The 1% Better Runner with DLake

Your fancy running watch is feeding you incomplete data about your fitness, and obsessing over VO2 max might be holding you back from real speed gains. Runners obsess over VO₂ max scores, but that number doesn’t tell the whole story. In this episode, I break down the real drivers of speed and endurance, explain why a dip in VO₂ max isn’t a disaster, and share training shifts that make you faster w...

Strides might be the most powerful running tool you’re not using—and they only take 10 minutes. Running faster doesn’t have to mean endless mileage or exhausting workouts. In this episode, I break down the simple but powerful training tool of strides—what they are, why most runners get them wrong, and how using them the right way can unlock free speed. You’ll learn when to add them, how to build t...

Every runner thinks they understand tempo runs, but 90% are doing them completely wrong and sabotaging their race goals. Everyone talks about tempo runs, but no one can agree on what they actually are. This episode ends the confusion for good by breaking down the real-world definition and purpose of this crucial workout. You’ll learn exactly how to find your personal tempo pace, why it’s the secre...

What if the secret to running faster isn't pushing harder but actually slowing down for 80% of your training? If you've been grinding through workouts and not seeing the speed gains you want, this episode reveals the counterintuitive training approach that actually works. You will learn why slowing down for months at a time is the secret to getting genuinely fast, how to structure your training to...

What if everything you’ve heard about zone two training is only half the story—and maybe not even the important half? Most of us have been told that endless easy miles are the key to better running, but what if that’s only part of the picture? In this episode, I dig into the science and real-world experience behind zone two training to show where it helps, where it doesn’t, and how to build a smar...

What if the reason your Achilles pain keeps coming back isn't because you're not resting enough, but because you're doing the wrong type of recovery exercises entirely? Achilles pain can sneak up on any runner, turning easy miles into a constant battle. This episode breaks down exactly why it happens and gives you the clear, professional-grade protocol to finally fix it. You'll learn the crucial d...

What if the reason you're struggling through runs isn't because your legs are weak, but because you're literally using the wrong breathing technique that's sabotaging every step? Running isn’t just about strong legs or logging more miles—your lungs hold the secret to smoother, faster, and more enjoyable runs. In this episode, I break down simple but powerful breathing changes that can transform ho...

I learned the hard way that buying the latest shoe doesn’t replace real training. I’ve come to realize that shiny gear isn’t the magic bullet most of us think it is. In this episode, I dig into why focusing on day-to-day consistency and small training tweaks leads to real progress. You’ll hear practical tips on choosing basic yet effective gear, plus how to build sustainable habits that make each...

Most runners are accidentally avoiding the exact training that would make them fastest. If you’ve ever wondered why your training feels hard but race day still falls short, this episode connects the dots. I break down the difference between Zone 2, threshold, and VO₂ Max so you can finally see how they work together instead of against each other. The right balance isn’t about running more miles or...

The worst mistake new runners make isn’t skipping strength—it’s ignoring knee pain until it’s too late. If you’re a new runner and your knee started hurting after your first 5K, this is for you. You’ll learn that the pain isn’t just bad luck or overuse—it’s your body telling you something’s missing in your training, and the fix isn’t more stretching or icing, but a specific type of strength work m...

Building muscle the right way nearly wrecked my running—because tendons don't play by the same rules. Ever felt like you're doing everything right—strength training, stretching, foam rolling—only to end up injured anyway? In this episode I break down the unexpected reason why runners who lift can still wind up with nagging calf and Achilles issues. I share exactly how I trained my way into injury...

Your running form doesn't break down because your body is weak—it breaks because your focus shatters first. Most runners think they have good form until they see their race day photos—hunched shoulders, shuffling feet, looking nothing like the smooth stride they practiced in training. The truth is your form doesn't break down because you're tired; it crumbles because your focus gives up first. In...

Most runners think nutrition is about eating healthy, but what works in the gym doesn't work for the long run. Are you sabotaging your runs with your diet—even if you think you're eating clean? Most runners approach nutrition like bodybuilders—obsessing over "clean eating" and restrictive diets that actually sabotage performance when you're logging serious miles. In this episode, I break down the...

Your fancy smartwatch is lying to you about your VO2 max, and chasing that number is sabotaging your race times Most runners obsess over VO₂ max, but few really understand what it means or how to use it. In this episode, I break down the truth about what VO₂ max actually measures, why your watch might be misleading you, and how to train in a way that builds lasting fitness. If you’ve ever wondered...

What if running faster isn't about pushing harder, but about subtle shifts you're overlooking? In this episode, I break down the counterintuitive truth about performance gains that most runners completely miss. I reveal how tiny 3-5% improvements in seemingly unrelated areas can compound into massive performance breakthroughs that feel almost effortless. You'll discover the exact framework for "st...

What if the secret to marathon success isn't running more miles, but spending more time rehearsing the tiny details everyone ignores? I thought I was ready for this race. I had the fitness. But a few small mistakes — like when and how I took in water, what I carried (or didn’t), and how I paced the early miles — taught me some hard truths. In this episode, I share what really trips up runners on r...

Most runners are training for a time they think they should hit, not the one they're actually ready for. If you’ve ever felt stuck at the same 5K time no matter how hard you train, this episode is for you. I'm joined by coach Mike Trees—ex-pro runner, triathlete, and a guy who’s coached thousands, where we break down the overlooked mix of endurance, speed, and mental grit that separates average re...

The difference between hitting your goal time and missing it often comes down to what you consume, not just how you train. If you're a runner who wants to train smarter, not just harder, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed strategies to fuel better, recover faster, and race stronger. I break down key tools and tactics that go way beyond just eating carbs and drinking water. You’l...

Your tempo runs aren't making you faster—they're actually making you slower, and I spent years proving this the hard way before finally figuring out what actually works. Threshold training can be a total game-changer or a complete waste of time if you’re doing it wrong. In this episode, I break down five common mistakes that most runners make with threshold runs and how to avoid them without runni...

What if the best strength work for runners doesn’t need any weights? Running more won’t fix what weak glutes, unstable hips, and lazy posture break down. In this episode, I cover the 5 most powerful bodyweight strength training moves every runner should do. You’ll learn how to do each one with perfect form, why it matters for running performance and injury prevention, and how to modify them for yo...

Your expensive running shoes are actually preventing you from feeling where your foot should land, creating the exact problem they claim to solve. Overstriding is one of those sneaky mistakes that most runners don’t even realize they’re making—and it could be the thing holding you back. In this episode, I break down what overstriding actually is (hint: it’s not what you’ve been told), why it messe...

Hydration alone won't save your race; unless you master the science behind it, you're probably doing it wrong. Most runners think they know how to hydrate and fuel, but they're making critical mistakes that destroy their performance when it matters most. In this episode, I'm breaking down the exact hydration and fueling strategies that will help you avoid cramping, gut issues, and those dreaded mi...

Lactate threshold is the one pace that impacts everything from your long runs to race day performance, yet 90% of runners train it wrong. If you’re somewhere between jogging for fun and grinding it out at VO₂ max, you’re likely skipping over the most valuable pace in your training—threshold. In this episode, I break down what threshold running actually is, why it matters way more than you think, a...

What if the best way to PR was to start slower, not faster? You don’t win your half marathon in the first 5K—you survive it. In this episode, I coached Brandon through his real race plan to run a smart, sub-1:40 half without blowing up. We talk pacing science, elevation strategy, cold weather tactics, and how to finish fast with fuel still in the tank. Whether you’ve hit the wall one too many time...

Most runners don’t fuel right and it’s costing them performance and recovery. Ever wondered why your runs sometimes feel effortless while other days your legs feel like lead? It might not be your training—it could be your nutrition. In this episode, I’ll give you real, science-backed strategies to fuel smarter before and after your runs. You’ll learn why your pre-run meal matters more than you thi...