The Unconventional Running Coach

As much as I love carnivore and taking the evolutionary approach to live sometimes you have to conceded defeat and ask a doctor for advice, modern medicine can do some things right after all. So I have recently had a few little issues that warranted a blood test and I came back as having a massive folate deficiency. I haven't been eating as much liver as I used to but it could also be through malabsorption as whilst my IBS is better it is far from perfect. With the amount I have been running I have tried to up fat and that ups the IBS and things might have spiralled from there.  Not content with that I was also scheduled in for some minor surgery, nothing related to running or carnivore and just one of those things.  You’ll be seen in the morning they told me…. well come 3:30 I was finally seen having not eaten since 3pm the day before (due to running at 7 with my club and IF) and not having drunk since 6am (as instructed). They wheeled me into the room to perform the general ...

RED-S is a potentially serious issue in sport, especially endurance sport. The Mindset of Light = Fast, something I have fallen into myself, increases this risk. After recently purchasing some old copies of Like the Wind (running magazine) I started to look into it a bit more as many of the symptoms listed are little things that have been bothering me recently. I will start by saying that I don't think I am at a high risk of it, I have been careful to eat a lot and my weight loss has been slow and steady with many stalls.  Nonetheless I am probably at a higher risk due to my highly competitive nature and background of obesity and not believing that I am now sim, despite everyone telling me that I am.  So I suggest you check out the many great online resources around RED-S and look after yourself. In short it is a condition caused by overtraining and under eating, it is far too complex and ill defined for me to say much more than Goolge it and be aware of it. 

  Score - 9/10 Very Dated) Coverage : Training, mental (some), strength, elites Summary : I heard about Percy Cerutty in one of my other books and he sounded like a coach with a difference and someone whose training approach was broadly similar to mine, minus the low carb bit, but then this was years ago just as fats were getting ripped to shreds and he was work with pros, and he also did more intensity than I would generally suggest. Overall though it is a really interesting, if somewhat outdated read.  Full Review:  I recently heard of the coach Percy Cerutty and after some digging ended up with one of his books, “How to become a champion”, as a present for a birthday. The book is interesting and goes into a lot of his philosophies as a coach. The book is outdated in a lot of respects however it was a really interesting read and overall I feel my approach has a lot in common with what Cerutty was doing so many years ago. The book is well worth a read for the dedicated c...

My Score : 8/10 Coverage : Evolution, exercise In "Exercised, " Harvard professor and renowned barefoot running advocate Daniel Lieberman takes a fresh look at our relationship with physical activity. He challenges conventional wisdom, arguing that we weren't designed for intense exercise routines but for moderate, daily movement. This premise fuels a thought-provoking and informative exploration of why and how we should move our bodies. Strengths: Evolutionary perspective:  Lieberman's unique approach sheds light on our bodies' historical adaptation to movement,  making exercise more understandable and relatable. Myth-busting:  He debunks common misconceptions about exercise,  like the "no pain,  no gain" mentality and the need for strenuous workouts. Focus on joy and sustainability:  The book advocates for finding activities you enjoy,  making exercise more likely to become a natural part of your life. Science-backed:  Lieberman seamlessly w...

  My Score : 7/10 Coverage : Training and schedules  Aspiring to shave minutes off your marathon time and reach peak performance? Look no further than "Advanced Marathoning" by Pete Pfitzinger and Scott Douglas. This comprehensive guide, now in its third edition, equips serious runners with the knowledge and tools to train smarter, avoid injuries, and conquer their next marathon. This is not a book for beginners (advanced is in the title) nor is it for those that would follow the freedom and listen to your body approach I would suggest. What to Expect: Science-backed training:  The book delves into the latest sports science,  providing effective methods like marathon-pace runs and tempo workouts. Personalised plans:  Choose from various training schedules tailored to your weekly mileage (55+ miles) and desired race timeframe (12 or 18 weeks). Holistic approach:  It goes beyond running,  incorporating strength,  core,  flexibility,  ...

Now I don't think there is a superfood out there but if I was to pick something to categorise as a superfood it would be liver. Liver has so many nutrients it is off the charts compared to most other foods out there. Even mainstream media sings the praises of Liver . There are lots of great resources out there but I have been known to neglect liver and honestly I felt worse for it. Evolutionary speaking should we eat it everyday or even every week? Probably not but I am going to make sure I get some liver every month and might look into the capsules again. Are they necessary? No, but then neither is running 70 miles a week whilst doing a full time job, looking after a child, a dog and all the other things we do so a little extra everyday with the real thing once a month probably won't be a bad thing. 

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...