Marathon pace tempo run | learn to protect your fitness

[@geee6424]

your honesty about your lack of motivation but still doing 60 miles a week is crazy, fair play to you for that.

[@Marathon5151]

That’s the discipline. Most athletes will tell you motivation won’t get you very far. I’m currently dealing with tax season and 70 hour work weeks, but still managing to get at least 50-60 miles of running in per week. I can tell you I’m not motivated most days.

[@soccergalsara]

that's not that much for someone who i assume would run 100 miles or so. ive done a few 70 mile weeks and when i do less, its usually 55-65 without me realising, that feels like my body is underworking for sure. this time last year 50 mile weeks were my most. nature of running. you will never not go out cause it clears your head.

[@Marathon5151]

@@soccergalsara Yeah, once you're a seasoned runner, 50-60 miles a week is no big deal. It's usually my bare minimum while work is crazy. Just a little more than three weeks until tax season is over and I'll be back to my 80-120 mile weeks and I can't wait.

[@soccergalsara]

@@Marathon5151 that's awesome 100-120. i don't think i'd ever get to that much but i think i could avg 85 with a few higher weeks. having said that i just ran 7 consec days (usually have a day off just re-setting my rest day, and hit 90miles this week- ran solidly yesterday on an 18 miler at goal marathon pace and felt great ! i feel like some ppl just respond better to higher mileage and they're the natural marathon runners...like my body will feel a little lethargic on 50 rn. i dont think 70 is my sweet spot either. i think it's a little higher. just wait until the time is right aha)

[@Marathon5151]

@@soccergalsara averaging 85 is awesome! One thing I changed over a year ago is I switched to a whole foods plant-based lifestyle after a lot of research and seeing a lot of elite ultra runners being plant-based, which I am working on along with running a marathon in all 50 states under three hours (Baltimore coming up soon). I have found my recovery to be so much better. I ran a 12 hour overnight event a couple months ago and ran 64 miles. A few days later, I was already back to normal. I ran the Wisconsin Marathon this past May and got 2:40:30 and my legs were back to 100% by day three.

[@hannesvdvreken]

Year over year consistent training does count for a lot! After setting a Marathon PR I thought I couldn't beat, I didn't race for 6 years. I thought I was getting too old (28 at the time) and my body wasn't capable of running any faster (talent/genetics). So I just spent 6 years "protecting my fitness". Then last year, when all the stars aligned, I put in an 8 week training block. And I beat my old PR by over 10 minutes, bringing it down to 2h42. You're 100% right about what you said in this video.

[@timwilmer6889]

I'm 59, I was an avid runner when I was younger. I recently have been yearning to begin running again, working on rebuilding my fitness and reestablish my connection to building what truly makes me happy.

[@garyrelihan7773]

Absolute legend, the best runner on the island. The Olympic qualifying times now are ridiculous, it has minimised the field and killed the excitement of the marathon. Only you can stop you achieving your goals, you have the talent. Keep it going, keep pushing.

[@ln5747]

Beat him once lol

[@Jordan_237]

What an honest and humble video! I love your style and your honesty about your life goals, failures, ups and downs and all the rest of it. Take good care of yourself (and the dog)!

[@rorymaguire2201]

Your channel has changed my life for the better. Your marathon training plan gave me an understanding I never would have got. Might not be breaking any records but the gradual improvement and the working at it carries me away from life's stresses. Down to you Scully! Thanks! Remember Kipchoge missed the 10k Olympic selection for Kenya for London 2012 and out of that disappointment came something really positive. Respect! Get it done! Just another Sunday!

[@moggy992]

Stephen, I've been realising the same of late. I've been living through the identity of running and being a runner. So I decided to re vamp my casual wardrobe get some new jewellery etc. I've lived in my running head and clothes for two years. Lost a full 16lb, so nothing fitted anymore. It drains you to identify as a runner and make every decision around that. It's no fun. I'm pleased you've got yourself in a better place and your psychology is better. Puppy's give unconditional love and lighten the heart ❤️. Just getting my garden this summer in some better shape has given me mental space. Keep the videos coming, Stephen, and take care of you.

[@molochz]

Congrats on the puppy. Getting my cat was the best thing I've ever done. Seeing their happy little face when you come in the door is magical.

[@jotaylor1684]

That really made me think...."protecting your fitness for when the motivation returns". Because the motivation WILL return. We've all been through these periods, - the doldrums- but this is a brilliant reason for keeping on training at some level during the times when you feel down. And .... so happy for you and your puppy....i was tearing up with you when you said it was time to have some happiness jyst for yourself. Love your videos Scully❤

[@vvk]

Sometimes you have to switch sports to get out of the rut.

[@K0nyygse]

The dream is the journey not the destination. You've inspired tons of people to go beyond themselves which is in my opinion one of the best achievement. It should be a source of happiness in and of itself. We are with you for this next Olympic prep!

[@flolin8766]

I am building for this years Half in Cologne for months now. I went up to about 50 miles a week and I am just proud that I was very consistent and pulled it off so far. I am the only one that knows how much effort I've put into this until today. Nobody can take this away from me. I am only doing this for me. I feel no pressure for the race itself, because the journey was a big part of it already.

[@Sveniboydeluxe]

​@@flolin8766: This is the attitude that will carry you to great achievements! You have to enjoy the process to keep up the consistency you need in the long run. Good luck for CGN in two weeks! 🙌 I will be running the marathon myself.

[@soSEW-COB]

So happy you’re staying with running being a part of your life ❣️ you can help so many people … we appreciate you 🙏🏼 How’s Bud doing? 😃🐾 I like running first thing in the day and it’s out of my way and then I get to my other passions ❤

[@Nicklomb1]

Great video man! Great recap on the highs and lows of life. Appreciate your honesty. Keep pushing forward. 💪

[@richardpollitt462]

Belfast Victoria is the scene of my one and only sub 17 minute 5k at 46 years young. It’s a phenomenal park. Really good advice again about motivation Stephen. Particularly about just keeping the fitness within reach.

[@tbask]

Appreciate the honesty. Be kind to yourself Stephen!

[@livelifefullytomax]

Sponsorship sounds brutal. Had awful fatigue on my Sunday run this week. Your comment about maintaining and protecting fitness to help prevent slipping into excessive fatigue and weight gain was a helpful insight. Getting back on it.

[@blakelandry]

I love that you're focusing on happiness. This will lower your anxiety and training stress overall and hopefully allow you to break into that training load and stress that is optimal for you to achieve success! How about the name "miles" for your pup?!

[@dejantesic56]

Well done mate. This is really great! I hope you keep making this material.

[@luciannealbrecht190]

Thanks for this one - kinda checking in with all round wellness - how mature 😊 I love training and I enjoy racing but I am in this sport for the long haul 😊 Looking forward to your next chapter Stephen and all the highs and lows - good luck 😉

[@Joe_Souza]

I have two rescue dogs, now aged 4 and 5 that get to join me on many of my easy runs. I certainly have to stop and let them do their business, which kills my Strava times, but it’s good for them, and keeps me motivated. Glad you got a pup!

[@lengezz]

Always real, always appreciated 🤜🤛

[@colmdoyle1430]

FairPlay Stephen great honesty and I can’t imagine the pressure cooker you’ve been in, self care all the way and any company with an ounce of sense should be sponsoring you💪

[@lynseydawson8665]

snowball!! he's a little bundle of cute fluffiness. congrats!

[@50Something]

The dog changes everything for the better, congrats!

[@sk1b-m244]

A guy from Ireland aims to conquer LA - this is a great classic. Magic and Larry Legend will confirm. We believe in Stephen!

[@timtrenholm3698]

Coming home to "Team Stephen" everyday will do wonders for the soul. Dogs are gifts. Get all the things outside of your running in a good place, and if moving towards 2028, you have the fire to push towards another attempted Olympic spot do it!

[@mwhite202020]

You’re the best Stephen!!

[@emchoe8865]

I love your puppy 🥰

[@heinrichh.6369]

I'm not in terms of Performance are a successfull runner, never made the olympics, never made boston and probably never will. but i run 3-4 Times a week and im not stresses out about it. it truely makes me happy.

[@mikestevenson1334]

Your puppy is lovely =D I've found it hard at times to discipline myself to stick to a certain workout type, but I think in time I'll get there. Your saturday group flew past me haha =D hopefully the weather stays good moving into autumn!

[@gtromble]

Well, you caught me - watching this video, sitting on my ass, drinking coffee.

[@lancelotisupnext3623]

Let's go!!! You got a dog. That's awesome

[@Running111]

Watching you running is so relaxing and seems so effortless..😂 Do you vary in your body weight when preparing for marathon and how much is currently your weight?

[@cpruns4501]

I loved everything about this video! The being ready comment was great as you are correct - we don’t know when that moment of motivation will hit us. Also, you not focusing on running/performance as much may very well be the missing link. 1 year from now perhaps you are crushing it like never before. Perhaps LA in 2028?

[@RunningAllTheTyne]

What do you do during a tempo when you can’t hit the pace you’re aiming for during a specific plan? Do you go entirely by effort and accept a slower pace, or take it as a day you need to go easier on the body, or push harder to hit paces but accept you won’t go as long? I think Joy would be a good name for your dog also, something that points to the positivity the dog will bring to your life

[@HobiLari5KM]

Name that little dog 'SUNDAY'. Next time you look at him you can say "just another sunday" 😂

[@petej23]

That puppy 😭😭

[@DrProfX]

What do you think would be a reasonable marathon race pace for someone who does (most recently) 20 mile long run in 2:25 (7:16, with mile 20 at 6:57 pace) and earlier (March) diagnostic 15k run in 59:37 (6:24 min/mile) pace… would 3:05 marathon be realistic?

[@CPRuns]

Would love to see you at next Olympics ❤❤

[@soSEW-COB]

🐾 OMGosh Bud is so cute. Will Buddy be able to run with you when he gets older ? I know puppies can’t go on long walks . . OMGosh u’ll hv such a fun time with him. They do help to refocus your priorities. . Another love in ur life 🐾 Have fun running with Bud 👋 Chris , Ont 🇨🇦 🫶

[@TheDavekingman]

Great question - what would you do today if you just wanted to be happy? We should ask this more

[@tymoteizm]

what would be your tip for a person that would want to become a running coach?

[@Colin_Power]

delighted about the puppy

[@AugherAndy]

You should do masterclasses/host sessions in belfast and london. Charge a small fee, it would be awesome

[@sousa9991]

I think you should go for the world athetics championships, i think that will be next year this way you do not loose your fitness and you can get more motivation to compete with the best in the world to see where your fitness is, stay fit, healthy and good runnings.

[@stevedarunner5736]

Well done.

[@tommoore3292]

Altitudes surely a no brainer for a elite runner eyeing a 2.08ish marathon

[@angejo5591]

Not necessarily. Most of altitude benefits is just sitting your ass up a mountain without any distractions, sleeping well and having extra time double running - less about the lack of oxygen

[@tommoore3292]

@@angejo5591 there must be something in it if vast amount of elite endurance runners do it.

[@tommoore3292]

@@angejo5591 can a pro elite not double run n sit on there hole at home also?

[@angejo5591]

@@tommoore3292 I didn’t say there’s nothing to it. Im saying the benefit of altitude is more you get a great environment to perfect your training with tons of other pro athletes around you. There obviously is benefit to the oxygen in the air aswell. And yes you can do both those things but it’s significantly significant harder doing it on your own down at sea level with life and work getting in your way. (Even if your work is social media/online etc)

[@tommoore3292]

@@angejo5591 no your right but if your going for massive time id think its a no brainer if possible

[@grigorijkovalenko6312]

I put Like from the very first seconds cause your video can't be poor :) one question - where can I get such a t-shirt "26.2" from??

[@mattbaker5692]

Marathon pace gets me fit. Long tempos are everything for me everything else is overtraining for me

[@KaiGrillo]

good vid!

[@TheScottishRunningPodcast]

What’s your next race?

[@gregoriovelasquez]

You can name the dog Kipchoge, that way you can beat Kipchoge when you go with him for a run 😅 Tons of respect for you!

[@pintspiesandpbs3198]

No Olympic athlete is a failure Stephen. We are all our own worst critic at times, but there is a time to be kind to yourself as well. Easy for me to say, but mental health is mental wealth. Hope you get there.

[@worldreformmedia6593]

try a whole food plant based diet, a couple studies now showing significantly improved oxygen uptake as we get older we need to find ways to have a competitive edge over the younger athletes, and the belief side of the equation says you must have things in place that make you believe you can be better than your competition as belief is half the battle and feeds into your motivation and inspiration that keeps you going, good luck stephen I believe in you for olympics 2028

[@denisdvadtsatov]

As anybody knows what is qualification standards for 2028LA Olympic marathon?

[@AllSummitsPOV]

Probs 2:06

[@goodfractalspoker7179]

Last year automatic qualification was 2:08 so probably 2:06-2:07 next olympics.

[@MrLunary]

@@goodfractalspoker7179 wow

[@stephenscullion262]

lol probably 2.03 at this rate.. hopefully not

[@mariec7958]

Ohh such a cute dog ! I think „Happy" or something like that would be a nice name or something running related l

[@IamDannyM]

No love like a dog’s love 💙

[@AlanRosa-y2b]

With your speed you'd be untouchable as an ultra marathoner, 100 miles plus.

[@triBenjamin]

'Aslan' after the lion in Narnia

[@nicholasfevelo3041]

"Happiness" is being and serving others within a transcendant narrative (often found in a religion). Everything else is sacrificing yourself to the regime or self worship.

[@bellaangel4422]

Any thoughts about Ultra Marathons? 🐶🐾 Maybe name the puppy Hermes 👟🪽for the Greek God of Speed (and protector of Humans)💕 So cute!

[@andyranaway]

Dopey.

[@geee6424]

Your from Belfast mate why are u talking in miles instead of KM?

[@simonwinchester5053]

Is anybody else distracted by the lamp in the background?? Time I grew up maybe?

[@jackwells9558]

Dog ❤

[@markbateman9222]

For what it's worth, if I was in your position I would spend the next 18 months or so just running and racing a lot of 5K & 10Ks, training at sub maximal level - say 70-75 miles week and just enjoying the races. Run nhard and don't think too much about it. At the end of 18-24 months there is still plenty of time to start a buidup to LA - if the motivation is there. Total focus on a big goal can be mentally draining and can take away all the sheer fun of racing and training - which is, after all, why we started this stupid sport in the first place!

[@stephenscullion262]

That’s roughly half my theory, and hopefully I stick to that. The body might not have 3-4 amazing marathons left in it.. body and mind etc.. so it might be worth investing time on my weaknesses etc

[@thall0]

first

[@iq_by_0303]

dog

[@ulfeliasson5413]

Making the rest of want to quit running from inferiority feelings.

[@winstonward5129]

11:55 was pure facts

[@CzakoRobert]

Nice video! From one rule breaker to another: do it for yourself, your way, how you feel it, everything is relative!2028 is possible! I'm glad to meet your new pawfriend, I hope you'll integrate 🦮him into your KZbin channel. 'Pacer' seems like an interesting name suggestion for your new friend 😁. p.s. 💨🌱 no 👃🏻❄️ ,😂