The 1% Better Runner with DLake cover art

The 1% Better Runner with DLake

The 1% Better Runner with DLake

Written by: Daren DLake
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About this listen

This is a podcast about how runners can live better lives through consistent self-improvement.
Unlike other running brands, The 1% Better Runner focuses on how small, daily habit improvements ripple into broader life success, helping runners perform better both on and off the road, track, or dirt.
I’m Daren DLake: Certified running and nutrition coach, Sub-3-hour marathoner and 10-hour Ironman finisher.
Since 1996, I’ve been helping other self-coached runners, researching, and experimenting on how to better myself 1% each day.
A few times a week, I’ll drop how I’m tweaking my training, sticking to habits when life’s messy, and cool stuff from coaches and health pros. It’s a no-BS cheat sheet for building better habits—not just for running, but for work, relationships, and personal growth too.
Join thousands of other committed runners listening to the most exciting run and endurance sports content on the internet and get more tactics and strategies in your inbox each week.
Bonus - Get my free 30-day base and habits training plan when you sign up for the free newsletter here.
PS - Podcasting is very "1-way," so let's fix that. Hit us up if you have any feedback, want to collaborate, or just wanna tell me about your training. On Instagram @dlakecreates or talk@dlakecreates.com

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Episodes
  • Best Running Shoes 2026 (Not What You Think)
    Feb 20 2026

    What if the flashy carbon-plated shoe you just bought is actually slowing you down on your daily runs?


    Most runners think getting faster starts with buying better shoes, but the real shift happens when you understand which shoes to buy, when to buy them, and how each one fits into your training. In this episode, I break down a simple three-tier system that helps you run stronger, lower injury risk, and stop wasting money on hype pairs that don’t match your current fitness. You’ll walk away knowing how to structure your shoe rotation, when to upgrade, and how to use each pair with intention so every run feels smoother and more purposeful.


    Key Takeaways
    1. Most runners buy shoes in the wrong order and end up wasting money on pairs they rarely use. Starting with the right everyday shoe builds comfort, durability, and consistency first.
    2. Rotating different types of shoes helps reduce injury risk because each pair stresses the body in a slightly different way. It’s not about one perfect shoe, it’s about having the right mix.
    3. Speed and race shoes should only come after you’ve built mileage and consistency. Saving them for key workouts and race day keeps them effective and extends their lifespan.

    Timestamps
    • [00:26] What You'll Learn
    • [01:16] The Mistake
    • [01:59] The Science
    • [02:32] The 3 Running Shoes You Need
    • [04:15] Know What Shoe to Use on Each Run
    • [05:12] Second Shoe You Add: The Fun One
    • [06:32] Third and Last Shoe You Buy: The Weapon
    • [08:11] The Brand Examples
    • [09:03] Use This to Pick the Right Shoes for Your Next Training Block

    Links & Learnings
    • 📈 Get Your Free 3-Shoe Rotation Guide & Training Plan Here: https://dlakecreates.com/shoerotationfree
    • 🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here https://dlakecreates.com/3shoes
    • All Brands Shoe Rotation - https://www.instagram.com/p/DLl2IzwMEMh/?hl=en
    • The Super Shoe Trap (With Science Fix): https://dlakecreates.com/max-cushion-running-shoes/
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
    • Strava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507


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    10 mins
  • Your Marathon Plan Is Backwards - Here’s the Correct Order
    Feb 17 2026

    What if the reason your easy runs feel hard is because you’re doing too much, too soon?


    Marathon training can feel overwhelming when every run type seems important and everything feels hard at once. In this episode, I break down the simple structure behind effective marathon training and explain why most runners struggle not because they lack effort, but because they train in the wrong order. I walk through the three run types that quietly build most of your fitness, why they matter more than speed work early on, and how following the right sequence helps you stay healthy, consistent, and confident all the way to race day.


    Key Takeaways
    1. Marathon training works best when it follows a clear order, starting with easy runs, long runs, and threshold work before adding speed. Skipping this order is one of the fastest ways to get injured or burned out.
    2. Easy runs and long runs are not filler workouts. They build the aerobic base that lets your body recover, adapt, and handle harder training later.
    3. Speed work only helps once your foundation is solid. Without a base, harder workouts create damage faster than your body can rebuild.

    Timestamps
    • [00:34] What You'll Learn
    • [01:47] The Problem
    • [04:10] Use This To Crush Your Next Marathon
    • [05:17] The Solution: How To Sequence The 16 Weeks
    • [07:35] Run Type #1: The Easy Run
    • [09:41] Run Type #2: The Long Run
    • [14:05] Run Type #3: The Threshold Run
    • [18:27] Find Out What Level Marathoner You Are

    Links & Learnings
    • 📈 Get Your Free Marathon Training Plan Here: https://dlakecreates.com/marathonfree
    • 🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here https://dlakecreates.com/marathon3runs
    • Run Farther… Without That ‘Why Am I Dying?’ Feeling: https://dlakecreates.com/base2
    • The Only 4 Workouts You Need To Run Faster For Longer: https://dlakecreates.com/4x4
    • Why Low Heart Rate Running Is Not Working for You (Yet): https://dlakecreates.com/lowhr
    • Breath Nose vs. Mouth? Most Runners Pick The WRONG One: https://dlakecreates.com//nosevmouth
    • Use VDOT Calculator to get training paces and race estimates https://dlakecreates.com/vdot
    • Use this to learn how to run better long runs https://dlakecreates.com/longrun
    • Use this to improve your lactate threshold - https://dlakecreates.com/lactate1wtf
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
    • Strava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507


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    20 mins
  • Breath Nose vs. Mouth? Most Runners Pick The WRONG One
    Feb 13 2026

    Easy runs don’t fail because you’re unfit. They fail because you’re breathing wrong and running them too hard.


    Most runners think breathing is simple, but it’s one of the biggest reasons easy runs stop working. In this episode, I break down the real difference between nose breathing and mouth breathing, why neither one is “better,” and how using the wrong one at the wrong time quietly ruins your training. I explain what’s actually happening in your body, why easy days are supposed to feel easier than you think, and how a small change in breathing can help you slow down, build a stronger aerobic base, and get more out of every run without adding more miles or intensity.


    Key Takeaways
    1. Breathing through your nose during easy runs filters and moistens your air, helping your body use oxygen more efficiently. It also forces you to slow down to the correct, easy pace that truly builds your fitness.
    2. Mouth breathing is best for hard workouts and racing because it delivers oxygen faster when intensity is high. Using it on easy days often leads runners to train too hard without realizing it.
    3. Most runners struggle not because they train too little, but because they run their easy days too fast. Learning when to use nose versus mouth breathing helps protect the aerobic base that makes long-term progress possible.

    Timestamps
    • [00:15] What You'll Learn
    • [01:06] What Most Runners Believe
    • [01:59] What The Data Actually Shows
    • [04:32] Use This To Nose Breathe On Your Next Run
    • [05:31] Real World Example Of How Much Air You Can Breathe
    • [06:41] Start Nose Breathing Today
    • [07:13] Why This Is So Important
    • [08:04] Do These 4 Other Things to Breathe Easier

    Links & Learnings
    • 📈 Get Your Free 30-Day Base Training & Habits Plan Here: https://dlakecreates.com/basefree
    • 🎧 Listen, Read and Learn More Here: https://dlakecreates.com/nosevmouth
    • Get Early Access to The 1% Better Runner Book here: https://dlakecreates.com/bookaccessyt
    • Most Runners Breathing Wrong - Fit it in 5 steps: https://dlakecreates.com/breathing
    • Instagram – https://instagram.com/dlakecreates
    • Strava – https://www.strava.com/athletes/120507


    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    9 mins
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