LISTEN
This week on the A to Z Running Podcast, USA trail running champ Mario Mendoza joins us to discuss the repetitiveness of long-distance running, and being that he’s also set the 50k and 100k world records for treadmill running, you know he’s an expert!
INTRO
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- FOLLOW and SUBSCRIBE
- Thanks for joining in on the conversation on social media.
- Check out our article with gift ideas, Gifts for Runners!
- Episode sponsor: Aletha Hip Hook
- The Hip Hook is designed to target the iliacus and the psoas muscles.
- After just one use of the Hip Hook, my night time hip discomfort decreased by at least 80%
- Using the hip hook regularly has allowed me to rehabilitate more healthily.
- I’ve tried to release my iliacus and psoas through many other methods, none of which gave me as much relief as the Hip Hook.
MAIN TOPIC: EMBRACING REPETITION
Main Topic: Embracing Repetition
From mental strategies to the physical considerations involving running many miles, you will take away practical advice for embracing repetition. This episode is chuck full of practical advice from our guest Mario Mendoza about how to do that.
About our Guest: Mario Mendoza
Mario is a pastor and professional runner. He is a 5x USA Trail National Champion and 4x USA Trail Runner of the Year. He’s held the 50k & 100k treadmill world record. Mario is a guru of distance running with dozens of wins and several course records. Mendoza has competed on six different world Championship Teams for Team USA.
Because both of Mario’s parents are from Mexico and Mario was born in California and grew up on an Avocado Ranch, Mario is a cultural bridge builder. From outreach, to running camps, his world record runs, and so much more, Mario uses running to build community.
We followed up with Mario and asked him the benefits of repetition and he said,
“I’d say one of the key benefits of repetition is that it challenges you to become a faster and more economical runner. When I’m training on trails it’s harder to know exactly what type of effort I’m giving, but when I’m running on something repetitive (treadmill, track, even roads) I see exactly what pace I’m running. You really learn to be focused on more intrinsic feedback when you’re not on trails and that can be very beneficial to becoming a better runner. I firmly believe that repetitive running makes me a better mountain runner.” -Mario Mendoza
Check out the documentary videos about Mario’s endeavors HERE.
Follow Mario:
IG: @mendozarunner
Twitter: @mendozarunner
Facebook: @mendozarunner
WORLD OF RUNNING
#1. 105 yo Woman Establishes New 100m WR
(According to CBS News)
- Louisiana Senior Olympic Games
- At 105 years old, Julia Hawkins became the first woman and first American in her age group to run 100 meters.
- Rules- complete the distance and stay in her lane, which is difficult because she can only see about a foot in front of her.
- But she says it doesn’t compare to the many wonderful things in her life, like her 70-year-long marriage to her husband, Murray.
- According to Runners World, Hawkins only took up running when she turned 100 because she says she ran out of people to compete against in cycling when she hit her late 90s.
- She was the former holder of the 100m world record at 100 years old after recording a time of 39:62 in 2017. However, that record was broken in August this year by 100-year-old Diane Friedman, who clocked 36.71.
- Julia’s advice for other runners? “Stay healthy and keep running.”
#2. Fastest Marathon Pushing a Wheelchair
(According to Runners World)
- Nov 8 Barcelona Marathon.
- Eric Domingo Roldan pushed his mother Silvia who suffers from multiple sclerosis, and had Covid recently.
- The son-mother pair ran a blazing 2:53:28 to beat the previous world record of 2:58:40
- Silvia, “ It fills me with life, and gives me peace being able to see the landscapes. And above all, it gives me an incredible freedom.”
#3. Tunnel Hill- Stefanie Flippin
- Stefanie Flippin was 1st female, 4th overall in 14:04 (8:24 min/mi pace) for the win to defend her title at Tunnel Hill 100.
- PRed in the 50 mile, 100k, and 100 mile distances.
- Future podcast guest- SUBSCRIBE
BONUS Project Eclipse
- Shalane retired from professional running two years ago and recovered from two knee surgeries in 2020.
- Shalane completed 6 marathons in 42 days
- She hosted her own marathon in place of the Tokyo Marathon in Portland and ran Berlin Marathon, London Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Boston Marathon, and the New York City Marathon.
- New York: 2:33:32
- Portland: 2:35:14
- Boston: 2:40:34
- Chicago: 2:46:39 (Splits 1:23:19 / 1:23:20)
- London 2:35:04
- Berlin 2:38:32
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