Kinda Strong, Kinda Fast: Why Runners Need to Strength Train (ft. Jon Beasley)

Kinda Strong, Kinda Fast: Why Runners Need to Strength Train (ft. Jon Beasley)

From Kinda Fast Podcast by Upward Running

March 20, 2026 · 1h 3m · Episode 39

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of strength training for runners with guest Jon Beasley, addressing common misconceptions and providing practical advice.

Welcome to episode 39 of the Kinda Fast Podcast, the show where we talk running, real life, and everything in between. This week, Claire is brought in a special guest: Jon Beasley, owner and founder of Mind and Body Strength. Together, they dive into a topic a lot of runners avoid: strength training. They break down what hypertrophy actually means, why lifting won’t make you bulky, and how strength training can make you a faster, more efficient, and more injury-resistant runner. Plus, Claire brings the running news with one of the most unhinged trends we’ve ever seen: runners making butter mid-run (“churn and burn”). Annnnnd a QUICK mention of the Shanghai Marathon potentially joining the World Marathon Majors. In the deep dive, Jon explains the science behind endurance performance, how strength training fits into it, and gives practical guidance on how runners can start lifting without overdoing it. This episode is for anyone who’s wondered: What does hypertrophy mean for runners? Will strength training make me bulky or slow me down? Why do runners actually need to lift weights? How does strength training help prevent injuries? How do running and lifting work together? How do I…

People in this episode

Host: Claire

Guest: Jon Beasley

Topics covered

  • strength training
  • running efficiency
  • injury prevention
  • hypertrophy
  • nutrition for performance

Keywords

  • strength training
  • runners
  • hypertrophy
  • injury prevention
  • running news
  • efficiency
  • nutrition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Mind and Body Strength

Books & works: Kinda Fast Podcast

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