Sam, Fran and Dr Luke are back with taper doubts, training updates and some strong opinions on the running world.

Fran talks through her preparations for the Chicago Marathon, balancing speed sessions with rest while feeling under the weather.

Sam recaps his Vitality 10K and finally completes Luke’s track session, earning a thorough interrogation of his Strava splits, recovery times and extensive shoe collection.

Meanwhile, Luke has his sights set on stealing local Strava segments.

They also discuss race etiquette after Fran enjoys her fave podcast, debating why official results and race rules matter regardless of your following. There’s chat about the extraordinary finish to the women’s Berlin Marathon and the unsolicited advice elite athletes receive online, before a look at Adidas’ switchable carbon-plate shoe concept prompts some creative suggestions for race-day footwear and budget airline travel - enjoy!

Taper nerves, Strava rivalries and a race calendar that has to fit around the school of real life - episode 82 is here with another week of running chat!

🇺🇸 Fran’s counting down to Chicago after a confidence-boosting long run, but the pre-marathon sniffle paranoia is kicking in…
👀 There’s a Strava Local Legend rivalry with someone she’s never met - and neither runner is backing down.
🏁 Sam swaps a double race weekend for family time and a proper crack at the Vitality 10,000.
🌳 Luke reports back from a Liddiard cross-country recce, with a few thoughts on where the course should really go.

Plus gel chat, a brutal track session and the small matter of Sam still avoiding the workout his co-hosts set him three weeks ago 😂

🎧 Listen to episode 82 of Run Replay now!

A county champion, a finish-line ambush and a crate of wine… Run Replay episode 81 has a bit of everything 😂🎙️

Fran’s Chicago build is back on track, despite some unexpected strength training courtesy of a raffle prize. Sam and Luke relive the Middlesex Road Relays, with county gold for one and a painful last-second sprint defeat for the other 👀

Plus, gym DOMS, 400m reps and a new challenge: Luke and Fran are taking charge of Sam’s training as he targets a sub-16:30 5K.

Enjoy!