COACHING AND RESOURCES TO HELP FEMALE RUNNERS DITCH THE CYCLE OF INJURY AND BURN OUT.

GET OUT OF YOUR HEAD AND BACK INTO YOUR JOY WITH RUNNING!

Struggling with plantar fasciitis, IT band pain, pelvic floor symptoms and more?

Maybe you are wondering if you’ll ever break this plateau or pass that nemesis mileage where the wheels seem to always fall off in your training and the aches and pains (hip, knee, IT band, feet…) or pelvic floor symptoms inevitably creep back in. You feel heavy, clunky, or inefficient in your stride, like there is something you are missing.

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Check out My Resources and Programs

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*There are also pregnancy and postpartum specific resources and programs for runners included at the links above.*

It’s time to gain a deeper understanding of the physics and physiology of running and what that means for your body and your training.

It’s time to ditch the cookie cutter running programs and stop simply going through the motions with your strength workouts.

It's time to train like an athlete and unleash your true running potential.

Here you’ll find streamlined running programming, strategy based on the needs of your body, and purposeful strength training for the demands of running so that you can crush your goals.

Alison Marie Helms, PhD.

Women's Running and Strength Coach

I'm a PhD engineer, teacher, NASM certified personal trainer, UESCA certified running coach, self-proclaimed running nerd, and creator of the Women's Running Academy.

I’ve been a runner for 30 years and started my professional career in the industry over a decade ago through my own search for answers when my body felt like garbage after having my first baby.

The little aches and pains from my running past turned into bigger aches and pains, sidelining injuries, and the need to always wear black shorts to races (if you know what I mean).

Having babies brought to light some biomechanical inefficiencies. I firmly believe these inefficiencies were holding me back from reaching my full potential well before my childbearing years. For many women like myself the stress of pregnancy simply reveals the “invisible ink” that was there all along. Addressing those inefficiencies not only eliminated my symptoms, it made me a stronger, more efficient, and more powerful runner overall.

Learn More About Me Here

Coaching and resources to help you ditch the cycle of injury and burn out and make real sustainable progress towards crushing those PRs!

With a little knowledge, focus, and strategy you can streamline your efforts so that every workout gets you one step closer to your goals (no precious time or energy wasted)!

Women's Running Academy

A 12-week group coaching and education program to help female runners ditch the cycle of injury and burn out and finally make real, consistent progress towards their goals.

Learn More

RunStrong101

A 6-week strength training program for female runners to run stronger, faster, and more efficiently without all the typical aches and pains!

Learn More

The Runner’s Lab

A 1.5 hour virtual masterclass to gain a deeper understanding of the physics and physiology of running and what that means for your body and your training so that you can unlock your full running potential.

Learn More

My Coaching Philosophy

Running, the way we do it, is a uniquely human movement.

I love nerding out on all the nitty-gritty of form, positions, muscle actions, running biomechanics, etc.

And to be human is the deepest most complex experience there is.

Running and the training that supports it do not exist in a vacuum. We love, we lose, we stress and worry, we fill our days with work, sitting, and screens. What you can’t see, your physiology, can play a huge role in your experience.

I want to teach you to breathe, slow down, move intentionally, and step INTO your body (not tune out) and your power. To help you understand what your body is telling you, to learn its language, and support its needs.

The Three Pillars of My Coaching Approach

Understand

Uncover how your whole body works together instead of chasing individual pains/issues.

Learn how your physiology impacts your performance and recovery (you are human, not a robot).

Apply

Strength train with intention and the demands of running in mind.

Practice with the 5 essential skills for an efficient running stride.

Integrate streamlined running programming.

Execute

Build through progressive overload with supportive rest/recovery.

Break big goals down into small achievable steps.

Continue to the learn more about your body in the process.

I love working with runners who are:

✓ Curious, with a problem solving mentality. They want to learn the why and be a part of the process.

✓ Willing to adopt a longevity mindset. They for sure have that competitive streak but understand that progress takes time and strategy (and rest).

My coaching is not for runners who:

X Don’t really care to learn the why or to be a part of the process.

X Unwilling to give up the no pain, no gain, rest days are for the weak mentality.

- Deanna C.-

"[My goal was to be a stronger, more efficient runner so that I can run for many years to come. I now believe that with intentional workouts I will be able to run and protect my body from injury, wear and tear. Overall I feel more in tune with my own body and understand the importance of mindfully working out, having a purpose and intention."

-Kari R.-

"My goal was to be able to run 3 solid miles without POP symptoms. I did accomplish that goal and am now working towards 6.2 miles!

I feel like everything surprised me! The effect of simple positional breathing has made my range of motion so much more than hours of stretching. Mind blowing!"

-Amanda D.-

"Incredible! I have been raving about Alison's course to everyone I know. She made it easy to build back to running safely, and she's right - I am even stronger than before pregnancy! Her scientific approach gave me so much confidence in her suggestions and allowed me to make the best decisions for my own body."

Recently On The Blog

Bend, Don’t Break: Mastering Squats for Runners

Jun 19, 2025

Episode 42 - Squats for Runners: Stronger Strides Start Here

Jun 17, 2025

Slow Down to Speed Up: Why Base Training for Runners is Fundamental

Jun 12, 2025

Binge The Blog

- Julia B.-

"When I wanted to start running again, my ego was LOUD, telling me that I didn't need to start small or break down my mileage. Then I remember-Alison's wisdom of using this time of slowly strategically building to become a better athlete overall.

Just 2 weeks of following her running suggestions and I'm noticing that I'm running further and faster! I absolutely cannot wait to see where I'll be 2 months from now and don't know what I'd do without her!"

-Natalie S.-

"My experience with the Women's Running Academy Mentorship was amazing, very educational; supportive. The community was amazing. Loved how Alison is very informative about our bodies and movements, I forever will be grateful for all she taught me. [I learned] how my body works to become a better, smarter, stronger runner not only physically but mentally as well."

-Sarah K.-

"..the importance of not just rushing to do something just to do it. That's like the theme or title of the book of my life! Probably for a lot of people, like just do all the things on your to do list, don't actually be a human while you're doing any of those things. There were times in the [Womens' Running Academy] Mentorship where I would honestly get really frustrated because I didn’t want to do the breathing in my warm up because it felt like it took forever, I just want to go run, and I only have 40 minutes. But really practicing that and continuing to practice that has been important for me physically and mentally [as a practice of slowing down and being present in the moment in her body]."

Seen and Heard On:

Powerful conversations an expert interviews.

Runner's World In Print

"The Complete Guide to Crushing Your First Marathon" Everything you need to know to train smart, nail your fuel, and smash through “the wall”

Click to Read

Fit and Healthy Athlete Podcast with Dr. K

Strength is resiliency, stability and power. Tune into learn more about what Dr. K and I think about strength training for runners.

Click to Listen

Lace Up and Listen Podcast

"Improving Your Running (Without Running More)" How new mums can optimize their training to become more efficient and stronger runners.

Click to Listen

Runner's World In Online

"Why the Gluteus Medius Muscle Deserves More of Your Attention During Strength Workouts" Regain stability and fix your form with five run-specific exercises that strengthen the lesser-known muscle of your backside.

Click to Read

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