Run4PRs

Latest Episodes:

332. How to Taper to Crush Your Fall Race & Peak at the Right Time Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Most runners don’t sabotage race day in training. www.run4prs.com
They sabotage it in the taper.

After months of hard work, the final 2–3 weeks determine whether you arrive at the start line fresh and primed — or flat and fatigued.

In this episode, Coach Vic explains what the taper actually does physiologically, how to time it correctly, and the most common mistakes that prevent runners from peaking for their fall marathon.

You’ll learn:

• What the taper actually is (and isn’t)
• How to time your last long runs and workouts
• Why cutting volume too aggressively backfires
• Why intensity must stay in the taper
• How to avoid cramming late fitness
• How to arrive at race day fresh without losing sharpness

The taper doesn’t create fitness — it reveals the fitness you already built.

331. How to Pace a Half Marathon Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

www.run4prs.com

The half marathon is one of the most misunderstood races.

It’s short enough to tempt you into going aggressive…
but long enough that early mistakes will cost you in the final 5K.

If you’ve ever:
• Felt amazing at mile 4
• Questioned your life at mile 10
• Or completely faded in the final stretch

This episode is for you.

Inside, we break down:

• The biggest half marathon pacing mistake
• What your effort should feel like in each segment of the race
• How to pace miles 1–3 vs miles 9–13
• Even splits vs negative splits (and which works best)
• How to adjust for heat, hills, wind, and fitness level
• The mental strategy that helps you close strong instead of survive

The half marathon isn’t about blasting the first 5 miles and hanging on.

It’s about patience early, commitment late, and controlled aggression in the final stretch.

If you want to finish strong instead of fading at mile 10, this episode will help you rethink your pacing strategy.

And if you’re looking for personalized race pacing and structured training specific to your fitness, check the show notes for coaching options and resources.

Race smart.
Stay patient.
Close strong.

330. What to Do When You Blow Up Mid-Race Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

www.run4prs.com

You’re mid-race.
Things were going well.
And then suddenly… they’re not.

Your pace falls apart.
Your breathing feels off.
Your legs feel heavy.
And your brain starts spiraling.

So what do you actually do when you blow up mid-race?

In this episode, we break down:
• Why most race implosions happen
• The biggest mistake runners make when pace slips
• How to reset physically and mentally
• When to fight and when to pull back
• How to turn a bad race into valuable data

Every serious runner has a blow-up story. The difference between fragile runners and durable ones? Durable runners adapt.

If you want help building a training strategy that minimizes mid-race implosions — and teaches you how to respond when they happen — check the show notes for coaching resources.

329. The Psychology of Slowing Down: Why Easy Runs Are So Hard Mentally Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Running easy sounds simple. www.run4prs.com

Lower heart rate.
Conversational pace.
Leave something in the tank.

But for many runners, slowing down isn’t physically difficult — it’s mentally uncomfortable.

In this episode, we unpack why easy runs can feel threatening, frustrating, or even identity-shaking — and how to reframe them as one of the most advanced skills in your training.

We cover:

Why easy pace can trigger ego and comparison
The psychological attachment to being “fast” or “high-performing”
How slowing down challenges achievement-driven personalities
The nervous system component most runners ignore
Practical ways to detach from pace and redefine success
Why restraint, not intensity, builds long-term durability

You’ll learn that the discomfort of easy running isn’t about fitness — it’s about identity.

And that mastering the ability to hold back is often what separates short-term performers from long-term athletes.

Key Takeaway:
Slowing down isn’t weakness — it’s strategy.
Confidence allows restraint.

If you’ve ever struggled to truly run easy — or felt exposed when your pace drops — this episode will help you shift from ego-driven effort to sustainable progress.

Train with patience.
Run with intention.
And let contrast do its work.

328. How to Avoid the Wall in Your Next Marathon Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

Every marathoner fears it: the wall. www.run4prs.com

That late-race moment when your legs feel like concrete, your pace starts slipping, and your brain begins negotiating.

But here’s the truth:

Hitting the wall isn’t inevitable — and it’s not a test of toughness.

In most cases, the wall is predictable. And more importantly, preventable.

In this episode, we break down:

What “the wall” actually is (and what it isn’t)
The biggest pacing mistake runners make
Why fueling timing matters more than most people realize
How to structure long runs to prepare your body for late-race fatigue
The role of strength and muscular durability
How to stay mentally steady when effort rises late in the race

You’ll learn why the wall is usually a fueling and pacing issue — not a character flaw — and how small strategic decisions early in the race determine what happens at mile 22.

Key Takeaway:
The marathon isn’t about surviving the last 10K.
It’s about earning the right to run it well.

If you want to avoid the late-race collapse and finish strong instead of hanging on, this episode gives you the blueprint.

Train with intention.
Race with patience.
And stop treating the wall like a mystery.

327. How to Train Smarter When You Can’t Train More Jul 17, 2026

Show notes

Life is full and at some point, almost every runner hits a limit.

Not more miles. www.run4prs.com
Not more days.
Not more hours.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to keep making progress when your training time or volume is capped — without burning out or forcing more into an already full life.

You’ll learn:

Why “more” stops working after a certain point
How truly easy days unlock better fitness
Why fewer workouts with clearer purpose beat random intensity
How to stack fitness inside the runs you already do
Why strength training is the ultimate time hack for runners
How recovery becomes leverage when volume is limited

If you’re juggling work, family, stress, and real-life responsibilities, this episode will help you shift from training harder to training smarter — with clarity, intention, and sustainability.

Key takeaway:
You’re not behind because you can’t train more.
You’re being forced to train better.

326. Confidence vs. Comparison — The Social Media Trap for Runners Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

Episode 326: Confidence vs. Comparison — The Social Media Trap for Runners

www.run4prs.com

Social media ruins more running confidence, joy, and race plans than injuries ever will.

In this episode, we’re talking about the comparison trap — and why scrolling Instagram can turn a perfectly good training cycle into self-doubt, pressure, and second-guessing.

You were feeling good about your run…
Until you saw her run.
You were excited for your race…
Until someone posted a shiny new PR.

Suddenly, your training feels behind — even when nothing actually changed.

In this episode, we break down:

Why social media comparison feels so automatic (and why it’s not a personal failure)
How curated running content distorts reality
The real ways comparison sabotages confidence, training decisions, and joy
Why confidence isn’t about being the best — it’s about staying aligned
Practical steps to break the comparison cycle and protect your mental space
How to use social media as a tool instead of a trigger

Key takeaway:
Confidence is built internally.
Comparison is triggered externally.

325. How to Find a Race You Can Place In — or Potentially Win Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Most runners choose races based on hype, reputation, or what everyone else is doing. www.run4prs.com

And then they’re surprised when they finish mid-pack, feel invisible, and walk away with less confidence than they started with.

In this episode, we’re talking about how to choose races strategically — not by sandbagging or ego racing, but by being intentional about where you line up.

If you’re training hard in 2026 and want:

Podium finishes
Confidence-building races
Momentum instead of constant comparison

This episode is for you.

You’ll learn:

Why smaller, smarter races matter more than big-name events
The biggest mistake runners make when choosing races
How to analyze prior-year results to spot real opportunities
Why field depth matters more than the winning time
The “green flags” that signal a race is good for placing
How small races make you a more tactical, confident racer
How to use podium races as tools in a marathon build

Key takeaway:
Not every race is meant to be a proving ground.
Some races are meant to be won.

Racing smart doesn’t make you less competitive — it makes you more dangerous when it counts.

324. Are You Overtraining or Just Tired? How to Tell the Difference Jun 07, 2026

Show notes

Am I Overtraining… or Just Tired? How to Tell the Difference

www.run4prs.com <--- free week of training

One bad run doesn’t mean you’re broken — but real overtraining is a thing. In this episode, we break down how to tell the difference between normal training fatigue and true physiological overload, without spiraling or blowing up your entire training plan.

You’ll learn:

The key difference between being tired (a moment) and overtraining (a pattern)
Common signs of normal fatigue that aren’t red flags
The real warning signs of overtraining, including pace drops, HRV trends, sleep disruption, and mood changes
A simple self-check to assess whether you need rest or just better recovery
Exactly what to do if you’re just tired — and what to do if your system is actually overcooked

If you’ve ever googled “adrenal fatigue” after one bad workout or questioned your entire running career mid-week, this episode will give you clarity, confidence, and a smarter way forward.

323. The Top Workouts That Actually Make You Faster in the Marathon May 26, 2026

Show notes

www.run4prs.com

Want to run your next marathon faster? 🏃‍♀️💨
Then stop guessing your workouts and start training with purpose.

In this episode, we break down the most effective, science-backed workouts that truly move the needle in marathon performance — not just building endurance, but unlocking speed and efficiency on race day.

You’ll learn:
✅ What makes a workout marathon-specific
✅ How to structure long runs with purpose
✅ The key tempo, threshold, and interval sessions to include
✅ Why progression runs and pacing discipline matter more than mileage alone
✅ How to stack workouts to build lasting fitness

Whether you’re training for your first marathon or chasing a new PR, this episode will help you understand exactly how to train smarter — and run stronger on race day.

🎧 Tune in now, and if you want a free, customized marathon training plan, comment “marathon” on our latest post!

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