Should Runners Lift Weights? Many Elites Don't - Tom Nobbs (2:09 Marathoner)

Tom Nobbs on Strides, Strength Training, and Building Toward Higher Marathon Mileage After Two 10Ks Canadian 2:09 marathoner Tom Nobbs discusses recent takeaways from conversations with Rory Linkletter and Jimmy, with a focus on frequent strides, sprinting, strength training, racing, and building toward a bigger marathon block. Tom Nobbs Links: Tom Nobbs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nobbs.not.knobs/ Tom Nobbs Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/28521910 Matt Fox Links: Train with Matt Fox: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Join the Supporters Club and private podcast feed: https://www.sweatelite.co/shareholders/ Contact Matt: matt@sweatelite.co Matt Fox Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 They begin by talking about Rory's daily strides, how often runners should include strides or short sprints, and why intensity needs to be individualized. Matt and Tom discuss the value of polarizing training between controlled tempo work and true max-speed work, rather than turning every session into the same moderate effort. The conversation then moves into strength training. They debate where gym work fits for distance runners, how it may help reduce cramping for some athletes, and why it can also become unnecessary or costly for high-mileage runners if it takes away from recovery or running volume. Tom explains his own strength gaps and the importance of tailoring gym work to the athlete rather than forcing one approach on everyone. Tom also breaks down two recent 10K races: a 28:47 road 10K in windy conditions in Ottawa, and a delayed late-night track 10K in awkward conditions with limited access to the track beforehand. Matt and Tom discuss how racing time-of-day, warm-up routines, track access, spikes, and surface specificity can all affect performance. They also compare road and track racing, why both require adaptation, and how shorter races can sharpen the mental edge during a marathon build. Later, they cover coaching athletes who over-race, how different personality types respond to racing, and the balance between racing for fun, social connection, and long-term development. The final part of the episode shifts into Tom's next marathon block, including higher "super mileage," the trade-offs of extreme volume, tapering challenges, days off versus seven-day running, and examples of older or later-career runners still making major marathon improvements. Episode Chapters: 00:00 Welcome Back Tom 01:24 Rory's Daily Strides 02:56 How Many Strides 05:13 Weekly Structure Cycles 06:20 Strength Training Debate 07:12 Tom's Strength Gap 09:35 Cramping And Research 14:34 Ottawa 10K Recap 17:55 Track Access And Spikes 19:26 Night Racing Timing 24:21 Roads Versus Track 27:14 Why No 5K Racing 28:36 Chasing A 14:20 30:42 Finding Quality 5Ks 32:47 5K During Marathon Block 34:29 Short Races Mental Edge 36:24 VO2 Pain Gets Easier 37:31 Too Many Races Policy 40:52 Coaching Personality Types 43:27 Running For Social Fun 45:50 Meeting Partners Through Running 49:04 Kicking Off Marathon Block 51:14 Peak Mileage Targets 53:24 Days Off Debate 56:04 Jake Barraclough Volume Trap 58:54 Mileage As A Lever 01:03:26 Older Runners Still Improve 01:06:29 Wrap Up And Next Check In