Running Rogue

Congrats to everyone who ran in the Berlin Marathon this past weekend. It is so amazing to see major marathons happening again after such a long break! With that as inspiration, I put together this episode with final tips for the London, Chicago, and Boston Marathons including general tips for all three races and individual tips for each one. I talk about course logistics, course strategy, and weather considerations for all three. If you are racing one of these, then this is a must-listen!

The long run might be the most important run in any half marathon or marathon training block. However if you want to get the most from your training cycle, you should be doing workouts within a few of these long runs to practice race pace, learn to run fast under fatigue, and build resilience to finish strong on race day. In this episode, I give you the do's and don'ts for building and executing these workouts and then talk about specific examples for you to try yourself. Every elite athlete is doing workouts like these, and I believe you are worthy and able to do them as well.

We have produced at least 7 episodes for this podcast on race planning for various courses throughout the country from flat like Houston or Chicago to hilly like NYC, Boston, or Austin. Those episodes have been very prescriptive and may or may not be applicable to the course you might face soon. In this episode, I give you 8 steps for building and executing your own marathon race plan in order to give you the best chance for success on race day. Listen, learn and then apply to your next goal race so that you can start smart and finish strong! Other race planning episodes include episodes 5 (general marathon), 8 (Austin), 14 (Boston), 46 (general all distances), 56 (Houston/3M/Austin), 98 (NYC), and 101 (CIM). Episode 150 talks about mental tips for race day.

So you want to do a half marathon before your marathon? Or a 10K before your half marathon? Great, but let's talk about it... In this episode, I give you all the things to consider when doing a prep race including how to define and choose your goals for it, how to execute it whether you are racing all out or not, and of course, how to make sure it becomes an additive piece to the overall path to your "A" race. It's exciting that races are back again, just make sure you get the most out of every opportunity to toe the line!

Training paces and race paces are correlated, but they do represent separate and distinct decisions on the path to your goal. In this episode, I talk about 6 factors to consider when choosing your race pace - purpose, experience, race history, training results, risk tolerance, and of course, the conditions on the day. Consider these factors, and then once you lock in a target, develop a race plan around it, put the blinders on, and go for it! Here is the link to the AIU decision on Shelby Houlihan: https://www.athleticsintegrity.org/downloads/pdfs/disciplinary-process/en/7977-Award-Reasoned-FINAL.pdf

In episode #240, I talked about the importance of slowing down in order to achieve your full potential. Unfortunately, that is so much easier said than done for many athletes. In fact, I think this is the single hardest concept for any runner to embrace fully in their training. As a result, countless runners are hitting plateaus or are chronically injured. In this episode, I give you 6 things to do in order to internalize and execute on this core training principle. I promise it is simple, but that doesn't make it easy!

This topic might be the single biggest topic for questions that I get as a coach. What paces should I train at? How do these paces change with weather? What if I can't hit them? How should my training paces inform my race pace? What does this race result mean for my training paces? And I could go on... These are all good and valid questions, but many of them are underpinned by common misunderstandings about how training paces work. In this episode, I try to bust some of those myths while laying out 9 truths about training paces and how you should use them.

Who else is going through Olympics withdrawal like me?!? I'm happy to have more sleep but definitely miss the inspiration of the Games. In this episode, I talk about 5 inspiring stories and athletes from the Olympic Games and how we can apply those lessons in our own training. Yes, we can learn from the best athletes on the planet. And yes, they are more like the rest of us than we think!

To finish my impromptu series on the phases of training, here is an episode on the taper phase of training (aka peaking mode). These are the final weeks of work where you reduce volume in order to get the body fresh and the mind sharp for race day. In the episode, I talk about what that means including how to reduce your mileage, what types of workouts to do, and of course, how to make sure you mental toolkit is locked and loaded for the big day. Listen once now and then again in Sept, October, or November in your final weeks of training for that fall race!

Last week, we talked about the aerobic strength phase of training with a focus on building endurance through primarily effort-based work. In this episode, we take the next step into the race-specific phase of training and talk about the goals, guiding principles, and workouts you might execute in the final phase of work before the taper. This is the phase where it is time to get specific with your paces, goals, and workouts so that you are properly peaked for race day. You want to step right up to the edge but without going over it. That is easier said than done, but this episode will help you find that fine line. To redeem the offer in this episode, go to manscaped.com and use code 20ROGUE for 20% off and free shipping.

As discussed in my recent episode on periodization, training should begin with a base or priming phase and then proceed to the aerobic strength phase of work. In this episode, I focus on the aerobic strength phase of work in training, including what it means and how to get the most from it. To start, we define aerobic strength and then talk about the guiding principles of this phase. Finally, we talk about the goals of the work during this phase and specifically how to accomplish them with workout examples. This phase is perhaps the most important in your training cycle so do make sure you are optimizing it! To redeem the offer in the episode, go to manscaped.com and use the code 20ROGUE for 20% off and free shipping.

I often get the question: where does cross training fit into my run training? The answer to that question is more nuanced than you might think. In this episode, I define cross-training for you and then talk about for whom and how it might fit into your overall running routine. Spoiler alert: it may not be for everyone and that's ok. To use the offer code mentioned in the episode, go to takecareof.com and use the code rogue50 for 50% off on your first order.

In one of the most counter-intuitive concepts in sports, you can only optimize your potential as a runner by slowing down. Yes, I said it. You have to go slow in training in order to go fast on race day. In this episode, I present 5 different ways that you need to slow down in training in order to get and smash your long term goals. If you can set your ego aside and embrace these concepts, then you will find breakthroughs in your running for many years to come.

Running is running. The elites do it more and faster, but their experiences aren't as different from ours as you might think. In this episode, I bring you 7 lessons from the first weekend of the Olympic Trials. These are lessons that you can apply in your own running and life. Thank you to an amazing group of athletes - Allyson Felix, Cory McGee, Woody Kincaid, Elise Cranny, Karissa Schweizer, Heather MacLean, Elle Purrier, Emma Coburn and Abbey Cooper for the inspiration! To redeem the offer code from the episode go to: greenchef.com/rogue100 and use code rogue100 for $100 off and free shipping.

With this episode, I take a departure from my usual training content to talk to you as fans. Yesterday, we learned that Shelby Houlihan, American record holder in the 1500m and 5K, is now serving a 4-year ban for ingesting a banned substance. She claims that the banned substance - Nandrolone - was ingested via a burrito from a food truck. WADA did not buy her story and confirmed her ban via the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In this episode, I discuss why I don't believe Houlihan's story to this point, but also why I think you should still have hope in the sport. True or not, please, please don't let this make you jaded. There is too much inspiration to still be had. Instead, dig in, get educated, and then choose who to invest in. As a fan, you have that choice, and I encourage you to use it. To join the She Squad, go here: https://www.roguerunning.com/womenhalfmarathon To use the care/of offer code, go to: takecareof.com and use code rogue50 for 50% off on your first order.

Long distance running is an efficiency game, and far too many of us are constantly pressing the edge and running ourselves ragged instead. Relaxed running is fast running, but that's so much easier said than done. In this episode, I give you 5 tips for finding new gears by embracing this concept. Learn to relax and stay in control while running, and it will pay off.

It's that time of year in many places where the training starts to get hard thanks to the heat and humidity of the late Spring and Summer months. In Austin, we've already seen mornings at 70+ degrees and 90%+ humidity. For better or worse, this means you have to make adjustments to your training in order to optimize your work in the summer in order to get your fall goals. In this episode, I give you 5 tips to do so as you learn to embrace the suck! Links to Podcast Training Options: Renegades She Squad Links to Craft Baselayer Tanks: Men's Women's

Many will try to sell you magical ways to improve your form through various "methods" and books of wizardry. To me, it's all snake oil. No one has a patent on the best running form. There is no secret. The goal is simply to be more efficient within your body, based on how it works already, and nothing more. In this quick-hit episode, I give you 4 simple ways to improve your form over time. These are things you can do every single week to get faster in the long term. There are no hacks, and you won't see instant progress, but you will be investing in the goal smashing of your future self. Here's my list of drills: - Heel-toe walks - Heel-toe skips - Walking high knee - Full speed high knee - Regular skipping (A Skip) - Skipping with pawbacks (B Skip) - Butt flicks - Backward butt flicks - Rapid turnover - Bounding - Side to side (up and back) - Over/under or carioca (up and back)

As a coach, I help athletes face insecurities related to their training all the time. I am here to tell you that: a) everyone faces these insecurities regardless of their pace or background, and b) these insecurities won't necessarily go away, but you will get better at managing them. In this episode, I talk about 3 common insecurities that I see, how they might manifest, and what you can do to deal with them productively. To redeem the offer in the episode, go to: greenchef.com/90rogue and use code 90rogue for $90 off on your order plus free shipping.

As a by-product of the pandemic, I've seen more running burnout recently than normal. If you're in this place, it's ok. It's not your fault, but you do need to be proactive about dealing with it BEFORE you get after chasing your next goal. In this episode, we talk about the definition of burn-out, the causes of burn-out, and what to do both mentally and physically to get through it. Alex Hutchinson article: https://www.outsideonline.com/2422605/perfectionism-athlete-burnout-research To redeem the offer in the episode: Go to www.takecareof.com and use code rogue50 for 50% off on your first order.

The long run might be the most important element of any training program. And yet, many of us and many training programs aren't optimizing it. Or worse, the long run is executed in a way (often by running it too fast) that is counter-productive to training. In this episode, we talk about why the long run is so important and then how to get the most out of it. I answer the important questions on the what, when, how often, how long, and how fast of the long run. Plus, at the end, I talk about ways to optimize this most important run of the week.

In this episode, I talk with the full Rogue Expeditions team, Allison Macsas, Gabe Steger, and Sean Meehan about their new book Venture, The Rogue Expeditions Story. The book tells the story of the Rogue Running sister company from its ideation on a 2012 trip to Morocco to today with trips to 9 different destinations worldwide. The book is full of crazy and funny stories from the trips as well as some of the adventures behind the scenes making this dream a reality. You will walk away from this conversation with a smile along with lessons for business, life, and of course, running. You will also want to immediately book a trip and get your hands on the book! You can pre order the book here starting on May 1st: https://www.roguexpeditions.com/venture

There is nothing more inspiring to me that watching an athlete set a big goal, do the work, and then execute a plan to smash that goal. In this episode, I tell the story of Roberta Gibb, the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1966 and share my 5 lessons in goal smashing from her story. What's your goal and are you ready to do the work to smash it? To redeem the offer in this episode go to greenchef.com/90rogue and use code 90rogue for $90 off and free shipping.

In episode 227, we talked about priming yourself for the training to come for races in the fall. In this episode 229, we take that one step further and lay out a 22-week periodization plan for fall half marathon or marathon training, allowing you to build to a hypothetical peak in October. We answer one fundamental question: How should you sequence your training in phases in order to be most ready on the day that matters? I give you 5 important phases and talk about what you should emphasize in each phase in order to optimize your race build-up. Are you ready?!? For the offer in this episode, go to www.takecareof.com and use code rogue50 for 50% off on your first order!

Last week, I saw a poignant letter from Lauren Fleshman to her younger self (linked below). It inspired me to think about the lessons I might share with my younger running self. In this episode, I give you (and the younger me) 8 lessons from my 20+ year running journey. Some are focused on training mechanics, while others are focused on how to understand and enjoy the journey more. I certainly don't regret the twists and turns that have taught me these things, but I do perhaps wish I knew or learned a few of these sooner! What have you learned in your running journey so far? What would you tell your younger self? Here is the full letter from Lauren Fleshman to her younger self: https://www.milesplit.com/articles/211759/dear-younger-me-lauren-fleshman Here is the link and code for the offer in the episode: magicspoon.com/RUNNING (code: RUNNING for $5 off)

The birds are chirping, spring is in the air, and the virtual Boston Marathon just opened for registration. With fingers crossed and simultaneously knocking on wood, hope is building for real, live, in-person fall races to happen. If that's true, then training for those fall races starts soon! In Austin, we will be kicking off our fall training on May 8. What does that mean? It means you need to be primed and ready to begin training very soon. As a former coach of mine used to say, it's time to get fit enough to really train. In this episode, I give you 5 steps to prime your body for the work that will come so that you can hit the ground running in week 1 of your training block. It's time to get ready for the real training to begin again. Will you be ready?!? Here is a link to an article on Maggie Montoya, which includes the Anderson Cooper interview and GoFundMe link mentioned in the intro: https://www.womensrunning.com/culture/news/support-maggie-montoya-after-boulder-shooting/ Here is a link to the Magic Spoon offer: magicspoon.com/RUNNING. Use code RUNNING for $5 off your first order.

Tenille Hoogland (@hooglandt) has a fascinating story in sport from growing up in Canada as a province-best synchronized swimmer to a later career as a pro triathlete. She wanted badly to make an Olympic team, but that dream never became a reality. During that time, she also spent time within the Rogue community in Austin as an athlete and coach. Now, she is still a coach, is co-founder of the Resilient Athlete Project, and is an advocate for women in sport. She also has fresh perspective and a whole bunch of life lessons from her nonstop pursuit of the next goal that drove her early in life. In this conversation, we talk primarily about embracing failure and how to channel it into something positive, but there are many more lessons buried within. In particular, we dig into how to balance overall health and performance, which can be a tightrope to walk for many. Listen in, and I think you will walk away with a new perspective on your own journey as well.

Elite, amateur, and all degrees of fast, for those pushing toward a big goal, we all face self-doubt as runners. It might come as the everyday narrative in our heads or the fleeting thoughts that make you question yourself in a race or workout. Either way, it's important to develop tactics to deal with self-doubt so that you can smash your biggest goals. In this episode, I talk about types of self doubt and then 5 practical tactics to address it when it comes. For the Green Chef offer, go to greenchef.com/90rogue and use code 90rogue for $90 off and free shipping.

In this episode, I start with an intro discussing my perspective on the virtual race announced recently by the Boston Marathon, where all athletes are allowed to participate. Then, I turn to a discussion on tips and recommendations for building toward a breakthrough race. What will it take for you to get that PR, that milestone time, or that Boston qualifier? I have 7 ideas for you to ponder and incorporate into your own training, but spoiler alert, there are no hacks or shortcuts. Just hard work! For the offer in the episode, go to www.takecareof.com and use code "rogue50" for 50% off on your first order. Here is the list of drills that I use with my athletes here in Austin: - Heel-toe walks - Heel-toe skips - Walking high knees - Full speed high knees - Regular skipping (A-skips) - Skipping with Pawbacks (B-skips) - Butt Flicks - Backward Butt Flicks - Rapid turnover - Bounding - Side to side (up and back) - Over/under (up and back) - 2 short strides

After a week off due to complications from the winter storm in Texas, I am back to you this week with 49 minutes all on the recovery run. As a coach, one of the biggest mistakes I see is runners taking their recovery runs too fast. If you do that, then it's not a recovery run, and you are asking for injury. Plus, you are likely getting suboptimal output on your long or hard day as well. In this episode, I talk about the why, the where, and the hows of the recovery run so that you can get the most out of your entire training week. Remember, recovery is where you grow, where you build fitness, and the recovery run is the centerpiece of that growth. Listen in and learn to better execute those super easy days!

You will commonly hear runners talk about getting to their "race weight" in order to achieve their goals on race day. I'm here to tell you that, as a running coach, I don't believe in that way of thinking. In fact, I believe it can be destructive and lead to under performance in many cases. In this episode, we talk about how to reframe the discussion around race weight both in your mind and in your physical training. It's not the number on the scale that matters but rather the work you are doing to be the best running version of yourself. Healthy inputs = healthy outcomes and that equation as nothing to do with the weight you *think* you should be. Here is the RW article on Elle Purrier: https://www.runnersworld.com/advanced/a20828779/for-elle-purrier-farm-life-leads-to-fast-times/

In episode 216, I discussed a book I had discovered during my sabbatical: The Pain Relief Secret How to Retrain Your Nervous System, Heal Your Body, and Overcome Chronic Pain. In this episode, I am excited to welcome the author of that book - Sarah Warren - to the show. Sarah is a Certified Clinical Somatic Educator who has dedicated her life to helping people live happier and more-pain-free lives. Her book introduced me to a way of thinking about pain and running injuries that was completely new to me, and I believe you will find it helpful to you. We talk about pain, how to listen to it, and how to release tension in your body that will help you manage pain as well as achieve a more balanced mind/body connection. You can find the book here: https://somaticmovementcenter.com/somatics-book-pain-relief-secret/ Here are sample exercises to try if you are interested: a. For plantar relief: https://somaticmovementcenter.com/plantar-fasciitis-exercise/ b. For posture: https://somaticmovementcenter.com/posture-exercise/ c. For sciatica or piriformis issues: https://somaticmovementcenter.com/sciatica-exercise/ For those interested in the offer code mentioned during this episode, go to takecareof.com and use code "rogue50" for 50% off on your first order.

In this short and sweet episode, I start with discussion on the new date for the Boston Marathon and give my predictions on whether or not the fall major marathons will happen. Then, I talk about how to incorporate down weeks into your training. What are they? Why should you be taking them? What do they look like when you do take them? To answer that last question, I give you 6 tips on how to take a down week in order to get the most from it. Ultimately, down weeks are designed to help you stay injury free while also building to optimal fitness. If you aren't taking down weeks now, it's time to start!

As I enter 2021, one of the themes in my personal running journey is to get back to the basics of the work, to embrace and enjoy the fundamentals in order to lay a foundation for big goals still to come. In this episode, I talk about 5 pillars of a solid running foundation that will keep you happy, healthy, and getting faster in the sport for years to come. This episode is not only for those struggling to get motivated right now but also those who are crushing it who just need a reminder about the things that matter most in this sport. Do you want to smash your running goals over the long term? Do these 5 things consistently, and I promise you the work will pay off. It's only a matter of time.

In this conversation, I talk with Cami Hawkins, CEO of Marathon Kids, about getting kids to fall in love with running. Marathon Kids is a national organization that has the mission to show kids through running that they can achieve more than they ever thought possible and be on the path to healthier lives. Marathon Kids has served over 2.5 million kindergarten through 5th graders in its 25 years and hopes to continue to do so for the next 25 years. With this conversation, I have 3 goals: 1. Bring awareness to the great work of Marathon Kids to get kids active, an organization that I have been work with directly for the last 17 years. I now serve as Board Chair and am a parent to 3 Marathon Kids. 2. Provide tips on how to get your kids to fall in love with running while also building their fitness in a healthy and sustainable way. 3. Ask for your support of the organization. During the week of January 25th, I am going to cover 104.8 walking and running miles in order to raise awareness and fundraise for the cause. I would love for you to support my goal to raise $20,000 to help fund the next generation of Marathon Kids. Give the gift of running and donate to the cause here: https://app.hellofund.com/view/fundraiser/BZ6u6m6ukYn All proceeds are tax deductible and go directly to Marathon Kids to be used to support their mission.

I am excited to bring you this conversation with Michael Krajicek, founder of Atreyu Running. Michael's story is a fascinating one as a renaissance man who has made a living as a gig player in the music industry, as the owner/operator of a novelty hot dog restaurant, and now as the visionary behind the running shoe subscription business called Atreyu Running. He also cut his teeth in the running shoe business on the shoe floor at Rogue! Listen in to hear his inspiring story of overcoming drug/alcohol abuse to find a new path via his passion for running and for running shoes. His goal with Atreyu is to help you unlock your inner warrior. Are you ready to join him? For those interested in the offer mentioned in this episode, use the code rogue50 at www.takecareof.com for 50% off on your first order with care/of.

In this episode to kick off the new year, Chris returns to his hosting duties and welcomes guest James Dodds to the conversation. James is a prior guest on the show and fellow Rogue coach. Chris opens up about the reasons for taking his break in the final two months of 2020, plus gives the lessons he learned during that time. Then, Chris and James turn to predictions about what racing will look like in 2021 and how to think about your training during this new year, still with plenty of uncertainty. Happy New Year everyone. Chris is excited to be back!

As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. In this conversation, we feature episode 120 guest and a coach in our Dallas-area community... Molly Dykstra. Chris will be back next week!

As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. In this conversation, we feature Rogue community member Brenda Stephens. She shares her gut-wrenching story of how running helped save her life after the death of a child.

In this conversation, we feature a Rogue coach from our Austin community – Emily Kozel. As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. For those that want to take advantage of the offer code mentioned in this episode, go to takecareof.com and use code rogue50.

In this conversation, we feature a long-time Rogue member Emily Howell as she tells her story about how running has helped her through a variety of personal challenges. As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. For those interested in our new partnership with Green Chef, you can do to GreenChef.com/rogue80 and use code rogue80 for $80 off and free shipping!

As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. In this conversation, we feature an original Rogue coach Janie Hayes.

As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. In this conversation, we feature Chris's wife Amy McClung. You will see that he married way up!

As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. In this conversation, we feature a Rogue coach from our Dallas-area community – Shannon Suess. Also, go to takecareof.com and use code - rogue50 - for 50% off on your first order!

As mentioned in episode 207, Chris will be taking a break from hosting the podcast until January. In his place, fellow Rogue coaches Jennifer Howard-Brown and Ruth England are leading a series of conversations with everyday women who we find incredibly inspiring. In this conversation, we feature episode 186 guest and Rogue community member Dionn Schaffner.

In this episode, we kick off a series of interviews with *regular* women who will bring you maximum inspiration for running and life. First up is episodes 2 and 39 guest, Allison Macsas. Allison is a 3-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier and leader of Rogue Expeditions. She is fast, smart, creative, and oh so inspiring. I think you will love getting to know her a little better. Ruth England and Jennifer Howard-Brown (episode 179 guests) will lead this podcast series while I take a short break away from my hosting duties to recharge personally and spend time with family. Everything is good here... just taking a little break so that I can come back strong and fresh in 2021.

In this week's episode, Brodie Sharpe, physiotherapist and host of the Run Smarter podcast joins me for a new edition of the true-false episodes. This time we discuss running injuries in an attempt to debunk many of the myths associated with avoiding, getting, and recovering from injury. Topics include when pain is or is not your friend, whether or not running is bad for your knees, and whether or not stretching helps prevent injuries. In many cases, the answers will surprise you in this fun debate between coach and physio. Enjoy!

With the proliferation of new wearable technology (including the Oura ring and Whoop band), you may have heard the term - heart rate variability - as a new way to track your recovery and readiness on any given day. It seems simple on the surface, but it's a little more complicated in application than you might think. In this episode, Jason and I break it all down in an attempt to explain heart rate variability including what it is, how to track it, and most importantly, how to apply it in your training.

In this episode, Jason Brooks joins me for the 2nd part of our two part conversation on stress. In episode 202, we discussed total stress loan and the concept of stress inventory in order to set your stress baseline objectively. Now in episode 204, we discuss putting that concept into action with the stress management audit to help you manage, minimize or eliminate unproductive stress in your life that might be affecting your training. In addition for those interested in our Virtual One to One training, you can get more info here: https://www.roguerunning.com/virtual-11 Or contact Jason here: [email protected].

In this episode, I break down all of the action in the London Marathon from Kipchoge's big defeat to Sara Hall's kick finish for 2nd and everything in between. There is so much inspiration to go around with this race, and I may have just scratched the surface in discussing it. If you are looking for hope for your running these days, then I think this episode might just be for you.