Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal

Marathon Journal (Letty Lundquist, Ryan Lundquist)

Are you a runner looking for a new source of inspiration and motivation? Our weekly podcast brings experts in the running community straight to you, covering everything from training and nutrition to race recaps and reviews, and even mental training. We're more than just a podcast - we're a community. Our Facebook group, SpeedStriders, is a place for runners to connect, share their stories, and support each other on their running journeys. Our goal is to motivate and inspire runners of all levels, and to build a strong and supportive community of like-minded individuals. Join us!

  1. 3 days ago

    319. Racing with Wheels - Swiss Silver Bullet Marcel Hug

    As marathon runners, we think we understand endurance, pacing, and the tech that drives our sport. But what happens when you take the legs out of the equation and replace them with Formula 1 engineering, 3D-printed hard gloves, and highway-speed descents? In this episode, I sit down with an absolute titan of endurance sports: Marcel Hug, the "Swiss Silver Bullet." He is a 12-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and the most dominant athlete across the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Marcel just matched a historic milestone by winning his eighth London Marathon, and I wanted to bridge the gap between our running community and his world. We skip the fluff and go straight into the sports science. Marcel breaks down why he can race 8 to 9 marathons a year when we can barely survive two, how he navigates extreme downhills at 80 km/h (50 mph) without a steering wheel, and how his custom-molded carbon chassis ensures zero energy loss. If you love high-performance gear, brutal physiology, and the elite mindset, this conversation will completely change how you view marathon speed. The "Silver Bullet" Trademark: How a simple Christmas gift from his junior coach became a global symbol of dominance. The 9-Marathon Season: Why the smooth, cyclical physics of a push-rim chair allow wheelchair athletes to race nearly ten marathons a year with minimal joint impact. Technical Analysis (Chassis vs. Shoes): While we look for energy return in foam, Marcel looks for zero energy loss in his rigid, custom-molded carbon fiber seat. Punching at 20 MPH: The material science behind 3D-printed hard gloves and how athletes "hit" the push-rim rather than grabbing it. The Wind Tunnel Discovery: Why F1 aerodynamics forced a shift from solid disc wheels back to open-spoke wheels. The Strict Mindset of a Champion: A rare look at Marcel's internal dialogue when pushing the absolute limit entirely alone at the front of a Major. My Favorite Moment: "In a daily wheelchair, you grab the wheels with your fingers. With racing gloves, you punch the rim. Every single ounce of energy from your upper body has to go directly into forward movement." — Marcel Hug Connect with Us: Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 Connect with Us:

    1hr 2min
  2. 8 June

    317. Marathon Heat Training: The Heat Adaptation Blueprint

    Summer isn’t just a season; it’s a high-stakes training block. In this episode, we break down the science of marathon heat training and why you should view these humid months as the "Poor Man’s Altitude." We move past the marketing hype to explore the physiological reality of thermal stress, plasma volume expansion, and why your watch data needs a serious reality check when the mercury rises. In this episode, we cover: The Physiology of the Heat: Why your heart rate changes which isn't a loss of fitness, blood plasma volume and how you can take advantage of that. Safety & Red Lines: The critical differences between heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and how to spot the "hidden" dangers of hyponatremia. The Gear Audit: We demystify fabric technology—why GSM (Grams per Square Meter) matters more than branding, the science behind polyester vs. nylon, and why going shirtless is actually less efficient than wearing high-performance UPF 50+ gear. Actionable Protocols: How to calculate your personal sweat rate, the 1000mg-per-liter sodium rule, and the "slushie" pre-cooling method to buy yourself an extra 10–15 minutes of threshold performance. The Effort-First Override: Why you should ditch "Current Pace" on your watch, embrace the 15–40 second per mile "heat tax," and how to use run-walk cycles to stay under your critical temperature ceiling. Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast Connect with Us:Connect with Us:Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

    32 min
  3. 25 May

    315. The Science Behind the Maurten Bicarb System with Josh Rowe

    *This episode is NOT sponsored by Maurten* We at Marathon Journal are just very curious about new systems of administration and sciene. In this episode, we sit down with Josh Rowe to explore the science behind the Maurten Bicarb System and why sodium bicarbonate has become one of the most talked-about topics in endurance performance. We discuss: - how bicarbonate buffering works- why acidity contributes to fatigue- the history of sodium bicarbonate in sports science- why traditional bicarbonate caused major GI distress- how hydrogel delivery systems aim to improve absorption and tolerability- what types of runners and workouts bicarbonate may benefit- threshold training, marathon racing, and high-intensity applications -published scientific studies surrounding hydrogel bicarbonate systems- the growing role of delivery science in endurance nutrition This conversation focuses on the physiology, performance science, and practical application behind bicarbonate supplementation—not hype, but the evolving intersection of sports science, engineering, and endurance performance. Connect with Us: Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast Connect with Us:Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

    52 min

About

Are you a runner looking for a new source of inspiration and motivation? Our weekly podcast brings experts in the running community straight to you, covering everything from training and nutrition to race recaps and reviews, and even mental training. We're more than just a podcast - we're a community. Our Facebook group, SpeedStriders, is a place for runners to connect, share their stories, and support each other on their running journeys. Our goal is to motivate and inspire runners of all levels, and to build a strong and supportive community of like-minded individuals. Join us!

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