the morning shakeout podcast Episode 252 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on Resetting Expectations, Running's Growing Pains, and Choosing Sustainability Over Scale
Jun 1, 2026
Simon Freeman, co-founder and publisher of Like the Wind, joins Mario Fraioli to explore running’s latest barrier-breaking performances, from London to Boston and Cocodona. They discuss why fierce competition makes records meaningful, the spotlight on women’s achievements, racing’s access crisis, and the appeal of local events. They also examine sustainable growth in running businesses and the value of celebrating progress before chasing the next goal.
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Why Sub Two Will Not Become Normal
- Barrier-breaking performances expand what athletes believe possible, but extraordinary conditions do not become the sport’s new baseline.
- Mario values London’s head-to-head battle more than whether the winner ran 1:59:30 or 2:02:45.
Racing Made The First Sub Two Possible
- The first sub-two-hour marathon required genuine competition, not merely optimized shoes, fueling, pacing, or laboratory conditions.
- Sawe and Kajelka kept pushing each other until the finish, creating the peril absent from Kipchoge’s controlled time trial.
Breakthroughs Give Everyone A New Ceiling
- Exceptional performances reset expectations because athletes see proof that previously unimaginable goals can be attainable.
- Roger Bannister’s four-minute mile, Benoit Samuelson’s Olympic marathon, and Oprah’s marathon each inspired wider participation.