When the Miles Start to Pinch: Dawn Lisenby on Strength, Injury, and Going the Distance

What's in this episode

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Dawn Lisenby, ultra runner, coach, and CEO and race director of East Coast Trail Racing, for a conversation that I think so many runners need to hear, especially this time of year. We talk about what happens when training starts to catch up with you, how small issues can turn into bigger injuries, and why strength and mobility are not optional if you want to keep running long term. Dawn shares her experience with a serious labral tear, how she avoided surgery, and what she learned, sometimes the hard way, about building a body that can actually support your goals. We also dive into her Run Natural Coaching philosophy, including her thoughts on form, footwear, and why so many runners are missing the foundational pieces that keep them healthy. Beyond her own running, including multiple 100 mile finishes, we talk about the incredible community she has built through East Coast Trail Racing and what it really takes to create safe, challenging, and meaningful race experiences. If you are dealing with aches, coming back from injury, or just want to train smarter so you can stay in this sport for the long run, this episode is for you. You c