IMO #30 - Osaka Marathon Weekend, Social Media, Running To Effort and much more | Sweat Elite Podcast

I'm back with another fortnightly In My Opinion episode - sharing running observations, Q&A and personal updates.

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I wished friends luck at Osaka and Tokyo and spoke about returning to YouTube to document a marathon comeback despite not running yet and feeling imposter syndrome.

I explained why I moved away from pro-athlete travel content - doping concerns, COVID restrictions, visa limits and tax complications. The channel is shifting toward my own journey.

On training, I addressed the effort vs pace debate. Context matters. Effort leads, especially when fatigued. I spoke about avoiding the anxiety spiral by focusing on sensation and adaptation rather than numbers and judgment.

I touched on influencer culture, unnecessary products, and doping speculation - urging caution without proof.

I discussed coaching as an optional performance tool, like super shoes, and may use a coach in an advisor role. I'll likely train mostly in standard shoes and race in super shoes.

Current context: I'm around 79 kg and believe 65-66 kg aligns with a 2:12-2:15 goal. I reflected on running 2:20 off ~105 km per week in 2021. I'm considering cycling and stair climbing to maintain fitness while reducing impact and avoiding ego-driven mileage.

I also covered my 10-year Japan ban, alcohol vs cannabis culture, pre-race nerves, speed after 40, Australia's social media ban for under-16s, and moving Workouts of the Week into a paid Supporters Club to build a healthier community.

Closed with plans for stairs, weights and a cold plunge.

Topics

00:00 - Welcome Back to 'In My Opinion' (Format, cadence, and what to expect)
00:54 - Race Week Shoutouts + Osaka Marathon Feelings
02:16 - Carb-Loading Stories & Filming a Marathon Comeback Series
03:17 - Why I Stepped Away From the 'Pro Athlete Training' Travel Life
04:45 - COVID-Era Australia, Visas, and Getting Stuck at Home
07:26 - US Immigration Reality Check + A Detour Into Money, AI, and the Future
09:37 - Q&A Starts: Training by Effort vs Pace (Ben's tempo run 'contradiction')
11:52 - Email/Inbox Mindset + Running Content Creator Fatigue
14:15 - Brands, Influence, and What Running Really Needs (Nutrition & authenticity)
15:55 - Make It About You: Imposter Syndrome, YouTube strategy
18:33 - More Listener Mail: Helsinki banter + Switching to new questions
19:49 - Fraser's Big Idea: Sensation vs Measurement (escaping the anxiety spiral)
21:53 - Truett/Luke 'hate' discourse: Entertainment vs negativity in the pod
23:53 - Osaka Marathon Q: Can I watch? Japan ban, cannabis vs alcohol, and moving on
26:12 - When Do You Actually Need a Coach? (Ken Rideout example)
26:52 - Supplements, ketones & super shoes: what you actually need
28:33 - Why chase a faster marathon: goals, weight loss & the reset mindset
29:45 - Coaching plans and past drama: finding the right advisor
30:46 - Train in trainers, race in supers? Injury risk & adaptation
32:34 - Influencers, supplements & doping gray zones (L-carnitine, EPO, T)
37:58 - Supporters club + Discord: keeping the community clean and paid
40:46 - Quick-fire training Qs: cycling/stairs, bathroom nerves, speed after 40
52:47 - Wrap-up: more questions, today's workout & how to reach out