The She Runs Strong Podcast

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassWhat if you’re not stuck because you’re not trying hard enough, but because your training strategy needs to change?In this Q&A episode, Shona and Nicky answer real questions from female runners on marathon training, strength work, menopause, injury niggles, performance plateaus, and how to keep progressing without burning out. From balancing running and strength to whether marathon pace belongs in long runs, this is honest, practical coaching with no fluff.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIf you’re a woman 45+ training for a marathon and questioning your plan, this episode is for you.Why are the long runs slow?Why are intervals added so early?Where does strength training fit in?And how do you avoid burnout?We break down exactly how to structure your marathon training: Base → Build → Peak → Taper... so you arrive at race day strong, confident, and injury-free.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassWhat if the thing holding you back right now isn’t discipline… but clarity?In this episode, Nicky and Shona answer 5 brilliant questions from female runners dealing with sugar cravings, fueling confusion (including the 100g carbs/hour debate), menopause performance shifts, marathon fears at 59, and that very stubborn high hamstring injury.You’ll walk away with practical guidance on fueling for your body, managing training load, prioritising recovery, and building strength so you can run stronger, especially through midlife and beyond.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassElite runners are now fueling at 120–170g carbs an hour... but what does that mean for recreational marathon and ultra runners?In this episode, sports nutritionist Rebecca Paulser breaks down what’s real vs hype, how to fuel when mileage ramps up, what to do if you can’t stomach gels, and why practice is the difference between a strong finish and a brutal bonk.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassAre you training… or just addicted to training?In this coaching-call episode, Shona and Nicky unpack the uncomfortable truth behind running every day...when it helps your mental health… and when it quietly starts hurting it.Plus:🔥 How to return to running after chronic Achilles tendinopathy (especially in perimenopause)🦠 What to do when a nasty winter bug derails your London Marathon build🏋️‍♀️ The real balance between heavy lifting + running (without dead legs)🥩 And how much protein active menopausal women actually need (without the confusion.)If you’ve ever thought, “I should rest… but I can’t,” this one’s for you.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassShe qualified for Boston… and still didn’t get in.So what changed between missing the BQ buffer in 2024 and running a confident 4:09 in 2025?In this She Run Strong coaching call, Gretchen Fermann breaks down the real shift: smarter pacing, year-on-year consistency, strength that actually stuck, and the “invisible” factor too many women ignore... sleep + hormones in the menopause transition.If you’re chasing a Boston qualifier while juggling life, work stress, and a body that’s changing… this episode will show you what it really takes to turn “almost” into “I did it.”

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassTreadmills on holiday, “easy” runs that feel anything but, running with knee arthritis, and where netball or triathlon fits into your training... this Q&A is for female runners 45+ who want to train smart, protect their joints, and still have fun with sport.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassYou train your calves, your glutes, your core… but when last did you train the muscles inside your feet? In this episode, we unpack “foot core” (the hidden strength most runners ignore), why it could be the missing link behind recurring Achilles, plantar fascia and lower-leg niggles, and the simple at-home drills you can start tonight... while you’re watching Netflix.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassNew year, new questions. We unpack the goals that actually stick, the fueling mistake most women over 40 are making, why recovery suddenly feels slower in peri/menopause, and what to do when your training is consistent… but your results aren’t. Plus a real, honest chat on mental health and running confidence.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassA festive-season Q&A diving into HYROX hype, holiday training guilt, and the tough truth about death in endurance sport, all wrapped in honest, relatable coaching you won’t hear anywhere else.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassA different kind of coaching call: Nicky’s back from Valencia with a shiny medal, big breakthroughs (hello, sub-3:30!), and a powerful story of training through chronic anaemia, fatigue, and setbacks, plus Shona gets coached for her marathon that’s just 6 weeks away.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIn this episode of the She Runs Strong podcast powered by Coach Parry, UK run coach Nicky and sports scientist Shona unpack why up to 50% of runners cramp, why it’s not just about electrolytes, how pacing, strength, and training load really drive cramps, and what actually helps on race day, from smarter training to breathing, walk breaks, and even pickle-juice-style “cramp stop” tricks.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassDid you know the wrong sports bra can cost you minutes in a marathon? Nicky and Shona break down why bra fit, fabric, and support matter more than you think, for comfort, health, and performance. From breast movement science to their top bra recommendations, this chat could change how you run forever.Plus, they answer your other burning questions: how to train between New York and Tokyo, why your Garmin always shows extra distance, how to run strong with autoimmune conditions, and whether collagen really helps runners.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassGLP-1 meds (think Ozempic) are everywhere... but what do they mean for female runners? Sports dietitian Dr Linia Patel joins Shona to unpack how GLP-1s impact energy, muscle, bones, gut health, and training, and exactly how to fuel, lift, and adjust sessions to stay strong.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassFeeling “off” on the run? In this She Run Strong Q&A, Shona and Nicky break down cardiac drift (in plain English!), how to read your heart-rate data from interval sessions, quick fixes for ITB/lateral knee pain, and tackling brain fog & peri/menopause symptoms. Plus: getting back to training after a cold, why “phantom pains” pop up in taper week, and smart fueling/hydration so you don’t fizzle at 60 minutes.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassToday’s episode is all about proving that age is just a number and speed is still very much on the table. Nicky and Shona chat with Jackie, a 58-year-old runner who swapped hockey sticks for start lines and qualified for the Boston Marathon after taking up running seriously in her 50s. From parkruns to personal bests, consistency to confidence, this episode dives into how small, smart changes can lead to huge breakthroughs... no matter when you start.It’s the perfect listen for anyone who’s ever thought: “One day when I’m big… I’ll run Boston.”

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassReformer Pilates is everywhere right now, but does it actually make you a better runner? In this episode, Nicky and Shona dig into whether Reformer really counts as strength training, what it helps with (and what it doesn’t), and how to fit it into your weekly plan. They also tackle listener questions on building time on feet for marathon training, managing niggles before race day, and how to train through perimenopause. Real answers, zero fluff... just smart running talk for women who want to train stronger and stay injury-free.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassTempo vs. Threshold: the confusing terms finally explained. Nicky and Shona break down the science, the purpose, and the “how” of these essential workouts - so you know exactly when, why, and how hard to run them to build speed, endurance, and strength without burning out.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassCaffeine, cramping, wearables, and warm-ups - oh my! Nicky and Shona tackle your most pressing questions: does caffeine really trigger cramps, what those Garmin “anaerobic scores” mean (and when to ignore them), and how to warm up properly for different runs. With practical advice, myth-busting, and a few laughs, this episode is your toolkit for smarter, stronger running.

This episode of She Runs Strong is brought to you by Active Forever. Use STRONG at checkout to get 10% off your first order.Got any questions you'd like answered on the podcast, ask them here: https://www.videoask.com/feuaut9xoResources: Grab your spot in our upcoming masterclass: https://coachparry.com/at4y-MasterclassIn this episode, we unpack one of running’s most misunderstood topics—fatigue—and set the record straight on lactate with exercise physiologist and Coach Parry coach Ntutu Letseka.You’ll learn what actually drives that burning sensation, how the brain (the central governor) paces you, and the practical training/recovery moves that boost performance—especially for female runners 45+.What you’ll learn:- Lactic acid vs. lactate: why lactate is a fuel and not the villain- Energy systems 101: ATP, glycolysis, aerobic metabolism & where fatigue really comes from- The brain’s role: how the central governor protects you (and why you can still sprint at the end)- Lactate thresholds (LT1 & LT2): what they mean and how they predict performance- Training that works: build an aerobic base, then add smart threshold work (cruise intervals, controlled tempos)- Recovery that sticks: fueling, sleep, cool-downs & truly easy active recovery (what counts—and what doesn’t)