324. The Strength Deficits That Cause Most Running Injuries

324. The Strength Deficits That Cause Most Running Injuries

From Running Lean by Patrick McGilvray

March 13, 2026 · 26 min

About this episode

This episode discusses the specific strength deficits that lead to common running injuries and how to prevent them.

Let’s talk about something most runners completely misunderstand: injuries. Most runners think injuries are just bad luck. Or maybe the result of running too many miles too quickly. But in reality, most running injuries are predictable. They’re caused by specific strength deficits that quietly undermine your running mechanics. Weak hips. Poor single-leg stability. A core that can’t control rotational forces. These weaknesses don’t just affect how strong you are — they affect how you move. And when your body can’t control the forces created while running, something eventually breaks down. In this episode, The Strength Deficits That Cause Most Running Injuries, I’m breaking down the key weaknesses I see in runners every single day — and how they lead to knee pain, hip issues, Achilles problems, and more. Once you understand these strength deficits, you’ll start seeing injuries differently — and more importantly, you’ll know exactly what to do to prevent them. Start The Leaner, Stronger Runner Project If you’re putting in the miles but not getting the results you want… something is off. Maybe you’re running a lot but the weight isn’t changing. Maybe you feel tired all the time…

People in this episode

Host: Patrick McGilvray

Topics covered

  • running injuries
  • strength deficits
  • running mechanics
  • core stability
  • hip strength
  • injury prevention

Keywords

  • running injuries
  • strength deficits
  • hip strength
  • core stability
  • injury prevention
  • knee pain
  • Achilles problems

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