We sit down with James McKirdy, founder of the coaching collective McKirdy Trained, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to produce elite-level results without the "bogus" cookie-cutter methods saturably found on social media.

We dive deep into the thrilling 2026 Los Angeles Marathon finish where McKirdy athlete Nathan Martin secured a victory by a razor-thin 0.01 seconds. James breaks down the tactical brilliance behind Nathan’s performance—specifically how he executed a masterful negative split (dropping from a 5:02/mile to a 5:00/mile close) despite the grueling Michigan winter and hilly LA course.

We also explore the viral story of Daniel Mesfun at the Dublin Marathon. James explains why Daniel’s decision to literally stop and run backward for a dropped hydration bottle wasn't a mistake, but a calculated execution of the McKirdy fueling philosophy. From "gut training" to the specific electrolyte needs of different athletes, this episode is a masterclass in the intersection of sports science and human psychology.

Updates and expert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitive sports.

• The "Anti-AI" Approach: Discover why James believes human relationship and "pencil, not ink" adjustments beat automated training plans every time.

• Negative Splitting 101: Learn the physiological "tells" in training that indicate if you are actually ready to chase a specific marathon goal.

• The Nutrition Audible: Get the hard rules on why McKirdy athletes "never skip fuel" and how to train your stomach to handle 100+ calories every 15–20 minutes.

• Coaching the "Underdog": James shares stories of athletes ranging from 5-hour marathoners to 69-year-olds running faster than they did 20 years ago.

Our guest this episode: James McKirdy | McKirdy Trained Website 🔗

• Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast

• YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal

Why You Should Listen:Connect with Us:Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

In this episode of the Marathon Running Podcast, we dive into the role of AI in marathon nutrition. I sit down withregistered dietitian and endurance nutrition expert Alex Larson, founder of Alex Larson Nutrition (you can find her at https://alexlarsonnutrition.com/) to discusshow AI tools are shaping the way runners fuel their bodies—and where they canquietly sabotage performance.

We cover real-world examples of AI missteps,including underfueling, medical contraindications, and the limits of automatedmeal plans. Alex shares actionable insights on how marathoners can combine AI with human expertise, improverecovery, and maintain confidence in their fueling strategies. If you want tostay ahead of the curve in marathon training and learn how to make technologywork for you—not against you—this episode is packed with expert guidance andpractical tips.

Why YouShould Listen:

· Learn how AI can help or hinder marathonnutrition

· Discover common fueling pitfalls and how toavoid them

· Get expert advice on combining technology withhuman insight for optimal performance

Ourguest this episode:
Alex Larson, Registered Dietitian & Endurance Nutrition Specialist | AlexLarson Nutrition

🔗Connect with Us:

· Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com

· Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast

· YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal

· Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

In this episode we are trying something different. We are taking a deep dive into the current state of the marathon. We talk about what is going on currently, including all the controversies. LA marathon's 18 mile marathon distance, the LA marathon finish and unfortunate events of their racers being led of course. We talk about Kipchoge running Cape Town, Shanghai being on schedule for becoming a world major, Sebastian Sawe vs. Kiplimo at the London Marathon, and so many more things.

🔗 Connect with Us

Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast

Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607