Mark Allen Interview on Training and Racing

A full transcript of this interview can be found on my website bit.ly/2RGJ58t
Recently I sat down with Mark Allen to dive into a variety of subjects:
• Mark’s first introduction to heart rate monitor training [2:12]
• Seeing progression to a faster aerobic pace [3:00]
• What is a fit soul is and how can athletes work on this? [5:49]
• There is no perfect race, but you can race perfectly [10:40]
• How to stay motivated to keep trying to win Ironman Hawaii after 6 defeats [11:40]
• The battle to win first Ironman Hawaii in 1989 [13:24]
• The ability to quiet your mind [18:25]
• Switch in training from always hard to heart rate monitor [21:10]
• Developing your fat burning aerobic engine [22:45]
• Speedwork for different types of athletes [25:56] + [30:20]
• Recommendations for strength training [28:06]
• How to best spread workouts during your week? [32:45]
• Mark Allen Coaching Programs [35:32]
• Fit Soul Fit Body book and workshops [37:30]
• Art of Competition book [38:00]
• Advice for athletes looking to improve their performance [39:47]
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[@FlorisGierman]

*Hi there! In the coming days and weeks I’m hosting several live webinar trainings about how to run a Personal Best race time, with special optimization strategies. Spots are limited, register for free here: **bit.ly/Running-Training-Flo*

[@gripm4040]

One of the most model, ideal, and polite conversations I’ve seen on sports psychology and training. A work of art!

[@FlorisGierman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Weichi928]

Wow! Insights from a giant! Respect and admiration. Soul and body. One with the Universe. Thx for sharing.

[@bmanley01]

This video published almost three full years ago....and unlike the latest fad shoe, in-vogue piece of equipment, or psychotherapy that must be embraced to get faster, everything said in this video then, is as powerful and useful today.

[@FlorisGierman]

Well said Brent, I like how timeless most of these conversations are! Mark Allen is such a legend, glad he was able to share so much knowledge in this video. Thanks!

[@Dan-DFD]

Thank you and great work Floris! Always looking forward to your interviews.

[@grantwv]

Great video...I'm thankful for this interview and all of the inspirational content!

[@colinlancaster2196]

Floris great interview. Backs up nearly everything we teach at Lydiard Foundation. Mark is a special athlete and person. So many elite athletes we see have this attitude. He is so in tune with his body and what he was trying to achieve.

[@FlorisGierman]

He really is a special person indeed. That being in tune with his body and mind is so important and something many athletes miss. Well done on the teaching with the Lydiard Foundation. Huge fan of Arthur's work and approach.

[@CLARE238]

He is so humbling and inspiring.... So much to learn from him...thank you for posting :)

[@martinschett5349]

Well done on getting such an informative interview with the legend Mark Allen. learned heaps and will get the Fit soul Fit Body book next. Thanks Floris

[@manofsteg]

I'm surprised there aren't many more views for this vid, such a great interview with the great Mark Allen. Nice work, Floris! Really good questions, dialogue and training gems.

[@FlorisGierman]

Glad to hear that manofsteg, thank you!!

[@mickhurley7305]

Ive watched alot of various cycling and running training videos but this was one of the best and most enjoyable. It deserves far more likes and subs.. thank you for putting it together.

[@gregpearson3894]

Nice interview Floris. What an elightened soul Mark Allen is!

[@RickMartinYouTube]

Thanks for providing the interview. I hope more people come to view it and hopefully comment on it.

[@FlorisGierman]

Thank you Rick, I was very stoked Mark took the time to dive deep into all the questions. Cheers!

[@juanseaforth5111]

I so happy I came across your channel Floris a lot excellent information.

[@FlorisGierman]

Happy to hear that Juan, glad our paths have crossed. Cheers!

[@marknorris1381]

Mark Allen is an inspiration.

[@pragersowell]

Awesome!

[@humanV1]

Great Interview! Mark is a Legend. Thank You.

[@FlorisGierman]

He is a legend for sure! Thanks and cheers!

[@Kelberi]

19:04 very similar to those intermediate meditators.... one breath and we are back to present and calm down.

[@shawntwing3602]

Awesome interview! Thanks for making and posting. Really like M.A.

[@FlorisGierman]

Mark Allen rules, glad you enjoyed this interview! Cheers

[@christopherdevine2811]

Very cool. Thank you for posting.

[@mathewmapram6685]

I have watched this several times yet I comeback to this video because I learn a lot each time. I am impressed with this awesome athlete describing how he became very good at his sport. Floris wants exactly what three points he wants from this interview ; that’s refreshing and the viewers walk away with information and inspiration. Great video. Another great video from Floris.Thanks.

[@FlorisGierman]

There surely are plenty of hidden nuggets of info in there every time I re-listen to this episode as well. Glad you enjoyed it Mathew! Thanks

[@omkarkibe]

Great interview and very inspirational!! Thanks a ton!! 😀😍🙏👏👏👏

[@FlorisGierman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@pavanatanaya]

I was lucky enough to get off the bike ahead of "The Grip" in one race back in the 80s. He made quick work of me on the run, but what a lesson to observe the singular focus of a world class athlete.

[@FlorisGierman]

pavanatanaya no way, that's awesome you experienced that! Yes he is definitely an incredible athlete

[@pavanatanaya]

Floris Gierman it was funny...the applause for Mark kept getting closer and closer as we ran, until he caught me at mile 2. Then he left me in the dust.... Shortly thereafter Paula Newby Fraser shot by me like I was standing still.....ah rememberin

[@FlorisGierman]

pavanatanaya haha sounds like an amazing experience. Crazy to see people fly by making you feel like you're standing still :)

[@krishnathakur-wc5ut]

This is a great channel. I am going to use the maffeton method and will get faster by running slow. I love the channel.

[@FlorisGierman]

Great to hear!

[@FlorisGierman]

*Want to become faster and run without injuries? Check out our running coaching program at **www.pbprogram.com**.* This Personal Best Program is a proven, structured training program that guides you every step of the way to optimize your training, racing, and life. You won't find this anywhere else, 20+ hours of my best video content-uniquely developed workbooks and training schedules based on heart rate. You also get, Zoom coaching calls with Floris Gierman and other coaches to troubleshoot any challenges. Plus, access to a highly engaged community of 500+ like-minded athletes. For athletes of all levels and ages, for 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon, and ultra distances. Save time by learning from my mistakes, skip the overwhelm, and avoid being distracted by all the info and opinions you're bound to come across. *Learn more at **www.pbprogram.com**.*

[@oliverrietz2705]

I never get why someone is running 80 Miles a Week but not even do 1 Strength session a Week. To reach your full potential you have to be a Athlete. Not just a runner. Push ups, pull ups, back raises and legraises 2 times a Week should be enough. It helps to prevent injurys and to reach someone's full Potential. And some pound of Muscles looks good anyway.

[@tadams47]

Didn't realize you were in Costa Mesa, I'm in Temecula and work in San Diego!

[@FlorisGierman]

I'm in Irvine now, still close. Let's get a run in one day!

[@tadams47]

@@FlorisGierman That would be awesome. I'll let you know when I'm at a speed with my MAF training that wouldn't be to slow for you. Haha

[@bergenhaus]

Great interview, thanks. With strength training being so beneficial, and I've already got a background in that, I'm concerned about losing strength and muscle during the 3 months+ of aerobic base building that Dr Maffetone recommends. I'm just starting out with MAF training and have a lot of building to do. Would it be that detrimental to include strength training, like Mark talks about, during that first period?

[@xelionizer]

I would argue that you can't "quiet" your mind, but learn to accept the noise...

[@thierryrabuel7419]

Hi Floris - I am Thierry from France and I just subscribed to your channel. Great job, very interesting, thanks!! I have a question for you. Did you ask Mark Allen if he used to train with the MAF method on his swim and bike as well? Thanks for your answer.

[@thatguygreg]

Hi. Yes, he trained aerobically for bike and running. He mentioned how in training people would always pass him on up hills on the bike and he would catch them on the down hills. Swimming is more of an aerobic event anyway so it wasn't really necessary to use MAF there.

[@puetzranch]

It seems like a long, say 1 hour, easy swim would be great for your aerobic system. I really didn't consider this before. Is this correct? I'm enjoying your videos!

[@glywnniswells9480]

I have a high max HR for my age my max is 191 bpm at 45 years old, however i think 150 HR is a good zone for me.

[@fiveticks]

He looks a little as Clint Eastwood :-P

[@bmp713]

Does lactate concentration increase directly from not being able to take in enough oxygen for aerobic metabolism? What is it exactly that makes you run out of breath with increased intensity?

[@georgeabraham5672]

Wish someone could give an idea about what strength training he is saying we can do in 2 days a week

[@FlorisGierman]

Have you tried Googling this? 😎Here is the first link that shows up: www.active.com/triathlon/articles/mark-allen-s-12-best-strength-exercises

[@a.joseph4233]

Could you recommend a heart rate monitor...had problems in the past with the chest strap...too uncomfortable...thks.

[@CasaBenny]

+angelo lazzara The best optical heart rate out there seems to be Scosche RYTHM+

[@FlorisGierman]

I personally like the Garmin HRM, however there are several great watches with build in HRM out there that might work better for you

[@micksaltydog]

JK

[@123overthehill]

Mark Allen could already run at 5:30 pace just not aerobically. So could the MAF ceiling be catching up to what you previously trained at? I almost feel like you have to have trained at a certain pace to get there through MAF.

[@FlorisGierman]

Not necessarily. I've personally experienced being able to run for 1 mile at for example a 6:15 min / mile, just not much longer. Eventually I was able to lower my aerobic pace to 6:15 and my anaerobic pace faster than that. I've seen similar things happen in other athletes.

[@DougRose]

so 155 bpm is the goal to stay around?

[@FlorisGierman]

Depends on several factors, here is the formula: philmaffetone.com/180-formula/

[@magicf7076]

Rin Tin Tin interviews Clint Eastwoord

[@MMABeijing]

nice way to say thank you,

[@niraadbose6573]

As you get older do you change your max heart rate? Or do you keep it constant as the years go on?

[@timhartley4853]

Niraad Bose I'm not 100%, but I'm pretty sure your max heart rate drops as you get older. But that doesn't mean you can't still improve as you get older as there are so many other factors involved in a performance.

[@ktadema]

Just a generic rule of thumb: Max. HR = 220 - Age.

[@rogerandersson279]

At least mine is the same as it was 30 years ago (195), but I was in better shape then

[@glywnniswells9480]

At 45 i still get 191 max HR

[@dcrisp8888]

❤ I found Jesus 15 years ago when I asked for His help and everything changed.

[@locorunner]

What is "super stoked"?