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The #1 Mistake Runners Make at the Start (You're Doing It Too)
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Most runners sabotage their race before the start - by going out too fast and paying the ultimate penalty later.
Full episode here: youtu.be/LJRyYxmPM4s
Ian Sharman, ultramarathon legend and coach, breaks down how small pacing mistakes early on can cost you hours, not seconds, and reveals the counterintuitive secret to ultra success: slowing down is often the fastest way to finish strong.
In 5 minutes, you'll discover how pushing even a little faster than sustainable early in a race can double your fatigue by the halfway mark.
Ian unpacks concrete numbers - like risking losing 13 minutes for every 10-second-per-kilometer advantage and explains why your slowest moment might be sitting still at a station, not your final mile.
If you’ve ever felt that long-distance races demand constant grit, think again: the real skill lies in mastering the easy miles at the start to preserve your durability and power late in the game.
With over 250 marathons and ultras completed, multiple USATF 100-mile Trail National titles, and nine top-10 finishes at the Western States 100, Ian brings decades of elite racing experience and coaching wisdom.
He is the founder of Sharman Ultra Coaching and the author of the new book The Art of Ultrarunning - order your copy here: a.co/d/03X6rQzi
Explore the philosophies and strategies used by Sharman throughout his time as an ultrarunner and coach.
- Part I discusses key training methods, some of which have been widely misunderstood―until now.
- Part II delves into practical ways to improve your racing technique.
- Part III looks beyond racing and offers advice on how to grow in the sport and how to keep enjoying it for the long term.
Whether you run 5Ks, marathons, or 200-mile ultramarathons, these universal principles will help you run longer, smarter, avoid burnout, and actually enjoy the journey.
Connect with Ian Here:
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►YouTube: youtube.com/@sharmanian
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About RUNEGADE: Two ordinary friends practicing the lost art of conversation to better understand running, life, and what it means to be human. We interview athletes, doctors, scientists, Olympians, and everyday doers of Big Things to help you run, feel, and live better.
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5 minutes.