Run To The Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide To Running

The running boom has brought lots of changes, but which of these new trends are actually good for the sport? The RC team is bringing you another underrated or overrated episode focusing on trends in running, and we’re bringing on coach Ruairi to answer questions like: Are running clubs a better way to meet people than dating apps? Should every running shoe have a carbon plate? Is too much data from running watches a good or bad thing? How RC coaches feel about the trend of “rawdogging runs” Does exclusive gear like Tracksmith’s BQ singlet for Boston Marathon qualifiers celebrate excellence or gatekeep the sport? We’ll get into all the fun and bizarre trends in sport from running influencers to Strava art. So which trends are overrated? We’ve got opinions and you probably do too, so let’s get into the episode on which running trends are overrated or underrated. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month!

Running doesn’t take a lot of equipment, but racing can be expensive.  The cost of running a world major marathon or another race abroad can really add up but these are our 10 best tips to save a little money on costs such as: Travel expenses  Nutrition and fueling Race day gear Food Transportation And more… While we are giving these tips, we still recognise that it's not going to make it cheap or affordable for everyone.  There’s something really special about running fast with huge crowds cheering you on though so tune-in to find out how you can be a part of that excitement for a little less money. 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: Personal Coaching As your training kicks into full gear this spring, don’t underestimate the difference

For today’s show we’re welcoming back a voice that should be familiar to longtime listeners, assistant coach at Bowerman TC and former RC coach Alex Ostberg.  Alex is a seven-time All-American who holds PRs of 3:58 in the Mile, 7:49 in the 3k, and 13:18 in the 5k. He’s back today to share training secrets from working with the fastest runners on the planet, including: What are the most important training principles for runners of all levels What is the role of a coach in getting the best out of their athletes How Alex’s coaching philosophy has changed over time Why you should think twice before trying to mimic the training of elite athletes like the Bowerman TC team If you’re curious what it’s like to coach world-class runners and what you can learn from them, then you’ll really enjoy this conversation with Alex Ostberg.  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 Faceb

Today, we’re here to make your next marathon decision a little easier by breaking down the best and fastest marathons out there. Let this episode be your marathon guide in 2025 with topics including: How to choose the right marathon for you What makes some marathons faster than others How to research potential races What are our favourite American and International marathons There’s nothing like the feeling of running 42.2km with excited crowds cheering you on and then crossing the finish line to a new personal best. Today, we’ll be your guides for finding your next marathon in 2025 or to give you some ideas for future races. Find My Marathon search tool: https://findmymarathon.com/ Running the USA Race Finder: https://runningintheusa.com/ Some US Marathons mentioned on the show: Houston Marathon Mesa Marathon Woodlands Marathon LA Marathon Eugene Marathon Grandma’s Marathon Chicago Marathon Philadelphia Marathon Indianapolis Monumental Marathon California International Marathon (CIM) The Marathon Pro

If you get sick, your body probably needs rest but how do you know how much rest to take and when to get back to normal training? This cold and flu season is the perfect time to prepare yourself since getting sick can be unavoidable. In this episode of the show we’ll answer questions like: How to know if you’re too sick to run How to adjust your training while you’re sick and after recovering Whether running can impact the chances of you getting sick What to do if your symptoms linger after recovering from being sick A lot of runners will get sick at some point during the winter so make sure you know how to respond if you suddenly find yourself feeling under the weather. Previous podcast about whether to run through sickness: https://runnersconnect.net/running-interviews/should-you-run-when-sick-when-not-to-run-and-how-to-modify-your-training/ Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Con

The New Year is the perfect time to set nutrition goals. Eating well will give you more energy for workouts and help with recovery. The nutrition team at Metpro is once again joining Run to the Top with topics like: Why nutrition goal-setting is important for athletes How to set an effective New Year’s goal or resolution Why you might actually need to eat more if you have a goal to lose weight  Why snacking is such a powerful tool for runners How to tailor your nutrition to your personal metabolism and goals  Healthy eating is super individualistic and will vary by person. That’s why it’s important to set goals that are specific and relevant to your lifestyle. So if you want to run your best in 2025, it all starts with setting the right goals to fuel the hard workouts that get you there.  To learn more about MetPro: Website: https://metpro.co/ Email: denniis@metpro.co Instagram: @proco Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first

For Lena Andersson, running is about more than health and fitness. It’s a way to see the world that she’s sharing through her tour company Go! Running Tours. Go! Running Tours is a global tour provider that connects traveling runners with like-minded locals who are passionate about sharing their culture.  During this conversation, Lena chats about the story behind this tour group including: What it’s like to take part in a running tour How Lena traded in her corporate job to start a global running company What are Lena’s favorite places in the world to run How running culture differs across cities How to make running a part of your vacation outside of racing Running tours are a great way to see the world that’s better for the environment and local cities.  Go! Running Tours started with a dream of showing people around Copenhagen but you’ll hear how it transformed into a global agency with 50+ destinations. If you’re a lover of running or travel then you’re going to want to hear her story. Go! Running Tou

This athlete spotlight features two incredible athletes who each recently won the Muleskinner 50 miler. The kicker though, is that these co-champions are a mother and son due! Bethany and TJ are a true family of runners and you’re going to love hearing about their story including answers to questions including: Why they picked the Muleskinner 50 miler to compete together How Bethany recovered from taking a wrong turn during the race How TJ finds time for running and 4-6 strength sessions per week while studying business full-time and working  What training looked like for each of them leading up to race day Why Bethany and TJ love running so much What other races they have planned and whether other members of the family might be catching the running bug If you’re a longtime listener, you’ll know that the RC spotlight is all about celebrating the accomplishments of runners just like you who are doing incredible things. Bethany and TJ might not be pros, but they have a dedication and love for the sport that’s

There’s no doubt running is great for your health, but what healthy habits are good for your running?  We’re answering this with another edition of overrated or underrated to help you decide what other healthy habits you should be adopting to become a healthier and better runner.  Joining us for this topic is DR. Richard Rosenfeld, an expert in lifestyle health and nutrition. He’ll get into nutrition and tons of other great factors which can improve your overall health like: Should you take power naps to catch up on some sleep? How important is getting consistent animal protein in your diet? Does mindfulness have an impact on your running? Who benefits from adding walking breaks into racing and training? You already spend countless hours running, so here’s an opportunity to take no more than a single hour and learn tons of great new habits for your health.  Link to donate to Richard’s Berlin Marathon fundraiser:  https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/RMR “Live Long and Stay Healthy: 6 Simple Lifestyle Behaviors

Winter is coming, and that means you may be doing the majority of your training in the dark and cold depending on where you live. You don’t have to let sunlight limit your training though! This episode is about how to get the most out of winter training; from a safety perspective and performance perspective.  This includes answering questions such as: How your body reacts differently to running in the dark and cold How to dress on your runs for better visibility and warmth How to train safely before sunrise or after sunset How to structure winter training while working towards a goal Spring race When to throw in the towel and move your training inside There’s a time and place for training inside or skipping your run but we know it’s way more fun to keep your training going. Make sure you’re doing this safely and tune-in to find out how. Connect, Comment, Community Follow RunnersConnect on Instagram Join the Elite Treatment where you get first dibs on everything RTTT each month! Runners Connect Winner

Believe in the Run is one of the top sites online for honest reviews of running gear and today’s guest Robbe Reddinger knows a thing or two about running shoes. We couldn’t think of a more qualified person to give running gear advice so we brought him on the show to chat about his top gear picks. Some of the topics we’ll cover include: How the shoe testing process works What makes a good running shoe What other pieces of gear every runner needs What are Robbe’s favorite running shoes  Plus find out what running shoe Robbe would choose right now to run a marathon PR It can be hard to choose between so many great gear options, which is where Robbe comes in. The team at Believe in the Run are the ultimate shoe geeks and the perfect guests to help perfect your running shoe rotation.  Believe in the Run Website: believeintherun.com Believe in the Run Instagram: www.instagram.com/believeintherun/ The Drop Podcast: https://believeintherun.com/shows/the-drop-podcast/ Robbe’s 5 gear picks he can’t live with

This is the time of year when most marathon runners are finishing their goal races for the fall season. Once the excitement of this incredible accomplishment fades though, you might be left wondering when you should start running again.  There’s no simple answer here but ensuring that you give yourself enough time to recover both mentally and physically will help with preventing burnout or injury in the next training cycle.  The amount of recovery you need will depend on a lot of factors that will be addressed with topics such as: What actually happens to your body when you race a marathon? How long does the “damage” from running a marathon last? How do you know when your body might be ready to start running again? What is the difference in the amount of time needed before you are ready for easy running compared to tougher structured workouts? Is it ever okay to run the day after you complete a marathon? Coach Hayley has guided many runners through this process and helps us with answering the tough question

It’s a runner’s worst nightmare being out on a run and suddenly GI issues strike.  If you’ve been running long enough, there’s a good chance that at some point you’ve eaten the wrong thing or just gotten unlucky and suffered this uncomfortable situation.  So today, we’re going to help you solve this problem! You’ll learn… Why running can cause digestive problems How to fuel before your runs to minimize the chance of discomfort Why it’s important for distance runners to “train your gut” for fuelling during a run What are the factors other than nutrition that contribute to GI struggle How to respond if you find yourself dealing with a case of runner’s trot Don’t let an upset stomach stop you from crushing your next run and tune-in to hear strategies from one of our expert coaches, Andie Cozzarelli, for preventing any GI issues on your runs. Gels, Sports Drinks and Gummies: Which is the Best Fueling Option for the Marathon - Runners Connect Dr. Stacy Sims - Supplementation for Women: https://www.drstacysim

When Jacob Heslington was sitting in the ICU as a 21 year-old recovering from severe blod clots, he probably didn’t imagine that only 9 years later he would be running in the Olympic Marathon Trials. Qualifying alone would have been an impressive feat. His success didn’t stop there though. In only his 2nd ever marathon, Jacob managed to finish 21st in a time of 2:15 and while competing against a field of over 100 incredibly talented elite and semi-elite runners from across the country. He’s the ultimate everyman runner, balancing his training with a full-time engineering job and 3 kids. There’s a lot you can learn from the training of elite athletes. What makes Jacob a special role model to runners is that he has achieved such incredible success in the face of adversity countless times. This is a real-life story of an athlete that has overcome the odds to make his running dreams a reality. He’s joining us on the Run to the Top Podcast so that other runners can find inspiration to achieve their own goals. We’l

There’s a lot of bad information out there when it comes to injury treatment and prevention. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you get information from a reliable source like today’s guest, doctor of chiropractic Chantelle Maryuen. Chantelle works at the Runner’s Academy clinic in Toronto, offering a variety of services helping runners with “striving to make striving for your goals a joyful experience rather than a painful one”.  Part of the challenge in following research-based principles is that they are so specific to the individual. This means that good treatment for one person could be totally counter-productive for someone else. We want to make this episode as relevant as possible to you, so we’ll cover what treatment options are proven to work for the vast majority of runners but also where to find good information to make treatment decisions for yourself.  Treatment doesn’t just apply to injuries though. How you treat niggles or soreness can be just as important to keeping you healthy. Whateve

Every run in a good training plan serves a purpose. That doesn’t mean that you have to enjoy them all equally though. Even if you have performance goals, it can be a lot easier to stick to the plan if you enjoy the process. Today’s show is all about giving you new workout ideas that you’ll actually want to do. Coach Ruairi has more than a few ideas and he’s sharing his favorite workouts to help give you some inspiration. Each of these workouts is RC coach approved to help get you fitter without compromising on fun. Ruairi knows a thing or two about keeping running interesting. He often jumps between the road and trails and has been known to drop several viral tracks about running. Don’t let his rapping skills fool you though because he’s also an excellent coach and runner with a 2:21 marathon PB. You need a variety of workout types to achieve your best performance from tempo runs to long runs. This show is meant to cover them all and Ruairi will share which workouts he loves when preparing for different race

Sabrina Little is a 5x national champion ultra runner who happens to also be a professor of moral philosophy. During her career, when she wasn’t breaking American records, she earned a Phd in Philosophy at Baylor University. More recently though, she published her book “the Examined run - why good people make better runners” all about how running fits into a happy and fulfilling life. Her book is filled with thought-provoking lessons for anyone who loves to run and she is the perfect guest to explore how running can make us better people or even how practicing virtuous traits can make you a better runner. One of the key tenets of Sabrina’s writing is that virtuous traits like patience and empathy are teachable and performance-enhancing, so practicing them is beneficial to excelling in sport. This means that becoming a better person can actually be a tool to improve your running! Some of the topics we cover include: Why virtue can be beneficial to athletic performance How to practice building traits of virtue

We get that you’re busy, and finding a balance between training and life will probably make you a better runner than forcing your training at the expense of sleep or important life commitments. Life is unpredictable and it can be hard to find the right balance for you. Coach Jeff Gaudette is familiar with this struggle as a running coach and father of 4. While completing all of your easy runs and workouts might be challenging, the hardest part can sometimes be finding the time to fit this into your busy lifestyle, and then maintaining your energy the rest of the day afterwards. Unless you’re a professional athlete with endless time for training, you likely have struggled with this at some point. We’re diving into some of the most hectic situations everyday runners face to help provide some tips for fitting in your training without feeling like you need to give up the rest of your life. Some of the questions we’ll answer include: Why it can be so difficult to fit in your training  What are the pros and cons o

We pride ourselves on bringing you informative content, but sometimes it’s even more fun to throw that out the window and just talk about how much we love running. We’re bringing the classic game of One Gotta Go to the Run to the Top Podcast and there will be plenty of tricky decisions to make. The goal is to choose among a group of beloved running items and imagine which one to give up forever if you were forced to choose. Coach Ruairi Moyhnihan is taking on this tough challenge but don’t worry because we won’t actually make him give up any running gear and gadgets. What we will do is make him choose between his favorites. The result is great running banter that will entertain any lover of the sport.  Tune in as we force Ruairi to choose between items in categories including: Running accessories Racing essentials Types of carbohydrate-rich foods Running surfaces And many more… We might sneak in a few useful training tips but mostly, this is an episode to talk about all the things we love most about running

Most training plans call for a reduction in mileage before your goal race but if you feel nervous and anxious during this time you’re not alone. In fact, there’s even a name for the emotional turbulence runners feel during this time and it’s called the taper tantrums. If you’re tapering for your next marathon right now or will be soon, it’s important to remember your body needs this rest and not to panic with extra training. This episode provides a guide to runners resting up for the big day while managing the symptoms of this very athlete-specific ailment. It’s completely normal to start to question your fitness at this time but it’s important to remember that the taper is a key component of your training. Much like rest days, the taper allows your body to recover and then absorb the fitness you gained from hard weeks or months of training. This non-medical advice for runners will cover questions like: What are the taper tantrums and what are typical symptoms? How should you structure your taper to get the