In the second locker room episode, we catch up with some of the sports favourite athletes. Toeing the line at the marathon & 60km races tomorrow, we chat through:

• The build up to MUT
• Injuries & setbacks
• Sibling rivalry
• History with the event
• Working with the race day rubik's cube
• & more!

Race director, Zane Schmahl, gives us a race report ahead of the MUT by UTMB weekend. 2025 is set to be the biggest event yet with 2100 runners toeing the start line over the 6 distances.

Welcome Brendan Lombard! From racing across the globe to coaching runners of all levels, Brandon shares his expert insights on purpose-driven training, strength & conditioning for runners, and overcoming injuries.

🎙️ In this episode, you'll discover:

🔥 How to build strength for trail running – Key exercises, common mistakes, and how to integrate strength into your routine without overloading yourself.

🏃‍♂️ Brendan's journey from South Africa to Spain – Why he made the move and how it’s shaped his training and coaching philosophy.

🏋️ Strength training myths & best practices – Why “leg day” isn’t enough and how periodization can change your performance.

🤕 Injury prevention & recovery – Lessons from his Achilles injury and the breakthrough method that got him back to running.

⛰️ Racing in Europe vs. South Africa – Insights on courses, competition, and what it takes to perform on the world stage.

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Welcome to Season 2!

01 :38 - Meet Brendan Lombard: Sports Scientist, Coach & Trail Runner

04:30 - Why Brendan moved to Spain & how it’s impacted his training

08:00 - Brendan’s running journey – From swimming to world championships

13:20 - First trail race reality check – How road speed doesn’t always translate to the mountains

18:30 - Full-time coaching & digital nomad life

23:00 - Brendon’s Achilles injury & breakthrough recovery technique

27:50 - Mental battle of injury & staying motivated

31:40 - Brendan’s 2025 race goals – Tenerife, Eiger Ultra, UTCT & more

36:00 - The importance of training with purpose

9:00 - Biggest mistakes runners make with strength training

45:20 - How to structure strength workouts around your running

51:10 - Beginner’s guide: Strength training for trail runners

56:40 - How long does it take to see strength training results?

01:03:00 - Final advice: Brendan’s favorite training philosophy

🌍 Connect with Trail Culture:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trailcultureza/

Trail Culture Coaching: https://www.trailculture.co.za/

Support those who support us:

Carbon Endurance Instagram

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