Run To The Top Podcast | The Ultimate Guide To Running

Sleepy glutes… yes, this is an actual thing for many runners. And it’s just one of an assortment of issues runners can suffer from. Whether it’s injury, weakness, or just inefficiency and injury prevention, a great physical therapist works individually with athletes to increase performance. And that is exactly what PT Abby Douek, owner of and therapist at Run Raleigh Physical Therapy and Performance Lab, does with her athletes. In this episode, we learn a lot about form; how to analyze it, including the differences between 2D and 3D gait analysis, and how to improve it. Strength and conditioning is another crucial component to rehabbing and pre-habbing injuries. And the good news is that it doesn’t take nearly as much time as you might think to improve your functional strength. Abby also challenges some conventional thinking about returning to running post-injury and thoroughly explains common issues runners have and some ways that might help them. Lots of great info in this one, so you may want to flag it as

Can exercise alone prevent age-related bone loss? Do all kinds of running activities help build your bone mass? What can you do as a runner to protect your bone density? Coach Hayley explains in today's podcast episode.

How much will running in windy conditions is going to affect your race? Does running in the wind cool you quicker? In this RC audio blog, Coach Claire talks about different research studies on the relationship between wind resistance and running performance and also shares tips for tackling the windy races.

In this week's edition of the RC update, Coach Michael shares details about the "Athlete of the Week", an achievement made by one of our coaches and how runners can prepare for Coronavirus. Tune in Now!

In today's podcast, Coach Ruairi interviews Coach Dylan about his journey to the Olympic marathon trails. Find out how he qualified for the race, the roadblocks he faced, his training plans and his preparation strategy for this race course.

At RunnersConnect, we get a lot of questions about using pace groups in races.  While we teach about how you should run your own race, there is something undeniably beneficial about running with a group.  It's been proven that being a part of a group with the same goal lowers your own perception of effort which makes running hard feel easier.   And the idea of just blindly trusting a group and letting go of the mental math that you have to do when you pace yourself, is unbelievably tempting.   On the other hand, after months or even years of training, do you really want to risk your race by following strangers?    So to answer this question, we sought out Rick Powell. Rick paced the last chance opportunity for women to qualify for the Olympic Trials in Houston this past January.   Rick Powell is a 31 year old Texan, originally from South Africa, a former marine and a current lawyer.  He has a personal best of 2:29 in the marathon and had the task of bringing in the group of women qualifying for the B standard

In today's podcast, Coach Laura discusses 3 simple things that you can add to your training to get the most out of yourself. Tune in now!

Are you a master runner? Is strength training necessary for you? How about speed work? Coach Claire clarifies and shares a few other tips to make running more pleasant for master runners. Listen now!

In this podcast, Coach Michael talks about some of the interesting things happening within the RC circle that runners like you can take advantage of, an event you should watch out for this weekend and then shares a truly inspiring story about one of our athletes that teaches the importance of focus and perseverance. Listen to our new special weekly episode!

In today's podcast, Coach Hayley shares her three favorite ways to incorporate races as part of your training. Tune in now!

Neely Spence Gracey has running in her blood--her Olympian dad, Steve Spence, was running the Boston Marathon the day she was born and her mom ran that day too! She became a four-time state champion in high school and went on to turn pro after college.  She has qualified for the Olympic Trials three times, but due to injury, hasn't been able to toe the line and race for a spot. Until now. On this episode of Run To The Top, Claire talks with the 2:34 marathoner about journey she has experienced for the past year and a half. From injury, to pregnancy, to qualifying for the Olympic Trials in Atlanta this weekend, she shares it all. Not only that, Neely shares her wisdom for staying focused and healthy; the same tips she gives the athletes she coaches herself. Neely has a wonderful attitude and tremendous insight to performance athletes. We can't wait to cheer her on in Atlanta!   Questions Neely is asked:   3:30 What made you change your mind to go for the Olympic Marathon Trials? 9:34 How was your mental state

After weeks and months of training and preparation for your goal race, the last thing you want is the race getting cancelled.  How to cope and modify your plans when your race is cancelled? Find out in today's episode from Coach Laura.

We're changing things up at the Run to the Top!  Listen to hear what is new.

Going to the gym to strength train is often the last thing most of us who are not elite-level runners want to add into our busy lives. So this is often why we neglect it. And, for those who actually do strength training, are we really doing what we should to improve our running?   This week, Coach Claire talks with Sam MacIntosh, powerlifter, triathlete, and marathoner. Formerly a rugby player in her 20’s, Sam switched to strength training and weightlifting several years ago. She is also a British Weightlifting Level 2 coach and a Precision Nutrition Level 2 coach. Having coached over 200 online clients to become leaner and stronger, she specializes in coaching masters-level athletes to maximize their performance.   Listen as Sam describes how we can get maximum strength gains without spending hours at the gym. She also busts several nutrition myths and gives us great tips and an interesting strategy for best nutrition.   Questions Sam is asked:   3:09 How do you balance being a champion weightlifter, a triat

From War Zones to Ultra Podiums: How Running Makes Joshua Stevens Thrive In this episode, Coach Claire digs in to find out how Joshua went from that shocking diagnosis to running his first ultra at age 44, and eventually becoming the Badwater Ultra Cup Champion. We also learn how he approaches training and injury prevention, his plant-based nutrition, and how he could run for 24 hours on a treadmill. Joshua has incredible insight and is an inspiration, even if you don’t plan on running any farther than a local 5K. His experiences overcoming his injury, racing for 24 hours, and helping to pace and crew for friends are enlightening and huge confidence builders. Questions Joshua is asked: 4:42 How do you look at aging and running performance? 6:27 What percentage of your training goes to all the ‘extra’ things beyond actually running? 7:17 How can people learn to stop worrying and love the treadmill? 9:38 What was it like to go through your spinal injury, receive a diagnosis that you’d never run again, and then

Running podcast to motivate & help runners of every level run their best. Coach Claire Bartholic interviews running influencers, scientists, psychologists, nutritionists, & everyday runners with inspiring stories.

The ongoing search for the best shoe for each of us is a challenge and an opportunity to improve our running. As we mentioned last week, better times, less injury, less pain, and terrain specific characteristics are some of what we are looking for in the perfect shoe. Is there a best shoe for you? Julie Cattell from Milestone Running, an independent running store in the San Diego area, will give us her perspective on what’s hot and what’s not from a warmer climate perspective. Many of the shoes we learn about from Julie are different models than those Bryan picked for us last week. Because we really can’t have too many shoes to pick from, can we? With running shoes being so important to us, we have devoted two episodes to this essential subject. Our first shoe episode was from the northern climes in Toronto, Canada where Bryan Smith offered us his thoughts on best shoes for all 4 seasons since Toronto experiences all of the weather elements including snow, ice, humidity, cold and hot days. Today’s episode tak

Is there a BEST SHOE for you? Bryan Smith is the area manager for Running Room, an independent running store, and he is here with us today to discuss the top 2020 running shoes from his perspective. Shoes are probably the most important, and exciting, piece of a runner’s equipment. The ongoing search for the best shoe for each of us is a challenge and an opportunity to improve our running. Better times, less injury, less pain, and terrain specific characteristics are some of what we are looking for in the PERFECT SHOE.  

Olympic Marathon Trials There are few things more exciting than watching those who are the best of the best perform. Whether it’s sports, music, theatre, comedy, or anything else. And it’s a rare occasion that amateurs can compete along with them. On February 29, 2020 (Leap Day), over 750 of the best American Marathoners will compete in Atlanta, Georgia for a select number of spots to represent Team USA in Tokyo this summer. The Atlanta Track Club has the distinguished honor and responsibility of hosting the Olympic Marathon Trials in 2020. In this episode, we talk with Rich Kenah, Executive Director of the ATC, who shares some of the history of the Club, his own history as a high level competitive runner and lots of details about the upcoming Olympic Marathon Trials.  

Dr. Eugene Charles experienced a sports injury in his teens that ended any athletic dreams he had. No one was able to diagnose the reason for his shoulder pain and after years of looking into and studying the problem he was no closer to a remedy. Fortunately, Dr. George Goodheart had discovered a system of using movement and muscle testing to diagnose and treat health problems. Dr. Goodheart was giving a seminar nearby and after listening to this very knowledgeable man, Gene approached him about his shoulder. From watching him move and testing a few muscles, Dr. Goodheart immediately uncovered the underlying cause of pain, and in a few months it was completely healed. It changed Dr. Charles’ life.