The 1% Better Runner with DLake

Daren DLake
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This is a podcast about how runners can live better lives through consistent self-improvement.Unlike other running brands, The 1% Better Runner focuses on how small, daily habit improvements ripple into broader life success, helping runners perform better both on and off the road, track, or dirt.I’m Daren DLake: Certified running and nutrition coach, Sub-3-hour marathoner and 10-hour Ironman finisher.Since 1996, I’ve been helping other self-coached runners, researching, and experimenting on how to better myself 1% each day.A few times a week, I’ll drop how I’m tweaking my training, sticking to habits when life’s messy, and cool stuff from coaches and health pros. It’s a no-BS cheat sheet for building better habits—not just for running, but for work, relationships, and personal growth too.Join thousands of other committed runners listening to the most exciting run and endurance sports content on the internet and get more tactics and strategies in your inbox each week.Bonus - Get my free 30-day base and habits training plan when you sign up for the free newsletter here.PS - Podcasting is very "1-way," so let's fix that. Hit us up if you have any feedback, want to collaborate, or just wanna tell me about your training. On Instagram @dlakecreates or talk@dlakecreates.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Your Marathon Plan Is Backwards - Here’s the Correct Order

    9H AGO

    Your Marathon Plan Is Backwards - Here’s the Correct Order

    What if the reason your easy runs feel hard is because you’re doing too much, too soon? Marathon training can feel overwhelming when every run type seems important and everything feels hard at once. In this episode, I break down the simple structure behind effective marathon training and explain why most runners struggle not because they lack effort, but because they train in the wrong order. I walk through the three run types that quietly build most of your fitness, why they matter more than speed work early on, and how following the right sequence helps you stay healthy, consistent, and confident all the way to race day. Key TakeawaysMarathon training works best when it follows a clear order, starting with easy runs, long runs, and threshold work before adding speed. Skipping this order is one of the fastest ways to get injured or burned out.Easy runs and long runs are not filler workouts. They build the aerobic base that lets your body recover, adapt, and handle harder training later.Speed work only helps once your foundation is solid. Without a base, harder workouts create damage faster than your body can rebuild.Timestamps[00:34] What You'll Learn[01:47] The Problem[04:10] Use This To Crush Your Next Marathon[05:17] The Solution: How To Sequence The 16 Weeks[07:35] Run Type #1: The Easy Run[09:41] Run Type #2: The Long Run[14:05] Run Type #3: The Threshold Run[18:27] Find Out What Level Marathoner You AreLinks & Learnings📈 Get Your Free Marathon Training Plan Here: https://dlakecreates.com/marathonfree🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here https://dlakecreates.com/marathon3runsRun Farther… Without That ‘Why Am I Dying?’ Feeling: https://dlakecreates.com/base2The Only 4 Workouts You Need To Run Faster For Longer: https://dlakecreates.com/4x4Why Low Heart Rate Running Is Not Working for You (Yet): https://dlakecreates.com/lowhrBreath Nose vs. Mouth? Most Runners Pick The WRONG One: https://dlakecreates.com//nosevmouthUse VDOT Calculator to get training paces and race estimates https://dlakecreates.com/vdotUse this to learn how to run better long runs https://dlakecreates.com/longrunUse this to improve your lactate threshold - https://dlakecreates.com/lactate1wtfInstagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    20 min
  2. Breath Nose vs. Mouth? Most Runners Pick The WRONG One

    4D AGO

    Breath Nose vs. Mouth? Most Runners Pick The WRONG One

    Easy runs don’t fail because you’re unfit. They fail because you’re breathing wrong and running them too hard. Most runners think breathing is simple, but it’s one of the biggest reasons easy runs stop working. In this episode, I break down the real difference between nose breathing and mouth breathing, why neither one is “better,” and how using the wrong one at the wrong time quietly ruins your training. I explain what’s actually happening in your body, why easy days are supposed to feel easier than you think, and how a small change in breathing can help you slow down, build a stronger aerobic base, and get more out of every run without adding more miles or intensity. Key TakeawaysBreathing through your nose during easy runs filters and moistens your air, helping your body use oxygen more efficiently. It also forces you to slow down to the correct, easy pace that truly builds your fitness.Mouth breathing is best for hard workouts and racing because it delivers oxygen faster when intensity is high. Using it on easy days often leads runners to train too hard without realizing it.Most runners struggle not because they train too little, but because they run their easy days too fast. Learning when to use nose versus mouth breathing helps protect the aerobic base that makes long-term progress possible.Timestamps[00:15] What You'll Learn[01:06] What Most Runners Believe[01:59] What The Data Actually Shows[04:32] Use This To Nose Breathe On Your Next Run[05:31] Real World Example Of How Much Air You Can Breathe[06:41] Start Nose Breathing Today[07:13] Why This Is So Important[08:04] Do These 4 Other Things to Breathe EasierLinks & Learnings📈 Get Your Free 30-Day Base Training & Habits Plan Here: https://dlakecreates.com/basefree🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here: https://dlakecreates.com/nosevmouthGet Early Access to The 1% Better Runner Book here: https://dlakecreates.com/bookaccessytMost Runners Breathing Wrong - Fit it in 5 steps: https://dlakecreates.com/breathingInstagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  3. If I Started Running In 2026, Here’s What I’D STOP DOING

    FEB 10

    If I Started Running In 2026, Here’s What I’D STOP DOING

    You’re not broken, slow, or lazy. You’re probably repeating one small mistake that’s quietly holding you back. If you feel like you’re doing everything right but your pace won’t improve, this episode breaks down why that keeps happening. I walk through the most common training mistakes runners make when they self-coach, how those mistakes quietly lead to stalled progress or injury, and what actually moves the needle instead. This matters because effort alone doesn’t guarantee results, and small changes in how you train, recover, and think about progress can completely change your trajectory. By the end, you’ll know what to stop doing, what to adjust, and how to train with more confidence without burning yourself into the ground. Key TakeawaysTraining harder is not the same as training smarter. Most plateaus and injuries come from pacing mistakes, poor recovery, and pushing effort into the wrong places.Progress happens when stress and recovery are balanced. Easy days, gradual load increases, and proper rest are what allow the body to actually adapt and get faster.Comparison ruins consistency. Focusing on other runners or past versions of yourself leads to bad decisions that quietly derail long-term progress.Timestamps[00:14] What You'll Learn[00:57] Mistake #1: Start Races Too Fast[02:49] Mistake #2: Go Too Hard On Easy Days[06:12] Use This Free Thing To Run At A Lower Heart Rate[07:01] Mistake #3: Increase Volume/Load Too Fast[09:59] Mistake #4: Ignore Pain[11:26] Mistake #5: Skip Strength Training[12:57] Mistake #6: Not Rest Enough[15:18] Mistake #7: Expect a Best Time Every Race[17:15] Mistake #8: Compare Yourself To Other Runners (Or Your Past Self)[19:50] Use These 9 Things To Be Smarter Than MeLinks & Learnings📈 Get Your Free Increase Zone 2 HR Training & Habits Plan Here: https://dlakecreates.com/zone2free🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here: https://dlakecreates.com/8mistakesGet Early Access to The 1% Better Runner Book here: https://dlakecreates.com/bookaccessytTop 3 Things To Do When You Start A Race Too Fast: https://dlakecreates.com/top-3-things-to-do-when-you-start-a-race-too-fast/Why Low Heart Rate Running Isn’t Working for You (Yet): https://dlakecreates.com/lowhrDo You REALLY Need Rest Days? https://dlakecreates.com/runner-recovery-tips/The 9 Mistakes Holding You Back From Getting Faster: https://dlakecreates.com/9thingsInstagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    21 min
  4. Why Most Runners Do Vo₂ Max Intervals Wrong

    FEB 6

    Why Most Runners Do Vo₂ Max Intervals Wrong

    VO₂ max training isn’t about running harder, it’s about running at the right speed or you’re just wearing yourself down for nothing. If you’ve been doing “hard” interval sessions but still aren’t getting faster in your 5K, 10K, or marathon, you might be missing the real point of VO₂ max training—and wasting effort. In this episode, I break down exactly what true VO₂ max pace feels and looks like, why most runners get it wrong (even when they think they’re pushing hard), and how to dial in the right speed using free tools and recent race data—so your intervals finally deliver results without burning you out. Key TakeawaysTrue VO2 max training is about hitting a specific, fast pace, not just getting your heart rate into a certain zone. Using pace is the only way to guarantee you trigger the right adaptations.You must base your workout speeds on what you can run right now, not what you wish you could run. Using a goal pace that's too fast will ruin your workout and your progress.The magic happens in efforts under 5 minutes. Going longer lets lactic acid build up too much, which changes the entire purpose of the workout from improving VO2 max to just surviving.Timestamps[00:25] What You'll Learn[01:20] Vo2 Max Pace vs Vo2 Max Heart Rate[05:36] Use This to Improve Your Vo2 Max[06:22] How to Find Your Actual Vo2Max Pace[09:20] The Two Pacing Mistakes[11:09] Vo2 Max Myths Busted[13:40] Go Deeper on Vo2 Max with ThisLinks & Learnings📈 Get your free Increase Vo2Max Training Plan here: https://dlakecreates.com/vo2maxfree🎧 Listen, read and learn more here: https://dlakecreates.com/notvo2maxThis Free Tool Will Change How You Train VO2 Max Forever: https://dlakecreates.com/vdotThe Only 4 Workouts You Need To Run Faster For Longer: https://dlakecreates.com/4x4Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  5. Stop Stretching Before Runs—Do This 7‑Minute Routine Instead

    FEB 3

    Stop Stretching Before Runs—Do This 7‑Minute Routine Instead

    Stop stretching before your run. You're not preventing injuries; you're draining the very power and spring your muscles need to perform at their best. Ever feel like your pre-run routine might be working against you? For decades, we've been told that stretching is the golden rule before hitting the pavement. In this episode, I dig into the surprising science that flips that script on its head. You'll learn why that static stretching ritual could be sapping your power, discover what you should be doing instead to wake up your muscles and nervous system, and get a clear, simple plan to transform how you prepare your body to run faster and feel better from the very first step. Key TakeawaysDitch the static stretch before your run. It doesn't prevent injuries and it makes you weaker. Switch to a dynamic warmup instead.Flexibility and mobility are not the same. Flexibility is passive stretching; mobility is active, controlled movement. Runners need mobility.Stretch after your run, not before. Your muscles are warm then, which is the right time to gently work on long-term flexibility.Timestamps[00:22] What You'll Learn[01:08] What Is Flexibility vs Mobility[02:16] Why We Started Stretching Pre Runs?[03:17] What Should You Do Instead of Static Stretching?[04:45] Use This to Warm Up the Smart Way[05:33] What About Post-Run Stretching?[07:44] What the Science Says[08:39] Why Runners Need Stiffness, Not Looseness[10:25] Use This to Warm Up Smarter Links & Learnings📈 Get your free warmup the smart way training plan - https://dlakecreates.com/warmupfree🎧 Listen, read and learn more here- https://dlakecreates.com/stretchingThe 7 Minute Run Warm-Up That Actually Works - https://dlakecreates.com/warmupInstagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    11 min
  6. Fix This One Thing and Running Gets Way Easier

    JAN 28

    Fix This One Thing and Running Gets Way Easier

    What if the reason your runs feel heavy and awkward has nothing to do with fitness and everything to do with how often your feet hit the ground? If you’ve ever felt like running takes more effort than it should, or if you’re tired of shin splints, knee pain, or just feeling clunky on your feet, you might be overlooking one simple but powerful number: your cadence. In this episode, I break down what cadence really is, why it matters more than you think, and how to adjust it in a way that actually sticks without risking injury. You’ll walk away knowing how to measure it, what range makes sense for your body, and the smart, sustainable way to improve it over time. Key TakeawaysCadence is how many steps you take per minute. A smoother, quicker rhythm helps your foot land under your body, reducing impact and making running feel easier.Don't jump straight to a high number. Aim to increase your steps per minute by just 3-5% at a time over weeks and months so your body can safely adapt.Forget the myth that everyone needs 180 steps per minute. The real goal is to find a cadence that makes your stride smoother and wastes less energy at your own pace.Timestamps[00:16] What you'll learn[01:03] What Cadence Actually Is (and Why It Matters)[01:33] What Happens If Cadence Is Low[02:49] How to Measure Your Cadence Today[03:46] Understanding The Science Behind Improving Cadence[04:16] Use This To Increase Your Cadence[05:20] The Smart Way To Increase Cadence[08:54] What to Avoid When Increasing Cadence[11:51] Use these 17 Tips To Increase Your Cadence The Smart WayLinks & Learnings📈 Get your free Increase Cadence & Habits Plan here: https://dlakecreates.com/cadencefree🎧 Listen, read and learn more here: https://dlakecreates.com/cadencenew3 Easy Tips to Fix Your Run Form in 7 Minutes - https://dlakecreates.com/overstridingHow To Use Spotify, Music & DJ Mixes To Run With Higher Cadence - https://dlakecreates.com/cadencemusicMost Runners Are Doing A-Skips Wrong (Are You?) - https://dlakecreates.com/askipsWhy Pro Runners Do This But You Don’t? - https://dlakecreates.com/strideswithmeRun Cadence Ultimate Guide - https://dlakecreates.com/improve-running-cadence-tipsInstagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    13 min
  7. Your Heart Rate Zone Is Wrong (Fix It in 10 Minutes)

    JAN 21

    Your Heart Rate Zone Is Wrong (Fix It in 10 Minutes)

    What if everything you think you know about running easy is actually making you slower and more exhausted? In this episode, I break down why your usual approach to running pace might be sabotaging your progress and how switching to heart rate training can unlock easier, more consistent runs. I explain why the same pace feels easy one day but brutal the next, and share a simple, equipment-free method to find your personal training zones without needing expensive lab tests. You will learn exactly when to rely on your heart rate monitor and—just as importantly—when to ignore it completely to get the most out of your hard workouts. Key TakeawaysRunning the same pace doesn’t always mean the same effort. Heart rate shows when your body is working harder because of stress, poor sleep, heat, or fatigue.Most runners think they are running easy when they are not. Using heart rate and the talk test together helps you slow down enough to actually build fitness.Heart rate is a powerful tool for easy and recovery runs, but it breaks down during short, hard efforts. Knowing when to ignore heart rate is just as important as knowing when to use it.Timestamps[00:27] What You'll Learn[01:33] What Heart Rate Training Is + Why It Works[02:59] Why HR Training Works[03:54] Use This To Run Faster[04:49] How to Actually Use It - Step 1: Find Your Easy Heart Rate Range[06:24] Step 2 - Use The Talk Test[07:10] Step 3 - How To Do This[07:37] Step 4 - Ignore Heart Rate On Hard Days[08:38] Gear That You'll Need[10:54] The Mistakes Everyone Makes: Mistake 1[11:15] Mistake 2 - Obsessing Over Hitting The Right Pace[11:57] Mistake 3 - Use HR For Everything[12:07] Mistake 4 – Expecting Instant Results[12:36] Use This To Run and Farther Faster with Little EffortLinks & Learnings📈 Get your free run at low heart rate zone 2 training plan here https://dlakecreates.com/zone2free🎧 Listen, read and learn more here https://dlakecreates.com/hrtrainingRun Farther… Without That ‘Why Am I Dying?’ Feeling | Base Training - https://dlakecreates.com/base2Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    14 min
  8. What Actually Happens When You Start Running Again (It’s Not Pretty)

    JAN 14

    What Actually Happens When You Start Running Again (It’s Not Pretty)

    What if the real reason you keep getting hurt isn’t laziness or bad form, but one single run where you went just a little too far? Most people don’t quit running because they’re lazy. They quit because they get hurt doing too much too soon. In this episode, I break down why that happens, why feeling good can actually be the most dangerous moment in training, and how small, boring choices are what keep runners healthy long term. I walk through a smarter way to start running again, how to build fitness without stressing joints and tendons, and how to think about running as something that fits into life instead of fighting it. If you want to stop starting over, stay injury free, and make running something you can do for years, this episode lays the foundation. Key TakeawaysThe run that causes injury is rarely the first one. It’s usually the run where you feel good, push too far, and don’t realize the damage until days later.Walking before running isn’t a setback. It’s the safest way to rebuild tendons, joints, and habits so you can stay consistent without breaking down.Consistency beats intensity every time. Running a few days a week for months is far more powerful than pushing hard for a few weeks and quitting.Timestamps[00:19] What You'll Learn[01:06] Why Walking Comes First[02:47] The 3-Day Plan[03:28] Week 1[04:20] Week 2[04:33] Week 3[04:46] Week 4[05:06] Week 5[05:38] Use This to Start Running[06:29] Why Running Is Different[08:01] Build the Body | The Three Must Do Exercises for Runners[09:35] The Mindset Reset[11:26] Use This to Do Long Runs the Right WayLinks & Learnings📈 Get your free run farther and faster training plan here https://dlakecreates.com/basefree🎧 Listen, read and learn more here https://dlakecreates.com/startrunningHow to Run a sub 30 min 5k - https://dlakecreates.com/5ksub30You’re Wasting Money on the Wrong Running Gear ****https://dlakecreates.com/gearThe #1 Mistake New Runners Make With Knee Pain https://dlakecreates.com/runnerskneeInstagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreatesStrava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    12 min
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About

This is a podcast about how runners can live better lives through consistent self-improvement.Unlike other running brands, The 1% Better Runner focuses on how small, daily habit improvements ripple into broader life success, helping runners perform better both on and off the road, track, or dirt.I’m Daren DLake: Certified running and nutrition coach, Sub-3-hour marathoner and 10-hour Ironman finisher.Since 1996, I’ve been helping other self-coached runners, researching, and experimenting on how to better myself 1% each day.A few times a week, I’ll drop how I’m tweaking my training, sticking to habits when life’s messy, and cool stuff from coaches and health pros. It’s a no-BS cheat sheet for building better habits—not just for running, but for work, relationships, and personal growth too.Join thousands of other committed runners listening to the most exciting run and endurance sports content on the internet and get more tactics and strategies in your inbox each week.Bonus - Get my free 30-day base and habits training plan when you sign up for the free newsletter here.PS - Podcasting is very "1-way," so let's fix that. Hit us up if you have any feedback, want to collaborate, or just wanna tell me about your training. On Instagram @dlakecreates or talk@dlakecreates.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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