Tread Lightly Running Podcast

Burnout can happen to any runner, regardless of fitness or experience. That lack of any desire to run is nothing to be ashamed of - but it’s also not something to ignore. In this episode, we discuss the causes of running burnout and how to navigate burnout and build back.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ FlipBelt: Sleek storage options, including no-bounce running belts and shorts. Use code TLF20 at flipbelt.com for 20% off your purchas...

Running economy is one of the top performance determinants for long distance runners - but what exactly is it? Can your watch measure it? How do you improve it? We sit down with exercise scientist Dr. Shalaya Kipp to learn about running economy and what it really means for running performance.

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✨ Previnex: Previnex creates clinically effective, third-party tested supplements made with high-quality ingred...

While running is a health-promoting activity, running can come with risks: animal encounters, dangerous weather, cars, and other concerns. In this episode, we take a pragmatic approach to navigating different potentially risky situations you may encounter on runs, including how to prepare and how to respond.

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✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks...

Run-walk is an under-rated training approach for many runners. It’s not just reserved for new runners: you can use it during the summer heat, when returning from injury or having a baby, in ultra distances, as you age, and more. This episode focuses on run-walk, including when to use it, how to structure it, how to pace it, and more.

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✨ Upstep: Custom orthotics, molded from the comfort of your home. Use ...

If you’ve had it before, you know that nagging pain in the arch of your foot all too well. We sit down with Dr. Lisa Mitro, DPT, to discuss how to treat one of the most common running injuries - plantar fasciitis. She describes the symptoms of plantar fasciitis, how to treat it acutely and long-term, and answers your biggest question - how you can keep running.

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✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made sim...

VO2max is trendy right now - but is training for VO2max legit or grift? We dive into the science of VO2max, how to improve it, and if it actually matters for long-distance runners.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Upstep: Custom orthotics, molded from the comfort of your home. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH at https://www.upstep.com/?ref=cajmuang for $20 off your purchase.

✨ FlipBelt: Sleek storage options, including no-bounce running belt...

As we approach our 1 MILLION plays marker, we wanted to take you on a peek behind the scenes! Get to know us a little bit more in this special episode where we discuss the podcast, take you behind the scenes on content and production, and share a bit more about ourselves.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Upstep: Custom orthotics, molded from the comfort of your home. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH at https://www.upstep.com/?ref=cajmuang for $20...

The World Marathon Majors (New York, Chicago, Boston, Sydney, London, Tokyo, and Berlin) are the most popular races in the world. However, with their popularity come some unique logistical challenges: international travel, jet lag, large crowds, and more. We’ve coached dozens (if not hundreds) of runners through the world majors and bring you our best advice for setting yourself up for an enjoyable and successful race experience at...

After receiving many questions about weight loss for runners, we decided to bring on a performance dietitian to discuss this delicate topic. Lydia Nader-Urdiales is a registered dietitian who has worked with runners on their performance and body composition goals - and is a runner herself. She discusses how weight loss can be achieved without spiking your injury risk or sacrificing your performance - and some of this discussion may...

Race day seldom goes as planned. Whether you forget to pack something, the forecast isn’t favorable, or you encounter some challenging miles, race day problems can happen to even the fittest of runners. We draw on our years of coaching hundreds of runners to guide you through how to creatively problem-solve various race-day issues. Even when the race doesn’t go your way, you can still come away with a positive experience and maybe ...

Zone 2 is the most popular training zone - but is it the only training zone you need? We delve into all five training zones and their unique benefits. You’ll learn how to determine each zone by heart rate, rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and talk test, plus how to use them in training.

*Laura misspoke around minute 23. The Cori cycle converts lactate into glucose, not glycogen, to then be shuttled back into the muscles to und...

What happens if ChatGPT makes you a training plan? Will wearing a weighted vest protect you from the symptoms of perimenopause? Are continuous glucose monitors the tool for improving your nutrition? We tackle several social media trends and give our unfiltered, evidence-based hot takes.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and r...

You can’t scroll social media without seeing someone tell you how you have to hit a 180 spm cadence, stop overstriking, or do these exercises for better running form. But do you really need to change your running form? We dive into the science and discuss whether or not changing form is beneficial - plus offer some practical tips if you do want to improve your own natural running form.

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✨ Tailwind: Comp...

Isotonic, real food, maltodextrin, sugar-free, and high-sodium: if you have recently shopped for running gels, you likely have seen these terms and more on the labels. We sit down with sports dietitian Kylee Van Horn to understand the labelling on your sports nutrition products and how to pick the best running gel for you.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-car...

Peak weeks are often discussed in the context of the marathon; however, whether you are training for a short distance like a 5K/10K, a half, marathon, or even an ultra, your training will include a peak week - the week of the highest volume and/or hardest workouts. Peak week is not a magical week - but it does matter in a training build. In this episode, we guide you through what a peak week is, mistakes to avoid, and tips to help ...

More than likely, your watch reports your resting heart rate (RHR) and heart rate variability (HRV) - but what do these numbers actually mean? We look at the science behind these metrics and discuss whether or not runners should use HRV and RHR to adjust their training.

You will learn:

✅ Why does resting heart rate matter for runners?

✅ Should you use HRV to inform your training?

✅ Does these metrics help you recover better?

✅ Does tra...

In this episode, we’re talking about how to plan out your race calendar! Most races now require signing up months, if not almost a year, in advance. We’ll guide you through how to plan out goal races, how often to race, and more.

You will learn:

✅ How to pick races based on your goals

✅ Why racing a variety of distances can be beneficial

✅ How to approach several races in one season

✅ Racing frequency for beginners vs experienced r...

Enneagram is a model of understanding your personality and motivations. While its scientific validity is mixed, some research indicates it may be helpful for understanding personal growth. Whether or not it is psychometrically valid, Enneagram is a popular way to help understand your motivations - which can help you through the psychological aspects of running. In this episode, we take a less scientific, more fun approach with Jill...

The half marathon is one of the most popular race distances - but it is also one that runners can dismiss because it’s not a marathon. However, all-out racing a half marathon can be a very rewarding challenge if you approach it correctly. In this episode, we discuss some of the most common half marathon training mistakes and how you can avoid them. You’ll learn how to train for a half marathon PR, how to set half marathon goals, ho...