Dylan Belles

DB Performance Running Podcast

Sports EN ↓ 86 episodes

Hi, I'm Coach Dylan Belles! Over the past decade, I've trained with and learned from some of the best athletes in the world. Now, I’m sharing those experiences—both as a runner and a coach—with you. This podcast sheds light on training, racing, and the insights I’ve gained along the way. Whether you're one of my current athletes or just curious to learn ways you can train better (or perhaps differently), I invite you to join in and enjoy the ramblings!

Author

Dylan Belles

Category

Sports

Podcast website

podcasters.spotify.com

Latest episode

Jul 9, 2026

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Episodes

Use Hills to Get Stronger This Summer 09.07.2026

If you're prepping for a Fall racing season and looking to make a significant splash in performance, I think that starts with getting stronger this summer. And there's no better way to do that than by mixing in hilly runs and hill workouts into the training week. In today's episode, I'll share with you not only why you should add hills, but how to add them effectively so that you put yourself in t...

Bayshore Marathon Recap 27.05.2026

Hello! On May 23rd, 2026, I ran the Bayshore Marathon in 2:18:24, finishing second overall. In this episode, I provide a full breakdown of my training block, the days leading up to the race, the race itself, and my thoughts, intentions, and goals for the rest of 2026.

3 Mental Strategies for When Racing Gets Hard 15.05.2026

You know this feeling. You're mid-race, pushing hard, and then that voice shows up - " this hurts," "just slow down," "you should quit."Here's the thing: that voice isn't a sign of weakness. It's your brain doing exactly what it's designed to do. And once you understand what's actually happening, you can stop letting it cost you races. In this...

A Smarter Way to Run VO₂max Intervals? 11.05.2026

I break down a different way to structure intervals that (according to the cited research) led to ~70% more time at VO₂max - without making the workout feel any harder or having to put in double time to achieve it! I’ll go through: where traditional intervals might fall short how this structure works and how to use it in your own trainingStudy:Vaccari, F., Giovanelli, N., & Lazzer, S. (2020)Hi...

The Norwegian Method: Thoughts, Learnings, and Training Applications 25.03.2026

In this episode, I break down what some of the best runners in the world are doing to maximize their training so they can handle more total quality work across the week. We get into the Norwegian method, double threshold training, and the real reason intensity control is becoming such a big part of modern distance running. I also share how this approach has impacted my own training and the athlete...

Talking Strength Training for Runners with Kameron Harder, PT, DPT, OCS 13.03.2026

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend, Kameron Harder, a physical therapist, endurance athlete, and someone who spends a lot of time helping athletes stay healthy and perform better. We get into the role strength training should actually play in a runner’s routine. We talk about why it matters, how it helps reduce injuries, and what it can do for your performance if you approach it the r...

Thoughts on the Run - training updates, steady runs, run form, ASICS Megablast, USATF Half Champs. 06.03.2026

Happy Friday! In today's episode you will get an update on my coaching + training, and several thoughts from my run this morning which includes - why steady runs are important, how to run with good form when you're tired, avoiding lazy strides, my thoughts on the ASICS Megabast, and the controversy from the USATF Half Marathon Champs

The Pro Marathon Workout Most Runners Aren’t Doing 25.02.2026

There’s a workout professional marathoners use all the time that most runners don’t fully understand - alternation sessions designed to train lactate clearance. I’ve used these sessions throughout my own build as a 2:16 marathoner and 2x Olympic Trials qualifier, and they’ve consistently been some of the best indicators of race readiness for the distance

When should you change your VDOT score? 04.02.2026

When's the right time to change your training paces? Maybe not when you think!

How to Run Faster After Mile 20 23.01.2026

Have you bonked after Mile 20 in the Marathon? I have! In today's episode, I'm going to walk through why we might bonk after mile 20 in the marathon, and leave you with a few ways in which you can work towards avoiding it next time!

PUMA Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 - Your Next Marathon Shoe? 21.01.2026

Welcome! In today's podcast, I give you a full breakdown of my thoughts on the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 as a marathon shoe! These racing shoes have blitzed their way onto podiums and personal bests this past year, forcing their way into consideration as the fastest shoe on the market. But, is it? And is it the best shoe for you? Let's talk about it!

Week in Review - Race Results, Workouts of the Week, and Training the Tips 16.01.2026

Recap from the past week's worth of racing, 4 workouts of the week, and tips for your training - all packed into one episode!

Houston Marathon Race Recap! 14.01.2026

I give a full breakdown of my 2:17:44 & 12th place performance at the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon

How to Use the Treadmill Without Ruining Your Training 08.01.2026

The treadmill gets dismissed as a last-resort option-or worse, as “not real running.” In this episode, we take a deeper look at what treadmill training actually does, what the research says about how it compares to running outdoors, and why it can feel harder even when the physiology is similar. We talk about biomechanics, heat stress, pacing perception, and injury risk, explain where treadmill ru...

Why You Feel Flat Before Race Day - and What to Do About It 06.01.2026

In this episode, I break down the concept of muscle tension , and explain why race-week training should preserve useful tension rather than eliminate it. We’ll look at the difference between fatigue and readiness, why the nervous system detunes faster than aerobic fitness, and how overly passive tapers dull coordination and stride quality. You’ll learn how short, controlled faster running keeps th...

Nailing this phase of training changes everything 26.12.2025

When the race is over, motivation often fades-and that’s where many runners lose momentum and find themselves on a negative trajectory. How can we change that? This episode reframes the off-season as a critical training phase, not complete downtime. You’ll learn how to replace race-driven motivation with purpose, build structure without burnout, and set practical goals that keep progress moving wh...

Training Masters Athletes: Recovery, VO₂max, and Long-Term Performance 23.12.2025

Masters athletes aren’t fragile, but they do recover differently. In this episode, we break down what actually changes with age, why VO₂max decline drives performance loss more than threshold or economy, and how smart intensity placement keeps progress moving. We cover recovery limits, strength training, volume breakpoints, and why consistency across the year matters more than hero weeks.

HIIT & VO₂max Training: What Actually Makes You Faster 16.12.2025

VO₂max training is often misunderstood and misapplied. In this episode, i'll talk you through the basics of VO₂max intervals, VO₂ kinetics, and why many HIIT workouts fail to deliver the intended aerobic stimulus. Using recent research comparing long versus short VO₂max intervals, I'll help explain why time spent near VO₂max matters more than pace, heart rate, or perceived effort. We also...

Is Marathon-Pace Training Overrated? 10.12.2025

Hey hey! Today, I'm talking heavily on the topic of LT1 and why building training around this intensity can help provide all the good stuff that will elevate your marathon race time. I'll break down why marathon pace may be overrated (but still important) and also how to specifically build LT1 training into your program for your next marathon.

The Case for Hill Training: Stronger, Smoother, Faster 02.12.2025

Hill training has been a staple of great coaching for more than 70 years, long before sports science could explain why. In this episode, we break down every major type of hill workout - short neuromuscular sprints, medium aerobic-power repeats, long sustained climbs, and uphill threshold sessions. We explore the science behind each, the historical foundations from coaches like Lydiard, Cerutty, Bo...

Why High Mileage Works (and When It Doesn’t) 18.11.2025

In this episode, I'll help break down why running more miles - when done the right way - creates some of the most reliable breakthroughs in endurance for runners of all ability levels. I'll talk briefly about historical high mileage programs, basic physiology, and steps you can take to improve your mileage starting from scratch.

Week in Review - Race Results, Workouts of the Week, and Training Tips 13.11.2025

Recap from the New York City Marathon, Indy Monumental Marathon, BAA Half, Valencia Half & More! Stick around to check out 5 workouts of the week, and a few quick-hitting training tips and thoughts that you can apply to your training today.

New York City Marathon - What to Expect, My 2025 Experience, and My Takeaways for Performing Well 05.11.2025

Here's my full breakdown on the 2025 Marathon experience! From pre-race, mid-race, to post-race, I lay out everything I did to plan, prepare, and execute this amazing race.

Do Runners Really Need Down Weeks? 27.10.2025

In today's episode, I will walk through the idea of taking structured down weeks in training. We will explore: What exactly is a down week Why would you take a down week Why wouldn’t you take a down week How often would you take a down week How to not get worried about losing fitness when taking a down week

10 Real Questions (and Answers) from the Runners of Reddit 23.10.2025

I went down the r/AdvancedRunning rabbit hole and pulled 10 questions submitted over the last 2 weeks to break down what runners are really curious about right now. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Reddit Q&A on Running 02:24 Running Fast on Five Days a Week 08:49 Cumulative Mileage vs. Recent Mileage 15:30 Importance of Running Drills 20:25 Improving Uphill Performance and Finishing Speed 30:03...

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