Marathon Handbook Podcast

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...

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 up...

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)...

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 run...

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 proce...

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...

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 ra...

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 hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is and why it’s banned (0...

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 make you bulky” (05:30), “running is...

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-minute mile or sub-10 mile for beginne...

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 feel over a 16- to 20-week build (03:...

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 access to the event, including a surreal ...

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 just 25 hours before the event (02:15), ...

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’ Roll Marathon with just 24 hours’ notic...

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 Katelyn’s comeback victory at a rugged ...

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 flipped the script on competitive marat...

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 branding), and debate whether it’s doing ...

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, and now, he’s applying decades of res...

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 state actually mean. Plus: our “Tem...