The Stablemaster Speaks - The Art of the Marathon
John Starrett
Strava group: https://www.strava.com/clubs
Open Strava Group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1119827
John's one of the most successful online running coaches on the planet. He has a background in journalism and is the founder of Stazza's Stable: a global running community. John coaches a broad range of runners: beginners through elites (national, European, and Olympic standard).
He cuts through the flummery, misinformation, and plethora of platitudinous pap pushed out by influencers.
In an entertaining format, he sates runners' cravings for knowledge.
Open Strava Group: https://www.strava.com/clubs/1119827
John's one of the most successful online running coaches on the planet. He has a background in journalism and is the founder of Stazza's Stable: a global running community. John coaches a broad range of runners: beginners through elites (national, European, and Olympic standard).
He cuts through the flummery, misinformation, and plethora of platitudinous pap pushed out by influencers.
In an entertaining format, he sates runners' cravings for knowledge.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 30, 2025 • 30min
TALENT PART 2
This discussion challenges the common belief that talent is essential for marathon success. It highlights how structured training, not just innate ability, can lead to impressive results like sub-3 hour finishes. John shares insights on VO2 max and running economy, explaining their roles in performance. With lessons from recent races, he emphasizes pacing and strategy. Additionally, tips for injury prevention through midweek sessions make for a comprehensive guide for runners seeking marathon mastery.
Dec 9, 2024 • 42min
TALENT: 'MITOCHONDRIAL EVE', RUNNING SCIENCE IS WRONG, WHAT IS AND IS NOT TALENT
Explore the intriguing debate on what truly constitutes talent in running. Discover how coaching can lead to significant improvements, as illustrated by Boris's remarkable half marathon journey. Delve into the surprising revelations of mitochondrial inheritance and its impact on athletic physiology. Contrast the visibility of talent in football with the subtler emergence in running. Learn how dedicated coaching has transformed non-talented elites into high performers, revealing that success often hinges more on effort and guidance than innate ability.
Dec 7, 2024 • 33min
BORIS - 1:42 HM TO 1:19 HM IN 11 MONTHS MURDER, MAYHEM, AND MAGIC
In this episode we look at Boris incredible improvement from 1:42 - 1:19 over the HM in 11 months.
But it's much more than that: his story in incredible. There's murder, mayhem, and magic...
Nov 27, 2024 • 54min
MAKING AN OLYMPIAN - THE AOIFE COOKE STORY - FINAL PART
In this, the final episode of the Making an Olympian, we look at Aoife's Olympic build up, altitude and heat raining, the race, and what happened after...
Nov 23, 2024 • 35min
Making an Olympian; The Aoife Cooke Story Pt3 - Training block for Olympic qualification
In this episode, we look at Aoife's Cooke's training block for Olympic qualification.
Oct 31, 2024 • 52min
DOPING: Ruth's WR, Aoife Cooke; Paula Radcliffe:; Conner Mantz; Kipchoge; Clayton Young
To kick-off the new season, a firecracker episode all about doping: Ruth's 'WR', Aoife Cooke (did she dope? And the big question to me from the world's best running journo); is Kipchoge clean (and all about his age); are Conner and Clayton clean? Was Paula clean? Omertà in Kenya!.The BS around Kenyans walking to school compared to the youth of Utah and everywhere in the West! The solution to the fiasco that is athletics.
Jul 27, 2024 • 34min
Making an Olympian; The Aoife Cooke story Pt2.2
In this episode we look at Aoife's build-up to the 2020 Vienna marathon, including her six-week stint at altitude in Iten, Kenya.
Jul 18, 2024 • 45min
The Aoife Cooke Story - Pt 1: 2;46-2:32 in 10 months
In part 1 of The Aoife Cooke Story, we examine how she made the leap from plateaued club runner to Irish national marathon champion in just 10 months (from 2:46 - 2:32).
This is a detailed analysis of how a struggling club runner is lifted from the mire of mediocrity to the glory and limelight of national stardom.
Jun 28, 2024 • 1h 2min
Paul Griffiths' journey to sub 3 and becoming coach
We look at Paul Griffiths' journey to running sub 3 and how and why he became a coach.
May 16, 2024 • 34min
18:57 parkrun to 71:11 HM in 12 months; from newbie to sub 2:25 marathon in 18 months
Hear the incredible journey of James Whittington, who transformed from a novice runner to aiming for a sub-2:25 marathon in just 18 months. Balancing a demanding job and family life, he manages to train efficiently with just four runs a week. Discover his rapid progress from a parkrun time of 18:57 to a half-marathon of 71:11. Gain insights into his coaching philosophy, including a super base approach to avoid injuries, and the specific training strategies that could push him to new heights.
