EDR #30: Autumn Marathon Season: with Niels Esmeijer: "Being a part of something bigger"

This episode, and the next, features a conversation between Niels Esmeijer and myself. Niels is the coach atMTFU, and he is also frequent pacer for athletes to reach their sub-2:30 marathon goals. His own PB is 2:25. Interestingly, he says that he races well when pacing others. But yes, as we keep saying, ‘times are only part of the story’. But, I guess, times are important for getting a ballpark idea about from which ‘running perspective’ one is coming from. 

In this episode we discuss some of the pitfalls of doing a world major marathon in comparison to a smaller, local race; we discuss mileage versus efficacy and how to make sure you’re organised on race day. 

Themes discussed:

• Berlin: a spontaneous marathon?
• Pacing athletes and racing strategy
• Chaos in the last hour before the race and climbing fences 
• Problematic aid stations; hard plastic cups on the course
• World major marathons or local marathons and races?
• First time races: is it better to start smaller and ‘control the controllables’
• Pre-race routine: doing it with friends or alone? 
• Practicing the race day experience: know what works for you
• High mileage training: diminishing returns? 
• Running and life balance: life happens, but roll with it
• “winning has a lot of definitions”
• Mileage vs efficacy: mileage is important but it is not the be all and end all 

*Photo used in episode image by Bjorn Paree @runoutofhell

***

Andy Fuller/Reading Sideways Press

Strava: Andy Fuller

Instagram: Everyday Runners Leiden

Twitter/X: @readingsideways

Email: everydayrunnerspodcast@gmail.com