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All Episodes

The MicroCast — 227 episodes

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Title
1

Running Economy Explained — 5 Levers That Work, 4 Myths to Ignore

2

How Hydration and Sodium Make or Break Your Race

3

Why You Should Always Be Training + Coach TJ's Canyons 100k Race Recap!

4

5 Reasons Your Fitness Is Stuck (and How to Get Unstuck)

5

The Science of Periodization: How to Actually Structure Your Training Year

6

5 Signs You're Ready to Race (And 5 Signs You're Not)

7

UTMB Chianti Castles UTCC 120k Race Recap + Fueling Short Runs and Psychedelics for Running?

8

The Performance Trap: What Elite Male Athletes Get Wrong About Discipline, Leanness, and Control

9

5 Most Overhyped Ideas in Endurance Training (And What Actually Works)

10

Should You Run Twice a Day? The Science Behind Running Doubles

11

What Good Running Coaching Actually Looks Like (And How to Find It) with Cliff Pittman, CTS Coaching Development Director

12

Is Running 30 Ultras a Year Actually Destroying Your Body? The Science

13

The Science of Going Long: How to Train Beyond Your Comfort Zone

14

7 Biggest Nutrition Mistakes Runners Make (And How to Fix Them)

15

6 Principles for Training Through Big Life Changes

16

How to Return to Running After Time Off , Plus: Burrito League and Plyometrics!

17

When Cross-Training Helps Runners (And When to Just Run More)

18

5 Signs Your Runs Aren't Easy Enough

19

5 Off-Season Habits That Will Make You a Stronger Runner in 2026

20

Coaches' Mailbag — Your Running Questions Answered

21

5 Running Studies That Actually Matter in 2025 (Skip the Hype)

22

5 Running Lessons I Wish I Learned Sooner | Advice from Experienced Runners

23

11 Things Every Runner Should Do to Reach Their Potential

24

RED-S Explained: Why Underfueling Hurts Your Performance More Than You Think

25

5 Science-Backed Ways to Prevent Running Injuries: What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)

26

Stop Overthinking Your Training: How to Simplify and Run Better

27

Running Recovery Myths and Metabolism Mistakes: What Actually Works for Endurance Athletes

28

The Science of the Long Run, Plus: Creatine & Burnout

29

5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Training Year

30

Steady State vs. Tempo vs. Threshold

31

5 Ways to Rock Your Recovery + Why Is Treadmill Running So Hard?

32

5 Ways to Nail Your Next Workout & Staying Motivated Through Injury

33

When to Take a Down Week & Weighted Vests and Fatigue Resistance

34

Run Rabbit Run 100 Race Recap: Storms, Strategy & Mental Flexibility

35

5 Ways To Nail Your Taper, Plus: Mental Fatigue, Simplified Logistics, and Race-Week Execution

36

Minimizing Muscle Damage, Talking through the Colon Cancer Study, and How Social Media Slows You Down

37

Aid Station Efficiency, Fat Adaptation Myths, and Training Volume Explained

38

5 Science‑Backed Pacing Rules for Ultras

39

Who Gets to Be an Athlete? Endurance Fueling Myths, Carb Periodization & Race-Day Resets

40

5 Workouts Every Runner Needs to Get Faster (Without Burning Out)

41

Protein: Hype vs. Reality

42

Fuel Smarter, Run Stronger: Endurance Nutrition Myths Busted

43

TJ's Silver Rush Recap + Training For Busy Runners

44

5 Myths Holding Your Running Back

45

Master Downhill Running: Technique, Strength & Mindset for Trail Runners

46

Block vs. Mixed Training, Best Gels for Running, and Making Data Actually Useful

47

How to Train for High Altitude Races: Acclimatization & What Actually Works

48

Top 5 Science-Backed Reasons Runners DNF – And How to Prevent Them

49

How to Set Your Running Zones: VO2 Max, Lactate, and Why Your Zones Might Be Wrong

50

Heat Training for Runners: What Works, What’s Hype, and How to Do It Right

51

How to build Real Mental Toughness and the Limits of AI Coaching

52

The 5 Most Debated Ideas in Endurance Training—And What the Science Actually Says

53

Stress Is Stress: Strength Training Timing, Gut Myths & the Truth About Recovery

54

The 5 Running Studies Every Athlete Should Know (Training, Fueling, Injury Risk + More)

55

How Long Does It Actually Take to Get Fit? Training Timelines, 200-Milers, and Coaching at the Edge of Science

56

Ultra Recovery, Speed Training Myths & Mid-Run Bananas: Hot Takes + Science-Backed Advice

57

UTMB Chianti Recap: We Hitchhiked to a UTMB Race and Ran Through Castles

58

Goal Setting, and Staying Motivated Without Racing

59

The Race Weight Trap: How It Can Hurt Your Performance

60

Why You Slow Down in the Second Half of a Race (and How to Fix It!)

61

Evidence-Based Training: How Science Should (and Shouldn’t) Guide Your Training

62

How Much Training Can You Skip Without Losing Fitness? (The Science of Minimum Effective Dose)

63

Why Your Longest Run Isn’t What Matters - and Should You Train by Time or Mileage?

64

Mental Training For Runners and How To Prevent Running Injuries

65

How to Fix Your Running Form and to Run Easy!

66

Building Training Volume: Tips for Running Longer Distances (Even Your First Ultra!)

67

Road Shoe Power Ranking & Lactate Threshold Training For Runners

68

High-Carb Fueling, Breaking Through Training Plateaus, and Gel Power Rankings

69

Coach Kylee and Zoe Answer Your Nutrition and Diet Questions!

70

Want to Get Better at Running? Nail the Fundamentals.

71

How Runners Can Navigate Injury Recovery

72

Nutrition Periodization For Runners

73

Ask A Running Coach Anything!

74

Coach TJ's Spartan Race Recap and Post Race Recovery Tips!

75

11 Things Every Runner Should Do

76

How Long Does It Take To Get Faster?

77

Strength Training For Runners

78

Running and Training Through Menopause

79

"Blue Collar" Training for Runners with Physically Demanding Jobs

80

Hybrid vs. Block Training Periodization for Runners, and What Data Actually Matters

81

Our Top Ten Favorite Workouts for Runners

82

The Bad Ideas Draft. Worlds Worst Nutrition, Training, and Running Advice Ever!

83

The "Best" Running Cadence, Running on Soft Surfaces, and Transition Season!

84

Fatigue, Perfectionism and Cycle Syncing!

85

Coach Zoë on For The Long Run!

86

How To Set Better Running Goals - And Train Without Goals!

87

Coach Zoë's Leadville 100 Race Recap!

88

How to Get Better at Running Downhill and Leadville 100 Preparation!

89

The Most Common Questions Coaches Get About Running

90

The Six Biggest Training Mistakes Athletes Make

91

Your Diet Sucks - The Zero Calorie Ultra

92

Introducing Your Diet Sucks - Why Athletes Fall For Diet Bullsh*t

93

Supplements That Work, and How To Track Your Training

94

V02max Matters For All Runners. Here's How to Improve Yours.

95

Altitude Training For Runners plus a Silver Rush 50 Recap!

96

Coach TJ's Western States Endurance Run Recap!

97

How To Train For Your First 100 Mile Race. Plus, Injury Prevention!

98

How To Get Better At Running Uphill

99

Should You Actually Be Heat Training?

100

How Specific Should Your Training Be?

101

How To DNF Your First Ultra

102

Why Runners Should Train by Effort, Not Heart Rate

103

Faster as a Master: Training For Athletes Over 40

104

When Should You Wear Carbon Supershoes? And Lake Sonoma Recap!

105

Spring Trail Training Tips and Using Races to Train For Ultras

106

The Inside Out Athlete with Mental Performance Consultant Lucie Hanes, M.S. Applied Sports Psych

107

11 Guiding Principles for Athletes Who Want to Reach Their Potential. Plus Real Foods Hot or Not.

108

Coach Zoë Rom is back! Partner Race Swap, What to Focus on To Reach Your Potential, Plus Alcohol Use for Athletes

109

The Curiosity Mindset with Jonathan Levitt, For The Long Run Podcast. Plus Developing Your WHY and Leaning into Joy.

110

The Zen of Performance with Author, Athlete and Philosopher Francis Sanzaro, PhD

111

Planning for Your A Race + Stretching, Foam Rolling, Chiros & N/A Beverages with Coach Zack Russell

112

Thinking about New Year's Resolutions? Try a habits and outcome based approach instead.

113

2023: A Year in Review & Celebrations, Peloton, The Real Core Work Runners Need & Normatech Boots

114

Our Favorite Influencer, The Essentials of the Coach-Athlete Relationship, Managing New Life Stress Strategies & WSER Waitlist Mindset

115

Intention versus Commitment & Progress - Plus Loop & Out and Back Races as well as Xtraining!

116

Microcosm 3.0 - What We've Learned. Plus Transition Season, Running Dates and Friends That Don't Run. Are they the best kind?

117

The Bad Ideas Draft. Worlds Worst Nutrition, Training, Internet Takes, Gear and Wild Cards! From Low Carb High Fat Diets to Hot Ham & Cheese Sandwiches to 100 Mile Weeks and Run Streaks.

118

Our Top 10 Favorite Workouts and WHY, plus The Importance of Hobbies and What we do for FUN, Thoughts on Running with Music and so much more!

119

Run Rabbit Run 100 Recap & Takeaways + Blood & Sweat Test Hot Takes & Community Coaching Reflections

120

Brand Ambassadorship, The Bear and La La Land plus Training Adaptations and Timelines for Adaptation

121

How to Become a Sustainable Runner: Mind, Body, Community and Planet + Hot or Not + Boot Camps & Non-Linear Recovery

122

Leadville 100 Recap + Hot or Not + Book Reviews + Worlds Most Tired Proposal

123

Leadville 100 Training & Chatter, Hot Water Immersion, Dealing with Uncertainty, Books & Hot or Not!

124

The Biggest Obstacles We've Faced & How We Dealt With Them. Plus Working Remote, Book Tour Vulnerability, Training While Traveling Takeaways & Bonus Hot or Not.

125

Challenges Covering Hard Rock 100, Business Decisions, Inspiration from NF's "Hope," plus TJ's Silverton Alpine Marathon Win and How We Got Into Running!

126

San Juan Summer Solstice 50 Recap, The Champions Mindset, Comedy of Failures and Living a Values Driven Life

127

microCHAT with Coach and Athlete Kristen Schindler - Resilience, Grit and Insights Through Injury

128

A rising tide lifts all boats! The WHY Behind the MicroCOMMUNITY. Plus "Yes, And," FOMO & Protein with bonus Hot or Not takes!

129

Mindset from Racing in Argentina, Taylor Swift & Matthew McConaughey

130

Insights Through Injury & Failure with Professional Climber and Coach Dan Mirsky

131

microCHAT: 100 Millas Sierras Del Bandoleros with Athlete Zena Robinson

132

UTMB Valhöll Recap with Coaches Zoë Rom and TJ David

133

Deep Dive into Parenting while Pursuing Running at a High Level with Coaches & Athletes Sarah Strong and Drew Conner

134

Habits of the Successful Athlete

135

Long Run & Race Day Fueling w/ Kylee Van Horn, RDN

136

Planning for Your First Ultra Q&A

137

Beginners Q&A

138

The Big Thing Effect with Jeff Patterson, Author & Success Coach

139

Building Running Confidence

140

Mental Performance Tools

141

The Never Enough Mentality

142

When is it time to level up? Is work-life-training balance real? Plus a brief xtraining discussion.

143

Exploring Purpose, Multiple A Races, Races That Don't Fit Your Skill Set & Difficult Adventures

144

Training Perspectives on The Menstrual Cycle & Birth Control + The Impacts of Low Level Activity Post Training

145

2022 Takeaways, Planning for 2023 and Winter Running Tips

146

The 2022 Gratitude Call

147

Coach 2022 Takeaways & Off Season Training

148

Puerto Vallarta by UTMB Recap & Working Through Setbacks Pt. III

149

Working Though Mental Setbacks Pt. II, Running Form, Athletic Greens

150

Responding to Training Setbacks Pt. I

151

Rapid, Not So Rapid Fire Friday! Travel w/ Nutrition, Protein During Long Races, Picking A Races, Aid Stations and Drop Bags, Think Beyond One Season!

152

Hill Training 101: Your Guide to All Things Hills

153

Rapid, not so Rapid Fire Friday! Treadmill Runs, Easy Running, Self-Supported Long-Runs, Mental Performance

154

The ins and outs of Group Runs!

155

Coach TJ CCC Recap & Takeaways

156

CCC Training Update & Mental Performance

157

Athlete/Coach Communication Roundtable

158

Adjusting Recovery Expectations, Training Flexibility & Types of Sugars

159

Silver Rush Race Takeaways with Coach TJ - Plus Was it Really a Bad Run? & Taper Science

160

Strong and Stable Legs + Building Strength Into Your Plan w/Coach Megan Flanagan, CPT

161

The Mental Side: Giving Up Saturday's for Long Runs, FOMO and Social Media

162

WSER Recap! Using Ice During Races & Getting Vulnerable on Race Day

163

Summer Training & How to Deal with the Heat

164

Strength Training for Runners with Coach Megan Flanagan, CPT

165

Rapid Fire Friday with Coach Zoë

166

Planning and Running Your First Ultra

167

Collegiate Peaks with Coach Z, Electrolytes 101 with Coach Kylee, Dog Running and More!

168

Earth Day, CBD and Recovery, Rigidity and Flexibility in Training

169

Managing The Stress of Longer Long Runs & Coping with Pre-Race Nerves

170

Why Long Run Variations and Long Run Fueling 101

171

How to Run Strides & How Training Structure Works

172

Crewing and Pacing -- Runner and Crew/Pacer Perspectives!

173

Finding Light in Dark Times & Celebrating The Highs!

174

Coach/Athlete Sarah Strong Wins Up for Air! Full recap plus Balancing Big Goals with Life!

175

Process Oriented Goals 101 & Comparison Traps

176

The Finite & Infinite Mindset Paradox

177

Fueling Under Stress & When Busy! Running Economy & Workouts by Effort

178

Coach Zoë Talks Boundaries plus Running with Your Partner

179

Coach TJ & Coach Kristen Talk Rest, Recovery & WHOOP

180

Coaches Corner! When should I take an extra rest day? How do I gain more autonomy in the training process?

181

Coach Habits & Routines Check-in plus Prioritizing Long Term Health

182

Coaches Corner! Dealing with COVID Uncertainty in Training & Racing plus Forming Sticky Habits!

183

Winter Fueling with Kylee Van Horn, RDN

184

UTMB and Coach Race Recaps

185

Downhill Running and Fun Vs. Focus on Long Runs

186

Overthinking, Efficiency and Race Reports

187

Hydration Packs, Flat Races, New Shoes, And Partners Who Don't Run

188

Coach Race Recaps, Reframing Fear, Commitment and Competitiveness

189

Boundary Setting, Perceived Effort And When To Pause Your Watch

190

Morning Runs, Disappointment and Motivation!

191

TJ & Zoë Community Call

192

Strava, Comparison, Competition and Role Models

193

Masters Athletes and Heat Adaptation

194

Give Yourself Permission To Go For It!

195

Adventure Imperfectly!

196

Big Dreams, Air Quality and Cultures Of Excellence

197

Wildlife Encounters and Nutrition!

198

Cadence, Perspective & Building Training Plans

199

Coaches Corner: Running for Time Vs. Mileage and Garbage Miles

200

Metrics That Matter

201

Understanding Identity

202

Music, Hydration, "Real-Foods" and Anti-Racism

203

VO2 Max Tests, Long Run Recovery, Downhill Running, Runners Highs, Stress Relief and FKT's!

204

Race Day 101

205

Daily Check-Ins, Run Streaks, Alcohol, Splits, and Goal Setting!

206

Bad Days & Building Mental Toughness

207

Downtime, Antidepressants, Race Selection, Self-Criticism, Guilt Vs. Shame and Yoga!

208

Rest Day 101

209

Earth Day For Endurance Athletes!

210

Rapid Fire Friday!!!

211

Burnout Is Real!!!

212

Your Brain Is A Body Part!

213

Rest Days, Comparison, Cross-Training, Social Media and Balance!

214

Simplify Your Training!

215

Rapid Fire Friday!!!

216

Mental Health Matters!

217

Train Smarter, Not Harder

218

Shoes, Glutes, The Flu and More!

219

Nutrition Q & A with Kylee Van Horn!

220

Tips For Busy Athletes!

221

Coach Q&A: Heart Rate Variability, Race-Specific Training, Confidence on Group Runs and Running in the Rain!

222

Goals 101: How To Set Running Goals

223

Coach Q&A!

224

You are a runner!

225

Stress Management For Athletes

226

Winter Training 101!

227

Motivation, Goal-Setting and Nachos!