307. A Mind-Blowing Boston Marathon, Jess McClain Runs 2:20 (!!!), and Studies on What Improves Endurance Performance!

307. A Mind-Blowing Boston Marathon, Jess McClain Runs 2:20 (!!!), and Studies on What Improves Endurance Performance!

From Some Work, All Play by David Roche and Megan Roche

April 21, 2026 · 1h 30m

About this episode

The episode discusses the Boston Marathon, featuring Jess McClain's record-breaking run and various insights on endurance performance and training.

We had just the right amount of Dunkin’ coffee (a barrel) before this great episode! The main topic was everything we learned at the Boston Marathon, highlighted by Jess McClain running 2:20:49 to break the American Course Record by over a minute. We break down our experience the most magical weekend! The most memorable moment for us: Around 30k, Jess fumbled a bottle (with a gel on it) right at the moment when the big moves were happening. What do you do at that moment? Jess turned around, grabbed it, and somehow bridged back to the leaders by surging under 5 min/mile pace. It was an unthinkable moment of perseverance and smarts that will go down in US running history. NO CARB LEFT BEHIND. And there were other amazing topics when we stopped being obsessed with Boston for a few seconds! Other topics: carbs in marathons, insights from marathon training, a study on cycling training that examines what overlaps with the best performances, a parallel running study, and lots more. Boston, we love you and your unexplained steam coming from the ground! History fact: Paul Revere listened to the SWAP Boston episode. HUZZAH! -David and Megan Get 25% off for The Feed’s birthday sale…

People in this episode

Hosts: David Roche, Megan Roche

Topics covered

  • Boston Marathon
  • endurance performance
  • marathon training
  • carbohydrates in marathons
  • cycling training studies
  • running history

Keywords

  • Boston Marathon
  • Jess McClain
  • endurance
  • marathon training
  • carbohydrates
  • cycling training
  • running history

Sponsors

The Feed, The Feed, Janji, Wahoo Fitness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Dunkin’

Places: Boston Marathon

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