Run To The Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide To Running

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!

How often do you train for the mental challenges of running? Do you spend just as much time working on your mental prep as you do your physical preparation? You’re not alone if you’ve never even thought of how training your mindset can improve your training and mindset performance. That’s why we interviewed renowned sports psychologist Dr. Michael Sachs about how we can train our mind to perform better in both training and racing. This in-depth discussion and practical tips on how to improve your training mindset will undoubtedly help you improve for your next race. 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 musc

Many times, when you go out for a run, you feel better than when you left. A good run can leave you feeling energized and ready to tackle just about anything. But then there are those runs that leave you dragging and bone tired. You’re struggling to keep up with the last few miles of your long run. Or your cool down from a tough track session feels like you are running through a pool of mud. Does that mean you overdid it? Just how much fatigue should you feel in training and when have you crossed the line? On today’s episode of the Run to the Top Podcast, we’re going to get into the science of fatigue. You’ll learn: why a certain amount of fatigue is actually important as a runner how to use fatigue to your advantage, and how to know how much is too much fatigue If you’ve ever dragged yourself through a run, 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 Circ

Do hills intimidate you? Or do you love tackling all the ups and downs? Learn how to run hills more effortlessly, how to incorporate them into your training, and what workouts you can do on hills to build more powerful legs. Elite trail runner and coach David Roche of “Some Work, All Play,” teaches a master class on why hills are so powerful and how exactly to run them. Whether you hate hills or love them, this episode will teach you how to run them right and have fun, 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 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 high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep

There are several strategies for scheduling and executing tune up races and when done right, they can enhance your fitness and boost your confidence for the big day.   But, if they’re not done right, they can add extra risk, like not recovering enough, and unnecessary stress to your schedule.   On today’s show, I’m going to talk all about tune up races. You’ll learn: when to add a tune up race for maximum benefit and minimum risk how to run your tune up race to best prepare you for your goal race, and alternative ways to use tune ups in your schedule If you’re gearing up for a spring race and looking to add tune-up races to your schedule (or already have and might be worried it’s too close or too much), this is a must-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 broug

Sometimes the hardest part about having an audacious goal is getting started. How do you get from point A to point B when it seems so far away? How do you keep yourself motivated along the way? We invited Aisha Zaza, host of The Mindset Mile, to teach you the simple mindset trick that has been so effective for athletes we coach and myself as a coach. This is a must listen if you are looking for a daily dose of mindset training on your run or walk today! 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 high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aero

How do you advance from being a good runner to a really good runner? You’re not a beginner runner any more and you are ready to take it to the next level and stretch to your potential. On today’s Run to the Top, I’m going to share the 4 tricks I learned to get really good at running, which includes… How to break through a running plateau when your performance is stuck How to safely accelerate your training to reach new milestones, and What warning signs to look out for as you advance I’ll also share my own story of how I was able to break out of a nearly 2 year marathon plateau and finally run sub-three marathon! If you’re stuck at a plateau or just want to take your running up a notch, this is a must 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: AG 1

It wasn’t too long ago that running, or really any exercise at all, for women was considered “unladylike”.  Luckily, that’s changed, but there still exists a complicated relationship between a woman's body, exercise, and how it’s viewed around the world. In this interview, we dive deep into this fascinating subject with journalist Danielle Friedman, author of Let’s Get Physical.  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 ultimate resource for runners who want to optimize their health and nutrition. Using their patented algorithm, InsideTracker analyzes your body’s data to provide you with a clear picture of what's going on inside you. Then, they offer you science-backed recommendations for positive diet and lifestyle ch

With it being cold and flu season (and still in the midst of a pandemic), how should you adjust your running if you get sick? Do you need to stop completely, merely adjust your hard training days, or something more? On today’s Run to the Top we discuss… when it’s okay to exercise when you are sick, what precautions and modifications you should make to your routine,  when it’s not a good idea to run, and how long it takes to return to fitness after some time off This is a really helpful episode if you’re on the fence about how to adjust your training when and if you get sick. 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!

India Cook is a mentor on the board of advisors of the Coaches of Color Initiative, founded by Matt Fitzgerald’s 80/20 Endurance Team with the goal of improving diversity in endurance sports.   India and I go into the details of the project and touch on how the world of recreational endurance running is beginning to change for the better. She is an uplifting and inspirational person to talk to and I know you are going to love this conversation as much as I did. With her background in mental health, she has a unique perspective on helping runners of all ages and ethnicities run confidently in any phase of their lives.  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 b

Whether you're training for your first 5k or looking for those last few workout secrets to help you blast a new PR, this episode is for you. Coach Claire will help you… Understand the specific physiological demands of the 5k and why it matters Give you specific workouts based on your goal Discuss some racing techniques that will help you turn in your best performance yet. Ready to run your best 5k? Today’s episode is here to help! 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 enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tough to fit all of those greens in with an active and busy lifestyle. But getting in your fruits + veggies is SO crucial as a distance runner for recovery, digestion, and optimal performance. That's

Unlike runners in their 20s and 30s, older runners are often walking that tightrope between performance, potential and overall health and wellness.  Running is still a battle to perform your best, but we’re also running for our health and overall well-being. That's why we’re thrilled to have legendary runner and writer Amby Burfoot on our podcast to discuss the key ingredients to running happy, maximizing potential, and staying healthy as we get older. In this episode, we cover… What are the key ingredients to being a runner for life? Why do some runners “defy age” and what are their secrets? Once we realize that we can’t run/train the way we could when we were younger, what’s your advice for staying motivated? What are some of the most common mistakes runners make as they get older? What about nutrition needs for older runners? Does that need to change as well? These answers and much, much more from one of the most influential runners and writers of the last few decades. Connect, Comment, Community Follow

As New Year’s resolutions start to face their first test after the first easy week, were you doomed to fail from the start? Behavioral scientists suggest that true behavior change comes in 5 stages. So, are or were you in the right stage to actually make long-term changes and achieve your goals? Listen to this week’s show to see if you’re ready and to learn how to take meaningful steps towards achieving your goals. 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: Perform from the Amino Company Perform is an amino acid based formulation that I simply add to my water bottle during my run. It tastes great and is easy on my stomach. Clinical studies have shown that Perform helps improve endurance, reduce fatigue, and increases muscle protein synthesis so you recover

We’ve all heard stories about runners who’ve collapsed during a race from a heart issue. The question is, are these instances a statistically anomaly or does training hard actually increase our risk of heart issues? Dr. Erin Michos, Associate Professor of Medicine within the Division of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins, is on our show today to answer… Who is at risk for a cardiac event while running?   How much running is good for your heart? Is there such a thing as too much? Are marathoners and ultra runners at a higher risk for cardiac events? Are women’s hearts different than men’s? Why some runners seem to have higher heart rates when running than others. What are the signs and symptoms of a problem with our hearts? What other nutritional guidelines should athletes follow for heart health? 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 p

It’s the start of the new year and of course that means reflection and goal planning. So, on today’s Run to the Top, I’m going to go over how to plan the optimal year of training and why it’s critical to do this now. You’ll learn: what happens when you don’t make a strategic plan for your goals, how and when to mix up your distances and your training, and what a well-planned yearly calendar looks like for marathoners, half marathoners, and 5k or 10k racers. If you’ve struggled to make constant progress or find yourself in a constant cycle of lack of motivation and excited about training, this is the perfect lesson 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 RUNNERSCONNECT! This week’s show brought to you by: AG 1 Ask yourself - do you get enough green veggies each day? I'll admit, I don't. It's tou

Are you ready to layer up and brave the cold for some winter running? If so, here are some essential tips for running in the winter that will make your runs a whole lot easier, safer and help you adapt your schedule. We discuss… Essential gear Tips for running on ice and snow Layering and what to wear Adapting your runs when a treadmill is needed. 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 When coaching endurance runners of all levels to be their best, I always emphasize the need for proper hydration with the right balance of electrolytes. Most athletes I’ve coached are surprised to learn that their sodium needs are actually much higher than they expected and it’s been hurting their performance.  Part of the reason athletes need much more sodium than

The lure of downhill racing is pretty seductive. Courses promising fast times and scenic views are becoming more and more popular, especially for runners looking for the extra edge to finish in a personal record or to score a Boston qualifying time. But downhill running is actually much harder on your body than flat or even uphill running and surprisingly, some runners end up being slower on courses with a lot of decline. On today’s Run to the Top Podcast, Coach Claire talks all about downhill running and racing.   You’ll learn: how downhill running uniquely affects your body how to run downhill properly to minimize the negative effects, and how to train better for a course with lots of decline If you’ve got a downhill race on your schedule in 2022, this is a must-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 EXP

Staying motivated is something that every runner has to deal with.  Whether you’re constantly lacking motivation or it only comes up once in a blue moon, one of the secrets to powering through these times is accountability. So, how do you set yourself to be accountable? What happens when you need external accountability? To answer these questions, we’ve brought on Sabrina Little, an expert coach and accomplished professional trail and ultra runner for HOKA ONE ONE. She has qualified for 5 US teams and has won 5 US titles from the 50-mile trail to the 24-hour road ultra. She previously held American records in the 24-hour and 200K distances.  This is a fascinating discussion that just might change the way you look at who is accountable to whom. 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 w

Have you heard of the concept of “ideal race weight” and tried working towards it or wondering if it could help improve your running? In short, your “ideal race weight” is the optimal balance between enough muscle strength to provide power for your stride with as little “unnecessary” weight as possible.  But, is it possible that chasing an ideal race weight can actually backfire? In this in-depth episode, Coach Claire breaks down… The science of race weight How losing weight while training can backfire on physical and mental health as well as performance The metrics and strategies that matter far more than getting ultra lean If you’ve struggled with your weight and running performance, this is a must 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: Insi

We’ve all been there. We have a big race coming up and we want to give our all to training (which includes more than just the running, like sleep and nutrition too). But, we also have obligations as parents, spouses and at work is the ultimate struggle for most runners. So, how do you do it? In today’s podcast episode, Coach Claire gives you some helpful tips, including… How to know if it’s worth prioritizing your training with a demanding life,  How to work with your partner so both your needs are met, And how to fit in your training after you have kids. This is a topic that’s been repeatedly requested by many of you, so we know how important it is and would love to hear your feedback. 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: Perform from the Amino Com