Tread Lightly Running Podcast

Most runners have experienced sloshy stomach, nausea, urgency, or other GI issues during a race or run. However, GI problems do not have to be a part of running! We discuss gut training with board-certified sports dietitian Claire Shorenstein. You will learn protocols for gut training, if gut training reverses during your taper, and how to pick the fuel that sits best with you. Thank you to our sp...

Are you noticing that you are tired all the time and cannot seem to hit your paces in training? Those are not symptoms to ignore. Sometimes, these are signs of low ferritin levels that warrant bloodwork and a doctor visit. In this episode, we examine the research on low ferritin and running, including the causes, how to treat, and how to prevent low ferritin. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨  Mizuno...

Repeatedly missing your running goals is a frustrating experience, especially if you are training hard for a race. In this episode, we discuss what causes a half marathon plateau and solutions to break through to the next performance level. You will learn how to know if you need more speed, goal pace training, endurance, or strength when training for a half marathon. Even if your races have not pl...

You have loved our episodes on how to run your first half marathon and marathon - so today, we have an episode for those of you who feel ready to go further. We discuss how to train for your first ultra marathon, whether you are doing a 50K, 50 miler, or 100mile. You will learn how to structure workouts and long runs, how to prepare for elevation gain, how to fuel, and more! Thank you to our spons...

Pronation can be misunderstood as a scary, dangerous risk for injury - and people use that to sell you something. In reality, a certain degree of pronation is a normal part of the running gait. However, excessive or limited pronation can be problematic for some runners. So how do you know if you need to worry about overpronation or buy stability shoes? In episode 171, we take an evidence-based app...

You have probably encountered claims that your “glutes aren’t firing” or that you have “sleepy glutes,” and that lazy glutes are hurting your running. This approach misses a lot of nuance: if you can stand, your glutes work; but weak glutes can impact running injury risk and running economy. We are joined by Dr. Gaby Go, DPT and run coach, who explains the nuances of glute activation and why stron...

In our last episode, we discussed the physiology of running in the heat, including why you run slower. However, you are not doomed to suffer through slow slogs all summer long. In part two of our summer running series, we discuss heat acclimation strategies and cooling techniques to make summer running a little less miserable. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that...

It doesn’t have to be a cruel summer of slogging through hot, humid runs. You can adjust your training so that summer running is productive and enjoyable. In part 1 of our summer running episodes, we discuss the physiological impacts of running in the heat and humidity, and how to adjust your training based on those responses. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨  Good Ranchers: American-grown meat, deli...

Pain is not just tissue damage - but it’s also just not in your brain. In this episode, we’re joined by Taylor Kruse of Kruse Elite. We discuss the neuroscience of pain and movement, including how the brain processes pain, the role of the vestibular system, and how we can think about non-injury pain for runners. Bonus: you will also learn why motion sickness happens! Thank you to our sponsors: ✨...

Is bib-sharing wrong? Should downhill races count as a PR? Are AI running apps the future of the sport, or setting up runners for injury? In this episode, we have a nuanced discussion on many of the gray areas of sportsmanship and running culture. ✨ Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned company. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH for free shipping at https://runtothefinis...

Running for exercise can be cheap, but running for performance and participating in races can be expensive. Maybe you are also weary of the wastefulness of influencer culture and want to know how to purchase fewer things and make your gear last longer. In this episode, we share our advice on how to race on a budget, from gear to fuel and more. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Good Ranchers: American-...

Carbohydrates, caffeine, and water (sometimes with electrolytes): these seem so simple, but they all improve performance when taken before a race. In this episode, we discuss how to structure your pre-race meal before a 5K to marathon, including what to eat, how to time it, and how to avoid GI upset. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Wahoo KICKR RUN: A treadmill that feels like running outdoors. Shop...

Data can be useful (when it’s valid and reliable) - but excessive data, especially when mixed with comparison against others, can negatively impact your training and relationship with running. In this episode, we discuss Strava anxiety, the comparison trap, and when data can actually make you slower. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Wahoo KICKR RUN: A treadmill that feels like running outdoors. Shop...

Women account for a majority of the growth in the sport of running over the past few years - and media is catching up with this shift. We sit down with runher magazine’s founder Ashley Mateo to discuss trends and media representation of women in running. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Title Nine: Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned company. Use code RUNTOTHEFINISH for free...

Are you curious about running your speed workouts at the track, but feeling intimidated by it? This episode will guide you through how to confidently run at the track: the proper etiquette, terminology, popular workouts, and more. Plus, you’ll learn about smart approaches for running speedwork, whether you are on the roads or the track. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨  Amazfit : User-friendly simple...

The taper is not solely reserved for the marathon. When you are racing a half marathon as your goal race, a gradual and deliberate taper will prepare you to run your strongest, fastest race. In this episode, we discuss how to taper for a half marathon, including common taper mistakes and more. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Title Nine : Comfortable sports bras that actually fit, from a women-owned...

You are experiencing itchy eyes, nasal congestion, and sneezing on your runs. Are these allergy symptoms or illness? Is it okay to run through these symptoms, and if so, will these slow you down? In this episode, we discuss seasonal allergies, illness, and exercise-induced asthma in relationship to running and racing. (Disclaimer: this episode does not serve as medical advice. Please consult a med...

We received your questions about TENS units, dry needling, muscle scraping, and other physical therapy treatments. To give you the most evidence-based advice, we brought on Dr. Logan Dockery, physical therapist and running biomechanics specialist. In this episode, Dr. Logan Dockery answers all your questions about dry needling, kinesiology tape, e-stim, and more! Thank you to our sponsors: ✨ Titl...

There are hundreds of supplements on the market - all with promising claims for faster finish times, quicker recovery, and better health. But are all supplements worth the cost? We analyze the most recent research to divide popular supplements into three categories: not worth the cost, maybe useful for some, and highly recommended. (Disclaimer: this episode does not serve as medical advice. Please...

A 5K and a marathon are objectively different distances - but they are also more similar than you think. If you’ve ever wondered why the 5K is technically a long-distance race, or what the difference between training for a mile and a marathon is, this episode is for you! We’ll discuss the metabolic and mechanical differences of the short, middle, and long distances, plus how those theoretical diff...

Today’s guest is one of our favorite social media personalities, Ben Carpenter. Ben is a personal trainer who regularly debunks fitness myths on his popular social media page, @bdccarpenter. He’s also the author of “Everything Fat Loss: The Definitive No Bullsh*t Guide” and “Fat Loss Habits: The No Bullsh*t Guide to Losing Weight.”In part two of our interview with Ben, we discuss how to navigate s...

Today’s guest is one of our favorite social media personalities, Ben Carpenter. Ben is a personal trainer who regularly debunks fitness myths on his popular social media page, @bdccarpenter. He’s also the author of “Everything Fat Loss: The Definitive No Bullsh*t Guide” and “Fat Loss Habits: The No Bullsh*t Guide to Losing Weight.” In part one of our interview with Ben, we discuss fat loss myths....

Unlike most of our episodes, this episode isn’t filled with practical tips that we want you to implement in your training. Instead, we’re taking you into the science and practice of elite runner training. You’ll learn about how they structure their training volume and intensity, the crucial training components they don’t skip, and more! Thank you to our sponsors: ✨  Amazfit : User-friendly simple...

Hitting the wall is dreaded amongst all marathoners – but it doesn’t have to be an inevitable experience. This episode delves into the research and statistics of hitting the wall in the marathon. Then, we provide you with a clear, practical guide of how to train, pace, and fuel so you can avoid hitting the wall. ✨Join us on Patreon.com/treadlightlyrunning or subscribe on Apple Podcasts starting i...

There are more running shoe brands and models than ever - and all the jargon can feel confusing. In this episode, we help you navigate what features of a running shoe actually matter - and what’s just good marketing. You’ll learn about supershoes vs supertrainers, why heel to toe drop matters, what the different foams do, and more. Thank you to our sponsors: ✨  Amazfit : User-friendly simple runn...