The Strength Running Podcast

Bestselling author and acclaimed exercise science journalist Alex Hutchinson is back on the podcast!

He is a regular columnist for Outside magazine writing the Sweat Science column and has contributed to publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker.

He’s a former member of the Canadian national team, holds a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge, a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, and conducted post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency.

We're exploring the frontier: what Alex is most excited about from the latest research that has the potential to change how we train. We discuss everything from heat training, to high volume and how to distribute mileage, the effort paradox, and more.

His newest book, The Explorer's Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors and the Blank Spots on the Map is available now.

His prior books are some of my favorites, from the bestselling Endure to the quirky physiology Q&A book Cardio or Weights? I recommend all of them.

If you enjoy this conversation, be sure to follow and subscribe to the Strength Running Podcast!

Learn more:

• How to Build Mileage (NOT the 10% Rule)
• Weight training for runners

Thanks Boulderthon!

Boulderthon is a top 10 race in America according to USA Today and one of the best fall marathons according to Runner’s World. With a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon, Boulderthon offers an amazing fall destination race weekend right at the foothills of the Rockies. Use code STRENGTH20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon.

Join me in Boulder, one of the top running destinations in the country, on September 28th, to experience the tight knit running community here, race on the epic streets of Boulder, and finish on historic Pearl Street. While I live in Denver, I travel to boulder probably once a week to run. It’s arguably one of the best running locations in the United States.

There’ll probably be cool and crisp fall weather for racing fast, too. And don’t worry, Boulderthon is a BQ-eligible, USA Track & Field Sanctioned Event.

Boulderthon is on track to sell out again this year so don’t miss out. Use code STRENGTH20 to save $20 on the marathon or half-marathon here and I hope to see you in Boulder this fall.

Thank you Gut & Green Superfoods!

Previnex’s new Gut & Green Superfoods greens powder is my new go-to. It has organic barley and oat grass, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, kale and broccoli… and that’s it. Their ingredients are backed by clinical data and contain three specific gut fibers that help promote GI health, digestion, reduced inflammation, and a better microbiome.

It has twice the amount of fiber than my last greens mix and, best of all, it actually tastes good. Try it for yourself here at previnex.com and be sure to use code “JASONGREENS” to save 15% off your first order. Don’t tell anyone, but if you put Gut & Green Superfoods powder in your cart, then the 15% off discount will work for anything else you add into your cart as well. 

And by the way, with every order they donate vitamins to kids in need. Thanks Previnex.

Hear Jason getting interviewed about fundamental training: the most important elements of any training plan, why you should focus on middle distances, the remaining 1% of things to focus on, why the term "full marathon" should be banished, and more.

This is a repost of an episode of the Inspired Soles Podcast.

Resources from the show:

• 5k Training Programs
• How to Run a 5k PR (case study)
• 5 must do workouts for the 5k 

Don't forget to hit the follow button and subscribe to the Strength Running Podcast!

Thank you Previnex!

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.

Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking. Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.

Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.

They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.

Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!

Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!

Thank you LMNT!

A big thanks to LMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at LMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.

LMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out LMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

Jackie Gaughan is one of the fastest marathoners in the United States.

She’s a Boston-based, Saucony sponsored athlete who ran for the University of Notre Dame where she earned All-conference honors in both cross country and track. She qualified for the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials at Berlin, where she was the second American finisher. She holds a personal best of 2:24:40 in the marathon and 1:10:01 in the half marathon. 

Jackie's also a full-time financial analyst for Goldman Sachs, often working 50-60 hours a week. How does she run more than 100 miles per week, with hard workouts and long runs? She also doubles most of the time as well. 

We’re going to dive into:

• her schedule
• work hours
• when she goes to sleep and gets up
• how she structures her training
• her favorite recovery strategies for busy people

Please also congratulation Jackie on her recent 21st place finish at the 2025 Boston Marathon!

Resources & Links:

• Follow Jackie on Instagram
• Marathon Recovery Protocol
• Coaching & Training Programs

Thank you 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thanks Boulderthon!

Boulderthon is a top 10 race in America according to USA Today and one of the best fall marathons according to Runner’s World. With a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon, Boulderthon offers an amazing fall destination race weekend right at the foothills of the Rockies. Use code STRENGTH20 for $20 off the marathon or half marathon.

Join me in Boulder, one of the top running destinations in the country, on September 28th, to experience the tight knit running community here, race on the epic streets of Boulder, and finish on historic Pearl Street. While I live in Denver, I travel to boulder probably once a week to run. It’s arguably one of the best running locations in the United States.

There’ll probably be cool and crisp fall weather for racing fast, too. And don’t worry, Boulderthon is a BQ-eligible, USA Track & Field Sanctioned Event.

Boulderthon is on track to sell out again this year so don’t miss out. Use code STRENGTH20 to save $20 on the marathon or half-marathon here and I hope to see you in Boulder this fall.

Thank you Gut & Green Superfoods!

Previnex’s new Gut & Green Superfoods greens powder is my new go-to. It has organic barley and oat grass, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, kale and broccoli… and that’s it. Their ingredients are backed by clinical data and contain three specific gut fibers that help promote GI health, digestion, reduced inflammation, and a better microbiome.

It has twice the amount of fiber than my last greens mix and, best of all, it actually tastes good. Try it for yourself here at previnex.com and be sure to use code “JASONGREENS” to save 15% off your first order. Don’t tell anyone, but if you put Gut & Green Superfoods powder in your cart, then the 15% off discount will work for anything else you add into your cart as well. 

And by the way, with every order they donate vitamins to kids in need. Thanks Previnex.

Our diet and fueling habits are setting important examples for our kids. Are we doing it right?

Joining me is coach Michele Pettinger. She’s a Level 2 certified coach through the Road Runners’ Club of America, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition through the ISSA, and she’s the author of the new book The Young Runner’s Guide to Nutrition.

We discuss how young runners should be fueling and approaching nutrition (which during the teen years is a formative time period). It’s critical we get the basics of sound nutrition habits right early so that we can set kids up for success. We also chat about practical strategies for families and coaches, the impact of puberty on our nutritional needs, simple ways to make optimal fueling easy, and why Michele thinks my tradition of bringing my kids to McDonald’s after a hike in the mountains is just fine.

As a dad, this topic is really important to me. I’ve been around young runners and unfortunately, disordered eating is not rare. Hopefully this conversation will help you navigate food, nutrition, and fueling in a more thoughtful way with the young people in your life.

You can also download a bonus episode with Registered Dietitian Anne Mauney on fueling / diet Q&A here.

Thank you Previnex!

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.

Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking. Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.

Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.

They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.

Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!

Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!

Thanks to Ketone-IQ!

Ketone-IQ increases the levels of ketones in your blood – and raised blood ketone levels do increase focus and alertness, which is why I take a shot before every podcast recording and have for almost two years even before their sponsorship. I feel dialed in and quick for these high-stakes conversations.

There’s also promising research – and loads of anecdotal evidence – that ketone supplementation can help with recovery if taken post-exercise. I know some of the best ultra runners in the world, Boston Marathon champ Des Linden, and the pro cycling team that won the TdF in 2022 and 2023 all take ketones post-race to aid recovery.

Go to Ketone.com/strengthrunning to save 30% on your first subscription and receive a free 6-pack of Ketone-IQ and try for yourself today.

Thank you DrinkLMNT!

A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.

DrinkLMNT’s products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out DrinkLMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

150 years ago, electricity was added to mechanical products to make them better. It ushered in the era of the automobile and was described as the Second Industrial Revolution.

We're now experiencing a second revolution: adding intelligence to common products to make them better. And this intelligence is coming for your running shoes.

Avelo is pioneering the world's first truly smart running shoe: one that measures motion over time, so you can determine how your body experiences impact and how your form degrades as you fatigue.

This is game-changing: imagine knowing when you've over-extended yourself. Imagine knowing the exact moment that your form deteriorates during a workout or long run. The insights on injury resilience, technique, training load, and how you respond to different types of training stresses are incredible.

Joining me on this episode is the CEO of the company, Royi Metser. I've been personally working with Royi on Avelo for nearly two years on its coaching platform and have signed on as an adviser and investor. I'm all-in because of how transformative this unique technology can be for runners. 

If you want to learn more, sign up here for their pre-launch list and you'll be the first to know when their Super Trainer is released.

Thank you 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thank you Previnex!

After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.

Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.

Their new Muscle Health Plus is something I’m now taking. Turning 40 – and having a thin frame – has made me realize that I need to prioritize lean muscle mass to stay healthy and age well. Muscle Health Plus has creatine, essential and branched chain amino acids, and it’s designed in a way to maximize protein synthesis and the absorption of amino acids.

Muscle Health Plus will help you prevent muscle damage, which is particularly important for aging runners who want to protect themselves from muscle loss and recover faster after hard workouts. As is true for all of their products, Previnex adheres to the highest of standards: their ingredients are clinically proven to do what they say they’re going to do.

They’re now offering international shipping so if you live in the UK, Canada, Australia, or anywhere around the world, you can try Previnex as well.

Previnex offers a 30-day money back guarantee. If you don’t feel the benefits of their product, you get your money back no questions asked. With their focus on quality and customer satisfaction, I hope you’ll try it!

Use code jason15 for 15% off your first order at Previnex!