LetsRun.com's Track Talk: The Home of Running and Track and Field

Did you miss the first edition of our Training Talk video series? You are in luck as the Supporters Club embargo has ended!

In this exclusive 1-on-1 interview, LetsRun.com co-founder Robert Johnson sits down with Dr. Marius Bakken—13:06 5000m runner, two-time Norwegian Olympian, medical doctor, and the true mastermind behind the double threshold "Norwegian Method" training system used by Jakob Ingebrigtsen and elites worldwide.

Bakken breaks down the physiological logic behind double threshold, why the muscular system (not the heart or lungs) is the true limiting factor for distance runners, how to properly use lactate meters, super shoe technology, and why easy days MUST stay easy. If you liked interview, then you need to read the article we wrote as he answered some additional questions via email after we recorded.

📖 READ THE FULL ARTICLE & EMAIL Q\&A: 👉 https://www.letsrun.com/?p=327012 📚

GET MARIUS BAKKEN'S NEW BOOK ("The Norwegian Method Applied"): 👉 https://lasso.to/3choBS6Q1Y

Time Stamps

0:00 - Introduction & The Launch of LetsRun Training Talk Live

2:16 - Sitting in the Call Room: The Quest to Catch African Distance Runners

5:10 - How Marius Bakken’s Winter Base Model Inspired the Ingebrigtsens

7:29 - Bridging Joe Newton’s Mileage with Peter Coe’s Interval Precision

9:21 - Discovering How Kenyans Naturally Train at Threshold Effort

10:42 - The Science & Logic Behind Double Threshold Workouts

12:31 - Re-Framing Double Threshold: "One Long Session with a Long Break"

14:06 - The TRUE Limiter in Distance Running: Muscular System vs. Heart/Lungs

15:26 - Why Easy Days MUST Stay Easy to Protect Muscle Elasticity

16:20 - The Sample Training Week: Balancing Threshold Days and the "X Factor" Workout

17:51 - How Less is More: Maximizing Training Load at the Lowest Muscular Cost

20:14 - Recovery Windows: Controlling the Muscular Adaptation Phase

21:33 - How Beginners & Recreational Runners Can Safely Build Volume

23:59 - What to Do If You Miss a Threshold Workout in Your Schedule

24:32 - Bridging the Gap: Why Western Distance Runners Have Caught Up

26:34 - Marius Bakken's Historic 2002 LetsRun Forum Thread ("Kenya vs. USA")

28:40 - Controversial Altitude Training Experiments in Kenya & Bolivia

30:57 - Did Kenyans Intuitively Train Sub-Threshold Better Than Westerners?

33:37 - Why Marius Chooses Medical Practice Over Full-Time Coaching

34:17 - Will Continuous Lactate Monitors Make Distance Running "Too Perfect"?

36:09 - High School Days at York High School & Transitioning to High Volume

37:24 - The Craziest Training Experiments: 5,000m Altitude & Ketosis Weeks

39:28 - Why Cross-Training (Cycling/Swimming) Doesn't Replace Specific Running Movement

43:55 - Adapting Double Threshold & Intensity Control for High School Athletes

45:24 - Why Every Serious Runner Should Try a Lactate Monitor ($300 Shoe vs $300 Meter)

48:59 - Marius Bakken’s Current Fitness & Weekly Training Routine at Age 48

50:45 - The Future of Continuous Lactate & Gate Monitors

51:34 - Is Double Threshold Ideal for the Western Coaching Mindset?

54:54 - Why a Gap Still Exists Between Westerners & Africans in the Marathon and Cross Country

56:30 - Super Shoes: Injury Reduction, Ankle Stiffness, & Track Depth

59:31 - Could Bob Kennedy or Seb Coe Have Run Faster on the Norwegian Method?

1:01:37 - Zatopek’s Early Double-Session Repeats vs Modern Double Threshold

1:02:30 - Muscle Biopsies & Determining Athlete Event Specialization

1:03:25 - Can Jakob Ingebrigtsen Come Back Stronger From His Injuries?

1:04:54 - Working With Karsten Warholm’s Coach, Leif Olav Alnes

1:07:24 - Did Bakken See Any Doping While Training in Kenya (2000–2002)?

1:08:22 - Closing Thoughts & Upcoming Guest Coaching Appearance

Contact us:
Email podcast@letsrun.com or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN podcast voicemail/text line.

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The week's edition of the Track Talk podcast focses on Jakob Ingebrigtsen’s return in the European Championships 5,000 meters. We start as Rojo reacts to the 5000 final as it happened live. Jonathan Gault then joins to discuss what the result says about Jakob’s form, Jimmy Gressier’s race tactics, and whether Jakob still has the endurance and finishing kick for major 5,000-meter races later in the season. The conversation then turns to Jonah Koech’s positive test and his unusual late-career improvement, including the timing of the announcement, the gap in public explanation, and the impact on athletes who were moved down by his results. The episode closes with a recap of World Juniors in Eugene, highlighting Emmanuel Kiprono and several American standouts, while debating which junior performances are most likely to translate to senior success.

Time Stamps

0:00 – Jakob Returns (LIVE Euro 5000 commentary)

3:35 – Race Tactics Unfold

6:46 – Jakob Takes Control

8:12 – Final Lap Drama

10:56 – Jakob Seals Victory

11:55 – Post-Race Breakdown

14:10 – Championship Tactics Debate

17:21 – Jakob’s Comeback Verdict

18:54 – Gressier’s Race Choices

21:54 – Surprise Results Checked

22:39 – Why Jakob Wins

24:17 – Hocker Looms Ahead

25:19 – Jonah Koech Doping News

27:51 – Koech’s Sudden Rise

30:45 – Testing Questions Raised

33:17 – Suspicious Training Load

35:28 – Blood Doping Debate

38:11 – Hobbs Kessler Fallout

43:09 – World Juniors Recap

43:24 – Emmanuel Kiprono’s Stunning Run

47:49 – American Sprint Doubles

50:53 – Quincy Wilson versus Jayden DeLeon

58:25 – Claire Stegall’s Breakthrough Medal

Contact us:
Email podcast@letsrun.com or call/text 1-844-LETSRUN podcast voicemail/text line.

Want a 2nd podcast every week? And savings on running shoes?
Join the LetsRun.com Supporters Club today for exclusive content, a bonus weekly podcast, shoe savings, and more. Cancel anytime .https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

Check out the LetsRun.com store. https://shop.letsrun.com/ We've got the softest running shirts in the business.

Thanks for listening. Please rate us on your podcast app and spread the word to friend.

🏃 Presented by Orosport USA Cooling vests, headbands, and wrist wraps to help you train through the heat — use code LETSRUN for 10% off. orosportsusa.com/letsrun

👟 LetsRun Shoe Deals — Nike Vomero 18 $93, Pegasus $87 (40% off), Vaporfly 4 $143 (47% off)

Josh Kerr's Commonwealth Games mile annihilation reignites the debate over where he ranks among history's greatest milers, with Rojo's "beat every great miler ever" thought experiment digging up crazy closing splits from Noureddine Morceli and Jim Ryun. Coach Danny Mackey weighs whether Kerr should chase a 1500m world record or protect his health for the World Ultimate Championships. Elsewhere, Abdihamid Nur and Alicia Monson's decision to skip USAs for a faster race in Belgium sparks a debate over what national titles are actually worth. And on the college side, Kenyan half-marathoner Dennis Kipkogei's commitment to Texas gets a debate going on the NCAA ranks.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

LINKS

If All The Top Milers in the World Lined Up, Would Kerr Win?

The Pareto Frontier: Jonathan Pritchard's closing-speed data deep dive

Did Texas Just Sign the Favorite for the 2026 NCAA XC Title?

Changing allegiances from Jakob to Kerr (forum thread)

Colorado Buffaloes loading up on Africans for 2026 XC (forum thread)

Shoe deals

Need a VPN? — https://www.letsrun.com/vpn

Free LetsRun shirt — https://shop.letsrun.com

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Sponsor Intro & Episode Preview

02:45 Off-Air Banter: VPNs, Weather & Cooling Gear

08:52 Josh Kerr's Commonwealth Games Mile Domination

12:57 Kerr's World Ultimate Championships Outlook

18:45 Could Kerr Beat Every Miler in History?

23:10 Comparing Eras: Ryun's Kick vs. the Doping-Era 90s

26:53 Danny Mackey's Decision on a 1500m World Record Bid

34:00 Other Commonwealth Games Standouts

36:22 Africa's Distance Running Decline & the Kipsang Mystery

40:50 Jakob Ingebrigtsen's Fitness, Qualifying Rules & Fan Rivalries

48:30 Skipping USAs: The Nur & Monson Debate Begins

53:49 USATF Points System Under Fire

58:12 Off-Topic Tangent: Wejo's College Racing History

1:02:38 USATF Foundation Grants & Accountability

1:06:58 Dennis Kipkogei Headlines Texas' Loaded Recruiting Class

1:10:28 Full-Ride Scholarships & the NCAA Funding Arms Race

1:16:41 Conference Realignment, Age Caps & Remote Coaching Fantasies

1:21:53 Colorado's Kenyan Recruiting Rumor & International Talent Debate

1:26:35 World Juniors Preview & Closing Thoughts

CONTACT

Contact us: Email: podcast@letsrun.com Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Wejo, a 2-time Team USA member, and Rojo, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

🏃 Presented by Oro Sport USA Beat the summer heat with ORO Sport's cooling vests, headbands, and wristbands. Use code LETSRUN for 10% off at orosportusa.com.

Aletheia — a wearable stride sensor that decodes your running form with PhD-level biomechanics feedback. Free 30-day trial with code LETSRUN10 at aletheia.run.

LetsRun Shoe Deals — Nike Vomero 18 $93, Pegasus $87 (40% off), Vaporfly 4 $143 (47% off)

Summary

The US Champions left Eugene for the first time since 2019, heading to Icahn Stadium on Randall's Island. in NYC. Cooper Lutkenhaus capped a near-perfect season with a dominant 800-meter title at just 17 years old, while Nikki Hiltz made it an amazing 9 straight US titles. Grant Fisher suffered a stunning upset in the 10K, Donovan Brazier's comeback stalled badly, and Jonathan Gault's "nearly man" take on Vincent Ciattei aged spectacularly in less than 24 hours.

Plus, Jakob Ingebrigtsen announces his return at European Championships, Commonwealth Games sprint times defy belief in the Glasgow rain, and an in-depth interview with marathon rising star Charles Hicks at 99:59 ****on chasing 150-mile weeks and the 2:06 Olympic standard.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content: Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

LINKS

Shop LetsRun — 24% off all T-shirts with code JULY24

LetsRun Shoe Deals — Nike Vomero 18 $93, Pegasus $87 (40% off), Vaporfly 4 $143 (47% off)

Oro Sport USA — code LETSRUN for 10% off

Aletheia Running Sensor — free 30-day trial, code LETSRUN10

Hobbs Kessler Interview

Jonathan Gault on Vincent Ciattei as a 'Nearly Man'

Commonwealth Games 100m Final

Nomio broccoli shot

Supporters Club

LetsRun VPN

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro and Sponsors

00:51 Welcome and Weekend Overview

04:36 Cooper Lutkenhaus Caps a Near-Perfect Season

07:05 Teen Phenoms and Why Lutkenhaus Is Different

12:45 Nia Akins Wins Her Third US 800 Title

14:22 Grant Fisher Upset in the 10K

20:06 Only 37% of World Team Members Showed Up

22:57 Nikki Hiltz's Historic Nine Straight US Titles

25:39 Can Nikki Win World Ultimate?

30:46 Wanyonyi-Chipchurchir Baby and World Ultimate Outlook

33:44 Wes Ferguson's Breakout and the D2 Pipeline

39:02 Donovan Brazier's Lost Season

45:00 Noah Lyles, Ciattei, and Mackay: Winners and Losers

47:24 Gault's 'Nearly Man' Take Ages Terribly

54:36 Hobbs Kessler on Sacrifice and Going All In

58:26 What Does Going All In Really Mean?

62:48 Addy Wiley's Breakout Weekend

64:17 Jakob Ingebrigtsen Returns at European Championships

68:47 Commonwealth Games Mile Preview

70:09 Commonwealth Games Shockers: Sprints and 10K

74:09 Glasgow Sprint Times Defy the Conditions

79:44 Kai Robinson Wins Gold, Kenya Stumbles

82:48 USAs in New York: Attendance and the Future

89:04 Can You Sell a Four-Day Track Meet?

94:03 Pros and Cons of Icahn Stadium

99:59 Interview: Charles Hicks on Marathon Training

104:20 Hicks on Mileage as the Number One Variable

112:00 The Altitude Experiment in Park City

119:43 Chasing the 2:06 Olympic Standard

122:27 Training Data and What It Actually Tells You

126:54 Fueling, Nomio, and the Broccoli Shot

131:39 Hicks' Best Jerry Schumacher Story

Contact

Email: podcast@letsrun.com

Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

About the LetsRun podcast

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running. The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on.

🏃 Presented by Aletheia Run
Aletheia Run is a sensor and app that captures a force portrait of your running mechanics, giving you feedback and drills to run more efficiently and avoid injury. Get a free 30-day trial and 10% off with code LETSRUN10 — linkhere https://www.aletheia.run/start-my-free-trial

EPISODE SUMMARY

Josh Kerr shattered Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year-old mile world record in London, running 3:42.66, while training partner Brandon Miller stunned the field with a career-best 1:42.19 in the 800m. Wejo, Rjo and Jonathan debate whether Kerr's mark is more believable than the EPO-era record it replaced, whether he should chase the 1,500m world record this year, and how his rivalry with Jakob Ingebrigtsen now stacks up. Coach Danny Mackey joinsus at 73:31 to recount race day, the chaotic pacing situation, and what comes next for both athletes.

Elsewhere: the NCAA scraps altitude and flat-track conversions in a move the hosts call one of the dumbest rule changes in years, Niels Laros ends his season with an Achilles injury, and USATF Outdoors kicks off in New York with several top milers sitting out.

🎁 🎧 Get a 2nd LetsRun podcast every week + bonus content:
Join the Supporters Club — https://www.letsrun.com/subscribe

LINKS

**** Aletheia Run Sensor & App Use code LETSRUN10

Brandon Miller junior phenom video

After breaking mile world record, can Josh Kerr become the first man to run 3:25 for 1500m?

**** Free USAs tickets giveaway

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Sponsor Intro

00:29 This Week in Track: Kerr's Record and More News

06:46 Fake Josh Kerr

08:28 Reflecting on the Mile World Record

13:59 The Drug Era and Believing in Records

17:56 What's Next for Josh Kerr

21:46 Chasing a 1,500m World Record

27:54 Debating Kerr's Recovery and Peak Fitness34:05 Injuries Rock the Miling Ranks

42:14 Should Niels Laros Get Achilles Surgery?

45:34 Kerr vs Ingebrigtsen: The Head-to-Head Record

47:03 Brandon Miller's Historic 800m Win

50:57 Miller's Turbo Kick Explained

56:51 USA Outdoor Championships Preview

1:03:50 Who's Skipping USAs and Why

1:08:53 NCAA Scraps Altitude Conversions

1:13:31 Guest Danny Mackey: Race Day Morning in London

1:19:36 Watching the World Record Unfold

1:25:36 The Workouts Behind the Record

1:31:24 Training for a Championship vs a Record

1:34:10 The Case for a 1,500m World Record Attempt

1:37:39 Commonwealth Games and Brandon Miller's Rise

1:42:40 Reworking Miller's Training and Kick

1:47:40 Whose Idea Was the World Record Attempt?

1:52:52 A Perfect Night in London

1:55:32 Sponsor Outro Aletheia Run Sensor & App Use code LETSRUN10

Contact Us

Email: podcast@letsrun.com
Call or text: 1-844-LETSRUN (1-844-538-7786)

ABOUT THE LETSRUN.COM PODCAST

Since 2000, LetsRun.com has been the independent home of elite running. Described by the New York Times as the "influential website that serves as something of a superego for American running," the podcast is the weekly deep dive into the world of track and field and elite distance running.

The show is hosted by LetsRun.com co-founders Weldon Johnson, a 2-time Team USA member, and Robert Johnson, a former Cornell coach who helped pace the marathon world record, along with award-winning senior writer Jonathan Gault. Together they move beyond PR headlines to provide insider reporting and unfiltered debate serious fans rely on