• Run Like A Woman Challenge - Day 4
    2025/01/09


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    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    44 分
  • Run Like A Woman Challenge - Day 3
    2025/01/08

    DAY 3: INCREASE MOVEMENT CONTROL

    Yesterday we talked about the different types of mobility, and how both quantity and quality of movement matter.

    Today we are taking that one step further.

    A big piece of movement quality is your ability to control your body through the entire range of movement in any activity.

    That requires strength.

    But not just brute force strength. Squatting 300 lb won’t automatically make you a better runner.

    It’s about your ability to control your movement under any given load throughout the full range of movement.

    If you can’t do that, your tissues and joints get overstressed, and you’re more likely to end up injured.

    Today is all about finding our physical weak spots so we can run faster and longer without pain. As a runner, you need to strength train. Period. How often and how much varies from runner to runner, but there are some critical pieces that every runner must include in their training (because there are different types of strength and movement control needed for running!).

    ACTION ITEMS - PERFORM THE FOLLOWING TESTS:

    Cross Sit to Stand Test: Sit on the floor with your legs crossed (criss cross applesauce). Note which leg is in front. Stand up without using your hands. With your legs crossed the same way (with same leg in front), slowly sit back down onto the floor. Uncross your legs and repeat the test with the other leg in front. Click here to see a video.

    Single Leg Sit to Stand Test: Sit in a chair of normal height so that your knees are bent to about 90 degrees. Stand up from the chair using only one leg (and no hands!). See how many repetitions you can do on each leg (max 30). Click here to see a video.

    For both tests, notice how you felt. Was it hard or easy? Was one side better than the other? Did you have any pain or discomfort? Was it easier to stand up or sit back down?



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    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

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    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    49 分
  • Run Like A Woman Challenge - Day 2
    2025/01/07

    It’s Day 2! Just the fact that you are here means that you are an ACTION TAKER, and if there’s anything I know from all my years of coaching - Action Takers get results! Just showing up and being willing to try something new is the best first step to achieve anything in your life.

    Remember:

    Strong over skinny.

    Building over losing.

    DAY 2: IMPROVE MOVEMENT QUALITY

    As runners, it’s easy to get caught up in the quantity game…what distance are you running? What’s your pace? What race are you training for?

    Let’s face it - running can be a numbers game for a lot of people.

    It’s easy to focus on quantities, but how often do you think about the QUALITY of your running?

    Have you ever considered the quality of your movement?

    If you’re like most of the people I start working with, the answer is likely no.

    Most runners just focus on the numbers, thinking that if they want to be a better runner, they just have to improve the obvious measureables.

    But like you’ve started to discover, this challenge is different.

    Starting today, you are going to get one mobility test per day to help you assess the QUALITY of your movements.

    It’s not just about whether or not you can complete the test. We want to look at HOW your body is moving.

    So for each test, notice how your body moves.

    Is it easy or hard to perform the movement?

    Where do you feel limited?

    Does one side feel different than the other?

    You will also get an action item to help you start to improve your mobility. These will include things to improve the mobility of both your joints and your soft tissue.

    ACTION ITEMS:

    1. Perform the overhead squat test as shown here in this video. I recommend recording yourself performing the test so you can go back and analyze it. Film yourself from the front, from the side, and from the back.

    This test is going to reveal if there are mobility restrictions in several areas of your body. I’ll be talking about those in the live training today, as well as what to do about them.

    2. Check out this short video to assess your soft tissue mobility in your calves and learn a very effective technique to remove those restrictions.


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    Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.

    Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.

    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

    Come find us on Instagram and say hi!





    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    48 分
  • Run Like A Woman Challenge - Day 1
    2025/01/06

    Welcome to Day 1 of the Run Like A Woman challenge! Congratulations on taking this step towards improving your running and becoming the strong runner that you want to be!

    As a woman over 40, I’m guessing that you have noticed that things aren’t really working the same way they used to.

    Running feels harder, you’re noticing more aches, pains, or even injuries, and don’t even mention the fatigue!

    If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and there is a good reason you’re feeling that way.

    In perimenopause (which can start as early as 35 years old!), your hormones start to shift and change, and this hormonal chaos affects every system in your body.

    Perimenopause and menopause are not just hot flashes and the end of your period. There is WAY more to it, and it’s not something that we have been taught!

    Your body simply does not respond to exercise the same way, and it becomes harder to get the results you want.

    You see, there’s really two phases to your running life - before and after menopause, and perimenopause is the transition from phase 1 to phase 2.

    In phase 2, everything matters more, and you have to be much more intentional with all of your choices.

    You can’t just throw on your shoes and head out the door like you used to.

    But there’s good news too…

    There is a lot you can do to feel better and run stronger, and that’s what we will be covering this week!

    I am all about helping you see how much power you truly have over your body in this phase of your life.

    Over the next 5 days, I will show you how to run stronger without pain by moving and training with intention and prioritizing the things that will actually move you forward.

    Because what worked in the first phase of your running life, does not work the same way in the second phase.

    As a physical therapist for the past 18 years, runner for over 20 years, and coach for over 10 years, I've helped thousands of runners transform from frustrated runners struggling to achieve their goals into strong and confident Real Life Runners, in charge of their running and their life, and I am excited to help you this week to get there too!


    This week is all about taking action, so it’s not just about learning concepts. It’s about taking small steps to feeling better in just 5 minutes a day!

    There are 3 ingredients to totally transform your running (which you will learn this week), but our daily action items will focus on one area specifically so you can start feelin


    Thanks for Listening!!

    Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

    Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!



    Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.

    Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.

    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

    Come find us on Instagram and say hi!





    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    38 分
  • 392: Using Mental Skills to Restart a Fitness Journey with Amanda Schaefer
    2025/01/02

    In this engaging episode, we welcome Amanda Schaefer, a mental performance coach and former college athlete who shares her transformative health and fitness journey. Amanda discusses shifting her priorities from being a busy mom to reclaiming her health and strength through disciplined gym visits and mental training. She delves into the challenges of overcoming negative self-talk, the importance of process-based goals over outcome-based goals, and the power of curiosity in exploring new fitness avenues, including running.

    We also emphasized the significance of self-awareness, standing in one's power, and taking small, consistent steps towards long-term health and fitness. This episode is rich with mental performance strategies that athletes, especially runners, can employ to navigate their own journeys.

    Amanda Schaefer is a Mental Performance Coach and founded Fearless Fastpitch as a resource to make mental training accessible to youth athletes. She's passionate about helping bring awareness to the mental side of sports and how it can impact life beyond the field.

    If you want to connect with her, you can find her at the links below!

    amanda@fearlessfastpitch.com
    https://www.fearlesswarriorprogram.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/fearlessfastpitch/
    https://www.facebook.com/fearlessfastpitchmentaltraining

    06:55 Setting Process Goals vs. Outcome Goals

    14:18 Confidence Conditioning Statements

    21:17 Amanda's Struggles and Overcoming Challenges

    30:01 Acceptance and Self-Compassion

    32:31 A Vulnerable Moment: Facing Body Dysmorphia

    34:15 The Power of Small Choices

    36:58 Building Habits and Seeing Progress

    39:26 Discovering the Joy of Running

    46:51 Embracing Curiosity and Overcoming Judgment

    50:55 The Importance of Identity in Fitness

    57:44 Standing in Your Power


    Thanks for Listening!!

    Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

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    Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.

    Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.

    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

    Come find us on Instagram and say hi!





    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    1 時間
  • 391: 5 Things To Leave in 2024
    2024/12/26

    One thing I have learned over and over again this year is that we must "let go to let in". As 2025 approaches, we need to bring closure to 2024 to allow space for future successes, joy, and achievements in running and life. In this episode we highlight five key things runners should consider letting go of and leave in 2024.


    02:06 The Clothing Analogy: Letting Go to Let In

    08:23 Five Things to Let Go of in 2024

    13:39 Debunking the 'More is Better' Myth

    20:28 Balancing Hard and Easy Workouts

    21:46 Effort-Based Training and Cross Training

    23:50 Embracing Quality Over Quantity

    26:12 Letting Go of Arbitrary Numbers

    32:23 The Power of Self-Acceptance

    35:15 Avoiding Harmful Comparisons


    Thanks for Listening!!

    Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

    Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!



    Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.

    Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.

    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

    Come find us on Instagram and say hi!





    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    42 分
  • 390: Racing People vs. Racing the Clock
    2024/12/19

    When you race, do you race the clock or race other runners? In this week’s episode, we dig into this idea, share personal anecdotes, including their unique race experiences and how their expectations have shifted over time due to various factors such as training, health, and past performances. We also delve into the mental strategies employed during races, the psychology of competition, and practical tips for runners in the second phase of their running journey. Whether you aim to beat your own records or compete head-to-head with others, this episode offers valuable insights to enhance your racing experience.


    03:25 Race Expectations and Strategies

    09:10 Racing the Clock vs Racing People

    21:48 Adjusting Goals Due to Sickness

    24:38 The Psychology of Racing

    25:26 Pre-Race Mindset and Strategies

    28:25 Balancing Life and Racing

    33:10 Racing vs Running

    41:25 The Fun in Racing


    Thanks for Listening!!

    Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

    Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!



    Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.

    Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.

    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

    Come find us on Instagram and say hi!





    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    46 分
  • 389: The Power of Rest
    2024/12/12

    In episode 389 of the Real Life Runners podcast, we discuss the universal law of rhythm, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing life's natural cycles. We explore how recognizing the ebb and flow of activity and rest can significantly impact both training and overall well-being. The episode dives into Kevin's personal journey of overcoming his relentless push in training at the expense of his health, leading to seizures and a realization of the critical need for rest. Angie shares her recent insights from a business event, highlighting the necessity of mental rest in addition to physical rest. We provide actionable strategies for listeners to incorporate genuine rest into their routines, stressing that true recovery is foundational to achieving goals, whether in running or other life pursuits.


    00:54 The Power of Rest and the Law of Rhythm

    02:16 Kevin's Personal Journey with Rest

    07:54 The Importance of Mental and Physical Rest

    15:35 Balancing Training and Rest

    27:21 Practical Tips for Prioritizing Rest


    Thanks for Listening!!

    Be sure to hit FOLLOW on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast player

    Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Your ratings and reviews really help and we read each one!



    Grab your free Strength Guide for Runners here.

    Interested in our coaching program? Check out our coaching options here.

    Grab your free copy of the Running Snapshot by clicking here.

    Come find us on Instagram and say hi!





    Don't forget: The information on this website is not intended to treat or diagnose any medical condition or to provide medical advice. It is intended for general education in the areas of health and wellness. All information contained in this site is intended to be educational in nature. Nothing should be considered medical advice for your specific situation.

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    35 分