s5e12 A Classic Q&A Episode (& Special Announcement!) with Coach Elisabeth | The Running Explained Podcast

In this new episode of the Running Explained podcast, Coach Elisabeth answers YOUR running questions in a deep-dive Q&A that covers everything from injury recovery and training frequency to 5K pace breakthroughs and heart rate training in hot weather. Whether you're returning from injury, adjusting your training plan after illness, or just trying to PR in your next race, this episode is packed with practical advice rooted in real coaching experience.

💥 Want more episodes like this, plus extra resources to support your running journey? Join the brand new Running Explained Patreon for exclusive episodes, bonus content, and direct access to Coach Elisabeth! It’s the best way to level up your training with trusted guidance and community support. 💛

🎧[LISTEN ON SPOTIFY]🎧

🎧[LISTEN ON ITUNES]🎧

What You’ll Learn:

• What the Running Explained Patreon is, what's included at different levels, and how you can join

• The difference between feeling “normal” and “race fit” after injury

• Why a 20-mile long run probably isn’t necessary for half marathon training

• If you need to add more running days to finally break that sub-2:00 half

• What a “workout sandwich” really means (and why it matters!)

• How to manage heart rate zones in the summer heat

• What might be holding back your 5K progress (spoiler: it’s not just speedwork)

• The real meaning behind lower heart rate at the same pace

• How to return to training after illness without blowing up your plan

• What to do when your heart rate doesn’t match the threshold pace your coach gives you

Sound Bites:

• “The completely unscientific rule of thumb is that it takes about twice as long to gain your fitness back from the period that you took off."

• "The most important part of injury recovery though is that you don't try to rush the process."

• "You do not need to run a 20-miler in half marathon training to be prepared."

• "The best way to keep getting faster is just to keep doing the things you've already been doing and just keep doing them."

• "If you're going to try to run fast in a race, you need to run fast in training."

• "What do we see for the fastest in the world? They're doing a crap ton of volume and a lot of it's easy."

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction to Running Explained Podcast

• 00:59 - Launching the Running Explained Patreon

• 03:11 - Injury Recovery and Aerobic Base

• 10:08 - Long Runs in Half Marathon Training

• 16:47 - Training Frequency for Half Marathon Goals

• 21:03 - Understanding Workout Sandwiches

• 24:50 - Heart Rate Training in Different Temperatures

• 29:00 - Breaking Through 5K Pace Plateaus

• 33:10 - Understanding 5K Training and Aerobic Contribution

• 35:59 - The Importance of Aerobic Base in Running

• 38:46 - Recognizing Fitness Improvements and Training Balance

• 43:01 - Returning to Training After Illness

• 50:59 - Adjusting Training Goals and Expectations

• 51:57 - Lactate Threshold and Heart Rate Training

🎙️ The Running Explained Patreon is here!

Want bonus episodes, ad-free listening, priority Q&A, voting on guests and topics, and more?

Join the community at 👉 patreon.com/runningexplained

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About Your Host

Elisabeth Scott is a running coach, educator, and the founder of Running Explained, where she helps runners train smarter, run stronger, and enjoy the process. After getting sober at 29, she laced up her running shoes with the goal of finishing a 5K—and never looked back. Since then, she’s gone on to complete multiple races, including marathons with a Boston Qualifying time, all while deepening her expertise in endurance training.

With a science-based approach, Coach Elisabeth is passionate about making complex running concepts accessible and actionable for runners of all levels. Her coaching philosophy centers on building a strong aerobic base, improving running efficiency, and developing a whole-human approach to training that prioritizes consistency, injury prevention, and sustainable progress.

Through Running Explained, Elisabeth offers training plans, online courses, and 1:1 coaching designed to help runners achieve their goals while avoiding the common pitfalls of overtraining, underfueling, and burnout. Whether you’re training for your first half marathon or chasing a new PR, her guidance will help you train smarter, race stronger, and love the journey.

📲 Learn more at ⁠RunningExplained.com⁠

📢 Follow on Instagram: ⁠@runningexplained

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