Marathon Talk - E10: Mary Ngugi, Marathoner and Founder of Nala Track Club

E10: Mary Ngugi, Marathoner and Founder of Nala Track Club

02/10/23 • 63 min

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Mary Ngugi is not only an accomplished marathoner, but a force of nature, a catalyst for change, and an inspiration both throughout her racing and beyond.

Having launched Nala Track Club, she’s creating opportunities for young girls in Kenya with the potential to achieve similar success.

We hear from Mary on the podcast this week, as we also take a look at the stellar elite field for London, Tokyo’s record-breaking run next month, and how much race pace you’re really sacrificing by missing out on training sessions.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up and share their experiences with unique run plans and strength training
13:43 - Rounding up news on the recently announced elite field for April’s TCS London Marathon, and Tokyo’s Guinness World Record-breaking run next month
21:10 - Training Talk: New research on how much impact a run of consistent missed sessions can have on final race pace
29:05 - Mary Ngugi’s inspiring interview, discussing her start in distance running, advantages of training as a team, and remarkable activism work with Nala Track Club & Women’s Athletic Alliance
1:01:00 - Closing out with celebrations for two important, special birthdays

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Mary Ngugi is not only an accomplished marathoner, but a force of nature, a catalyst for change, and an inspiration both throughout her racing and beyond.

Having launched Nala Track Club, she’s creating opportunities for young girls in Kenya with the potential to achieve similar success.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Martin & Deena catch up and share their experiences with unique run plans and strength training
13:43 - Rounding up news on the recently announced elite field for April’s TCS London Marathon, and Tokyo’s Guinness World Record-breaking run next month
21:10 - Training Talk: New research on how much impact a run of consistent missed sessions can have on final race pace
29:05 - Mary Ngugi’s inspiring interview, discussing her start in distance running, advantages of training as a team, and remarkable activism work with Nala Track Club & Women’s Athletic Alliance
1:01:00 - Closing out with celebrations for two important, special birthdays

Previous Episode

E9: Gary Laybourne, AWMM Age Group World Champion

For anyone needing inspiration to smash a PB this year, the story of the 2022 AWMM 40-44 Age Group World Champion is one to behold.

The race was only Gary Laybourne’s fourth marathon, and he came home in a stellar 2:21:07 - it’s a privilege to hear from him on this week’s Marathon Talk, as he shares his background in triathlon, and the training that helped him fulfil his potential.

Also in episode 9, it’s time to build patient progress in February if you’re lining up an April race, we cover some record breaking news from two incredible Aussies, and mull over a shocking start to the recent Valencia 10k.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Cold running essentials, the shocking start to Valencia’s recent 10k, two Australian women’s new records, and much more
17:20 - Training Talk, covering the lead up to a spring race with a look at how your February, March and April should be shaping up and where to focus
25:30 - A conversation with the AWMM Age Group World Champion, Gary Laybourne about his remarkable entry into the marathon scene, charitable work with Coach Core, and specific sessions that help him maximise his potential
48:40 - Rounding up the episode with a look at the new Majors magazine

Next Episode

E11: Alfred Scaletta - The 6 Star Finisher 46 Years in the Making

The final stretch of the World Athletics Cross Country Championships race in Bathurst was fraught with drama, and with the marathon route in Budapest revealed, it’s a big week in the running world.

We’ve got a ram-packed episode of Marathon Talk this week with a look at the all-important long run in your marathon training, and the single fall that cost the Bathurst race.

On top of all the news and training talk, we have a fantastic interview with the incredible Alfred Scaletta who’s set to finish his 72nd marathon in Tokyo as a 6 Star Finisher, 46 years after his first Chicago.

In this episode of Marathon Talk:

0:00 - Catching up on the previous fortnight, including a heartwarming bike ride for a friend with an unfortunate, recent diagnosis
10:20 - We bring all the news from Bathurst’s dramatic World Cross Country Championships
28:45 - Training Talk: we look at the long run, and how you can experiment with it to improve your race day
37:10 - Alfred Scaletta shares his 72 marathons’ experience, 46 year journey to a 6 Star medal, and lucky escape from the tragic events of Boston 2013
1:05:30 - Wrapping up with well-wishes for those noble Tokyo marathoners in March