Tread Lightly Running Science Podcast

“Performance is your potential minus interference - and the brain often interferes with how well we want to do.” Many runners struggle to translate their training to racing, because of race day nerves, negative self-talk, or fear of discomfort. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Trent Claypool of Summit Sport Psychology to learn how to embrace discomfort, use positive self-talk, and train your brain for your peak per...

In this episode, we bring a nuanced, science-based approach to many hot topics in running right now. What causes muscle cramps? Does Pilates count as strength training? Should slower runners wear carbon plated shoes? Is it possible to overfuel on long runs? Our goal is to provide individualized guidance, rather than click-baity universalized proclamations.

In this episode, we provide our informed takes on:

✅ What actually cause...

You likely have heard both sides of the debate, as one side argues that sodium supplementation is overrated, while the other side shills sports drinks with a full gram of sodium. In this episode, we dive into the research to present you with a nuanced, science-backed discussion on the widely varying sodium needs of runners. You will learn how to determine your sweat rate and sodium needs, if sodium will prevent muscle cramps, and m...

The long run is a staple of training plans from the 5K to ultra - but why? In this episode, we discuss the science of long runs, including the physiological adaptations, progressions, specificity and more. Plus, we answer your questions about why sleep is difficult after a long run, if walk breaks are okay, and if you treadmill long runs at a lower heart rate are better than outdoors.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Mizuno: Shop Mi...

Most runners have experienced sloshy stomach, nausea, urgency, or other GI issues during a race or run. However, GI problems do not have to be a part of running! We discuss gut training with board-certified sports dietitian Claire Shorenstein. You will learn protocols for gut training, if gut training reverses during your taper, and how to pick the fuel that sits best with you.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Tailwind: Complete spo...

Are you noticing that you are tired all the time and cannot seem to hit your paces in training? Those are not symptoms to ignore. Sometimes, these are signs of low ferritin levels that warrant bloodwork and a doctor visit. In this episode, we examine the research on low ferritin and running, including the causes, how to treat, and how to prevent low ferritin.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Mizuno: Shop Mizuno’s newest bouncy...

Repeatedly missing your running goals is a frustrating experience, especially if you are training hard for a race. In this episode, we discuss what causes a half marathon plateau and solutions to break through to the next performance level. You will learn how to know if you need more speed, goal pace training, endurance, or strength when training for a half marathon. Even if your races have not plateaued, the advice in this episode...

You have loved our episodes on how to run your first half marathon and marathon - so today, we have an episode for those of you who feel ready to go further. We discuss how to train for your first ultra marathon, whether you are doing a 50K, 50 miler, or 100mile. You will learn how to structure workouts and long runs, how to prepare for elevation gain, how to fuel, and more!

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Title Nine: Comfortable sports...

Pronation can be misunderstood as a scary, dangerous risk for injury - and people use that to sell you something. In reality, a certain degree of pronation is a normal part of the running gait. However, excessive or limited pronation can be problematic for some runners. So how do you know if you need to worry about overpronation or buy stability shoes? In episode 171, we take an evidence-based approach and guide you through anatomy...

You have probably encountered claims that your “glutes aren’t firing” or that you have “sleepy glutes,” and that lazy glutes are hurting your running. This approach misses a lot of nuance: if you can stand, your glutes work; but weak glutes can impact running injury risk and running economy. We are joined by Dr. Gaby Go, DPT and run coach, who explains the nuances of glute activation and why strong glu...

In our last episode, we discussed the physiology of running in the heat, including why you run slower. However, you are not doomed to suffer through slow slogs all summer long. In part two of our summer running series, we discuss heat acclimation strategies and cooling techniques to make summer running a little less miserable.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned compan...

It doesn’t have to be a cruel summer of slogging through hot, humid runs. You can adjust your training so that summer running is productive and enjoyable. In part 1 of our summer running episodes, we discuss the physiological impacts of running in the heat and humidity, and how to adjust your training based on those responses.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Good Ranchers: American-grown meat, delivered frozen to your doorste...

Pain is not just tissue damage - but it’s also just not in your brain. In this episode, we’re joined by Taylor Kruse of Kruse Elite. We discuss the neuroscience of pain and movement, including how the brain processes pain, the role of the vestibular system, and how we can think about non-injury pain for runners. Bonus: you will also learn why motion sickness happens!

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Title Nine: Comfortable spo...

Is bib-sharing wrong? Should downhill races count as a PR? Are AI running apps the future of the sport, or setting up runners for injury? In this episode, we have a nuanced discussion on many of the gray areas of sportsmanship and running culture.

✨Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned company. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH for free shipping at https://runtothefinish.com/title-nine/

✨ Tailwind: Comp...

Running for exercise can be cheap, but running for performance and participating in races can be expensive. Maybe you are also weary of the wastefulness of influencer culture and want to know how to purchase fewer things and make your gear last longer. In this episode, we share our advice on how to race on a budget, from gear to fuel and more.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Good Ranchers: American-grown meat, delivered frozen to ...

Carbohydrates, caffeine, and water (sometimes with electrolytes): these seem so simple, but they all improve performance when taken before a race. In this episode, we discuss how to structure your pre-race meal before a 5K to marathon, including what to eat, how to time it, and how to avoid GI upset.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Wahoo KICKR RUN: A treadmill that feels like running outdoors. Shop here: http://bit.ly/4nai73H and read th...

Data can be useful (when it’s valid and reliable) - but excessive data, especially when mixed with comparison against others, can negatively impact your training and relationship with running. In this episode, we discuss Strava anxiety, the comparison trap, and when data can actually make you slower.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Wahoo KICKR RUN: A treadmill that feels like running outdoors. Shop here: http://bit.ly/4nai73H and r...

Women account for a majority of the growth in the sport of running over the past few years - and media is catching up with this shift. We sit down with runher magazine’s founder Ashley Mateo to discuss trends and media representation of women in running.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned company. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH for free shipping at https://runtothefini...

Are you curious about running your speed workouts at the track, but feeling intimidated by it? This episode will guide you through how to confidently run at the track: the proper etiquette, terminology, popular workouts, and more. Plus, you’ll learn about smart approaches for running speedwork, whether you are on the roads or the track.

Thank you to our sponsors:

✨ Amazfit: User-friendly simple running watches with advance...