Marathon Handbook Podcast

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, we break down the 2025 Berlin Marathon (02:10), starting with Sebastian Sawe’s extraordinary victory (05:00) despite brutal heat and tough conditions. We compare his run to Kelvin Kiptum’s world record and Eliud Kipchoge’s Berlin performances (10:20), then analyze the impact of race timing and weather (15:00). The women’s race brought late drama as Rosemary Wanjiru held off a furious charge (20:10). We also discuss pacing strategies and etiquette (26:30), Berlin’s future as a fast marathon (30:00), and how influencer coverage shifted this year (34:30). Finally, we preview Chicago Marathon and our upcoming mailbag episode (36:50).This episode is brought to you by Wahoo’s Kickr Run – go to 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.#BerlinMarathon #SebastianSawe #RosemaryWanjiru #MarathonRunning #EliudKipchoge #KelvinKiptum #RunningPodcast #WahooKickrRun #MarathonTraining #WorldMarathonMajors

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, we kick things off with Caitlin’s epic 100-mile race recap (01:00) before diving into a listener’s question about long-term marathon training cycles and macro planning for big PR jumps (14:30). Then we shift to the 2025 Berlin Marathon Preview (36:50), covering its rich history and reputation (39:30), the greatest moments in Berlin Marathon history (50:00), and whether Berlin still deserves its title as the world’s fastest course (54:10). We explore Berlin’s role in the World Marathon Majors (1:03:00) before analyzing the women’s elite field (1:11:00) and the men’s elite field featuring Sebastian Sawe (1:15:50). Finally, we power rank all the World Marathon Majors (1:33:30) and share final thoughts plus upcoming content plans (1:36:45).⸻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.⸻#BerlinMarathon #MarathonHandbook #RunningPodcast #WorldMarathonMajors #MarathonTraining #RunningTips #SebastianSawe #RosemaryWanjiru #MarathonPreview #MarathonPredictions

In this episode, Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr break down the 2025 World Athletics Championships Men’s Marathon (0:50), a brutal Tokyo race in scorching conditions (4:20) that saw top contenders drop out (12:40) and an unprecedented photo finish as Alphonce Simbu edged Amanal Petros (25:00). We analyze early pacing strategies (8:10), compare it to yesterday’s women’s marathon (17:20), and explore the future of marathon championships after this thrilling finish (36:10).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.⸻#Tokyo2025 #WorldAthletics #MensMarathon #PhotoFinish #AlphonceSimbu #AmanalPetros #IliassAouani #MarathonRacing #RunningPodcast #MarathonRunning

Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr deliver their instant reactions to the 2025 World Athletics Championships Women’s Marathon in Tokyo. They break down the opening chaos (00:48), Susanna Sullivan’s fearless front-running (03:00), the chase pack’s strategy (06:12), the decisive move at 27.9K (09:03), and the thrilling final 10K (11:48). From Julia Paternain’s surprise podium run (14:23) to the epic sprint finish (15:48), brutal conditions (24:18), and the shoe wars (27:08), this episode has it all.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.

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael, Alex, and Katelyn break down the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (00:51), highlighting the biggest storylines across the men’s and women’s marathons (28:00), the Faith Kipyegon vs. Beatrice Chebet rivalry in the 5000m (05:22), the men’s 1500m drama with Jakob Ingebrigtsen (13:26), the stacked men’s 800m field (22:18), and the electric 100m & 200m sprints (44:42). Predictions, hot takes, and must-watch races ahead of the September 13–21 championships.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.⸻#WorldAthleticsChampionships #Tokyo2025 #FaithKipyegon #BeatriceChebet #Marathon #MensMarathon #WomensMarathon #800m #1500m #5000m #10000m #100m #200m #TrackAndField #DistanceRunning #Sprints #NoahLyles #ShaCarriRichardson #JakobIngebrigtsen #KishaneThompson #runningpodcast #marathonpodcast

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