Most runners know Keira D’Amato as the realtor-turned American record holder who is as famous for her humor as she is for her speed, but in our latest sit-down, we deliberately skipped the origin story to focus on the mechanics of how sheoperates today. Shifting her training to Utah under coach Ed Eyestone, D’Amato has replaced the traditional high-volume grind with a masterclass in efficiency, utilizing "fatigue simulation" to mimic the final miles of a marathon without the physical toll of excessive race-pace mileage. Fromrebuilding her 5K speed to create aerobic headroom to implementing a strict 6-day training week, her current blueprint is a professional look at how elite performance is evolving toward longevity and structural durability.

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· 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 of the Marathon Running Podcast, we dive into whyyour solitary training miles might be hitting a plateau and how to smashthrough your personal bests by becoming a "skilled racer." Weinterviewed Chris Knighton,founder of Knighton Runs and author of Run Faster Marathons, to discuss the psychologicaland physiological necessity of the tune-up race.

We asked Chris about the "isolationist" trapmany marathoners fall into and how to strategically bridge the gap betweentraining fitness and race-day performance. We tease the "GoldStandard" of tune-up distances, the dangers of tapering too early, and whyyour GPS watch might be lying to you about your potential. Plus, stay tuned forexpert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitivesports.

· The 100% Effort: Learn why you can't replicate truerace intensity in solo time trials and how "exposure therapy" for thebrain prevents race-day panic.

· The 18-Week Roadmap: A breakdown of the three stagesof development—from baseline time trials to the "Specific Stage"crescendo.

· Data Over Guesswork: Why Chris advocates for VDOTformulas over heart rate or watch-based predictors to set your goals.

· The "Train-Through" Method: How to race ontired legs to prepare for the final 10K of your marathon without burning out.

Our guestthis episode: Chris Knighton (KnightonRuns.com)

Connect withUs:

· 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

Why You Should Listen

In this episode of the Marathon Running Podcast, we sit down with Luca Ciccone, Director of Product Engineering at Saucony, to demystify the complex world of running shoe technology.

Ever feel overwhelmed by the alphabet soup of shoe foams? We ask Luca to break down the science behind PEBA, EVA, TPU, and TPEE. He helps us understand which materials offer the most energy return, which are the most durable, and why certain shoes carry a higher price tag. Whether you are a casual jogger or a competitive marathoner, this deep dive into the "foam pyramid" provides the expert insights you need to make an informed decision on your next pair of trainers. Stay tuned for updates and expert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitive sports.

If you've ever wondered if "super foams" are worth the investment or why your shoes feel different after 200 miles, this episode provides the technical clarity you've been looking for from an industry veteran with over 20 years of experience.

🔗 Our guest this episode: Luca Ciccone, Director of Product Engineering at Saucony

• Our Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luca-ciccone/

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

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

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