
Coach Kyle Weise Breaks 2:30 at Gold Coast Marathon: Race Recap, Fueling & Cramping
Sweat Elite PodcastShow Notes
Recorded 24 hours after the Gold Coast Marathon, Matt and Kyle recap Kyle's first sub-2:30 marathon, running 2:29:23 after coming in with a previous PB of 2:31. Kyle talks through an otherwise smooth and consistent race, including a brief hamstring cramp around 40K that he managed with a CrampFix shot. Kyle Weise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyle_weise/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/3517976 Matt Fox Coaching: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Email: [email protected] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Kyle explains joining the 2:30 pack paced by Scott Westcott, feeling strong through 30K when the pacer stepped off, then leading much of the final 10K before enjoying the final kilometer once the sub-2:30 buffer was clear. They also discuss his fueling strategy of around 90 grams of carbs per hour, missing a late gel, the impact of faster-than-goal-pace training, cadence changes, and the favorable low-humidity race conditions. The conversation also covers Haftu's Australian record of 2:06:20, crowd support, Gold Coast course logistics, and several athlete results including Marty's 2:42 PB and Ally's debut 2:36:22 with dead-even splits. Matt and Kyle also dive into the wider mystery of marathon cramping, possible causes, and practical strategies runners can consider. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. Timestamps 00:00 Sub 2:30 Breakthrough 00:43 Late Race Cramp Fix 04:12 Pack Strategy and Taper 07:32 Taking the Lead at 30K 10:11 Final 3K Math and Finish 12:55 Fueling and Training Keys 17:40 Conditions and Humidity 20:02 Pacing the Sub 2:40 Group 22:47 Crowd Support and Course Vibes 25:39 Course Design Debate 29:22 Australian Record Shock 32:01 Ethan Drops Out 33:12 Prize Money Debate 34:18 Women's Winner Recap 34:42 Marty's Marathon PB 36:57 40K Cheering Stories 39:11 Ally's Even Splits 41:52 More Team Highlights 44:04 Marathon Cramp Mystery 54:31 CrampFix And Strategies 57:03 What's Next Plans 59:46 Final Wrap Up
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Matt reflects on a disappointing Melbourne Marathon after calf pain at 12K developed into a race-ending injury at 20K. An MRI revealed a 15cm grade 3B soleus tear, with evidence of an older injury in the same area—putting his Valencia Marathon plans in doubt. Train with Matt Fox: https://sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Sweat Elite Supporters Club: https://sweatelite.co/supporters-club/ Globe Runners — Monte Gordo, Portugal (January 9–17, 2027): https://www.thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027/ Globe Runners — Lisbon, Portugal (February 20–28, 2027): For trip details and enquiries: https://www.thegloberunners.com/ Nutrition Coaching with Matt Fox: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plans: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Matt Fox on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Matt Fox on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Contact Matt: [email protected] After a buildup targeting 2:15, Matt explains how the race unfolded: settling into a pack running around 2:16 pace, managing the initial calf pain, and eventually stopping when it became too severe to continue. He shares why he has no regrets about the DNF—and why he wishes he had pulled out earlier. He revisits a calf twinge while testing shoes in May and considers possible contributors to the injury, including training load, trail running, tapering, weight loss and racing in the Puma Fast-R 3. The cause remains uncertain, and his recovery plan is still being worked out with his coach and physiotherapist, Kyle. The listener Q&A covers coping with repeated injury setbacks, keeping base training simple, adjusting training effort in heat and humidity, and finding value in Chinese super shoes. Matt also discusses possible recovery options, including PRP, and shares his views on peptides and anti-doping ethics. There are reflections on Melbourne's elite drink-station setup, Truett Hanes' marathon progress, and Jimmy Wheela's experience racing against Kipchoge. Matt also shares updates on Globe Runners training trips in Monte Gordo and Lisbon, his running shoe distribution business, nutrition coaching, and an upcoming six-month move to Portugal. Episode Chapters: 00:00 MRI Results: A 15cm Grade 3B Soleus Tear 00:47 Why the Injury Caught Me by Surprise 01:56 The Calf Warning Back in May 03:08 Melbourne Breakdown: Pain at 12K, Stopping at 20K 05:44 Can Valencia Still Happen? 06:32 Why I Wish I'd Stopped Sooner 07:04 The Positives from Melbourne Weekend 07:39 Portugal Plans and Races in Doubt 08:26 Globe Runners: Monte Gordo and Lisbon Trips 12:25 Running Shoe Distribution Business Update 16:42 Melbourne's Elite Bottle Tables 21:03 Listener Q&A: Weight Loss, GLP-1s and Racing Shoes 24:23 Truett Hanes' 2:23 and Olympic Trials Goal 25:10 Listener Questions on PED Testing 26:07 Melbourne as a Destination Marathon 26:51 Handling a DNF and Injury Setbacks 30:02 Building an Aerobic Base Without Overthinking It 32:56 Calf Recovery: Rest, Rehab and Considering PRP 33:53 Peptides, Injury Treatment and Anti-Doping Ethics 35:45 Jimmy Whelan, Kipchoge and Early Race Surges 37:43 Value Picks for Chinese Super Shoes 40:04 Possible Injury Factors: Trails, Taper, Shoes and Load 42:35 Adjusting Training in Heat and Humidity 45:07 Content Burnout and Moving to Portugal 47:42 Nutrition Coaching and What Comes Next
In this episode, I announce the next Globe Runners Portugal Running Experience in Monte Gordo, share the results of my latest DEXA scan after dropping from 86kg to around 70kg, and discuss what I learned about weight loss, bone health and nutrition along the way. I also share a remarkable 2:07 marathon performance off less than 100km per week and give my final update before racing the Melbourne Marathon this Sunday. LINKS Portugal Running Experience - January 9-17, 2027: https://www.thegloberunners.com/monte-gordo-running-experience-2027/ 1:1 Running Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/personalized-1-1/ Running + Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/run-nutrition/ Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plan: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Eastbound Running (Dynafish): https://www.eastboundrunning.com/ ABOUT THIS EPISODE I start this episode with something I'm really excited about - the next Globe Runners Portugal Running Experience, taking place in Monte Gordo from January 9-17, 2027. I explain why I've become increasingly interested in putting my energy into coaching, nutrition and creating running experiences rather than promoting products. A lot of that thinking developed during the months I spent detained in Japan, where I had a huge amount of time to read, write and think about what I actually wanted to work on. The Portugal experience will bring a small group of runners together for eight nights in Monte Gordo in the Algarve. We'll train together, eat together and explore southern Portugal, with optional day trips around the Algarve and to Seville in Spain. The €1,250 price includes four-star accommodation, three meals per day, airport transfers from Faro and transport for the organised excursions. There are only 16 places available. I then get into the results of my latest DEXA scan. In April I weighed 86kg at 22.5% body fat. Around five and a half months later, I'm approximately 70kg and my DEXA measured me at 8.5% body fat. One of the most interesting findings was my bone density. Despite losing roughly 16kg while returning to high-volume marathon training, my measured bone density improved between the two scans. I discuss the things I focused on throughout the process, including calcium-rich foods, vitamin K, vitamin D, sunlight exposure and consistent heavy strength training. I also talk more broadly about weight loss for runners, the genuine risks of low energy availability and RED-S, and why I think the conversation needs more nuance. Losing weight is not appropriate for every runner, but for athletes with excess body fat who want to reduce it, I believe it can be approached carefully while closely monitoring health, recovery and performance. I share an example from one of my nutrition athletes whose weight began dropping faster than planned. When his training performance started declining, we increased his energy intake and quickly got things moving in the right direction again. Then there's a shoutout to Adam Lipschitz, who just ran an incredible 2:07:20 marathon after averaging only around 96km per week over the previous 12 weeks. It's a fascinating example of just how individual marathon training can be and how more mileage isn't automatically better. Finally, it's Melbourne Marathon race week. I talk about where I think my fitness is compared with when I ran 2:18:41, the potential advantage I'm getting from the Puma Fast-R, the weather forecast, and why I believe a significant PB is possible if everything comes together. I also briefly discuss what comes next, including moving to Portugal, racing in Europe and potential starts at Alicante and Valencia later this year. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome and Melbourne Marathon taper 00:29 - Reflections from my time in Japan 02:21 - Why I want to focus on run
Matt answers 15 listener questions about race weight, weight loss, carb cycling, recovery, fueling and running performance. PERSONAL LINKS 1:1 Running Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/personalized-1-1/ Running + Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/run-nutrition/ Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Personalised Nutrition Meal Plan: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 Eastbound Running (Dynafish): https://www.eastboundrunning.com/ ABOUT THIS EPISODE In this episode, Matt answers 15 questions submitted through YouTube about race weight, weight loss and running performance. Topics include losing weight while maintaining training quality, carbohydrate cycling, calorie deficits during a marathon taper, post-workout fueling, finding your ideal race weight, losing fat versus muscle, GLP-1 medications and heart rate, creatine and water weight, and whether the same weight-loss approach can work for shorter-distance runners and triathletes. Matt also shares his own experience dropping from around 86kg to 69kg, how body weight played a role in eventually breaking 2:20 for the marathon, and how he is approaching the final two weeks before the Melbourne Marathon. Later in the episode, Matt gives an update on his Melbourne Marathon goal, testing the Puma Fast-R 3, the upcoming Dynafish launch in Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and his move to Lisbon for six months. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Welcome and Scope 00:52 - Safety Disclaimer 01:56 - Why This Topic 05:00 - Sub-2:20 Breakthrough 09:49 - Post-Workout Carbs 11:34 - Calorie Deficit During a Marathon Taper 14:47 - Losing Muscle Mass 17:25 - GLP-1s and Heart Rate 20:46 - Weight Loss for Shorter-Distance Runners 27:23 - The Challenges for Triathletes 30:39 - Weekly Calorie Deficit Numbers 33:16 - Finding Your Ideal Race Weight 36:25 - Creatine and Water Weight 38:07 - Why Not Carb Load Every Day? 41:57 - Nutrition Coaching and Services 45:35 - Melbourne Marathon Update 47:11 - Dynafish Distribution Update 48:52 - Moving to Lisbon 49:24 - Final Wrap-Up This episode discusses intentional weight loss and calorie restriction in the context of endurance performance. It is not intended for people with a history of eating disorders, RED-S or low energy availability, or anyone concerned they may be at risk of these conditions.
Matt breaks down how to safely lose 5kg+ during a marathon block — using calorie deficits on easy days and big carb windows around hard sessions — so you can train hard and run faster. Matt Fox / Sweat Elite Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/nutrition/ Run + Nutrition Coaching: https://sweatelite.co/coaching/run-nutrition/ Nutrition Meal Plans: https://sweatelite.co/nutrition-meal-plans/ Personalised Training Plan: https://sweatelite.co/personalised-training-plan/ Coaching: https://www.sweatelitecoaching.com/matt-fox/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattinglisfox/ Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/6248359 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SweatElite Sweat Elite: https://www.sweatelite.co/ Matt talks about how to lose five kilograms or more in the ten weeks leading into a marathon — while still training hard and aiming to run faster. He pushes back on the old idea that you should finish all weight loss before the marathon-specific block, and shares how he's used this approach five times himself, including a recent stretch where he dropped nearly fifteen kilos. Matt walks through the method in plain terms: stay in a calorie deficit most of the week, track burn with a watch or rough math, log food with AI photo counting, and then flip into big carbohydrate windows around your two hardest sessions so quality workouts don't suffer. He lands on roughly an eight-hundred-calorie deficit on easy days — enough, on paper, to lose about half a kilo a week and five kilos over ten weeks. Matt is clear this is not for everyone. If you've dealt with an eating disorder, RED-S, or low energy availability — or you're already below a healthy weight — he says turn the episode off. For listeners who can safely lose the weight, he also covers strength work, bone-health basics, and where coaching or a meal plan fits if you want more accountability. Timestamps 00:01 Content warning & who should skip 00:36 The goal 02:20 The only rule that matters 03:43 How to track burn 05:33 How to track intake 06:11 Weekly structure: deficit + carb windows 08:00 Hard-session fueling 11:03 Easy-day eating 13:19 GLP-1 note (personal, not recommended) 14:55 The math (why ~800/day) 16:16 Injury-risk buffers 17:45 Risk framing 19:10 Coaching / meal plans Content warning & who should skip Eating disorders, RED-S, LEA, and already-lean athletes should not follow this advice. Aimed at people who can safely lose ~5kg+ and want to run faster. The goal Lose 5kg+ in the ~10-week marathon-specific block; Matt's personal and coaching experience; pushback on "never diet in the marathon block." The only rule that matters Calorie deficit = burn more than you eat. Tracking makes it workable; perfection isn't required. How to track burn Garmin (or similar) preferred. Rough guide: ~2,000 kcal/day for many men (5–7k steps); ~1,700 for many women; easy running ~700 kcal/hour; hard running closer to ~1,100 kcal/hour. How to track intake Photo-log every meal/drink in ChatGPT (or similar AI); build one daily log; close enough beats exact. Weekly structure: deficit + carb windows Most of the week (~5.5 days): solid deficit (~800 kcal/day as a working target). Around 2 hard sessions (e.g. Wed + Sun): stop deficit counting ~12 hours before; load carbs heavily before, during, and a few hours after. Hard-session fueling Example carb load ~400g in the pre-session window; in-session carbs often 70–100g/hour for men (women slightly lower); prioritize white rice, potatoes, bread, pasta in those windows. Easy-day eating High-volume, low-calorie foods (fruit, veg, lean protein); flavored soda water as a hunger/dopamine hack; ask AI for satiating low-cal meal ideas. The math (why ~800/day) ~7,700 kcal deficit ≈ 1kg fat; ~3,800/week ≈ 0.5kg/week ≈ 5kg in 10 weeks. Surpluses in carb windows are expected; the weekly total still lands if easy days stay consistent. Injury-risk buffers Start strength (esp. squats) ~1 month before die