Mario Fraioli on Training for the Mile (at 40+) and Placing 3rd at the National Masters Championship

Whether you love the mile or you want to continue running into your 40's or beyond, you'll be inspired by this Masters runner.

Mario Fraioli is a Bay Area-based running coach who works with a number of Olympic Trials-level marathoners, top ultrarunners, and competitive age-group athletes.

He’s one of the most competitive Master’s runners in the USA, having run the 2023 Boston Marathon in 2:34 and with his recent 3rd place finisher at the 2024 National Masters Road Mile.

In this episode, Mario and I talk about:

• Mario's goal to break the 5-minute mile at age 42
• Love for the mile: a perfect blend of speed and strength, fitness and focus
• Returning to running after a 20-year hiatus, and the "fresh start" of turning 40
• Preparing for the Masters Road Mile Championship with smart training
• Earning a personal best of 4:09.2 at the Mike Fanelli Track Classic
• Training strategies for track and field athletes, especially Masters
• Incorporating movement prep and speed work before intense track workouts
• Proper running form and technique during high-intensity interval workouts
• Running volume and long runs for track athletes
• Structuring mile workouts for Masters runners, including threshold intervals and tempo runs
• Pacing and mental preparation for a mile race

Listen to this episode for a case study in amazing planning so you can be thoughtful in your next running goal.

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Mario's website
• Mario on Strava
• Mario on Instagram
• The Morning Shakeout
• Want to stay strong throughout your running career? Get the free strength email course.

Thank you to 2Before!

We are supported by 2Before, a powerful sports supplement made from New Zealand Blackcurrants designed to increase endurance, manage inflammation, support immunity, and promote adaptation. 2Before helps to boost performance by increasing blood flow, making it more efficient for the body to pump oxygenated nutrient-rich blood into the muscles. 

So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

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. They are offering a free gift with your purchase at DrinkLMNT. And this does NOT have to be your first purchase. You’ll get a sample pack with every flavor so you can try them all before deciding what you like best. 

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.

If you’re not familiar, LMNT is my favorite way to hydrate. They make electrolytes for athletes and low-carb folks with no Sugar, artificial ingredients, or colors. I’m now in the habit of giving away boxes of LMNT at group runs around Denver and Boulder and everyone loves this stuff.

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