This week on the Any Given Runday podcast, we welcome Brian Swaby (@swabysessionscoaching on Instagram), a Level 2 Athletics Ireland coach with over 22 years of experience in coaching, as well as the Health Matters 20 Weeks to a Better Marathon Coach.

For anyone starting their running journey towards the Dublin Marathon this year, this is a must listen. As well as his own background, Brian talks about how to structure your training weeks, the biggest mistakes he sees in people's training,  managing intensity, why VO2 max testing is great but not for the VO2 number specifically, how people's zone 2 can look drastically different on a heart rate monitor, balancing life with marathon training and much more

16:00 We welcome Brian Swaby 
18:42 The Transition from Steeplechase to Road Racing
21:54 The Evolution of Marathon Running
24:41 The Importance of 5K and 10K Races
27:40 Coaching Philosophy and Adaptation
30:29 Training for the Marathon: Key Strategies
33:27 Navigating Marathon Training and Coaching
36:23 Understanding VO2 Max and Thresholds
39:18 The Role of Anaerobic Threshold in Training
47:22 Understanding Heart Rate and Training Zones
48:50 Maximising Marathon Performance through Testing
52:35 Balancing Life and Marathon Training
54:52 Building a Sustainable Training Plan
58:05 Navigating Club Training and Coaching
62:23 Establishing Training Habits for Beginners
67:41 Navigating Technical Challenges in Remote Recording
68:11 Coaching Strategies for Mixed Abilities
71:46 Building Confidence Through Small Victories
73:44 Common Misconceptions in Marathon Training
74:52 Connecting with a Coach for Marathon Success

You can follow us on Instagram:
@anygivenrundaypodcast

And be sure to check out previous "16 weeks to Dublin Marathon" epsiodes as well the return of our Road To Dublin season 2 which will premier next Monday

and apply professional running coach advice to your own routine

joins the Any Given Runday podcast to break down the marathon training plan.

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If you've never had your VO₂ max or metabolism measured, there's a good chance you're training at the wrong intensity, missing valuable adaptations, or getting your race nutrition wrong.

Health Matters replaces guesswork with data. With over 15 years of experience, they're one of Europe's most experienced performance testing providers.

Find out more or book your test at myhealthmatters.ie.