We’re excited to share Mark Marzen’s story with yall. Mark has been Jon’s running coach for almost two years. His story is inspiring, choosing running, learning to coach, and slowly improving to become a fast mountain ultra runner.

Check out https://www.golden-endurance.com/ for coaching and PT.

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Ready for a true glow-up story from mid-pack grit to mastery? We sit down with coach and ultrarunner Mark Marzen to trace how a messy early chapter—late nights, little structure—gave way to a decade of deliberate training, smarter fueling, and better movement that culminated in a 100-mile finish in 15 hours and change. That milestone isn’t just a time; it’s proof that consistency, context, and community can transform a life one season at a time.

Mark rewinds to the days before GPS watches and Strava, when finding trails meant mailing lists and mentors. He shares the hard lessons from his first 50 and 100—blisters, IT band blowups, and midnight hallucinations—and how those setbacks shaped his coaching philosophy: the best plan accounts for your whole life, not just your splits.

As a coach with Golden Endurance, Mark supports athletes across the spectrum, from brand-new 5K hopefuls to podium chasers. We break down how to choose a coach you click with, why communication is the true training multiplier, and where tools like AI fall short without human context. You’ll hear candid talk about burnout, post-race blues, and the mindset shift from chasing highs to building a long-term identity as a runner. Plus, a recovery ritual we fully endorse: donut week.

If you’re navigating winter motivation, planning your next ultra, or debating whether coaching is worth it, this conversation offers practical guidance and grounded inspiration. Subscribe, share with a running friend, and leave a quick rating to help more athletes find the show. What’s the next brick you’ll lay this season?

Thanks for listening to Running With Problems. Follow us on Instagram @runningwithproblems. DM us there with questions in text or audio messages! Or email us at podcast@runningwithproblems.run.

Hosted by Jon Eisen (@mildly_athletic) and Miranda Williamson (@peaksandjustice). Edited by Jon Eisen. Theme music by Matt Beer.