Coach E here with the latest issue of The Weekly Stride! This week, we're serving up when easy feels too easy, a “This or That?”, a new episode on mindfulness, 5 tips for summer running, and how to harness the power of downhill running.

 

Ready to take your stride to the next level? Let’s dive in!

 

Founder, Running Explained

Short version: YES.

 

Long version: YES…but… Easy runs aren’t about speed; they’re about recovery, aerobic development, and keeping your effort low enough to support adaptation, not exhaustion. If you feel like you could sing karaoke, plan your weekly grocery list, or chat about race day fueling mid-run… you’re probably doing it right.

 

Now, that doesn’t mean “go as slow as humanly possible.” A very fit runner shouldn’t be running 6 minutes per mile slower than marathon pace for every easy run—that's a different kind of mismatch. But here’s what most runners miss: your easy zone is a lot bigger than you think. And your current easy zone threshold is probably a little slower than you might realize, especially if you've never really trained in it consistently enough to develop it.

 

When you do spend proper time in your easy zone (think: months and years, not weeks), magic happens. You get fitter. Your aerobic engine grows. Your easy pace naturally gets faster. And your ceiling for what qualifies as “easy” gets higher. Not because you started pushing your easy days harder, but because your body got better at running easy.

 

So yes, if it feels slow, that’s not a bug, that’s a feature. Trust the process. The tortoise wins this one. 🐢

👉 Want to learn everything you need to know to become an easy running champ? The Easy Running Masterclass is 50% off through Memorial Day and is going away for good at the end of the month! Don’t miss it!

Time for a little runner’s showdown! 💥 We’ve all got our preferences, so let’s see where you stand!

In this episode of the Running Explained podcast, I’m breaking down a fascinating new study on mindfulness and running performance—and why I think this is something every runner needs to hear!

 

I’ll walk you through the research (don’t worry, it’s not boring!), explain how mindfulness training actually rewires your brain (hi, neuroplasticity!), and share what this means for your training, racing, and day-to-day running mindset. Spoiler: your mental game matters. A lot.

 

I’ll also talk about what I’ve seen in my own coaching—how anxiety, mental fatigue, and emotional dysregulation sabotage performance—and how small, consistent mindfulness habits can completely change how you experience your running.

 

👉LISTEN ON SPOTIFY

👉LISTEN ON APPLE

👉WATCH ON YOUTUBE

Have you ever finished a run with long downhill stretches feeling great, only to wake up the next day with surprisingly sore legs, especially your quads? Downhill running often feels easier aerobically (thanks, gravity!), but it puts unique stress on your muscles that can lead to significant soreness and temporary loss of strength. The good news is, with some understanding of why this happens and some minor tweaks to your training, you can train your legs to handle the downs so you can maximally use downhill running to your advantage (instead of cramping up halfway through and feeling like someone is stabbing a knife into your quads with every step!).  

 

 

We're retiring public access to our current lineup of Running Explained Masterclasses—and this is your last chance to grab them before they're gone!

 

💥 Now through the end of May, you can purchase any masterclass for 50% off—and once you buy, it's yours forever with lifetime access.

 

⛔ After May 31, these courses will no longer be available for individual purchase.
✅ They will still be included as part of our 1:1 Run Coaching program, just like they are now.

 

This is your final opportunity to snag expert-led education on topics like heart rate zones, planning your training year, lactate threshold, and more—at half the price.

 

🚨 Don't miss it!
⚡ 50% off all masterclasses
📆 Offer ends May 31
📚 Lifetime access when you enroll now

👉 Grab your courses before they’re retired from the shop!

Whether you’re training for your first race, working on your next PR, or coming back from a break, we’ve got the tools and support to help you along the way.

Explore our science-backed training plans, personalized coaching services, and educational resources designed to make your running journey as effective and enjoyable as possible.