307. Stop Banking Time in Your Marathon

About this episode

James McKirdy discusses elite marathon training techniques and the importance of personalized coaching in this episode.

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…

People in this episode

Hosts: Letty Lundquist, Ryan Lundquist

Guest: James McKirdy

Topics covered

• elite marathon training
• negative splitting
• sports science
• nutrition in running
• human psychology in sports

Keywords

• marathon training
• negative split
• hydration strategy
• sports psychology
• running nutrition

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: McKirdy Trained

Places: Los Angeles, Michigan, Dublin

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