Dr. Phil Maffetone 8: The Sub-2 Hour Marathon Will Happen Soon and Here’s Why, Plus How You Can Train Like an Elite

August 17, 2014

We’re joined by Dr. Phil Maffetone for another jam-packed episode. Today we concentrate on Dr. Phil’s new book, 1:59: The Sub-Two-Hour Marathon Is Within Reach—Here’s How It Will Go Down, and What It Can Teach All Runners about Training and Racing and get down to the nitty gritty about the book, the concept and how the heck it’s going to “go down”.

During the conversation we discuss:
-why are odds in favor of barefoot runner for a sub-2-hour marathon
-foot mechanics: want a springy stride, not overly flexible
-what are necessary traits of sub-2-hour marathoner
-running economy – what does it mean, how to build it
-debunking “more is better” with training volume
-sample weekly training schedule for running found in book
-type of training – aerobic base needs vs speedwork
-percent of VO2max in open marathon (vs ironman marathon)
-MAF test vs. 5k Running Race Pace (chart available in book!)
-how to treat an elite marathoner vs. average age grouper? is there a difference? or not? (hint: treat the individual)
-overreaching vs. overtraining
-bloodwork, blood test ranges, marketing of therapy/drugs
-why salivary cortisol testing is better than blood cortisol testing
-why 1:59 and not 2:00; the importance of time and how the brain processes it
-time vs. miles for training – why time is usually better than mileage
-Phil’s love for fartlek workouts (and why they’re better than the track)

The Role of the Brain:
-At the ~1 hour mark hear about the brain’s role in running a marathon
-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and its importance – how the brain and body coordinate
-At ~1:12: developing rhythm as a runner (no: we’re not doomed to be klutzy!)
-teaching breathing technique with the stride pattern – how to coordinate and the ratios of breathing in/out with foot strikes; and how to not feel “out of breath” while running
-training the cerebellum
-why a metronome is your best run training tool ever

The Ideal 1:59 Course
-course needs for a 1:59
-runners in our time could break 2 hours

-and more!

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