The RunRX Podcast

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie dig into a powerful idea for runners and exercisers: your mindset changes the workout itself. Caroline opens with a study involving rats on a treadmill where the same exercise produced very different cortisol responses depending on the environment. In the lab, the rats were stressed; when the treadmill was moved into a field, they felt safer and freer, and cortisol...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie delve into one of the biggest summer training challenges for runners: staying hydrated when the heat and humidity intensify. The conversation starts with a real-world Texas problem, where even gardening can leave you feeling overworked, discombobulated, and dealing with gut issues hours later. Valerie explains why it is important to test yourself, because everybody...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie talk about what makes running and rehab advice actually useful when you are overwhelmed by influencers, conflicting opinions, and constant “do this, do that” content. Valerie shares why she started creating videos back in 2011: after clinics, runners often could not remember the drills and tips she taught, so she began filming the movement work so people could go b...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie talk about why the RunRx Zooms feel so different from a traditional running group. Instead of side conversations, pace matching, and getting pulled off focus by group chatter, these Zooms are built around one thing: your running. Valerie explains how small-group coaching creates space for technique work, injury questions, gait analysis, and real-time feedback witho...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie unpack why sugar and carbs are “making a comeback” in endurance running and why the answer is more nuanced than simply eating more. The conversation walks through the evolution from early-90s carb loading, to spaghetti dinners the night before a race, to the rise of gels and goo, and then into keto, paleo, and the newer high-carb trends you see today. They also exp...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie talk about the “day two runner” and why the average recreational runner needs a different kind of coaching than the elite or professional athlete. The conversation starts with the reality that major races are expanding and attracting huge numbers of everyday runners, which means more people need support, guidance, and a standard of running that is built around effi...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie talk about stretching, mobility, and why your body’s needs change as you get older. Valerie shares how she went from being a bouncy, high-impact fitness instructor who barely stretched at all to realizing that range of motion work becomes essential in your 50s and beyond. They discuss the long-running debate around stretching before workouts, the difference between...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie dig into a fear many runners do not name out loud: fear of gravity. This episode explains why runners often brace, overreach, and put a “kickstand” foot out in front of them when they get nervous about falling, and how that creates more impact instead of less. You will hear why controlled falling is a skill, how gravity and elasticity work together, and why learnin...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie break down a big training truth: if you want better running results, it is not just about more miles, it is about better variety. Using the Boston Marathon winner’s training as an example, this episode explains why elite runners combine recovery runs, tempo work, and fast intervals instead of running every mile at the same pace. The conversation also revisits the R...

Valerie and Caroline break down why foam rolling and daily mobility work are essential for runners — not as a luxury, but as practical self-care that prevents adhesions, restores range of motion, and keeps you running pain-free. In this episode Valerie shares her own wake-up story (an unexpected leg injury) and how regular rolling, short mobility bites, and simple movement habits transformed her a...

A deep, practical conversation about running shoes, cushioning, and joint care. We unpack the history from motion-control to maximal cushion, explain why more foam didn't solve running injuries, and how overly-cushy shoes can actually mask impact and lead to harder landings. Learn what really protects your joints (movement, foot strength, consistent prehab/rehab), what “super-shoes” changed for el...

Coach Valerie and Coach Caroline explain why that perfect, effortless feeling you get during a Zoom drill or in-room practice sometimes disappears the moment you step outside — and exactly what to do about it. This episode walks through the practical steps to bridge practice and real runs: how to treat runs like interval practice, when and how to stop and reset, small “mini” strength and mobility...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie tackle the most common myths about running after 40 and explain what’s real, what’s nonsense, and how to start (or restart) running with confidence. This episode covers why age is not a barrier to beginning or improving as a runner, practical changes to training (warm-ups, recovery, nutrition, and sleep), how to build a safe marathon timeline if you’re new to long...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie answer a common question from a RunRx member: when should you contact your coach about an injury, and what should you do in the meantime? This episode explains why runners often delay asking for help, the risks of waiting (how small niggles can become bigger problems), and practical first steps you can take the moment you notice pain. We cover: How to triage your s...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie talk candidly about stress, deadlines, and how to keep movement and training sustainable when life gets overwhelming. We explain why exercise often becomes "the first thing to go" during high-stress periods, and share practical, coach-tested strategies to preserve fitness without adding pressure: short, effective micro-sessions (5–10 minutes), practical strength an...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie answer a great membership Zoom question: why do drills feel amazing in a Zoom practice but not translate to outdoor runs? In this episode we explain the difference between "in-place" drill conditioning and running practice, why doing too much outside too soon can undermine progress, and how to treat running like an interval-style practice — work, reset, drill, then...

In this episode of the RunX Podcast Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie explain why short, regular check-ins beat occasional overreach, how simple movement checks and short daily drills prevent injury, and why coaching focuses on your movement — not your clothes or weight. Learn exactly what a coach looks for in a gait check (ears → shoulders → hips → lifted ankle), how private vs community check-ins...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie explain how to cut through the overload of running tips, gadgets and trends so you can actually improve — not just chase the next miracle product. Learn why movement, gravity and muscle elasticity are the stable truths that solve most injuries, how consistent simple drills beat fad fixes, and quick next steps you can take today to rebuild confidence and run pain-fr...

Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie break down how to fall back in love with running after 40. Learn why efficiency matters more than mileage, how short strength + mobility sessions beat marathon-length gym time, and the simple movement habits (5–10 minute drills) that protect your body and make running fun again. Perfect for runners returning after a break or anyone wanting a sustainable, pain-free...

Is running every day a smart New Year’s goal — or a fast track to burnout and injury? In this episode Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie unpack the why behind daily running, safer alternatives (practice movement, drills, strength, mobility), and how to build a sustainable daily habit without wrecking your training. Perfect for runners wondering whether to chase the “run-every-day” trend or adopt a s...

Controlled falling, cadence, and the mental roadblocks that stop runners — Coaches Caroline & Valerie explain how to train the fall, recover from fear-driven movement mistakes, and use simple drills to run lighter and pain-free. ✅ Key takeaways ✅ Controlled falling (not leaning) reduces impact and improves cadence. ✅ Start with drills (wall, bands, short hops) and build balance before chasi...

Someone on social media said “stop telling everyone to run at 180” — and that sparked this deep, practical conversation. Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie walk through: what cadence actually measures, why the ~180 figure exists (its research origin and relation to ground reaction force), why you can’t safely force 180 without developing elasticity and skill, and exactly how to train cadence the Run...

New-Year slump? Learn how to turn short-lived motivation into a sustainable running habit. Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie share a movement-first approach (elasticity, drills, strength), realistic goal setting, and simple nutrition mindset shifts so your January change actually sticks — without strict diets or burnout. Key takeaways ✅ Pre-plan two realistic weekly workouts you WILL do — small wi...

Staying on track through the holidays: practical, low-stress strategies to keep your running consistent over Christmas & New Year. Learn the “minimum effective dose,” how to use short drills and strength sessions when you can’t run, smart deloading, interval options for travel, and how RunRx Zooms & the app can keep your form sharp while life gets busy. Key takeaways ✅ Pre-plan two realis...

Learn why VO₂ max (and other watch metrics) don’t tell the whole story — and what really improves running performance: better movement, cadence, heart-rate awareness, and consistent drill work. Coach Caroline and Coach Valerie cut through the gimmicks, explain why lab VO₂ testing ≠ instant speed, and give practical steps you can use on your next run to feel and perform better. ✅ Key takeaways ✅...