On this week's episode, Alex, Katelyn and Michael first discuss the wild and bizarre outcome of the Strava x Chipotle Challenge. Then, the play a game of "Is it true that..." They look at the science (or lack thereof) behind:

Does running on soft surfaces actually make you less injury prone than running on pavement?

Should you try to run a negative split in the marathon to achieve the best outcome?

Are there runners who just don't respond to the performance bump from super shoes?

And is it true that beet juice can improve your running performances? And what about taking caffeine during a race?

Further reading:

Two Ultrarunners took the Strava x Chipotle Segment Challenge to the Extreme:
https://marathonhandbook.com/2025-strava-x-chipotle-challenge/

The 6 Health Benefits Of Beet Juice To Boost Your Athletic Performance:
https://marathonhandbook.com/health-benefits-of-beet-juice/

Coffee Before Running? Performance Benefits + How Much To Drink:
https://marathonhandbook.com/coffee-before-running/

What Is The Best Surface To Run On To Avoid Injury?
https://marathonhandbook.com/best-surface-to-run-on/

The Fastest Marathon Shoes Right Now:
https://marathonhandbook.com/the-fastest-marathon-super-shoes-of-2024/

Come see our live podcast at the Boston Run Show! March 1-2. Get tickets here:

https://thebostonrunshow.seetickets.com/event/the-boston-run-show-the-boston-outdoor-expo/boston-hynes-convention-center/3110358

Our free marathon training plans:
https://marathonhandbook.com/trainingplans/marathon-training-plans/

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Is It True that Beet Juice Makes You Run Faster, and Other Enduring Running Questions, Answered