Today on the podcast, I chat to Jon Marcus an established and extremely well-versed distance running coach from the US.
Jon is co-host of the ‘On coaching podcast’ with Steve Magness, this is one of my favourite running podcasts. Jon regularly questions the status quo, his blend of science, art, history and openness has been a breath of fresh air for a young running coach like myself. Besides; 'we don't know what we don't know.'
Throughout the years Jon has coached hundreds of athletes, read thousands of books (his home book library is exhaustive) and has had some amazing mentors/friends and influences in the running world, including; Rob Connor, Jerry Schumacher, Alberto Salazar, Steve Magness, Mike Smith, Dan Mackey etc…
It was a fantastic opportunity to chat to Jon today and pick his brain. I have been a member of his online run coaching scholar program for the past year now, this experience has well and truly helped broadened my perspective and the way I approach running/life.
Today we talk about;
-Why do we gravitate to linear/dichotomous ways of thought? Why is it important to keep reminding ourselves that the world is complex?
-Why is it important for runners/coaches to always remain hungry to learn?
-How important is individualisation/personalisation in running?
-We bring into question,  the ‘mileage obsession’ in the distance running community.
-and finish with what Jon learnt most from his experiences with; Alberto Salazar, Jerry Schumacher and Rob Connor?
I hope you enjoy this chat, I hope it gets you to question your processes, I hope it garners a thirst to learn more and never stop learning. If you want to hear more from Jon, be sure to listen to his on-coaching podcast with Steve Magness. Thanks once again for being so generous with your time Jon!