Strength For Endurance Podcast

Todays episode is for the cyclists amongst you. Whether it's road, track, trail, downhill, in a group or riding solo - our common desire is to ride to the best of our ability.  But we can't escape the fact that sitting in this position, aero or not, is somewhat artificial. We expect our bodies to mould into optimal bike positions over long durations and high intensities. Today we look at how stren...

As we approach a new year, Kriss shares a invaluable tip to take forward if you want to get the most out of your training. Subjective feedback……What is it? What does it look like for you? and How important is it to your training and performance? Listen in to todays episode and think about how you can apply in the coming months. (00:00) Introduction to Strength for Endurance Podcast (00:41) The Imp...

In todays episode Kriss answers the question 'Why we don't showcase more of our endurance programming?" Nowadays, the endurance world is saturated with template programs more than ever; whether it be 12, 16 or 24 week race plan, marathon program or Ironman build.  A seemingly innocent, cheaper and simpler training solution accessible at the click of a button, however more often than not it can hav...

Today Kriss is joined by Alison Rose and Claire Merrett from CSPC Physiotherapy in Leeds, who share their experience and expertise on both Pre and Post Pregnancy considerations for athletes.  Working with a wide range of clientele including the likes of Olympic Heptathlete Jessica Ennis, Alison and Claire have alot of knowledge to share and myths to dispel. Topics in todays episode include the une...

The term RED-S or 'Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport' is fairly well known within the endurance community. Previously termed the Female Athlete Triad, it's name now better represents an issue that affects both men and women. Lack of a menstrual cycle, disordered eating, low body mass, stress fractures and osteopenia are some of the more commonly associated signs and symptoms when it comes to RED...

One of the draws to trail running is the ability to just get out there. Out into the mountains, forests, countryside, whatever your chosen environment. It's easy... you can just put on your shoes and go, which is probably why we've seen the sport increase in popularity over the past couple of years. So, the last thing we want to do is take the romantism away from you - the fun and thoughtlessness...

When it comes to injury, we often focus alot on the physical; from symptoms and pain, to surgery and rehabilitation. But what if we we're to put as much emphasis on the psychology around injury. What would we find and how would it benefit the athletes who are working through it?  Our guest today Ciara Everard, is a former elite athlete, Physiotherapist by trade and obtained her PhD in Sports Injur...

Whether you're doing one sport or three, finding time to fit strength sessions in to your weekly schedule on a consistent basis often leaves poeple feeling overwhelmed and thats before we even factor in work, family and other day to day responsibilities. But as you know S&C can afford to be the 'thing' that is skipped, after all it's what is going to keep you doing the 'fun stuff' aka run, bike, s...

It's not unusual to see athletes struggling with injury or a plateau in their performance trying to fix the issue with 'one key exercise', a running gait analysis or a 'fast track' 6 week program. But as endurance athletes the majority of our problems are complex and there are many contributing factors; overtraining, underfuelling, poor integration of training, insufficient strength, inadequate co...

Many of us are aware that female performance can be affected at different times of the monthly cycle. But how is performance affected when we're peri-menopausal, menopausal or post-menopausal? How do our hormones fluctuate throughout the lifespan of a woman and how can we apply what we know back into our training and performance? We spoke with Dr Jessica Piasecki, who is the Associate Professor of...

As someone who trains alot, when was the last time you had a performance blood test? ….In fact have you ever had one? If the answer is no, don't panic! Today we're discussing the importance of athletes having blood tests, and specifically a performance blood test. Giving us an individualised and comprehensive insight into your currently health, it can provide us vital information and answers aroun...

Listen in to todays episode where Kriss is joined by Exercise Physiologist from Northumbria University, Dr. Phil Hayes. As a Professor, Sports Scientist and Reseacher with over 30 years experience, he gives us a fascinating insight into some of the research and studies he's done over the years. From how fatigue effects running gait, specifically the role of muscular strength; aerobic interval trai...

There is an art to successful and sustainable coaching. Now whether you're self coached, training from a downloaded template or within a club, it's vital that as athletes we don't just follow a program blindly. How many times have you completed a training program where you haven't had to change a single thing? Chances are you've had to miss sessions, the intensity has been too much or you've had a...

it's a pleasure to welcome Pippa Woolvern to the podcast today. A former GB Athlete, Psychology Coach and athlete mentor, Pippa set up Project RED-S with the aim of raising the awareness, prevention and support of low energy availability and it's associated problems amongst athletes of all ages and abilities. A topic that resonates closely with both Pippa and Kriss, she shares her story of struggl...

Our feet are one of our most important parts of "real estate". We expect so much from them, but rarely do we train and prepare them for the distances, terrains and intenities we have planned. We can get carried away with building stronger glutes, quads and hamstrings. But if we neglact the very thing that connects us with the ground, is this work wasted? It's time to take it back to basics, shoes...

It's easy to feel overwhelmed these days when it comes to the "perfect run form" or what you should look like when you run. But how often are you able to take this information and advice and easily apply it to your own running? Today Kriss covers a few of the basics that you go and work on right away including Cadence, Mantra's and Identifying Weaknesses. (00:00) Introduction to SFE Athlete Pathwa...

Whether you've been in the water your whole life, are just getting back into it or starting later in life, there's a definite complexity to open water swimming, in comparision to that of it's pool counterpart. Of course, fitness, technique and level of experience will play a big part in how you perform. But as such a solitary sport there are many qualities, behaviours and traits that you can look...

Many seasoned runners will know that it's often not the uphills that break you, but instead the toll that the downhills have on the body. Today Kriss shares three key ways that you can improve your tolerance for the downhills, both at home, in the gym and during you running sessions. Tune in to find out more... (00:00) Introduction to SFE Athlete Pathway (01:21) Welcome to the Strength for Enduran...

Recieving a diagnosis or prognosis around an injury can come with a flood of emotions. Sadness, anger, confusion, frustration, the list goes on. Whether you've been in this postion yourself or seen someone who has, hearing these words can be really hard, especially when it hasn't be delievered with the best bedside manner. Being told "you'll never be able to run again", "surgery is the only answer...

A seemingly obvious concept, yet one that isn't discussed enough when rehabilitating an injury. As children we had 'spring' like qualities in our lower bodies - being able to run, jump and land without thought. But as age, life and injuries catch up with us, why aren't we focusing on ensuring we still have these physical qualities? Listen in as Kriss discussed the Spring Mechanism, how to develop...

'A high quality question determines the quality of the thoughts you have and the actions you take' Can you truly achieve success and results from a program if certain questions are never asked? Can we really expect a solution to a problem if we're only seeing half the picture? In todays podcast we identify certain questions that could be pivotal to the progress of your training, regardless of what...

Todays podcast came off the back of a call with one of our Athlete Pathway clients. This particular individual had a marathon goal approaching, however the last few weeks had been anything but smooth sailing or consistent. With a number of 'life events' happening, work stress and mental load compounding, this individual was at risk of burnout.' But it's times like this where knowing when to press...

Template Training Programs are at the heart of the majority of overtraining issues within endurance sport. A bold statement. But when you look at the most important aspect of training for a race or event, it comes down to the amount of training volume and intensity the individual is applying to their body on a weekly basis. If you are following a program that is generic, hasn't been individualised...

Whether you're training for a 10k, marathon or ultra-marathon you want to be following a program that'll get you to the startline ready and raring to go; prepared mentality and physically to run as fast (or as far) as possible. But with the abundance of running programs available to runners of all abilities, there are some common flaws that not only lead to sub-optimal performance but more signifi...

Do you see your coach as someone who just prescribes training sessions? Are you able to be honest with them about how you're feeling, both on good and bad days? Are they helping you to become the best athlete you can be, but also considering your long term health and the impact that training is having on you over the longterm. There are a number of conversations that you should be having with your...