The Strength Running Podcast Jason Fitzgerald

Have we put Zone 2 running on an undeserved pedestal?
A recent episode with Brady Holmer dug into Zone 2 as it relates to heat training.
One listener named Nadine emailed me some great questions to follow up on the Zone 2 conversation.
Like many of you, easy running has gotten confusing for Nadine because of so much of the advice on the internet to never go faster than Zone 2 and the value of very slow running. But Nadine was feeling better at slightly faster paces!
I figured it'd be more helpful to record a conversation about these topics as a follow-up to our episode with Brady, and Nadine agreed.
In this episode, we talk about:
Zone 2 for non-elite, less experienced runners How and when to increase the speed of easy/long runs Is there such a thing as too slow? What if “too slow” corresponds to the right heart rate? Benefits of Zone 3 running for low-volume runners Polarizing training and recovery runs Running in the heat and heat adaptation How do you determine your easy running pace? If you like what you hear in this episode, send it to a friend who runs!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Make sure you’ve followed or subscribed to the show-- I’m planning another episode with a performance PhD to talk more about the significant value of Zone 3 running. The episode with Brady Holmer Follow @jasonfitz1 on Instagram Get free injury prevention tips 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 provides 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 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 pr

Hoping to get faster at the marathon and reach a personal best?
So is Nick Jordan, a member of Team Strength Running.
Nick joined this coaching program in order to most effectively use his time and effort to get the best possible chance of reaching a marathon personal best.
We talked about what he can do in the remaining months to stack the deck in his favor.
Team Strength Running is a program that includes ongoing coaching directly from me, access to a team of other runners just like you, a library of 30+ training plans, a whole bunch of discounts, bonus resources, and more.
In this coaching call, we talk about:
How Nick ramped up from casual, inconsistent runner to marathon finisher The state of marathon training 17 weeks out from the race Training for a 3:30 marathon with five runs a week and needed adjustments Long runs and speed work for a faster marathon Jason's recommendations for marathon training long run progression Tips for running doubles and splitting up mileage Using another, shorter race to practice for a goal race Avoiding hitting the wall with marathon nutrition If you like what you hear in this episode, check out Team Strength Running to try it yourself!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Nick on Strava Nick on Facebook Become a member of Team Strength Running for ongoing coaching, plans, discounts and more!
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.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. 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 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!

Sugar cravings, salt content, underfueling, post-race beers… Runners get a lot of conflicting nutrition information, so we’re asking your questions to a registered dietitian!
Alex Larson is a Minnesota-based registered dietitian and Ironman triathlete who’s worked with thousands of athletes in more than fifteen countries.
I get a lot of questions from endurance runners about nutrition, so we collected your questions for Alex to answer.
In this episode, Alex answers these running nutrition questions:
We have treats in the house for the kids, how do I stop stealing them? What are best practices for maintaining healthy weight while running high mileage? If you’re craving salt, should you satisfy that craving? How do you know if you’re getting too much sodium? If you do a long run or big workout, how can you control sugar cravings afterwards? I don’t feel very hungry after running and tend to undereat because of that. How can you make eating more calories overall a better habit? How can someone combine their goals of weight loss with training for a race? What are your favorite sources of protein? Can I have a post-race beer? What about a post-marathon binge meal? This episode might help you break through some big nutrition headaches!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Alex on Instagram Alex's website Get two bonus podcast episodes featuring more Q+A with a Registered Dietitian! 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.
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.
Thank you MOBO Board!
Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you sta

Whether you love the mile or you want to continue running into your 40's or beyond, you'll be inspired by this Masters runner.
Mario Fraioli is a Bay Area-based running coach who works with a number of Olympic Trials-level marathoners, top ultrarunners, and competitive age-group athletes.
He’s one of the most competitive Master’s runners in the USA, having run the 2023 Boston Marathon in 2:34 and with his recent 3rd place finisher at the 2024 National Masters Road Mile.
In this episode, Mario and I talk about:
Mario's goal to break the 5-minute mile at age 42 Love for the mile: a perfect blend of speed and strength, fitness and focus Returning to running after a 20-year hiatus, and the "fresh start" of turning 40 Preparing for the Masters Road Mile Championship with smart training Earning a personal best of 4:09.2 at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic Training strategies for track and field athletes, especially Masters Incorporating movement prep and speed work before intense track workouts Proper running form and technique during high-intensity interval workouts Running volume and long runs for track athletes Structuring mile workouts for Masters runners, including threshold intervals and tempo runs Pacing and mental preparation for a mile race Listen to this episode for a case study in amazing planning so you can be thoughtful in your next running goal.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Mario's website Mario on Strava Mario on Instagram The Morning Shakeout Want to stay strong throughout your running career? Get the free strength email course. 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!
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.

As a runner, it's almost guaranteed that somebody has told you, "Running is bad for your knees!"
Spoiler alert: It's not. Dr. Howard Luks has the education and experience to prove it.
Howard spent more than 20 years as the Chief of Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at New York Medical College, specializing in athlete care.
As a board certified orthopedic surgeon, he focuses on a variety of joints but focuses on knee health.
In this episode, Howard and I talk about:
Squats for knee health: form and variety Functional strength training that mimics life activities Assessing risk with knee pain or swelling, and whether you should stop running The true cause of osteoarthritis How running can actually help knee health and cartilage Running types that put runners at higher risk for knee injury Managing knee injuries through load management and smart exercises Exercises to improve power and quickness for running on hills and trails The effects of shoe choice and training surface Next time somebody tells you that running will hurt your knees, send them this episode.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Howard on Twitter/X Howard on Instagram Read Howard's book, "Longevity… Simplified" Injury prone? Download our free Little Black Book of Recovery & Prevention featuring 9 pro runners and their strategies for recovering and staying healthy. 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!
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 to

Brady Holmer knows a lot about running and a lot about science: a perfect combo for a conversation on the show.
Brady is a lifelong endurance athlete who competed in cross country and track at the collegiate level. He currently works as a science writer and researcher, holding a Master’s degree in human performance. He also recently ran his PR in the marathon: a 2:37.
In this episode, Brady and I talk about:
The flexibility of heart rate zones and their impact on training adaptations Physiology is constantly fluctuating: zones aren’t static RPE (rating of perceived exertion) is a valuable metric for runners The 80/20 rule of running: 80% lower intensity and 20% higher Benefits and nuance of Zone 2, Zone 3, and Zone 4 Zone 3 training is complicated, but not pointless When to ignore heart rate during runs Maintaining intensity during hot weather Running in summer heat leading to higher heart rates and increased cardiovascular drift Heat acclimation and its benefits for runners (and also cooler weather benefits) Bike intervals for adaptations and injury prevention Finding optimal running paces You know that friend you have who won’t stop talking about Zone 2? Send them this episode now.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Brady on Twitter/X Brady on Instagram Brady’s Substack VO2 Max Essentials Book Get the free injury prevention email series. 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 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!
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