The Elevate Your Running Podcast

I couldn't stay away all summer! In this episode, I share: the Marathon Moment and How Races are learning to adapt (which is helping all of us) where I'm at with my own training and why the process to partner with a coach has been a long journey how to have fun and work hard while chasing goals - yes, it can be done, and I'm a big believe if you can find the balance, you will find your...

Resources & Links: Work with Coach Sara + the Elevate Your Running Coaching Team  – Coaching and Programs elevateyourrunning.com Instagram – Join the Community Elevateyourrunning and sayrahrunshappy Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Music | YouTube Channel  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review! Share your thoughts on how coaching has impacted your journey on...

Jonah Rosner, Running Scientist is on the podcast this week!  Jonah is an applied sports scientist, and strength and running coach based in Brooklyn, NY. Jonah spent the past 10 years working with athletes and teams from all major American Professional Team sports. In this week’s episode, Jonah breaks down the current running fads in the market and if they are worth the hype based on scientific re...

Whether you love it or hate it, the taper is designed to rebuild muscle and tendon damage, build strength and durability and give you that poppy and light feeling for race day. So, if you’re a runner who really wants to do their best on race day, these three science-backed taper must-haves will give you that edge! Sleep Mindset Carb Loading What do you think? Have you dialed in your taper to inclu...

Join us for a deep dive into the mental strategies that can help you conquer the marathon. In this episode, we sit down with Sports Psychology Coach, Emily Saul, to discuss the importance of chunking up a race. We explore why this technique is crucial for marathon runners, how to break down the distance into manageable segments, and the mental strategies needed to stay focused and motivated throug...

This week, I’m joined by Michelle Baxter to talk all things super shoes, running gear, and Boston Marathon prep. We dive into how racing shoes have evolved + break down what’s actually working right now for us, including models like the Alphafly, Vaporfly, Adios Pro, and Fast-R and more. We also get honest about the role of gear: what truly matters for performance versus what’s just hype. From fav...

Peak week is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of marathon training. In this episode, we break down exactly what’s normal and what’s not normal during peak week so you can arrive at the start line feeling strong, confident, and ready to race. We talk through what healthy fatigue should feel like, why higher volume and intensity are expected, and how to properly take your train...

In this episode of the Elevate Your Running Podcast, I sit down with Meghan Howard to explore what it really means to show up with bravery in your running—and in your life. Meghan shares the story behind her incredible 2:52 performance at the Tokyo Marathon, giving an inside look at the training, mindset, and resilience it took to get there. But this conversation goes far beyond splits and race da...

What does it look like to chase a Boston Qualifier while raising kids, working full-time, and building a running community from the ground up? In this episode, I’m joined by Carolyn Bollozos, a marathoner, Ironman finisher, working mom of two, and founder of GP Mother Runners — a thriving community of women balancing motherhood and endurance sport. Carolyn shares her journey from running her first...

If you’re training hard but still feeling tired, plateaued, or struggling to race your best, your nutrition may be the missing piece. In this episode, I’m joined by registered dietitian Alex Larson, RD, to break down how runners can use nutrition as a performance tool — not just something to think about after a workout. We talk about the most common fueling mistakes endurance runners make, how to...

What does it actually take to break 3 hours in the marathon? In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Filla to talk about the physical and mental demands of running sub-3 (2:59:59). We break down 6:52/mile pace, key marathon workouts, fueling strategy, long run structure, and the mindset required to execute on race day. We also discuss why so many runners plateau at 3:05–3:10, common training mistakes...

You’ve done the workouts. You’ve built the fitness. So why does race day sometimes feel like you’re not quite hitting your potential? In this episode, we’re breaking down what it really means to get the most out of your race — and why fitness alone isn’t enough. Because racing is a skill. And like any skill, it requires intention, discipline, and emotional control. I’ll walk you through: Why execu...

The start line is where nerves, adrenaline, and self-doubt all show up at once. In this episode, I share five simple phrases every athlete can use to stay grounded, patient, and present when it matters most. We talk about trusting the work you’ve done, resisting the urge to race too early, narrowing your focus to what’s right in front of you, and normalizing the fact that things will get hard. We...

In this episode, marathoner Carolyn Coffin joins the podcast to talk about trusting yourself when the plan breaks down. We dive into her Marathon Project experience, the DNF that followed, and what it taught her about self-trust, coaching yourself, and redefining success. Whether you’re in the middle of a build that feels off or reflecting on a goal that didn’t pan out, this episode will help you...

Have you ever finished a workout wondering, “Did that even do anything?” Or maybe you nailed every interval and still questioned whether it counted as progress. In this episode, we break down how to measure the true success of your workouts — beyond pace, distance, or how hard you pushed. YOU'LL LEARN HOW TO: Define a successful workout based on your goals Use both objective metrics and subjec...

Training hard doesn’t always lead to faster marathon times. In fact, for many runners chasing a new PR or Boston Qualifying time, effort is rarely the missing piece. In this episode, I’m breaking down eight key lessons I’ve learned from running eight marathons. These are the mindset shifts, execution skills, and training principles that helped me move past marathon plateaus and finally unlock bett...

Most runners don’t hit a plateau because they aren’t working hard enough. They plateau because they don’t know when to stop running. In a running culture that celebrates grit, streaks, and pushing through pain, it’s easy to believe that more miles are always the answer. But for many runners, especially those chasing a breakthrough or coming up just short of their goals, constantly pushing harder i...

2025 was the year of the snake, and Coach Sara shares everything she is sheding and leaving behind, and the training concepts, products, and mindset shifts she’s taking with her into 2026! Let’s make this the year that we DREAM BIG, CHASE GOALS, and finally break through that running plateau!  If you are a running struggling with running a PR, running a Boston Qualifying Time or breathing through...

Mental Skills Coach, Carrie Jackson is back for another episode - we are deep diving into visualization for runners! What it is, why it matters, how to achieve strong visualization in training and racing, the benefits, who can and should practice it, and any drawbacks. For those looking to hear Carrie in the previous Elevate episode, How to Elevate Your Mindset with Mental Skills Coach, Carrie Jac...

As 2025 crosses the finish line, join Coach Sara for a powerful episode focused on maximizing your reflection and setting yourself up for success in 2026. This year was massive for the running community—from booming run clubs to record race participation—and now it’s time to claim your personal wins. In this episode, we'll guide you through your annual review: Reviewing your "Running Rece...

Imagine running a marathon. Now, imagine running one every single day for a week—while hopping on a plane to a new continent between each finish line. In this episode, I sit down with Stephanie Schofeld, an Elevate athlete and  finisher of the Great World Race. We dive deep into the logistics, the exhaustion, and the sheer grit required to complete 7 marathons on 7 continents in just 168 hours. Fr...

Don't just run; run smarter. In this essential episode, Coach Sara breaks down the fundamental structure of a successful running year. She covers the often-misunderstood Off-Season, dives deep into effective Base Building strategies, and discusses the season between, the flexible season!. Learn the foundation formula that protects you from burnout and sets you up for your best race times ever....

The half-marathon distance is one of the best race distances to race, and it’s also a race distance that many don’t properly train for!  In this episode, Coach Sara shares four common half-marathon mistakes and how to avoid them!  How to Structure a Training Plan How to get the most of the Long Run How to Pace a Half Marathon How to Avoid Running Too Much Where to Listen: Apple Podcasts  |  Spotif...

Julia is back on the podcast! We catch up on what she’s been up to over the last six months, and how to overcome race day obstacles! Julia has had her fair share of things outside of her control showing up on race morning.  In this episode, we talk about:  How to separate the disappointment of race day and the success of training The mental strategies leaned into following a disappointing race How...

You're chasing that breakthrough PR, but found yourself either stuck, plateaued or moving backwards.  In this episode, Coach Sara breaks down the three non-negotiables that powered her incredible journey from a 2:04 half-marathon runner to a 1:28 powerhouse. We reveal the exact strategies behind: Unwavering Consistency: Why showing up consistently is more critical than any single workout. Trai...