Luke and Matt kick off with some light banter before Luke's travel day into Japan for the Osaka Marathon - a small delay, a tight connection, business class, melatonin sleep, and ANA staff going above and beyond to get them through. That opens a broader chat on Japan's world-class service, its strict rule-following culture, and why Japan feels "cheap" right now with the yen and day-to-day costs.

The episode then pivots to Jake Barraclough's "Ran To Japan" video and his blunt take on doping in pro running - how hard it is for major names to get caught, the risks for whistleblowers, and how brand protection, TUEs, and enforcement can shape what the public does (and doesn't) see. Luke and Matt keep the language careful while still digging into the bigger system-level questions.

On the racing side, Luke and Matt talk about Truett Hanes' Austin Marathon hype - and the contrast with the women's winner Kellen Taylor running a women's OTQ-level performance that didn't get the same attention. They also recap Barcelona Half - Hugo Fry's standout 1:03:35, plus Ben is Running and Victor Smang's results and what it suggests for Ben's Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan. They close with a broader YouTube chat - raw vlog energy vs cinematic edits - and a few hints at Matt ramping back into regular uploads alongside coaching.

Links

Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026

Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders

Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/

Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/

Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/

Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359

Contact Matt: [email protected]

Topics

1. 00:00 Gray beard banter & getting older
2. 01:02 Luke arrives into Japan: delays, connections
3. 06:54 Why Japan feels "cheap" right now: yen, costs, exchange rate chat
4. 08:07 Jake Barraclough "Ran To Japan": blunt talk on pro running doping
5. 15:21 Big names, brand protection, TUEs, and why enforcement is messy
6. 38:24 Austin Marathon: Truett Hanes
7. 44:34 Barcelona Half recap: Hugo Fry 1:03:35
8. 53:07 Ben is Running & Victor Smang: results, pacing, and the Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan
9. 58:35 YouTube talk: raw vlogs vs cinematic edits + Matt's return to uploading
10. 01:07:09 Training updates + supporter club wrap