Steve Magness

Science of Running

Sports EN ↓ 232 episodes

An in depth look at training, coaching, Sport Science, and anything else that relates to enhancing endurance performance.

Author

Steve Magness

Category

Sports

Podcast website

www.scienceofrunning.com

Latest episode

Jun 2, 2026

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Episodes

241: Most common mistakes when coaching distance runners and how to avoid. 06.05.2024

What are the most common mistakes coaches make? In this episode we dive into where we and others have gone wrong, and what to do about it. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction system…

240: The Science of Zone 2: Why it’s misunderstood and how to apply it successful in your training. 15.04.2024

Everyone is talking about zone 2! What is it, what do we get wrong, and how do we utilize it correctly. On this episode we dive deep into the science to understand aerobic training practices. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It…

239: The Science of Overuse injuries and rehabilitation for distance runners. 08.04.2024

It’s time to talk about injuries, those dreaded things that pop up that derail a season. How do we prevent them, bounce back from them, and much more. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction…

238: When workouts don’t work: The art of the audible 01.04.2024

What do you do when it all goes wrong during a workout? You call an audible! In this episode, we walk you through how and when to adjust a bad workout. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus…

237: Medium Dig Cycle: When and why to purposefully dig a hole in training. 11.03.2024

Is it every worthwhile to dig yourself a hole? It turns out the answer is likely yes! In this episode we go through Jerry Schumacher’s medium dig cycle, Canova’s special block training, and much more. Learn when to go a little bit more, to get long lasting gains. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar…

236: Hard work vs. Overtraining: Finding the Sweet Spot for Optimal Adaptation: 04.03.2024

Training is about adaptation. We have to apply the right stimulus that is just strong enough, without overwhelming us. It’s about embarrassing the body. In this episode, we discuss where the line is between overreaching and overtraining. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches…

235: The science of Flow states: How to turn it on and recapture it when it’s gone. 26.02.2024

How do we get in the zone to perform at our best? This week we tackle the psychology of performance. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction system with 500+ other coaches! And we’ve added…

234: The Science of Soviet Training Methods: A look back at the history of getting in shape. 12.02.2024

In this episode we dive deep into the literature on soviet training. Yes, there was lots of drugs, but is there anything to learn? We go through circuits, strength training, periodization, and more. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+…

233: Traits of a champion: Why some are better than rest 05.02.2024

What separates the best from the rest? In this episode, we go into the characteristics of a champion, and how to cultivate them in anybody. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction system with 500+…

232: Defining the Win: How to stay on track, have success, and have fun doing it. 29.01.2024

Are you and your athletes on the same page in how you define success? Have you ever walked up to an athlete after a race, expecting them to be happy, but they are dejected? You were on different pages in how you define success. In this episode, we talk about defining the win. Steve &…

231: The Athlete’s Hierarchy of Needs. Getting the basics down first 22.01.2024

Decades ago, Abraham Maslow outlined a hierarchy of needs. We take this idea and translate it into athletic performance. What are the foundational level, how do we provide security for the athletes, where do workouts come in? We build the athletic pyramid of needs! Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program…

230: Coaching the Modern Athlete: The Role of a Coach 15.01.2024

How has the role of the coach changed? Do we need to take a different approach with this generation? We answer these questions and more in this weeks podcast! Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online…

229: Modern Coaching: Ways to Promote Transformation in a Transactional Environment 01.01.2024

Are you a transactional or transformational coach? Society pushes us towards transactional. In this episode, we outline why that’s the case and what we can do about it. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction…

228: Before and After the Key to Maximizing your Workouts 18.12.2023

A lot of focus is on the workout for good reasons, but in this episode we look at how what you do before and after the workout impacts the quality during and adaptations from the workout. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education.…

227: Peeling Back the Layers of Modern Coaching: Manager, Mentor, Teacher 04.12.2023

A coach plays many roles— manager, teacher, mentor, guide. In this episode, we dive into how coaching has changed in the modern era and how to best serve your athletes in the roles you play. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It…

226: The Science of Middle Distance Training: Understanding HIIT 27.11.2023

HIIT! High intensity interval training…what is it, what is it good for, what don’t we understand? In this episode, we demystify HIIT from a scientific and coaching perspective. We provide actionable takeaways with plenty of workout examples. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches…

Episode 225: The Magic is in the Man/Woman, Not the Miles. 13.11.2023

This week, we take on the old Bowerman quote, to understand while we obsess over the workouts, what matters most is the people on board. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction system with 500+…

Episode 224: Anxiety creep: How to fight back, take ownership, and thrive in training and on race day. 30.10.2023

Pre-race anxiety is something we all face. How do we deal with it? In this episode, we go through the psychology of anxiety and tips and tools for helping athletes deal with it. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+…

Episode 223: The Science of Drive: How to Get Better and Become the Best 23.10.2023

Motivation. We all talk about it’s importance, but how do you develop it within yourself and athletes? In this episode, we break down the science of drive and buy-in. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online…

Episode 222: What Greatness Really Looks Like: The Characteristics that Drive Elite Performance 16.10.2023

Consistency over the long haul. Stacking week after week, month after month of good work. Being prepared instead of being ready. Flipping the switch to compete, instead of being hypercompetitive. These (and more) are the characteristics of great performers. Listen to hear more. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is…

Episode 221: PEAK WHEN IT COUNTS: Developing Mental Toughness 09.10.2023

Today, we talk about the many kinds of competition, and how we need to stop seeing every meet as the be all end all. Stop using regular season meets as validation. Instead, see them as developmental competitions where you are working on something to grow and adapt! Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program…

Episode 220- Becoming a Great Coach: The Art of Managing Workouts 02.10.2023

In this episode, we dive into how to manage and adjust workouts for both physiological and psychological gain. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our one-stop-shop for all things coaches education. It has 20+ courses plus an online interaction system with 500+ other coaches! And we’ve added a new…

#219- Managing Change and Uncertainty: Injuries, Going from HS to College, Retirement, and So Much More 25.09.2023

In this episode, we welcome friend of the show Brad Stulberg to talk about how runners can handle change and uncertainty. What do we do when the injury bug hits and it feels like our season is lost, or when we transition from high school to college and we go from star to also-ran, or…

Episode 218- Managing Fatigue: Understanding Glycogen Depletion 21.09.2023

In this episode, we dive into glycogen depletion and how it impacts recovery and adaptation. We go over the timing of glycogen restoration (hint: it’s a lot longer than you think), and nutrition interventions that can help you handle the training load. Steve & Jon Check out the Scholar Program The Scholar Program is our…

Episode 217: Dedicated vs. Serious: Difference Between Real and Fake Excellence 12.09.2023

We often mistake being serious with being dedicated. That’s often not the case. We are most dedicated when we were having fun and experiencing joy. We often create teams and cultures devoid of joy and the misplaced notion that serious need me seriousness means we are committed. It does that. There’s performative stuff, and then…

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