Tread Lightly Running Podcast

You have likely encountered the advice that all you need to do to run better is to run more. Is training really that simple? In this episode, we discuss high volume running: why people do it, who it works for, and who should skip it. We examine the research and assess unique situations such as busy athletes, beginners, masters athletes, and injury-prone runners. You will also learn how to safely increase and support high volume training, so that you can secure the biggest driver: consistent training over years.Thank you to our sponsors:✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and recovery mixes. Use code TREADLIGHTLY20 at https://tailwindnutrition.com/TREADLIGHTLY for 20% off your first purchase.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ How “high volume” running is defined (and why pace impacts it)✅ The benefits of high volume training✅ How to safely increase running volume✅ Who will not benefit from higher volume training?✅ Is there a point where you should lower your training volume?Tread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.References🔬PMID: 31855590🔬PMID: 38695978🔬PMID: 40913707🔬 PMID: 31704026🔬 PMID: 32421886🔬PMID: 42272862If you enjoyed this episode, you may like:🎧 What Does Training Like an Elite Runner Actually Look Like? (6 Feb 2026)🎧 Why 80/20 Doesn’t Work for Every Runner with Jonah Rosner (12 Dec 2025)Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/

“Performance is your potential minus interference - and the brain often interferes with how well we want to do.” Many runners struggle to translate their training to racing, because of race day nerves, negative self-talk, or fear of discomfort. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Trent Claypool of Summit Sport Psychology to learn how to embrace discomfort, use positive self-talk, and train your brain for your peak performance.Thank you to our sponsors:✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and recovery mixes. Use code TREADLIGHTLY20 at https://tailwindnutrition.com/TREADLIGHTLY for 20% off your first purchase.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why accepting discomfort is more effective than avoiding discomfort✅ How to train to tolerate discomfort✅ How to use positive self-talk effectively✅ The benefit of staying present in the moment✅ How to use visualization✅ The role that stress hormones play in sport psychologyTread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.About our guest:Dr. Trent Claypool is a licensed sports psychologist with 15 years of experience. He has worked with hundreds of athletes both virtually and personally, including NCAA and professionals.You can connect with Dr. Claypool at https://summitsportpsychology.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/summit.sport.psychology

You likely have heard both sides of the debate, as one side argues that sodium supplementation is overrated, while the other side shills sports drinks with a full gram of sodium. In this episode, we dive into the research to present you with a nuanced, science-backed discussion on the widely varying sodium needs of runners. You will learn how to determine your sweat rate and sodium needs, if sodium will prevent muscle cramps, and more.Thank you to our sponsors:✨ Tailwind: Complete sport nutrition made simple, including hydration mixes, high-carb sport drinks, endurance fuel, and recovery mixes. Use code TREADLIGHTLY20 at https://tailwindnutrition.com/TREADLIGHTLY for 20% off your first purchase.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Sweat rate vs sweat concentration✅ The role that sodium plays in hydration, carbohydrate absorption, and more✅ If sodium supplementation prevents muscle cramps✅ How to know if sweat testing is appropriate or not✅ The signs and symptoms of too much and too little sodium✅ If sodium pre-loading works before a race✅ Ideal sources for sodium supplementation during runs✅ Why too low sodium can be dangerousTread Lightly Running is hosted and researched by Amanda Brooks and Laura Norris, MSc. Production, show notes, and graphics by Laura Norris.References🔬PMID: 42190283🔬PMID: 40089940🔬PMID: 41561158🔬 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s44410-025-00011-9🔬 PMID: 36431252If you enjoyed this episode, you may like:🎧 What Your Running Gel Label Actually Means with Kylee Van Horn (8 Aug 2025)🎧 The Science of the Long Run (17 July 2026)Let’s stay connected:➡️ Tread Lightly Running Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treadlightlyrunning/➡️ Laura Norris Running on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauranorrisrunning/➡️ Subscribe for weekly evidence-based newsletters, straight to your inbox, on https://lauranorrisrunning.substack.com/➡️ Run to the Finish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runtothefinish/?hl=en➡️ Thousands of running gear reviews and training guides: https://runtothefinish.com/