The Run Smarter Podcast

Brodie dives into a 2005 review paper by Gary A Knutson titled: 'Anatomic and functional leg-length inequality: A review and recommendation for clinical decision-making'. In part 1 of this 2 parter, Brodie will talk about: The prevalence of leg-length difference: How common is it amongst the population, and out of those with a leg difference, what is the average in discrepancy? The effects of lowe...

Part 2 interviews Søren T. Skou is a Professor of Exercise and Human Health at University of Southern Denmark and Næstved, Slagelse, Ringsted Hospital. We continue the discussion on meniscus injuries for runners and focus our attention on the chronic population, especially with the correlation early onset osteoarthritis. Søren talks about why there is such a high correlation between knee damage an...

Prof. Jonas Thorlund is Head of the Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy at the University of Southern Denmark. His research interests are around knee meniscus injuries and developments in knee arthritis. Brodie chats to Jonas about the anatomy and physiology around acute and chronic meniscal injuries. They talk about common symptoms, tests to diagnose and potential pitfall...

Dr. Amy Novotny is the owner of the PABR Institute which uses a holistic approach through breathing and body awareness techniques to restore body movement and relieve pain. Today, we dive into the interwoven relationship between your breathing, your nervous system, acute pain, chronic pain, running injuries and running performance. We also answer your patron questions including: What are some diff...

Tyler hated running from his years spent in the military. Then after becoming a father, he decided to pick up the sport he hated for a better, healthier life. The art of challenging himself with running grew into a love of running but he was quickly sidelined with knee pain. In search of answers, Tyler tried various exercises, stretches and braces which would only offer temporary relief. The injur...

Does Cadence change with Running Speed? Brodie dives into this discussion to help you understand the relationship between cadence, running efficiency & running speed. We also delve into the research paper titled: 'Muscular strategy shift in human running: dependence of running speed on hip and ankle muscle performance' by Tim W. Dorn, et al in 2012. Brodie also shares his own experiences and h...

Have you ever been told that your glutes aren't switching on properly? Maybe that they are asleep? Have you been told that because you sit all day, your hip flexors are getting tight which inhibits your glutes from activating? On today's episode we discuss this puzzling condition and put the theory to the test. Brodie draws inspiration and content from Greg Lehman's blog titled: Have the butt musc...

Amy is a treadmill runner who developed PHT in 2018, which then turned into 2 years of confusion & frustration. We discuss her inital symptoms, how it progressed until she was unable to run and her search to find answers. What then took several months to find a solution, Amy shares what treatment process was the most effective which allowed her to return to running. Amy is now training for a h...

Today is another Run Smarter Q&A episode. This time Brodie is answering questions all to do with trail running and hill running. Here are the questions below: Is training more trails (hills & unstable surfaces) different than non-trail running? What is the best way to run downhill without pounding? What exercises will help me increase my uphill running? Especially when they are longer hill...

Brian Hanley is a senior lecturer in exercise & biomechanics at Leeds University & is on the podcast today to talk about achieving your marathon PB!  Instead of focusing on a training plan, Brian dives into race-day tactics, pacing strategies and other decision-making processes you need to consider.  Brian's insight into the physiological and psychological factors involved in the marathon...

Today is another Run Smarter Q&A episode. Brodie answers all the questions below: For beginner runners consistency is key, but is there a certain aspect of running (sessions per week, distance per session, mobility, strength work) that you feel should take a high priority? What are the advantages & disadvantages of running shorter distances more often vs longer distances less often for inj...

Brodie has a new smarter running routine! On today's episode, Brodie talks about his recent running routine including his new process with tracking his mileage and exercise intensity. After listening to this episode, you'll go away with some tips to help improve your weekly routine & find a nice balance in intensity distribution, cross-training, rest days & strength training days.  Become...

Today, Brodie reviews a paper titled 'Do Injury-Resistant Runners Have Distinct Differences in Clinical Measures Compared to Recently Injured Runners? This study tested 116 recently injured runners, 61 acquired re-injury resistant runners and 46 never injured runners. They tested muscle strength, joint mobility, foot posture and other clinical measurements to gather any conclusion. Listen in as Br...

On today's episode Brodie dissects the Run Smarter Quiz results and ponders on a few questions. We do a deep dive into running technique such as: Are you more likely to get injured if you have knocked knees? Will strengthening will help correct poor running form like hip drop & collapsing feet? Brodie wraps his head around these questions along with the remainer quiz results.  Become a Patron!...

As we learnt from our discussion in Part 1 (Episode #133), epigenetics can interact with your DNA and genes in order to activate & deactivate your blueprint. Even though your DNA is hardwired, the cell's characteristics & function can change based around your epigenetics.  In part 2 we get practical! Brodie is joined once again by Dr Cam McDonald who is a lecturer, dietician & exercise...

We dive into all things Peroneal Tendon pain which is found on the outside of the ankle. Brodie has sifted through the available literature to bring you a comprehensive analysis and best current advice. First, Brodie dives into the anatomy and potential causes for this particular injury. Once the aetiology is understood, we dive deeper into the other potential diagnosis, treatment options and stre...

If the name rings a bell, Danny appeared on the Run Smarter Podcast several months ago on episode #116. Back then, Danny talked about his success story overcoming shin splints and highlighted the importance of increasing your cadence, slowing down and widening your step width.  On today's episode, Brodie catches up with Danny's running chapter. He walks us through his latest ultra marathon success...

Alex Murray is a podiatrist and an education partner with Cause Health who have an E-book titled: Rethinking causality, complexity & evidence for the unique patient. Today, we dive into the complicated topic around why treatment may work for some, but not others, even when they have the same diagnosis.  Alex explains 'causality' and the complexity behind individual experiences. We talk about t...

By popular demand we have another success story! Chris is a German ultrarunner who has been suffering with ankle pain for over a year.  Chris details his journey consulting with a podiatrist, an orthopaedist and receiving MRI scans to reach a diagnosis and the search for an effective management plan. Chris then found the Run Smarter Podcast and started implementing the lessons along with shrugging...

Part 2 of 2: Brodie Chats with Podiatrist, researcher & podcast host Ian Griffiths all about Plantar Fasciitis. We talk about the harsh reality of this heel pain and why is it so common, along with the confusion involving treatment.  Some topics that we cover: Why is plantar fasciitis so prevalent? Why is so it hard to seek effective treatment? What are some common mistakes running with PF mak...

Part 1 of 2: Brodie Chats with Podiatrist, researcher & podcast host Ian Griffiths all about Plantar Fasciitis. We talk about the harsh reality of this heel pain and why is it so common, along with the confusion involving treatment. Some topics that we cover: Why is plantar fasciitis so prevalent? Why is so it hard to seek effective treatment? What are some common mistakes running with PF make...

Dr. Phil Hayes is a sport scientist, running coach and the co-editor of a new book titled 'The science & practice of middle & long distance running'.  Brodie has spent the last 3 weeks reviews specific chapters out of Phil's book and now has the privilege of sitting down with him to discuss running fundamentals. We start with learning about the book and the hard work that goes into produci...

Brodie continues to review the book titled 'The science and practice of middle and long distance running' with chapter eight called training volume and intensity distribution for elite middle and long distance runners (Chapter contributors: Arturo Casado and Leif Inge Tjelta). We talk about the different training variables including training frequency, duration, distance and intensity and their im...

Today, Brodie talks to Emma Brockwell during a FaceBook live within the podcast patron FB group. Emma is a Women's Health Physiotherapist who specialises in post natal rehabilitation. She has written for Women's Running & Women's Health Magazine along with co-authoring research papers, authoring her book 'Why did no one tell me" and co-hosting the At your cervix podcast. We touch on the consid...

Brodie continues to review the book titled 'The science and practice of middle and long distance running' with chapter seven called movement screening and physical capacity assessments (Chapter contributors: Louis Howe and Paul Read).  Brodie starts with describing the book's movement screening protocol and examples for each. Next, we continue assessing the runner with physical capacity assessment...