Jason Hardrath was named one of the 20 most inspirational ultrarunners of 2021. After a car accident in 2015 derailed his triathlon career, he had to reevaluate his future in competition. But with an extraordinary dedication to rehabilitation and proving his doctors wrong, he was able to resume running.
Jason has earned well over a hundred Fastest Known Times (FKTs) and was a 2021 FKT of the Year top 10 finalist. As an adventurer and ultrarunner he has shifted his focus to a new project, completing “infinity loops” around the 7 highest volcanic summits in the world. Jason was inspired by the volcanoes he climbed around his home near Klamath, Oregon, throughout his recovery process.
Jason’s adventures are unique in the skills they require and the terrain that they cover, combining ultrarunning distances over elevations that can rise well above 18,000 feet. His most recent movie on YouTube, Journey to Infinity, documents his incredible story on the first of the seven volcanic peaks, Mexico’s Pico di Orizaba.
Our conversation today highlights Jason's story and his current and future adventures, including:
Jason's story is a fascinating and inspiring one - enjoy!
Links & Resources from the Show:
We’re also supported by Impossible Sleep, a performance sleep drink to help high performers get the most out of their nightly rest. Impossible Sleep is a melatonin free sleep drink mix that provides deep recovery while gently lulling you to sleep. It only has two ingredients, with magnesium to promote muscle recovery and deep sleep, and L-theanine for a subtle calming effect that helps you wind down at the end of the day.
High achieving runners have to prioritize their sleep - it’s like a performance enhancing drug that allows us to absorb our training, improve, and race faster. The Impossible Sleep drink helps you optimize your bedtime routine so you can get as much deep recovery as possible.
When you consider that studies have shown that sleep loss can lead to glucose imbalances, increased anxiety, and your risk of getting sick, it’s a no-brainer to get as much high quality sleep as you can. Learn more about Impossible Sleep drink and be sure to use code jason20 to save 20% on your first subscription order, plus you’ll get a free sleep kit as a welcome gift.
Get primed for your run with an all-natural pre-workout called 2before made from New Zealand blackcurrant berries. Blackcurrant berries have been scientifically proven to increase cardiovascular endurance, speed up muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and support immunity.
Blackcurrant berries are actually more effective than beetroot, which has been used for some time to improve performance. They help with improved blood flow and inflammation management and are full of immune-boosting antioxidants. Go to 2before and use code JASON at checkout to save 30% and get free shipping.
My guest on the podcast this week is a coach who takes a holistic view of endurance training and considers himself a problem solver for endurance athletes. Keith Mueller is the founder of Higher Ground Athletics in Boulder, Colorado. His understanding of the details of movement patterns - including pronation and supination - will help you get a better grasp of this essential running mechanism.
Keith and I met a few months ago on a group run, and we soon found ourselves deep in discussion about performance and training theory. He has worked with an array of athletes, ranging from weekend warriors to state champion cross-country teams. Keith’s view of training is comprehensive, exposing athletes to the gamut of trainable qualities to make them better prepared for all the demands that running places on the body.
Our conversation today will help you think differently (and likely in greater depth) than ever before on pronation and supination. We discuss:
Keith’s ability to communicate complicated concepts make this a podcast that all runners will enjoy and benefit from!
Links & Resources from the Show:
Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever used. And that’s no hyperbole. I’m pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I’m taking it a lot more seriously.
I took their sleep quiz to find the right pillow for my body size and sleeping position at. It only takes 2 minutes and you’ll find the type of pillow that will work best for you. I’m using the Fox and absolutely loving it. A big reason why is because it’s adjustable.
Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it’s a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn’t training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It’s the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters.
Take your rest and recovery to the next level with Lagoon and get 15% off your purchase with code strengthrunning here.
A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.
After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.
Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.
I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!
My guest on the podcast this week is Hannah, a former one-on-one coaching client who recently earned a PR at the 2023 Boston Marathon. Hannah and I met a little over a year ago at a running retreat in Colorado and started working together shortly thereafter, with her focus almost exclusively on half marathons and marathons.
Recently Hannah started to contemplate going after a 5k PR, but has had questions about making the transition from endurance training to 5k specific workouts. Our discussion today revolves around the best way to make that transition. Hannah is already doing a lot of things right in her training, but needs help learning how to reorient her focus and tweak her workouts.
In our conversation, Hannah and I cover:
No matter what your preferred racing distance may be, you're sure to gain some insight on how to plan your training from this episode.
Links & Resources from the Show:
After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m less than a year from being a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m optimizing for longevity. I want to be my healthiest self for as long as possible and I’m excited to partner with Previnex to make that happen.
Previnex uses the most bioavailable, clinically tested ingredients, the optimal form and dose of each ingredient, pharmaceutical grade manufacturing, testing of raw ingredients and finished products. For every purchase you make, they also donate vitamins to kids in need.
I’ve been taking their Immune Support and multivitamin over the last month and I feel great. I have more energy and clarity, not to mention peace of mind that I’m giving my body what it needs. I believe Previnex works and I hope you experience the same benefits as I do. Use code jason15 for 15% off your order at Previnex!
We’re also supported by Impossible Sleep, a performance sleep drink to help high performers get the most out of their nightly rest. Impossible Sleep is a melatonin free sleep drink mix that provides deep recovery while gently lulling you to sleep. It only has two ingredients, with magnesium to promote muscle recovery and deep sleep, and L-theanine for a subtle calming effect that helps you wind down at the end of the day.
High achieving runners have to prioritize their sleep - it’s like a performance enhancing drug that allows us to absorb our training, improve, and race faster. The Impossible Sleep drink helps you optimize your bedtime routine so you can get as much deep recovery as possible.
When you consider that studies have shown that sleep loss can lead to glucose imbalances, increased anxiety, and your risk of getting sick, it’s a no-brainer to get as much high quality sleep as you can. Learn more about Impossible Sleep drink and be sure to use code jason20 to save 20% on your first subscription order, plus you’ll get a free sleep kit as a welcome gift.
Get primed for your run with an all-natural pre-workout called 2before made from New Zealand blackcurrant berries. Blackcurrant berries have been scientifically proven to increase cardiovascular endurance, speed up muscle recovery, reduce inflammation and support immunity.
Blackcurrant berries are actually more effective than beetroot, which has been used for some time to improve performance. They help with improved blood flow and inflammation management and are full of immune-boosting antioxidants. Go to 2before and use code JASON at checkout to save 30% and get free shipping.
Alex Hetherington is the race director for the Marine Corps Marathon - but he's not your typical race director. Alex is a retired Marine aviator and a member of the All-Marine running team for 14 years. His resume includes a win at the Armed Forces Marathon Championship in 1998 as well as an astounding 27 finishes at the MCM.
Our conversation focuses on what you can expect from this year’s race:
Links & Resources from the Show:
Our newest sponsor is Lagoon, maker of the most comfortable pillow I’ve ever used. And that’s no hyperbole. I’m pleasantly surprised every night I lie down because this pillow is just perfect for me. Since I know that sleep is the #1 recovery tool at my disposal, I’m taking it a lot more seriously.
I took their sleep quiz to find the right pillow for my body size and sleeping position at. It only takes 2 minutes and you’ll find the type of pillow that will work best for you. I’m using the Fox and absolutely loving it. A big reason why is because it’s adjustable.
Since you can add or remove fill to get your alignment right, it’s a great way to optimize the most important way you can become a better runner that isn’t training: sleep. We all know how important sleep is. It’s the best recovery tool that you have at your disposal - better than compression, ice, heat, massage, or anything else you can think of. Sleep is when the magic happens and your sleep quality matters.
Take your rest and recovery to the next level with Lagoon and get 15% off your purchase with code strengthrunning here.
A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best.
DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
My favorite flavor is watermelon salt, but citrus salt is also a banger. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.