Summary: Tyler McCandless is a top American distance runner part of Newton Running elite, a PhD student in Meterology at Penn State and an Olympic Hopeful for the 2016 games in Rio. He’s based in the running mecca of Boulder, Colorado under the tutelage of coach Steve Jones, a former marathon world record holder. While at Penn State, he earned All-American Honors in the 10,000m. Since graduating college, his made the transition to road races qualifying for the 2012 Olympic marathon trials at his first attempt at the distance in the California International Marathon in 2010. Tyler’s won three marathons: the Kauai Marathon in Hawaii in 2011, and 2012; and also the Iwaki City Marathon in Japan in 2012. Tyler’s marathon PR currently stands at 2:15:26 and improving. He also excels at the half marathon, with a current PR of 1:03:16. Tyler’s success is coming from doing many things in his training and racing that some would consider unconventional or even at odds with today’s best practices – but it is bringing him continued success. Perhaps most importantly of all, one of his core philosophies is that running should be fun. The importance of running being fun and keeping the pressure off for best results How he balances other pursuits along with 70-90 mile weeks Staying motivated in looking at a multi-year approach to meeting running goals How having a more relaxed approach can lead to more fun and better results Letting go of being too analytical of training from someone obsessed with data Overcoming fears running some workouts without a GPS watch and running by feel Measuring your progress in the absence of just looking at the numbers The frequency he experiences a mediocre workout - and why they don't really matter His racing strategy that takes the opposite approach of most - and why it is working for him Why as a meteorologist he doesn't obsess over race day weather Coaching Minute How to get started with implementing effort based training to your workouts. Success Quote We may train or peak for a certain race, but running is a lifetime sport. -Alberto Salazar Links Mentioned in the Show The Kauai Marathon @TrackTy - Follow Tyler on Twitter Tyler on InstaGram
