This one is for my sober and sober-curious runners out there!! Luc Zoratto's journey into running and sobriety is a tale of community, empowerment, and self-discovery. After being in the "sober closet" for 5 years, he decided to share his sobriety journey publicly on LinkedIn after hitting a major milestone: qualifying for the Boston Marathon. Today, we're talking about quitting drinking, the personal nature of sobriety, and of course, the messy, hard work that comes with pushing yourself athletically AND personally!

Luc Zoratto (@marathon2sobriety) is a Sober Dad, Husband, Marathoner & Alcohol-Free Life Coach. He helps empower high-performing professionals and entrepreneurs to overcome the limitations that alcohol and drugs have on their lives. His mission is to promote a growth mindset that challenges the belief that hard work and alcohol go hand in hand, and inspire others to embrace a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle to help people realize their full potential.

https://www.marathon2sobriety.ca/

LET'S GET SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS! In this UNEDITED, one-take episode, Coach Elisabeth goes through the leftover questions from a recent Instagram Story Q&A!

• Pre-written training plans & the Banana Republic pants analogy
• Workouts in off-seasons
• Post-half marathon recovery and the "reverse taper"
• Why are my easy runs getting slower in marathon training?
• Am I failing my easy run if its 75% easy/25% moderate?
• Upset tummy post-run
• Hilly race training
• Long run workouts
• "Slow release" gels
• Keto for endurance runners?
• "hey Coach Elisabeth"
• Fueling during injury rehab
• Improving marathon performance

...PLUS ALL THE TANGENTS, SIDEBARS, AND RANDOM OPINIONS YOU (PROBABLY) DIDN'T ASK FOR!

Train with Running Explained!

• The Run Club app
• Downloadable training plans
• Masterclasses
• Coaching consults

DOUBLE THRESHOLD TRAINING is one of the recent "trends" in high-level endurance training, but is this something that YOU should be doing in your own training? Exercise physiologist Dr. Phil Batterson rejoins the show today to talk about this training framework and how it's ACTUALLY implemented (plus takeaways and guidance for the everyday runner and what they can do in their training to maximize their threshold workouts and overall training load!)

Much is made of dedication and "no days off" in the running world... except, sometimes, you SHOULD skip a run or take the day off! Conversely, sometimes that little voice in your head can convince you that you shouldn't for your run today... when actually, it's in your best interest that you do! But how to figure out the difference? And why does it matter?

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Wondering how YOU should train? Wondering what types of runs & workouts YOU should do to reach your running goals?
TRAINING PLANS for 5k through Marathon, beginner to experienced, AND base-building & Speed Base plans!
The Run Club app is AVAILABLE NOW! Access all training plans plus new strength training programs + resources and more!

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Studies referenced in this episode

PMID: 19131473

PMID: 29845840

PMID: 35708888

PMID: 34223608

PMID: 26194576 PMID: 29073412

Let's dive into VO2max! In this episode, Coach Elisabeth unravels the intricacies of VO2Max, its measurement, and its significance in endurance performance. How much do you ACTUALLY need to focus on VO2max?

• What VO2max measures, and the variations in ranges observed across different populations, spanning from beginners to elite athletes.
• The challenges associated with accurately assessing VO2Max, particularly through fitness wearables
• A comparison between VO2Max tests and other assessments (like lactate threshold) as a predictor of performance
• What VO2max workouts actually look like
• And more!

Your fitness isn't as fragile as you think it is!! Fitness loss is not as quick or significant as many people fear, and taking a few days or week off has essentially no impact on your fitness. And while detraining is a natural part of the training process and can be beneficial in certain contexts, taking long weeks or months off will definitely result in a detraining effect... but what does that timeline look like?

My guest this week is Dr. Kate Bochnewetch, and we are delving into the world of running and training while living with a chronic illness. Drawing from her own journey coping with chronic migraines, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and POTS, Kate sharess valuable insights into being a runner with chronic illness and how to navigate a "new normal" in goal-setting and training management.

We explore the unique hurdles confronted by runners dealing with chronic illnesses, offering guidance on modifying training routines, making informed choices, and asserting autonomy in goal-setting, stressing the collaborative approach of working with professionals like dietitians while highlighting the essential balance and self-care required for success!

-- Kate Bochnewetch PT, DPT, CSCS is a Western NY based physical therapist and lifelong runner. She graduated from Nazareth College with her Bachelor’s of Science degree and Doctorate of Physical Therapy. Kate is also an RRCA Run Coach, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, and Level 1 Certified Running Gait Analyst. Her passion for working with runners has lead her to found The Running DPT LLC to pursue a career in performance based rehabilitation and run coaching, working with runners to improve performance, return to running after an injury, injury prevention, and much more. Her current focus is training and coaching runners living with chronic illness through 1:1 and group platforms.

Let's talk about METABOLISM! No, running doesn't "break" your metabolism; no, your metabolism doesn't screech to a halt once you turn 40. Metabolism and nutrition researcher Dr. Stephanie Compton, PhD, RD, joins the show to discuss metabolism and its impact on our bodies. It's not just about burning calories; it also includes the biochemical processes that build and break down substances in our bodies. Learn about different macronutrient substrates and how our bodies can use them for energy! This conversation explores the topics of metabolic flexibility, metabolic syndrome, age-related metabolic decline, the importance of exercise and muscle mass, supporting metabolism for active individuals, unrealistic expectations of metabolism, and the basics of metabolism.

REFERENCES https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abe5017  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0040503

https://enicto.bsc.gwu.edu/web/enicto

Stephanie Compton, PhD, RD, LDN is a postdoctoral researcher whose research focuses on the intersections of nutrition, physical activity, and metabolism on cancer outcomes and survivorship. Stephanie is passionate about bridging the gap between science and real life to help others ask questions and dig deeper into nutrition. She has been communicating science via Instagram for over 5 years (@steph.compton.phd) where she talks about science and nutrition education with nuance. She is currently training for her first ultra-marathon. 

LET'S DIVE INTO THE HALF MARATHON! This episode with Coach Elisabeth delves into half marathon training: uncover the secrets to conquering this popular race distance, armed with insights that focus on optimal performance. From building your aerobic endurance foundation to mastering targeted workouts like lactate threshold sessions, elevate your performance to new heights and set the stage for a fabulous half marathon journey!

We cover the art of pacing, steering clear of race pace obsession, and common pitfalls faced by half marathoners, from hitting the wall to training errors and pacing dilemmas. Learn to fine-tune your half marathon training with tips on adequate fueling, hydration, and the importance of easy effort running!

Unlock the rewards of the half marathon—a powerhouse training investment offering experience, fitness, satisfaction, and growth without the marathon time commitment. Gain a deep appreciation for the significance of this challenging distance as she guides you through the history, training phases, and the joy of enjoying the experience!

Let's run MORE!! Why? In this episode with Coach Elisabeth, we talk about how to increase running volume effectively and the importance of finding the right balance between volume and frequency, and the relationship between volume and speed. Practical tips for adding volume to your training week include adding another day of running and distributing volume increases throughout the week, plus the importance of easy effort running and the limitations of the 10% rule. She also highlights the varying volume of elite runners and the dedication and time required to achieve aggressive performance goals. She encourages runners to maintain a love for running and not sacrifice it for arbitrary goals

KEY TAKEAWAYS!

• Increasing running volume can lead to improved performance, but it's important to find the right balance for your individual goals and abilities.
• Adding another day of running and distributing volume increases throughout the week are effective ways to increase training volume.
• Easy effort running is crucial for safely increasing volume and preventing injury.
• The 10% rule is a guideline that can be helpful, but it's not a hard and fast rule and may not be appropriate for all runners.
• Volume guidelines for different race distances can provide a general framework for setting training goals. Set realistic goals and consider the time and dedication required to achieve them.
• Volume plays a crucial role in marathon training and can greatly impact performance.
• Elite runners have varying volume levels, but higher volume tends to lead to better performance.
• Maintain a love for running and don't sacrifice it for arbitrary goals.
• Increase volume gradually and distribute frequency throughout the week for better results.

Eating to support your running can feel really overwhelming when you're ALSO being a partner, parent, employee, friend - ALL of the things you also are in your busy life! Sports dietitian Alex Larson, RD (@alexlarsonnutrition) and Coach Elisabeth cover topics such as post-workout breakfasts for busy mornings, easy fueling before and after workouts, simple ways to add carbs and other foods, tips for athletes with unpredictable schedules, understanding hunger and fullness cues, nutrition for two-a-day workouts, and simple and actionable tips for nutrition!