The Strength Running Podcast

No runner wants to get injured. But the worst part of an injury is often the mental side of it, not the physical!

Sure, you can go to the PT or self-treat your injury. That will help you physically heal. 

But what about your loss of identity when you can't run? What about the loss of a future goal? How will you respond to feeling like you lost your community?

Perhaps more importantly, your mental outlook will affect how you treat your injury and the level of success of that treatment. We have to get this right!

Joining me is mental skills coach and psychologist Carrie Jackson. She is the author of On Top of Your Game: Mental Skills to Maximize Your Athletic Performance and coauthor of Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries. She’s worked with elite and pro runners around the world and her work has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Runner’s World, and most other major media. You can hear even more of Carrie on her podcast, The Injured Athlete’s Club.

We discuss:

• How to practice acceptance
• Fear management strategies
• How to adjust goals
• Why "recovery is training" 

As a formerly injury-prone runner, this conversation really impacted me. I remember how each injury made me feel. And there’s almost no worse feeling for a runner! It’s one of the major reasons why my coaching practice and training programs all revolve around consistency and staying healthy so you can focus on your running. If you want to learn even more about how to prevent injuries, go to strengthrunning.com/prevention.

Thank you LMNT!

A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

LMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

Thanks to Ketone-IQ!

Ketone-IQ increases the levels of ketones in your blood – and raised blood ketone levels do increase focus and alertness, which is why I take a shot before every podcast recording and have for almost two years even before their sponsorship. I feel dialed in and quick for these high-stakes conversations.

There’s also promising research – and loads of anecdotal evidence – that ketone supplementation can help with recovery if taken post-exercise. I know some of the best ultra runners in the world, Boston Marathon champ Des Linden, and the pro cycling team that won the TdF in 2022 and 2023 all take ketones post-race to aid recovery.

Go to Ketone.com/strengthrunning to save 30% on your first subscription and receive a free 6-pack of Ketone-IQ and try for yourself today.

Thanks Boulderthon!

Boulderthon is a top 10 race in America according to USA Today and one of the best fall marathons according to Runner’s World. With a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon, Boulderthon offers an amazing fall destination race weekend right at the foothills of the Rockies. Use code STRENGTH20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon.

Join me in Boulder, one of the top running destinations in the country, on September 28th, to experience the tight knit running community here, race on the epic streets of Boulder, and finish on historic Pearl Street. While I live in Denver, I travel to boulder probably once a week to run. It’s arguably one of the best running locations in the United States. 

There’ll probably be cool and crisp fall weather for racing fast, too. And don’t worry, Boulderthon is a BQ-eligible, USA Track & Field Sanctioned Event.

Boulderthon is on track to sell out again this year so don’t miss out. Use code STRENGTH20 to save $20 on the marathon or half-marathon here and I hope to see you in Boulder this fall.

Bestselling author, running coach, nutritionist, and 2:39 marathoner Matt Fitzgerald is back on the podcast!

Today, we're answering the big question: How do you master the sport of running?

We're not talking about getting fast or turning pro. Instead, we're talking about mastering the craft of running: becoming process-oriented and in-tune with yourself so that you can achieve your potential in the sport.

Matt's new book, Chasing Mastery, addresses this topic. He's also authored 30+ other endurance books, including some of my favorites: 

• Brain Training
• Run Faster (with Brad Hudson)
• Diet Cults

In this episode, we talk about how to make good decisions as a runner, athletic development, what being "process-oriented" really means, and other high level topics that will help you achieve your ultimate potential as a runner.

For more resources, don't miss Strength Running's training program library.

Thank you 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrant berries designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow (vasodilation), making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com. 

Pro tip: get the caffeinated version. You’ll get the vasodilatory benefits of blackcurrant berries with the powerful performance and mental benefits of caffeine.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thank you to 2XU!

If you haven’t tried 2XU technical compression gear, you’re missing out. 2XU has been the world leader in performance compression for 20 years, helping runners feel better and recover faster with compression gear that’s backed by scientific evidence. Their graduated compression gear is engineered to improve blood flow and performance while speeding recovery.

Knowing that their gear is engineered for runners by runners and backed by research makes me absolutely love 2XU. Go to 2xu.com and use code “JASON” in all caps to get 20% off sitewide, except clearance items or wetsuits.

Running gets harder as we get older. Being a master's runner makes it harder to focus on health, speed, and improvement. 

But with a sound approach, we can thrive in our 40's, 50's, and beyond.

Joining us is Coach Michael McGrane, who has been in the running industry for more than 40 years. Currently the head coach of the Norwich University Cross Country team, he's won "Coach of the Year" awards, holds a 2:30 marathon PR, and is currently training for his 24th Boston Marathon.

We’re going to discuss the physical and psychological changes that have to occur as Master’s runners if we want to stay healthy and keep running well. Michael is pulling insights from his long personal running career, his work as a college cross country and track coach, as well as his prior experience coaching with the Boston Athletics Association.

If you're a runner in their 40's or beyond, get proven training programs that prioritize your health and strength here.

Thank you Previnex!

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.

Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking. Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.

Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.

They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.

Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!

Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!

Thanks to Ketone-IQ!

Ketone-IQ increases the levels of ketones in your blood – and raised blood ketone levels do increase focus and alertness, which is why I take a shot before every podcast recording and have for almost two years even before their sponsorship. I feel dialed in and quick for these high-stakes conversations.

There’s also promising research – and loads of anecdotal evidence – that ketone supplementation can help with recovery if taken post-exercise. I know some of the best ultra runners in the world, Boston Marathon champ Des Linden, and the pro cycling team that won the TdF in 2022 and 2023 all take ketones post-race to aid recovery.

Go to Ketone.com/strengthrunning to save 30% on your first subscription and receive a free 6-pack of Ketone-IQ and try for yourself today.

Thank you DrinkLMNT!

A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

DrinkLMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out DrinkLMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

Coach Elisabeth Scott hosts the enormously popular Running Explained podcast and joins us today to answer your running questions!

We’ll be answering questions about warmups and cool-downs, strides, tempo workouts, core routines, how to taper effectively, and when to schedule strength training.

Want to get your questions answered by Jason during our live Coaching Call? Join Team Strength Running!

Thank you Gut & Green!

Previnex’s new Gut & Green Superfoods powder is my new go-to. It has organic barley and oat grass, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, kale and broccoli… and that’s it. Their ingredients are backed by clinical data and contain three specific gut fibers that help promote GI health, digestion, reduced inflammation, and a better microbiome.

And, best of all, it actually tastes good. Try it for yourself here at previnex.com and be sure to use code “JASONGREENS” to save 15% off your first order. Don’t tell anyone, but if you put Gut & Green Superfoods powder in your cart, then the 15% off discount will work for anything else you add into your cart as well. Thanks Gut & Green!

Thank you MOBO Board!

Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that’s set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly!

Even if you’re a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You’ll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it’s not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength.

I was recently at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.

Melanie is a 40-year old runner who had some success in her 20's but is now ready to make a comeback. How can she do it?

In this behind-the-scenes coaching call, Jason helps Melanie with her training and goals as she re-commits herself to running after years focusing on weightlifting. 

Melanie is a member of Team Strength Running, our group coaching program that gives you a team of your peers, ongoing coaching guidance from me, a library of training plans and other resources gear discounts, and more. Join our team at strengthrunning.com/join/ to dial in your training and make 2025 your best year yet.

We discuss:

• her past training
• injury history
• what she’s doing now to get back into the swing of training
• specific training adjustments that will help her improve
• how she should structure the rest of 2025

Thank you for listening, subscribing, and being part of the Strength Running community!

Learn more about our training programs at strengthrunning.com/coaching/

Thank you 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thank you Previnex!

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.

Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I'm now taking. Turning 40 - and having a thin frame - has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it's designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.

Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.

Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don't feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it! Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!