most common questions we receive as running coaches: how do you increase running mileage? How do you increase mileage for the first time? What about building your mileage after an injury or race, when you return to the mileage you previously did? Is the 10% rule a helpful guideline? The Jack Daniels eq…
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Do you want to get your family, including spouse and kids, involved in running? In this episode, we share both evidence-based and practical tips for how to run with kids and family. Discussion points include: What distances are appropriate for young kids? How to safely introduce your kids to running How to get your family involved in running Doing …
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Has your running watch ever told you that your VO2max improved? Or that your training was unproductive? Running watches give us more information now than ever - but what does that data actually mean? We dive into some of the most popular running watch stats, such as VO2max, heart rate data, and recovery time, so that you know what data you need - a…
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