The Women's Running Lab
The Women's Running Lab is a podcast hosted by Alison Marie, a teacher, coach, and self-described running nerd. It explores the physics and physiology of running and what those concepts mean for women's bodies and training. Episodes aim to make complex sport science understandable while focusing on practical approaches that listeners can apply consistently. The show blends deeper explanations with simple, actionable takeaways for runners.
Episodes
E57 - Common, but Not Normal: How to Stop Leaking Urine When Running
In this episode, Alison explains that pelvic floor health is about far more than Kegels—it’s about how the pelvic floor integrates with the rib cage, pelvis, hips, and feet to manage pressure and transfer force during running. Through her four-point Pelvic Floor Audit (stack and pressure management, posterior length, hip rotation, and foot rotation), she shows how limitations in rib mobility, pelv
E56 - How to Strengthen the Pelvic Floor for Running — Not Just Manage the Symptoms
In this episode, Alison challenges the taboo around pelvic floor health and argues that it should be understood as a vital part of movement and performance—not just something discussed when problems arise. She explains that the pelvic floor works dynamically with the core and diaphragm to manage force during running, contributing to efficiency and resilience. Rather than relying on generic Kegels
E55 - Running and Stress Decoded: Manage Your Threat Bucket for Better Performance
Running isn’t just about miles and mechanics—it’s about the total stress your body is carrying. In this episode, Alison introduces the “threat bucket” analogy to explain how training load, life stress, nervous system state, and biomechanics all interact to shape performance, recovery, and injury risk. Through real client stories, she shows why pain and setbacks aren’t usually caused by one thing—a
E54 - Sustainable Training: How to Structure a Running Training Plan That Lasts
In this episode, Alison explains how runners can transition from returning to running into a simple, effective polarized training approach. She outlines four key run types—easy, tempo, track, and long runs—using clear analogies to explain their distinct physiological benefits and emphasizes the 80/20 rule to avoid the ineffective “gray zone.” She provides practical guidance on structuring training
E53 - How to Start Running When You're Starting Over
In this episode, Alison returns to the podcast after a long break to share a year that went from big running PRs to a sidelining knee injury, a full-time return to teaching, and a much-needed reset. She reflects on stepping away from performance pressure and social media, finding more balance, and easing back into running with a healthier mindset. The heart of the episode is a clear, doable guide
E52 - All Runners’ Essential Needs: Sustainable Base Training for Runners
In this episode of the Women’s Running Lab podcast, host Alison introduces a “runner’s hierarchy of needs,” modeled after Maslow’s pyramid, to explain how athletes can progress toward their full potential. She emphasizes that true success begins with a self-care version of base training for runners—focusing on consistency, recovery, sleep, fueling, and nutrition—before layering in smart volume man
E51: Less Stretch, More Strength: Mobility Exercises for Runners
In this episode, Alison challenges the idea that more stretching is always the answer and instead highlights the value of carefully chosen mobility exercises for runners. She explains that hypermobile athletes often develop chronic tightness by gripping in areas like the feet, glutes, or pelvic floor, and that true relief comes from balancing stiffness, stability, and mobility. By building “good t
E50 - Your Body is a Team: 10 Things Every Runner Should Know
In this 50th episode of The Women’s Running Lab podcast, host Alison celebrates the milestone by sharing ten key lessons she wishes runners knew about their bodies, all centered on the idea that the body works as an integrated system rather than isolated parts. She discusses topics such as the pelvic floor’s crucial role in running, the misconception of “over-pronation,” why tight hips and hamstri
E49 - Run With the Seasons of Life: Running While Pregnant and Postpartum
This episode of The Women’s Running Lab explores how to approach running while pregnant with both flexibility and strategy. Host Alison and guest Martina discuss managing the “athlete brain,” using run-walk intervals, and knowing when to pause without seeing it as failure, since rest often sets up a stronger postpartum return. They highlight strength training as essential for supporting pelvic flo
E48 - Core Confidence: Strengthening Your Pelvic Floor for Running
In this episode, host Alison Marie discusses how to strengthen the pelvic floor for running by explaining how pelvic floor health connects to posture, breathing, hip rotation, and foot mechanics. She emphasizes that a responsive pelvic floor is not about constant Kegels but about finding length, mobility, and natural activation through internal rotation, pronation, and dynamic movement. By combini
E47 - Breathe, Run, Repeat: Unlocking Your Nervous System’s Power
This episode explores how training, performance, and recovery are deeply influenced by the nervous system and our ability to manage stress. Stress from both life and workouts can overload the body, so balancing intentional training stress with effective recovery is essential. The host highlights breath work as a key tool for nervous system health, introducing CO2 tolerance testing and breathing ex
E46 - Rethinking Recovery from Injury with PEACE & LOVE
In this episode, Alison shares how a knee injury at camp inspired her to discuss shifting from the traditional RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to the more modern PEACE & LOVE approach for recovery from injury. While RICE can help in the acute stage by reducing swelling and pain, it doesn’t address the need for movement and tissue loading. PEACE focuses on the early days post-in
E45 - Rebuild, Reconnect, Run: Your Return to Running Postpartum
This episode offers a comprehensive guide to returning to running postpartum, outlining six key strategies to rebuild strength, movement quality, and impact readiness after pregnancy. Host Alison explains how physical changes like pelvic tilt, rib flare, and altered hip mobility affect running mechanics, and emphasizes the importance of restoring core and pelvic floor connection, improving rib and
E44 - Running Postpartum Roadmap: Navigating Your Comeback Journey
This episode explores the journey of running postpartum, with Alison sharing her personal struggles with incontinence, pain, and a premature return to running. Emphasizing that recovery is highly individual, she outlines a thoughtful, phased approach focused on rebuilding pelvic floor strength, core connection, and overall stability before gradually returning to running with a structured milestone
E43 - Running Performance Is Built From the Ground Up—Literally and Figuratively
In this episode, host Alison dives into the science and strategy behind building running performance “from the ground up”—both literally and figuratively. She explains how consistent, progressive training lays the foundation for long-term gains, while strength, coordination, and tendon health help the body store and transform energy through ground reaction forces. By breaking down key movement ski
E42 - Squats for Runners: Stronger Strides Start Here
In this episode, Alison dives into the importance of squats for runners, highlighting how this foundational movement improves force production, coordination, and running mechanics. She explains that effective squatting—particularly through the often-overlooked mid-range—requires proper foot pronation, hip internal rotation, and a stacked body position. By mastering these elements, runners can enha
E41 - Base Training: Your Best Defense Against Injury and Burnout
In this episode, host Alison Marie emphasizes the importance of stepping back from constant racing to focus on intentional base building as a critical foundation for long-term running progress. She explains that frequent racing can lead to excessive stress, inadequate recovery, and stalled development, while consistent base phases—focused on easy running, gradual mileage increases, and foundationa
E40 - Crush PRs and Prevent Injury with Sustainable and Holistic Training
In this episode, Alison reflects on her recent half marathon success—finishing in 1:42:17 and winning her age group—achieved through a year of patient, low-volume running, strength training, and consistent fueling. She introduces the Women’s Running Academy, a holistic training plan for women runners that emphasizes sustainable progress through tailored strength and running programs, education on
E39 - The Real Benefits of Walking Backward—and Why Quick Fixes Fail Runners
In this episode, Alison discusses the trend of walking backward on a treadmill at an incline to strengthen knees and reduce pain. While she acknowledges that this exercise may offer short-term benefits, such as improving foot mechanics and providing a novel stimulus to the quads, she emphasizes that it should be part of a broader strength training routine for lasting results. Alison critiques the
E38 - Muscles, Mechanics, & Menopause: Designing Weight Routines for Women Runners
In this episode, host Alison explores the popular advice for midlife women—especially runners—to “lift heavy” and breaks down the science and strategy behind it. She explains that while lifting heavy can support muscle retention, bone density, metabolic health, and running performance during perimenopause and menopause, the real key is lifting to failure for maximum muscle fiber recruitment. Aliso
E37 - Run Like a Woman: Physiology, Power, and the Patriarchy in Women's Running
In this episode, host Alison introduces the Women's Running Lab and the mission of the Women's Running Academy, explaining why her coaching is tailored specifically for women. She emphasizes that effective training must consider not only female-specific biomechanics—such as pelvic shape, muscle mass, and connective tissue laxity—but also physiological factors like the menstrual cycle, pe
E36 - How Strength Training for Runners Powers Performance at Every Training Phase
In this episode of the Women's Running Lab podcast, host Alison Marie dives deep into the role of strength training for runners across different race distances. She explains why strength training is essential not just for performance, but also for long-term health, especially for female athletes. Alison shares how to adjust your strength training strategy based on your race goals and trainin
E35 - 6 Strength Training Mistakes Runners Make—and How to Fix Them
In this episode, Alison discusses the benefits of strength training for runners, including improved running economy, injury resilience, and long-term bone and connective tissue health. She outlines six common mistakes runners make with strength training, such as prioritizing volume over intensity, doing too much too soon, chasing soreness and sweat, lacking consistency, constantly changing exercis
E34 - Optimize Your Runs and Prevent Injury with Strength and Consistency
In this episode, Alison introduces the concept of understanding running from both a physiological and practical perspective, using her own recent personal experiences as a foundation. She shares a story about a painful injury she sustained while commemorating her late daughter’s birthday, which kept her from running and pushed her back into therapy. This experience led her to reflect on how runner
E33 - Biomechanics of Running: Understanding Your Unique Gait
In this episode, Alison explores the biomechanics of running, focusing on gait analysis and form cues. She emphasizes that runners shouldn't try to consciously alter their running mechanics mid-run, as the body cannot process adjustments quickly enough and doing so can create more issues. Instead, she uses gait analysis to inform strength training and warm-up drills that help improve stride e
E32 - She Was Compatible with Life: A Mother’s Journey Through Trisomy 13
In this episode, host Alison focuses on a personal story rather than running. She shares the story of her daughter, Charlotte Grace, who was diagnosed with Trisomy 13, a rare genetic condition often labeled "incompatible with life." Despite grim medical expectations, Charlotte was born full-term, lived for six days, and defied many statistics. Alison discusses the lack of support and out
E31 - Breaking Limits: Aging and Running Performance Strategies
This episode begins with host Alison introducing the Women's Running Lab, emphasizing the importance of understanding running science and applying it effectively. She challenges the misconception that aging limits achievement, sharing stories from runners in their 40s, 50s, and beyond who continue to set personal records. She highlights how aging presents opportunities to train more strategi
E30 - Prevent Running Injuries with Patience
In this episode, Alison focuses on the importance of patience and consistency in running to prevent injuries and improve performance. She explains that impatience, rather than biomechanics or strength training alone, is the primary predictor of injuries, as rushing progress often leads to overuse injuries. She discusses how factors such as athletic identity, perfectionism, life stress, and poor co
E29 - The Journey of Maturing as a Runner: Lessons Learned Over Time
In this episode, Alison reflects on her personal growth as a runner over the years. She compares her early running experiences to her current approach, focusing on aspects like pacing, breathing, fueling, and strength training. Alison discusses how she used to run with little variety in pace and now intentionally varies her speeds for improved performance, along with using nasal breathing for bett
E28 - How to Build Effective Training Timelines for Endurance Races
In this episode, Alison shares her recent experience racing a half marathon and discusses the importance of setting realistic training goals. She reflects on how she trained for this race, including overcoming challenges like a sprained ankle and illness during the final weeks of training. Alison emphasizes the value of building a strong base over time and encourages listeners to consider longer t
E27 - Strength and Endurance Combined: Balancing Running and Lifting for Optimal Results
In this episode, Alison discusses the benefits of strength training for runners. Strength training, when done correctly, can enhance running economy and improve the body's ability to manage ground reaction forces. However, it's important to avoid overloading the body with too much intensity or volume too soon, as this can hinder performance. The episode also explores how to balance stren
E26 - Why Runners Get Upper Back Pain – and the Best Ways to Prevent It
In this episode, Alison discusses her experience with neck and back pain during long runs and speed work while training for a half marathon. She explains how poor posture, like hunching over and forward head posture, contributes to these pains. Alison shares the strategies she used to address these issues, including breathwork exercises like hooklying breathing and diaphragmatic breathing, along w
E25 - How to Improve Running Economy: Springy Strides and Effective Techniques
In this episode, Alison discusses strategies to improve running efficiency by developing a "springy" stride. She highlights research showing how simple exercises like jump roping or pogos can improve running economy by training the lower limbs to act like springs, especially through the Achilles. Alison goes on to explain how to further enhance springiness by incorporating hip extension,
E24 - The Best Leg Workouts for Runners: Targeting Strength and Range of Motion
In this episode, Alison discusses the importance of strength training for runners, focusing on the lower body movements like hinging, squatting, and lunging. She emphasizes that running is a three-dimensional motion, not just a forward movement, and that exercises like squats and deadlifts should train the body in multiple planes of motion (sagittal, frontal, and transverse). She explains that mov
E23 - How to Activate Glutes for Runners: Master Lengthening and Strengthen Your Stride
In this episode, Alison discusses the importance of glute activation for runners, emphasizing the need for proper glute engagement through lengthening, not just squeezing or external rotation. She critiques common exercises like hip thrusts and clamshells for missing the essential step of finding length in the glutes, which is crucial for effective running mechanics. Alison introduces her free, re
E22 - Solving IT Band Pain: The Role of Glute Strength and Efficient Loading in Running
In this episode, Alison discusses IT band issues in runners, emphasizing that these problems are often caused by strength and stability imbalances rather than tightness in the IT band itself. She explains that foam rolling and stretching, while helpful in the short term, do not provide long-term relief. The key to addressing IT band issues is learning to load through the glutes and achieving prope
E21 - Fueling for Success: The Best Fuel for Running and How It Impacts Performance
In this episode, Alison explains that impatience and under-fueling are two key predictors of injury that she frequently observes in runners. She emphasizes the importance of being patient in the training process and fueling properly for performance and recovery. She shares her own struggles with fueling, particularly as a coach who recognizes the impact of under-fueling, and mentions a recent stud
E20 - The Power of Strength and Proper Alignment to Release Chronically Tight Muscles
In this episode, Alison discusses the importance of addressing muscle tightness not just through stretching or foam rolling, but by improving strength, stability, and position. She explains that tightness, such as in the hip flexors or calves, is often a result of poor body alignment and insufficient strength in certain muscles, like the hamstrings. Alison emphasizes that optimizing pelvic positio
E19 - Rib Mobility Exercises: The Key to Improved Core Strength, Breathing, and Running Efficiency
In this episode, host Alison explores the role of rib mobility in enhancing running performance by improving breathing efficiency, core engagement, and rotation. Proper rib movement optimizes diaphragm use, reduces strain on accessory muscles, and supports better posture and force management. Efficient rib and torso rotation also improve energy transfer and running mechanics. Alison shares practic
E18 - Strength Training and Running: Unlocking the Secrets to Faster, Stronger Runs
In this episode, Alison discusses the importance of rest during strength training for runners, emphasizing that strength training should focus on force production and proper recovery rather than speed. She encourages runners to see strength training as a tool to improve running efficiency, sharing how her own struggles with running led her to appreciate strength training. She introduces essential
E17 - Strength Training for Hill Running: Building Power and Confidence
In this episode, host Alison Marie discusses the biomechanics of uphill and downhill running. She highlights the physical challenges of uphill running, such as increased demand on the hip flexors and Achilles, and emphasizes the importance of strength training, particularly for hip flexors, pelvis position, and Achilles tolerance. On the other hand, she outlines the difficulties of downhill runnin
E16 - Beyond Running: Advocating for Women's Autonomy and Rejecting Societal Pressures
In this episode, Alison discusses the importance of body autonomy and how it relates to both running and broader societal issues. She shares her perspective on coaching, emphasizing the value of understanding the "why" behind training and how it empowers women to become caretakers of their own bodies. Drawing on personal anecdotes and quotes from her Women's Running Academy, Alison
E15 - Master the Best Running Warm-ups: Beyond Dynamic Stretching
In this episode, Alison discusses the importance of an effective warm-up, emphasizing dynamic movements that increase blood flow, improve neuromuscular coordination, and enhance joint range of motion. She explains how her Fast and Free warm-up program, a downloadable resource of plug-and-play warm-ups, integrates five key running skills, such as stack alignment and rotation, to help runners improv
E14 - How to Strengthen Hips for Running: Dynamic Drills for Better Performance
In this episode Alison dives into the critical role of hip strength in running, challenging the common belief that tight hips need more stretching rather than strengthening. She explains how efficient biomechanics, particularly during the stance phase of running, are essential for minimizing energy loss and preventing pain or injury. By focusing on the phases of loading, stabilizing, and propellin
E13 - Finding a Good Cadence for Running: Breaking Down the Numbers and Myths
In this episode, host Alison Marie discusses the concept of cadence in running and its impact on performance and injury risk. She explains that while the commonly recommended 180 steps per minute works for elite athletes, it's not a one-size-fits-all solution for all runners. Cadence should vary based on pace and individual characteristics, and a lower cadence can lead to overstriding and inc
E12 - How to Strengthen Pelvic Floor for Running: 7 Fundamentals for a Responsive Pelvic Floor
In this episode Alison explores the importance of pelvic floor function for runners and outlines seven core principles from her Pelvic Floor Fundamentals course. She begins by sharing a personal story that underscores the emotional and physical demands on mothers, linking it to her own journey of rediscovery through running. She then explains how a "responsive" pelvic floor can prevent c
E11 - Systematically Build Up Your Zone 2 Without Feeling Like You are Banging Your Head Against a Wall
In this episode, Alison explores the concept of Zone 2 training, emphasizing its physiological benefits for runners, such as improved cardiovascular efficiency and metabolic flexibility. She provides a systematic approach for integrating Zone 2 into training. The reality is, Zone 2 running is supposed to be easy but at first it can feel anything but. The main advice you get when you feel like you
E10 - Purposefully Pacing Your Runs for Improved Fitness
In this episode, Alison explains the importance of incorporating three key running paces into a training plan: easy, tempo, and track. The easy pace, making up the majority of training, helps build cardiovascular efficiency. Tempo runs, around 10K pace, improve muscle efficiency, while track workouts at mile pace or VO2 max pace improve power. She emphasizes the need for intentional pacing and usi
E9 - Strength Training as the Fountain of Youth for Runners
In this episode Alison explores the role of strength training in enhancing both running performance and longevity. She emphasizes the importance of lifting heavy weights with fewer reps to build muscle and bone density, which running alone cannot achieve, especially as we age. For runners balancing strength and running, she advises focusing on quality over quantity, prioritizing strength in the of
E8 - How My Running Journey Continues to Shape the Way I Coach
In this episode, Alison shares some of her running journey and how it continues to shape the way she coaches. From starting at an early age with her mom, to becoming obsessed in her 20s after, to struggling to find her way back postpartum, and running through grief after the loss of her daughter, each experience shaped the way she coaches. That last part is a big reason why she now integrates both
E7 - Is heel striking bad? What’s missing from this conversation?
In this episode, Alison Marie challenges the common belief that midfoot striking is superior to heel striking. She explains that switching to a midfoot strike isn't always beneficial, as every runner's body functions differently, and forcing such a change can reduce stride efficiency. Instead, she stresses the importance of proper whole body mechanics, focusing on stacking, mid-stance lo
E6 - Getting to the Root Cause of Your Foot Pain
In this episode, Alison shares the importance of going beyond simply trying to manage your symptoms on the surface level with the rolling, stretching and icing and identifying the root cause so that you can fix them once and for all. She walks you through the 4 main contributors to true strength and mobility at the foot: Range of Motion at the ankle and big toe, Managing your Center of Mass above
E5: Spreading Awareness and Advocacy for Trisomy 13 & 18
Yesterday, Sept. 14th we hosted the Third Annual Compatible with Life 5k to benefit families of children with trisomy 13 and 18 through the celebration, advocacy, and community offered by The Stella Effect.This is such a special event and near and dear to my heart. Our daughter, Charlotte Grace, was diagnosed with trisomy 13 (an extra copy of the 13th chromosome) at 16 weeks gestation. We were hit
E4 - Real Glute Strength Happens Through Length
In this episode Alison delves into the importance of glute strength and proper foot mechanics for runners, particularly focusing on the concepts of lengthening muscles to optimize performance. She shares her personal experience with weak glutes, which led to hip pain and pelvic floor issues, and discusses how traditional exercises like clamshells and hip thrusts may not fully address these problem
E3 - Fixing Plantar Fasciitis Requires Looking Above the Foot
In this episode Alison discusses the intricacies of foot mechanics, particularly focusing on plantar fasciitis and how whole-body movement patterns affect foot health in runners. She introduces her new program, The Foot Fix for Runners, designed to address common foot issues by retraining natural foot mechanics. Alison emphasizes the importance of moving through pronation and supination during run
E2 - 5 Things I wish Runners Knew About Their Feet
In this episode, coinciding with the launch of the new program Foot and Ankle Fundamentals for Runners (now called The Foot Fix), the focus is on understanding the critical role your feet play in your running mechanics. If you've been struggling with persistent foot issues like plantar fasciitis, numbness, burning, tight calves, or even unresolved hip and pelvic floor pain, this episode is fo
E1 - 5 Skills for an Efficient Running Stride - The Women’s Running Lab Framework
In this episode of the Women’s Running Lab Podcast, we dive deep into the biomechanics of running and how understanding these principles can enhance your performance and reduce injury risk. As a self-proclaimed running nerd with a passion for simplifying complex concepts, our host explores how pain and performance in running are influenced by a multifactorial mix of social, emotional, mechanical,
Welcome to the Women’s Running Lab Podcast
Welcome to the Women’s Running Lab Podcast. I’m your host, Alison Marie teacher, coach and self proclaimed running nerd. Here you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the physics and physiology of running and what that means for your body and your training. We are going to get nerdy, but we are also going to break it down into the simplest form of what actually works AND in a way that you can consis
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