The Running Explained Podcast

You can run well on too little fuel for a long time. Right up until you can't. This week, Coach Amanda and Coach Nick sit down with Dr. Melissa Lodge (PhD in exercise science and sports nutrition, RD-in-progress, and the mind behind @fed_collaborative) to unpack REDs: Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. It's one of the most misunderstood, under-screened issues in endurance running, and it...

It's getting hot out there, and your fueling and hydration plan needs to keep up. Registered dietitian and board-certified sports nutritionist Stevie Lyn Smith (fresh off running 460-ish miles from Buffalo to Brooklyn, as one does) joins Coach Nick and Coach Amanda to break down what actually changes when the temperature climbs. We get into why more electrolytes isn't automatically better,...

What's it actually like to finish a marathon after the crowds have gone home, the aid stations are packed up, and you're getting moved to the sidewalk at mile 22? This week Coach Amanda and Coach Nick sit down with Avelyn, a proud back-of-the-pack runner who went from zero to three marathons in two years. She takes us inside the Walt Disney World Marathon and the famous balloon ladies, run...

Coach Amanda and Coach Nick are joined by Justin Andreas a trail and ultra running coach, active duty Air Force member, beekeeper, girl dad, and host of the Golden Hour Adventures podcast for a deep dive into the world of trail and ultra running. Justin shares his journey from competitive bodybuilder to 19-time ultra finisher (including six 100-milers), why he hated his first road marathon, and ho...

Is the running world losing the plot? Amanda and Nick break down race time manipulation, the rise of unregulated supplements, and a certain influencer controversy that's got everyone talking. More than just drama this episode is about character, honesty, and what kind of sport we want running to be. Road to Race Day: Fall Marathon Program now open. Sign up before 7/31 to be a part of our group...

You crossed the finish line… now what? In this episode of the The Running Explained Podcast, Coach Amanda and Coach Nick break down what runners should do after a big race, whether your race went exactly as planned or completely fell apart. They talk about post-race recovery, the mental side of transitioning out of a training block, post-race blues, how to reflect on your season honestly, and why...

Fresh off completing her first 50-mile ultramarathon on Mother’s Day weekend, running coach and mom of three Francesca Barbetta joins the podcast to talk about the realities of ultra marathon training, balancing motherhood and running, and learning how to let go of perfection in the process. In this episode, Francesca shares how she transitioned from chasing marathon goals into the ultra running w...

What does ADHD actually look like in runners and athletes, especially women? In this deeply honest conversation, Coach Amanda and Coach Nick sit down with running coach Mary Johnson to talk about the realities of living, training, parenting, and working with ADHD. Mary shares her experience being diagnosed young, masking symptoms through achievement and structure, and eventually reaching a point w...

Mental health conversations in running are growing, but when it comes to men, there is still a long way to go. In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, we sit down with endurance athlete, community builder, and founder of RunTriMag, Jason Bahamundi, to talk about what men’s mental health really looks like behind the scenes. We unpack the pressure many men feel to “man up,” how that mindse...

What you do after the finish line matters just as much as the miles you ran to get there. In this episode of The Running Explained Podcast , coaches Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava sit down with sports dietitian Meg Mahoney to break down the truth about post-race nutrition , recovery, and why so many runners unknowingly sabotage their progress after race day. This episode is sponsored by Wahoo and t...

What if you could go back to the start of your running journey and do things differently? In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, coaches Amanda and Nick break down the 6 biggest lessons they wish they knew when they first started running . From chasing results too early to underestimating fueling, recovery, and balance, this conversation is packed with insights that can help you train s...

Race day doesn’t start at the starting line. It starts with how you prepare. In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, coaches Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava break down everything you need to know about race day prep, from logistics and fueling to mindset, pacing, and recovery. Whether you're running a 5K, 10K, half marathon, or marathon, this episode gives you a complete race day bluep...

This episode of the Running Explained Podcast dives into one of the most overlooked parts of running performance: the mental and emotional side of injury. Coach Nick is joined by journalist and runner Cindy Kuzma and mental performance coach Carrie Jackson to unpack what really happens when runners get injured and why it is far more than just a physical setback. Together, they explore how injuries...

What if you didn’t start running until adulthood… and still went Pro? In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, we sit down with Nike Professional runner Gabi Rooker to unpack her unconventional journey from lifelong gymnast to elite marathoner. Gabi didn’t grow up running, didn’t follow the traditional path, and didn’t have it all figured out early on. Instead, she found running later, le...

In this special Women’s History Month episode of the Running Explained Podcast, Coach Nick and Coach Amanda sit down with Ashley Mateo (RunHer Magazine) and Olivia Witherite (OnBase Collective) to explore the evolving landscape of women’s running and sports media. They dive into storytelling in the sport, the rise of women-led platforms, and why representation, fair pay, and media coverage still n...

Check out our Free 8 Week 5k Guide! - https://runningexplained.myflodesk.com/l5xeag2tjn In this episode, Coach Amanda and Coach Nick have Dr. Vicky Sekely on the Running Explained Podcast as she shares expert insights on running injuries, physical therapy, gait analysis, and the impact of social media on running culture. Discover practical advice for injury prevention, effective rehab strategies,...

In this episode, Coach Amanda and Coach Nick explore the complex relationship between endurance sports and eating disorders with psychotherapist Stephanie Roth Goldberg. We discuss signs, prevention, and how coaches and athletes can foster healthier practices. We talk about the difference between disordered eating and eating disorders and how we can all work together as a team to help support athl...

In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, hosts Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava engage in a deep conversation with New York Times Bestselling author Brad Stulberg about his latest book, 'The Way of Excellence.' They explore the true meaning of excellence, the importance of caring deeply about one's pursuits, and the value of community in achieving goals. Brad shares insights on t...

In this episode, Brooks Professional Runner Erika Kemp shares her journey in the world of running, discussing her record-breaking achievements and the lessons learned along the way. She emphasizes the importance of community, the highs and lows of racing, and the need for balance in life as a competitive athlete. Erika also reflects on her experiences at the World Championships and the significanc...

In this episode of the Running Explained Podcast, hosts Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava welcome sports dietitian Holley Samuel to discuss the critical role of nutrition in preparing for spring races. They explore the challenges of early season training, the importance of proper fueling, and the impact of new nutrition guidelines on runners. Holley shares insights on identifying under-fueling, practi...

In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, hosts Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava welcome Alison Mariella Désir, author of 'Running While Black'. They discuss the importance of freedom of movement, the challenges faced by Black and Brown runners, and the significance of creating inclusive running communities. Alison shares her journey into running, the founding of Harlem Run, and her e...

In this episode of The Running Explained podcast, hosts Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava discuss eight proven ways to maintain a running routine beyond January. They emphasize the importance of mapping out a routine, starting small, setting realistic goals, and being flexible. The conversation also highlights the significance of consistency over performance, the role of mindset in running, and the be...

In this episode, Amanda Katz and Nick Klastava introduce themselves as the new hosts of the Running Explained podcast, taking over from Elisabeth. They discuss their excitement for the upcoming season, their vision for the podcast, and their commitment to making running more accessible and enjoyable for all listeners. The hosts emphasize the importance of community and invite feedback from listene...

Season 5 is wrapping up a bit early, but don’t worry, Season 6 is coming soon with more great conversations, science, and running wisdom. In the meantime, revisit past episodes or explore everything Running Explained has to offer: Our newsletter  The Weekly Stride : https://www.runningexplained.com/ Our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@runningexplained Training plans: https://www.runninge...

This isn’t your typical clickbait-y “smash a marathon PR with just 3 runs a week” take. In one of our all-time favorite episodes, we're bringing back an insightful conversation with coach and elite mountain runner Kim Nedeau , who dives into how endurance athletes can thrive with a low run volume, high overall training volume approach. Whether you're managing injury, burnout, or just looki...