Ultrarunning + Strength Training: How to Get Strong and Gain Endurance with Coach Holly Martin

Ultrarunning + Strength Training: How to Get Strong and Gain Endurance with Coach Holly Martin

Runners ask all the time: How should I fit strength training into my endurance goals, and how can I get as strong as possible with limited time?

Holly Martin is a personal fitness trainer and run coach based in Nashville, TN who specializes in time-efficient circuit training and individually tailored run programs. Holly comes from a diverse background of professional ballet, ultramarathon running, and 10 years of experience in CrossFit. She's finished many ultra marathons, including two 100 milers.

In this episode, Holly and I talk about:

  • Strength training for ultra runners to prevent injury and improve endurance
  • Single leg work to reveal weaknesses, imbalances, and poor movement patterns
  • Proper mechanics and activation of certain areas, particularly for runners with weak glutes or other imbalances
  • Purposeful workouts over working out for appearance
  • Strength training for trail runners, focusing on heavy lifts and single leg exercises
  • Alternating between heavier weights and technical work like agility to improve power and explosiveness
  • Quality over quantity in strength training while training for an ultra-marathon
  • When to modify or cut back on strength training for runners based on hunger, fatigue, and form
  • Matching strength training to current fitness level and adjusting as needed in the final two months before the race
  • Enjoying the training process for an ultra-marathon, rather than solely focusing on numbers and metrics
  • Avoiding technical or skill-based movements in the gym that don't directly benefit running
  • Mobility work and static stretching for runners who experience tightness or muscle boundness after training

This is a must-listen episode for an ultra runner who knows they need to step up their strength training game in an approachable way.

Links & Resources from the Show:


Thank you 2Before!
We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles.

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thank you AG1!
We're also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. It's recommended by professional athletes and has over 7,000 positive reviews.

One scoop per day is what I've been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I'm getting sick and can't train.

I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. They've made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable and rigorous with the 3rd party testing that they do.

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