Performance Running Gym Podcast

Caleb Birklid - National Level Triathlete, Strength and Endurance Coach

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 - FKT on Mt. Killamanjaro's North Route

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 - Inside her Sub-24 Hour Javelina 100 — Training, Recovery, and the Power of Acupuncture for Runners

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-recap [https://www.drkaileeacu.com/post/javelina-jundred-race-recap] Book With Kailee or Learn More About her Services: https://www.drkaileeacu.com/ [https://www.drkaileeacu.com/] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drkaileeacu/ [https://www.instagram.com/drkaileeacu/]

Hydration and Electrolytes for Distance Runners w/ Zach Zenner

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 - Metabolic Health + Stress Management For Athletes and High Performers

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.