Running Explained with Elisabeth Scott
Have you started running as an adult and you would like to know how to become a better, smarter, and faster runner?
Then you will want to listen in and meet Elisabeth Scott who is not only the founder and head coach at Running Explained but is also the host of the Running Explained Podcast! In this episode we chat about why she started running, her personal struggle with addiction, alcoholism, overcoming injuries, and how she fell backwards into the business of Running Explained. We also cover how she became a Boston qualifier as well as her biggest setbacks as a runner.
Elisabeth Scott started Running Explained with the mission to help runners of all experiences and abilities become students of the sport and understand the how, what, and why of running! She currently holds running certifications from RRCA, USATF, and UESCA, has coached dozens of runners 1:1, and helped thousands of runners achieve their goals with training plans and guidance!
Although active in sports growing up (including swimming, cross-country, and downhill skiing), running just to run was never on her mind! After a long stretch of inactivity through college and her late twenties, Elisabeth picked up running at the age of 29 and set the goal of running a local 5k… just to “get in shape!” Within 6 months, she had run a 5k, 10k, half marathon, and full marathon, finishing her first half in 1:56 and her first full in 4:05 (which at the time was devasting… and in retrospect is something she is eminently proud of). This “crash course” in running (including learning a lot about what not to do) fueled the inspiration for the work she does today. She has since run 4 marathons, multiple 5k, 10k, and half marathon races, and her current PRs include a 20:07 5k, 1:36 half marathon, and 3:33 marathon (BQ).
Elisabeth’s training philosophy emphasizes the importance of developing a strong aerobic capacity, creating training habits that encourage consistency, whole-athlete development (including advising on strength training, mobility, nutrition, hydration, and managing life stress), and helping runners enjoy what they’re doing and making running fit into their life… not the other way around! She works with runners who have goals ranging from “become a better runner and quit the cycle of training burnout”, to running a first half or full marathon, to running a specific goal time in races of all distances from the 5k through the marathon distance and multi-race weekends.
This was truly a special conversation and I know you will be able to relate to Elisabeth’s story in one way or another! I hope you enjoy the episode!
Listen to the Podcast Episode during your next run!
Watch the LIVE video version of this week’s episode BELOW!
Related Resources:
SPARK Blueprint: 5 Tips To Run Stronger & Healthier
https://learn.sparkhealthyrunner.com/blueprint
Episode 15
How To Start Running: A Guide to Running for Beginners: https://sparkyourtraining.com/running-for-beginners/
Episode 105
What Is Base Training in Running?
https://sparkyourtraining.com/what-is-base-training-in-running/
This week’s show brought to you by:
Energy bar from UCAN. Learn more about how SuperStarch unlocks and sustains optimal output, reducing fatigue without spikes or crashes and is backed by science. We’ve got a special offer for you where you can save 20% by using the code HEALTHYRUNNER. Just head to: https://ucan.co/healthyrunner/ and use the code HEALTHYRUNNER at checkout to save 20%!
Click HERE to be directed to the discount page!
Connect with Elisabeth:
Website: https://www.runningexplained.co/
Instagram: @runningexplained
Listen to Running Explained on Apple
Listen to Running Explained on Spotify
Are you ready to take action and get the accountability you deserve to unlock your greatest potential as a runner?
Get stronger, run faster, and become a lifelong injury free runner with our 16 week 1-on-1 Healthy Runner Coaching Program. Get the support, structure, and accountability from experts in the health and running industry. Personalized easy to follow plans tailored to your unique needs and busy life.
Learn more with this behind the scenes video tour of our coaching program and hear from many of our athletes who were struggling with the same sticking points that you are. Just head to https://learn.sparkhealthyrunner.com/coaching
If you are skeptical about getting a coach, I was too! I personally have invested in working with Coach Lu on our team because I need someone with my experience and expertise to guide me to my goal. Didn’t have that the first time around.
You may be someone who has run 10 or 20 marathons and you think it’s silly to get a coach because you have run a marathon 20x before and you know how to train to finish a marathon. My question to you is do you want to cross that finish line without pain this time or cross that finish line with a time you will be proud about now that you are older than all those previous races?
Connect with Dr. Duane:
Dr. Duane Scotti, DPT, PhD, OCS is a running physical therapist, run coach, host of the Healthy Runner podcast, and founder of Spark Healthy Runner and has been a leader in the rehab and running community for 20+ years.
Duane initially started running as an adult, wanting to add some cardio to his gym sessions. After having a hip surgery, his doctor advised him to get off the treadmill and run outside. Without having fully recovered, Duane suffered a running-related hamstring tendon injury and many others as a novice runner.
As a coach, he has guided thousands of athletes back to running, finishing their first marathon, crushing a personal best, and even the elusive Boston Marathon qualifying time.
He is truly living his passion educating the running community that they don’t need to stop running to get over a running injury. Through his signature 1:1 coaching program, weekly videos, and podcast episodes, he empowers runners to get stronger, run faster, and enjoy lifelong injury free running. Dr. Duane truly believes that anyone can run and that all runners should be treated differently when recovering from an injury. He is on a mission to change the traditional thinking that running causes “overuse injuries” or “your body is just not meant to run” and you must “take a break” to get better. Through strength and run specific training you can grow a strong mind, strong body, and just keep running!
Duane received his Bachelor of Health Science degree and Master of Physical Therapy degree from Quinnipiac University in 2001 and 2003. He then went on to receive a clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2017. Duane is a board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, RRCA Certified Running Coach, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, certified in dry needling and has advanced training in spinal manipulation and rehabilitation for runners.
As an athlete, Duane is an adult-onset runner, avid half marathoner, and enjoys challenging himself to learn and grow in his personal running journey!
A native New Yorker from Long Island, Duane currently lives in Cheshire, Connecticut with his wife Deb and his two teenage daughters who are competitive volleyball players. They all love to explore new beaches along the east coast.
- Instagram – @sparkhealthyrunner
- duane@sparkyourtraining.com
Get weekly running tips on the Healthy Runner Podcast…available wherever you get your podcasts!
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You can teach an old dog new tricks!!! I have never considered myself a runner and I knew I needed to be smart about it because I am no spring chicken. Spark preached getting strong and healthy to be injury free and they practice what they preach. I am soooo glad I made the investment in me! I finished my half marathon last weekend and couldn’t be any happier! The program fed me all the steps I needed to essentially learn how to run long distance, build strength, nutrition help, a forum of other runners and probably most important was the 1:1 coaching. I had no idea how to tackle training for a 1/2 marathon and this program broke all of it down, had it individualized for me and we tweaked as we went to make sure I was staying healthy and strong. I had so many questions the week prior to my race and Coach Cat was always there for me and answering all the questions and issues I had-and believe me there were a lot! The biggest benefit I think I got was the strength. I am strong and fit. But most important was what I gained emotionally. I built confidence and strength I didn’t know I had, even at my age. Honestly could not have done this without Spark Healthy Runners!
My Healthy Runner journey started after I had battled bilateral achilles pain for a few months and was frustrated how it affected my running. As soon as I talked to Duane I knew I had made the right decision. His positivity, enthusiasm and genuine care are infectious. The training plan that was tailored to me included specific exercises to rehab my injury and I was so excited that I didn’t have to stop running. It took patience to only run slow for a few weeks but I trusted the process and it got me me to where I am now: running pain free. We made adjustments to the plan throughout whenever needed having someone in your corner that is always there with guidance and support throughout the process was invaluable.
I just ran my second half marathon, both with Duane’s coaching, and PR’d by over 9 minutes! I got all choked up in the last mile when I realized that I felt strong and could still kick it up a notch.
I’m so thankful for the Healthy Runner program, community and the entire coaching team for all the support!
Wanting to run more consistently, and to increase my long run distance and total weekly mileage, I was concerned about hip pain due to hip alignment issues. This is an issue I had when I trained for my first half marathon several years ago. Having listened to the Healthy Runner podcast for the past couple years, I knew Duane Scotti could help. I signed up for the four-month strength and running training program and am extremely happy with the results.
The program Duane and Coach Whitney developed for me was exactly what I needed. It was tailored to my needs and to my target race. Coach Whitney was very helpful, and with the biweekly coaching calls, we were able to fine tune the program based off my performance and feedback.
At the end of the program, I completed a 10K trail race feeling strong and pain free.
I highly recommend Duane Scotti and the Healthy Runner training programs.