What if You Had to Run Seven Marathons in Seven Days? Or 200 miles in 4 days? Most runners finish a marathon and take weeks to recover. But what if you had to wake up the next day and do it all over again… for an entire week? That is exactly what recent Run the Riot Podcast guest Becca Pizzi did—twice. She ran seven marathons on seven continents in seven days and broke a world record. Training for back-to-back races is not just about endurance—it is about recovery, strategy, and mindset. Whether you are running a 200 miler, a multi-day race, back-to-back marathons, or just trying to increase your training volume, here are Becca’s key lessons. 1. Train on Tired Legs Try this: If you are training for a big race, run 15-30 miles one day and 15-20 the next. Build up to running on tired legs while maintaining good form. This is a regular part of my training for races of 100 miles and over. 2. Run at Different Times of Day Try this: Do some of your long runs at night or super early in the morning. This will help prepare you for running at weird times and teach your body to perform even when conditions are not ideal. 3. Master Recovery Try this: After every long run, prioritize hydration, protein, and stretching. Experiment with ice baths, compression, and mobility work to see what helps you recover the fastest. 4. Strengthen Your Mental Game Try this: Train in difficult conditions. Run in the heat, the cold, the rain. Get used to discomfort. When race day comes, you will know how to handle whatever comes your way. 5. Get Your Fueling Dialed In Try this: Do not rely on just one type of gel or sports drink. Train with different fuel sources so your stomach is ready for anything on race day. Especially for ultras. Try ALL THE THINGS in training! I've seen runners with Little Debbie Oatmeal pies, Starbucks coffees, gummy bears, burgers, fries......I could go on for quite a while! lol If you want to train smarter and push your limits, don't miss my conversation with Becca Pizzi on the latest Run the Riot podcast. She shares her strategies, struggles, and how she pulled off this incredible feat—twice. Listen now:http://www.theriot.run/beccap On the Journey! David |
You Weren’t Meant to Run Alone Hey Reader, This past weekend, something special happened at the Prairie Spirit 100. I was out there testing out my knee and pushing through another 100-mile race. I'll probably speak to that more in a future podcast. I had some observations as I watched others around me. Photo by Mile 90 Photography Sure, there were some strong runners. Some big, crazy, buckle-worthy efforts. Records broken. And plenty of grit on display. But what stood out most to me wasn’t...
Hey Reader! This past weekend, Jen and I took on the Little Rock Marathon and Half—and we had a blast! But as many of you know, my knee isn’t at 100%, so I found myself doing what I always do in a race: periodic check-ins. I was constantly assessing how it felt, making sure nothing was getting worse. These little self-assessments are something every runner should practice—catching small issues early can help prevent them from turning into race-ending problems. Little Rock Marathon: As you can...
Hey Reader, I Believe The Strongest Muscle You Have Is Your Mind! We spend hours training our bodies—logging miles, lifting weights, and fine-tuning our nutrition. But what about our minds? When the miles get tough, when your legs are screaming, and doubt creeps in, your mindset is what keeps you moving forward. Mental training is just as important as physical training, and the best runners don’t just train their bodies—they train their minds to be unshakable. How to Build Mental Resilience...