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This is a podcast about how runners can live better lives through consistent self-improvement. Unlike other running brands, The 1% Better Runner focuses on how small, daily habit improvements ripple into broader life success, helping runners perform better both on and off the road, track, or dirt. I’m Daren DLake: Certified running and nutrition coach, Sub-3-hour marathoner and 10-hour Ironman finisher. Since 1996, I’ve been helping other self-coached runners, researching, and experimenting ...
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Why the Half Marathon Might Be the Perfect Distance This episode breaks down why the half marathon might just be the smartest distance in running. It explores how 13.1 miles gives you nearly all the benefits of a marathon, endurance, stamina, confidence, without the physical wreckage that often follows 26.2. Listeners will learn why restraint beats…
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Most runners ruin race day before the starting line—by doing their long runs wrong. Most runners either skip their long runs or run them the wrong way—and it’s costing them results. In this episode, you’ll learn how to turn long runs into your most powerful training tool. From easy “cupcake” runs to advanced over-unders, these five long run formats…
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The secret to running farther and faster isn’t fancy workouts—it’s the boring stuff you’re skipping. Most runners chase quick fixes—faster workouts, new shoes, or trendy training plans—but the real growth comes from mastering the basics. In this episode, I break down the simple “More, Better, New” framework that helps you know when to increase mile…
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Most runners skip A-skips — literally — but this one drill can make you faster without running harder. In this episode, we unpack what makes A-skips so tricky and how to break the movement down into four easy, science-backed steps. Learn how to coordinate arms and legs, build ankle stiffness and elastic recoil, and improve your running economy — al…
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What if your 10K time isn’t a fitness issue—but a training mistake? Your 5K might be strong—but if your 10K falls apart, there’s a reason. In this episode, we dig into the physiology, training strategy, and psychological traps that make the 10K feel like an entirely different sport. You’ll learn why a small change in energy demands exposes your wea…
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Most runners overcomplicate race preparation when the fastest times come from ridiculously simple tweaks anyone can master. Looking to shave seconds or even minutes off your next race time without overhauling your entire training plan? I'm breaking down the most immediate, science-backed performance hacks that you can implement right now - from str…
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What if building muscle as a runner isn’t about training harder, but training smarter? Key Takeaways You can gain muscle and lose fat while running often—if you master training timing and recovery. The key isn’t magic exercises or diets—it’s rhythm, rest, and the right weekly structure. Most runners need more protein, more rest, and less chasing of…
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That sluggish, heavy-legged feeling on your run might not be from your training—it could be from the very water bottle you’re drinking from. Every run feels a little harder when your body is fighting invisible stressors you didn’t even know were there. In this episode, I dig into the hidden world of microplastics—what they are, where they show up i…
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What if your relentless focus on hitting 180 steps per minute is actually making you a slower, less efficient runner? Many runners, myself included, have fallen into the trap of chasing a perfect cadence number, thinking it's the key to running faster. But what if I told you that focusing on that number is actually holding you back and that true ef…
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The most accurate way to find your lactate threshold costs $250 in a lab, but the second-best method is completely free and you can do it this afternoon! Finding your true threshold can feel like a mystery, but it’s one of the most important numbers in running. In this episode, I break down the most common ways to test it, from simple guesses to hi…
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That nagging pain on the outside of your knee isn't a sign to foam roll harder—it's a signal you're targeting the wrong muscle entirely. IT band pain can sneak up on any runner, turning a solid training cycle into weeks of frustration. This episode breaks down what’s really causing that sharp ache on the outside of your knee and why common fixes of…
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Strides might be the most powerful running tool you’re not using—and they only take 10 minutes. Running faster doesn’t have to mean endless mileage or exhausting workouts. In this episode, I break down the simple but powerful training tool of strides—what they are, why most runners get them wrong, and how using them the right way can unlock free sp…
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Every runner thinks they understand tempo runs, but 90% are doing them completely wrong and sabotaging their race goals. Everyone talks about tempo runs, but no one can agree on what they actually are. This episode ends the confusion for good by breaking down the real-world definition and purpose of this crucial workout. You’ll learn exactly how to…
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What if the secret to running faster isn't pushing harder but actually slowing down for 80% of your training? If you've been grinding through workouts and not seeing the speed gains you want, this episode reveals the counterintuitive training approach that actually works. You will learn why slowing down for months at a time is the secret to getting…
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What if everything you’ve heard about zone two training is only half the story—and maybe not even the important half? Most of us have been told that endless easy miles are the key to better running, but what if that’s only part of the picture? In this episode, I dig into the science and real-world experience behind zone two training to show where i…
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What if the reason your Achilles pain keeps coming back isn't because you're not resting enough, but because you're doing the wrong type of recovery exercises entirely? Achilles pain can sneak up on any runner, turning easy miles into a constant battle. This episode breaks down exactly why it happens and gives you the clear, professional-grade prot…
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What if the reason you're struggling through runs isn't because your legs are weak, but because you're literally using the wrong breathing technique that's sabotaging every step? Running isn’t just about strong legs or logging more miles—your lungs hold the secret to smoother, faster, and more enjoyable runs. In this episode, I break down simple bu…
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I learned the hard way that buying the latest shoe doesn’t replace real training. I’ve come to realize that shiny gear isn’t the magic bullet most of us think it is. In this episode, I dig into why focusing on day-to-day consistency and small training tweaks leads to real progress. You’ll hear practical tips on choosing basic yet effective gear, pl…
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Most runners are accidentally avoiding the exact training that would make them fastest. If you’ve ever wondered why your training feels hard but race day still falls short, this episode connects the dots. I break down the difference between Zone 2, threshold, and VO₂ Max so you can finally see how they work together instead of against each other. T…
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The worst mistake new runners make isn’t skipping strength—it’s ignoring knee pain until it’s too late. If you’re a new runner and your knee started hurting after your first 5K, this is for you. You’ll learn that the pain isn’t just bad luck or overuse—it’s your body telling you something’s missing in your training, and the fix isn’t more stretchin…
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Building muscle the right way nearly wrecked my running—because tendons don't play by the same rules. Ever felt like you're doing everything right—strength training, stretching, foam rolling—only to end up injured anyway? In this episode I break down the unexpected reason why runners who lift can still wind up with nagging calf and Achilles issues.…
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Your running form doesn't break down because your body is weak—it breaks because your focus shatters first. Most runners think they have good form until they see their race day photos—hunched shoulders, shuffling feet, looking nothing like the smooth stride they practiced in training. The truth is your form doesn't break down because you're tired; …
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Most runners think nutrition is about eating healthy, but what works in the gym doesn't work for the long run. Are you sabotaging your runs with your diet—even if you think you're eating clean? Most runners approach nutrition like bodybuilders—obsessing over "clean eating" and restrictive diets that actually sabotage performance when you're logging…
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Your fancy smartwatch is lying to you about your VO2 max, and chasing that number is sabotaging your race times Most runners obsess over VO₂ max, but few really understand what it means or how to use it. In this episode, I break down the truth about what VO₂ max actually measures, why your watch might be misleading you, and how to train in a way th…
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What if running faster isn't about pushing harder, but about subtle shifts you're overlooking? In this episode, I break down the counterintuitive truth about performance gains that most runners completely miss. I reveal how tiny 3-5% improvements in seemingly unrelated areas can compound into massive performance breakthroughs that feel almost effor…
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What if the secret to marathon success isn't running more miles, but spending more time rehearsing the tiny details everyone ignores? I thought I was ready for this race. I had the fitness. But a few small mistakes — like when and how I took in water, what I carried (or didn’t), and how I paced the early miles — taught me some hard truths. In this …
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Most runners are training for a time they think they should hit, not the one they're actually ready for. If you’ve ever felt stuck at the same 5K time no matter how hard you train, this episode is for you. I'm joined by coach Mike Trees—ex-pro runner, triathlete, and a guy who’s coached thousands, where we break down the overlooked mix of endurance…
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The difference between hitting your goal time and missing it often comes down to what you consume, not just how you train. If you're a runner who wants to train smarter, not just harder, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed strategies to fuel better, recover faster, and race stronger. I break down key tools and tactics that go way …
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Your tempo runs aren't making you faster—they're actually making you slower, and I spent years proving this the hard way before finally figuring out what actually works. Threshold training can be a total game-changer or a complete waste of time if you’re doing it wrong. In this episode, I break down five common mistakes that most runners make with …
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What if the best strength work for runners doesn’t need any weights? Running more won’t fix what weak glutes, unstable hips, and lazy posture break down. In this episode, I cover the 5 most powerful bodyweight strength training moves every runner should do. You’ll learn how to do each one with perfect form, why it matters for running performance an…
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Your expensive running shoes are actually preventing you from feeling where your foot should land, creating the exact problem they claim to solve. Overstriding is one of those sneaky mistakes that most runners don’t even realize they’re making—and it could be the thing holding you back. In this episode, I break down what overstriding actually is (h…
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Hydration alone won't save your race; unless you master the science behind it, you're probably doing it wrong. Most runners think they know how to hydrate and fuel, but they're making critical mistakes that destroy their performance when it matters most. In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact hydration and fueling strategies that will help yo…
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Lactate threshold is the one pace that impacts everything from your long runs to race day performance, yet 90% of runners train it wrong. If you’re somewhere between jogging for fun and grinding it out at VO₂ max, you’re likely skipping over the most valuable pace in your training—threshold. In this episode, I break down what threshold running actu…
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What if the best way to PR was to start slower, not faster? You don’t win your half marathon in the first 5K—you survive it. In this episode, I coached Brandon through his real race plan to run a smart, sub-1:40 half without blowing up. We talk pacing science, elevation strategy, cold weather tactics, and how to finish fast with fuel still in the t…
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Most runners don’t fuel right and it’s costing them performance and recovery. Ever wondered why your runs sometimes feel effortless while other days your legs feel like lead? It might not be your training—it could be your nutrition. In this episode, I’ll give you real, science-backed strategies to fuel smarter before and after your runs. You’ll lea…
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Most running injuries don’t come from running too much—they come from running too much, too soon. This episode breaks down exactly how I help runners rebuild fitness after injury without wrecking their bodies. From gym strength to VO2 max, from tempo runs to elliptical intervals, this is the blueprint for stacking fatigue the smart way. If you’re s…
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The most successful athletes aren't the ones who train the hardest; they're the ones who know exactly how much they can handle without breaking. What if you’ve been doing it all wrong—pushing too hard or not hard enough—without even realizing it? In this episode, I unpack the real difference between being slightly overtrained versus slightly undert…
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What if the cross training activity you love most is actually the least effective for improving your running performance? If you’ve ever wondered whether your spin class or Sunday hike is actually helping your running, this episode is for you. I break down the truth behind popular cross-training activities to reveal which ones actually translate to…
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Most marathoners show up on race day hoping for the best—but this workout reveals the truth about your fitness long before you toe the line. What if you could predict your marathon outcome before race day without guesswork or hoping your long runs were enough? In this episode, I walk you through a powerful workout almost nobody is using—but should …
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Rolling out of bed and straight into running is the fastest way to guarantee injury—and I used to be guilty of this exact mistake for years. Have you ever started a run feeling stiff and sluggish, wishing you could feel loose and ready to go from the first step? In this episode, I'll share my personal three-step warmup routine that has transformed …
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I trained for six months to avoid the medical tent—and still almost ended up there. After months of disciplined heart rate-based training, I took on the marathon to see if the low-intensity aerobic engine I built could carry me across 42.2 kilometers of real-world terrain and unpredictable conditions. What followed was a humbling, high-stakes exper…
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Your smartwatch knows more about you than your coach, so why isn’t it helping you train smarter? What if your smartwatch actually understood you—not just your steps or heart rate, but your lifestyle, goals, and even those off days when your body says “not today”? This episode breaks down the core flaws in current running AI and smartwatch tech, rev…
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What if the key to running faster wasn't about running harder, but about remembering how to skip like a kid? What if the secret to unlocking faster, more joyful running isn’t another grueling workout, but something so simple you’ve likely been ignoring it? In this episode, I dig into the counterintuitive power of short, controlled bursts that could…
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The fitness tech industry is failing runners, and no one’s talking about it. Ever felt like your smartwatch or running app just doesn’t get you? You crush a hard workout, and it calls it "unproductive." You take a rest day, and your fitness score drops. The truth? Most fitness tech is stuck in the past; obsessed with data but clueless about what ru…
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Sprinting might be the most dangerous—and most effective—thing you’re not doing. In this episode, I break down how distance runners can safely and effectively use drills like skips, strides, windups, and sprints to get faster, feel better, and stay injury-free. You’ll learn why skipping is the glue that holds your fast running together, how to dose…
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Are you training to feel good, or are you training to actually get better? We dive deep into how long runs can become the ultimate dress rehearsal for race day. You’ll learn why messing up your fueling, running without a watch, and embracing small failures during training builds the confidence you need on the big day. We’ll cover pacing, gut traini…
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For years, I thought cross-training was just a filler on recovery days — I couldn’t have been more wrong. This episode flips the script on cross-training. Instead of seeing it as “extra credit” or just something to do when you’re injured, you’ll hear how it can actually help you increase volume, boost recovery, and stay fast without piling on risky…
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What if 80,000 tiny mistakes were the reason your body feels destroyed after a race? Most runners don’t need to completely change their form—they need to understand it. This episode breaks down heel, midfoot, and forefoot striking, and why overstriding—not the footstrike itself—is the biggest problem. You’ll learn the science behind impact forces, …
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My form was fine… until I ran slower. Form breakdown doesn’t always happen when you're tired—it can hit at your "comfortable" marathon pace. In this episode, I break down how a mild hamstring strain led me to reassess everything I thought I knew about run form. You’ll hear how I tested drills, cadence changes, and strength work to fix overstriding …
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