Team USA Coach Paul Greer on the Pillars of Development for Youth & Master’s Runners

The Strength Running Podcast

How do we develop new runners, young runners, and master's runners, into great runners?

Paul Greer is a professor of Health and Exercise Science at San Diego City College, coach of the San Diego Track Club, and the 2016 and 2024 Team USA Men’s Junior Cross Country coach.

With about 40 years of coaching experience, Paul has a lot of wisdom to share for runners from youth to master's levels. His athletes include hundreds of Boston qualifiers, several top age-group competitors, and a handful of Olympic qualifiers.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Reasons for the lack of adult cross-country races

• Resources and sponsorships for track and field vs. cross-country running

• Differences in developing new runners versus experienced and master's runners

• Consistent training and effective long runs without overtraining

• Pool running for injury prevention and fitness through injury

• Early warning signs of injuries and how to prevent them

• Tips for dynamic warm-ups and post-run stretching and recovery

• Training adjustments for older and master's runners

• The need for individualized training plans, rest days, and noticing stress load

Remember to put your name in the drawing by August 30th for the chance to win running products we love. Enter our 10 million download giveaway here!

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Paul's book: "Going the Distance, Strategies from the First Stride to the Finish Line"
• Learn common mistakes that cause running injuries and how to prevent them.
• Enter the 10 million download giveaway!

Thank you to Previnex!

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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.

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