If you haven’t thought much about power as it relates to your running, you’re not alone. As runners, power isn’t something that we often consider in our training.

To help us understand power, we have David Roche with us today. David Roche is an elite trail runner, author, and running coach. He is a two-time USATF trail national champion and the 2014 Sub-Ultra Trail Runner of the Year. David publishes regularly in Trail Runner Magazine and wrote the book, The Happy Runner, with his wife Megan.

Although the subject of power and mechanical output may sound daunting, never fear! David breaks down the concepts in a way that makes it understandable, approachable, and easy to apply to your running year-round. We discuss:

The definition of power and mechanical output, both in theory and in practicality for runners
Why power is a bigger limiter for non-elite athletes
How most benefits of developing power come from very short work intervals
Why maintaining power is your key to longevity in the sport
The success of the Norwegian system using power development
Five way to consistently improve your own power

David is insightful and enthusiastic when it comes to discussing the technical aspects of running. You're bound to learn something new to apply to your own training!

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276. Running & Power: Exploring ‘Mechanical Output’ with David Roche

The Strength Running Podcast