The Strength Running Podcast Jason Fitzgerald

Chris Bennett is the Nike Running Global Head Coach and Senior Director Nike Global Running. Translation: Chris is an absolute powerhouse of a coach and runner.
I got to chat with Chris about his role at Nike, how runners approach the sport from a variety of angles, what often prevents us from achieving our goals, his message to every runner in the world if he had the opportunity to speak to the global running population, and so much more.
In this episode, Chris and I talk about:
The multifaceted nature of coaching (it's not just creating workouts). Don't overcomplicate running; it can be simple and accessible. How runners' motivations have shifted from performance-driven to stress relief and mental wellness. How all runners can explore the sport beyond just competition and time. The growth of running and its perception as a competitive sport. You need more than just time goals. Common obstacles to consistent and effective running training. Adjusting training plans based on the athlete's needs and self-awareness. Don't rely on a coach entirely; listen to your body and mind-- and speak up! Self-sabotaging by "doing" too much without enough recovery. Running with the legendary Joan Benoit Samson. Send this episode to anyone who could use more play and exploration in their running goals.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Chris Bennett on Substack The Nike Running App Chris's Podcast, Two Coach Bennetts Talking Chris on Instagram Chris on TikTok Chris on Threads Get a plan for your next PR Get the free injury prevention email series. 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!
Thanks to The Performance Training Journal!
The Performance Training Journal is now available on Amazon and debuted as the #4 new release in the running category. Since I started running in 1998, I’ve kept a hardcopy training journal. Holding a tangible log, writing in it daily, and reflecting on the ups and downs of running is a surefire way to improve. 
This hardcopy training journal helps you focus on the training metrics that matter, prioritizes a long-term outlook so you don’t take any shortcuts, and maintains your motivation with strategic self-praise. With a no-frills, functional design, the Performance Training Journal includes coaching advice on racing, injury prevention, strength training, and more. It will guide you through race scheduling, how to plan your race morning, the best workouts for endurance ru

Brooke Torres is an ultra runner who couldn’t understand why running shoes were so uncomfortable. So, she started a running shoe company to fix that problem.
Hilma Running Shoes makes shoes specifically for the needs of women’s feet, which are uniquely shaped and not just a smaller version of men’s feet (since as you'll hear, that doesn't work).
In this episode, Brooke and I talk about:
Women's foot shape and its impact on running shoe design How poor-fit shoes can lead to injury and discomfort due to differences in foot geometry Heels, high arches, and bunions: common foot problems in women How women often choose to size up in order to find more width Hilma's three different fits, with a 90% try-on success rate The cost and time required for custom shoe creation (it's a lot) Personalized shoe fitting for women, using data and quizzes to determine the best fit Running shoes for various purposes and from urban walking to moderately technical trails Helping women feel welcome in the outdoor industry I'm normally reluctant to have running company CEO's on the podcast, since the episode could feel like a massive advertisement. But I confidently made an exception with this episode.
Hilma Running Shoes is a small company that is solving a very real need among women runners. If you don't know about Hilma yet, you should.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Brooke on Instagram Hilma Running Shoes on Instagram Hilma Running Shoes website Get the free injury prevention email series. 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 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.

Sally McRae is known worldwide for her mental fortitude and ability to push through extreme discomfort.
As a professional mountain and ultra runner for Nike, Sally is a two-time Top 10 Western States finisher, the Badwater 135 Champion, Tarawera 100 Champion, Mozart 100 Champion and Moab 240 Champion. Sally is also an author, podcast host, business owner, and a strength and running coach.
In this episode, Sally and I talk about:
The pros of using a treadmill for distance training The whole body needs to be strong for endurance races, not just the muscles How Sally structures strength training depending on the race season to build muscle and endurance Mobility, stretching, and hip and glute work to combat the weakening effects of sedentary lifestyles Training for 200-mile races, including eating and sleeping strategies, gear, and mental prep The mental aspect of long distances can make or break a runner's performance Power hiking and weight training for 200-mile ultra preparation Mental muscles, believing in your potential, and focusing on the story you want to tell yourself Sally's first experience with foot and heel blisters during the Cocodona 250 Training for the Western States Endurance Run Listen to this episode to hear from one of the most hardcore and kindest runners you'll ever meet.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Sally McRae on Instagram The Choose Strong Podcast Sally on YouTube Sally's mobile app Sally's book, "CHOOSE STRONG: The Choice That Changes Everything" Access the free course to help you master your mindset during training and races. Thank you AG1!
We’re also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. It’s recommended by professional athletes and has over 7,000 positive reviews.
One scoop per day is what I’ve been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I’m getting sick and can’t train.
I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. They’ve made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable and rigorous with the 3rd party testing that they do.
For our listeners, they are offering a year’s worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop – the choice is yours. Check out AG1 to redeem your offer today.
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.

We're switching it up a bit this week so you can listen to the episode of The Drop where I was the guest!
The Drop is hosted by Thomas Neuberger, Meaghan Murray, and Robbie Reddinger. Robbie wasn’t on this episode, but I had a great time chatting with Thomas and Meaghan and thought you'd enjoy a listen.
We talked about:
Preventing injury while high mileage training with proper warm-ups and cool downs Problem-solving in running: motivation, plateaus, and improving performance How training for a marathon can help build self-efficacy in the rest of life The difference in pain between a 5k and a marathon Pacing and challenges in short-distance races Recovery strategies post-marathon and for aging runners How men and women differ in running and strength training The evolution of Strength Running over the years Setting realistic running goals Experimenting with different running shoes and finding the right ones for you Thanks to the team at The Drop for generously letting me publish this episode!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Believe in the Run The Drop Podcast The Performance Training Journal Get the free strength training email series to lift like elite runners. Thank you to 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!
Thanks to The Performance Training Journal!
The Performance Training Journal is now available on Amazon and debuted as the #4 new release in the running category. Since I started running in 1998, I’ve kept a hardcopy training journal. Holding a tangible log, writing in it daily, and reflecting on the ups and downs of running is a surefire way to improve. 
This hardcopy training journal helps you focus on the training metrics that matter, prioritizes a long-term outlook so you don’t take any shortcuts, and maintains your motivation with strategic self-praise. With a no-frills, functional design, the Performance Training Journal includes coaching advice on racing, injury prevention, strength training, and more. It will guide you through race scheduling, how to plan your race morning, the best workouts for endurance runners, and encourage you to track your personal bests over time. 
You have the space to make this journal your own whether you're a new runner or a professional, a trail or road runner, or a mid-distance specialist or ultra marathoner.⁣ So don't just track your running, learn from it with the Performance Training Journal! Check it out today on Amazon.

As a hybrid athlete, Eric Hinman has experienced both extremes of ultra endurance and anaerobic power.
Based in Denver, Eric is a 5x Ironman, serial entrepreneur, and brand builder. At 43 years old, Eric's currently training for the Leadville 100-mile Mountain Bike Race, which he trains for every year. He’s also attempting to qualify for the 2024 CrossFit Games. He spent years before then training for long course triathlons.
In this episode, Eric and I talk about:
Moving to Colorado for better wellness and outdoor activities, and building a community Eric's journey from insurance agent to Ironman triathlete Business lessons learned from triathlons The transition from Ironman to CrossFit, including training and nutrition shifts Eric's recovery protocol, including sauna, hot tub, and cold tub therapy The benefits of socializing after exercise Nutrition and recovery strategies, including protein-rich foods, pre-bedtime snacks, and single-ingredient foods Infrared sauna, red light therapy, and dry needling for pain relief and recovery Sleep techniques for physical and mental recovery
It's inspiring that Eric has structured his life around health, wellness, and getting the most out of himself. Share this episode with a friend who could use that motivation.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Eric Hinman on Instagram Eric Hinman's website Get the free injury prevention email series. Take the Strength Running Podcast listener survey by May 21 to let us know your thoughts and you might win a 30-minute coaching call with me or your choice of one of our training programs. 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.
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 fr

Get a sneak peak into what we do every month in our Team Strength Running coaching program. During these live calls, I'm on live video, taking any and all questions from the team's members.
It's an opportunity for runners in the program to ask me anything about the many factors of strong, healthy running. Members get guidance on sticky running questions, problem solve training issues, and get the action steps they need to keep moving forward.
If you’d like to attend our next live coach’s chat, you're invited to join the team. We have members all over the world that use our library of more than 30 different training plans, our exclusive gear discounts, support from other members, and of course, direct coaching guidance from me.
This episode is a recording of a Spring 2024 Team Strength Running Coach’s Chat where we discuss:
The carnivore diet and its potential impact on runners Should you race by pace, RPE, or heart rate? Pacing for half marathon based on 10k performance Proper hip and knee rotation during running How to modify a training plan if your race is midweek Running drills for improving form and performance And more! Links & Resources from the Show:
Join Team Strength Running! Why group coaching helps runners How to Harness the Power of the Running Community 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 AG1!
We’re also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. It’s recommended by professional athletes and has over 7,000 positive reviews.
One scoop per day is what I’ve been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I’m getting sick and can’t train.
I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. They’ve made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable and rigorous with the 3rd party testing that they do.
For our listeners, they are offering a year’s worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop – the choice is yours. Check out AG1 to redeem your offer today.