

Marathon Training Academy
Angie and Trevor
The Marathon Training Academy Podcast will help you unlock your potential to conquer the marathon and change your life. Since 2010 Angie and Trevor have shared tips, inspiration, and interesting guests interviews to help listeners run smarter, avoid injury, and go the distance. What RUNNER’S WORLD says about the MTA Podcast: “If you’re training for 26.2, running coach Angie Spencer and her husband, Trevor, have everything you need to reach the finish line. The duo provides plenty of training tips, interviews, and reviews of marathons from around the world. (Angie has run one in every state!) While they don’t always bring on guests, runners like Sara Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein, and even actor Sean Astin have all stopped by.”
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 23, 2025 • 1h 34min
Race Recap: The Eiger Ultra Trail -Our Switzerland Running Adventure
In this episode we bring you to the Swiss Alps as we run from village to village with listeners to the MTA podcast. Plus we recap the legendary Eiger Ultra Trail race, which is part of the UTMB World Series.
*Special thanks to James and Susie Jin, Brad Rudler, Marcia Salovitz, Ryan Shea, Bekah Shininger, Robin Walters, Liz Sur, Marcia Mathison, Candis Ubiles, Mindy McCune, Kate Mattern, Alistair Crompton, Marion Giro, and Run the Alps!
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Run Coaching. Work with a MTA running Coach.
COROS Watches will help you train according to heart rate. Use code MTA and get an additional free watch band with your purchase! Just pick the band you want, add it to your cart, and use code MTA.
Joint Health Plus by Previnex -prevention is the best medicine and you need to protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order!
UCAN -get the Trial Sample Pack for free with our link, just pay shipping!
The Richmond Marathon on November 15, 2024 -America’s Friendliest Marathon!

Jul 9, 2025 • 47min
Interview with Joe De Sena
In this episode we speak with Joe De Sena an accomplished athlete, leader, and founder and CEO of Spartan. His goal is to get 100 million people off the couch. His new book is called, Extreme Balance: Paradoxical Principle That Make Your a Champion. Life will throw many obstacles in your path, learn how an “unfixed mindset” can truly elevate your game.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Shokz– the industry leader and pioneer in open-ear headphone technology. Use code MTA for a discount!
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000..
AG1 Next Gen -get a FREE bottle of AG D3K2, an AG1 Welcome Kit, AND 5 of the upgraded AG1 travel packs with your first order.
Run the London Marathon in 2026 with Sports Tours International USA. They have guaranteed bibs!
The Richmond Marathon on November 15, 2024 -America’s Friendliest Marathon!
Extreme Balance -book by Joe De Sena, Ben Askren, and David Sacks, Ph.D.

Jul 8, 2025 • 4min
Announcement: Run the Dublin Marathon with Angie and Trevor
We have another international running adventure planed this year and you are invited. We are going to Ireland to run the Dublin Marathon on October 26th 2025. Do you want to go?
We have 6 spots left. Please email us or sign up with this link. Enter code MTA at checkout.
Dates: Friday October 24th to Tuesday October 28th 2025 (3 night or 4 night options)
The Dublin Marathon is the fourth largest marathon in Europe and requires a lottery or charity entry. The lottery has ended but worry not, we have guaranteed race entries through our sponsor Sports Tours International.
The course is relatively flat course with a 7 hour cut-off. It passes through many of Dublin’s famous 18th century Georgian streets and the beautiful Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest urban park. The race crosses the city, north and south of the river Liffey.
What is included:
Guaranteed race bibs for up to 2 runners
3-4 nights accommodation at the 4 star Hyatt Centric The Liberties Hotel
Daily complementary breakfast
Welcome reception Friday evening
Shakeout run Saturday morning and escorted trip to the expo.
MTA meet-up later that day
Post-race party for all guests
The Jamison Extension
The next day, for those who want to stay an extra night, we are visiting the Jamison Distillery where the famous Jameson whiskey is made for a cask draw and tasting. We will have a guided tour of their warehouse and hear all about our ‘Grain to Glass’ process. Then we plan to visit a famous pub or two like the Temple Bar Pub.
Spots are limited, so please email us if you are interested or sign up on the Sports Tours website with this link: https://sportstoursinternational.com/event/irish-life-dublin-marathon/
Enter code MTA at checkout to get notified about special events and meetups with Trevor and Angie in Dublin!
Cheers!

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 7min
Interview with Henry Abbott -Sports Journalist and Author
In this episode we interview Henry Abbott -sports journalist and author of the book ‘Ballistic, The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance’. Plus, we run down our 7,000 mile road trip across the USA!
Henry Abbott is an award-winning journalist and founder of TrueHoop. He led ESPN’s 60-person NBA digital and print team, which published several groundbreaking articles and won a National Magazine Award. He lives in New Jersey. In the book, Ballistic, he blends cutting-edge science with gripping storytelling and argues that we are on the cusp of a new era in sports medicine, built around the science of ballistic movements―leaping and landing―and the unique fingerprint of your body’s physics.
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Run Coaching. Work with a MTA running Coach.
MetPro Nutrition Coaching -speak with a Metabolic Expert about your goals and get actionable steps toward fueling for performance, losing weight, adding muscle, or changing your body composition. Get $500 off their concierge coaching.
IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000..
AG1 Next Gen -get a FREE bottle of AG D3K2, an AG1 Welcome Kit, AND 5 of the upgraded AG1 travel packs with your first order.
The Greenbrier River Trail Marathon and Half Marathon in beautiful Pocahontas County, West Virginia. With this being one of the few WV marathons, it’s great for those 50-staters out there.
Drury Hotels -clean rooms and free food and drinks at the 5:30 Kickback. Use our link for 10% off!
Book: Ballistic- The New Science of Injury-Free Athletic Performance by Henry Abbott
Angie at the Silver Creek Trail Half Marathon in Washington

Jun 20, 2025 • 57min
Interview with Des Linden
Des Linden, an Olympic runner and the 2018 Boston Marathon champion, shares her journey from overcoming doubt to embracing ultra and trail running. She discusses her transition to longer distances and the influence of high-tech super shoes on performance. Des also delves into her experiences racing the 50K world record, the importance of mental strategy in marathons, and the impact of terrain in trail running. Her insights on self-care and personal challenges add depth to her inspiring story.

12 snips
Jun 8, 2025 • 1h 9min
Ask the Coach Q&A (2025 Edition)
In this engaging discussion, Erin Palos, a Certified Running Coach and professional photographer, shares her journey from barely running a mile to becoming a Boston qualifier and 12X marathoner. The conversation dives into heart rate training, hydration strategies, and the importance of warm-up exercises. They tackle anxiety before long runs and practical tips for training in the heat. Erin also emphasizes the significance of quality sleep and how companionship with dogs enhances the running experience. It's a treasure trove of insights for runners at any level!

13 snips
May 30, 2025 • 58min
Catching Up with Dean Karnazes
In this engaging discussion, Dean Karnazes, an Ultramarathon runner and NY Times bestselling author, shares his incredible journey and the history of the marathon rooted in Greece. He recounts epic feats like running 50 marathons in 50 states and crossing Death Valley in summer. Listeners learn valuable tips on improving marathon times, especially for masters runners. The conversation also highlights the importance of cultural marathons and staying active during pregnancy, wrapping up with inspiring stories from Dean’s extraordinary adventures.

24 snips
May 20, 2025 • 54min
Interview with Dr. Phil Maffetone on Heart Rate Training
Dr. Phil Maffetone, creator of the MAF Method and a renowned endurance science researcher, shares his insights on heart rate training. He discusses the effective 180 formula for determining optimal training heart rates, shifting from traditional beliefs of 'no pain, no gain' to a more health-focused approach. The conversation explores the benefits of slow running for developing an aerobic base and the role of proper nutrition in performance. Maffetone also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in training and the value of personal awareness for runners.

8 snips
May 12, 2025 • 54min
Why We Are Wired to Explore ~ Interview with Alex Hutchinson
Alex Hutchinson, a science journalist, long-distance runner, and author of 'The Explorer's Gene' and 'Endure,' dives into the human drive for exploration. He discusses how our innate 'explorer's gene' influences not just extreme sports but everyday life choices. The conversation covers the balance between routine and novelty, the importance of setting optimal challenges, and how pushing physical limits can lead to personal growth. Hutchinson also draws connections between past explorers and modern athletes, inspiring listeners to embrace their adventurous sides.

May 1, 2025 • 49min
An Injury Comeback Story with Robin Walters
In this episode we bring you a conversation with Robin Walters -who just completed the Boston Marathon. This is a story about overcoming an acute injury, training through winter conditions, and what it’s like to accomplish a goal many years in the making!
Links Mentioned in This Episode
Run Coaching. Work with a MTA running Coach.
Run the London Marathon in 2026! Preregister now for a travel package with Sports Tours International.
UCAN -we have been fueling with UCAN since 2013. As a listener to the podcast you can try UCAN Edge gels for FREE! all you pay is the cost of shipping. You can also get 20% off anything in their store with the code MTA.
AG1 Next Gen -get a FREE bottle of AG D3K2, an AG1 Welcome Kit, AND 5 of the upgraded AG1 travel packs with your first order.