Marathon Handbook Podcast

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 exer...

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 pitfall...

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 strategi...

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 pr...

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...

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...

In this bonus episode, Michael Doyle is joined by running legend and journalist Amby Burfoot to unpack Thursday's massive news: the shocking doping suspension of Ruth Chepngetich, the marathon world record holder who ran an eye-popping 2:09:56 in Chicago last fall.  The two dive deep into the initial reactions to the Athletics Integrity Unit’s charges (00:00), break down what hydrochlorothiaz...

Strength training for runners isn’t optional—it’s essential. In this comprehensive episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci and Alex Cyr unpack the how, why, and when of strength training for runners.  They kick things off by breaking down why runners need to lift weights in the first place (01:20), then bust some of the biggest myths in the sport, like “lifting will...

Ready to run your fastest mile ever? In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, we dive headfirst into the magic and mystery of the mile—why it’s such a romantic and enduring distance for runners of all levels (01:00), the difference between the mile and 1500m (06:00), and the story behind Roger Bannister’s legendary sub-4 performance (02:30). We explore how breaking barriers—like the 4-min...

It’s time for our Summer Mailbag episode! The Marathon Handbook Podcast crew — Michael, Katelyn, and Alex — dive into listener questions about marathon training, race strategy, running shoes, and how to get faster without getting injured. We kick things off with Katelyn’s 100-mile training update and Alex powering through a raspy-voiced episode (00:00), before unpacking how marathon pace should fe...

In this instant reaction episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, recorded just minutes after Nike’s Breaking4 event in Paris, we unpack what really happened on and off the track.  We start with the electric atmosphere inside the stadium and Nike’s high-stakes investment in Faith Kipyegon’s historic attempt to become the first woman to run a sub-4-minute mile (02:00). We share our exclusive acces...

In this special episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, recorded on the ground in Paris, we dive deep into Nike’s audacious Breaking4 project and Faith Kipyegon’s attempt to become the first woman to run a sub-4-minute mile.  This episode is sponsored by Hettas: performance running shoes for women. Check out Hettas at hettas.com We kick things off by setting the scene from a sweltering Paris jus...

Could you run a marathon with zero training? In this episode of The Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci tackle that exact question — and things get real. This episode is sponsored by Hettas: performance running shoes for women. Check out Hettas at hettas.com We kick off by discussing a recent viral TikTok by Logan Goodspeed, who attempted the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Ro...

This episode is sponsored by Hettas: performance running shoes for women. Check out Hettas at hettas.com In this special episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, hosts Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci each share the greatest race of their lives—offering up deeply personal stories packed with insight, grit, and emotion. From Alex’s freezing sub-65 half marathon in Houston (04:15), to Kat...

Step into the fast lane with our deep dive into super shoes — the revolutionary footwear changing the face of distance running.  This episode is sponsored by Hettas: performance running shoes for women. Check out Hettas at hettas.com We break down what actually makes a shoe “super” (01:45), take you inside the never-before-told history of Nike’s prototype era (06:30), and trace how the Vaporfly fl...

The Grand Slam Track League is here – but is it actually working? In this special episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, hosts Michael, Alex, and Caitlin break down everything you need to know about Michael Johnson’s ambitious new league. We dive into how it compares to the Diamond League, explore its bold innovations (like guaranteed prize money, racer vs. challenger formats, and athlete brand...

What does it take for a woman to break the 4-minute mile? In this exclusive and groundbreaking interview, Dr. Andy Jones—one of the world’s leading exercise physiologists and the mastermind behind Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon—reveals the science, strategy, and secrets behind Nike’s latest audacious project: Breaking4 . Dr. Jones has worked with legends like Paula Radcliffe and Eliud Kipchoge,...

Are you really doing a tempo run—or just running in the gray zone without purpose? In this episode, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Caitlin Tocci take a sledgehammer to one of running’s most overused and misunderstood terms: the “tempo run.” We explore the history of the term, why it’s misapplied in so many training plans, and what terms like lactate threshold, critical velocity, VO2 max, and steady...

Stop guessing your training and race pace! In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast , hosts Michael Doyle, Coach Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr break down how to scientifically and practically discover your true race and training pace — without falling into common runner traps. We explore: Six pace trap archetypes every runner should avoid (like the Marathon Mathematician and Legacy PR Guy) T...

In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, the hosts Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci and Michael Doyle delve into the complexities of running a 5K, exploring its challenges, physiological demands, and effective training strategies. They discuss the mental and physical aspects of the race, emphasizing the importance of pain tolerance and speed endurance. The conversation includes personal anecdotes,...

Our co-host Alex Cyr finally did it — broke 30 minutes in the 10K before his 30th birthday. But in this deeply personal episode, he, Katelyn Tocci, and Michael Doyle go beyond splits and finish lines. They unpack the mental toll of public goals (13:00), the crash after big wins (25:00), and how to redefine motivation (40:00). It’s a story of resilience, racing, identity, and the strange emotional...

In this special instant reactions episode, Marathon Handbook’s Editor-in-Chief Michael Doyle and News Editor Jessy Carveth break down all the drama from the 2025 London Marathon just hours after the race wrapped. From Tigst Assefa’s women’s-only world record to Eliud Kipchoge’s twilight career run , plus shocking moments like Sebastian Sawe’s controversial race-winning move — we dive into all the...

The 2025 London Marathon is here, and we’ve got your ultimate preview: elite race insights, logistics, history, and how to watch. Then, in a breaking second segment, we unpack Nike’s stunning new Breaking4 project —Faith Kipyegon’s quest to become the first woman to run a sub-4 minute mile. All the context, science, and bold predictions are here from Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr. This episode is bro...

Editors Alex Cyr, Michael Doyle and Katelyn Tocci host an instant reaction episode, live from near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. They break down the phenomenal elite races, as well as Katelyn's experience running the marathon. Watch a replay of our Watch-Along Live Stream of the Boston Marathon: https://youtube.com/live/y5enYRMrI1U ⏱️ Timestamps & Chapters 00:00 – Welcome to Bos...

We’re back with a full preview of the 2025 Boston Marathon! Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci break down everything you need to know heading into race weekend: Start times and how to watch Elite field preview + American hopefuls Katelyn’s emotional story about her first Boston Marathon in 2003 Course breakdown + pacing strategy Alex’s weather forecast + key advice Live show details (Satur...