The mental tricks used to break the 2-hour marathon
Aug 24, 2026 · 23m
Summary
Host Phil Agnew explores the psychological tactics behind Sebastian Sawe’s historic sub-two-hour London Marathon, drawing insights from Alex Hutchinson’s book *Endure*. The episode details mental hacks like carb rinsing, crowd support, and positive self-talk that reduce perceived effort and boost endurance. Agnew also shares personal tips from his own race, including lucky charms and charity motivation, to help listeners unlock their potential.
Topics discussed
Sebastian Sawe breaks the 2-hour marathon record
The psychology of endurance and the carb swish trick
How mouth rinsing boosts brain motivation
The impact of crowds and positive feedback on performance
Relaxing your face to reduce perceived effort
Deceiving yourself about the finish line distance
The power of lucky charms and superstitions
How donating to charity increases endurance
Kipchoge's mindset and the science of positive self-talk
Conclusion, book recommendation, and newsletter plug
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