On my long run last weekend , I had that moment (you know the one) where out of nowhere, your brain tries to negotiate an early exit. “You don’t need to finish the whole route,” it says sweetly. “Why not just…call it here? You've done enough; let's call it a day.” Ha! Classic brain.

 

But here’s the thing: I wasn’t in pain. I wasn’t bonking. I was just… bored. And mildly annoyed that I was bored. And maybe a little sweaty and cranky. But mostly? I was fine. So I told my brain, “Thanks for your input,” turned up the music, and kept going.

 

This sport is full of little moments like that: mental forks in the road where you either pull the plug or keep the promise. And more often than not, the real win isn’t about hitting a pace or a mileage number… it’s about choosing to keep going, even when the vibes are off.

 

In this issue of The Weekly Stride, we’re talking about training twice a day (and when that actually makes sense), sharing a fun “this or that?” runner poll, exploring ankle sprains and recovery in the latest podcast episode, and looking at the difference between training at current fitness vs. goal fitness.

 

Let’s get after it!

 

Founder, Running Explained

 

It’s tempting to train at the pace you want to run in your goal race. It feels motivating, aspirational, like you’re already halfway there if you can just hit that magic number in training. But here’s the problem: your body doesn’t care what your goal pace is. It only knows what it’s physiologically ready to handle right now.

 

Training at your current fitness level allows your body to actually adapt. That means you can recover well, stay consistent, and build the fitness that gets you to that goal pace safely over time.

 

When you constantly try to force goal pace in workouts you’re not ready for, here’s what usually happens:

That’s when progress stalls… or worse, injury and burnout creep in.

 

Ankle sprains are way more serious than most runners realize, and rushing back too soon can cost you big. In this episode, Dr. Lauren LaPierre, DPT, runner rehab specialist, and running coach, joins me to talk about what actually happens when you sprain your ankle, how to know how bad it is, and why proper rehab matters more than you think.

 

👟 What swelling really means
⚠️ How to interpret sprain severity
💊 Meds, pain, & the early days of healing
💡 Why conservative therapy beats surgery for most runners

 

If you’ve ever rolled an ankle, worried about a sprain, or just want to know how to stay strong and safe, this one’s a must-listen!

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You’ve seen elites do it. Maybe your friend swears by it. But do you actually need to run twice a day? In this week’s blog, I’m breaking down what the science says about double run training, when it makes sense (even for non-elites), and the biggest mistakes runners make when trying it. If you’ve ever thought about splitting your runs—or wondered if more is better—this one’s for you.

 

Is running becoming a fashion show? And if so… is that a bad thing?

 

Sophie, our podcast and social media assistant (and resident Gen Z runner), takes a thoughtful look at the growing pressure to “look the part” - and what that means for identity, inclusion, and showing up as you are as a runner today. 

 

From Lululemon hauls and race-day makeup routines to deeper questions about self-expression, class, and visibility, this piece explores the intersection of fashion and running, and how it can be both empowering and exclusionary.

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.