Marathon Handbook Podcast

Mailbag time! In this spring edition, we dig into your listener questions covering all things running—from training tweaks to shoe reviews, marathon pacing, gels, treadmill strategies, and a deep dive into that eternal mystery: what are speed goggles? Plus, Michael shares coaching tips for kids’ running programs, Caitlin gives sunscreen recs for Honolulu, and Alex bravely admits to lazy calves. We...

IMPORTANT NEWS: 🎉 We're hosting a LIVE PODCAST EVENT , happening Boston Marathon weekend, Saturday, April 19th, 2025, from 5:30PM to 7:30 PM .  at Trident Booksellers on Newbury Street. There will be free food, drinks and exclusive gear giveaways! Tickets are free , but very limited, so RSVP now with this link: https://forms.gle/zSrSDAjbSP3Gqqir7 -------------------------- In this jam-packed...

On today's episode, Alex, Katelyn and Michael debate about what the single biggest milestone is in all of running. First, Alex argues that it has to be the sub four minute mile, including the prospect that the barrier could conceivably be broken by a woman in the near future. Then, Katelyn stumps for the Boston Marathon qualifier (or BQ) as the single most significant milestone in all of runn...

Join us for an in-depth analysis of the 2025 Barkley Marathons , one of the most brutal and mysterious ultramarathons on the planet. In this episode, we break down exactly what happened in this year’s race — from the start line in Frozen Head State Park to the final taps of "Taps" for runners who didn’t finish. 🔥 What We'll Cover: Who toed the line in the 2025 Barkley Marathons How...

Our editors Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci and Alex Cyr dig into everything you need to know about the Barkley Marathons, the most mysterious, alluring and difficult race in the world. They go into the history of this 100-mile running race, its long list of eccentricities, how to get into the Barkley, and what the heck happened this year on the course, with no finishers. Follow our live updates of t...

We dream of the perfect race day, but let’s be honest—things can (and often do) go wrong at retty much any running event distance, from the 5K to ultramarathon distances. On today's podcast, we'll delve into the top 10 hiccups that can wreck your race. From blown-up pacing to blister meltdowns, weather surprises fueling nightmares, to the dreaded running side stitch, we’re getting into e...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael were live onstage at the Boston Run Show. They discuss the biggest running trends in 2025 and beyond: Are we really experiencing a running boom, and will it last? Are the World Marathon Majors making a mistake by expanding, and which events will be added next? Why is "running the new dating app"? And what do Nike's curious new set of running shoe patents su...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael try something a little different in this week's podcast. They compete in a "race draft," similar to a sports fantasy draft, but with running events. They each have to build the perfect calendar year of running events, by picking one of the following: an ultra/trail event, a marathon, a half, a 10K, a 5K, a "wild card" race, and an event to they&ap...

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael discuss the 2025 Tokyo Marathon moments after the elite races wrapped up. They break down all the action, including a surprising win on the men's side, and a risky move by defending champion Sutume Kebede in the women's race. Plus, the look at track great Joshua Cheptegei's race, which is his second shot at running a marathon. Was it a success?...

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael go deep on this weekend's Tokyo Marathon, the first World Marathon Major of the year! Topics Covered: The intriguing history of the race The course They power rank the World Marathon Majors They give Tokyo a score out of 100 Compare the elevation and course profile How to get into Tokyo 2026 Unpack the elite women's race Unpack the elite men's r...

Our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael delve into the concept of running economy, exploring its definition, significance, and the factors that influence it. They explain the role running form plays, and practical tips for improving running economy.  They also share six ways you can improve your running economy, emphasizing the importance of strides, strength training, building an aerobic base, inco...

With the 2025 marathon season just around the corner, our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael ask: who (if anyone) will finally break the two-hour barrier on a legal marathon course? They explore the science behind running a sub-two marathon, the evolution of shoe technology, Eliud Kipchoge's Breaking2 and INEOS 1:59 Challenge events, and the haunting spectre of the world record holder, late Ke...

On this week's episode, Alex, Katelyn and Michael first discuss the wild and bizarre outcome of the Strava x Chipotle Challenge. Then, the play a game of "Is it true that..." They look at the science (or lack thereof) behind: Does running on soft surfaces actually make you less injury prone than running on pavement? Should you try to run a negative split in the marathon to achieve t...

On this week's episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, our editors Alex, Katelyn and Michael first do a mini preview of the 2025 Tokyo Marathon, which released its elite fields this week, including one intriguing starter, Joshua Cheptegei.  Then they talk about three super weird footwear stories: the release of the first "super sandals" (or is it "super flip flops"?), ye...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael start by talking all about Alex's big half marathon personal best last weekend in Houston (1:39). Then, they share their strategies for making winter running on the treadmill not suck. In fact, they have share how the gamify their easy runs, workouts and long runs on the treadmill so they are, dare we say, fun? (11:10) Then, Alex and Michael discuss the massive new A...

In this episode, we demystify every running trend that's trending on socials in 2025. But first, Michael and news editor Jessy Carveth discuss the exciting breaking news that three of the greatest marathoners of all-time will race each other at this year's London Marathon. They explain why this could be a legendary and record-breaking marathon (02:05). Then, Alex, Katelyn and Michael bre...

Each week, the editors at marathonhandbook.com, one of the largest running focused websites in the world, discuss what's going on in the running world, as well training advice for every distance from the 5K to ultramarathons. 

Marathon Handbook's editors Alex Cyr, Katelyn Tocci and Michael Doyle provide beginner's tips on how to start running, or how to get back into running after a big break. Whether you're just starting to run for the first time and are thinking about trying your first 5K or half marathon, or if you've been running for years, but took a bit of a pause and are now seeking motivation...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael get out their crystal balls and peer into the future of running. But first, they discuss their holiday experiences (00:00), along with the reboot of The Marathon Project, a fascinating COVID-era event that is making its return in 2025 (16:26). Then, they get into their predictions. Marathon Handbook's staff members each produced one bold running-related prediction fo...

Marathon Handbook's editors Alex, Michael and Katelyn discuss the merits and peril of giving and receiving running themed gifts (00:00). Then, they get into how to set and stick to your 2025 running-related New Year's Resolutions (18:24). Finally, they reveal their own personal running resolutions and goals for the new year (48:07). Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube: htt...

Our Top 10 Stories of The Year Are... ​ Crazy records, unbelievable performances and lots of controversy; 2024 was a wild year in the running world. Our big Year-In-Review show is here! Alex, Katelyn and Michael go all the way back to January 2024, and run through every major event that took place in the running world over the past 12 months (16:41). There are wacky world records ( Crocs, 1,000-ma...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael share a special announcement about a live show in Boston in 2025! (00:00). Then they air out their opinions on the just-revealed 2025 Boston Marathon jacket (04:33). Then, they get into Nike's surprising move to gut its running shoe lineup and completely revamp it for 2025, along with other significant changes from the Swoosh (12:25). Then, they share their experienc...

Alex, Katelyn, and Michael answer your questions in our Fall 2024 Mailbag Episode (19:19). We take on whether or not you really need to do hill repeats for marathon training, how to fix tummy troubles on race day, our fuelling strategies, the best shoes for track workouts, what the heck is going on with Nike's shoe lineup, and Katelyn's amazing midlife crisis purchase! Then, Michael and...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael explain Strava's bold and controversial decision to wall out many third-party apps from its platform. How will runners be affected by this drastic change? Why did the company do this, and what does this move suggest about the future of Strava? Then, they share their reactions to seeing all the 2025 running shoes and gear in Austin, Texas, at The Running Event, reveal...

Alex, Katelyn and Michael are together in-person for the first time ever (!) at The Running Event, in Austin, Texas. The Running Event is basically the best running expo ever, where every brand, from Asics to Nike to Brooks to Hoka provide journalists a sneak peak at next year's shoes. In this episode, we doll out the Marathon Handbook Awards for: 00:00:00 - Intro Chat! 00:08:47 - Best Runnin...