This week’s episode of the RMR Training Podcast kicks off with something you already know if you’ve listened for more than 10 seconds:
Meg is hilarious, Rich is barely holding things together, and the conversation somehow ends up deep, scientific, and wildly relatable.

But before the chaos begins…

Meg’s Half Marathon PR: The Plot Twist No One Saw Coming

Meg rolled into a half marathon without a dedicated block… and still walked away with a 1:18:01.

But here’s the part that shocked her (and honestly, us too):

She was LESS sore after the half than after a HYROX.

Why?

Because HYROX is a full-body lactate bonfire and the half is… well, basically a controlled simmer at tempo pace.

While Meg was cruising sub-threshold for an hour, a HYROX has you above threshold in the first 5 minutes — and you live there until the end.

So if you were wondering whether HYROX is harder than a half marathon?
Yes. Yes it is. Loudly. Aggressively. Repeatedly.

HYROX vs. Half Marathon: The Real Differences

Here’s the quick-and-painful truth:

HYROX = High-end threshold, spikes, full-body load, no relief

• You’re redlining early
• Every station hits different systems
• There IS no “recovery” section
• Lactate is your constant companion

Half Marathon = Pacing discipline, aerobic durability, slow build

• Steady heart rate
• No sharp spikes
• No sleds trying to ruin your week
• If you screw up pacing? You bonk. Hard.

Intensity Comparison

Meg didn’t even hit threshold until the last 5K of her half.

Meanwhile, in HYROX?

Threshold greets you at the door like, “Welcome back 😈.”

Should You Run a Half to Get Better at HYROX?

This is one of the most common questions athletes ask.

And the answer is:
👉 Yes — but only if you time it right.

A half marathon CAN help you if…

• It’s 5–6 weeks before your HYROX
• You need a stronger aerobic base
• You struggle holding consistent run paces
• You want a mental “checkpoint” on your engine

A half WON’T help if…

• You try to train for both events simultaneously
• You skip HYROX-specific work (sleds, wall balls, etc.)
• You think mileage alone equals race readiness (spoiler: it doesn’t)
• You’re already running high volume and need more intensity, not more miles

A full marathon? Hard no.

Too slow. Too long. Wrong system. Wrong stimulus. Wrong everything.

Unless you just want to finish a marathon… do that on your off-season.

HYROX and full marathon training cannot coexist in harmony.
That’s a toxic relationship. Don't do it.

Fueling Like a Pro: Meg’s Glow-Up (Goodbye Cramping Era)

Meg used to “raw dog” her fueling strategy.

No gels. No sodium. No intra.
Just pure vibes and suffering.

And shocker:
👉 She cramped every time.

Now?

She fuels every 15–20 minutes using gels and sodium-rich carb sources — and the difference is night and day.

Why fueling works even for shorter events:

• HYROX burns through carbs FAST
• You lose sodium at an elite level
• Cramping is often sodium + carb depletion
• You recover faster when you don’t finish empty

If you’re racing over 60 minutes and not fueling…
You're leaving performance on the table and making your life harder than necessary.

Shoe Talk: What’s Working Now

Meg has been crushing in the Puma Deviate Elite nitro series, and word on the street is the next-gen Puma drops in January — and yes, it’s geared for HYROX.

We can’t spill it all yet…
But let’s just say:
👉 The HYROX shoe game is about to level up.

Final Takeaway: Know Your Goal Before You Pick Your Race

You can absolutely do both a half and a HYROX in the same season —
but only if you understand your real goal.

If you want to:

• Podium
• Qualify for Worlds
• Hit a massive PR

…then HYROX needs to be the main thing. The star. The captain now.

A half marathon can be a fantastic supporting role —
but it can’t be the lead actor.

Are YOU thinking about running a half this season?
Free Guide for Running for HYROX