Galen Coaches Kyle (Episode 2) | The Most Excited He’s Been Before A Race In A Long Time

“I really haven’t been this excited heading into a race in a long time. And that’s all rooted in the training I’ve done.”

Kyle Merber’s second conversation with Galen Rupp ahead of the Chicago Marathon comes with bittersweet news: Kyle is scratching. A jagged rock on the exit of a river after a good run turned into a trauma-induced plantar situation that worsened until Chicago was no longer feasible. He takes full responsibility and exonerates Galen completely. The coaching experiment, which produced some of Kyle’s best training since retiring, just ran out of luck in the final stretch. Galen, meanwhile, is entering race week as the most excited he’s been before a race in a long time.

We discuss:

– The taper and why flat legs are normal
– Mike Smith’s observation heading into Chicago
– Race week food — what Galen actually does
– Antrim half marathon — the tune-up
– The coaching relationship with Mike Smith
– How Galen thinks about competition
– Training logs — handwritten vs. phone
– The 200s session — Galen takes responsibility
– Why the speed work unlocked the threshold session
– The 24-miler on time, not pace
– Gut training
– The green light workout
– Kyle’s injury — and why he’s scratching
– Galen on injury management and longevity
– The case for real time off
– Chicago race week schedule in detail
– Chicago course notes
– Galen’s mindset heading in

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