RunnersConnect Run to the Top Podcast

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 been shown in scientific studies to… Increase in muscle oxygenation during high intensity exercise Reduce inflammation  Significantly improve sleep quality Improve aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  My recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked.

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 where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now!

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 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 aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  My recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked.

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 faster after the run. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30%

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 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 aerobic exercise capacity when training. When you’re looking for a magnesium supplement, make sure you take one that is organic and has all 7 unique forms of magnesium.  My recommendation is Magnesium Breakthrough from Bioptimizers because it’s made with the highest quality, organic magnesium and contains all 7 critical forms. Most other magnesium supplements are synthetic and only contain one or two forms of magnesium, which is simply not enough. For an exclusive offer go to magbreakthrough.com/runtothetop and use code run10 to save 10% when you try Magnesium Breakthrough. Plus, they offer a full refund up to one year after your purchase, no questions asked.

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 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 where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now!

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 they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets.  They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).

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 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 changes.  Next, InsideTracker tracks your progress every day and adjusts based on real-time feedback from your body. The best part is that you can do it all from home and it isn’t expensive. Plus, for a limited-time you can get 25% off any InsideTracker plan or service when you use the code RTTTPRO25 .  Just head to https://runnersconnect.net/insidetracker and use the code RTTTPRO25 for 25% off.

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 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 they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets.  They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).

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: 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 changes.  Next, InsideTracker tracks your progress every day and adjusts based on real-time feedback from your body. The best part is that you can do it all from home and it isn’t expensive. Plus, for a limited-time you can get 25% off any InsideTracker plan or service when you use the code RTTTPRO25 .  Just head to https://runnersconnect.net/insidetracker and use the code RTTTPRO25 for 25% off.

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 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 faster after the run. Check out the research here: https://aminoco.com/rttt If you’re interested in learning  more and giving Perform a try, we’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 30% by using the code RC30. Just head to: https://aminoco.com/rttt and use the code RC30 at checkout to save 30%

Most recurring running injuries are caused by some kind of muscle imbalance or weakness. The imbalance or weakness in one part of your body causes another part to compensate by doing more work, usually resulting in some type of overuse injury. Strength training is the best way to fix this…but not just any type of strength training. Specifically, you’ll want to focus on what’s called unilateral training.  On this episode of the Run to the Top Podcast, I’m going to explore: What unilateral training is Why unilateral strength training is so important for runners,  Which exercises benefit runners the most, and (this is important) When not to use unilateral movements, because as good as they are, they do have limitations. If you’re constantly suffering from recurring injuries, this is a must-listen 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: 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 where Athletic Greens is a gamechanger. One scoop has 75 bioavailable vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients including a multivitamin, multimineral, probiotic, green superfood blend, and more. That means fewer stomach issues, more focus and energy throughout the day (because the workday matters just as much as the morning run), and overall ... just feeling healthier. Look, if you're struggling to get those fruits + veggies in - or if you keep buying them but they always go bad in the fridge - Athletic Greens will make getting those micronutrients simple and delicious. Get 5 BONUS travel packs and a year's supply of Vitamin D when you order at athleticgreens.com/rttt. Get yours now!

For many runners, qualifying for Boston is a dream. So how, exactly, do you do it? What does it take and how long does it take to get faster in the marathon so you can achieve your dream goal? In this episode, we discuss… How to determine if you have the innate ability. What does it take and how long does it take to get faster in the marathon How much can we expect to improve from your first marathon in a quest to BQ Our best tips to finally qualifying. Whether you are dreaming of running it one day or if you run it every year, you’ll learn some tips and tricks to get you to Hopkinton all the way to the finish on Boylston. 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 they think is not just because they lose electrolytes through their sweat, but also because athletes tend to eat very healthy diets.  They’ve been told that salt is a bad thing in food and frequently don’t get enough for their lifestyle.  Much of the science of sodium is based on people who eat highly processed diets which also are very low in potassium. It could actually be the low potassium levels causing the issues that sodium has been blamed for!  What is clear is that both sodium and potassium at the proper levels are essential for high performance (and for life in general!).  That's why we partnered with LMNT to offer a free sample pack of their electrolyte mix. Head to drinklmnt.com/runnersconnect to get yours now. The Sample Pack includes 8 packets of LMNT (2 citrus, 2 raspberry, 2 orange, and 2 raw unflavored).

Believe it or not, walking can make you a better runner, even if you’re experienced.  From increasing your aerobic capacity to allowing you to run farther and recover faster, walking can be a tool you add to your training tool-belt. In this episode, you’ll learn… The science behind why walking works The benefits walking can add to your training How to implement, even if you’re experienced, for the best results. 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 changes.  Next, InsideTracker tracks your progress every day and adjusts based on real-time feedback from your body. The best part is that you can do it all from home and it isn’t expensive. Plus, for a limited-time you can get 25% off any InsideTracker plan or service when you use the code RTTTPRO25 .  Just head to https://runnersconnect.net/insidetracker and use the code RTTTPRO25 for 25% off.