Ketones, bicarb, creatine, and more - there are more supplements for runners on the market now more than ever. We discuss some of the most popular supplements for runners, including the research, potential benefits, risks, and more.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Branched chain amino acids (BCAAs)
• Ketone monoester supplementation
• Sodium bicarbonate (“bicarb”) supplements
• Black currant supplements
• Creatine for runners

This episode is general guidance. Please consult a medical profession for individual guidance when selecting supplements.

This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Previnex creates clinically effective supplements made with high-quality ingredients. Their Muscle Health Plus contains third-party tested creatine monohydrate, BCAAs, and other ingredients to reduce muscle soreness and improve muscle mass and strength. Use the code treadlightly for 15% off your first order at previnex.com.

References:

• PMID: 28638350
• PMID: 20386134
• PMID: 38625669
• PMID: 16365087
• PMID: 37185454
• PMID: 31730565
• PMID: 32269653
• PMID: 31699159
• PMID: 31039280
• PMID: 37565450
• PMID: 38612966
• PMID: 39068627
• PMID: 34756350
• PMID: 34503527
• PMID: 33487131
• PMID: 34470913
• PMID: 29619595
• PMID: 32460873
• PMID: 37096381
• Jeukendrup & Gleeson. (2016) Sport Nutrition, 3rd edition. Human Kinetics.
• https://examine.com/research-feed/study/dxqRN1/?srsltid=AfmBOooIOe4LpwUVPkqXLZSANqWymBfJWWTWZ2GG9owMPcFNMr_QLpRe

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

We sat down for a thought-provoking discussion with Tina Muir, former elite runner and sustainability advocate. Tina brings a balanced and accessible approach to how runners can reduce environmental waste and make small, effective changes for climate justice.

Tina hosts the Running for Real podcast, on which she discusses climate justice and social change. She is the co-author of Becoming a Sustainable Runner, is the Sustainability Director of the 2025 World Road Running Championships, and has assisted numerous races in their sustainability initiatives.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Why sustainability matters for runners

• How are habits as runners can build into sustainability

• Running-specific changes for sustainability

• Does purchasing carbon offsets help?

• How offset environmental waste around your races

• How you can recycle gel wrappers, etc

• How small actions compound

• The impact of racing locally vs destination races

You can connect with Tina:

https://tinamuir.com/

Running for Real podcast

Tinamuir88 on Instagram

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

After completing a marathon or two, most runners set their sights on running their fastest marathon. However, when you train for a marathon PR, it’s too easy to fall into the trap of overreaching, or to end up injured. In this episode, we’ll guide you through how to train for a marathon PR - and actually reach that PR on race day.

The advice is this episode is targeted towards intermediate and experienced marathoners; if you are running your first marathon, we recommend tuning into episode 17 (how to run your first marathon).

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• Mindset in training for a marathon PR
• How to adjust if you are sick on race day
• How many weeks do you need to train for a marathon PR?
• How to build a racing schedule for a marathon PR goal
• What to change in your training to run your fastest marathon
• How much intensity should you do in marathon training?

Join us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/TreadLightlyRunning

This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Previnex creates clinically effective supplements made with high-quality ingredients. Their probiotic provides 30 million CFUS with six bacteria strains - and unlike other brands, their probiotic works! Use the code treadlightly for 15% off your first order at previnex.com.

References:

• PMID: 39616560

• PMID: 39616560

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on everything running, from training tips to gear reviews. You can also find Laura Norris Running on Youtube!

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

You asked, and we answered - it’s another Q&A episode! In these episodes, you can pick our brains as experienced running coaches. All answers are generalized, not individual.

We answer your questions, including:

• Is running selfish?

• How do you add in speedwork as a beginner?

• How do you prevent overstriding and increase your cadence?

• How does wind impact your running paces?

• Does creatine supplementation help runners?

• Should you run with ankle weights?

• Are compression socks useful?

References and Resources:

• PMID: 38809851
• PMID: 38665681
• Wind Calculator:https://apps.runningwritings.com/wind-calculator/
• More on creatine research:https://lauranorrisrunning.com/creatine-for-runners/
• Compression sock guide:https://runtothefinish.com/best-compression-socks-for-running/
• Compression sock research:https://lauranorrisrunning.com/compression-socks-for-runners/

Use the code treadlightly for 15% off your first order atprevinex.com for the Previnex creatine/muscle health supplement.

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com andruntothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

Mobility is a buzzword in the fitness space - but what does it actually mean? Can improving your mobility help you run faster? Do you need complicated routines, or just a few intentional movements? We sort through the trends to bring you an evidence-based and practical approach to mobility for runners.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between mobility and flexibility
• Why does mobility matter for runners?
• The relationship between mobility, flexibility, and running economy
• Does greater mobility reduce your injury risk?
• Does foam rolling improve mobility?
• How to do mobility exercises for runners
• Does yoga count as mobility

This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Previnex creates clinically effective supplements made with high-quality ingredients. Their Muscle Health Plus contains third-party tested creatine monohydrate, BCAAs, and other ingredients to reduce muscle soreness and improve muscle mass and strength. Use the code treadlightly for 15% off your first order at previnex.com.

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

Resources:

• Haff & Triplett, Essentials of Strength Training and Conditioning. Human Kinetics.
• Dicharry, Jay. Running Rewired. 2nd edition.
• PMID: 38446400
• PMID: 19050648

Is cross-training just for injured runners, or could it unlock your best running performance? We are joined in this episode by Mary Johnson, a running coach who recently ran a 3:08 at CIM. Mary has embraced cross-training as both an athlete and a coach; in this episode, she shares how it’s helped her get faster - and how it can do the same for you.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Mary has been a running coach since 2016 and is the founder of the popular Lift Run Perform coaching group. You can connect with her at itsamarython on Instagram or email at mary@liftrunperform.com.

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

You’ve likely encountered all sorts of different marathon training plans - Higdon, Hansons, Run Less Run Faster, Low Heart Rate, and more. You may have wondered which of these plans, if any, is right for you - and we are here to take that guesswork out for you! In this episode, two seasoned running coaches examine different marathon training methodologies.

This is episode 100 and we want to thank each and everyone of you for listening and supporting the podcast!

Discussion points include:

• Defining the 80/20 principle
• The Hansons Marathon Method
• MAF Method/Low Heart Rate Training
• The Run Less, Run Faster Method
• Jack Daniels Formula/VDOT
• Canova/Percentage-Based Methods

This episode is sponsored by Previnex! Previnex creates clinically effective supplements made with high-quality ingredients. Their Muscle Health Plus contains third-party tested creatine monohydrate, BCAAs, and other ingredients to reduce muscle soreness and improve muscle mass and strength. Use the code treadlightly for 15% off your first order at previnex.com.

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!

Is heel striking bad? Should you change your running form? You’ve probably heard conflicting answers on your questions about running injuries - so we bring the science to work through myth vs supported theory on running injuries. We also share approaches for actually reducing your injury risk - and these may surprise you.

Discussion points include:

• Does heel striking cause injury?
• Should you change your running form?
• Do max-cushioned shoes increase injury risk?
• Did you get injured because you didn’t stretch enough?
• Can running on concrete cause injury?
• Will zero drop running shoes reduce injury risk?
• Can you skip eating before runs?
• Is strength training protective against injury?
• What can you do to mitigate injury risk?

This episode is sponsored by Final Surge. Whether you are a running coach or an athlete, start your new year off strong with Final Surge! Final Surge offers training plans for runners of all abilities, as well as a user-friendly platform to track your progress. If you are a coach, Final Surge provides a comprehensive training platform to develop plans and analyze your ath

Go to ⁠⁠https://www.finalsurge.com/ ⁠⁠and use RUNTOTHEFINISH for 10% off your first coaching purchase (monthly or yearly) or RUNTOTHEFINISH for 10% off any training plan purchase.

References:

• PMID: 38053265
• PMID: 29791183
• PMID: 34386286
• PMID: 26304644
• PMID: 22927504
• https://journals.lww.com/nsca-scj/Abstract/2020/02000/Influence_of_Gait_Retraining_on_Running_Economy__A.3.aspx
• https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jbmr.4658?af=R
• https://www.doctorsofrunning.com/2024/01/monday-shakeout-can-running-shoes.html
• Ryan Norris, Mechanical Engineering PE (on explanation of concrete vs asphalt)

💻 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠lauranorrisrunning.com and runtothefinish.com for thousands of free articles on all things running, from training tips to gear reviews.

🎙️ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Please rate, review, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or follow and comment on Spotify. If you enjoyed this episode, please share with a friend!

👉 Follow us @treadlightlyrunning @runtothefinish and @lauranorrisrunning on Instagram!