

The Physiology of Endurance Running Podcast
Dan Nash and Owain Zerilli
This podcast is all about getting sport science research out into the public domain. We cover what we do and don't know regarding all topics related to endurance running performance and, more importantly, how can we use this information to make ourselves healthier and faster runners! Your hosts are Dr Dan Osborn-Nash, 2:12 marathon runner and sport physiologist for Welsh Athletics and Welsh Triathlon, and Owain Zerilli, MSc student exploring the effects of heat on EPO release and 2:38 marathon runner
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 16, 2025 • 1h 22min
How to improve your running economy + Owain's ACP 100K recap
(00:00) Intro(03:30) Anglo Celtic Plate recap(38:30) Economy discussionWe've done deep-dives into VO2max and thresholds, but here we cover the final final determinant of performance, running economy. First, we define what economy means and how do we measure it, before discussing what the research has to say on how best to improve it.The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

May 2, 2025 • 1h 20min
Listener Q&A
Dan & Owain catch up on their running before diving into some listener questions. Lots of topics covered - London marathon, pacing, heat, career paths, which animal we could take in a race.Apologies if we didn't get to your question!The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

14 snips
Apr 16, 2025 • 55min
The physiology of tapering
We're deep within marathon season, and chances are you're tapering for a race! Dan & Owain talk through some of the research about the taper, before giving some practical advice on applying the evidence to your running!The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

Apr 8, 2025 • 38min
Road to London-3 weeks to go
After a week away in West Wales, spent mostly cycling, Dan has come to a decision about London marathon!Dan & Owain talk through the week of training before discussing plans for the rest of the training block.The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

Apr 4, 2025 • 42min
The physiology of ultra marathons
We take our first foray into the physiology of ultra-marathons and ultra-distance events!The breadthe of different events on offer, once you go beyond 42.2km means many different factors at play! Dan & Owain talk through some of the physiology at play - how it differs and how it might be pretty similar to other distance running events!By no means our only episode on ultras - more to come on this topic!The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

Apr 1, 2025 • 27min
Road to London- 4 weeks to go
A month from the big race, and unfortunately Dan has hit another setback in his training.Dan's facing some knee pain, and has turned to the bike. We wanted to get an episode recorded and released on Tuesday as normal for you given the training update!The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here: https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

Mar 25, 2025 • 41min
Road to London- 5 weeks to go
Dan is back to training, and takes us through his comeback, a risky double session, and a visit from UK Anti-Doping. Apologies about the audio, recorded in person! The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

4 snips
Mar 21, 2025 • 1h 2min
Periodization... or performance planning
A common theme in training books is "periodization"... distinct focusses of training across a 12-week marathon block. But what does research say about periodization, and how is it implemented in elite athletes? Could you plan your training better?Dan & Owain talk about periodization, and the concept of "performance planning" on this week's episode.The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

Mar 19, 2025 • 34min
Road to London- 6 weeks to go
Back for another installment of Road to London, and unfortunately Dan's week has been plagued by illness!Dan & Owain talk through the reduced week of training, how Dan will get back to training, and how he's feeling following the setback in training!The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7

Mar 11, 2025 • 1h 7min
Road to London- 7 weeks to go
We're back by popular demand! Dan finds himself in the elite field at the London Marathon - and we thought it's too unique an opportunity to not get an insight into his training! 7 weeks to go - tune in to hear the training of someone that'll be on your TV screens at the end of April!We recap Dan's training since Valencia marathon and how he's feeling heading into the last few weeks of big training for London.The Physiology of Endurance Running podcast is proudly sponsored by SOAR. SOAR produce high quality running clothing, designed to fit the needs of runners that put in time & effort to the sport. Check them out here -https://www.soarrunning.com/ You can submit questions for this series or our Q and A episode here:https://forms.gle/XGmxsR6dsanikRSX7