Coach E here with the latest issue of The Weekly Stride! This week, we're serving up when to start including your plated race day shoes in training, looking at London's new record breaking news item, have a podcast episode about traveling to races with your (young) family in tow, share my thoughts on motivation vs. habit in your training, and look at the research on mindfulness in making you a better runner!
Ready to take your stride to the next level? Let’s dive in!
Coach Elisabeth
Founder, Running Explained
1. You asked…
"How should I incorporate my carbon-plated race shoes into training so I'm comfortable in them, but they're still ‘fresh’ on race day?"
I totally get it: carbon-plated shoes are an investment, so you want to make sure you get the most out of them without wearing them out too soon! These shoes are built for performance, meaning they're going to be most effective during speedwork, threshold runs, and race day efforts. The key is to use them strategically (juuuuuuust the right amount!)
Don’t feel the need to wear them for every single run (in fact, please don't). Start by introducing them to your feet with a short, easy run to make sure they work for you in general (no rubbing, blisters, pinching, discomfort, etc).
Once you're comfortable, you can begin using them for your key weekday workouts. After a few more weeks, when you’re ready, you can start using the carbon-plated shoes for long runs, but be mindful not to overdo it. It's best to reserve them for your key long runs/long run workouts rather than making them your go-to for all your mileage.
Carbon-plated shoes are durable enough for moderate training mileage (around 50-150 miles), but they’re most beneficial when used selectively. Overuse in training can wear down the plate and foam, so reserve them for key sessions and be mindful of how they’re holding up. If you’ve done a reasonable amount of mileage and the shoes still feel fresh, they should serve you well on race day.
Also, it’s important to note that carbon-plated shoes don’t work for everyone, and that’s OK! Some runners find they don’t like the height, the cushion, or the added stiffness. If you don’t get along with them, don’t feel pressured to force them into your training. There are plenty of other options that can work just as well for you!
2. Current Events
The London Marathon is breaking MORE records: 1,133,813 MILLION people applied for the lottery for the 2026 London Marathon. And where are people coming from? The majority are from the UK! Almost 870,000 people in the UK applied for London, plus around 264,000 international applicants rounding out the numbers. Guess we'll need all the luck for 2026!
3. New podcast episode!
I’m joined by Running Explained coaches Nick Klastava & Jessie Gruca as we dive into the realities of traveling to races with your young family in tow. We chat about everything from balancing carb-loading with kids’ snack schedules to managing the emotions of either bringing your kids along or leaving them at home. You’ll get practical tips on everything from international race travel to including your little ones in race-day events, and how to turn race weekends into lasting family memories!
A brand-new study published in Frontiers in Sports and Active Living (April 2025) explored what happens when high-level distance runners add mindfulness training to their routine. In a nutshell: they got mentally fitter, and it showed in their performance mindset. We’re going to break down this research so you can understand how much of an impact your mental state has on your running (hint: it’s a lot!), and how to harness it for better training and racing. Let’s dive in.
I'm beyond excited to launch the new Running Explained Podcast Patreon and give you MORE! Ad-free episodes, bonus full episodes, listener participation, behind-the-scenes content, and more!
Happy running!
Coach Elisabeth
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