The Unconventional Running Coach

This is part of my reviewing historic episodes of marathon talk 10 year after they were released, in part to give me something to think about with running and because I always enjoyed listening to them and 10 years was a long time ago so I can enjoy them again.  It's only running. We must remember, especially as amateurs that it is only running and there is much more to life. Easy to say but can be hard to implement when you use it as such a driving force / purpose in your life. I dedicate so much time to researching and thinking about my training that I would struggle mentally if it were to be taken away from me.  Daft - extra physical activity as punishment. Should be encouraged and enjoyed. Physical activity is a gift not a punishment.  I agree with this, they discussed how in schools a lap round the field can be seen as a punishment. We should see physical activity as something to be enjoyed and loved and not something to traumatise people with. If you are forc...

Episode 212 - Ben Livesey (British marathon debutant and prospect Ben Livesey  Here I listened to this episode of the podcast 10 years after it was released to see what training or just general information I could glean from it now that I am a more experienced runner and coach, I mean 10 years ago I was obese and eating rubbish.  Age isn't a barrier So my first observation was the longevity of some runners, they were talking about how well Galen Rupp is going and this weekend he is hoping to qualify for another Olympics. Just goes to show that age isn't a huge barrier, and for those of us that didn't run when we were younger we could still have many years of improvement and for us "high level" performance ahead.  Impact of flying / travel and recovery One of the hosts had to travel and as a result ended up with stiff legs. Just to remind everyone to be careful to their body and sometimes forgo a rigid schedule - as per Percy Cerutty " Rigid schedules… and lai...

Like many I am sure I first came across the work by Amy Cuddy through her TED Talk, linked to below, and thought this could be great for pre race routines. A way to focus, be in the moment and raise testosterone. Just need to use power poses. Well I have just finished her book and it has some interesting points but most probably don't need to read it. My Score: 6/10 Key things covered: Power poses and how to be at your best. Amy Cuddy's "Presence" is a potent cocktail of science, self-help, and personal anecdotes that explores the fascinating link between body language and our inner potential. It delves into how small tweaks in our posture and movement can dramatically impact how we feel, how others perceive us, and ultimately, how we perform in all facets of life. Strengths: Science-backed approach: Cuddy seamlessly blends research and relatable examples, illustrating the power of body language through studies and compelling stories. This creates a solid founda...

Dr. Alia Crum, a Stanford University psychology professor, explores the fascinating intersection of our "minds over matter" concept and its real-world effects on things like health, performance, and even the food we eat. Her research delves into the power of our beliefs and mindsets to influence our physiological responses and ultimately shape our outcomes. Here are some key areas of Dr. Crum's work: Mindset and Food Choice s: Dr. Crum's research has shown that our beliefs about food can significantly impact how our bodies react to it. For example, in one study, participants who were told they were eating a "healthy" milkshake (even though it had the same calorie content as a "indulgent" one) experienced lower levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin and felt more satisfied afterward. This suggests that simply believing something is healthy can trigger positive physiological changes. Mindset and Stress : Dr. Crum has also studied how our mindsets can i...