New York marathon will be my 5th world major marathon and 2nd since my type 1 diabetes diagnosis. I will also be running as part of the Puma project3 team.
In this episode, I talk about my last couple of weeks leading up and what will happen this weekend. I share my expectations and challenges.
I also talk about how to prepare for something huge like this and also how to recover and reassess your goals after a big race.
One-to-one coaching slots are filling up fast for spring. If you are interested in finding out more go to www.therunningrules.com/services
This week I'm discussing three of the hot topics in big marathons that has divided opinion.
Dublin marathon has changed its general entry process to ballot only, Paris has announced no cups or bottles on course and Cape Town, the 8th candidate major was cancelled at the weekend.
I give my view on each highlighting how marathons have changed and are continuing to change and how you can try to prepare yourself for these changes or disappointments.
I also talk about what 2026 marathons are available to enter and how far ahead of time you need to be thinking about them.
You can get help with your upcoming race with the master the marathon course or a personal race prep call at www.therunningrules.com/services
This week I am 3 weeks away from New York marathon so things are starting to get real! There's still a few big sessions to go but also most of the work is done and recovery and tapering are key.
Today, I share some of my tapering principles and focuses, how we need to lean into the uncertainty of what is going to happen on race day and how to cope with stress using 'flow activities'.
This episode will provide you with some pitfalls to avoid and tips to get you through the taper and to the start line, fit and healthy and raring to go.
You can get help with your upcoming race with the master the marathon course or a personal race prep call at www.therunningrules.com/services
Today's episode is a Q+A covering questions sent to me through instagram, from clients and podcast listeners. To send a question for a future episode, message me @therunningrules on IG.
To skip to a particular question, go to:
02:30 - Will my marathon time suffer if I spend a cycle tackling shorter races?
18:05 - Why should I run in different shoes for different sessions?
32:55 - What snacks do I recommend when travelling to a big marathon?
39:04 - What are XC spikes?
48:00 - Should I book a half marathon now in the build up to my spring marathon?
You can get help with your upcoming race with the master the marathon course or a personal race prep call at www.therunningrules.com/services
Today's episode is all about how to pace yourself on race day. I look at different possible pacing strategies and why going out slower in longer races is likely to help you get your best race time.
I talk about how to get around GPS inaccuracies and how to prepare mentally for the end of a long race to stop you losing a lot of time.
I also look back to a rare race victory this weekend at the Annaghmore 10k and how it was a completely different mental approach than simply time trialling a race.
You can get help with your upcoming race with a personal race prep call at www.therunningrules.com/services
Today's episode is an update on what's happening inside the Puma Project3 in terms of the help we've been getting as well as the first drop of gear including the Fast R3s.
I'll go through why I've had to make some changes to my marathon preparation even though Belfast went so well. Sometimes you might be forced into changes but it's also worth looking at what improvements you can make.
I round off with a bit of an insight into how I'm trying to manage my T1 diabetes slightly differently given the difficulties I had in my previous races.
The master the marathon course will get you ready and confident for your upcoming race by helping you plan your fuel, mindset and pacing. Sign up now at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon
Today's episode gives you a look into my latest half marathon race whilst looking forward to Belfast half marathon and giving some tips for first time half marathoners.
I let you into some of the mistakes I made in my first half marathon in 2014 as well as reflections and learning points from the weekend.
Best of luck to everyone running the half marathon this weekend whether it's your first time, a big PB attempt or along the way to an autumn marathon.
The master the marathon course will get you ready and confident for your upcoming race by helping you plan your fuel, mindset and pacing. Sign up now at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon
Autumn marathons are just about on us but there is still time to make a difference in your next race!
Today's episode is all about things you can do right now to improve your chances of running your best in the marathon.
I cover aspects of nutrition, mindset, pacing and planning as well as an overview of the master the marathon course that will get you ready and confident for your upcoming race.
Sign up now at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon
Today's episode is half race review of the GRC Coastal 5k and half my thoughts on the pros and cons of running races.
With 9 weeks left to New York marathon, the 5k race on Friday past is likely to be my penultimate tune up race before the big day as we're now getting into the big work of the marathon cycle.
I share my thoughts going into the race and how it panned out and where it leaves me for the next block of training.
It also got me thinking about how there is a fine line between racing enough and too much and the pros and cons of doing a race. I give you a rundown of what to think about and how to plan your races.
If you want to improve in your marathon this autumn, check out my course 26.2 days to master the marathon at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon
This November I will be taking on New York marathon as part of the Puma Project3. I was very fortunate to even get a place in New York nevermind be a part of this exciting programme.
In today's episode I reveal how it's taken me 7 years to get to New York with some of the ups and downs on the way.
I give an overview of what's in store with the Puma Project3, what I'm excited for and the things I'll need to optimise for New York.
And as always, I'll be talking about how this can relate to your own marathon journey and share some of the takeaways I've had in the early part of this marathon cycle.
If you want to improve in your marathon this autumn, check out my course 26.2 days to master the marathon at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon
Today I talk all about parkrunning with guest Linda Harley.
Linda is closing in on 400 parkruns and has run over 100 different parkruns including all the Northern Ireland parkruns at various times (new ones are continually added).
Linda also writes a brilliant blog of all her experiences and details of the parkruns at www.dancingatlunacy.com
We discuss milestones and different parkrun challenges as well as how to get involved as a volunteer and what to know about if you are going to a new parkrun.
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
Today's episode is a race recap from the Mallusk 5 mile road race. The course is infamous with 550 feet of ascent, mostly in the first two miles up the Sealstown road.
Races like this help to give you a different focus rather than fixating on pace and they can also offer up something different to your training.
I talk about how to objectively assess a non A-goal race and also how racing on your back doorstep with a strong team around you can help push you on.
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
Protein is quite high up on the list of nutritionally important things for runners to think about yet it's possibly something that gets a little forgotten about.
As runners we might think that protein is simply something that bodybuilders need to worry about but it is important for everyone and especially for anyone physically active.
In this episode I explain what protein is, why it is an important consideration for runners as well as some practical tips on how much is optimal and where to get it from.
To get 10% off protein powder go to www.awesomesupplements.co.uk and use the code LADD10
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
Today's episode is for anyone who feels their training feels a bit harder than it should which includes me right now! If you aren't struggling right now then bookmark this for a time when you are.
Sometimes we know what the issue is but it can seem overwhelming or sometimes we simply don't know. We can end up doing too much or not enough but it depends on the reasons for the dip.
This episode gives you a framework of questions to answer yourself to be able to analyse what is going on and how you can change things up to help get you back to where you want to be.
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
Today's episode is a deep dive into how I dealt with and tried to figure out my type 1 diabetes diagnosis to be able to run a marathon personal best 6 months later.
Like a lot of things in life and marathon running, T1D is very individual but there were steps I took and principles I followed to try to simplify the challenge and give myself the best chance of success.
And this extends to any challenge that we are up against. This podcast explores how mindset is key but also having a plan and being flexible can get you to where you want to go.
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
Today's guest Andrew McCrea ran his marathon best of 2:44 at this year’s scorching London marathon as part of the Puma Project3 group.
We talk about his progression in the marathon from a debut of 4 hours to consistently breaking 3 and also what it was like to be treated like an elite by Puma as part of their Project3 group.
He has paced the Belfast marathon twice and we talk about how the mindset and experience is slightly different when helping others.
Andrew is also a qualified running coach and you can find out more about him and his business as ‘The Grow Running Coach’ at his website and instagram:
https://www.thegrowrunningcoach.com/
https://www.instagram.com/andrew_mccrea/
https://www.instagram.com/thegrowrunningcoach/
My 'Master the marathon' course is now available at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon (IG link in bio).
Today's episode is a different type of race recap for me, a shorter distance, a new experience and sub-optimal preparation with lots of takeaways that come from that.
I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity to wear the NI vest again and also want to encourage more people to try to chase that dream.
And if that isn't your goal then hopefully this episode will inspire you to take on the challenges that you feel are just slightly beyond your grasp as well as providing you with all the usual race recap insight.
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
Today's guests Lee O'Boyle and Micky McAuley give amazing insight into training for mountain races and tackling some of Europe's biggest ultramarathons.
Micky was the 39th person to run the Denis Rankin round and on that round he inspired Lee, now an Irish representative, to follow suit. They have both competed at UTMB, the mecca of trail running in Europe.
We talk about how the highs and lows of ultra running and how having a training partner can motivate and push you along as well as keep you safer in unpredictable terrain and conditions.
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
What are the most important things to focus on for your next marathon cycle? Obviously training is key but how do nutrition, mindset and planning stack up?
Today's episode is one not to miss if you're embarking on an autumn marathon as I give my top 10 list of things to focus on for your next cycle.
If you want even more points to fully master the marathon, check out my 'Master the marathon' course at www.therunningrules.com/master-the-marathon (IG link in bio).
What's more, if you sign up to one-to-one coaching, you'll get the course included in your package! Message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching to find out more!
Can one 'good' running performance be a fluke?
Can one 'bad' running performance be the new norm?
In today's episode I explore the notion that we sometimes feel we have to prove that a breakthrough performance isn't just a fluke.
I also question if a race that didn't go as well as we hoped is a blip or the new reality.
The good news is that for most of us, we can keep raising the ceiling on our performances and whilst progress may not be linear, there is more cause for optimism than not.
This Thursday (19th June) I will have an interactive quiz on my instagram stories to give you insight on the number one thing to focus on for your next marathon block. Go to
www.instagram.com/therunningrules
If you need help and accountability with your own training for your next race along with personalised guidance in nutrition and mindset, message me at www.instagram.com/therunningrules or see www.therunningrules.com/coaching
