In Episode 2 of The V.O2 Podcast, we sit down with U.S. marathoner Nathan Martin, the fastest American-born Black marathoner in history and champion of the 2026 LA Marathon.

Nathan gained national attention after his viral, 0.01-second photo-finish victory at the LA Marathon [watch the finish on YouTube]. In this episode, he breaks down the mental grit required to pull off a late-race surge, how he collaborates with his coach James McKirdy, and why managing energy matters far more than simply chasing high mileage.

Key Topics Covered:

  • The LA Marathon Finish: Reliving the viral 0.01-second photo finish and the internal dialogue required to chase down a win in the final meters.
  • The 3 Culprits of the 20-Mile Wall: Nathan itemizes the exact reasons runners bonk late in a marathon—fueling mistakes, aggressive early pacing, and overcooking the body in training—and how to fix them.
  • VDOT & Energy Management: How Nathan and his coach use VDOT scores and data to adjust workouts, manage fatigue, and avoid the trap of “desire paces.”
  • Effort Over Results: Why focusing on daily execution and honest effort yields better long-term performance than forcing specific race outcomes.