At kilometer 17, everything got quiet—and that’s when it got real.

This episode dives into one of the most overlooked but powerful tools in marathon training: the fast-finish marathon pace long run. We push through 25K at race pace to test mental and physical readiness five weeks before race day. Learn why using effort over data matters, how to simulate race fatigue, and what it means to coach with calm presence, not numbers. You’ll walk away knowing if your training is actually working—and how to adjust if it’s not.

Key Takeaways

• A fast finish long run can show your true race readiness better than any other workout.
• Running by feel with a trusted pacer beats over-relying on pace data.
• Mental effort is just as important as physical during long runs five weeks out.

Timestamps

• [00:00] Why long runs without purpose don’t help
• [00:33] The setup: Brenton’s marathon pace long run
• [01:11] How pacing without numbers makes a difference
• [01:58] Starting the workout—staying controlled
• [02:56] How I used “silent coaching” to manage effort
• [04:51] High mileage week strategy five weeks out
• [05:44] The breaking point at 17K
• [06:47] What a true fast finish feels like
• [07:36] Final pace push and effort
• [08:28] Brenton’s confidence breakthrough
• [09:32] How to use this type of run in your own training

Links & Learnings

• 📈 Get your free 1% better base training plan - https://dlakecreates.com/basefree
• 🎧 Listen, read and learn more here https://dlakecreates.com/fastfinish
• Check Splits On Strava - https://www.strava.com/activities/13958531432
• DLake Runs on IG - https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
• DLake Runs on Strava - https://www.strava.com/athletes/12050

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