Time trial. Assessment Run. A workout that pops up on your RunDot calendar about once a month. Athletes either love it or dread it. But do you know why it's there in the first place? Coaches Ryan Tibball and Elizabeth James join Carrie to break down everything you need to know about assessment runs. They explain why these workouts are such an important part of your training, what RunDot is actually looking for, and how the results help shape your future workouts. Drawing on years of coaching experience, Ryan and Elizabeth share practical tips, common mistakes to avoid, and advice for getting the most out of your next assessment whether it's a 12-minute test, a 5K, or a 10K. By the end of this episode, you'll understand the purpose behind every assessment run, feel more confident when it appears on your calendar, and be ready to tackle it with purpose instead of fear. The next time you see "Assessment Run" on your schedule, you'll know exactly why it matters and you'll be ready to run your best.

When you hear the words "post-workout nutrition," what comes to mind? Maybe it's a protein shake, a full meal, your favorite recovery snack, or simply grabbing a bottle of Tailwind. But what does your body actually need after a workout? Registered dietitian Jillian Tholen returns to the podcast to break down the science and the practical application of post-workout nutrition. Together, she and Carrie discuss why recovery nutrition matters, when you should eat, and how the type and intensity of your workout determine what your body needs afterward. The conversation doesn't stop with food. Jillian also explains why hydration is just as critical to recovery and shares simple ways to know whether you're truly recovering well or if there's still room to improve your fueling strategy. Whether you're training for your first race or chasing a new PR, this episode is packed with easy-to-implement tips to help you recover smarter, perform better, and get the most out of every workout.To connect with Jillian head to www.jillianrd.com

More and more athletes are asking ChatGPT to build their training plans, and what comes back looks professional, detailed, and personal. In this episode, Jeff Booher, founder and CEO of Predictive Fitness and creator of FitLogic, explains why a language model can produce a plan that sounds exactly right and still be wrong for the athlete running it. The catch is built into the situation: the reason you asked for help is the same reason you cannot tell whether the help was any good. Jeff breaks down what a language model actually is, why confident is not the same as correct, why a plan can have every phase in the right place and still be built on nothing, and what a tool would truly need to do to get your training right. This is not an attack on AI. It is the case for the right tool for the right job.

More is better. It is the most common belief in endurance sport, and it is quietly costing runners and triathletes their best results. In this joint TriDot and RunDot episode, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie for the follow-up to “Triathlon Training’s Biggest Lie.” If more isn’t the answer, what is? Jeff takes apart the volume-versus-intensity debate, explains why the popular 80/20 rule was never built for you, and lays out the order training should actually be designed in, where volume is the last thing you figure out, not the first. He also names the fear that keeps athletes stuck, the belief that cutting volume means losing fitness, and shows why it isn’t true. The answer isn’t more. It’s better, first. Full breakdown at FitLogic.tech.

An ultramarathon isn't just about the runner, it's about the team behind them. A great crew can be the difference between reaching the finish line and dropping out of the race. From keeping athletes fueled and hydrated, to navigating aid stations and monitoring changing conditions, crewing is one of the most important (and often overlooked), jobs in ultrarunning. Fresh off crewing at the legendary Western States Endurance Run, Coach Elizabeth James joins the podcast to share the seven biggest lessons she learned from the experience. She explains why knowing the course, understanding the weather, anticipating your runner's needs, and preparing for the unexpected are all critical to a successful race. Whether you're preparing to crew your first ultramarathon or simply curious about what happens behind the scenes of these incredible events, this episode gives a new appreciation for the people who help make extraordinary performances possible.

What makes you the runner that you are? According to legendary coach Bobby McGee, it comes down to two essential ingredients: fitness and efficient running form. In this episode, Bobby returns to the podcast to explain how these two elements work together and how athletes can identify the difference between their natural abilities and the areas that need improvement. He breaks down the concept of running economy, why it matters for runners of every level, and how small changes in movement can lead to big gains in performance. Whether you're looking to run faster, conserve energy, reduce fatigue, or simply make running feel smoother and more enjoyable, Bobby shares practical tips and expert insights that can help you become a more efficient athlete.

Between gels, bars, liquids, and real food, the options for fueling your training and racing can feel overwhelming. Lifelong runner and Registered Dietitian Jillian Thoren returns to help break down all your training nutrition needs. In this episode, Jillian and Carrie cut through the noise on what fueling strategies actually work, how many carbohydrates and calories your body needs before, during, and after race day, and practical tips for carrying fuel on your longer runs. Whether you're figuring out fueling for the first time or fine-tuning a routine that's almost there, this episode delivers actionable advice for runners at every level.

Run coaches Brady Hoover and Ben Sommerville jump into the hot seat on this round-robin, rapid-fire episode! The coaches answer your questions about a variety of topics. Learn strategies for running hills, maximizing your development phase, and how to train in different environmental conditions while traveling. We'll also discuss training while sick and some helpful RunDot app tips to unlock tricks for training.  

How well do you move? How often do you move? Despite plenty of sagittal plane movement, runners are often deficient in other movement patterns. On today's episode, Dr. B.J. Leeper joins the podcast to discuss the importance of moving often and incorporating a variety of movements. Listen in to explore squatting, balancing, rolling, breathing, and so much more! Moving well is an essential part to your running performance. Learn how you may be currently leaving performance gains on the table and how to move into your true potential.

Most athletes are convinced that the path to better performance is more. More miles, more hours, more sessions. Volume has become the proxy for commitment, dedication, and seriousness as an athlete. In this joint episode of the TriDot and RunDot Podcasts, Jeff Booher joins Andrew and Carrie to dismantle the more-is-better myth, walk through the data on quality versus volume, and answer the question that follows: if more isn't the answer, what is? The right sequence is intensity first, then duration, then frequency, with volume as the byproduct. Better before more. Then, and only then, more.