"The best way to relax at the starting line is to take a deep breath, and say, 'This is fun as hell.' Doesn’t mean it’s not scary! Doesn’t mean it’s gonna be easy! It’s just fun as hell. And then go have some fun!"

Everyone's favorite "Ted Lasso of Running" returns to the Ali on the Run Show today for a pre-race pep talk! Coach Chris Bennett is Nike Running's Global Head Coach, and he's here to give it to you straight. He has advice on dealing with a bad race, tips for staying sane during the final days of taper, and a message for all of the soon-to-be marathoners. Whether you're making your 26.2-mile debut this spring, or you're chasing a big personal best, Coach wants you to celebrate, he wants you to race well, and, most importantly, he wants you to have an awesome time out there.

A haiku:

Coach Bennett is wise.

Listen and you'll run your best.

You are doing GREAT!

SPONSORS: 

• New Balance. Click here to shop New Balance’s latest releases for the season. (The SuperComp Trainer is my favorite shoe!)
• UCAN: Click here to get a FREE UCAN energy bar sample pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.

What you’ll get on this episode:

• Have you run yet today? (2:45)
• Coach Bennett’s advice for dealing with a bad run (12:00)
• Are the marathoners OK? (21:10)
• Coach Bennett’s pre-race pep talk for all the spring marathoners (26:50)
• Coach’s advice for the first-time marathoner (30:20)
• Coach’s advice for the PR chaser (34:30)
• How to set yourself up for success on race morning (40:00)
• How to turn a bad race around (47:30)
• What to do when you’re in a running rut (1:02:10)
• What Coach Bennett has learned from the greats (1:09:30)

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