The Stablemaster Speaks - The Art of the Marathon

In this episode, we look at Aoife's Cooke's training block for Olympic qualification.

To kick-off the new season, a firecracker episode all about doping: Ruth's 'WR', Aoife Cooke (did she dope? And the big question to me from the world's best running journo); is Kipchoge clean (and all about his age); are Conner and Clayton clean? Was Paula clean? Omertà in Kenya!.The BS around Kenyans walking to school compared to the youth of Utah and everywhere in the West! The solution to the fiasco that is athletics.

In this episode we look at Aoife's build-up to the 2020 Vienna marathon, including her six-week stint at altitude in Iten, Kenya.

In part 1 of The Aoife Cooke Story, we examine how she made the leap from plateaued club runner to Irish national marathon champion in just 10 months (from 2:46 - 2:32). This is a detailed analysis of how a struggling club runner is lifted from the mire of mediocrity to the glory and limelight of national stardom.

We look at Paul Griffiths' journey to running sub 3 and how and why he became a coach.

Hear the incredible journey of James Whittington, who transformed from a novice runner to aiming for a sub-2:25 marathon in just 18 months. Balancing a demanding job and family life, he manages to train efficiently with just four runs a week. Discover his rapid progress from a parkrun time of 18:57 to a half-marathon of 71:11. Gain insights into his coaching philosophy, including a super base approach to avoid injuries, and the specific training strategies that could push him to new heights.

The Stablemaster speaks to Stablemate Duncan Epping about his epic endeavour to go sub 3hrs in Rotterdam.

Mark O Mahony, a running coach and former Muay Thai fighter, shares his incredible journey from a 3:22 marathon to targeting a sub-2:30 finish within a year. He delves into his early life, the gritty world of Muay Thai training in Thailand, and the tough lessons he learned through early fights. After a career-changing injury, he impulsively shifted to ultrarunning, recounting his harrowing first 100-mile race. Mark also discusses his coaching philosophy, focusing on athlete communication and tailored training plans as he guides others toward their marathon goals.

Dive into marathon training as John Starrett shares insights on achieving sub-3 and sub-2:30 goals. With a mix of personal stories and coaching tips, he tackles race-day mistakes and offers practical fixes for pacing and shoe fit. Get Boston-specific strategies, learn about the impact of weather on performance, and preview exciting upcoming trips to Thailand and Kenya. Discover the unique stories of runners like Brendan Sheen and James Doran as they chase their marathon dreams.

The host dives into the challenges of breaking the 3-hour and 2:30 marathon barriers, featuring real-time case studies of athletes on these journeys. With engaging anecdotes, he shares travel adventures, including hiccups with trips and guests. Insights into coaching strategies are highlighted, along with exciting future plans for coaching events in tropical locales. Plus, there's a unique look at an athlete's unconventional background, showcasing the diverse paths to marathon success. Prizes and competitions add a fun twist to the quest for speed!