Training your body to run high mileage takes time, patience, and perseverance, along with a foundation of strength to stay healthy. Not everyone can run 100+ mile weeks, but we can all learn from the training and mindset principles of those who do – like Matt Meyer.
As a new or seasoned runner, one of the best ways to improve your endurance is to run more miles. Of course this comes with a caveat – you can’t go from zero to 100 until your body is prepared to handle the increased mileage.
Training with high mileage for the marathon – or any long distance event – requires a delicate balance of structure and flexibility. You have to be willing to push yourself, but also know how to listen to your body and balance hard workouts with a high volume of easy running.
On the podcast this week I have Matt Meyer, a devoted member of the Boulder running community who has learned to thrive on impressively high mileage training. Matt is both a running and strength coach who works at Revo Physiotherapy and Sports Performance in Boulder. He owns an impressive 2:34 PR in the marathon, but is hoping to demolish that with a 2:25 in December at CIM (California International Marathon).
Matt Meyer on high mileage weeks and intuitive running
Early in Matt Meyer’s running career, his talent and drive for running fast and long led to the critical mistake that catches so many runners: doing too much, too soon. While running 90+ mile weeks for marathon training he suffered bilateral stress fractures and couldn’t run for 3 months.
Although Matt’s injury history is an all too common one for runners, his comeback story is not. After extensive work with PT and being relegated to a maximum of 40 miles a week in his post-injury training cycle, Matt learned the importance of building durability before volume.
With a strong foundation of strength work to rebuild his durability, Matt can now handle mileage that is pretty jaw dropping to most of us. Through his training that balances a strategic yet flexible approach, he has continued to get faster and run incredible mileage, week after week.
In our conversation, Matt and I discuss the the ins and outs of high mileage running, including:
- The necessity of balancing very easy and very hard running
- Why running requires having a continuous conversation with your body
- How strength training builds a foundation for durability
- The importance of seeing every training block as a stepping stone
- How to pick the low hanging fruit when it comes to recovery (hint: eat and sleep!)
- Why training PRs are just as important as race PRs
No matter how many miles you run each week, there’s a lot to be learned from my conversation with Matt. Enjoy!
Subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeartRadio, or Google Play.
Links & Resources from the Show:
Thank you SOAR!
I’m thrilled to introduce our newest sponsor, SOAR! This London-based brand makes high-performance running apparel that I’ve been loving over the last 5 months. If you watch our YouTube videos, you’ll have seen me rocking a ridiculously short pair of blue 1” split leg shorts.
I have been inseparable from my 1” split leg SOAR shorts and my SOAR painter’s hat this summer. And for good reason: their gear is elite-level. They have technically-groundbreaking wet and cold weather gear that’s guided by a “function-first” mentality. The result is just amazing apparel that is comfortable, light, and just effective and helping you train.
SOAR is at the forefront of design innovation with ergonomic designs, cutting edge fabrics, and continuously updated clothing that just keeps getting better. See for yourself at SOAR Running and make sure you use the code SRUN15 to save 15% off your order until the end of October.
Thank You Athletic Greens!
Thank you to our sponsor, Athletic Greens! They are a health and wellness company that makes AG1. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens.
One scoop per day is what I’ve been doing to help me fill in any nutrition gaps in my diet. It also provide a nice boost of energy and focus throughout the day. With all 3 of my kids in school, I know I need to support my immune system or else I’m getting sick and can’t train.
I also love that AG1 has changed over the last decade. Athletic Greens has made 53 improvements to the formula based on the latest research to make these nutrients more absorbable.
For our listeners, they are offering a year’s worth of free Vitamin D and 5 free travel packs of AG1 with your first purchase. You can sign up for single shipment or for a monthly drop – the choice is yours. Check out Athletic Greens to redeem your offer today.