The Strength Running Podcast Jason Fitzgerald

When it comes to health and fitness, Tony Horton needs no introduction. For over 40 years he has been involved in the fitness industry, and continues to be a model of health well into his 60s. Tony became a household name with the development of P90X, and has worked with a number of celebrities including Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty.
Although Tony does not run competitively, he explores his local California trails on the run each week as part of his regular fitness routine. Tony has long emphasized becoming a well rounded athlete in body and mind, and his training reflects this.
My discussion with Tony focuses on the mental and physical benefits of fitness. Without both elements, the journey is less valuable and meaningful. Some of the topics we delve into include:
How Tony got immersed in the world of fitness The early impact of fitness on both his body and mind The development and evolution of the popular P90X training system How Tony has continued to evolve alongside the fitness industry Why consistency and flexibility are key to making fitness a lifelong practice The importance of optimizing essentials like sleep, diet, and recovery as you get older Tony's message is valuable and relatable for all athletes.  Enjoy our discussion!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Learn more about Tony on his website Follow Tony on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Check out Power Nation Fitness and Power Life Let me help you reach your goals Thank You Previnex! We’re supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being 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.
I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!
Thank You GOODR! If you watch my videos on YouTube you know that I’ve been wearing Goodr sunglasses for nearly a decade. They’re super affordable - starting at only $25, made for running so they stay on your face, and the styles are just wild. They’re also a 100% Carbon Neutral company, meaning they offset all of their carbon emissions, and they donate 1% of their profits to environmental causes. 
Goodr offers a 30-day money back guarantee and 100% satisfaction but I know you’ll find a pair you love from the hundreds of styles they have. Find yours here at Goodr to get free shipping.

This week we’re here to celebrate episode 300! Over the years several common themes have emerged from interviewing the best and brightest in physiology, strength, coaching and psychology.
Ultimately, finding joy in the process of improvement is what drives my long term love affair with the sport, and I encourage you to do the same. This can come in a number of different ways, including:
Knowing your “why” and finding your purpose - whether it’s running faster, further, or seeking new adventures Discovering running friends that make the improvement process more fun Immersing yourself in the sport with a coach, a club, or a like-minded community Valuing the fun and challenge of workouts over metrics - improvement isn’t always about the numbers I'm so grateful to have an amazing community or listeners, and look forward to the next 300 episodes!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Find your community and join our Team Strength Running group Learn more about how to lift weights for power with High Performance Lifting Looking for a training program to help you improve? Let me help. Track your training with the new Performance Training Journal 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.
The watermelon flavor has become my favorite. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.
Thank You Athletic Greens! We’re also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix by Athletic Greens. 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. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.
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 Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.

If you are familiar with ketones, you know that they are commonly associated with a long term, low carbohydrate diet that can be challenging for runners to sustain. But what if you could get the benefits of ketones as a supplement, rather than a dietary change? 
This week’s guest is Dr. Latt Mansor. He is the lead researcher at HVMN, holds a PhD from Oxford in physiology, anatomy, and genetics, and also earned his Master’s degree from Columbia in biotechnology. Latt is a renowned expert in metabolic health and cardiovascular disease, and regularly consults with elite sport, military, clinical and research organizations.
Since this is far from my area of expertise, Latt explains the role of ketones in the body before we discuss their benefits for athletes. Some of the topics we focus on include:
How he got interested in the topic of ketones The differences between endogenous and exogenous ketones How ketone supplementation has evolved over time Why ketones are a fuel source, not a stimulant How endurance athletes benefit from ketone supplementation A protocol for endurance athletes interested in supplementation Ketones are a fascinating area of research with a lot of potential benefits. I know you'll enjoy our conversation!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Learn more about Health Via Modern Nutrition Follow Latt on Instagram Listen to Latt's HVMN podcast Connect with Latt on LinkedIn Learn more about nutrition for runners Thank You Previnex! We’re supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being 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.
I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!
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 bboard 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 just 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.

Traditional training plans focus on one distance at a time, whether it’s a fast 5k or a marathon PR. But what if your race schedule looks a little less traditional?
Today’s podcast answers a question from a listener named Mike who is curious about combining a fast road marathon and a hilly 50-mile ultramarathon into one training cycle. Is this possible? Is it risky to race a 50 miler only 2 months after a marathon?
On the podcast today I have my friend and former competitor, Mario Fraioli, to discuss how to approach training for this type of endeavor. Mario is runner, coach, and host of The Morning Shakeout podcast.
Over the past few months, Mario has run his own unique combination of races, including the Boston Marathon and an indoor mile. As an incredibly competitive Master’s runner, Mario had strong performances at both, running a 4:30 for the mile and a 2:34 at the Boston Marathon.
Mario and I discuss the best training approach for runners like Mike who are attempting two ambitious efforts in one training cycle and address questions including:
Is it best to do one longer cycle or two shorter training cycles? What’s the best way to build in recovery after the marathon? How should you balance flat road training with hilly trail preparation? If you have a history of injury, what are the caveats? What are the mental challenges for this type of training? Mario is thoughtful and insightful, and his experience and knowledge will help prepare you for whatever distance you're racing.  I know you'll enjoy our conversation!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Learn more about Mario Subscribe to The Morning Shakeout Listen to The Morning Shakeout podcast Follow Mario on Instagram and Twitter Join The Morning Shakeout on Strava Looking for a training program for your next race? Let me help. 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. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.
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.
The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack. 
Thank you to our Performance Training Journal! We’re also brought to you by our very own Performance Training Journal, which is now available on Amazon. 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

If you’re looking to take your running to the next level, strategic use of a training log can help you get there. Using a journal to collect your thoughts, plan your goals, and analyze your short and long-term training can provide unique insights to improve as a runner.
With that in mind, this week's podcast is a special edition to introduce something I have been working on over the past nine months. Strength Running's own running log - The Performance Training Journal - is now available!
The power of reflection is real. While an electronic log on Strava can store your mileage and splits, it doesn’t encourage any interaction or reflection. There is little opportunity for growth. While a pencil and paper log may sound archaic these days, the simple act of writing and reflecting has more power to improve your running than any app.
If you aren’t logging the details of your training, you’re missing an opportunity for improvement. This edition of the podcast is meant to help you understand the value of a journal and learn how the Performance Training Journal has been created and refined to help you get the most from your running. 
You’ll learn how our  journal can help you...
Focus on the most useful training metrics  Approach your training to continue improving Gain a better understanding  of your body’s capabilities and limitations Find confidence leading into a key event Learn about strength training, injury prevention, race planning and more Get started with the Performance Training Journal today!
Thank You Previnex! We’re supported by our newest partner, Previnex. After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being 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.
I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and  I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs.  I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!
Thank You Gold Coast Marathon We’re supported by the Gold Coast Marathon which takes place in Queensland, Australia on July 2nd, 2023. Get yourself a memory of a lifetime and commit to this amazing destination race in one of the most beautiful countries that I’ve ever visited. You can run the marathon or any distance down to 5k, but the marathon course is flat and fast with only 75 meters of elevation gain. Over 60% of finishers self-report a PR at the end of the race. 
I spent 6 weeks in Australia, with one of them being in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. The beaches are stunning, the people are friendly, and the natural environment of this region is so beautiful.  If I could go back there and run this race with you, I would in a heartbeat.
The Gold Coast Marathon is a World Athletics Label Road Race and this will be the 43rd running of it. Get yourself that shiny new PR on a fast course - with a destination race you’re going to love, at the Gold Coast Marathon on July 2nd. Learn more here, but don’t wait because early bird pricing ends on April 28th.

Running form has often focused on concepts like cadence and footstrike to create change and improve efficiency. But a “top down” approach - focusing on the arms, torso, and cues - is an innovative and accessible way to become a stronger, healthier runner.
This week’s guest on the podcast is Paul Mackinnon, a former semi-pro hockey player who has become an expert on gait retraining. Paul is from Melbourne, Australia and has worked with many high level athletes over the years to improve their running form, including former podcast guest and 2:19 marathoner Peter Bromka.
My discussion with Paul is a masterclass on form. Despite this being a complex topic, his ideas are easy to grasp and  have made me rethink some commonly held concepts about running technique. Some of the topics we discuss on the episode include:
Paul’s “top down” approach to thinking about running form and technique 3 of the most common problem areas for runners How your arms create lift in your running The underestimated torso - why we need to focus here first The impact of running shoes on form Form cues that help reinforce proper form Why the “don’t fix what isn’t broken” mentality may not be the best way to approach running technique The importance of body awareness to create change in your form This week's episode can help runners learn how to improve their form at any stage of the game.  Enjoy!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Learn more about Paul and how to improve your running technique Get 25% off your first month membership at The Balanced Runner here, or use code strengthrunning Follow Paul on Instagram and Facebook Watch Pauls videos on YouTube and Vimeo Download our cheat sheet on form cues Read more on running form and efficiency Thank you Elemental Labs! A big thanks to Elemental Labs for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.
Elemental Labs' 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.
The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out Elemental Labs to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack. 
Thank You Gold Coast Marathon We’re supported by the Gold Coast Marathon which takes place in Queensland, Australia on July 2nd, 2023. Get yourself a memory of a lifetime and commit to this amazing destination race in one of the most beautiful countries that I’ve ever visited. You can run the marathon or any distance down to 5k, but the marathon course is flat and fast with only 75 meters of elevation gain. Over 60% of finishers self-report a PR at the end of the race. 
I spent 6 weeks in Australia, with one of them being in Coolangatta on the Gold Coast. The beaches are stunning, the people are friendly, and the natural environment of this region is so beautiful.  If I could go back there and run this race with you, I would in a heartbeat.
The Gold Coast Marathon is a World Athletics Label Road Race and this will be the 43rd running of it. Get yourself that shiny new PR on a fast course - with a destination race you’re going to love, at