Stretching won’t prevent your next injury (but this might)


I just finished presenting to the Nutrition Triathlon group last week a Strength & Rehab Workshop for Endurance Athletes - and it reminded me how many myths are still floating around our world of running, cycling, and triathlon. Don't have time to read this all? See my highlights below.

One of the most common is that endurance athletes don’t “need” strength. The other is that stretching is the best way to prevent (or to get over) an injury. I literally hear it all the time.... and in most cases it couldn't be more wrong.

What you need to know is that:

💥 Up to 80% of runners get injured in a given year.
💥 Resistance training cuts overuse injuries by ~50% (Lauersen et al., 2014). Stretching has ZERO impact on injury prevention according to the same study.
💥 Heavy lifting doesn’t hurt endurance performance... it actually improves running economy and cycling time trial results (Yamamoto et al., 2008; Rønnestad & Mujika, 2014).

And not just for performance, strength keeps your bones and tendons healthy, which matters even more if you’re an aging athlete or someone who’s struggled with repeat injuries

I’ve linked the full presentation recording here if you're interested:

video preview

(P.S. use code "endurancestrength" to get a bigger discount than mentioned in this recording... because you're my tribe).

A Few Key Takeaways from the Workshop:

A) Seasonal scheduling is smart: You don’t need to lift daily. Even 2-3 well-placed sessions per week in the off-season and even 1 session per week in the in-season will support endurance training when planned right.

B) INTENSITY MATTERS: Just following a rep range and calling it strength training is not enough for the adaptations you're likely after.

C) Feet are underrated: Weak toe flexors predict stress fracture risk. Training your feet isn’t optional if you want long-term resilience.

If you want to avoid the annual “winter slump” where consistency drops and fitness fades, now’s the time to set up structure.

That’s why our Basic Endurance Coaching package is on sale right now for just $80/month.

✅ Structured programming (runs, bikes or swims load right into your smartwatch)
✅ Monthly group calls for adjustments + Q&A
✅ No weekly check-ins (keep it simple and cost-effective)

It’s the perfect fit if you want accountability and smart programming through the off-season - without overcomplicating it.

👉 Grab your spot for $80/mo

Thanks for reading!

Yours in physiology,

Carla

Physiology Toolkit

We're devoted to individualized training and rehabilitation, offering a detailed & measured approach to athletic performance. We've honed our expertise with elite competitors and Olympians in triathlon, bobsleigh, and track, and now bring the same methods to the everyday athlete eager to improve their health and minimize injuries. Access evidence-supported tips delivered through true tales, jaw-dropping examples, and clear exercise videos that make them easy to grasp and apply.

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