It’s 2026 and the Mind Your Miles boys are back. Nick and Will kick off the year with some real goals: Will wants to BQ at the Colfax Marathon in Denver (hills, altitude, vibes), Nick wants to run a marathon build using a classic, traditional structure, plus they both want at least one 100-mile week and, finally, a legit running book club.

Then we get into the main topic: what do you do with athletes who just do not have top-end speed, the kind where their 5K pace is uncomfortably close to their marathon pace? We break down why this caps performance (mechanically and metabolically), how injury history and fear can lock athletes into “governed” running, and how to rebuild turnover without turning every week into a misery fest of doing only what you suck at.

We talk practical solutions like drills, strength work, low-level plyos, accelerations, hill sprints, and how to coach effort and form so “running hard” actually makes you faster, not just more tense. We also debate the big question: do you need a true speed block where mileage drops and the focus shifts hard, or can you blend speed work into a marathon build and still move the needle?

Links:
https://mindyourmilespodcast.substack.com/
https://www.runbaldwin.com/

Nick’s thighs got absolutely wrecked at Run Rabbit Run 100, but the man still ran his first 100 mile like a total pro. In this episode we talk through Nick’s debut at Run Rabbit Run, gear that actually works for big-thigh runners, and how he kept it together through a cold, rainy night in Steamboat.Then we bring on our good friend and high school coach Danny Mercado to talk all things prep running, mileage for teenagers, racing every weekend, and how to keep kids from burning out before college.If you are into ultras, coaching, or just want to feel better about your own chafing horror stories, this one is for you.Work with Will 1-on-1: https://www.runbaldwin.com/

On this episode of Mind Your Miles, Nick and Will make a training plan live on the podcast!

Taking inspiration from some of the free training plans on the internet, Nick and Will go over one of these options, and then build an improved plan from scratch for the novice marathon runner.

Want the plan? You can get it on our Substack:

https://mindyourmilespodcast.substack.com

or

By sending us an email at: mindyourmilespod@gmail.com

or

By following @mindyourmilespodcast, @coachnickhilton, or @runbaldwin on Instagram.

Thanks for listening!

What are the keys to getting over that 4 hour marathon hump? The boys come in with 1 key each, and end up each giving about 7 different keys.

First though, a discussion is had about free online training plans from popular coaches; what they like, a lot about what they don't like, and why they may not be the best option for most runners.

Want more Mind Your Miles content? Check out our Substack!

Questions for the guys, or suggestions for content? email us at mindyourmilespod@gmail.com

Thinking about making the jump from road racing to trail and ultra running? In this episode of Mind Your Miles, Nick Hilton and Will Baldwin dive deep into the biggest mistakes runners make when transitioning to the trails. They share their personal blunders, offer practical advice, and discuss key topics like fueling, gear selection, pacing, course strategy, and the mental side of trail racing.

Plus, the guys argue about super shoes, world records, and why runners refuse to post their race times on Instagram. They also answer a listener question: At what point can you call yourself a runner?

Whether you're an experienced road racer curious about the trails or an ultra veteran looking to laugh at our rookie mistakes, this one's for you.

📩 Got a question for the pod? Email us at mindyourmilespod@gmail.com
🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DLROedmU6qM?si=WddiUUITuilIv3Lk
🔗 Follow us online:

• Will Baldwin: runbaldwin.com
• Nick Hilton: hiltonperformancerunning.com

The boys are back for the first pod of 2025! Will is looking handsome as ever and Nick is here for his first pod as a new Dad.

Will and Nick discuss their 2025 goals, and how to approach goal setting in the new year. The conversation turns to how to best handle running in the cold, wet, winter conditions, and then they finish up with Nick discussing how he's been handling his training in the first month of fatherhood.

Please comment, review, and subscribe! Questions for the pod? Email us at mindyourmilespod@gmail.com

Today's episode begins with Nick and Will marveling at their own good lucks, then they dive into their experiences and learnings at recent Ultra finishes.

They follow that up with laying detailed warm ups for each race distance from the mile to the marathon, and a discussion of what to focus on during the periods between marathon build ups.

Questions or comments for the pod? EMAIL US

mindyourmilespod@gmail.com

#trailrunners Nick and Will discuss Will's recent finish at the Pikes Peak Ascent, and talk about Nick's upcoming race at the Kodiak 100k by UTMB. They talk about their race strategies, learnings from previous trail/ultras, race nutrition, and many other topics in the realm of trail and ultra running.

The pod finishes up with a quick discussion on an athlete question regarding carbon shoes, and how to transition into a carbon shoe from a zero drop, minimal shoe.

Questions or topic suggestions for the pod? email us at mindyourmilespod@gmail.com.