We Trained With Elite Runner & Discovered His Surprising Secrets to Success

Do Pro runners really train that differently to us? Or is it just the same but on a larger scale?
Last week we got to train with Vlad Ixel. Pro runner, founder of Bix Hydration and winner of races far too numerous to mention (notably North Face 100 Thailand). And what he told us about how he stays running and so successful, really made us re-look at how we approach our own training.
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[@peterfalk7084]

The book Atomic Habits is a good read/listen. They also talk about consistency, what makes the difference between elite runners and average runners is the elite runners don't miss a day often, they just find a way to get it done.

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Love that book! 😊

[@adamdrake39]

Biggest takeaways for me are diet, mobility work and putting in the miles. What an inspiration!

[@Vbev84]

I have been doing his mobility routine daily since I found his channel a few months back. Game changer

[@ryanmiskin8925]

stretching and mobility every day is key. I do a very short stretching routine 3x's per day, with some body weight exercises in the AM and before my daily bath.

[@bobgoblin6644]

The double runs was an interesting takeaway. I'm already a big fan of mobility, but like most people don't always prioritise it. I was also surprised that his longest single run is 2.5 hours. Definitely lots to think of. Thank you!

[@joe1071]

I’m finding the double run days are key for more elite runners than I originally realized

[@mitchatkins7402]

Please can you do a full warm up and warm down video like Vlad showed you?

[@WILDFOXRUNNING]

Love him! started doing his short strength & stability workouts 3 years ago and haven’t been injured since. 20min Twice a week, nice and simple. Awesome work guys🙏🏻

[@zepols86]

OMG I love that place, I ran that same path you guys are on.

[@missingmimic]

Those five minutes of drills looks like something easy to fit in before my runs. I'm always wondering what to do because static stretching was always my pre run routine until this last year when I found out I shouldn't be 😊

[@ryanmiskin8925]

I see Mary in those EP3's! I grabbed another pink pair during their big sale since I love my others so much, such an awesome shoe for races and faster tempo long runs.

[@RebsGuarina]

A video on the mobility and cooldown routine next? Keen to hear more about it! Cheers

[@crazypolishvegan7369]

Vegan power 🌱💪🥰 Double shifts for 6 days - amazing 🥳

[@mrchrisdavies]

Just old skool training. Lots of over 50's doing this. Its far from perfect but mostly works! Another very interesting video and what a legend Vlad is 😊

[@jojosuuu]

Wow this video just prolong my running fitness. Today I pulled through the Cebu Marathon while nursing a groin ache. Yup regular maintenance beats going to the workshop. Thanks!

[@severiner7168]

The Bridges run the Bridges 😊 Amazing video, so interesting to hear about his holistic training. Insane mileage! Thank you

[@sjwestmo]

His posture is absolute perfection

[@MsTrinichic]

When i saw it was Vlad Ixel I got so excited, I found him during COVID and his mobility drills have helped me remain injury free as well. I'm currently doing double runs as part of a 100 mile run club challenge and it really does help coupled with the mobility. Fantastic video guys really loved it!!

[@markaldrich3069]

Super helpful. Thanks!!

[@scottcollier9178]

Great video, lots of good tips 👍

[@ASkippingRock]

Super helpful!

[@johnbuchanan578]

What a great video, thanks.

[@ankitaggarwal028]

loved your video

[@Carrottoprunner]

Great video thank you!

[@irawhitlock1084]

Another great vid in the books! 👍. Blessings to you guys 🙏❤️

[@stuartjay8775]

Love your videas as always. Are you going to do a follow-along vid of the mobility drills?

[@theinconsequentialrunner]

Really great video - so many fantastic insights. Thank you very much!

[@gregniewiadomski700]

Great video, lots of amazing tips. Thank you

[@jameskerr1802]

So cool seeing my home city in these videos, we are quite spoilt here in Perth both from awesome places to run as well as great weather most of the year!

[@simonhodgson4941]

His mileage and sessions is bonkers, absolutely fascinating, great video 👍

[@ashleymoore7610]

Lived in Perth area for 2 years a long time ago man I miss that place!!! Great video and Ive been doing vlads workouts for a while the guys incredible

[@maxinesmith8167]

So, while we're not all elite runners like Vlad with anything near the volume, we can all take a leaf from his book - consistency! His mindset seems to focus on setting up routines, whether that's diet, warm ups, mobility workouts, and then habitualising them so that you never miss a session. So we could all be more Vlad, even if we don't have as much time or skill 😀

[@jefflessenberry6632]

I liked the video but he is a pro runner. I personally would love to have my entire day dedicated to sport and all of the things that go with it. Maybe a massge every day after a workout instead of every 2 weeks. Long story short ... i did love the comment about finding the things that have most benefit for what time we all have in our non pro lives. Again great vid.

[@andersonteo4879]

Great insight from Vlad. Thank you so much from this video!

[@frankmarquez6934]

Brilliant! Took so much away.

[@bobkrogh1670]

Cool video. Was recently watching vids on preventing injuries for pro American Football running backs that spend huge amounts of money for coaches. Came to same conclusion as Vlad. Follow the money knowing it might still lead me down a rabbit whole but it is all about the odds of success. Thanks for the vid!

[@seekingUltraNick]

Great video, Ben and Mary -and Vlad! Tons of value here… he’s probably the best follow for anyone looking to up their running and overall fitness game. Love it, thanks again!

[@robertplant3907]

Best running site on the web. Thank you

[@jennierayner2152]

so wild to see you guys in my home town! and in one of my favourite running spots! some really good advice there, i have done double runs when deep in half marathon training and did find they worked well...i know i'm not as onto it as i should be when it comes to stretching and mobility and that's something i'll need to focus on as i get older. thanks guys and Vlad for another great video!

[@BDamen1984]

We've been doing Vlad's workouts weekly, but never noticed the mobility work. Keen to get going with that! Great video again, thanks.

[@sabaffira]

Beautiful city and weather for running

[@trimad6128]

Done many coastal runs in Perth😎It’s so pleasurable watching a sunrise and sunset in Perth while running

[@hutchos_adventures]

Very informative and thought provoking interview. Always been a static stretcher. Now going to add mobility. When very limited for time, thinking I should run a little shorter and prioritise a bit of post run mobility… Cheers 👍🏾

[@snakesalive061]

great vid, next time your in Perth, feel free to head up to Karratha .

[@runnerfromhel]

Vlad’s exercises on KZbin are legendary. His exercises have helped me massively to understand how to target my weaknesses and have improved my running big time.

[@paulj6637]

Jesus. Absolute machine! Finally got into the routine of doing quality strength work 2-3 times a week. The mobility has to be next, it feels like the homework I've been putting off but I think it is going to unlock a lot more. Great content, thanks team 👍

[@adamv6829]

Great vid! Mobility something I definitely lack and shows just how important it is, 11 years injury free running that volume amazing. Did you guys get to visit the east coast?

[@joannemarkov]

Before I even started running, I had been heavily into yoga and Pilates for a little over a year. I had to cut back on Pilates (at least classes) for $ reasons and time reasons when I added in the running, but I've kept up my yoga practice, generally going to a class per day. I think it's definitely crucial to keeping me running injury free.

[@wunderlichdrive]

Very inspiring! I really work hard on training in the mornings before work and I am pushing my time available by adding in 5 minute warm up and 5-10 minute stretching at the end. I try to spend 5 minutes for some strengthening after each run, too. But, I just find that I am lacking in time. The extra mobility work would really help me, I know. But, I tend to think that doing another run would help more, although I know that everyone says to invest in strength and mobility, even at the expense of miles.

[@andyh8625]

Fantastic video, very interesting. Will certainly subscribe to vlads channel. Really need to up my game on strength and conditioning, to remain injury free. (Niggle in my Achilles right now😢)

[@kbkb3358]

You were in Perth!!!! I am here! I wish I would have known ! It would have been great to catch up for a run!

[@kbkb3358]

Not that I am fast or anything but It would have been great to meet you! Thanks for the videos!

[@MR-wh5wp]

Im motivated to stretch, etc now 🎉

[@runningraven]

I'm currently a sad runner. I don't own a treadmill and can't reach a gym that isn't water damaged. We had very bad flooding recently, and now it's so cold, everything froze over and it's SO slippery and bumpy that running outside is completely out of question if I want to still own ankles in the spring. Good time for some indoor mobility work, so thank you for the video! 😖💙

[@jamesmungall6669]

Crampons. Also called microspikes. Yaktrax is one brand I can recommend

[@stefankleynhans4838]

We don't always appreciate the sacrifices and dedication of elite level athletes. Great video. (typing while eating some chippies)

[@ThisMessyHappy]

Thanks and enjoy 😊😂

[@bradhightower564]

Thanks great video. Shows me all the things I DON"T DO. Lol

[@jicalzad]

The only thing i would i add is that i do think what he does can be beyond the average runner for many in terms of time. But i do think the average runner should still incorporate the some warm-up and recovery routine, even if it's only 2-3 minutes warmup (instead of 5 minutes), and maybe 2-3 minutes of recovery/mobility work. I think that may be more realistic/achievable and still beneficial, for those folks with family obligations (**i.e. spouse/children) that work Mon-Fri, 40-50 hours/week type schedule. Some warm-up/recovery/mobility work is still better than none.

[@beauhelmi]

My idol❤ Mr Vlad Ixel!!!

[@gerson7366]

For those who have a regular 9-5 or 8H. Don't even think about doing the double runs and all these high mileage. You might not get injured but most probably you'll get sick because your body would be under so much stress. How I wish I could have the same lifestyle where I only train the whole day. But it is what it is. That's just life. I still run 4-5x/week for an hour or 1.5H and 1 S&C. But i will still strive to qualify for the london marathon.

[@leafulchermasterunner]

No-one should double runs unless they’ve been running a couple of years. I’m plantbased and been running for three years and not been injured

[@jameschaves5723]

Thanks for introducing me to Vlad. Are you guys coming to Boston?

[@pdurys]

Yes they should be in Boston. There was even video about qualification run for Mary.

[@N3wt199]

sat watching this eating a pint of ben and Jerry's 🤣🤣

[@Reasons-to-be-Vegan]

The anti-inflammatory plant-based diet of non-refined whole foods is increasingly important as we age. Most commentators seemed to have ignored that take away.

[@AndreaCastelnovo]

any chance we can have the mobility routine? I've been looking for something like tha for a while now

[@ThisMessyHappy]

There are loads on Vlad’s channel! A great resource

[@AndreaCastelnovo]

thanks will have a look - cheers@@ThisMessyHappy

[@roadrunner1958]

I actually ran on part of that "cycle" path in June 2022 - had an irate cyclist call me Karen, but unfortunately he didn't stop for a chat - LOL

[@wnegrini]

Gzus!!!!!!!!

[@RodRunerr]

Before I watch this video. .. It's Vlad ixel the CEO of bix hydration.

[@dougowens4508]

What is the name of the runner that was interviewed?

[@derekwhughes]

#inspiring

[@JeDindk]

I wonder if he ever takes a day off? Or maybe every sunday is a rest day?

[@c0ntr1but10n]

So basically he does dynamic stretching afterwards as well?

[@ThisMessyHappy]

I would call it more like mobility drills. It’s half way between dynamic and static stretching in my opinion 😊👍🏻

[@c0ntr1but10n]

@@ThisMessyHappy Thank you

[@protect-free-speech]

Here's a challenge for you guys. Try going vegan for a month (Vlad can advise on supplements etc.). When I switched to a WFPB diet my aches and pains literally went away.... Good luck and keep up the great content. Thanks.

[@sanjinoliveira4464]

Great advise, but to be honest nothing really new and the main difference is, he as pro runner has the whole day to do these things and still time to recover. I wish i could do this too every day 😂

[@falsificationism]

The high-quality plant-based diet doesn't surprise me at all. I'll bet it's low in oil, salt, and added sugars too. Research is slowly figuring out what some of these elite runners have known for some time now. This is really exciting actually because it's copyable!

[@desmomotodesmomoto2033]

Self destruction.

[@danielfisher6501]

This stack will also help keep you injury free. Testosterone, human growth hormone, bpc-157 , tb-500.

[@khabibpogosyan2587]

I learned few new warm up exercises from your video, thank you so much. Will follow Vlad's instagram

[@Paraclef]

6:48 no processed food ? What is that, then ?