Can I qualify for a 2nd Olympics? - Better START now - Stephen Scullion - Olympic marathoner

Aug 13, 2025

Intro

This is a quick summary of Can I qualify for a 2nd Olympics? - Better START now from Stephen Scullion - Olympic marathoner. It’s a great watch — we’re breaking it down so you can try the workout today. Be sure to check out the full video for all the details.

Key Points

Stephen is restarting his training after a period off, aiming to drop his marathon time from 2:09 to sub‑2:08 to be Olympic‑competitive.
He emphasizes the importance of showing both good and tough days, focusing on both fitness and mental resilience.
The day‑one workout is a gentle “break‑the‑body‑back‑in” session that builds aerobic fitness while minimizing injury risk.
Practical tip: eat a recovery snack within 15‑20 minutes after a hard session to maximize muscle recovery.

Workout Example

5 × 1‑mile repeats

Pace: ~5:20 min/mi (aim for 5:20‑5:30 per mile).
Rest: 60 seconds between each repeat.
Reps: 6‑8 repeats (start with 5 and build up to 8 as fitness improves).
Goal: Keep heart rate below ~160 bpm; stay comfortable and avoid pushing too hard.
Progression: Slightly increase pace on the final repeat (e.g., finish at ~5:30‑5:40 min/mi) to finish a little faster.

Closing Note

Give this simple interval session a try and adjust the paces to match your own fitness using the Pacing app. Keep the recovery snack ready, and you’ll be on your way to stronger training days. Good luck, and enjoy the journey toward Paris 2024!