Run To The Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide To Running

Our bodies are amazing and they are surprisingly individual. One person could eat loaves of Wonder Bread with negligible effects to blood sugar while another person’s levels would skyrocket. Science doesn’t quite understand why there are such dramatic differences, but we know that they are there. So what does this mean for the average athlete? How does our fueling and overall nutrition need to change to work with our own unique metabolism? These are the questions that Wade Lightheart is on a mission to answer. You’ll learn: Why standard nutrition advice for runners is flawed How to figure out what your unique body needs and How testing and data collection can help If you are looking to optimize your nutrition scientifically, this is the episode for you. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCON

There are not many ultrarunners who have run farther than Robbie Balenger. Robbie’s been making headlines for the past few years with his massive athletic feats. Just this past spring, Robbie decided to see if he could run longer than a Tesla could on a single charge along a Texas highway. Three days and 242 miles later, man beat machine. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Robbie fuels his amazingly long runs What training you need to run your first ultra, and How to mentally get through extreme challenges and stay on your feet If you’re an ultrarunner, want to become one, or are just fascinated by them, this is an incredible listen! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: LMNT Maintaining healthy electrolyte levels will not only improve performance an

Fueling your running is not as simple as eating when you are hungry or not eating when you are not hungry. Registered Dietician Cortney Berling of EatWellRunBetter.com explains how to actually eat for running performance or weight loss. We talk about: when you absolutely should NOT listen to your body as a runner and what to do instead  the differences in nutrition when you are running to lose weight and when you are fueling for performance, and why your super healthy, whole foods diet might actually be sabotaging your speed and endurance. If you want to get the most out of your running, great nutrition is key! Learn how to maximize yours. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: MassZymes from BiOptimizers  Digestive enzymes are naturally occurring pro

If you have a busy life outside of running, and let’s face it, we all do, this can be a real challenge. And let me tell you a little secret--all that time might actually be unnecessary! On today’s Run to the Top, Coach Claire reveals some great ways to better fit your training into your busy life. She goes over: Exactly how much time you need to invest in training for endurance races from the 5k to the marathon How to maximize your training into less overall time, and How to organize your schedule so you can train better without wrecking the rest of your life If you’re ready to jump into a new distance or if you are feeling overwhelmed with your current schedule, this is the info you need to maximize your miles! Need help converting your race times to your optimal easy and long run pace? Download your FREE Long Run and Aerobic Pacing Calculator now! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect

Getting older doesn’t mean getting slower, as long as you make critical changes to your training and how you fuel. Dr Stacy Sims, the revolutionary exercise and nutrition scientist who wrote Roar unlocks what female athletes need to do before, during and after menopause to thrive. Her newest book, Next Level, smashes the stereotypes of female aging and menopause and outlines exactly what female athletes need to get faster and stronger (and look amazing!). You’ll learn: what is happening in our bodies starting in our mid-forties that prevents us from responding to training like younger athletes wow to shift your training to create the metabolic and training responses we want, and what to do besides running to boost power, strength, and performance This is a can’t-miss episode for all female athletes that the men can learn from too! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Fac

Do you ever feel like you are missing out on key training elements that could actually help you get faster and stronger? If you are stuck in a plateau or a cycle of injury, there are some changes that can help. Eoin Everard is a physiotherapist with a PhD in Biomechanics who studies what makes runners faster and stronger. He’s the founder of everardpilates.com. and he certainly has discovered what works on himself. Eoin has won 5 national senior running titles, has represented Ireland on the international stage from 800m to 10k Cross Country. He is a sub 4 minute miler and ran sub 14 minutes for 5k just last year. Finally, he is the current indoor 3000m European O35 champion. And besides all of that, Eoin is utterly delightful to talk to. We went a little longer than usual with this conversation, because there is just so much good stuff! You’ll learn: Eoin’s 3 minute drill to add on to a run to get more power, why you should not bother to fix your form on the run, and  why static stretching is not as evil as

Running can be intimidating to a lot of people. But jogging? It can open a world of fun fitness to almost everyone. Chris Heuisler of the Knob Creek Jogging Club talks about how a simple word shift transformed the lives of hundreds of bartenders. In this fun and inspiring episode, we explore: Why the word “jogging” made all the difference in getting non-runners to get onboard How runners’ serious attitudes to the sport can actually be limiting How being more inclusive can increase enjoyment and longevity And Chris also gets Coach Claire to open up a little bit about her running story and how she finds joy as a coach. You don’t want to miss this one! CONNECT, COMMENT, & COMMUNITY: Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing

Side stitches affect up to 70% of all runners.  If you’ve ever suffered from a sharp, shooting pain in your side in the middle of your run, you know how awful it is. On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, we go into the science of side stitches. You’ll learn: which runners are most susceptible to them what you can do to prevent them, and how to deal with a side stitch on the run This will be a super helpful episode if you’ve ever suffered from side stitches or if you never want to. And we know that it’s getting hot out there for a lot of you runners in the northern hemisphere. Make  sure that you know exactly how much the heat will affect your runs and how to adjust your paces to make sure you are getting the most out of your workout. Download our FREE temperature calculator that you can use all summer long.   Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersC

Do you train your brain as hard as you train your body? World-renowned expert on performance, Olympic-level coach, author and podcast host Steve Magness is our special guest on the Run to the Top and he can teach us how. You’ll learn: How the stereotypical view of mental toughness has changed for the better What mental techniques elite runners use in their training, and How you can use the four pillars of toughness to maximize your own training. If you’ve ever struggled mentally during a run (that’s everyone!), this is a can’t miss episode! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium before you go to bed has been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during hi

Are you stuck in a metabolic plateau? We run, eat less, maybe lose some weight, plateau, run more, eat less. The weight stays the same (or goes up!), but the belly or the thighs or the arms even get softer. What ends up happening is that the body fat stays stubbornly put but muscle growth stops or even reverses. More running and more calorie restriction aren’t the answer. It’s incredibly frustrating. But there is hope. Angelo Poli can shed some light on the mystery of metabolism. Angelo Poli is an internationally recognized nutrition and fitness expert. He has helped transform the bodies of some incredibly high profile clients from Olympians, NFL stars, MVPs and more.  He’s been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated and more, explaining the science of metabolism and the keys to fat loss and muscle gain. You’ll learn: Why calories in and out don’t tell the whole story What to do when our bodies adapt to the food we eat How to eat to fuel our best performance while also shedding

The beauty of following a pace group is that you don’t have to race alone. You’ll not only have a more experienced runner leading you to your dream finish time, but likely, you’ll have a whole group of people trying for the exact same thing. You can relax, keep your eyes off your watch, and ride the pace group wave all the way to a new personal record. Or maybe not… On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, I’m going to explore the pros and cons of pace groups.  You’ll learn: how to determine if a pace group is right for you what questions to ask the group leader, and when not to follow a pace group If you are thinking about following a pace group in your next race, listen to this first! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get e

Last January in Houston, Fiona O’Keefe crossed the finish line in 1:07:42, making her half marathon debut the fastest ever by an American woman. At age 23, this young runner has an incredibly bright future. Fiona specializes in the 10k and the 5k right now and--fun fact--she accidentally broke her 10k PR in the middle of her record breaking half. Coach Claire asks Fiona about her incredible day in Houston, what her favorite workouts are to prepare, and how she handles good and bad days mentally.   And then we talk about the REAL reason we wanted to have her on the Run to the Top today. We are thrilled to announce that Fiona is joining our team of expert coaches here at Runners Connect.   Learn about her coaching style and what she plans to bring to the table to help each and every RunnersConnect athlete discover their very best! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Faceboo

After her husband was killed in Afghanistan and the terrorist bombs at the Boston Marathon went off in front of her, Linda Ambard vowed not to let terrorism take any more from her. As of this year, Linda has run 220 marathons, with at least one in every state and one on each of the seven continents. Linda’s story is about more than just survival.  It’s about learning to thrive no matter what life gives you. Her running accomplishments are nothing short of amazing, but it’s her perseverance that resonates most with me. Coach Claire asks her about her incredible story, the naysayers who say she’s running too much, and how she trains and recovers to run so many marathons so often. Linda is deeply positive and inspiring so if you need a little lift in your steps today, this is the story that will do it. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Fa

Plant-based athletes are everywhere these days. But can a plant-based diet really be a performance booster for your running? What are the pros and cons of a plant based diet for runners? On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, we’ll going to go over the benefits that a plant-based diet provides runners the potential downsides to going plant-based, and we’ll give you  a day in the life of a vegan runner with meal examples that you can try today If you’re a plant-based runner already or just “plant-curious,” this evidence-based episode is one you won’t want to miss! Download our FREE Super Simple Plant Based Plate for Runners! No measuring, weighing, counting calories or macros! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Inside Tracker Inside Tracker is the ulti

For the first time in history, just over 50% of all races are run by women.   While women are leading in the number of participants, research on women in sport is still stubbornly behind the guys’. We know that women and men perform differently, carry and use fat differently, as well as react to pain differently. Typically, men are bigger, stronger, and faster, until you get to the ultra distance, where women can actually break the tape first. On today’s Run to the Top, Dr Megan Roche, 5-time national trail champion and Stanford researcher explores the science behind the biological differences between men and women in endurance running.   And this is not just a show for the women runners. Guys, you’ll want to listen up as well if you want to know why the women are getting better and better. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook pa

Have you ever gotten a DNF? Sometimes quitting in the middle of a race is undoubtedly the right thing to do. Other times, you will be full of regret when you do. Either way, it will sting for a while. On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, Coach Claire talks about the dreaded DNF. She speaks from personal experience on this one, because she’s been there. She’ll go over: when it’s a really good idea to stop a race,  when you should probably push on try to finish, and  how to get over a DNF and get back to better racing in the future. If you’ve ever DNFd or if you haven’t (yet!), preparing yourself for how to manage now while help you make a better decision on race day! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supple

Recovery can be a tricky balance for a runner. In order to train well, we sometimes have to train tired and under-recovered. But if we dig ourselves too deep into a hole of stressful training, it might be something that takes days, weeks, or even months to climb out of. That’s why having cycles of stress and rest over your day, your weeks, your months and even your years can be so beneficial for your long term sustainability in running. Coach Sara Manderscheid joins Coach Claire to talk about recovery techniques that you can incorporate into your training today to help you recover better, train smarter, and run faster than ever this year! Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers.  Supplementing with magnesium befor

If you’ve been running for any length of time, you’ve probably heard of the term “running cadence”. You may have even tried to improve yours. However, is it possible you’re falling victim to one of the many myths about running cadence?  On this episode of Run to the Top Podcast, we’re going to explore your running cadence, including… why focusing on your cadence can be an important tool for gaining speed with lower injury risk, some myths about the ideal cadence for runners, and I’ll explain a few techniques for improving your cadence to help you get faster quicker Definitely a must listen if you’re a beginner who knows nothing about cadence or if you’re a veteran who may be making many of the common mistakes with cadence. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought

From what to eat before runs to how much macros and calories we need to properly fuel and recover without gaining weight, running nutrition can often seem complicated and difficult to follow. Sports dietitian Kylee Van Horn doesn’t believe it has to be this complicated. In fact, she’ll give you simple, actionable strategies to make your running nutrition plan easy to plan and stick to. Some topics we discuss… Do you need to eat before you run, especially if you are a morning runner? What do we need to eat before, during and after a run. How to balance legitimate and healthy weight loss goals with performance If you’ve struggled with making your running nutrition plan too complicated, you’ll love this interview. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: I

How much do you rely on the data from your running watch? Do you analyze all the data it gives you after every run? In this Run to the Top episode, we’re going to take an in-depth look at how much you should trust this data and how you can most effectively use it in all training situations.  In this episode, you’ll learn… some of the great features that make your watch more useful how to use it more effectively in workouts and on the treadmill, and how much to trust all those fancy assumptions and predictions your watch is telling you. Whether you’re a running data geek or you barely know how to use your running watch, this episode will definitely give you some practical training tips. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner's Circle Facebook Community  RunnersConnect Facebook page GET EXPERT COACHING AT RUNNERSCONNECT!