"If you finish a training run and you don’t feel you can do it again, you are probably running too fast" - Dr. Mark Cucuzzella   Today’s episode of the Extramilest show is a big one. Dr Mark Cucuzzella is one of the most productive, yet busiest guys I know with an impressive and diverse background:  He has been a competitive runner for 30 years with a personal best in the marathon of 2:24. At his current age of 52 he has completing over 80 marathons and ultras, and he continues to compete as a National level Masters runner. He ran Boston Marathon 25 times, the last 18 years straight. For 30 years in a row he ran a Sub 3 hour marathon. For 22 years he raced under 2:35 and achieved this time in 4 decades.  He is a doctor and a professor of Family Medicine at West Virginia University School of Medicine. He is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force Reserves, designing programs to reduce running injuries in military personnel. Besides that he owns a minimalist footwear store, Two Rivers Treads in West Virginia.  He is also a race director of the event series Freedom’s Run He wrote the incredible book Run For Your Life On top of that, he is the Executive director of the Natural Running Center He teaches clinics with Dr. Phil Maffetone and others. And the list goes on.  His work has been features in media outlets such as New York Times, NPR, Outside Magazine, Runners World and many other medical and media outlets.    In this episode we take a deep dive into: Low HR training using the MAF 180 formula running injury prevention running form footwear stretching and much more I am giving away a copy of Dr Mark’s book Run for Your Life. To enter, I would love to hear from you in the comments on YouTube: what was your favorite quote or takeaway from this episode?    Enjoy my conversation with Dr. Mark Cucuzzella!   LINKS  Dr. Mark Cucuzzella website & facebook Dr Mark's Desk  Run for Your Life Book Two Rivers Treads  Mark Allen Extramilest Podcast Mark Allen’s story about the 1989 Kona Ironman victory over Dave Scott Video - Mark Allen’s Ironman win on Dave Scott’s best day, shaving 18 minutes off Ironman video Insert "Barefoot science" Correct Toes if you have a bend big toe Videos from Run for Your Life Book Merrell Vapor Glove Newbalance Minimus, trail original Bill Bowerman - co-founder of Nike Vans Shoes Nike Cortez  Marine Corps Marathon Boston Marathon Chicago Marathon Air Force Marathon - Mark winning video Elliot Kipchoge  Article "Americans spend drastically more time sitting down than they did last decade"   SHOW NOTES Dr. Mark Cucuzzella’s running background [3:40] Mark’s ran his first half marathon as a kid at a time of 1 hours 25 minutes [5:45] Mark experienced many running injuries early [7:30] Mark’s first marathon at the Marine Corps marathon in 2 hours 34 minutes that felt pretty easy [10:25] How Mark blew up big time at his first Boston Marathon with a DNF [11:00] His advice to runners wanting to run the Boston Marathon fast [12:35] His experience as a runner being part of the Air Force [13:20] His goal to make the olympic trials, running a 2:24 at the Chicago marathon [14:00] Plantar fascia, fused joints, big toe bent, etc. [14:20] His doctor recommended Mark not to run anymore[14:50] How an article by Mark Allen about the Maffetone Method chanced Dr. Mark’s life [15:13] Mark’s first experience with MAF training using the 180 formula [16:50] How he progressed from a 11 minute mile at HR 150 to a 6 min mile at 150 in just 4 months [18:05] His first marathon experience after he discovered MAF training, running a marathon in 2:28 that felt very easy [19:15] 6 Time Ironman World Champion Mark Allen’s experience with low heart rate training [21:20] Common injuries that Dr. Mark injuries that he sees [23:20] Mark’s advice about footwear [24:10] How modern footwear developed that caused many injuries because of narrow toe boxes