What Really Happened at the Tokyo Marathon

Last weekend, Jacob Kiplimo delivered something pretty special.

He smashed the Half Marathon World Record, taking a huge chunk of time off the previous mark and reminding everyone just how fast the sport is moving right now.

Naturally, performances like this always spark conversation in the running world.

I actually posted a reel about the race on Instagram, and quite a few runners jumped into the comments with their thoughts. Some people were simply amazed by the performance… while others started asking questions about how someone can run that fast and still look so relaxed afterwards.

That’s the fascinating thing about elite sport — incredible performances always get people talking.

So I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

What do you think about Kiplimo’s record-breaking run?

Is this just the next evolution of elite distance running…
or does it raise questions for you?

We’ve opened a discussion inside the Running Hub, and runners from around the world are already sharing their thoughts. I’d love to hear your take.

👇 Jump into the discussion and share your thoughts with the community.

Ever notice how your motivation disappears right when a session gets tough?

When that happens, I use a simple trick.

I picture the finish line.

That moment when you cross it after a race you’ve worked months for.

The crowd.
The relief.
The satisfaction of knowing you pushed through.

Sometimes that small reminder is enough to carry you through the final kilometres of a session.

Next time a session feels tough, try it.

Think about the finish line.

This session is brilliant for building confidence across multiple race paces.

Session

2 × 10 minutes @ Marathon effort
2 × 5 minutes @ Half Marathon effort
2 × 3 minutes @ 10K effort

As the reps get shorter, the pace gradually increases.

This teaches your body to stay relaxed at faster speeds while already a little fatigued — exactly what happens late in races.

Take 2–3 minutes easy jog recovery between each effort.

Add a 10–20 minute warm-up and cool-down before and after the session.

Train smooth.

Finish strong.

If you try this session this week, let us know how it went inside the Running Hub.

Everyone wants to run faster — but most runners focus on the wrong things.

Small adjustments to your training, recovery, and pacing can make a massive difference over time.

In this article, Nick shares 10 simple running hacks that can help you improve performance without overcomplicating your training.

From smarter pacing strategies to recovery tricks many runners overlook, these tips are easy to implement and can make a real difference to your running.

👇 Check out the full breakdown

Ten days after the race, I’ve finally had time to reflect on how the Tokyo Marathon really unfolded.

From getting caught up in a fast early pack…
to running large sections of the race completely solo…
to grinding out the final kilometres when things got tough.

In this video I break down the full story behind the race — the decisions that helped, the mistakes that cost time, and the three biggest lessons I’ll carry into my next marathon block.

Because every race teaches you something — and sometimes the toughest days give you the most valuable lessons.

👆 Watch the full Tokyo Marathon recap above.

🏃‍♂️ The Boom Shakalaka Running Hub

Over the past few weeks we’ve been quietly building something pretty special.

The Running Hub is a free community built specifically for runners who want to train smarter, stay consistent, and learn from others on the same journey.

Inside the Hub, runners from all over the world share sessions, ask questions, and help each other through the ups and downs of training.

And something interesting has started to happen.

Some of the best running advice isn’t just coming from coaches — it’s coming from runners inside the community sharing what’s actually working for them.

Inside the Running Hub you’ll find:

• training discussions and race advice
• structured workout ideas and session feedback
• nutrition and recovery tips
• runners from all over the world sharing their journeys
• live discussions and insights from experienced athletes

And because we believe runners who contribute should be rewarded…

Active members inside the community also have opportunities to earn rewards, including:

• 👟 Nike shoe giveaways
• ⚡ £50 Science in Sport fuel vouchers
• ⚡ £35 Science in Sport fuel vouchers
• ⚡ £100 Science in Sport fuel vouchers

And the best part?

These rewards are completely free to participate in — you don’t need to pay for a subscription or upgrade to be eligible.

Just join the community, take part in discussions, share your training, and you’ll have opportunities to win.

Already over 12,000 runners receive this newsletter — many of them are now inside the community

👇 Join the Boom Shakalaka Running Hub

It takes less than 30 seconds to join and you’ll immediately be part of a community of runners all working towards getting better.

See you inside.

Know another runner who would love this community?
Forward this email and invite them in.

Need new gear or a training plan to boost your next block?
Check out the ranges below, grab what you need, and
use “BEST10” at checkout for 10% off.
Simple upgrade, instant motivation.