The Run Smarter Podcast

On today's podcast, Brodie answers all the questions flooding in from the Run Smarter Patrons! Here are the questions Brodie will be answering: Is there a higher perceived effort when running on the treadmill? If so, why? As a low mileage runner, how can one add a running day without exceeding capacity limits? How can we do this safely? When factoring in the 80/20 intensity rule. Can low intensity...

Peter Fracis is the Author of the book 'Running from injury - why runners get injured and how to stop in'. On today's episode, Peter talks about the start of his running journey and the number of mistakes that followed.  After decades of injuries, Peter took all of these experiences as lessons and was determined to implement smart strategies to crawl out from his injury cycle. Peter shares all of...

Step width describes with difference in width when you step from your right foot to your left foot. On today's episode, Brodie ponders the question of an ideal step width. Here is what we discuss: What is a running step width? Why is step width important and does it link to injury? Is there an ideal step width range a runner needs to fall into? If a runner wanted to change, how should they go abou...

Elliot White is a PT and author of ‘The 1% Phenomenon of Running’ which teaches you how to fast-track your performance without overtraining.  On today’s episode Brodie talks with Elliot about running motivation. We explore several situations in which a runner may lose motivation and how to combat it with practical take-aways. Running situations that we cover include poor weather, battling the time...

On today's episode, Brodie discusses certain principles to indicate if an injury will get better on its own. Brodie firstly talks about general injury leads to do initially do a mild injury vs a major injury. Then, Brodie talks about 5 things that can go wrong when injured that might result in the injury not resolving on its own, these include:  Mismanaged early Irritable loads throughout day-to-d...

Coach Claire Bartholic wasn’t always a runner.  She started running in her mid-30s simply to get in shape for her high school reunion. She caught the running bug and finished her first marathon at age 38 in a respectable 4:02 and was immediately hooked.   With dedicated coaching and training, she successfully lowered her marathon PR to 2:58, remarkably without injury, and entirely plant-based.   T...

My interview today is with Dr. David Meyer who is a PT and the former medical & rehabilitation coordinator for the St Louis Cardinals. He is also the author of 'Injured to Elite: A guide to empowering yourself to transform your life after running'. On today's episode David talks about his past working with high-profile athletes and the common mindsets, beliefs and mental limitations that were...

Dr. Jeffrey Rediger is a Harvard trained medical doctor and is the author of Cured: The life-changing science of spontaneous healing.  Today, Brodie and Jeff talk about the underlying lifestyle factors that hinder recovery and contribute to pain throughout the body. In relation to running, we discuss why some runners struggle to overcome their running-related injuries and are unable to achieve a p...

Today's episode is for you to self-reflect on your past thoughts, beliefs, fears & anxieties when injured and how it can hinder your recovery.  We discuss the components of: Catastrophizing- 'To view or present a situation as considerably worse than it actually is'. Kinesiophobia- 'An excessive, irrational, and debilitating fear of physical movement and activity'. Brodie discusses 3 recent pap...

Patrick is a sports nutritionist, personal trainer, weight loss coach for runners and host of the running lean podcast. In part 2 of this 2-parter, Patrick dives into the misconceptions surrounding Fats, Sugars and Oils. He also talks about the 5 habits runners should have to lose weight which includes: Eating real food Reducing life stress Meal Spacing Strength training Managing your mindset We f...

Patrick is a sports nutritionist, personal trainer, weight loss coach for runners and host of the running lean podcast. In part 1 of this 2-parter, Patrick tells of his personal story with weight loss, introduction into running and turning his life around in his later years.  Patrick then shares his wisdom on why traditional diets don't work, and why running doesn't help you lose weight! Throughou...

Rob Steger is an ultra runner, the author of Training for ultra and the host of the Training for ultra podcast. We start the conversation with Rob's journey into running, filmmaking and podcasting before turning our attention to his ultra marathon training philosophy. Rob describes the benefits of developing a 'flow state' when running along with his opinions on training mileage. Further into the...

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 2 Brodie will talk about: Your responses and personal experiences with leg length discrepancy, what treatments have been effective or unhelpful. The difference between anatomical discrepancy and the functional 'short leg'...

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...