I loved - and totally didn't expect - your conversation with Sebastian Junger recently. It prompted me to pick up his latest book while I was in Boston for the marathon. So thanks for that. You navigated that conversation excellently. My question: for a future interview, who is your dream guest who is NOT from the running world?
Thanks on both accounts Thomas! Sorry to have missed you in Boston. (But got your question into the AMA. Please DM me your address if you'd like a morning shakeout sticker.)
Hi Mario, after reading the tidbit about Marius Bakken in this edition, I have a question for you (hoping I'm not too late!): Marius Bakken mentions he prefers intervals to lower the muscular load/short recovery cost for threshold work. As I understand you, you and other like Mark Coogan are proponents of sustained runs around 1 hour pace or a bit easier. Could you pick that apart for us? I'm sure there is a place ofor both long intervals and tempo runs in anyone's training, I'd just like to have you take on the subject!
Hi Jason, a little late for the episode but happy to answer briefly here: There's a place for both! The classic 20-30 minute/3-5 mile tempo run is tried and true and has a place for milers, marathoners and everyone in between. (And generally, the longer the race you're training for, the more the "classic" type of tempo run will benefit you, psychologically as well as physiologically.) That said, cruise intervals w/short rest (i.e., a "broken" tempo run) have been around forever and allow you to do a greater volume of work with less wear and tear and the body—can also help you build up to being able to handle a longer tempo—and that's great too.
Thanks for the explanation! I wasn’t too far off. I used broken tempos in the winter to build up to sustained tempos. I’ve also been switching back and forth each week to modulate training load. As my longer races get closer, I’ll move towards more frequent sustained tempos.
The 860 is a great everyday trainer if you need a little stability built into the shoe. The 880 and 1080 are better options for those with more neutral needs.
There has been a lot of scientifically and anecdotally backed changes in thinking around training theory in the past 5-10 years, including around super shoes and nutrition, so my questions are: what is something you’ve fully changed your mind about over the past five years and why? And on the flip side what is something you feel is important to note that you have not changed your mind about?
I know you have talked some about the availability of all sorts of data and how easy it is to access that data, even for a new/casual runner. Can you talk about how your coaching has or hasn’t changed over the years because of that? Do you find that you need to talk people out of their heads because they’re worried about the pages and pages of data their watch is showing?
Maybe an easier question: What are your top three bucket list runs (races or locales?)
Thanks for your questions Adam! Got the first 2 into the AMA. (Please DM me your address if you'd like a morning shakeout sticker sent to you.) To answer the last one, these are my 3 favorites: 1. The Mass Central Rail Trail along the Quinapoxet River in West Boylston; 2. Bear Valley to Coast trail at Point Reyes National Seashore; 3. Mana Road on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Hey Mario, been a reader for around 4 years now and throughly enjoy the content you produce!
I’m a male runner and 28 years old. The fastest mile I ever ran in high school was 4:59 and I joked with my Dad at the time that I would someday break his personal best of 4:44. About two years later, he lost his battle with brain cancer. Since then, I have dreamt about pursuing his mile time, but did not give it serious effort. I currently do more long distance training but don’t put many speed workouts into my regimen. Currently, the fastest mile time is around just under 7 minutes. Given my current age, is it feasible and healthy to pursue this goal? If so, besides consistency, the right nutrition, and incorporating good strength training, what else should be considered while pursuing this goal?
First! Here's my AMA Q:
I loved - and totally didn't expect - your conversation with Sebastian Junger recently. It prompted me to pick up his latest book while I was in Boston for the marathon. So thanks for that. You navigated that conversation excellently. My question: for a future interview, who is your dream guest who is NOT from the running world?
Best,
Thomas from Marathon Handbook
Thanks on both accounts Thomas! Sorry to have missed you in Boston. (But got your question into the AMA. Please DM me your address if you'd like a morning shakeout sticker.)
Hi Mario, after reading the tidbit about Marius Bakken in this edition, I have a question for you (hoping I'm not too late!): Marius Bakken mentions he prefers intervals to lower the muscular load/short recovery cost for threshold work. As I understand you, you and other like Mark Coogan are proponents of sustained runs around 1 hour pace or a bit easier. Could you pick that apart for us? I'm sure there is a place ofor both long intervals and tempo runs in anyone's training, I'd just like to have you take on the subject!
Hi Jason, a little late for the episode but happy to answer briefly here: There's a place for both! The classic 20-30 minute/3-5 mile tempo run is tried and true and has a place for milers, marathoners and everyone in between. (And generally, the longer the race you're training for, the more the "classic" type of tempo run will benefit you, psychologically as well as physiologically.) That said, cruise intervals w/short rest (i.e., a "broken" tempo run) have been around forever and allow you to do a greater volume of work with less wear and tear and the body—can also help you build up to being able to handle a longer tempo—and that's great too.
Thanks for the explanation! I wasn’t too far off. I used broken tempos in the winter to build up to sustained tempos. I’ve also been switching back and forth each week to modulate training load. As my longer races get closer, I’ll move towards more frequent sustained tempos.
Now it’s time to get into that AMA episode!
Mario which show you recommend for daily runs? The 860?
The 860 is a great everyday trainer if you need a little stability built into the shoe. The 880 and 1080 are better options for those with more neutral needs.
There has been a lot of scientifically and anecdotally backed changes in thinking around training theory in the past 5-10 years, including around super shoes and nutrition, so my questions are: what is something you’ve fully changed your mind about over the past five years and why? And on the flip side what is something you feel is important to note that you have not changed your mind about?
Thanks for your questions Elizabeth! Got them into the AMA. Please DM me your address if you'd like a morning shakeout sticker sent to you.
Two questions because one feels like a big topic!
I know you have talked some about the availability of all sorts of data and how easy it is to access that data, even for a new/casual runner. Can you talk about how your coaching has or hasn’t changed over the years because of that? Do you find that you need to talk people out of their heads because they’re worried about the pages and pages of data their watch is showing?
Maybe an easier question: What are your top three bucket list runs (races or locales?)
Thanks for your questions Adam! Got the first 2 into the AMA. (Please DM me your address if you'd like a morning shakeout sticker sent to you.) To answer the last one, these are my 3 favorites: 1. The Mass Central Rail Trail along the Quinapoxet River in West Boylston; 2. Bear Valley to Coast trail at Point Reyes National Seashore; 3. Mana Road on the Big Island of Hawaii.
Hey Mario, been a reader for around 4 years now and throughly enjoy the content you produce!
I’m a male runner and 28 years old. The fastest mile I ever ran in high school was 4:59 and I joked with my Dad at the time that I would someday break his personal best of 4:44. About two years later, he lost his battle with brain cancer. Since then, I have dreamt about pursuing his mile time, but did not give it serious effort. I currently do more long distance training but don’t put many speed workouts into my regimen. Currently, the fastest mile time is around just under 7 minutes. Given my current age, is it feasible and healthy to pursue this goal? If so, besides consistency, the right nutrition, and incorporating good strength training, what else should be considered while pursuing this goal?
Thank you,
Tilo Lamken
Thanks Tilo! Answered this in the AMA. (Please DM me your address if you'd like a morning shakeout sticker sent to you.)
Awesome end quote!
I just came across that poem a couple weeks ago when one of my athletes shared it on her Strava. Agree, it's awesome!