Brooke Torres is an ultra runner who couldn’t understand why running shoes were so uncomfortable. So, she started a running shoe company to fix that problem.

Hilma Running Shoes makes shoes specifically for the needs of women’s feet, which are uniquely shaped and not just a smaller version of men’s feet (since as you'll hear, that doesn't work).

In this episode, Brooke and I talk about:

• Women's foot shape and its impact on running shoe design
• How poor-fit shoes can lead to injury and discomfort due to differences in foot geometry
• Heels, high arches, and bunions: common foot problems in women
• How women often choose to size up in order to find more width
• Hilma's three different fits, with a 90% try-on success rate
• The cost and time required for custom shoe creation (it's a lot)
• Personalized shoe fitting for women, using data and quizzes to determine the best fit
• Running shoes for various purposes and from urban walking to moderately technical trails
• Helping women feel welcome in the outdoor industry

I'm normally reluctant to have running company CEO's on the podcast, since the episode could feel like a massive advertisement. But I confidently made an exception with this episode.

Hilma Running Shoes is a small company that is solving a very real need among women runners. If you don't know about Hilma yet, you should.

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Brooke on Instagram
• Hilma Running Shoes on Instagram
• Hilma Running Shoes website
• Get the free injury prevention email series.

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 DrinkLMNT!

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.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

Boost your performance and your recovery with LMNT. They’re the exclusive hydration partner to Team USA Weightlifting and quite a few professional baseball, hockey, and basketball teams are on regular subscriptions. So check out DrinkLMNT to get a free sampler pack and get your hydration optimized for the upcoming season.

Sally McRae is known worldwide for her mental fortitude and ability to push through extreme discomfort.

As a professional mountain and ultra runner for Nike, Sally is a two-time Top 10 Western States finisher, the Badwater 135 Champion, Tarawera 100 Champion, Mozart 100 Champion and Moab 240 Champion. Sally is also an author, podcast host, business owner, and a strength and running coach.

In this episode, Sally and I talk about:

• The pros of using a treadmill for distance training
• The whole body needs to be strong for endurance races, not just the muscles
• How Sally structures strength training depending on the race season to build muscle and endurance
• Mobility, stretching, and hip and glute work to combat the weakening effects of sedentary lifestyles
• Training for 200-mile races, including eating and sleeping strategies, gear, and mental prep
• The mental aspect of long distances can make or break a runner's performance
• Power hiking and weight training for 200-mile ultra preparation
• Mental muscles, believing in your potential, and focusing on the story you want to tell yourself
• Sally's first experience with foot and heel blisters during the Cocodona 250
• Training for the Western States Endurance Run

Listen to this episode to hear from one of the most hardcore and kindest runners you'll ever meet.

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Sally McRae on Instagram
• The Choose Strong Podcast
• Sally on YouTube
• Sally's mobile app
• Sally's book, "CHOOSE STRONG: The Choice That Changes Everything"
• Access the free course to help you master your mindset during training and races.

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.

For our listeners, they are offering a year’s worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop – the choice is yours. Check out AG1 to redeem your offer today.

Thank you MOBO Board!
Invented by renowned physical therapist Jay Dicharry, MOBO helps you stabilize your stance with an innovative rocker board that’s set up on two fins. The design effectively forces you to drive your big toe into the board to improve your stability. I was pretty arrogant going into my first session on the MOBO Board. How hard can it be to balance, right? Well, I was humbled pretty quickly!

Even if you’re a good runner, better balance, stability, and proprioception is going to help you have a more powerful stride and prevent more running injuries. You’ll learn how to improve the efficiency of the kinetic chain from your hip to your big toe. Because as Jay likes to say, it’s not just how strong you are, but how well you use that strength.

I was recently at a weekend physical therapy workshop (lol I was the only running coach) and learned how important (and rare) this simple movement is. Save 10% with code STRENGTHRUN10 at checkout at moboboard.com.