Marathon Handbook Podcast

The hosts dive into what defines a long run and its importance for various race distances. Alex shares his exhilarating experience at the Houston Half Marathon, highlighting pacing strategies. They discuss the optimal length for long runs, with insights into how to structure them throughout training blocks. Fueling basics for endurance are covered, alongside common mistakes runners make, like pacing too fast or neglecting recovery. Listeners receive practical tips to enhance their long run experience and overall performance.

This week dives into Habtam Samuel's stunning 59:01 half-marathon debut and highlights multiple sub-60 performances. Sarah Hall captivates with a remarkable 2:26 finish at 42. The grassroots Burrito League emerges, taking over from the Chipotle Strava Challenge. There’s buzz around Beatrice Chebet's pregnancy affecting the 5,000m and 10,000m events. Controversial ultra-runner William Gouge plans his Mission America challenge. Plus, record-breaking runs at the Valencia 10K bring excitement across Europe!

Who will shape the future of running in 2026? In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr rank the 26 most influential people in running for the year ahead — from global superstars like Sifan Hassan and Eliud Kipchoge to behind-the-scenes power players at Nike, Strava, World Athletics, and the World Marathon Majors. We debate celebrity runners like Harry Styles (48:50), analyze the future of super shoes and Nike’s leadership (48:50–54:30), break down the rise of Conner Mantz (54:30), and explain why Sifan Hassan earns the top spot (01:11:00). Plus, plenty of honorable mentions, strong opinions, and classic Marathon Handbook banter along the way.This episode is brought to you by the Wahoo’s KICKR RUN – go to https://⁠wahoofitness.com⁠ and use promo code MHRUN to get a free $319 KICKR Headwind Fan with your treadmill order📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com.🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter#RunningPodcast #MarathonHandbook #RunningNews #MarathonRunning#SifanHassan #EliudKipchoge #FaithKipyegon #RunningCulture#TrackAndField #MarathonTraining

NOTE FOR SUBSCRIBERS:This is a bonus, inaugural episode of a new weekly podcast we’re piloting called The Running Story. For the next few weeks, you’ll receive this show in the Marathon Handbook feed on Mondays alongside our regular Thursday podcast. We’d love your feedback — email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com. More new podcast projects are coming in 2026.Welcome to the first episode of The Running Story, a new weekly running news podcast from Marathon Handbook.Hosted by Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth, this show breaks down four to five of the most important and interesting stories from the past week in the sport and culture of running. Each episode is designed to get you up to speed quickly — under 30 minutes — with context, analysis, and conversation around the stories runners are already talking about.In this inaugural episode, we cover:• The Tokyo Hakone Ekiden, Japan’s biggest running event• The rebrand of the NN Running Team• Ultra legend Ann Trason’s remarkable multi-day run• Shelby Houlihan’s controversial trail racing debut• Truett “Jeans Guy” Haynes and his Olympic Trials ambitionsThis podcast is released weekly on Mondays, in addition to the regular Marathon Handbook Podcast on Thursdays.

Carbon-plated super shoes now dominate marathon racing — but which ones are actually the best right now? Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr break down the definitive 2026 super shoe power rankings, using elite marathon podium data, real-world shoe usage from the Chicago and New York City Marathons, and hands-on testing of every major racing shoe (00:00). They reveal which brands truly dominate the podium (18:55), count down the top 10 super shoes in the world (27:10), debate the Nike Alphafly 3’s place in history (52:20), and crown the best super shoe available today (01:04:15). The episode wraps with predictions for where super shoe technology is headed in 2026 and beyond (01:19:45).This episode is brought to you by the Wahoo’s KICKR RUN – go to https://⁠wahoofitness.com⁠ and use promo code MHRUN to get a free $319 KICKR Headwind Fan with your treadmill order.And by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: ⁠livemomentous.comMarathon Handbook Super Shoe Power Rankings (Winter 2026): 1. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 2 2. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 3. ASICS Metaspeed Tokyo (Sky / Edge) 4. Nike Alphafly 3 5. Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 6. Adidas Adios Pro 4 7. ASICS Metaspeed Ray 8. On Cloudboom Strike LS 9. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 (V2) 10. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite 5Alex Cyr’s Top 10 Super Shoes: 1. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 2 2. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 3. ASICS Metaspeed Tokyo (Sky / Edge) 4. Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 5. Nike Alphafly 3 6. ASICS Metaspeed Ray 7. Adidas Adios Pro 4 8. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 (V2) 9. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Elite 5 10. On Cloudboom Strike LSMichael Doyle’s Top 10 Super Shoes: 1. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 2 2. ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge Tokyo 3. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 4. Nike Alphafly 3 5. Adidas Adios Pro 4 6. ASICS Metaspeed Ray 7. Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 8. On Cloudboom Strike LS 9. Nike Vaporfly 4 10. Tracksmith Eliot RacerPrevious Power Rankings (Summer 2025) 1. Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3 2. Adidas Adios Pro Evo 1 3. Nike Alphafly 3 4. Adidas Adios Pro 4 5. ASICS Metaspeed Sky/Edge 6. Saucony Endorphin Elite 2 7. On Cloudboom Strike LS 8. ASICS Metaspeed Ray 9. Nike Vaporfly 4 10. Tracksmith Eliot Racer 11. On Cloudboom Strike 12. Brooks Hyperion Elite 5📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com.🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📘 Facebook: @marathonhandbook📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.🎧 Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.#SuperShoes #RunningShoes #MarathonTraining #CarbonPlated #MarathonRacing #NikeRunning #AdidasRunning #ASICSRUN #PumaRunning #RunningPodcast#NikeAlphafly3 #NikeVaporfly4 #AdidasAdiosProEvo2 #AdidasAdiosProEvo1 #AdidasAdiosPro4 #ASICSMetaspeedSkyTokyo #ASICSMetaspeedEdgeTokyo #ASICSMetaspeedRay #PumaFastRNitroElite3 #SauconyEndorphinElite2 #NewBalanceFuelCellSuperCompEliteV5 #NewBalanceFuelCellSuperCompEliteV4 #OnCloudboomStrike #OnCloudboomStrikeLS #TracksmithElliotRacer #HokaCieloX1 #HokaCieloX1V2 #HokaRocketX3 #BrooksHyperionElite5 #UnderArmourVelocityElite3 #DiadoraGaraCarbon2 #PumaDeviateNitroElite3 #AdidasPrimeXEvo #MizunoWaveRebellionPro #TYRCarbonElite #CEPOmniSpeed #Xtep160X35Pro #AntaCarbonPlate

In this Mega Mailbag episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci answer a mountain of listener questions to close out 2025. The conversation covers running weight and fueling strategies (06:50), jump rope as cross-training (22:10), marathon confidence and mindset (27:40), returning from injury (45:40), breaking sub-3 and chasing Boston Qualifiers (55:20), increasing mileage as a new runner (01:08:00), first marathon pacing (01:11:30), strength training with injuries (01:21:30), winter training and cold-weather pacing (01:26:10), gear and shoe recommendations (01:34:00, 02:06:30), training around the menstrual cycle (01:45:10), and how becoming a parent impacts running goals (01:51:00). A wide-ranging, honest, and practical episode for runners at every stage.This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: ⁠livemomentous.com📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com.🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📘 Facebook: @marathonhandbook📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.🎧 Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.#RunningPodcast #MarathonTraining #BostonQualifier #Sub3Marathon #RunningAdvice#MarathonMindset #RunningShoes #WinterRunning #DistanceRunning #MarathonHandbook

Ahmed Muhumed’s rise in American distance running almost didn’t happen. In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, host Alex Cyr talks with the HOKA NAZ Elite athlete about quitting his job, moving to Flagstaff with just $150, and betting everything on becoming a professional runner. Ahmed opens up about belief, recovery, elite mileage, finishing fourth in the 10,000m at U.S. Championships, chasing the American half marathon record, marathon ambitions, and what it truly takes to live like a pro athlete (00:00). The conversation also explores mindset, gratitude, financial realities of pro running, content creation, and what comes next on the road to LA 2028 (25:20).This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: ⁠livemomentous.com📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com.🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📘 Facebook: @marathonhandbook📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.🎧 Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.

The Marathon Handbook Podcast recaps the second half of the 2025 running season, unpacking the year’s biggest stories across track, road, and trail. We dive into the collapse of the Grand Slam Track League (01:45), Sydney’s controversial debut as a World Marathon Major (15:55), standout performances from the Tokyo World Championships (27:50), and unforgettable marathon moments from Berlin (48:20), Chicago (54:10), New York (01:19:30), and Valencia (01:38:30). The crew also debates Harry Styles’ sub-3 marathon, Connor Mantz’s American record, Kilian Jornet’s historic mountain project, Courtney Dauwalter’s road-racing pivot, the Enhanced Games controversy (01:32:45), and what all of this means for the future of running heading into 2026.This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: ⁠livemomentous.com📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com.🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📘 Facebook: @marathonhandbook📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.🎧 Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.#running #marathon #runningnews #trackandfield #worldrecord #marathontraining #runnersofyoutube #marathonhandbook

In Part 1 of our 2025 Year in Review, the Marathon Handbook team breaks down the biggest storylines from January through July. We open with Conner Mantz’s American record in Houston (01:30), then move into February’s world-record spree — from Yared Nuguse’s indoor mile to Jacob Kiplimo’s 56:42 half marathon (10:10). We relive the March Tokyo Marathon (11:40), then the Boston–London doubleheader in April, including John Korir’s dramatic win (16:00) and the Obiri–Lokedi showdown (17:30). We examine whether the marathon majors have grown too big (26:30) before heading into the mountains for a brutal no-finisher Barkley year (30:00). June brings Nike’s Breaking4 experiment with Faith Kipyegon (34:40), followed by her 1500m world record rebound (42:00) and Beatrice Chebet’s stunning sub-14 5K (49:00). We wrap with Western States, UTMB (53:00), and July’s devastating revelation: Ruth Chepngetich’s doping ban and its implications for the sport (1:00:00). Part 2 (Aug–Dec 2025) arrives next week.Part 2 (August–December) drops next week!This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: ⁠livemomentous.com Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com. Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcastInstagram: @marathon.handbookFacebook: @marathonhandbookJoin 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter  Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.  Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.

In this episode, Michael Doyle and Jessy Carveth deliver an almost-instant reaction to the 2025 Valencia Marathon, starting with Jessy’s on-the-ground report of the city’s electric atmosphere and why this race has become the destination for fast times (00:09). They break down the course, weather, and astounding depth that led to more than 5,500 sub-3 finishes (08:46). The team dives into John Korir’s dramatic mid-race drop followed by a massive surge that secured him the win (14:24), plus a wave of national records (33:27). Then they power-rank the men’s marathon stars of 2025 and debate whether anyone alive can break two hours (22:15). The women’s race delivered fireworks too, with Jocelyn Jepkosgei outdueling Olympic champ Perez Jepchirchir in a dominant course-record run (42:02). They also cover American performances (48:19), Melinda Elmore’s astonishing age-graded result (50:32), and whether Valencia should become a World Marathon Major (54:26). A packed episode from a wild race weekend.This episode is brought to you by the Wahoo’s KICKR RUN – go to https://⁠wahoofitness.com⁠ and use promo code MHRUN to get a free $319 KICKR Headwind Fan with your treadmill order.📩 Questions about training, race previews, or to send us your hot takes? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com.🎤 Leave us a voice memo for our mailbag episodes: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📘 Facebook: @marathonhandbook📰 Join 265,000+ runners getting our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com/newsletter👍 Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments.🎧 Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.#ValenciaMarathon #MarathonHandbook #RunningPodcast #MarathonNews #EliteRunning #RoadRacing