MEG J FITNESS
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My ramblings about


Strength


​ Training &


​Mindset for Runners

The Running "Cheat Code" Hiding in Plain Sight (It's Hills)

7/24/2026

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​Hills are like a cheat code for running. How?
They built more strength than running on flat ground...
  • Engages glutes, hamstrings, and calves more intensely than flat ground
  • Develops lower-body power (almost like a mini-gym workout)
  • Improves running economy and stride efficiency
​
They improve your heart fitness...
  • Pushes your heart rate into higher training zones with less speed
  • Improves VO2 max and aerobic capacity faster than flat workouts
  • Builds endurance that translates directly to race performance
​
They are (usually) easier on the body...
  • Naturally shortens stride, reducing impact on joints
  • Encourages a forefoot strike and better running form
  • Strengthens stabilizing muscles that protect knees and ankles
​
And almost most importantly, improves mental toughness...
And next week I'll cover some specific hill workouts I give my clients...
And now an exercise form tip.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
Calf Raise Tip...
There are two major muscles in the calves.
If you do raises with straight legs, you focus on one of them.
If you do raises with more than slightly bent knees, you focus on the other one.
So... do both.
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I Don't 'Handle' Long Distances... So I'm Training for an Ultra Anyway"

7/9/2026

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I've been talking about my ultra for a bit now.

And finally a client asked me...
"But... Why?"
Goooooooooooooooooooooood question.
Because
  • I wanted to challenge myself?
  • See who I become at the corners of my comfort zone?
  • Find out if I could survive it?
  • Needed something big to train for?
It's a mixture of all those things.
But one of the main reasons is that I never thought of myself as an epic endurance athlete.
In over 3 decades of running, I can count on one hand the number of races I've done over 13 miles.
And I found myself, consciously or subconsciously, saying...
"Oh, I don't handle those distances well"
But you can't handle/do/crush something you don't ever put in the effort...
I was saying/thinking that statement without any real evidence.
So to quote Yoda, "No! Try not. Do. Or do not. There is no try."
Life will keep moving forward whether we challenge our identities & limitations or not.
We can stay in our safe places or venture out and explore what is possible.
Do you want to?
For me? I do.

Questions? Comment below


And now an exercise form tip.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know!
Want less pain in your neck, back, and shoulders?
Make sure your scapula can move well.
I used to recommend Scapula Push ups, but after seeing a video from ​Eric Cressey​, I'm reminded that it's better to have your elbows moving above your shoulders to get enough range of motion.
So what's better? Yoga Push ups, Bear Crawls & rocking backward, and (facing the) Wall Slides.  



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Carb Loading Runs: Why the 2:1 Glucose-to-Fructose Ratio Matters

7/2/2026

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Hey Runner!

During my training runs, one of my biggest priorities is getting in enough carbs.
Sometimes that just means ​liquid calories​ or handful ​Sourpatch Kids Watermelon gummies.​
But especially on my long runs for the Ultra training, I'm not messing around. I aim for ideally 60-70 grams of carbs/hour. Maybe even getting up to 90 gram to really crush race day (if my tummy can handle it)
This can be a lot and I want to make sure I get as much bang for my buck as possible.
How?
Have a sugar goal of 2 Glucose to 1 Fructose.
Why?
That ratio helps with absorption and not getting said tummy issues.
Do gels work?
Most gels will have about that ratio. But if you're on course for HOURS and want something a bit more solid than a gel, you'll need to dig into the nutrition label for other types of food (bc it won't be obvious).
Look for...
  • Maltodextrin = pure glucose chains (100% glucose)
  • Dextrose = pure glucose
  • Fructose (listed as "fructose" or "crystalline fructose") = pure fructose
  • Sucrose (table sugar) = 50/50 glucose:fructose (it's literally one of each bonded together)
  • High-fructose corn syrup (HFCS) = usually ~55% fructose, 45% glucose (despite the name, it's not wildly different from table sugar)
  • Honey = roughly 40% fructose, 30% glucose, plus water and other sugars
  • Agave syrup = very fructose-heavy, often 70–90% fructose
  • Fruit = varies a lot by fruit; generally more fructose than glucose
It doesn't need to be a perfect ratio and I believe (as long as your stomach can handle it) more carbs is better than less.
So enjoy what you can on your adventures!
Just make sure to brush your teeth afterwards as well :)


Questions? Comment below.


And now an exercise form tip.
If you have any suggestions, please let me know!


Squats= Ideally your shoulders go just about straight up and down. That means your knees should move as far forward as your hips shift back.
Some people's knees will go way past their toes, that's ok.
As long the toes & heels stay on the ground, knees won't combust. 

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