We chat about Dane’s experience doing the plan, including some of his most memorable workouts and a breakdown of how he felt throughout the 18-week training program.
We also chat in-depth about how to put together a marathon starting from scratch—when to schedule your biggest workouts, how to build up to them, and how different types of workouts support one another.
If you’ve been looking for an in-depth account of what doing a full-spectrum marathon build really looks like, or what the process of building up a program from a blank calendar looks like, this podcast is a great listen. I really enjoyed doing this show and I hope you enjoy it as well!
To keep up with Dane, you can follow Run Culture on Instagram here. If you enjoy the episode, make sure you leave a review on your podcasting app of choice! Reviews are really helpful for content creators, and help more runners find good podcasts!
I just recorded a great podcast with Victor Urquhart Smångs, a coach and 28:57 10k runner in Sweden who is in the middle of a big build-up for the Valencia Marathon. We talked about elite-level marathon training, including key workouts, periodization, and heat versus altitude training. Check out the full episode on your podcast app ... Read more
I just went on the Life in Stride Podcast to chat about all aspects of marathon training—workouts, periodization, fueling, tapering, recovery, and more! This was a super fun chat with Chris, Scotty, and Danny, and it was great to get their own perspectives on training (Chris had just done the classic 8 x (1k, 1k) ... Read more
I was just on the perfectly-named Running Book Reviews Podcast to chat with hosts Alan and Liz about my book, Marathon Excellence for Everyone. We talk about why I wrote the book, how I approach periodization for the marathon, and how to mentally approach race day, among many other topics. I really enjoyed this show ... Read more
I just posted the video from my live lecture on the science of modern marathon training! In the video, I uncover the science behind the modern approach to marathon training, including how VO2max, running economy, lactate threshold, and physiological resilience each contribute to marathon performance. Then, I explore the training methods that most effectively target ... Read more
Recently I sat down to chat about training with hybrid athlete, coach, and content creator Alec Blenis. This was a particularly interesting conversation because I am also coaching Alec on his quest to break 2:30 in the marathon while maintaining his strength and physique goals. I’m always looking to learn new things as a coach, ... Read more
I just recorded a great conversation on the Seconds Flat Podcast from Columbus Running Company where we chatted about base training for the marathon, what coaches influenced me, how to set your marathon goal pace, and the merits of single vs. double threshold, among other topics. Find the show on your favorite podcasting platform: 🎧 ... Read more
I just went on this week’s episode of The Planted Runner Podcast with Claire Bartholic to chat about how you can apply the principles of modern marathon training, even if you’re not an elite runner. We also talk about some of the most useful findings from scientific research in the last few years, and how ... Read more
Regular readers will know that I’m a big believer in the importance of physiological resilience for the marathon—the ability to resist the decline in your effective fitness level as a race continues. This week I was thrilled to return to Jason Fitzgerald’s Strength Running Podcast to do a deep dive into physiological resilience. In the ... Read more
About the Author
John J. Davis, Ph.D.
I have been coaching runners and writing about training and injuries for over 12 years. I've helped complete novices, NXN-qualifying high schoolers, elite-field competitors at major marathons, and runners everywhere in between. I have a Ph.D. in Human Performance, and I do scientific research focused on the biomechanics of overuse injuries in runners. My new book on marathon training, Marathon Excellence for Everyone, is now available on Amazon!
3 thoughts on “Podcast: Building a marathon plan from scratch with Dane Verwey from Run Culture”
Hi John,
Thank you for sharing this interview. I really enjoyed it.
Also, compliments on Marathon Excellence. It's fantastic. I've already got my copy and have recommended it to several others.
A quick question please, if I may?
My friends and I do a hilly 10-15km run at a steady pace on a Wednesday every week (we pick a big hill and go run up it)
As a working, married, dad, with moderate talent (37:41 10km PB)(a proud hobby jogger) I was thinking of arranging my week as so:
Monday: Shorter very easy or Rest
Tuesday: Easy
Wednesday: Steady Hilly Run
Thursday: AM: Workout PM: Weights
Friday: Easy
Saturday: Easy with surges/strides/Hill Sprints
Sunday: Long run/Tempo/Workout
Do you think this would work? or do you think the Wednesday hilly run would detract too much from the Thursday workout?
Thank you! As for your schedule it depends a bit on "how steady" that hill run is, but I think you can make it work well by either (a) having the hilly run be at a pretty good clip (like within 10% of MP) and having the Wednesday workout be not too big / not too hard, or (b) having the hilly run be more of a moderate effort and having the workout be bigger. Especially in the general and marathon supportive phases I often have people do something like 80-90 min easy progressing to moderate on a Tuesday, then come back and do a workout the next day.
Looking back the average pace is usually around 80% MP. Very occasionally we will do something around 90-95%.
I'll monitor how I'm feeling the next day and make adjustments to the workout as needed. Perhaps take it as a workout if it's particularly intense/hilly.
Hi John,
Thank you for sharing this interview. I really enjoyed it.
Also, compliments on Marathon Excellence. It's fantastic. I've already got my copy and have recommended it to several others.
A quick question please, if I may?
My friends and I do a hilly 10-15km run at a steady pace on a Wednesday every week (we pick a big hill and go run up it)
As a working, married, dad, with moderate talent (37:41 10km PB)(a proud hobby jogger) I was thinking of arranging my week as so:
Monday: Shorter very easy or Rest
Tuesday: Easy
Wednesday: Steady Hilly Run
Thursday: AM: Workout PM: Weights
Friday: Easy
Saturday: Easy with surges/strides/Hill Sprints
Sunday: Long run/Tempo/Workout
Do you think this would work? or do you think the Wednesday hilly run would detract too much from the Thursday workout?
Kind Regards,
Brendan
Thank you! As for your schedule it depends a bit on "how steady" that hill run is, but I think you can make it work well by either (a) having the hilly run be at a pretty good clip (like within 10% of MP) and having the Wednesday workout be not too big / not too hard, or (b) having the hilly run be more of a moderate effort and having the workout be bigger. Especially in the general and marathon supportive phases I often have people do something like 80-90 min easy progressing to moderate on a Tuesday, then come back and do a workout the next day.
Thanks so much, John.
Looking back the average pace is usually around 80% MP. Very occasionally we will do something around 90-95%.
I'll monitor how I'm feeling the next day and make adjustments to the workout as needed. Perhaps take it as a workout if it's particularly intense/hilly.
Appreciate your generosity and inputs.