Endurance with Ian Sharman PodiumRunner

The PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast is hosted by Ian Sharman, a professional ultra runner and coach with over 200 marathons or ultra finishes and more than 50 wins (www.sharmanultra.com, @sharmanian). We discuss training and racing topics with leading sports scientists and how to practically apply research findings for marathoners and ultra runners.
This final episode of the Endurance Podcast is a Q&A with host Ian Sharman, answering listeners' questions emailed in advance.
The topics covered include:

altitude training gimmicks;

how to incorporate strength training around running;

peaking for a big race that’s very difficult to get into, like Western States 100;

how to benefit from weight vests;

how to have a purpose behind every run, (Hear Ian discuss this more on Trail Runner Nation.

whether power meters are useful;

winter motivation;

keto/LCHF diets for ultra runners; and

other training and racing topics.

The PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast is hosted by Ian Sharman, a professional ultra runner and coach with over 200 marathons or ultra finishes and more than 50 wins (www.sharmanultra.com, @sharmanian). We discuss training and racing topics with leading sports scientists and how to practically apply research findings for marathoners and ultra runners.
This episode we’re talking to Addie Bracy who is a three-time Olympic Trials qualifier (once in the 10k and twice in the marathon) and a sports psychology consultant and coach with a Masters in Sports Psychology. Bracy switched to trail running at the US Mountain Running Championships in 2016, which she won. Since then, Addie has competed in some of the most competitive ultras, including Western States 100 and Leadville Trail 100, and won the prestigious Run Rabbit Run 100 this year.
You can follow Addie Bracy on Twitter and Instagram at @addiebracy. Her book, ‘Mental Training for Ultrarunning: Your Psychological Skills Guidebook for Ultra Success," is an excellent, detailed, and incredibly useful read. Bracy also coaches via Sharman Ultra Coaching.
Bracy and I talk about mental training in this show. We discuss:

Practical ways to train the brain beyond gaining experience.

The importance of knowing your reasons why you are at a particular race, or simply why you run at all.

Process versus outcome goals and results.

How to control mental responses mid-race.

How to maintain a positive mindset.

Why vulnerability is important.

How to improve confidence and raise performance.

The PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast is hosted by Ian Sharman, a professional ultra runner and coach with over 200 marathons or ultra finishes and more than 50 wins (www.sharmanultra.com, @sharmanian). We discuss training and racing topics with leading sports scientists and how to practically apply research findings for marathoners and ultra runners.
Ep. 19: Returning from Injury with Hillary "Hillygoat" Allen 
This episode we’re talking to Hillary Allen who is an endurance athlete and coach specializing in mountain ultra marathons where she’s earned the nickname, "Hillygoat." She started running in 2011 and comes from a background of high-level athletics, playing tennis in college. She’s podiumed at many races around the world and is probably best known for her serious injury from a near-fatal fall at a race in Norway in 2017 and the return to racing afterwards, documented in the book, ‘Out and Back: A Runner’s Story of Survival Against All Odds.’ She also has a Masters in Neuroscience and Physiology and Structural Biology and co-hosts the Trail Society podcast.
You can follow Hillary on Twitter (@hillygoatclimbs) and Instagram (@hillygoat_climbs).
This show we’re talking about returning from injury or a longer break from running. We discuss:

Hillary’s accident at the Tromsø Skyrace in 2017 and the resulting months.

How she focused on physical rehab, despite seemingly minimal gains much of the time.

Her mental approach to recovery, including returning to that same race to complete it two years later.

What she’s learned and useful takeaways for anyone who gets injured.

The PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast is hosted by Ian Sharman, a professional ultra runner and coach with over 200 marathons or ultra finishes and more than 50 wins (www.sharmanultra.com, @sharmanian). We discuss training and racing topics with leading sports scientists and how to practically apply research findings for marathoners and ultra runners.
Ep. 18: The Super Shoe Advantage with Geoff Burns
This episode we’re talking to Geoff Burns, Ph.D., who is a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Michigan and has also worked as an engineer in the automotive and medical fields. He studies running, biomechanics, and sport performance, and is a recognized expert for his research on super shoes and the controversies surrounding them. Burns also competes internationally in ultramarathons and was the 2016 National Champion in the 100k on roads.
You can follow Geoff on Instagram and Twitter at @geoffreyburns or check out his website.
This show we’re talking about super shoes and what difference they make in the real world. We discuss:

The recent controversy of the winner of the Vienna Marathon being disqualified for having shoes above the legal sole thickness, despite wearing shoes from the sponsor of the race (Here’s his PodiumRunner article about the Vienna Marathon super shoe DQ and thickness regulations).

Why super shoes are controversial

Does it matter to the sport if records aren’t comparable over time.

How different brands compare to the original Nike super shoes and whether there’s now a level playing field.

What the benefits of super shoes are in practical terms, related to speed and reduced fatigue.

Plus, whether super shoes help on trails given they’re less stable and won’t get as much rebound on softer or uneven terrain.

The PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast is hosted by Ian Sharman, a professional ultra runner and coach with over 200 marathons or ultra finishes and more than 50 wins (www.sharmanultra.com, @sharmanian). We discuss training and racing topics with leading sports scientists and how to practically apply research findings for marathoners and ultra runners.
Episode 17: Magda Boulet and Altitude Training 
This episode we’re talking to Marathon Olympian and former Ultra Runner of the Year, Magda Boulet. She’s also the SVP of Innovation, Research and Development, plus the interim SVP of Sales at Gu Energy. Magda’s won so many major races, including Western States 100 and the Leadville Trail 100. In addition she’s coached runners for years.
You can follow Magda on Instagram and Twitter at @runboulet.
This show we’re talking about altitude training and racing today since the 2021 Leadville was just a few days before our discussion. We discuss:

Magda’s introduction to running and moving to the US. 

How she transitioned to professional distance running on the track and road, leading up to Beijing 2008. 

Then we talk about switching to the trails in the past few years and the differences in altitude training protocols for racing at sea level versus racing at altitude.

The PodiumRunner Endurance Podcast is hosted by Ian Sharman, a professional ultra runner and coach with over 200 marathons or ultra finishes and more than 50 wins (www.sharmanultra.com, @sharmanian). We discuss training and racing topics with leading sports scientists and how to practically apply research findings for marathoners and ultra runners.
Episode 16: Road vs Trail Running Training with Tim Tollefson
This episode we’re talking to elite road and trail runner, Tim Tollefson. He’s also a Physical Therapist in Mammoth Lakes, CA, where he’s a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist who’s worked with athletes from basically all the major sports leagues in the US. 
His running highlights include competing at the Olympic Marathon Trials, podium-ing twice at the Ultra Trail du Mt Blanc as well as USATF Trail National Championships, and ultra wins outside the US in Australia and Europe.
You can follow Tim Tollefson on Instagram and Twitter: @timtollefson and you can hire him as a PT at Mammoth Performance Lab in California.
This show is about contrasting road and trail training. We discuss: 

Tim’s start in the sport of running then how he transitioned from track at Chico State to marathoning and on to major 100 mile trail races

Changes in his training and what he’s learned along the way, both for peaking for different types of event and for executing better.


Tim has some very wise philosophies which he’s honed over the years to allow him to keep improving as well as to enjoy his racing.