This is The RunDot Podcast! We are here to educate, inspire, and entertain. We’ll talk all things running, nutrition, recovery, & strength training, with expert coaches and special guests. So whether you are a runner training for a 5K, 10K, Ha;f Marathon, Marathon, or Ultra Running event; Join the conversation, and let's improve together.
More and more athletes are asking ChatGPT to build their training plans, and what comes back looks professional, detailed, and personal. In this episode, Jeff Booher, founder and CEO of Predictive Fitness and creator of FitLogic, explains why a language model can produce a plan that sounds exactly right and still be wrong for the athlete running it. The catch is built into the situation: the reason you asked for help is the same reason you cannot tell whether the help was any good. Jeff breaks down what a language model actually is, why confident is not the same as correct, why a plan can have every phase in the right place and still be built on nothing, and what a tool would truly need to do to get your training right. This is not an attack on AI. It is the case for the right tool for the right job.
Training Volume: Why More Isn't Better
1 hr 6 min
More is better. It is the most common belief in endurance sport, and it is quietly costing runners and triathletes their best results. In this joint TriDot and RunDot episode, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie for the follow-up to “Triathlon Training’s Biggest Lie.” If more isn’t the answer, what is? Jeff takes apart the volume-versus-intensity debate, explains why the popular 80/20 rule was never built for you, and lays out the order training should actually be designed in, where volume is the last thing you figure out, not the first. He also names the fear that keeps athletes stuck, the belief that cutting volume means losing fitness, and shows why it isn’t true. The answer isn’t more. It’s better, first. Full breakdown at FitLogic.tech .
7 Lessons for Runners From Crewing Ultramarathons
51 min
An ultramarathon isn't just about the runner, it's about the team behind them. A great crew can be the difference between reaching the finish line and dropping out of the race. From keeping athletes fueled and hydrated, to navigating aid stations and monitoring changing conditions, crewing is one of the most important (and often overlooked), jobs in ultrarunning. Fresh off crewing at the legendary Western States Endurance Run, Coach Elizabeth James joins the podcast to share the seven biggest lessons she learned from the experience. She explains why knowing the course, understanding the weather, anticipating your runner's needs, and preparing for the unexpected are all critical to a successful race. Whether you're preparing to crew your first ultramarathon or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes of these incredible events, this episode gives a new appreciation for the people who help make extraordinary performances possible.
How Fitness & Form Determine Your Running Economy
54 min
What makes you the runner that you are? According to legendary coach Bobby McGee, it comes down to two essential ingredients: fitness and efficient running form. In this episode, Bobby returns to the podcast to explain how these two elements work together and how athletes can identify the difference between their natural abilities and the areas that need improvement. He breaks down the concept of running economy, why it matters for runners of every level, and how small changes in movement can lead to big gains in performance. Whether you're looking to run faster, conserve energy, reduce fatigue, or simply make running feel smoother and more enjoyable, Bobby shares practical tips and expert insights that can help you become a more efficient athlete.
How to Fuel Your Next Training Session
51 min
Between gels, bars, liquids, and real food, the options for fueling your training and racing can feel overwhelming. Lifelong runner and Registered Dietitian Jillian Thoren returns to help break down all your training nutrition needs. In this episode, Jillian and Carrie cut through the noise on what fueling strategies actually work, how many carbohydrates and calories your body needs before, during, and after race day, and practical tips for carrying fuel on your longer runs. Whether you're figuring out fueling for the first time or fine-tuning a routine that's almost there, this episode delivers actionable advice for runners at every level.
Your Questions Answered: Hills, Long Workouts, Heat Adaptations, and More!
1 hr 0 min
Run coaches Brady Hoover and Ben Sommerville jump into the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! The coaches answer your questions about a variety of topics. Learn strategies for running hills, maximizing your development phase, and how to train in different environmental conditions while traveling. We'll also discuss training while sick and some helpful RunDot app tips to unlock tricks for training.
A Runners Guide to Functional Movement
43 min
How well do you move? How often do you move? Despite plenty of sagittal plane movement, runners are often deficient in other movement patterns. On today's episode, Dr. B.J. Leeper joins the podcast to discuss the importance of moving often and incorporating a variety of movements. Listen in to explore squatting, balancing, rolling, breathing, and so much more! Moving well is an essential part to your running performance. Learn how you may be currently leaving performance gains on the table and how to move into your true potential.
Run Training's Biggest Lie: More Is Better
1 hr 2 min
Most athletes are convinced that the path to better performance is more. More miles, more hours, more sessions. Volume has become the proxy for commitment, dedication, and seriousness as an athlete. In this joint episode of the TriDot and RunDot Podcasts, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie to dismantle the more-is-better myth, walk through the data on quality versus volume, and answer the question that follows: if more isn't the answer, what is? The right sequence is intensity first, then duration, then frequency, with volume as the byproduct. Better before more. Then, and only then, more.
5 Core Nutrition Tips for Runners from a Registered Dietitian
1 hr 1 min
Jillian Tholen is the first to admit she made plenty of nutrition mistakes during her own running career. Now, as a Registered Dietitian, she’s passionate about helping other athletes avoid those same pitfalls. In this episode, Jillian joins Carrie to break down five essential nutrition tips every athlete should know. From building consistent eating habits and creating balanced, nutrient-rich meals to properly timing your fuel around training, they cover the foundations that make a real difference. They also dive into two often-overlooked keys: eating enough and staying flexible with your approach to sports nutrition. If you’re looking for practical advice to support your performance and overall health, this episode delivers.
Most training platforms were built backwards. They started with what was easy to measure, layered features on top, and ended up with something that looks like training technology but is not actually training intelligence. In this opening episode of the First Principles of Training Intelligence series, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie to make the architectural case for a different way of building training technology. He walks through the ten credentialed coaches thought experiment, the five categories of training platforms, and the warehouse-to-hospital argument for why training intelligence cannot be retrofitted. It is the episode every other episode in this series will build on. Full technical breakdown at FitLogic.tech.
Just before Marathon Monday, he joined us to share his excitement and now he’s back to break it all down. Coach Brady Hoover returns alongside Carrie Tollefson to recap an unforgettable weekend at the Boston Marathon. From their meet-up at the expo to the electric atmosphere leading into race day, they take you behind the scenes of it all culminating in a full breakdown of Brady’s race experience. Carrie dubbed it the “Year of the Women” as they dive into standout professional performances, course records, and the spectacle that makes Boston so special. Their passion for the race (and the sport) shines throughout, leaving you inspired to push the pace, chase bigger goals, and maybe even set your sights on Boston yourself.
There are races anyone can register for; there are races you have to enter a lottery for; and then there are races you have to QUALIFY for. On today's episode, Coach Brady Hoover joins Carrie to discuss the smattering of exclusive events where a spot on the start line requires more than dollars. How do the race entry lotteries work? What is the qualification standard for Boston or New York? What's the best way to get a slot if you haven't met the time qualifications? Brady shares his experience running with a charity and provides some tips to get a bib through their foundations. If you aspire to race Boston, New York, or any of the World Marathon Majors, you'll want to tune in for all the tips to secure your spot!
The RunDot app might feel like magic but behind it is the RunDot Innovation Team making it all happen. This week, Dr. B.J. Leeper and Coach Ken Presutti join the podcast to pull back the curtain on everything new and improved in the latest version of RunDot. Both athletes and coaches, B.J. and Ken bring a unique perspective as they walk us through the updated app experience, what to look for before, during, and after each workout. They also decode the powerful (and sometimes mysterious) graphs, explaining what they actually mean and how you can use that data to train smarter. Already using RunDot? You’ll pick up practical tips and hidden features. Not using it yet? This episode might be the nudge you need to download the app and see what it can do for your training.
When your training schedule and travel plans collide, it can feel overwhelming but the good news is, you don’t have to choose between them. You can stay consistent on the road. Coaches Elizabeth James and Stephen Horan join Carrie to share their top strategies for training while traveling. From adapting your plan on the go to making the most of your RunDot schedule, they break down how to prioritize key sessions, stay flexible, and keep your momentum. This episode is packed with advice for every athlete, including smart packing tips and realistic expectations when things don’t go perfectly. Because while perfect execution isn’t always possible, consistency is what truly drives progress. Even if your trip throws everything off track, you’ll walk away with actionable ideas to keep moving forward. So next time you’re headed out of town, queue up this episode and enjoy the change of scenery on your run!
RunDot workouts are built around your personalized training zones (calculated directly from your run test results), but what do Zones 4 through 6 really mean for your performance? This week, Coaches Brady Hoover and Ben Sommerville join us to break down the purpose and power of these higher-intensity “spicy” zones. We dive into how each zone should feel, what’s happening physiologically as you push into threshold and beyond, and why precision matters when the effort ramps up. You’ll also learn practical strategies for pacing, managing fatigue, dialing in effort, and avoiding the common mistakes athletes make when training and racing at higher intensities. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re truly hitting Zone 4, 5, or 6, or if you’ve struggled to control the burn, this episode will give you the clarity, confidence, and execution tools to maximize every hard session and get more from every mile.
Most RunDot workouts are built around your personalized training zones (calculated directly from your run test results), but what do Zones 1 through 3 actually mean for your training and performance? Coaches Ryan Tibball and Elizabeth James join us to break down the purpose and impact of these foundational run zones. We discuss how each zone should feel, what’s happening physiologically as your body adapts, and why staying in the right zone matters more than you think. You’ll also hear practical strategies for pacing, monitoring effort, and avoiding the common mistakes athletes make in both training and racing. If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re truly running “easy” enough in Zone 1, maximizing efficiency in Zone 2, or properly executing steady efforts in Zone 3, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to nail your workouts and get more from every mile.
We all know sleep is critical for performance and recovery but how do we actually get better at it? In this episode, Sleep Is A Skill creator Mollie Eastman join hosts Vanessa Ronksley and Carrie Tollefson to break down how to improve your sleep in practical, actionable ways. We cover what sleep really does for the body, how much you need, and how it directly impacts performance and recovery. Then we get into the details that matter most: optimizing your sleep environment, choosing the right equipment, and understanding how nutrition, supplements, and tracking devices can either support (or sabotage) your sleep. This episode won’t put you to sleep, but it will inspire you to start treating sleep like the performance tool it truly is and unlock gains you may be leaving on the table.
Balancing parenthood and run training is no easy feat. In this episode, we’re joined by new mother runners Amanda and Kate, along with their coach, Brady Hoover, to explore the realities of running through early parenthood. Amanda and Kate share their journeys from family planning and pregnancy to childbirth and returning to training, while Brady offers expert insight into how he adapts their training through each stage of life. With the support of RunDot, Amanda and Kate are building strength, finding balance, and gearing up to crush their 2026 goals.
RunDot coach Nolan McKenna is fast, world-class fast. Nolan recently qualified to represent Team USA at the Ultra Marathon World Championships in New Delhi, India, and he joins Carrie to share his journey to the global stage. From his early days as a collegiate runner training largely on his own to discovering RunDot and completely transforming his approach, Nolan explains how smarter training helped him chase big goals while staying healthy. He also opens up about navigating elite training and coaching while welcoming his first child, and how he balances it all. Nolan offers practical advice for ultra runners on adapting RunDot workouts for longer distances, and by the end of this episode, you’ll be cheering him on as he represents Team USA (and RunDot) on the world stage and beyond. To support Nolan's journey to India you can contribute here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-nolan-represent-team-usa-at-50k-worlds
The best way to conquer a marathon is to break it into manageable chunks and that’s exactly what we’re doing this week. With marathon season right around the corner, the RunDot Podcast welcomes Dave Levine, Head Coach of the LA Road Runners. Dave has coached runners and triathletes for nearly 20 years, authored The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Marathon Training, and crossed the finish line of more than 30 marathons himself, so he’s got the experience, wisdom, and stories to prove it. From avoiding the classic mistake of starting too fast, to surviving the dark, grinding miles late in the race, and finally finishing strong, this episode covers everything you need to confidently approach your next marathon.
