Miles Better

This episode features a special guest, Jake Barraclough, who is living proof of the science and principles behind what we're building at Kaizen. Running is simple. Run more to get faster.

Jake has been consistently running 200-250km per week since he moved to Japan about 18 months ago, and has improved his marathon PB down to 2:17. He reckons there's more to give (with more training) and is training towards a 2:12 at the Tokyo Marathon in just over one month's time.

We dive deep into Jake's running history, motivations and aspirations for the future.

Also some chat about Josh and Michael's ongoing training battle to see who can get into sub 2:28 shape for Barcelona Marathon on 16 March.

Kaizen

Download here: https://kaizen.app.link/milesbetter

Strava club: https://www.strava.com/clubs/runkaizen

Web: https://runkaizen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runkaizen/

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750

Find Jake

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RanToJapan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rantojapan

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/41200754

Less than 8 weeks until Barcelona Marathon, so Josh and Michael are really ramping up their training. They go into their training, both recent and future, and talk quite a lot about how they are planning on building their training load and structuring their training weeks.

If they want to get close to a sub-2:28, they realise they'll need to be averaging over 100 miles per week, likely peaking at around 200km. Josh has it all in his head, and Michael is wrapping his around the idea of going to bed early enough to fit it in.

Josh gears up to get kicked out of his virtual competition and Michael decides his entire training block will be completed on the same out and back.

Find out how Josh thinks about hitting training load goals when his target is up around 200km per week, right at the end of the episode.

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

It's been about a month since the last episode and now less than 9 weeks til Barcelona Marathon, which is round 1 of the sub 2:28 challenge.

In this episode, Josh and Michael talk about their last month of training in Mexico and Australia respectively, being the weeks leading into the part of the marathon training block that "counts". Some details about the last week or so and Josh's run up a de-commissioned funicular and Michael doing his first trail race.

Big focus on what's coming up over the next few months of training leading into Barcelona.

runkaizen.com

@runkaizen

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

New season incoming. Josh and Michael are keeping things interesting and going big in 2025, with both looking to knock off Josh's 2:28:19 PB set in 2018.

A first race has been set for mid-March, where they'll face off for the first time.

They dive into detail around what that means for them in terms of training, and how they will think about and set up their training over the next few months.

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750

Season 1 has wrapped and we are teasing what’s coming next on Miles Better

After Josh is forced to explain in a modicum of detail how well his training has been going in advance of some races ahead, Michael complains about exploring some new trails in the hills.

For the rest of the show, they discuss terrain and its impact of training, before moving onto elevation — including how that translates on race day.

They round it out with a listener question about training and racing in the heat and humidity.

Get Kaizen: https://kaizen.app.link/milesbetter

https://runkaizen.com/

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750?oq=josh

Michael and Josh discuss the new algorithm developed by Kaizen, which enhances race prediction accuracy by incorporating additional factors such as cross-training and elevation. Its range extends to predictions for 5k and 10k, in addition to existing coverage for half and full marathons.

They cover how the algorithm works, its versatility across different race distances, and practical tips for users to maximize their training and predictions. They wrap up with how to tailor predictions for individual athletes and the future rollout of the algorithm.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the New Algorithm

02:45 Enhancements in Race Prediction Accuracy

04:52 Understanding Inputs and Outputs

07:54 Algorithm's Versatility Across Race Distances

10:48 Tailoring Predictions for Individual Athletes

13:42 Practical Tips for Using Kaizen

16:39 Future Updates

After discussing the merits of schmaltz and craftmanship of artisinal chopping boards, Josh and Michael talk through the secret sauce of becoming a better runner; being consistent.

They share what's worked, what hasn't and how to get around some of the constraints of life to maximise your the time you spend running (and increasing fitness).

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750

In this episode, Josh and Michael discuss Josh's recent 75 minute half marathon and their recent training weeks, including a training camp in Czechia.

Josh reviews some half tights and a half zip from YMR Track Club, and they delve deep into running through winter. From what to wear, to how to train, race and run like a duck.

Michael: https://www.strava.com/athletes/32067191

Josh: https://www.strava.com/athletes/1721750

YMR Track Club: https://ymrtrackclub.com/

Discount code: MILESBETTER20

In this episode of Miles Better, Michael interviews Matt Fox, the man behind Sweat Elite. They discuss Matt's recent achievement of breaking the 2:20 barrier at the Chicago Marathon and the adjustments he made in his training regimen, including weight management and increased training load. Matt shares insights into his training, the importance of consistency, and his future goals in marathon running.

A must listen for anyone seeking to break a time-based goal in running.