298. Mario Fraioli | Combining Marathon and Ultra Training in One Season
Release Date: 05/04/2023
Alex Hutchinson, PhD on New Training Theory, High Mileage, Heat Training, and the Effort Paradox
The Strength Running Podcast
Bestselling author and acclaimed exercise science journalist Alex Hutchinson is back on the podcast! He is a regular columnist for Outside magazine writing the and has contributed to publications such as the New York Times and the New Yorker. He’s a former member of the Canadian national team, holds a PhD in physics from the University of Cambridge, a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University, and conducted post-doctoral research with the National Security Agency. We're exploring the frontier: what Alex is most excited about from the latest research that has the potential to...
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Foundational Running Skills: Carolyn Coffin Interviews Jason on Fundamental Training
The Strength Running Podcast
Hear Jason getting interviewed about fundamental training: the most important elements of any training plan, why you should focus on middle distances, the remaining 1% of things to focus on, why the term "full marathon" should be banished, and more. This is a repost of an episode of the . Resources from the show: (case study) Don't forget to hit the follow button and subscribe to the Strength Running Podcast! Thank you Previnex! After resisting most supplements for the better part of my life, I’m cautiously changing my tune. I’m now a Masters runner and in my personal life, I’m...
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2:24 Marathoner Jackie Gaughan on How She Trains + Works for Goldman Sachs
The Strength Running Podcast
Jackie Gaughan is one of the fastest marathoners in the United States. She’s a Boston-based, Saucony sponsored athlete who ran for the University of Notre Dame where she earned All-conference honors in both cross country and track. She qualified for the 2024 US Olympic Marathon Trials at Berlin, where she was the second American finisher. She holds a personal best of 2:24:40 in the marathon and 1:10:01 in the half marathon. Jackie's also a full-time financial analyst for Goldman Sachs, often working 50-60 hours a week. How does she run more than 100 miles per week, with hard workouts...
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Fueling & Nutrition for Young Runners: A Guide for Coaches & Parents with Michele Pettinger
The Strength Running Podcast
Our diet and fueling habits are setting important examples for our kids. Are we doing it right? Joining me is coach Michele Pettinger. She’s a Level 2 certified coach through the Road Runners’ Club of America, a certified specialist in fitness nutrition through the ISSA, and she’s the author of the new book . We discuss how young runners should be fueling and approaching nutrition (which during the teen years is a formative time period). It’s critical we get the basics of sound nutrition habits right early so that we can set kids up for success. We also chat about practical...
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A Smart Shoe that Measures Motion: Avelo & the Next-Generation of Running Shoes
The Strength Running Podcast
150 years ago, electricity was added to mechanical products to make them better. It ushered in the era of the automobile and was described as the Second Industrial Revolution. We're now experiencing a second revolution: adding intelligence to common products to make them better. And this intelligence is coming for your running shoes. is pioneering the world's first truly smart running shoe: one that measures motion over time, so you can determine how your body experiences impact and how your form degrades as you fatigue. This is game-changing: imagine knowing when you've over-extended...
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How to Mentally Rebound from Injury: Psychologist Carrie Jackson on Emotional Recovery
The Strength Running Podcast
No runner wants to get injured. But the worst part of an injury is often the mental side of it, not the physical! Sure, you can go to the PT or self-treat your injury. That will help you physically heal. But what about your loss of identity when you can't run? What about the loss of a future goal? How will you respond to feeling like you lost your community? Perhaps more importantly, your mental outlook will affect how you treat your injury and the level of success of that treatment. We have to get this right! Joining me is mental skills coach and psychologist Carrie Jackson. She is...
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Bestselling Author Matt Fitzgerald: How to Perfect the Craft of Running
The Strength Running Podcast
Bestselling author, running coach, nutritionist, and 2:39 marathoner Matt Fitzgerald is back on the podcast! Today, we're answering the big question: How do you master the sport of running? We're not talking about getting fast or turning pro. Instead, we're talking about mastering the craft of running: becoming process-oriented and in-tune with yourself so that you can achieve your potential in the sport. Matt's new book, , addresses this topic. He's also authored 30+ other endurance books, including some of my favorites: (with Brad Hudson) In this episode, we talk about...
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The 40+ Runner's Blueprint: Training, Strategy, & Mindset with “Coach of the Year” Michael McGrane
The Strength Running Podcast
Running gets harder as we get older. Being a master's runner makes it harder to focus on health, speed, and improvement. But with a sound approach, we can thrive in our 40's, 50's, and beyond. Joining us is Coach Michael McGrane, who has been in the running industry for more than 40 years. Currently the head coach of the Norwich University Cross Country team, he's won "Coach of the Year" awards, holds a 2:30 marathon PR, and is currently training for his 24th Boston Marathon. We’re going to discuss the physical and psychological changes that have to occur as Master’s runners if we...
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Warm-ups vs. Cool-downs, Strides vs. Sprints, & More (Coaching Q&A with Elisabeth Scott)
The Strength Running Podcast
Coach Elisabeth Scott hosts the enormously popular podcast and joins us today to answer your running questions! We’ll be answering questions about warmups and cool-downs, strides, tempo workouts, core routines, how to taper effectively, and when to schedule strength training. Want to get your questions answered by Jason during our live Coaching Call? Join ! Thank you Gut & Green! Previnex’s new powder is my new go-to. It has organic barley and oat grass, alfalfa, spirulina, chlorella, kale and broccoli… and that’s it. Their ingredients are backed by clinical data and...
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Behind-the-Scenes Coaching Call: How to Make a Comeback at 40
The Strength Running Podcast
Melanie is a 40-year old runner who had some success in her 20's but is now ready to make a comeback. How can she do it? In this behind-the-scenes coaching call, Jason helps Melanie with her training and goals as she re-commits herself to running after years focusing on weightlifting. Melanie is a member of Team Strength Running, our group coaching program that gives you a team of your peers, ongoing coaching guidance from me, a library of training plans and other resources gear discounts, and more. Join our team at to dial in your training and make 2025 your best year yet. We discuss: ...
info_outlineTraditional training plans focus on one distance at a time, whether it’s a fast 5k or a marathon PR. But what if your race schedule looks a little less traditional?
Today’s podcast answers a question from a listener named Mike who is curious about combining a fast road marathon and a hilly 50-mile ultramarathon into one training cycle. Is this possible? Is it risky to race a 50 miler only 2 months after a marathon?
On the podcast today I have my friend and former competitor, Mario Fraioli, to discuss how to approach training for this type of endeavor. Mario is runner, coach, and host of The Morning Shakeout podcast.
Over the past few months, Mario has run his own unique combination of races, including the Boston Marathon and an indoor mile. As an incredibly competitive Master’s runner, Mario had strong performances at both, running a 4:30 for the mile and a 2:34 at the Boston Marathon.
Mario and I discuss the best training approach for runners like Mike who are attempting two ambitious efforts in one training cycle and address questions including:
- Is it best to do one longer cycle or two shorter training cycles?
- What’s the best way to build in recovery after the marathon?
- How should you balance flat road training with hilly trail preparation?
- If you have a history of injury, what are the caveats?
- What are the mental challenges for this type of training?
Mario is thoughtful and insightful, and his experience and knowledge will help prepare you for whatever distance you're racing. I know you'll enjoy our conversation!
Links & Resources from the Show:
- Learn more about Mario
- Subscribe to The Morning Shakeout
- Listen to The Morning Shakeout podcast
- Follow Mario on Instagram and Twitter
- Join The Morning Shakeout on Strava
- Looking for a training program for your next race? Let me help.
Thank you DrinkLMNT!
A big thanks to DrinkLMNT for their support of this episode! They make electrolyte drinks for athletes and low-carb folks with no sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. And you can get a free sampler pack of 4 flavors and 8 individual packets when you pay $5 in shipping.
DrinkLMNT's products have some of the highest sodium concentrations that you can find. Anybody who runs a lot knows that sodium, as well as other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, are essential to our performance and how we feel throughout the day.
The citrus flavor has quickly become my favorite. I’m drinking one a day now to help me get enough fluids in our dry Colorado air. It’s tasty and delicious and I find that I’m not peeing every 45 minutes throughout the day, which might be an indication I wasn’t eating enough sodium.
There’s now mounting evidence that higher sodium intake levels are not unhealthy – and athletes need substantially more than your typical sedentary person. Of course, ask your doctor if you’re worried. But for those athletes running outside in the heat, an electrolyte replacement makes a lot of sense. So check out DrinkLMNT to try their new flavor or get a free sampler pack.
Thank you to our Performance Training Journal!
We’re also brought to you by our very own Performance Training Journal, which is now available on Amazon. Since I started running in 1998, I’ve kept a hardcopy training journal. Holding a tangible log, writing in it daily, and reflecting on the ups and downs of running is a surefire way to improve.
This hardcopy training journal helps you focus on the training metrics that matter, prioritizes a long-term outlook so you don’t take any shortcuts, and maintains your motivation with strategic self-praise. With a no-frills, functional design, the Performance Training Journal includes coaching advice on racing, injury prevention, strength training, and more. It will guide you through race scheduling, how to plan your race morning, the best workouts for endurance runners, and encourage you to track your personal bests over time.
You have the space to make this journal your own whether you're a new runner or a professional, a trail or road runner, or a mid-distance specialist or ultra marathoner. So don't just track your running, learn from it with the Performance Training Journal! Check it out today on Amazon.