Rachel Entrekin's Advice To Improve Your Running


"All I care about is my attitude on course and the effort that I'm able to give to the race. If those two things are things that I'm proud of, then I don't care how I place, because somebody can always have a better day." - Rachel Entrekin on The Extramilest Show #132

Rachel Entrekin is the first overall winner of the Cocodona 250, beating all men and women in a competitive field in 56 hours and 9 minutes. In this episode, she breaks down her mindset shifts, fueling mistakes that hold most runners back, and ways to improve your training and racing.

Click HERE to watch the full video with Rachel Entrekin.

Topics covered:

  • 00:00 — Rachel Entrekin’s Biggest Running Lessons
  • 04:44 — Why Rachel Almost Quit Running
  • 09:22 — The Best Advice for New Runners
  • 10:35 — Building Up Slowly Is The Smartest Thing A Runner Can Do
  • 12:40 — The Marathon That Changed Everything
  • 15:54 — Road Running vs. Trail Running: The Biggest Differences
  • 19:13 — What Every Road Runner Should Know Before Trail Running
  • 20:29 — Our Running Coaching Program
  • 20:58 — The Mindset Shift That Made Rachel Faster
  • 26:58 — Stop Complaining: The Mindset That Changes Everything
  • 31:09 — Rachel’s Fueling & Hydration Strategy
  • 33:28 — How to Train Your Gut for Race Day
  • 36:23 — How to Optimize Your Hydration (Sweat Testing & Electrolytes)
  • 40:00 — The Biggest Hydration Mistakes Runners Make
  • 43:57 — The Emotional Finish at Cocodona 250
  • 49:25 — Why Making Mistakes Is Part Of Becoming A Better Runner
  • 50:52 — Overcoming Imposter Syndrome: "Why Not Me?"
  • 53:25 — What Rachel Learned from Courtney Dauwalter
  • 57:00 — How to Become a Stronger, Healthier & Happier Runner

CLICK HERE to watch this new video.

Or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This episode is brought to you by Precision Fuel & Hydration! I've been using their energy gels and electrolytes for years, and they've become a staple in my race day and long run nutrition strategy. Dialing in your nutrition can make a massive difference in both your performance and enjoyment on race day. I personally aim for 90g of carbs per hour, which works out to three of their gels per hour. Each gel contains 30g of carbs, they're easy on the stomach, and the flavor is mild enough that you won't hit that dreaded flavor fatigue deep into a marathon or ultra. Use code FLO26 to get 15% off your first order at https://visit.pfandh.com/extramilestshow

A few quotes from my conversation with Rachel Entrekin:

  1. "Attitude is the only thing that we have 100% autonomy over."
  2. "I really like to see what kind of person emerges when things get really difficult."
  3. "Complaining doesn't do anything. It's not going to fix your problem. It's fine to feel bad, but you can't stop there. You have to make a plan for how you're going to feel better."
  4. "The only regrettable thing is not learning from your mistakes."
  5. "We're very qualified for the goals that we set out to achieve. We just talk ourselves out of them for no reason."

Hope you enjoy this new video, CLICK HERE to watch it.

Cheers,

Coach Floris Gierman

P.S. Tomorrow (Saturday July 11th) at 8am I'm co-hosting a group run at San Francisco Running Company in Marin with my friend Billy Yang, to celebrate the launch of our company Path Projects launching into wholesale. SFRC is a staple in the Bay area. We'll run, have coffee, pastries and giveaways. Everyone is welcome, runners, walkers, and high-fivers. 📍 SFRC 247 Shoreline Hwy, Mill Valley, CA 94941. More details here.

P.P.S. If you're looking for additional guidance in your training and racing, check out our Personal Best Program. You'll get proven training plans, weekly live coaching calls, and a supportive community to help you train smarter and race your best. Start your 7-day free trial at pbprogram.com



Floris Gierman | Extramilest.com

Hi there, I’m Floris Gierman from extramilest.com. I talk about marathon running and becoming a faster, healthier and happier athlete!

Read more from Floris Gierman | Extramilest.com

"When we flip from 'oh no' to 'oh,' we start to open to our experience." Jud Brewer on The Extramilest Show #128 Most runners think the solution to race-day nerves is confidence, willpower, or trying to eliminate anxiety altogether. Dr. Jud Brewer argues something different: curiosity. In this week's podcast, we dive into why race-day nerves happen, why fighting anxious thoughts often makes them stronger, and how curiosity can help you perform at your best when it matters most. These lessons...

"You can't fear the consequences of not making it. You have to have an open mind and be prepared to face the challenges." - Jakob Ingebrigtsen on The Extramilest Show #127 Jakob Ingebrigtsen is an Olympic and multi-time world champion and one of the greatest middle-distance runners of his generation. In this episode he shares how he builds confidence, why consistency beats motivation, how the Norwegian double-threshold system works, and the routines behind his training and recovery. We also...

“When you take off that pressure and it can only be upside, then it’s really fun, and it just keeps you in it.” - Sara Hall on The Extramilest Show #125 Sarah Hall, one of the fastest American marathon runners in history, shares key insights on marathon training, running mindset, and longevity. She is a mother of four and married to marathon legend Ryan Hall. She breaks down how to run faster, avoid common mistakes, and stay consistent as a recreational runner, even into your 40s. Click HERE...