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https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/

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https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/

Contact:
matt@sweatelite.co

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

Strava Training Log:
https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359

I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates. This is episode #30.

I wished friends luck at Osaka and Tokyo and spoke about returning to YouTube to document a marathon comeback despite not running yet and feeling imposter syndrome.

I explained why I moved away from pro-athlete travel content - doping concerns, COVID restrictions, visa limits and tax complications. The channel is shifting toward my own journey.

On training, I addressed the effort vs pace debate. Context matters. Effort leads, especially when fatigued. I spoke about avoiding the anxiety spiral by focusing on sensation and adaptation rather than numbers and judgment.

I touched on influencer culture, unnecessary products, and doping speculation - urging caution without proof.

I discussed coaching as an optional performance tool, like super shoes, and may use a coach in an advisor role. I'll likely train mostly in standard shoes and race in super shoes.

Current context: I'm around 79 kg and believe 65–66 kg aligns with a 2:12–2:15 goal. I reflected on running 2:20 off ~105 km per week in 2021. I'm considering cycling and stair climbing to maintain fitness while reducing impact and avoiding ego-driven mileage.

I also covered my 10-year Japan ban, alcohol vs cannabis culture, pre-race nerves, speed after 40, Australia's social media ban for under-16s, and moving Workouts of the Week into a paid Supporters Club to build a healthier community.

Closed with plans for stairs, weights and a cold plunge.

• 00:00 - Welcome Back to 'In My Opinion' (Format, cadence, and what to expect)
• 00:54 - Race Week Shoutouts + Osaka Marathon Feelings
• 02:16 - Carb-Loading Stories & Filming a Marathon Comeback Series
• 03:17 - Why I Stepped Away From the 'Pro Athlete Training' Travel Life
• 04:45 - COVID-Era Australia, Visas, and Getting Stuck at Home
• 07:26 - US Immigration Reality Check + A Detour Into Money, AI, and the Future
• 09:37 - Q&A Starts: Training by Effort vs Pace (Ben's tempo run 'contradiction')
• 11:52 - Email/Inbox Mindset + Running Content Creator Fatigue
• 14:15 - Brands, Influence, and What Running Really Needs (Nutrition & authenticity)
• 15:55 - Make It About You: Imposter Syndrome, YouTube strategy
• 18:33 - More Listener Mail: Helsinki banter + Switching to new questions
• 19:49 - Fraser's Big Idea: Sensation vs Measurement (escaping the anxiety spiral)
• 21:53 - Truett/Luke 'hate' discourse: Entertainment vs negativity in the pod
• 23:53 - Osaka Marathon Q: Can I watch? Japan ban, cannabis vs alcohol, and moving on
• 26:12 - When Do You Actually Need a Coach? (Ken Rideout example)
• 26:52 - Supplements, ketones & super shoes: what you actually need
• 28:33 - Why chase a faster marathon: goals, weight loss & the reset mindset
• 29:45 - Coaching plans and past drama: finding the right advisor
• 30:46 - Train in trainers, race in supers? Injury risk & adaptation
• 32:34 - Influencers, supplements & doping gray zones (L-carnitine, EPO, T)
• 37:58 - Supporters club + Discord: keeping the community clean and paid
• 40:46 - Quick-fire training Qs: cycling/stairs, bathroom nerves, speed after 40
• 52:47 - Wrap-up: more questions, today's workout & how to reach out

Luke and Matt kick off with some light banter before Luke's travel day into Japan for the Osaka Marathon - a small delay, a tight connection, business class, melatonin sleep, and ANA staff going above and beyond to get them through. That opens a broader chat on Japan's world-class service, its strict rule-following culture, and why Japan feels "cheap" right now with the yen and day-to-day costs.

The episode then pivots to Jake Barraclough's "Ran To Japan" video and his blunt take on doping in pro running - how hard it is for major names to get caught, the risks for whistleblowers, and how brand protection, TUEs, and enforcement can shape what the public does (and doesn't) see. Luke and Matt keep the language careful while still digging into the bigger system-level questions.

On the racing side, Luke and Matt talk about Truett Hanes' Austin Marathon hype - and the contrast with the women's winner Kellen Taylor running a women's OTQ-level performance that didn't get the same attention. They also recap Barcelona Half - Hugo Fry's standout 1:03:35, plus Ben is Running and Victor Smang's results and what it suggests for Ben's Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan. They close with a broader YouTube chat - raw vlog energy vs cinematic edits - and a few hints at Matt ramping back into regular uploads alongside coaching.

Be coached by Matt: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026

Join the Shareholders Club / Private Podcast Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders

Luke Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lukeandrewkeogh/

Luke Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/87061348/

Matt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/

Matt Training Log - Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359

Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co

1. 00:00 Gray beard banter & getting older
2. 01:02 Luke arrives into Japan: delays, connections
3. 06:54 Why Japan feels "cheap" right now: yen, costs, exchange rate chat
4. 08:07 Jake Barraclough "Ran To Japan": blunt talk on pro running doping
5. 15:21 Big names, brand protection, TUEs, and why enforcement is messy
6. 38:24 Austin Marathon: Truett Hanes
7. 44:34 Barcelona Half recap: Hugo Fry 1:03:35
8. 53:07 Ben is Running & Victor Smang: results, pacing, and the Rotterdam sub-2:20 plan
9. 58:35 YouTube talk: raw vlogs vs cinematic edits + Matt's return to uploading
10. 01:07:09 Training updates + supporter club wrap

In this detailed conversation, Alex Harvey discusses his recent impressive half marathon in Japan, the skepticism around his progression, and his transparent use of Strava to share his full training.

Alex breaks down his early marathon times and steady improvement through consistent training. He covers marathon challenges (fueling and getting intensity right), how business and family life fits around training, and his aspirations heading into Tokyo Marathon. He also shares why racing without a strict time goal can be valuable, plus how context-specific training has helped him progress.

We also get into his preference for training alone, keeping training efficient, and his approach to diet - along with why he largely avoids strength training and cross training.

Follow Alex

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

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/46089368/

Work With / Follow Matt

Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/coaching-2026

Shareholders Club / Private Feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders

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

Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359

Contact: matt@sweatelite.co

Topics

00:00 Introduction and Recent Achievements
00:10 Addressing Skepticism and Progression
02:42 Early Running Experiences
03:51 Transition to Serious Training
05:05 High School and Early Twenties
07:35 Inspiration to Start Running
09:38 Recent Race Highlights
12:59 Training Philosophy and Volume
17:48 Training Alone and Flexibility
19:42 Speed Work and Coaching
24:28 Long Runs and Marathon Preparation
25:03 Training in the Heat: Adapting to Queensland's Climate
26:02 Key Training Sessions: Building Endurance and Speed
27:09 Mental Strategies for Pacing and Performance
30:21 Fueling Challenges and Solutions
33:34 Balancing Life: Business, Family, and Running
38:28 Speed and Distance: Exploring Potential and Preferences
41:59 Diet and Weight Management for Optimal Performance
44:45 Cross Training and Strength Training Insights
47:16 Final Thoughts and Where to Follow