Running With James

Send us Fan Mail Building Your Best HYROX – Week 2: Power + Strength: The Engine That Carries You In this episode, James, Lauren, and Carlos break down the power behind performance — how building functional strength transforms your HYROX race from survival to domination.  Learn how to develop the kind of strength that lasts — through sled pushes, farmer carries, wall balls, and walking lunges — wh...

Send us Fan Mail Race season is here — and it’s time to lock in your HYROX game plan.  In this episode, James and Lauren kick off a brand-new 4-week series, Building Your Best HYROX, breaking down what makes HYROX unique, how to structure your final month of prep, and the biggest training mistakes to avoid before race day. You’ll learn how to balance endurance and strength without burning out, how...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Running with James, we wrap up our Back to the Basics series with the mindset that separates casual runners from champions: consistency. Motivation gets you started—but discipline keeps you going. In this episode, James and Lauren talk about how to build lasting habits, stay consistent through the ups and downs, and develop the mindset that leads to real growth. We’ll...

Send us Fan Mail Think running is enough to get faster? Think again. In this week’s Running with James episode, we’re getting Back to the Basics with one of the most overlooked pieces of training: strength work. We break down why runners need more than miles to perform at their best — and how strength training builds power, improves form, and helps you stay injury-free. You’ll learn: The best stre...

Send us Fan Mail Are you running hard but still hitting the wall? Your fueling strategy could be the missing link. In this episode of Running with James, we break down everything runners need to know about nutrition and hydration for training and race day. You’ll learn: How to eat before your runs for maximum energy The truth about gels vs. real food during long runs How many carbs per hour elite...

Send us Fan Mail Conversational & Fun: This week, things didn’t go as planned—James was down for the count, so instead of our regular episode, we’re giving you something special from the Patreon vault! We catch up on current events, share a few wild stories about getting hit on, and of course, deal with a little bit of classic Lauren energy. Support the show Become a member and support the sho...

Send us Fan Mail Slow down to speed up. Zone 2 running is everywhere right now—but what does it really mean, and why is it so important for runners of all levels? In this week’s Getting Back to the Basics episode, Coach James breaks down the science of base training, explains how your body uses the Krebs cycle to create energy, and shares research-backed studies that prove a bigger base leads to a...

Send us Fan Mail Good running form isn’t just for elites—it’s the foundation that keeps every runner healthy, efficient, and fast. In this kickoff episode of our Getting Back to the Basics series, we break down the key elements of proper running technique and give you practical tools to improve today. You’ll learn: The pillars of good running posture, cadence, and foot strike Drills to add to your...

Send us Fan Mail This week’s episode wasn’t planned for the main feed—it was supposed to be a Patreon exclusive. But after recording, we knew it needed to be shared with everyone. In this unfiltered conversation, we get transparent about the state of our culture, the challenges we’re facing, and the real feelings we’ve been wrestling with. It’s longer, rawer, and goes way beyond training and fitne...

Send us Fan Mail The countdown is on! In this episode of Running with James, we’re talking all things DEKA Austin. Coach Carlos, Coach Lauren, and the BCFitFam are ready to throw down, and we’re breaking down the game plan. From strategy and pacing to mindset shifts when the race gets tough, this conversation will get you fired up and race-day ready. Whether you’re competing for the podium or just...

Send us Fan Mail Shoes, belts, gels, and more—when it comes to running and training, the right gear can make all the difference. In this episode of Running with James, we break down our must-have essentials for runners, HYROX athletes, and anyone chasing performance. We’ll cover: The right shoes for training and race day Clothing that keeps you comfortable (and chafe-free) Fuel and hydration tools...

Send us Fan Mail In Part 1, we broke down the dangers of training while sick. Now in Part 2, we take it further—unpacking how to make the smartest choices for your health, fitness, and long-term performance. You’ll discover: When light movement might actually help vs. when to shut it down completely How to adjust your workouts without derailing your progress Practical recovery strategies to bounce...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling sick but still tempted to lace up? The Neck Rule might be the most important guideline you’ve never heard of. In this episode of Running with James, we break down when training while sick is (maybe) okay—and when it can seriously hurt your health and performance. You’ll learn: Why exercising while sick can weaken your immune system The risks of chest and heart complication...

Send us Fan Mail Think you’re training smart? You might be committing one of the 7 Deadly Sins of Training—and sabotaging your own progress without even realizing it. In this episode, James breaks down the biggest mistakes runners, HYROX athletes, and hybrid competitors make, from overtraining and race-pace obsession to neglecting nutrition and mobility. Packed with real talk, practical fixes, and...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Running with James, we’re joined by Terry the Trainer — certified strength & conditioning coach, certified neuroscience specialist, keynote speaker, and all-around motivator on a mission to speak life into both body and mind. We dive into what it really takes to develop a champion’s mindset, the science behind mental toughness, and how grit, grind, and gratitude c...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Running with James, Coach Lauren flips the script and puts Coach James and Coach Carlos in the hot seat to tackle one of the hardest parts of coaching—guiding athletes through tough times. Whether it’s injury, burnout, personal setbacks, or mental blocks, we explore the balance between tough love and gentle encouragement. How do we keep people motivated without pushin...

Send us Fan Mail You’ve been told to hustle harder. To grind every day. To live in beast mode. But what if that mindset is actually killing your progress? In this episode, James breaks down the myth of “no days off” and exposes why maximum effort all the time doesn’t lead to maximum results. You’ll learn the truth about progressive overload, the 10% rule of progression, and why periodization and c...

Send us Fan Mail Is the 80/20 method just for advanced runners logging 50+ miles a week? In this episode, we push back on that popular belief and make the case that runners of all levels—from first 5Ks to marathoners—can benefit from 80/20 training. We’ll explain what the method is, why it works, and how it builds aerobic strength, discipline, and long-term durability. We’ll also tackle the real q...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Running with James, we pull back the curtain on the most common mistakes runners make—from form breakdowns to mindset traps—and the coaching strategies we use to help athletes overcome them. Whether you’re struggling with posture, pacing, or plateaus, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical insights. Plus, we close things out with a look ahead t...

Send us Fan Mail The off-season is over — it’s go time. In this solo episode, James delivers your pre-season wake-up call with a high-energy breakdown of what it takes to level up for your best race season yet. From hard lessons learned last year to what’s trending in HYROX, OCR, and marathon training, this episode gets real about what actually works. We dive into the three pillars every athlete n...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Running with James, we dive deep into the critical 20%—the speed work, tempo runs, and threshold efforts that push you past plateaus and build true race-day power. From short intervals to long grinding efforts, we break down the purpose behind each workout and how they train different energy systems to meet the demands of your sport—whether you’re prepping for H...

Send us Fan Mail No medal. No crowd. No finish line. So why keep pushing? In this episode of Running with James, we’re flipping the script on off-season training and tackling the myth that you need a race to stay motivated. Because real athletes don’t just train for events—they train for growth. James and the crew share how they stay locked in when there’s nothing on the calendar, and why some of...

Send us Fan Mail This week on Running with James, we’re diving into the “invisible season”—those months between training blocks and race days when no one’s watching… and the real work begins. Whether you’re in the thick of summer training or tempted to hit cruise control, this episode will remind you why this quiet part of the year might be the most important part of all. James and the crew break...

Send us Fan Mail You trained. You traveled. You were ready to race. Then… everything changed. In this episode of Running with James, we share the behind-the-scenes story of our trip to HYROX NYC—where canceled waves meant no race and plenty of unexpected emotions. But what started as disappointment became a powerful lesson in perspective. We’re diving into what it really means to face setbacks in...

Send us Fan Mail We’re halfway through 2025—and it’s time for a gut check. In this episode of Running with James, we’re taking a strategic pause to evaluate our progress, recalibrate our goals, and reignite the grit we need to finish the year strong. Coach James breaks down: How to reassess your 2025 goals without guilt The power of celebrating wins (and owning the misses) Common mindset traps tha...