Road Work

Exploring the future of injury-free training and running longevity.

By Bjorn Anderson

· Launched 10 months ago

Bjorn Anderson

I’m a lifelong runner and co-founder of RunWise AI. I take a long-view approach to performance and longevity. After the U.S. Naval Academy, submarine service, and a career as a patent attorney, I now build injury-risk forecasting tools for runners.

Road Work

P.S. Draft in Progress is an epistolary Substack built around letters, thoughtful exchange, and real connection.
The writers, who are pen pals, have been corresponding for years and recently decided to share some of that writing with the world. The result is creative, funny, reflective, and deeply human in a way that feels increasingly rare.

#3 Creative Voodoo

When I was at the Naval Academy, we internalized a mission statement that included preparing midshipmen for the responsibilities of command, citizenship, and government. I never imagined that citizenship would be hard.
More than 25 years later, I find that staying silent is often easier than speaking up, but also more dangerous. This essay...

It’s reassuring to find stories about others taking scary leaps. Needless to say, I enjoyed Nick’s article about leaving a stable career for something potentially more personally fulfilling yet uncertain.

In May, after months of back-and-forth and fear of making the wrong decision, I resigned from my government job to pursue a career as a run coach and work full-time in the running industry. It was terrifying.
I have always been the person who does what makes sense.
The person who chooses stability.
The person who avoids the big risk, even if it might lead to something more aligned.

The NYC Marathon: A Personal Journey

For a long time, I held the belief that running a marathon was impossible for me. But through consistent training and dedication, I finally made it to the starting line.
I learned the importance of having a supportive community and how much of a difference it can make in achieving goals.

Understanding the concept of grit and resilience in training can significantly impact performance.

Why Machine Learning May Succeed Where Running Science Has Struggled

Incorporating advanced technology into traditional methods may provide insights that were previously difficult to obtain. Data-driven approaches can enhance our understanding and performance in running, making such tools vital for the future.

The contrast couldn’t have been sharper. On one side, warriors with valor awards pinned to their chests—symbols earned not through flattery or marketing, but through sweat, blood, and courage.