The Strides for Strength coaching crew is back together on the mic! In this roundtable catch-up, we get real about marathon training highs and lows, pivoting race plans, pregnancy running struggles, and how to keep running fun when life feels full. Tune in for hot takes on the pro running world, updates on our own training (or lack thereof), and the reminder every runner needs: races will always be there, but your joy matters most.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why pivoting your race plan can be a smart, strong choice
• Real-life marathon training updates from busy, full lives
• Pregnancy running highs, lows, and laugh-out-loud moments
• Hot takes on the professional running and track world
• How to keep running joyful in different seasons of life

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

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In this bonus episode, Michaela and Erin share their very different experiences with this year’s Boston Marathon registration results. One got in, one missed it by just five seconds. Together, they unpack the emotions, lessons, and logistics behind chasing big goals and how to hold space for both joy and heartbreak in the same moment.

What You’ll Hear:

• The highs and lows of Boston Marathon registration day: acceptance vs. rejection
• How Erin navigated qualifying while pregnant and the decision to defer
• Michaela’s perspective on missing the cutoff by five seconds (and how she’s processing it)
• Tips for handling big disappointments in running without losing your drive
• Why your time doesn’t define your worth as a runner
• The power of celebrating progress, even when the goal isn’t reached yet

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

From cross-country moves and inconsistent summer training to hitting a pull-up PR, we’re catching you up on life, running, and what registering for Boston really feels like (spoiler: it’s not always seamless). We also dive into fears about setbacks, how to reframe “starting over,” and why AI training plans may not always have your best interest in mind.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why one of us is celebrating 3x6 pull-ups in the off-season
• The reality of moving across the country mid-training cycle
• What went right (and wrong) with Boston registration
• Honest reflections on buffers, timelines, and the emotions of applying
• Reframing the fear of “starting from scratch” after big life shifts (pregnancy, injury, or long breaks)
• Our advice to athletes chasing Boston for the first time
• Thoughts on AI-generated training plans vs. real coaching — and how to use them wisely
• The new way we’re bridging the gap for runners who can’t afford 1:1 coaching

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

The finish line isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning of what comes next. In this final episode of our Race Series, Michaela and Erin dive deep into the emotional highs and lows after race day, how to process the “post-race blues,” and why reflection is the secret weapon for becoming a stronger lifelong athlete. Whether your race went perfectly or totally fell apart, this episode will help you reset, recover, and refocus without rushing into the next big thing.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why a post-race reflection is just as important as training
• How to process the emotional rollercoaster after finishing a race
• The difference between ego-driven vs. readiness-driven decisions
• Practical tips for journaling and capturing lessons while they’re fresh
• How long to rest after half and full marathons (and why it’s so individual)
• The truth about post-race blues and how to navigate them with grace

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

In this episode of the Race Series, Michaela and Erin swap stories from their first marathons and share the unexpected challenges that pop up on race day—from weather that won’t cooperate to porta-potty disasters. You’ll learn how to prepare for conditions you can’t control, adjust your race plan on the fly, and handle start line stress like a pro. Whether you’re training for your first 5K or your 10th marathon, these lessons will help you show up ready for anything.

💡 What You’ll Hear:

• The most surprising (and hilarious) moments from our first marathons
• Why weather is one of the biggest race day wild cards—and how to prepare for it
• Practical tips for adjusting your pace, fueling, and mindset when conditions aren’t ideal
• Start line stressors no one talks about (and how to avoid them)
• Porta-potty survival strategies you’ll thank us for later
• How to mentally surrender to race day variables and focus on what you can control

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Tapering before a big race can feel more mentally exhausting than the peak weeks of training. In this Fall Race Series episode, Michaela and Erin break down why taper is so tough, how to navigate the spirals, and why the weird aches and anxieties are totally normal. Whether you're deep in the taper blues or just curious what’s coming, this is the pep talk you didn’t know you need to not just survive taper but maybe even feel a little better about what is happening physically & mentally leading up to race day.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why taper brings up so much mental noise and doubt
• What’s actually happening to your body during taper
• Phantom pains, sniffles, and the immune dip no one warns you about
• Why under-fueling during taper can backfire on race day
• How to handle the extra time, energy, and emotions that come up
• Journaling prompts and distractions to survive the taper spiral
• A reminder that rest is an essential part of performance

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

Race day nerves, mid-run meltdowns, and the fear of not finishing—we’ve all faced those moments when things don’t go according to plan. In this episode, Michaela and Erin dive into the mental side of racing: what to do when your goals feel out of reach, how to reframe negative thoughts mid-race, and why training your mindset is just as important as training your body. Whether you’re chasing a PR or simply trying to finish strong, this is about when the doubt or discomfort creeps in bcz let's be real- IT WILL.

What You’ll Hear:

• How to mentally prep for the discomfort of race day
• Why mindset needs to be trained just like your legs
• What to do when your race isn’t going to plan
• Visualization tools that actually work
• How to reset mid-race when doubt or fear creeps in

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST

In this episode, Michaela shares her experience stepping off the roads and onto the trails for her very first trail half marathon. Alongside Erin, the two unpack the differences between road and trail racing, the ego shift required, and why chasing pace isn’t the goal when dirt, rocks, and mountains are involved. If you’ve ever thought about trying trail running—or wondered what it really feels like—this one’s for you.

What You’ll Hear:

• The decision-making process behind skipping another marathon and choosing trails instead
• How road running fitness translates (and doesn’t) to the trails
• The mental shift required to embrace slower paces and walking climbs
• Nutrition differences between road and trail racing (and why Nerds Clusters made an appearance)
• The unexpected community vibe of trail racing compared to the roads
• Race morning nerves, blue flag fears, and why aid stations weren’t what Michaela expected

CONNECT WITH US:
IG: @sfsrunners
Coach Erin: @therunningrosen
Coach Michaela: @michaela_robertson_
WEBSITE: https://www.stridesforstrength.com/

JOIN OUR EMAIL LIST