Running Rogue

We continue our journey through the training phases. In this episode, we talk about the goals and guiding principles of the race-specific phase of work. This is where you put the icing on the cake or the cherry on top of the sundae. You've earned the right to be a little more aggressive, but it's time to crowd out the noise/distractions and focus on the final steps to be race-ready!

Last week was all about that base. This week is all about that aerobic strength - the aerobic strength phase of work specifically. We think there is a lot of confusion about this phase of work and what's involved. We break it all down in this episode. It's about building endurance and staying power in order to be prepared for the race specific phase to come. We give you guidelines on volume building, sharpening, and the nature of the workouts in this phase of work with plenty of examples. If your base is big enough, then the next step is to get aerobic strong enough as you step toward the big day!

In this week's episode, we begin a walk (err... run) through each period of training. We start with base building, digging into what it should look like for you. What should you focus on in this phase? How should you think about the running and building your weekly mileage? What are other considerations including strength and lifestyle? We also discuss the Maffetone Method and how it might fit into your base building plans. Have you spent an extended time on base lately? If not... we would encourage you to consider it!

We wrap up this mini-series on polarization with the final 5 questions for you. First, we cover Chris's experience at his first stage race - Moab Run the Rocks - put on by the great folks at TransRockies Running. It is a 3-day stage race event covering ~54 miles of trails over 3 days in/around Moab, Utah. Chris had a blast and shares a little bit about his experiences there in the first 25 minutes of this one. Then, we get to the final questions on polarization. Are you polarizing your training enough to optimize it? The full list of questions (including the 4 from part 1): a. Are enough of your miles easy vs. hard? b. Are you varying the distances of your runs appropriately? c. Are your easy miles easy enough? d. Are you doing weekly strides? e. Are you working faster and slower than race pace in workouts? f. Are you training for a variety of race distances over time? g. Is there a difference between your peak training and your post-race recovery mode? h. Are you balancing stress and rest well in training? i. Are your race strategies structured to allow you to start smart and finish strong? Now, ask yourself: how did I do on the pop quiz? If you missed on a question or two (or more), then pick 1 area to work on and go from there. You won't regret it!

From periodization to polarization, we cover two "ization" words in as many weeks, and we promise it isn't as boring as it might sound! With this podcast, we discuss something that might just be at the crux of reaching your potential. Is your training polarized enough? Plus, we make it fun by turning it into a pop quiz with 4 questions in this episode and more in part 2 coming next week. Grab a #2 pencil and a blue book so you can take the test that will determine if you are on a path to reaching your full potential, or not yet...

We start with some beef that I have been sitting on for a minute. We love our influencers and content creators in the running world, but there is at least ONE thing that a few of them need to stop doing. Let's see if we can agree... Then, James and I dig into the art, science, and details of periodization. How should your training cycle be constructed in phases? Every. Single. Time. No exceptions or shortcuts. Oh, and there are 5 periods to know, not the 4 you may have in your head. Can you name them?! Execute these 5 periods on repeat for the rest of your running life, and there will be big things in your future!

We believe that MOST runners are thinking in planning windows that are too short. If your focus is ONLY on your very next race, then you are leaving potential on the table. In this episode, James and I discuss how to think about planning in 12-18 windows by strategically considering your sequence of macrocyles (aka big training blocks). If you think long-term with THE big, main-priority goal in mind, then you will increase your chances of getting there. To break it down, we discuss what is a macrocycle, how to plan/periodize them, and how to schedule your racing checkpoints along the way. Paint the big picture so that you are then master the details along the way!

Watch obsessed? Can't do any training without seeing your exact pace? Train in a difficult environment? This episode is for you. James and I talk about the why and how of running by feel. We give specific examples and cues to use in order to dial into each training zone. Plus, we give some practical tips on how to learn to "use the force" while running as Yoda would have you do. Running by feel is a lost art, and we want YOU to find it again.

In this episode, we break down the 4 main types of quality work (aka speed work). We talk about the what, why, when, and how of each type, as well as give some examples. Of course, you don't want to start your speed work until your aerobic foundation is big enough, so we give guidelines on that too! The 4 types: Running econony VO2Max Threshold Race specific

In this episode, we dig into Chapter 4 of the book where we discuss the importance of peaking. To maximize potential, you will only focus on 2-3 peaks per year, prioritizing those "A races" above all else. In this discussion, we talk about the physiology of peaking and why it is important. Then, we dig into what peaking looks like, how to manage it well, and what to do if you peak too soon. At the end, we challenge you to commit to peaking only 2 times in 2026!

In this episode, we dig into the why and the how of building miles. Increasing volume is perhaps the #1 way to improve as a runner, so we introduce the FVI framework for safely building miles and talk about how to maintain speed along the way. Plus, we answer some of the practical questions: In what increments should I be building volume? How do I maintain speed while doing so? What if I miss a day? How fast or slow should I be going? If you want to purchase a book, check the links on our instagram profile - @roguerunning. If you want to train with us, check out www.roguerunning.com.

We continue our journey through chapter 2 of the book, taking our time here on some of the fundamentals. In this episode, we cover the second 3 of our racing fundamentals. How do you approach racing to get the most out of yourself? In this one, we touch a little more on race execution. As a reminder, you can get the book via the links in our instagram bio (@roguerunning), and if you want to check out our training options, go to www.roguerunning.com. We have a lot of groups restarting here in the new year for those racing in April to June.

We continue our journey through chapter 2 of the book, taking our time here on some of the fundamentals. In this episode, we cover the first 3 of our racing fundamentals. How do you approach racing to get the most out of yourself? As a reminder, you can get the book via the links in our instagram bio (@roguerunning), and if you want to check out our training options, go to www.roguerunning.com. We have a lot of groups restarting here in the new year for those racing in April to June.

We continue our march through the fundamentals of our training principles. First, this episode starts with a few notes on the subtitle to our book - Elite Training Accessible to All. What does that mean? And why does it mean that ANYONE can use the principles in the book and in our training philosophy b/c we are all human. Then, we turn to the final 3 principles on the training side of our philosophy - perfect as we start the new year. Happy 2026 everyone!

As a reminder, you can watch this one on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@roguerunning. In this episode, we dig into chapter 2 of Running the Rogue Way, which covers our perspective on the fundamentals of training and racing. You don't need a book to follow along but links to buy are below. James and I discuss the first 3 training fundamentals, which could be described as the 3 most important things you need to know about improving as a runner. So... this one is a must listen! a. Hardcover: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=duRtYl7Frjuhhph8KZ7fjriq7BusNLYAk4XXhBTGYGg b. Paperback: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=6egsNzSKdLR1IJkO1yPcuO3BaV31zmBbKBsxmwkqejS

You can watch this one on YouTube too: https://www.youtube.com/@roguerunning. We are excited about a new phase for the Running Rogue podcast with new video podcasts to be launched in 2026. The audio versions will still be posted too! James Dodds will be co-hosting with me to go through the content of our book, chapter by chapter. You won't need the book to follow along, but we highly recommend picking up a copy at the links below. In this episode, we talk about the core principles discussed last week and debate which ones are harder for people to follow and embrace. What is hardest for you?! a. Hardcover: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=duRtYl7Frjuhhph8KZ7fjriq7BusNLYAk4XXhBTGYGg b. Paperback: https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?params=6egsNzSKdLR1IJkO1yPcuO3BaV31zmBbKBsxmwkqejS