Running with Dr Will Dr Will O'Connor

Answering a bunch of questions sent through by a client of mine.

Follow my training blog - https://substack.com/@drwilloconnor
Use my training zones calculator https://link.drwillo.com/calculators
Follow me on Instagram (DMs welcome) - https://www.instagram.com/drwilloconnor
Stalk my training on Strava - https://link.drwillo.com/strava-profile

Links and resources to help your running.
1. Steal my formula for smashing mind-blowing running PBs FOR FREE! https://link.drwillo.com/stealmyformula
2. Buy one of my $59 DONE-FOR-YOU Training Plans. https://link.drwillo.com/leadtrainingplans
3. Head to https://link.drwillo.com/courses to check out my “Run Faster with Data” course.
#fasterwithdata #runningcoach #marathontraining #runner #runningscience #trailrunning #ultrarunning #runchat #marathon #ultramarathon #trainingpeaks

A few weeks back, I wrote about how I’m giving up on ultrarunning to pursue a new challenge - running fast. 
What do I mean by “running fast”? My ultimate dream goal is to run under 15min for 5km. I ran 8:54 for 3km a couple of years ago, so I think (hope) I have the potential for a sub15 performance. I just need to hold the same pace for an extra 6min….

As I transition away from being an ultra-marathon runner to a track athlete, I find myself delving into the realm of anaerobic work capacity, critical power, and the power duration curve. Anaerobic work capacity refers to the physiological ability to perform high-intensity activities that heavily rely on anaerobic energy systems, specifically the phosphocreatine and glycolytic pathways, which generate energy without the need for oxygen. It plays a crucial role in shorter-duration races, such as track events, where explosive bursts of power and speed are paramount.

Read the full blog - https://www.drwilloconnor.com/blog

Use my training zones calculator https://link.drwillo.com/calculators

Follow me on Instagram (DMs welcome) - https://www.instagram.com/drwilloconnor

Stalk my training on Strava - https://link.drwillo.com/strava-profile

Links and resources to help your running.

1. Steal my formula for smashing mind-blowing running PBs FOR FREE! https://link.drwillo.com/stealmyformula

2. Buy one of my $59 DONE-FOR-YOU Training Plans. https://link.drwillo.com/leadtrainingplans

3. Head to https://link.drwillo.com/courses to check out my “Run Faster with Data” course.

I got a message on Instagram from a guy with a goal of running under 1:50 for the half. He asked if he should adjust his 1:45hr half marathon training plan or leave it the same.
I immediately got annoyed at these silly finish-time training plans because they do more harm than good. There’s often no ability to personalise the plan to your thresholds and intensity zones.
I believe your physiology should predict your finish time rather than letting a finish time dictate your physiology.
Read the full blog - https://www.drwilloconnor.com/blog
Use my training zones calculator https://link.drwillo.com/calculators
Follow me on Instagram (DMs welcome) - https://www.instagram.com/drwilloconnor
Stalk my training on Strava - https://link.drwillo.com/strava-profile
Links and resources to help your running.
1. Steal my formula for smashing mind-blowing running PBs FOR FREE! https://link.drwillo.com/stealmyformula
2. Buy one of my $59 DONE-FOR-YOU Training Plans. https://link.drwillo.com/leadtrainingplans
3. Head to https://link.drwillo.com/courses to check out my “Run Faster with Data” course.

I did it! I used the run-walk method to run my fastest marathon - 2:37:49. I'm seriously struggling to wrap my head around how I walked for 6 minutes and still got a PB. 
How Much Faster Without Walking?
After the race, the most common question/comment was, “Imagine how fast you would’ve run if you didn’t walk!”. 
I've put a lot of thought into how much faster I could have run in this alternative universe where I didn't walk. Unfortunately, the answer is more complex than 3:52 min. Which is the amount of time I "lost" to running. 
The thing is, I’m not losing time by walking. I’m conserving energy. Time is constant. You can’t save time or lose time. Time is never in your control. However, energy is controllable. You can store it, spend it, or transfer it. When running a marathon, the critical variable you have to control is your energy output.
Suppose energy output rather than time (or pace) is the critical variable in marathon performance. In that case, we should look at the maximal potential energy output across the 42.2 km rather than the maximal sustainable pace, which is a product of your energy usage.

Run-walk Training Bundle. Six Training Plans and a Webinar for just $49nzd!! - https://link.drwillo.com/run-walk-bundle
Performance Advantage Podcast Run-walk episode - https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/hEhn9sE59yb
Run-walk calculator - https://www.drwilloconnor.com/run-walk-marathon-calculator
My Run-walk marathon Strava file - https://www.strava.com/activities/8897451650

Read the full blog - https://www.drwilloconnor.com/blog

Follow me on Instagram (DMs welcome) - https://www.instagram.com/drwilloconnor

Stalk my training on Strava - https://link.drwillo.com/strava-profile

Links and resources to help your running.

1. Steal my formula for smashing mind-blowing running PBs FOR FREE! https://link.drwillo.com/stealmyformula

2. Buy one of my $59 DONE-FOR-YOU Training Plans. https://link.drwillo.com/leadtrainingplans

Trying not to walk in a marathon isn't noble. It's potentially detrimental! I've run-walked a 2:45 marathon, and I'm planning to run-walk a lot faster in my next marathon (April 16th, 2023).
My run-walk method is the next iteration of Geoff Galloway's run-walk-run method. Using my background in sports science and practical experience as a long-term runner, I've developed a run-walk marathon method that will work for fast and slow runners.
Learn more and try my run-walk method for yourself with my Run-Walk Training Bundle (only $49nzd) - https://link.drwillo.com/run-walk-bundle
Read the full blog - https://www.drwilloconnor.com/blog
Follow me on Instagram (DMs welcome) - https://www.instagram.com/drwilloconnor
Stalk my training on Strava - https://link.drwillo.com/strava-profile
Links and resources to help your running.
1. Steal my formula for smashing mind-blowing running PBs FOR FREE! https://link.drwillo.com/stealmyformula
2. Buy one of my $59 DONE-FOR-YOU Training Plans. https://link.drwillo.com/leadtrainingplans
3. Head to https://link.drwillo.com/runfasterwithdata to get a scientifically backed system for taking runners training from an unstructured mess to a result-driven system that provides accountability, confidence, and fitness.
While I'm a competitive runner now, I was once a complete newbie who thought harder, faster, and further was the only way to train. Over the last decade, I've achieved a PhD in Sport & Exercise Science, run countless races, and coached hundreds of runners. Over that time, I developed my ABCs of building fitness, the backbone of the #fasterwithdata system.

I’ve been getting coached by an AI via the Athletica platform, and as much as it pains me to admit it, my AI coach is really good. 

TL:DR. If you’re a keen data geek interested in training and tech, try AI coaching for your next race. At $99 for six months, what have you got to lose? If you’re more of the “I’ve got no idea what I’m doing, I just need someone to tell me what to do” type, then I’d say buy an off-the-shelf plan or get 1:1 coaching if you can afford it. 
Regarding Athletica specifically, the lack of an app, running power, and some integration features leaves the user with much to do compared to the likes of TrainingPeaks or even the old-school ‘print off your plan’, but being able to mentally offload the stress of thinking about what training you need to do is massively uplifting. 
(Short-term opportunity, AI & Dr Will Collab for $199/month - email me)

Read the full blog - https://www.drwilloconnor.com/blog
Follow me on Instagram (DMs welcome) - https://www.instagram.com/drwilloconnor
Stalk my training on Strava - https://link.drwillo.com/strava-profile
Links and resources to help your running.

1. Steal my formula for smashing mind-blowing running PBs FOR FREE! https://link.drwillo.com/stealmyformula
2. Buy one of my $59 DONE-FOR-YOU Training Plans. https://link.drwillo.com/leadtrainingplans