307. Stop Banking Time in Your Marathon

We sit down with James McKirdy, founder of the coaching collective McKirdy Trained, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to produce elite-level results without the "bogus" cookie-cutter methods saturably found on social media.

We dive deep into the thrilling 2026 Los Angeles Marathon finish where McKirdy athlete Nathan Martin secured a victory by a razor-thin 0.01 seconds. James breaks down the tactical brilliance behind Nathan’s performance—specifically how he executed a masterful negative split (dropping from a 5:02/mile to a 5:00/mile close) despite the grueling Michigan winter and hilly LA course.

We also explore the viral story of Daniel Mesfun at the Dublin Marathon. James explains why Daniel’s decision to literally stop and run backward for a dropped hydration bottle wasn't a mistake, but a calculated execution of the McKirdy fueling philosophy. From "gut training" to the specific electrolyte needs of different athletes, this episode is a masterclass in the intersection of sports science and human psychology.

Updates and expert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitive sports.

• The "Anti-AI" Approach: Discover why James believes human relationship and "pencil, not ink" adjustments beat automated training plans every time.

• Negative Splitting 101: Learn the physiological "tells" in training that indicate if you are actually ready to chase a specific marathon goal.

• The Nutrition Audible: Get the hard rules on why McKirdy athletes "never skip fuel" and how to train your stomach to handle 100+ calories every 15–20 minutes.

• Coaching the "Underdog": James shares stories of athletes ranging from 5-hour marathoners to 69-year-olds running faster than they did 20 years ago.

Our guest this episode: James McKirdy | McKirdy Trained Website 🔗

• Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com

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