I Quit Marathon Training and Got Faster

What if skipping the traditional long run is actually the key to unlocking your true speed potential?

After three decades of running, I'm shaking things up completely. This episode is a raw, real-time look at what happens when you stop training like a marathoner and start chasing raw speed again. I'm breaking down exactly why I've ditched the traditional long run approach, how I'm structuring my weeks around quality over quantity, and why feeling slightly undertrained might actually be the secret to staying consistent. If you've ever wondered whether you really need those long, slogging weekend runs or if there's a better way to get faster without burning out, this one's for you.

Key Takeaways

1. Cutting out long runs in the off-season barely touched my fitness levels, which means most runners are doing far more volume than they actually need to stay in shape between training blocks.
2. Finishing every session feeling like you could have done a little more isn't a sign you're slacking. It's the exact signal that your body is absorbing training and building toward something real.
3. Injury prevention isn't one big decision you make. It's a hundred small ones, and prioritising full rest days and easy effort on soft surfaces adds up to more consistency than any extra session ever could.

Timestamps

• [00:19] What You'll Learn
• [00:48] What I'm Doing Different
• [01:47] How the long run changes
• [02:28] How I'm Feeling
• [03:04] A Sample of My Training Week
• [03:55] Why I suck at the marathon
• [04:39] Picking The Right Surface / My Achilles
• [04:39] Minimizing Injury Risk / The challenge of adding in more running
• [05:12] Don't Forget The Hills
• [05:57] Get This Free Thing To Avoid Injury

Links & Learnings

• 📈 Get Your Free Email Course Here: https://dlakecreates.com/emailcourse
• 🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here: https://dlakecreates.com/rwmfeb2026
• I Quit Long Runs For 4 Months. Here's What Happened: dlakecreates.com/Nolongrun
• Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
• Strava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507

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