Marathon Running Podcast by Letty and Ryan

Author: MARATHON MEDIA LLC

Are you a runner looking for a new source of inspiration and motivation? Our weekly podcast brings experts in the running community straight to you, covering everything from training and nutrition to race recaps and reviews, and even mental training. We're more than just a podcast - we're a community. Our Facebook group, SpeedStriders, is a place for runners to connect, share their stories, and support each other on their running journeys. Our goal is to motivate and inspire runners of all levels, and to build a strong and supportive community of like-minded individuals. Join us!
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Language: en

Genres: Running, Sports

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296. Why Tune-Up Races Are the Key to Your Next Marathon PR
Episode 296
Monday, 19 January, 2026

In this episode of the Marathon Running Podcast, we dive into whyyour solitary training miles might be hitting a plateau and how to smashthrough your personal bests by becoming a "skilled racer." Weinterviewed Chris Knighton,founder of Knighton Runs and author of Run Faster Marathons, to discuss the psychologicaland physiological necessity of the tune-up race.We asked Chris about the "isolationist" trapmany marathoners fall into and how to strategically bridge the gap betweentraining fitness and race-day performance. We tease the "GoldStandard" of tune-up distances, the dangers of tapering too early, and whyyour GPS watch might be lying to you about your potential. Plus, stay tuned forexpert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitivesports.· The 100% Effort: Learn why you can't replicate truerace intensity in solo time trials and how "exposure therapy" for thebrain prevents race-day panic.· The 18-Week Roadmap: A breakdown of the three stagesof development—from baseline time trials to the "Specific Stage"crescendo.· Data Over Guesswork: Why Chris advocates for VDOTformulas over heart rate or watch-based predictors to set your goals.· The "Train-Through" Method: How to race ontired legs to prepare for the final 10K of your marathon without burning out.Our guestthis episode: Chris Knighton (KnightonRuns.com)Connect withUs:· Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast· YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal· Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607Why You Should Listen