Race Day Ready: Proven Marathon Strategies for Success
Have you been marathon training and you’re worried that you won’t be ready for success on your marathon race day?
Coach Whitney LaCombe from our Spark Healthy Runner team is back on the podcast to share her proven marathon strategies for race day success!
In this episode, coach Whitney and Dr. Duane Scotti dive into the ultimate race day strategy to help you master your marathon!
We’ll provide valuable insights on how to make a race day plan, marathon pacing strategy, marathon nutrition, hydration, adjusting for adverse weather, and mental strategies to use during your marathon.
Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or gearing up for your first 26.2 miles, this episode is packed with tips and tricks to ensure you cross that finish line strong and smiling. So lace up those running shoes, and let’s get started!
There are six parts of your running journey that need to be optimized so you can run strong and last long! Learn them here
Want Dr. Duane to answer your question on the podcast? Submit questions here
Watch the video interview with coach Whitney
Ultimate Marathon Training Guide to Master Your Marathon Feeling Strong
This marathon training guide is designed to cater to both beginner and advanced runners who are seeking to achieve their marathon goals while prioritizing longevity and minimizing the risk of injuries.
You will learn about the principles of…
-Marathon mindset
-How to pick the right marathon training plan for you
-Base building for marathon training
-Strength training while balancing marathon training
-Marathon training for beginners
-Advanced Marathon training
-Mistakes to avoid for your marathon
-Marathon training nutrition
-Training for a marathon during the summer
-Insider tips during race travel for a destination marathon
-Marathon recovery during training and after your race
-Marathon race day strategy
-Post marathon mistakes to avoid
-Marathon gear recommendations
Listen or watch all of coach Whitney’s previous episodes here!
Listen to our previous episode on how to pack for a destination marathon here!
Listen to our previous episode on running gear for your marathon race here
Listen to my previous episode on mantras and mental strategies for your marathon here
Listen to my previous episode on marathon nutrition here
Listen to my previous episode on marathon hydration and electrolytes here
Watch how Sonya overcame her fears to finish her first marathon in Disney by getting stronger not only physically but mentally
Watch how Emily went from middle of the pack runner to confident marathoner hitting new PR’s being the best role model for her two young boys
Listen to my previous episode about my Cape Cod Marathon Recap Breakthrough here
Want the structured run and strength plan with motivation and accountability to reach your highest running potential to crush your marathon race?
Book a call to learn more about Healthy Runner coaching
This Episode Sponsored By:
A big thanks to ucan for your support for this episode!
Click here to get a FREE UCAN Edge starter pack (you’ll just pay the cost of shipping), and use code HEALTHYRUNNER for 20% off your next UCAN order.
That’s it for this week. Please forward this web link on social media and/ or in your group chats.
Want these to land in your inbox each and every week so you can learn how to become a stronger, faster, lifelong injury free runner?
Subscribe to my weekly newsletter here!
Thanks for reading!
Yours in health,
Duane
Connect with Coach Whitney LaCombe:
– Instagram: @runwhitspark
– Email: whitney@sparkhealthyrunner.com
– Healthy Runner Facebook Community
Connect with Dr. Duane:
Dr. Duane Scotti, DPT, PhD, OCS is a running physical therapist, run coach, host of the Healthy Runner podcast, and founder of Spark Healthy Runner and has been a leader in the rehab and running community for 20+ years.
Duane initially started running as an adult, wanting to add some cardio to his gym sessions. After having hip surgery, his doctor advised him to get off the treadmill and run outside. Without having fully recovered, Duane suffered his first running-related hamstring tendon injury and many others as a novice runner early on.
As a coach, he has guided thousands of athletes back to running, finishing their first marathon, crushing a personal best, and even the elusive Boston Marathon qualifying time.
After 19 years teaching in higher education, Duane decided to step away as a Clinical Associate Professor of Physical Therapy to pursue his passion educating the running community. Through his signature 1:1 coaching program, Healthy Runner Academy membership, weekly videos, and podcast episodes, he empowers runners to get stronger, run faster, and enjoy lifelong injury free running without having to stop running to get over an injury. Dr. Duane truly believes that anyone can run and that all runners should be treated differently when recovering from an injury. He is on a mission to change the traditional thinking that running causes “overuse injuries” or “your body is just not meant to run” and you must “take a break” to get better. Through strength and run specific training you can grow a strong mind, strong body, and just keep running!
Duane received his Bachelor of Health Science degree and Master of Physical Therapy degree from Quinnipiac University in 2001 and 2003. He then went on to receive a clinical Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Ph.D. in Physical Therapy from Nova Southeastern University in 2017. Duane is a board-certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, RRCA Certified Running Coach, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, certified in dry needling and has advanced training in spinal manipulation and rehabilitation for runners.
As an athlete, Duane is an adult-onset runner, 4x marathoner, avid half marathoner, and enjoys challenging himself to learn and grow in his personal running journey!
A native New Yorker from Long Island, Duane currently lives in Cheshire, Connecticut with his wife Deb and his two teenage daughters who are competitive volleyball players. They all love to explore new beaches along the east coast.
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“I don’t have enough words to express my gratitude towards Duane Scotti and the Spark Healthy Runner program. When I started working with Duane, I had been dealing with chronic shin splints/posterior tibialis tendinitis for almost a year.
I had worked with multiple other coaches and physical therapists with little success and was at the point of almost giving up on my love for running. Duane is so kind, thoughtful and knowledgeable as both a physical therapist and running coach. Our first virtual meeting lasted two hours because he was so meticulous in his assessment. His strength and running program is progressive and created so that you can continue to build strength and mileage as you heal. His strength program is unique, effective, and fun.
Additionally, his warm-up routine is awesome and includes drills that over time have made me a more efficient runner. His training platform is easy to use, and he is always readily available to chat when problems or questions arise.
Over four months of working with Duane, I have built back to five days a week of running and am almost back up to my pre-injury weekly mileage and long run distance. Whenever I have flare ups or setbacks, Duane reassures me and makes necessary adjustments so that I can continue to progress in my running journey. I have had so much success with him so far that I have signed on for four more months so that he can help me to continue getting stronger as I train for the Dopey challenge in Disney World.
If you are struggling with a running injury and are feeling hopeless, you have to reach out to Duane Scotti. Of course, you will have to put in a lot of hard work, but with Duane by your side, you will be able to achieve your goals and more. Thank you Spark Healthy Runner for bringing the spark back to my running!”
You can teach an old dog new tricks!!! I have never considered myself a runner and I knew I needed to be smart about it because I am no spring chicken. Spark preached getting strong and healthy to be injury free and they practice what they preach. I am soooo glad I made the investment in me! I finished my half marathon last weekend and couldn’t be any happier! The program fed me all the steps I needed to essentially learn how to run long distance, build strength, nutrition help, a forum of other runners and probably most important was the 1:1 coaching. I had no idea how to tackle training for a 1/2 marathon and this program broke all of it down, had it individualized for me and we tweaked as we went to make sure I was staying healthy and strong. I had so many questions the week prior to my race and Coach Cat was always there for me and answering all the questions and issues I had-and believe me there were a lot! The biggest benefit I think I got was the strength. I am strong and fit. But most important was what I gained emotionally. I built confidence and strength I didn’t know I had, even at my age. Honestly could not have done this without Spark Healthy Runners!
My Healthy Runner journey started after I had battled bilateral achilles pain for a few months and was frustrated how it affected my running. As soon as I talked to Duane I knew I had made the right decision. His positivity, enthusiasm and genuine care are infectious. The training plan that was tailored to me included specific exercises to rehab my injury and I was so excited that I didn’t have to stop running. It took patience to only run slow for a few weeks but I trusted the process and it got me me to where I am now: running pain free. We made adjustments to the plan throughout whenever needed having someone in your corner that is always there with guidance and support throughout the process was invaluable.
I just ran my second half marathon, both with Duane’s coaching, and PR’d by over 9 minutes! I got all choked up in the last mile when I realized that I felt strong and could still kick it up a notch.
I’m so thankful for the Healthy Runner program, community and the entire coaching team for all the support!