The Run Smarter Podcast

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In this exclusive AMA release, Brodie answers three practical listener questions that many runners quietly struggle with. From deciding whether to see a physio or doctor for persistent knee pain, to knowing when it’s safe to introduce back-to-back running days during rehab, to understanding why your lower back tightens on longer runs… this episode is packed with evidence-based guidance and real-world rehab insights.

If you’ve been stuck in an injury cycle, unsure whether your rehab is working, or second-guessing your training decisions, this episode will help you simplify the process and run smarter.

In this episode, Brodie discusses:

•  How to tell when persistent knee pain needs professional assessment 
•  The difference between seeing a physio vs a doctor for running injuries 
•  Why accurate diagnosis matters more than chasing random rehab exercises 
•  Practical advice for pes anserine tendinopathy and bursitis management 
•  The hamstring curl exercise Brodie personally used during his own rehab 
•  When it’s appropriate to reintroduce back-to-back running days 
•  Why symptom response matters more than arbitrary mileage milestones 
•  How to safely structure consecutive run days during Achilles rehab 
•  The role of “trial and error” in successful injury management 
•  Why recovery runs should stay genuinely easy 
•  Common reasons runners develop lower back tightness during long runs 
•  How cadence and impact forces may influence spinal muscle fatigue 
•  Why overthinking posture and “activating your core” can sometimes backfire 
•  The importance of running relaxed and naturally economical 
•  Lower back strengthening strategies that improve running durability 
•  Lumbar hyperextensions and how Brodie uses them himself 

Key Takeaways:

•  Persistent injuries that worsen over time deserve professional assessment. 
•  Rehab should produce gradual week-to-week improvement, not months of frustration. 
•  Back-to-back running should start conservatively and be guided by symptom recovery. 
•  Easy recovery runs reduce the risk of overload accumulation. 
•  Many runners unknowingly create unnecessary tension through posture overcorrection. 
•  Strong postural muscles help reduce compensatory tightness during longer runs. 
•  Running relaxed is often more efficient than trying to “hold perfect form.”