Let's dive into VO2max! In this episode, Coach Elisabeth unravels the intricacies of VO2Max, its measurement, and its significance in endurance performance. How much do you ACTUALLY need to focus on VO2max? What VO2max measures, and the variations in ranges observed across different populations, spanning from beginners to elite athletes. The challenges associated with accurately assessing VO2Max, particularly through fitness wearables A comparison between VO2Max tests and other assessments (like lactate threshold) as a predictor of performance What VO2max workouts actually look like And more!

Your fitness isn't as fragile as you think it is!! Fitness loss is not as quick or significant as many people fear, and taking a few days or week off has essentially no impact on your fitness. And while detraining is a natural part of the training process and can be beneficial in certain contexts, taking long weeks or months off will definitely result in a detraining effect... but what does that timeline look like?

My guest this week is Dr. Kate Bochnewetch, and we are delving into the world of running and training while living with a chronic illness. Drawing from her own journey coping with chronic migraines, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and POTS, Kate sharess valuable insights into being a runner with chronic illness and how to navigate a "new normal" in goal-setting and training management. We explore the unique hurdles confronted by runners dealing with chronic illnesses, offering guidance on modifying training routines, making informed choices, and asserting autonomy in goal-setting, stressing the collaborative approach of working with professionals like dietitians while highlighting the essential balance and self-care required for success! -- Kate Bochnewetch PT, DPT, CSCS is a Western NY based physical therapist and lifelong runner. She graduated from Nazareth College with her Bachelor’s of Science degree and Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Kate is also an RRCA Run Coach, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Level 1 Certified Running Gait Analyst. Her passion for working with runners has lead her to found The Running DPT LLC to pursue a career in performance based rehabilitation and run coaching, working with runners to improve performance, return to running after an injury, injury prevention, and much more. Her current focus is training and coaching runners living with chronic illness through 1:1 and group platforms.

Let's talk about METABOLISM! No, running doesn't "break" your metabolism; no, your metabolism doesn't screech to a halt once you turn 40. Metabolism and nutrition researcher Dr. Stephanie Compton, PhD, RD, joins the show to discuss metabolism and its impact on our bodies. It's not just about burning calories; it also includes the biochemical processes that build and break down substances in our bodies. Learn about different macronutrient substrates and how our bodies can use them for energy! This conversation explores the topics of metabolic flexibility, metabolic syndrome, age-related metabolic decline, the importance of exercise and muscle mass, supporting metabolism for active individuals, unrealistic expectations of metabolism, and the basics of metabolism. REFERENCEShttps://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe5017 https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040503 https://enicto.bsc.gwu.edu/web/enicto Stephanie Compton, PhD, RD, LDN is a postdoctoral researcher whose research focuses on the intersections of nutrition, physical activity, and metabolism on cancer outcomes and survivorship. Stephanie is passionate about bridging the gap between science and real life to help others ask questions and dig deeper into nutrition. She has been communicating science via Instagram for over 5 years (@steph.compton.phd) where she talks about science and nutrition education with nuance. She is currently training for her first ultra-marathon.

LET'S DIVE INTO THE HALF MARATHON! This episode with Coach Elisabeth delves into half marathon training: uncover the secrets to conquering this popular race distance, armed with insights that focus on optimal performance. From building your aerobic endurance foundation to mastering targeted workouts like lactate threshold sessions, elevate your performance to new heights and set the stage for a fabulous half marathon journey! We cover the art of pacing, steering clear of race pace obsession, and common pitfalls faced by half marathoners, from hitting the wall to training errors and pacing dilemmas. Learn to fine-tune your half marathon training with tips on adequate fueling, hydration, and the importance of easy effort running! Unlock the rewards of the half marathon—a powerhouse training investment offering experience, fitness, satisfaction, and growth without the marathon time commitment. Gain a deep appreciation for the significance of this challenging distance as she guides you through the history, training phases, and the joy of enjoying the experience!

Let's run MORE!! Why? In this episode with Coach Elisabeth, we talk about how to increase running volume effectively and the importance of finding the right balance between volume and frequency, and the relationship between volume and speed. Practical tips for adding volume to your training week include adding another day of running and distributing volume increases throughout the week, plus the importance of easy effort running and the limitations of the 10% rule. She also highlights the varying volume of elite runners and the dedication and time required to achieve aggressive performance goals. She encourages runners to maintain a love for running and not sacrifice it for arbitrary goals KEY TAKEAWAYS! Increasing running volume can lead to improved performance, but it's important to find the right balance for your individual goals and abilities. Adding another day of running and distributing volume increases throughout the week are effective ways to increase training volume. Easy effort running is crucial for safely increasing volume and preventing injury. The 10% rule is a guideline that can be helpful, but it's not a hard and fast rule and may not be appropriate for all runners. Volume guidelines for different race distances can provide a general framework for setting training goals. Set realistic goals and consider the time and dedication required to achieve them. Volume plays a crucial role in marathon training and can greatly impact performance. Elite runners have varying volume levels, but higher volume tends to lead to better performance. Maintain a love for running and don't sacrifice it for arbitrary goals. Increase volume gradually and distribute frequency throughout the week for better results.

Eating to support your running can feel really overwhelming when you're ALSO being a partner, parent, employee, friend - ALL of the things you also are in your busy life! Sports dietitian Alex Larson, RD (@alexlarsonnutrition) and Coach Elisabeth cover topics such as post-workout breakfasts for busy mornings, easy fueling before and after workouts, simple ways to add carbs and other foods, tips for athletes with unpredictable schedules, understanding hunger and fullness cues, nutrition for two-a-day workouts, and simple and actionable tips for nutrition!

Have you ever had a big goal race go SO CATASTROPHICALLY SIDEWAYS that you're plummeted into an existential crisis afterwards? Yeah, us too! In this episode with Dr. Victoria Sekely (@trainsmartunstrong) we discuss the pressure of setting goals, the impact of race disappointments, and the influence of others' opinions. PLUS, we talk about the challenges faced by women in running and the importance of living with uncertainty and being able to pivot. The conversation includes personal experiences, such as training for and racing the New York City Marathon, and going out too fast in races! KEY HIGHLIGHTS! 04:45 The Impact of Race Disappointments 06:37 Vicky's Experience of Training for and Racing the New York City Marathon 20:51 Navigating Expectations and Perfectionism 45:12 Dealing with Shame and Self-Worth 55:00 Trusting Yourself in Races 01:05:13 Redefining Goals and Expectations 01:07:15 Approaching Future Goals with Awareness 01:12:08 Accepting Imperfection and Progress -- Victoria Sekely is a Manhattan-based Physical Therapist with a passion for all things running. Victoria graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Georgetown University and went on to complete her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from New York University. Victoria is also a USATF Level 1 and RRCA-certified run coach. She is dedicated to helping runners of all levels by using her skills and knowledge to assist runners who are rehabbing from an injury, interested in injury prevention, and/or looking to improve their training with custom running programs.

FOOTSTRIKE is often a hot topic among runners... but should it be? Does where you land matter? If so, WHY? Physical therapist & founder of Learn2Run Dr. Matt Minard, PT, DPT, OCS, CMTPT, CSCS, Cert. MDT, returns to the show for a deep dive into all things foostrike! -What is footstrike? -What footstrike can and can't tell you -Why you might be thinking about footstrike all wrong -Heel striking vs midfoot or forefoot striking -Footstrike form cues: helpful or harmful? -What about sprinters? -Footstrike on different terrain -AND more! WATCH: "Reverse Engineering Foot Strike- Why & When the HEEL is King" on the Learn2Run YouTube channel! Download The Run Club app by Running Explained and join the club today! -- Dr. Matt Minard owns Learn 2 Run, a program that teaches runners how to run smarter, safer, and faster. He hopes this podcast will help runners improve their metrics while reducing injuries. In practice, he focuses on 3 very important aspects of running: optimizing mechanics, building a base, and increasing VO2max. His purpose is to help people. With a passion for human movement and fitness, he is driven to help others learn how to move their bodies strategically and efficiently to reduce the risk of injury and increase overall wellness.

Relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) describes a syndrome of poor health and declining athletic performance that happens when athletes do not get enough fuel through food to support the energy demands of their daily lives and training. RED-S can and does affect athletes of any gender and ability level. Melissa Lodge, PhD(c) is an elite runner and researcher studying RED-S in endurance athletes, and she joins the show to talk about RED-S and her work! What is RED-S? The history of RED-S & evolution of understanding How RED-S happens The effect of teammates/friends/training partners The "culture" of endurance running as a risk factor for RED-S How much is intentional vs unintentional underfueling? Within-day deficits as a contributing risk factor Low Carbohydrate Availability as a contributing risk factor How many professional athletes have retired from RED-S? And more! Melissa (Mel) Lodge, MS is a health sciences doctoral student, elite runner, and REDs researcher at URI. Her research focuses on the influence of low energy availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) on markers of health and performance, specifically in female athletes across the lifespan. Melissa is interested in exploring intervention-based models, such as education, to improve outcomes for female athletes and girls in sport in the future. Melissa runs an educational platform @FED_collaborative where she provides translational research on female athlete physiology, LEA, REDs, and eating disorders/disordered eating. She continues to run competitively in track & field and road racing and competed in the 2023 USATF Indoor Championship (1500m)

Welcome to 2024! In this first episode of the year, Coach Elisabeth breaks down what makes an "elite" runner elite: their genetics, training, and more! -What is "elite"? A tiered framework for understanding athletic performance -Genetic predispositions: maybe they're born with it! -Why it's not just about good genes -The training: how much? What type? -And more!

ANOTHER YEAR DOWN! What did I learn this year? What have I been reflecting on the most? From RED-S recovery to carbon plated shoes, to abolishing the binary of "rehab" vs. strength training, to why welcoming runners of ALL paces into our community is important (and why I want YOU to stop being ashamed of your paces), it's time for another year-end reflection! Thank you for making 2023 the best year yet of The Running Explained Podcast! With love, gratitude, and all the miles, Coach Elisabeth

Are you derailed by performance anxiety? Are you pinning your self-worth & whether your training cycle was "worth it" on if you PR'd or not? Dr. Leah Avery, DPT, joins the show today to talk about her experience in healing from debilitating performance anxiety and her relationship with athletic performance. Leah was a D1 All-American swimmer and competed at the Olympic Trials, but her relationship with sport and performance was anything but healthy; when she started running during her graduate work, she found herself stuck in a cycle of performance anxiety that culminated in panic attacks during not one, but two, different marathons. Determined to make a change in her relationship with performance, sport, and running, Leah has spent the past few years intentionally freeing herself from the expectations of performing in a certain way and re-finding her love of running and sport! This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Try the probiotic & other supplements that Coach Elisabeth takes daily, and save 15% using code RUNEXP on your first order from ⁠⁠⁠⁠Previnex.com⁠⁠⁠⁠! Leah has been a practicing PT for nearly a decade which is also when she began here running career. Prior to that she was a competitive swimmer starting at the age of 8 and retired her senior year of college. During her career she was a D1 All-American and competed at the Olympic Trials. Leah’s athletic career was anything but linear and she faced many hardships which originally lead her to a career in physical therapy. However, after starting her running journey, it was clear she had an unhealthy relationship with athletics. Her mission is to help runners reach their potential in a healthy manner by treating the person, not just the runner. And help them understand that running adds value to our lives but it is not what makes us valuable.

Taking objective stock of your training cycle - what did you attempt to do, what actually happened, and how did it feel - can be an incredibly useful exercise so that you can learn what worked, what didn't... and ID any mistakes that were made! Coach Elisabeth walks you through training cycle analysis in this episode that will encourage you to... 1) Objectively look at what you set out to do vs what actually happened 2) Identify patterns & learn lessons 3) Understand what is and is outside of your control and 4) Take those lessons in your next training cycle! This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Try the probiotic & other supplements that Coach Elisabeth takes daily, and save 15% using code RUNEXP on your first order from ⁠⁠⁠Previnex.com⁠⁠⁠! - Coach Elisabeth Scott is the Founder and Head Coach at Running Explained. She is a multi-certified run coach, Boston Qualified marathoner, and seeker of both truth and compassion in helping YOU become the best runner you can be!

Can you get FASTER by running LESS?? This is NOT your clickbaity "smash a marathon PR by only doing 3 runs a week"-style low volume training; coach and elite mountain runner Kim Nedeau is here to talk about how to excel as an endurance runner in a low run volume/high training volume framework. This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Try the probiotic & other supplements that Coach Elisabeth takes daily, and save 15% using code RUNEXP on your first order from ⁠⁠Previnex.com⁠⁠! And from 11/24-11/26, EVERYONE can save 20% off their orders with code BF2023! -What is "low run volume/high training volume" training? -Who this training framework is best for -Manipulating training intensity distribution with lower running volume and higher cross-training volume -"But isn't more mileage always better?" -How is this framework different from multisport, i.e. triathlon, training? -Ways to configure a training week in this framework -How we're seeing more competitive and elite runners excel on lower run volume with high training volume -and more! Kim Nedeau is a life-long athlete and owner of Training Inclined, a coaching business that serves athletes seeking alternative training methods and injury prevention. She and her husband live in the woods of western Massachusetts where they share their love for endurance sports with their two teenagers and beloved German shorthaired pointer. She ran competitively in high school, at Brown University, and as an open athlete for a few years after college before starting a family. She returned to competitive running and ran some of her best races in her late 30s. Kim found her way to mountain running and was a member of the US Mountain Running team in 2016, where she placed 9th overall, first American, and helped the team win bronze in the World Mountain Running Championships. Kim's return to running involved a diverse approach that included a moderate amount of running, biking and strength, which in total added up to high volume training. This is the approach she now uses in her work with injury-prone athletes, those who want to avoid injury and those interested in longevity in the sport.

Is there anything worse than needing an emergency bathroom stop on a run... except for needing TWO? What about when our poor gut health interferes with our ability to absorb important micronutrients or tolerate the fuel we need to power our long runs and races? Sports dietitian Kylee Van Horn, RD (@flynutrition3) is here to talk all about gut health for runners! Including... What IS "good gut health" in general and how can we support it? Our gut microbiome Can changes in our gut health signal when our training balance is appropriate vs inappropriate? How does "nutritional training" work to help us handle more fuel & fluids? Signs your gut health isn't great (& what to do) And more! Kylee Van Horn, RDN is an endurance sports dietitian, who takes a balanced, sustainable approach to fuel the every day up to the elite athlete. Her mission is to separate facts from fads in the nutrition space and work to provide easy nutrition solutions to help improve health and performance. Today, Kylee is the founder and owner of her sports nutrition business Flynutrition, which helps runners, triathletes, and skiers to learn not only the ‘why’ but the ‘how’ behind fueling for performance. She also is a freelance writer for Trail Runner Magazine, Women's Running Magazine, and Outside Online. Beyond her work in sports nutrition, Kylee can be found running peaks near Aspen, CO with her three Australian shepherds and ultra-endurance husband, Sean.

Post-race recovery starts AS SOON AS YOU CROSS THE FINISH LINE! What do you need to do to set yourself up for post-race recovery success? This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Try the probiotic that Coach Elisabeth takes daily for her own gut health, and save 15% using code RUNEXP on your first order from ⁠Previnex.com⁠! -The very first things to focus on after crossing the finish line -Refueling and hydrating in the hours after your race -Muscle glycogen depletion and resynthesis -WHY racing is so stressful on your body -How much time do you really need to take off after a race? -Why does it feel like I've lost SO much fitness?? -And more! Coach Elisabeth is the founder and head coach at Running Explained. She is a multi-certified run coach, has been featured in the New York Times, and works with runners around the globe to help them understand the science behind endurance running in order to become the best runners they can be!

How can taking time OFF make you a better, faster, more resilient runner? Coach Toni Kengor, co-founder of Relentless Runners, joins the show to talk ALL THINGS OFF-SEASON! -Why you need them -WHEN to take them -What an off-season is (& is not) -How to handle feelings of anxiety around "running less" -The basics of training adaptation and supercompensation -How to be a runner AND a _______ -"But what if I take a week off and then just never run again?" -And more! Toni Kengor is a coach and co-founder of Relentless Runners. She believes that we’re all capable of more than we realize in running and in life. Follow her on Instagram @tonikengor and @relentlessrunners

Forward-thinking international exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist Dr. Stacy Sims, MSc, PhD joins the show today for a wide-ranging conversation about fueling, hydration, and optimizing performance for female endurance athletes! In this episode, we cover... Getting past focusing on weight loss and body recomposition as "the magic solution" The issues with intermittent fasting for female athletes What about utilizing low carbohydrate diets to force an increase in using fatty acids for fuel (i.e. fat burning or "fat adaptation") The problem with "cycle syncing" training programs How funding for research works and potential issues with bias; do we need to be concerned about WHO is funding research? Should you be worried about "becoming reliant" on carbohydrates for fuel when you run? Different forms of carbohydrate: let's talk about fructose, sucrose, glucose, performance fuel products, and more How does dehydration affect performance for women vs men? Figuring out your hydration needs Current research Dr. Sims is most excited about And more! This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Try the probiotic that Coach Elisabeth takes daily for her own gut health, and save 15% using code RUNEXP on your first order from Previnex.com! -- STACY T. SIMS, MSC, PHD, is a forward-thinking international exercise physiologist and nutrition scientist who aims to revolutionize exercise nutrition and performance for women. She has directed research programs at Stanford, AUT University, and the University of Waikato, focusing on female athlete health and performance and pushing the dogma to improve research on all women. With the unique opportunities, Silicon Valley has to offer, during her tenure at Stanford, she had the opportunity to translate earlier research into consumer products and a science-based layperson's book (ROAR) written to explain sex differences in training and nutrition across the lifespan. Both the consumer products and the book challenged the existing dogma for women in exercise, nutrition, and health. This paradigm shift is the focus of her famous "Women Are Not Small Men” TEDx talk. Her contributions to the international research environment and the sports nutrition industry has established a new niche in sports nutrition; and established her reputation as the expert in sex differences in training, nutrition, and health. As a direct result, she has been named: One of the top 50 visionaries of the running industry (2015) by DMSE Sports. One of the top 40 women changing the paradigm of her field (2017) by Outside Magazine. One of the top four visionaries in the outdoor sports industry (2017) by Outside Magazine - Genius Issue (no electronic version but here is the proof). One of the top four individuals changing the landscape in triathlon nutrition (2017) by Triathlete Magazine Dr. Sims has published over 70 peer-reviewed papers, several books and is a regularly featured speaker at professional and academic conferences, including those by USOC and USA Cycling. Stacy currently holds a Senior Research Associate position with SPRINZ- AUT University, supervises PhD students, writes academic papers, and is on the advisory board of some cutting edge companies including Tonal Strength Institute, WILD.AI, and EXOS. She also has her own business (www.drstacysims.com) where she creates and delivers online learning material focused on women training with their physiology across the lifespan.

YOUR KNEES AND RUNNING, PART TWO with Dr. Lauren LaPierre, DPT (@thepersonalizedrunningdoc). Thought we'd covered it all last season? Nope! -No, running still isn't bad for your knees -How is it that we sometimes experience whole-joint soreness in the knees? -Risk factors for knee injuries -Isometric exercises to address knee pain -Stabilization of the knee joint: understanding the role of the adductors -How to harness the power of eccentric exercises to improve your running -Is it OK to let my knees go past my toes when I'm strength training? -Are we doing ourselves a dissevice in how we talk about having "good knees" or "bad knees"? -Different rates of development for muscles vs. tendons vs. ligaments, etc -If strength takes so long to develop... how come I can rapidly increase how much I can handle when I first start lifting weights? -Why PRs aren't the only measure of improvement -How to use injury as an growth opportunity -"Offensive" vs "defensive" strength training as a runner -And more! Dr. Lauren LaPierre is a doctor of physical therapy by trade, runner rehab specialist and running coach! Dr. Lauren personally has over a decade of competitive running experience, competing throughout high school and later for the University of Rhode Island as a Division I athlete. Her personal journey with running is the reason she went to PT school and later started her business, The Personalized Running Doc. Her mission is to help other runners overcome training-related injuries when all else has failed, empowering them to continue running for themselves and crushing their goals as they do. Since 2020, her comprehensive approach and hybrid training model have helped runners all over the world return to running pain-free and reach their maximum running potential!