Heart Rate Zone Training w/ Aaron Easker

On this episode of the Performance Running Gym podcast we are sharing an interview that Coach Aaron did recently on the We Get 2 Do This Podcast with Host, Jacob Oak. In this episode Aaron and Jacob discuss: Why the 100-mile distance feels like an adventure rather than a race, and how fatherhood has changed the risks he takesThree entrepreneurship lessons: sell the outcome, build systems, and center your business on communityWhy Aaron would let go of a top revenue producer who doesn’t fit his core valuesThe loneliness of business ownershipHow their friendship survived Jacob leaving PRG to start Oak EnduranceWhether AI can replace a run coach (spoiler: it can’t be at the finish line)

Dr. Kailee Oak is a licensed acupuncturist and a RN with a doctorate in Chinese Medicine with a Sports Emphasis. She has her practice onsite at Performance Running Gym and has helped many in our community in reaching their sports performance goals. Kailee also brings to the table an impressive running resume with strong performances at a wide range of distances from 10k to over 200 miles -  including running a sub-24 hour 100 miler last October at the Javelina Jundred and completing the Canebrake 200 miler in the woods of Georgia the year prior. Kailee brings to the table the unique perspective of a seasoned high level endurance combined with a medical professional with both high level eastern and western medicine education. Kailee and her husband, Jacob, who is also an incredible athlete and coach, co-host the “We Get 2 Do This” Podcast and if you enjoy this conversation, I highly recommend you check out their content, as well. On this episode we chat with Kailee about understanding and regulating the nervous system for the endurance athlete - an essential and often overlooked topic when it comes to performance, recovery and overall wellbeing.

In this episode, we welcome R.D. and PRG Sports Nutrition Coach, Josh Bailey, to the show! Josh, a competitive road runner himself with an impressive resume. Professionally, Josh helps athletes master their nutrition habits for both health and performance. In this episode we leverage Josh’s experience and expertise to dissect the high carb fueling trend that has taken over the endurance sports world in the last few years. We break down the science, the differences to consider for beginner vs. elite athletes, how to train your gut to handle fueling demands, and practical application of fueling during your training and racing.

On this episode we dive into the topic of HR zone training w/ elite runner and exercise physiologist, Aaron Easker. Aaron has an M.S. in Kinesiology, is a former all-american in the 10k, and currently works as an Exercise Physiologist at Human Powered Health in Edina, MN. In this episode we dive into what HR zones are, how zone training can improve training and racing performance, how you can determine your HR zones and more.

Caleb Birklid is a national level triathlete, cyclist and runner turned Coach who joined the PRG team this past summer. Caleb has brought a new perspective to our training and coaching at PRG with his background is coaching triathlon and swimming, and his emphasis on both heavy and functional strength training as a key component to his approach to working with athletes. On this episode we talk to Caleb about his athletic background and career in Triathlon, his hybrid approach to training, and lastly we’ll talk about his approach to coaching endurance athletes - including some great takeaways that you can carry with you into your next training cycle no matter what your endurance discipline.

Colleen MacDonald is a Arvada, Colorado based ultrarunner with roots in Minnesota who recently captured the imagination of adventurers everywhere by setting the Fastest Known Time on the legendary Northern Route on the iconic Mt. Kilimanjaro - the highest peak on the African continent. Colleen has made it her mission to empower women and girls to pursue their own outdoor adventures by raising money and awareness for The Carin Project - a group that promotes outdoor learning and leadership for girls all over the US. 

Dr. Kailee Carlson is a licensed Acupuncturist and a RN with a doctorate in Chinese Medicine with a Sports Emphasis. She has her practice onsite at Performance Running Gym and has helped many in our community in reaching their sports performance goals. Kailee is also an accomplished and versatile ultra endurance athlete, competing in races ranging from half marathon up to 200 miles. Kailee recently completed the famous Javalina 100 mile ultramarathon in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, finishing the grueling 100 mile course in well under 24 hours - an incredible accomplishment. In this episode we focus on how Kailee trained for the demands of 100 miles both physically and mentally, what the race experience was like, and learn about the post-race experience after completing this huge goal. We also take some time to talk with Kailee about how her practice is supporting other athletes like her, and what it can do for athletes looking to improve their performance, recovery, or looking to just live life to the fullest. Read Kailee's Full Javelina blog: https://www.drkaileeacu.com/post/javelina-jundred-race-recapBook With Kailee or Learn More About her Services: https://www.drkaileeacu.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkaileeacu/

We’re kicking off season 4 of the Performance Running Gym podcast with a topic that’s been requested by many in our community - Managing Hydration and Electrolytes for Running Performance. To address such an impactful topic, we brought in the best local resource, Zach Zenner, the Owner of the Twin Cities’ Precision Fuel and Hydration Sweat Testing Center. Zach is a former NFL running back, nutritionist, and hydration expert who has worked with athletes of all levels. In this episode we learn about how to master hydration and electrolytes to help you reach your best performances as an endurance athlete. We dive into the importance of hydration and electrolytes, how they interact, how you can learn about your body’s needs, products that can help you stay properly hydrated for training and racing. We also talk about specific hydration strategies to help you improve your performance and reach new limits in your performance.

Jess Simmons is a Minneapolis-based Health Coach and Personal Trainer who helps clients build strength, resilience, and lasting health habits through a unique blend of fitness programming, nervous system regulation, and behavior change coaching. She specializes in helping high-achievers feel strong, energized, and in control of their health—without burnout, perfectionism, or restriction. On this episode of the podcast, we dive deep into the topics of chronic stress, recovery, metabolic health, and their relationship to health and body composition. Jess’ unique insights on managing wellness, athletic recovery, and weight management from a truly holistic perspective make this an episode a must listen for a wide variety of athletes.

Every year runners spend countless hours training, recovering, and mentally and physically preparing for one event, the marathon. What many don’t know is just how much the event you select has an impact on the outcome and experience you can expect to have on race day. Every year, many hundreds, perhaps thousands, of marathons occur in the USA alone. Selecting the right one for you can mean the difference between a personal best, and an underwhelming capstone to your dedication and hard work. In this episode we bring back a former guest, Dr. Michael Rodriguez, the Owner of Endurance Sports Physical Therapy and Performance, to discuss how to choose your ideal marathon. Dr. Michael is a former D1 collegiate runner with a personal best of 2:34 in the marathon and 1:12 in the half. Dr. Michael also coaches runners and has gained a reputation for helping athletes knock down time barriers and achieve breakthroughs in the marathon.