Running Rogue

If the long run "puts the tiger in the cat," then the long run workout puts the saber tooth in the tiger! Yes, we need all of those easy long runs to build the aerobic foundation. Then, as you gain experience and appropriately timed in the cycle, it is important to add quality into your long runs to give you that extra edge for race day. We call these workouts race simulations or race preps because they give you the opportunity to practice that race-day feeling while still saving something for race day. In this episode, we break down how to do that in an optimal way with all of the do's and don'ts, including example workouts. Are you ready to upgrade some of your long runs with speed? Then, this episode is for you!

Last week, we talked about the long run, and now this week, we talk about the medium long run. I call it the "unsung hero" of fitness building, and it's a run that is often overlooked relative to the speed workout or primary long run. In this episode, we discuss why it's really the third leg or pillar in your training that should be given equal weight to those other two. Listen in to learn about the why and the how of building a robust medium long run to help you smash your goals. It is more important than you think!

The word "tempo" might be one of the most commonly misunderstood words in coaching vernacular, even as it might be the most commonly prescribed type of workout. It's also one of the most important and critical training efforts for distance runners, so it is critical to understand it well if you want to improve. This episode is all about that tempo. We give you the what, the why, and the how of executing a solid tempo workout. Plus, you get a host of examples of how it might be done in different ways across all training phases. Don't fidget. Tempo!

We take a break from our book discussions to reflect on 400 episodes and nearly 10 years of podcasting. Our hope with this one is simply to remind you and ourselves of why we do this. Thank you to everyone who has listened and downloaded through the years. We do it for you. One step at a time. Onward.

In this episode, we cover the final 2 phases of your training block - the taper and the post-race recovery phases. Both are critical for hitting this peak and then getting to your next one. We give you the reasons for the taper and the mechanics of it (for volume, speed, and routine), and then we break down how to recover from your race. It is critical to taper in order to be fresh and ready for your A race, and then it is imperative to recover appropriately in order to start your next cycle on the right foot, pun intended. In this episode, we also talk about special cases, including tapering while slightly injured or sick, as well as answer questions such as "what to do with strength training during the taper?". It's time to get fresh and ready, y'all!

Last week was all about that base. This week is all about that aerobic strength - the aerobic strength phase of work specifically. We think there is a lot of confusion about this phase of work and what's involved. We break it all down in this episode. It's about building endurance and staying power in order to be prepared for the race specific phase to come. We give you guidelines on volume building, sharpening, and the nature of the workouts in this phase of work with plenty of examples. If your base is big enough, then the next step is to get aerobic strong enough as you step toward the big day!

We wrap up this mini-series on polarization with the final 5 questions for you. First, we cover Chris's experience at his first stage race - Moab Run the Rocks - put on by the great folks at TransRockies Running. It is a 3-day stage race event covering ~54 miles of trails over 3 days in/around Moab, Utah. Chris had a blast and shares a little bit about his experiences there in the first 25 minutes of this one. Then, we get to the final questions on polarization. Are you polarizing your training enough to optimize it? The full list of questions (including the 4 from part 1): a. Are enough of your miles easy vs. hard? b. Are you varying the distances of your runs appropriately? c. Are your easy miles easy enough? d. Are you doing weekly strides? e. Are you working faster and slower than race pace in workouts? f. Are you training for a variety of race distances over time? g. Is there a difference between your peak training and your post-race recovery mode? h. Are you balancing stress and rest well in training? i. Are your race strategies structured to allow you to start smart and finish strong? Now, ask yourself: how did I do on the pop quiz? If you missed on a question or two (or more), then pick 1 area to work on and go from there. You won't regret it!

We start with some beef that I have been sitting on for a minute. We love our influencers and content creators in the running world, but there is at least ONE thing that a few of them need to stop doing. Let's see if we can agree... Then, James and I dig into the art, science, and details of periodization. How should your training cycle be constructed in phases? Every. Single. Time. No exceptions or shortcuts. Oh, and there are 5 periods to know, not the 4 you may have in your head. Can you name them?! Execute these 5 periods on repeat for the rest of your running life, and there will be big things in your future!

Watch obsessed? Can't do any training without seeing your exact pace? Train in a difficult environment? This episode is for you. James and I talk about the why and how of running by feel. We give specific examples and cues to use in order to dial into each training zone. Plus, we give some practical tips on how to learn to "use the force" while running as Yoda would have you do. Running by feel is a lost art, and we want YOU to find it again.

In this episode, we dig into Chapter 4 of the book where we discuss the importance of peaking. To maximize potential, you will only focus on 2-3 peaks per year, prioritizing those "A races" above all else. In this discussion, we talk about the physiology of peaking and why it is important. Then, we dig into what peaking looks like, how to manage it well, and what to do if you peak too soon. At the end, we challenge you to commit to peaking only 2 times in 2026!

We continue our journey through chapter 2 of the book, taking our time here on some of the fundamentals. In this episode, we cover the second 3 of our racing fundamentals. How do you approach racing to get the most out of yourself? In this one, we touch a little more on race execution. As a reminder, you can get the book via the links in our instagram bio (@roguerunning), and if you want to check out our training options, go to www.roguerunning.com. We have a lot of groups restarting here in the new year for those racing in April to June.

We continue our march through the fundamentals of our training principles. First, this episode starts with a few notes on the subtitle to our book - Elite Training Accessible to All. What does that mean? And why does it mean that ANYONE can use the principles in the book and in our training philosophy b/c we are all human. Then, we turn to the final 3 principles on the training side of our philosophy - perfect as we start the new year. Happy 2026 everyone!