6 FEB

Episode 8: When Winter Gets Real – Direction, Consistency, and Staying Injury-Free

February is often where running seasons quietly take shape. In this episode, Bjørn-Ivar reflects on why this part of the year feels different, and why motivation alone stops being enough. The conversation moves through three pillars that matter most for getting faster over time: choosing a goal that genuinely pulls you forward, staying injury-free so the work can actually accumulate, and building training that fits real life instead of ideal weeks. Along the way, there’s a grounded look at a classic interval session, practical thoughts on recovery nutrition after easy and hard days, and a clear check-in on runner’s knee — how it shows up, how to recognize it early, and how to manage it without losing momentum. The episode closes with an honest update on the Sub-20 Project, seen through the lens of a 57-year-old runner balancing ambition, recovery, and consistency as winter slowly unfolds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

54 min

23 JAN

Episode 7: Training Through the Long Winter – Speed, Safety, and Staying Steady

Late January is often where winter training gets honest. The body feels a little more awake, but conditions are still harsh, motivation can dip, and it’s easy to either rush ahead or shut speed out completely. In this episode of Endure Prime, Bjørn-Ivar talks through that in-between space: how to let short, relaxed touches of speed return without changing phases or adding stress. Drawing inspiration from indoor season logic, he explains why elite athletes protect calm movement even while running fast—and how everyday runners can apply the same principles. The episode includes a simple, repeatable stride session, guidance on choosing safe and predictable locations, an early-season injury check-in, and a masters athlete perspective on why freshness and coordination matter more with age. There’s also a practical nutrition segment on fueling light speed work so it feels smooth rather than heavy, plus an update on the long-running Sub-20 Project and what winter training looks like right now. Calm, grounded, and realistic, this episode focuses on consistency, safety, and keeping speed cooperative—so training holds together now and leaves room for more later. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

40 min

9 JAN

Episode 6: Winter Like a Scandinavian - Training Through Darkness, Cold, and Low Motivation

Mid-January is where training habits usually drift. Not because people stop caring, but because winter quietly changes how effort, motivation, and recovery behave. In this episode, we talk about how to train through the colder, darker months without forcing things, breaking rhythm, or picking up injuries that derail the season before it even starts. The focus is on efficiency and safety, not grit for the sake of grit. We look at realistic treadmill strategies, winter footwear, pacing by effort instead of pace, and why hills are one of the most useful tools you can keep in your training year-round. We also dig into winter injury patterns, especially Achilles irritation, and how to read early signals before they turn into something bigger. For masters athletes, we talk about readiness, economy, and why experience can actually become an advantage in winter. And in the Sub-20 Project update, I share how winter has turned into a cadence and economy lab while building toward a July goal — adjusting when life happens without giving up momentum. This episode is about training in a way that lets you arrive in spring healthy, steady, and ready to build — not burned out or starting over. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

47 min

1 JAN

Episode 5: January Isn’t the Test, It’s the Setup

January doesn’t arrive with fresh legs. It arrives with leftover fatigue, disrupted routines, cold mornings, and a nervous system that’s still catching up. In Episode 5 of Endure Prime, we take the pressure off January and look at it for what it really is: a transition month — not a test of discipline, toughness, or worthiness. We break down why training often feels harder right now even when you’re doing “everything right,” how Zone-2 and controlled intensity actually behave in winter, and why effort — not pace — has to lead the way. You’ll hear how to structure anchor sessions that regulate instead of drain, how to spot early injury signals before they become setbacks, and why winter nutrition quietly determines whether training feels possible or punishing. This episode also introduces recurring threads for 2026: • The Masters Athlete Corner — training that respects the body you have now • The Sub-20 Project — a long-term, honest journey toward breaking 20 minutes for 5K later in life No hype. No hero workouts. Just practical, repeatable training that fits real life — in January and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

46 min

25/12/2025

Episode 4 : Building a Training Week That Works in Real Life, Zone-2, Controlled Intensity, and the 4×4

January usually invites people to build the “perfect” training plan — the one that looks incredible on paper but collapses the moment real life enters the room. Episode 4 of Endure Prime takes a different approach. Instead of chasing fantasy schedules and unrealistic expectations, we build something durable, flexible, and deeply effective: a training week that works for beginners, masters athletes, marathoners, speed-seekers, and anyone who just wants to feel good in their own body. In this episode, we break down the two anchor workouts every athlete should have — the Zone-2 engine-builder and the controlled-intensity session — and show you exactly how they form the repeatable foundation for any goal. Then we zoom out into the long day, the easy-support day, and how to add third, fourth, fifth, and sixth training days without tipping into fatigue or chaos. We also explore the iconic 4×4 interval, why Norwegian researchers Jan Helgerud and Jan Hoff made it famous, and how to execute it correctly whether you train by feel, heart rate, or lactate. Whether you're building toward a race, rebuilding your fitness after a long break, or navigating midlife with a smarter lens on training load, Episode 4 shows you how to shape a week that holds up — not just in January, but all year. This episode also includes a segment for masters athletes, plus the introduction of the Sub-20 Project, a long-term journey to running a sub-20-minute 5K at age 57+ — an honest, real-life case study in smart, sustainable training. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

48 min

04/12/2025

Episode 3: Endurance Begins with Awareness — The Diaphragm, Breath, Fatigue & the Vagus Nerve

Most endurance athletes learn to track their mileage, pace, and heart rate — but very few ever learn to work with the one system that shapes all of it: the nervous system. This episode is an invitation to slow down, tune in, and understand your body in a way most training plans never teach. We begin with the three types of tired: • Physical fatigue — the simple, earned kind • Mental fatigue — the foggy, overloaded kind • Life-load fatigue — the heavy, often invisible kind Each one feels different in the body, requires a different approach, and influences how hard or easy a workout should be. Once you can recognize your fatigue type, training stops being a battle and becomes a conversation. Then we explore nasal breathing — not as a trend, but as a practical tool that widens blood vessels, improves oxygen delivery through nitric oxide, and naturally keeps the body in the sustainable aerobic zone. We break down how nasal breathing activates the diaphragm, shapes your pacing, and quietly nudges the vagus nerve — the nerve that regulates calm, recovery, digestion, heart rate, and emotional steadiness. From there, we look at the subtle early signals most athletes miss long before fatigue hits: shifting breath, collapsing posture, noisy thoughts, mismatched effort, and emotional tone. When you learn to read these whispers, you avoid overtraining and build a training rhythm that fits real life — not the fantasy life where everything goes to plan. Whether you're running, cycling, walking, or simply trying to take care of your health during a busy December, this episode gives you a way of understanding endurance that is gentler, wiser, and far more sustainable. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

37 min

25/11/2025

Episode 2 — Smart Running in the Shady Months

In this episode of Endure Prime, Bjorn-Ivar takes you inside the reality of winter training — where darkness, weather, schedules, and everyday life collide. Through stories from filming running routes in Oslo, he explores why indoor training isn’t “cheating,” why consistency is the real engine of endurance, and how small adjustments can transform your motivation through the colder months. You’ll hear how to train in the “real-life lane,” where work, family and energy levels don’t always cooperate — and why removing obstacles is more powerful than chasing motivation. Bjorn-Ivar also breaks down the mental boost of running in new environments, the traps that make people stop training, and how simple rhythms can outlast even the toughest seasons. This episode finishes with a practical deep-dive into Zone-2 training: what it is, why it matters, and how to integrate it into a real week whether you’re new, returning, or experienced. In this episode: Oslo stories + why novelty boosts motivationIndoor training as strategy (not shortcuts)The “real-life training lane”Why people stop — and how to avoid itMid-life adaptation (for all ages)A simple, human guide to effective Zone-2 training Whether you train once a week or six, Episode 2 will help you build endurance that fits real life — even when the world outside turns cold and dark. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

41 min

08/11/2025

Episode 1 — Stronger Body, Calmer Mind

In this debut episode of Endure Prime, host Bjorn-Ivar shares a personal and practical roadmap to starting — or restarting — your endurance journey at any age. From the five-minute rule that gets you moving when motivation disappears, to the quiet power of routine and recovery after midlife, this episode explores how small, consistent actions build lasting strength — physically and mentally. Bjorn-Ivar draws from decades in sport — from boxing silver at the Norwegian Championships to sixteen seasons of American football — to remind us that endurance isn’t just about speed or distance. It’s about showing up, keeping promises, and finding calm through movement. In this episode: The five-minute start that beats procrastinationBuilding routine over motivationTraining smarter after midlifeHow outdoor sessions reset the mindWhat “quiet strength” really meansDesigning a training week that fits a real life Whether you’re a lifelong runner or just finding your rhythm again, this episode will help you reconnect with your body, your breath, and the joy of consistent motion. 🎧 Next episode: A guided Zone-2 session for real-life training days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

38 min

Endure Prime

Episodes

Episode 8: When Winter Gets Real – Direction, Consistency, and Staying Injury-Free

Episode 7: Training Through the Long Winter – Speed, Safety, and Staying Steady

Episode 6: Winter Like a Scandinavian - Training Through Darkness, Cold, and Low Motivation

Episode 5: January Isn’t the Test, It’s the Setup

Episode 4 : Building a Training Week That Works in Real Life, Zone-2, Controlled Intensity, and the 4×4

Episode 3: Endurance Begins with Awareness — The Diaphragm, Breath, Fatigue & the Vagus Nerve

Episode 2 — Smart Running in the Shady Months

Episode 1 — Stronger Body, Calmer Mind

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