Marathon Handbook Podcast

Peak week is the most demanding part of any training cycle — but how much mileage is enough, should you race, and how do you recover properly? In this episode, we dive into peak week mindset (00:00), share our most inspiring runners including Courtney Dauwalter and Cam Levins (02:00), compare old-school training intensity with modern approaches (08:30), and break down ultra vs. marathon peak week mileage (14:15). We talk about structuring peak week around intensity vs. volume (19:25), the debate on racing during peak week (25:10), racing strategy and whether to go all out or tempo it (31:40), and why practice races matter for strategy and logistics (35:00). We also cover running tech, recovery lessons (37:20), avoiding peak week burnout with sleep and nutrition tips (40:00), the importance of avoiding common mistakes like “licensing” (47:15), plus gear news with the ASICS MegaBlast & SonicBlast review (51:00), our new “7 Runners You Meet on the Sidewalk” reel (53:20), and a Couch to 5K video for beginner runners (55:00).This episode is sponsored by Skratch Labs. For a free starter pack (just pay for the shipping!) go to the link below and enter the promo code: MARATHONBUNDLEhttps://www.skratchlabs.com/products/hydration-bundle?utm_source=Email&utm_medium=Marathon-Handbook&utm_campaign=August&utm_term=hydration-bundle&utm_content=2025-5📩 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.

Our editor Michael Doyle is joined by news editor Jessy Carveth to break down all the action at the 2025 Sydney Marathon, which debuted as a World Marathon Major. They unpack Eliud Kipchoge's surprising performance, and what it means for his legacy. They also discuss Sifan Hassan's greatness. And they debate whether or not Sydney felt like World Marathon Majors material.This episode is sponsored by Skratch Labs. For a free starter pack (just pay for the shipping!) go to skratchlabs.com and enter the promo code: MARATHONBUNDLE📩 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 Sydney power rankings in the comments.🎧 Audio version available wherever you get podcasts + watch the video version on Spotify.📺 Subscribe on YouTube for weekly running deep dives.#sydneymarathon #eliudkipchoge #sifanhassan #worldmarathonmajors

This week on The Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down the newest World Marathon Major: the Sydney Marathon (00:00). We cover the hilly course and its reputation as possibly the toughest major (06:55), the race’s rapid rise to global status (13:00), and whether adding more majors—like Cape Town or Shanghai—helps or hurts the brand (19:00).Then, we preview the elite fields: Kipchoge at 40 and what a win or loss would mean for his legacy (53:30), and Olympic champion Sifan Hassan’s dominance and challengers (45:00). Finally, we rank the majors from best to least best in our 2025 power rankings (1:08:00).This episode is sponsored by Skratch Labs. For a free starter pack (just pay for the shipping!) go to skratchlabs.com and enter the promo code: MARATHONBUNDLE📩 Email us your questions: podcast@marathonhandbook.com🎤 Leave us a voice memo question: marathonhandbook.com/podcast📸 Instagram: @marathon.handbook📘 Facebook: @marathonhandbook📰 Daily newsletter (265k+ runners): marathonhandbook.com/newsletter📺 Watch the podcast on YouTube + video version also available on Spotify.#SydneyMarathon #WorldMarathonMajors #EliudKipchoge #SifanHassan #MarathonHandbook #MarathonPreview

Thinking about ultramarathons? In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and ultra coach Katelyn Tocci explain everything you need to know about making the leap from marathons to ultras. We define what an ultramarathon really is (1:40), debate whether the 50K is a “true” ultra (4:20), and share key differences between road and trail racing (7:00). We dig into fueling strategies (12:40), aid stations and gear (18:30), and how to pick your first ultra (30:45). Caitlin also reveals the biggest mistakes new ultra runners make (40:05). Then we dive deep into UTMB, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc—its history (56:30), course details (1:03:00), controversies (1:19:00), and preview this year’s men’s and women’s fields (1:21:30). Finally, we make our podium picks and wrap up (1:36:00).This episode is sponsored by Skratch Labs. For a free starter pack (just pay for the shipping!) go to skratchlabs.com and enter the promo code: MARATHONBUNDLE 📩 Subscribe to our free daily newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter🎙️ Leave us a voice note for our upcoming mailbag episode: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/📧 Email us: podcast@marathonhandbook.com📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/marathon.handbook📘 Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/marathonhandbook🎧 Subscribe to the podcast on:Apple PodcastsSpotifyOr wherever you get your podcasts!

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, we reveal the results of a landmark study on 867 NYC Marathon trainees that identified a single exercise—the single-leg glute bridge—that cut injury risk by 64%. Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr break down the findings, share their own injury stories, and discuss how runners can apply this to training.(00:00) The tease: could one exercise fix everything?(02:00) Training updates: Katelyn’s 100-miler build, Alex’s knee niggle, Michael’s pacing story(13:00) Study breakdown: how it worked, injury rates, the surprise result(16:30) The single-leg glute bridge explained(19:00) Injury horror stories and lessons learned(35:00) How to perform the exercise correctly(41:00) Why 20–29 seconds is the sweet spot(44:30) Unilateral strength for runners(51:20) Long-run spikes: the #1 cause of injury(53:30) Listener mailbag: chasing sub-3 in Lisbon(58:00) Wrap-up and mailbag inviteHow-To Explainer on glute exercises for runners:https://marathonhandbook.com/glute-exercises/The single best exercise for runners to prevent injury:https://marathonhandbook.com/the-single-best-exercise-to-prevent-injury/🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-marathon-handbook-podcast/id1611840264🎧 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QJ6ZdXSTI4k5yN6Zlh3m9📬 Subscribe to our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter🎙 Leave us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/MarathonHandbook📩 Email us: podcast@marathonhandbook.com#Running #MarathonTraining #RunningInjuries #GluteBridge #MarathonHandbook

Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci share the ultimate guide to choosing the perfect running shoe. After swapping travel and race stories (4:08), they break down the five main shoe categories — daily trainers, super trainers, super shoes, trail, and hybrid (11:24) — and reveal their own shoe rotations (16:54). They discuss key factors like fit, foot type, and mileage (21:58), common pitfalls for new runners (26:05), and a simple “flow chart” for buying the right shoe (33:40). The team shares workout shoe picks (39:04), builds the ideal multi-shoe “quiver” (43:31), and dives into super shoe trends and tech (45:28). They also cover when to invest in trail shoes (1:01:17), the rise of gravel/hybrid models (1:07:46), and pro tips for getting the best fit and value (1:20:02), before previewing upcoming reviews and projects (1:26:13).📧 Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@marathonhandbook.com – we read and reply to every message.🎤 Send us a voice note: Leave up to 90 seconds of audio for our next mailbag episode: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/📱 Follow us on Instagram: Get daily running news, tips, and gear previews – @marathon.handbook▶ Watch the video version: Available on YouTube and Spotify.📰 Subscribe to the newsletter: Daily running stories and gear reviews direct to your inbox – https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/

Mental toughness isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a trainable skill. In this episode, Michael, Alex, and Katelyn break down the science behind mental toughness in running, including the Central Governor Theory, neuroplasticity, and perception of effort (07:26). They highlight inspiring examples like Courtney Dauwalter, Eliud Kipchoge, and Faith Kipyegon (16:56), and share workouts and training strategies to build grit, like solo long runs, hill repeats, and back-to-backs (25:50). The team discusses training in tough conditions—embracing the suck (34:00), using visualization and mantras to push through dark patches (41:30), and the link between mindset, panic, and heart rate during races (58:05). They wrap with their personal philosophies on positive self-talk and why mental training matters as much as physical prep (01:03:45).🔔 Watch our weekly podcast on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@marathonhandbook📬 Sign up for the daily running newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter📸 Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/marathon.handbook#Running #MarathonTraining #MentalToughness #RunningTips #EnduranceAthlete #Podcast #HalfMarathon #Marathon #UltraRunning #Mindset #SportsPsychology

Olympian Colleen Quigley joins the show to talk about her groundbreaking new running team: Meridia (01:00). We discuss how the name and identity were developed to reflect a fresh, feminine, athlete-driven brand (03:50), and how Colleen has evolved into a startup entrepreneur running a media-forward, athlete-first team (09:15). She breaks down what makes Meridia structurally different from other pro teams (13:45), the creative process behind the visuals and branding (18:07), and how merch and artist collaborations are already in motion (21:18). Colleen shares how Lululemon supported her vision and why the team’s multi-sponsor model matters (23:00), and critiques the current structure of professional track and field (25:36). We explore athlete representation, the road to LA 2028, and Meridia’s long-term vision (29:49, 32:09). Finally, Colleen previews upcoming events, including the virtual Meridia Mile and Boulder activations (39:16).Sign up for the Meridia Mile (Aug 9): https://www.movemint.cc/events/meridia-mileFollow Colleen Quigley: https://www.instagram.com/steeple_squigs/More on Meridia: https://www.instagram.com/teammeridia/Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@MarathonHandbook#ColleenQuigley #MeridiaTeam #RunningPodcast #TrackAndField #WomenInSport #EntrepreneurAthlete #OlympianInterview #ProRunning #LululemonAthlete #AthleteBranding #RunningTeam #MarathonHandbook

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, we dive deep into how to run your fastest ever half marathon. Michael, Alex, and Katelyn open with their personal half marathon origin stories (03:56) and discuss the importance of running a half before a full marathon (09:09). They explore what makes an effective half marathon training plan (19:21), including the benefits of VO2 max and threshold workouts (23:21), and how long your long runs should be (28:14). The crew explains the power of lactate threshold training (32:32), what separates half marathon training from 5K/10K and full marathon prep (36:22), and each host shares their favorite go-to workout (44:00). Finally, they give a full breakdown of race day strategy—warm-up (57:18), pacing (1:02:00), fueling (1:06:28), and how to mentally power through the hardest final kilometers (1:08:56). They wrap by recommending some of their favorite half marathons around the world (1:17:03).🎧 Subscribe for more weekly episodes full of tips, insight, and running community fun. And watch a video version of our show on our YouTube channel and on Spotify!📩 Have a question? Email us: hi@marathonhandbook.com#HalfMarathon #RunningTips #MarathonHandbook #ThresholdTraining #HalfMarathonWorkouts

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael, Alex, and Katelyn dive into the surprisingly complex art of race selection. Whether you’re mapping out your fall marathon calendar or choosing your first 50K, this conversation breaks down the key considerations every runner should weigh before hitting “register.” The team shares their personal experiences — from running too many races in one season (14:20) to choosing a race just because it’s close to home (11:00) — and offers practical advice on how to choose races that fit your fitness, life schedule, and goals. They explore different motivations like chasing PRs (08:00), destination races and bucket list events (16:30), and races that play to your strengths (21:00). You’ll also get a comprehensive checklist of factors to consider: course profile, elevation, travel logistics, weather, start time, and more (27:00). Plus, the hosts draft their ultimate fall race lineups in a global “Race Draft” featuring iconic races across all distances and terrains (52:10). Whether you’re building a season around a marathon, an ultra, or a fast 10K, this episode will help you make smarter, more satisfying decisions about where — and why — you race.🎧 Listen to the Marathon Handbook Podcast wherever you get your podcasts — and now in video on Spotify and YouTube.🔔 Subscribe to stay updated on the latest training insights, race analysis, and gear reviews.🗞 Sign up for our daily running newsletter: https://www.marathonhandbook.com/newsletter📱 Follow us on socials @marathon.handbook#RunningTips #MarathonTraining #ChooseYourRace #TrailRunning #RacePlanning #RunningPodcast #MarathonHandbook #FallRacePlanning #HalfMarathon #Ultrarunning #RunningMistakes #HowToChooseARace