profile

Alison Marie Helms, PhD

Coaching and resources (that lean on the nerdy science side) to help female runners ditch the cycle of injury and burn out. Get out of your head and back into your joy with running!

Featured Post

Your Running Efficiency = Physics + Strength (🤓Nerd Alert Inside)

Abstract: We’re getting nerdy—in the best way. We’ll explore how running performance is truly built from the ground up, weaving together physics, biomechanics, and training principles to help you better understand energy transfer, ground reaction forces, and how strength training supports efficient, powerful strides. You’ll learn why stiffness, coordination, and tendon health are essential to using impact to your advantage—not something to fear. Hey Reader, Warning! This one gets a bit...

Abstract: In this week’s email, I’m digging into one of the most foundational yet sometimes misunderstood strength movements for runners: the squat. You’ll learn why mastering mid-range squat mechanics can significantly improve your running performance, how to identify common mistakes like the “drop and bounce” or “hingey” squat, and practical cues and tools to fix them. Whether you're looking to level up your squat or your stride, this one’s packed with value. Hey Reader, Today I’m digging...

Hey Reader, I’m going to start today’s email off with a little tough love: Signing up for race after race may be the thing getting in the way of you making real progress. Race after race might feel like progress—but it may actually be the thing standing between you and your next breakthrough. Racing puts high stress on the body. Because of that, it necessitates longer recovery periods after. But what most runners do is rush straight from one finish line to the next starting line, without the...

Hey Reader, This email is a follow up to last week’s email on Why the Women’s Running Academy is for women only so first a quick review…. The Women’s Running Academy is a monthly membership that provides streamlined running programs paired with intentional strength training. These aren’t just any training plans—they’re crafted specifically for female biomechanics, physiology, and the social contexts in which women live. It’s about recognizing that everything from our pelvic structure to...

Abstract: After four years of invite-only access, the Women’s Running Academy is opening its doors more widely—and it’s more powerful than ever. This email shares a behind-the-scenes update on newly streamlined programming and dives into one of the three foundational pillars that make this membership uniquely effective for women: biomechanics. From pelvic structure to connective tissue laxity, from muscle mass to core function, the training is intentionally designed around the female body and...

Abstract: I start with a personal story that sparked a lesson learned about training, stress, and recovery. As runners, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing more when things feel off—pushing harder, running farther, adding strength or fueling tweaks—until we burn out or get injured. But real, sustainable progress doesn’t come from flipping switches on and off. It comes from adjusting your training dials—volume, strength, nutrition, recovery, and life stress—with intention. This email...

Abstract: Many runners are told to fix their form mid-run — but overthinking your stride can actually lead to more harm than good. In this email we break down why real change doesn’t happen while you’re running, and how gait analysis, movement screening, and strength work outside of running can create stronger more efficient strides. Learn what to look for in your gait, how the body organizes movement, and when cues can actually help — all with the goal of running stronger and more freely....

Hey Reader, How are you feeling this week? I hope the crud hasn’t infiltrated your house as much as it has mine. So many germs going around… and then we had the bright idea to have my 5 year old’s birthday party at Chuck E Cheese 😷. Needless to say I’ve had a sore throat for 3 days now after a week of sinus issues last week! Now I’m less than 2 weeks out from my half marathon and have only run two, very short, very slow runs in the past week and a half. I missed my longest long run last week...

Abstract: Traditional strength training frameworks focus on squats, hinges, and lunges, but running is a three-dimensional movement that requires strength and mobility in all planes—sagittal, frontal, and transverse. While these staple exercises provide a solid foundation, executing them with intention and addressing rotational control, hip stability, and movement efficiency can make a significant difference in how they translate to running. Rather than simply “lifting heavy,” incorporating...

Hey Reader, Happy New Year! It’s so weird to me that this is the first official newsletter I’m sending this year and it's already Jan 8! And this newsletter is a little out of my normal scope of topic… As a running coach who specializes in strength training for running, it might surprise you to hear that one of my number one predictors of injury (or underperforming) in running has nothing to do with strength training. It’s under fueling! It’s certainly something I talk about with the athletes...