Marathon Training Academy

In this episode we speak with Nicolas Thompson -CEO of The Atlantic and author of the book, 'The Running Ground -A Father, A Son, and the Simplest of Sports'. Hear his reflection on how running helped him amid personal crises; getting faster after 40; and how he finds time to fit running into his day. [powerpress] [box]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters:  Getting out there. 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. MetPro.co -For the first time ever, MetPro is offering MTA listeners a full 30-day experience for just $95 with absolutely no strings attached! See what it’s like working with your own metabolic coach. Limited to the first 30 people. [/box] Nicholas Thompson (born 1975) is an American technology journalist, author, and media executive. He has been the chief executive officer of the American magazine The Atlantic since February 2021. Thompson previously worked as editor-in-chief of Wired and The New Yorker’s website. He is the author of two non-fiction books, is a contributor for CBS News, and regularly appears on CBS This Morning and CBSN. Thompson competed in running as both a high school student and briefly on his college team at Stanford. In 2021, Thompson set the American 45-49 age-group record at the 50-kilometer distance after running 3:04:36 at the Brooks Row River 50K in Oregon. As of 2025, he had completed the New York City Marathon 12 times, running his fastest time of 2:29 at the age of 44.

In this episode we take you to Charm City Run in Frederick, Maryland, to speak with store owner Josh Levinson about running shoe tech and terminology. How are running shoes engineered these days and what is the insider terminology you should know? Learn about stack height, heel-to-toe drop, stability, energy return, carbon and nylon plates, midsole foam durometer, torsional rigidity, gusseted tongue, and more. Josh and Kara Levinson opened their first specialty running store in 2002. Charm City Run now has 7 locations (six in Maryland and 1 in Delaware) and 200 employees! Special thanks to Academy member Stefanie Smith for arranging this interview! [powerpress] [box]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters:  Getting out there. Joint Health Plus by Previnex -prevention is the best medicine and you need to protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Get 30% off during their Black Friday Sale (no coupon code needed) or use code MTA for 15% off your first order the rest of the year. 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. The Virginia Credit Union River City Half -March 7 in Richmond, Virginia. 2026 Running Retreat in the Italian Dolomites with Run the Alps. See this page for details. Athens 2026 Marathon Tour with MTA and Dean Karnazes. It's going to be epic! [/box]

In this episode Coach Angie recaps the New York City Marathon and answers the question: does it live up to the hype? She shares her trepidation going into the race -especially after running a marathon the previous weekend. Hear tips on race-day logistics; and what's it was like to run through the Five Boroughs. [powerpress] [box]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach. Run the London Marathon in 2026 with Sports Tours International USA. They have guaranteed bibs for London, Berlin, Sydney, and Cape Town! Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters:  Getting out there. UCAN -get the Trial Sample Pack for free with our link, just pay shipping! AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes 5 AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. [/box]

[powerpress]
Trevor and Angie here just jumping into your podcast feed to make an important announcement! Next summer we are hosting a running retreat in the beautiful Italian Alps, the Dolomites, and are inviting any listener to the podcast who wants to go! The Dolomites are known for their unique jagged appearance and mix of Italian and Austrian culture and cuisine. We will trail run from village to village through this mountain paradise and finish at the famous resort town of Cortina‬ D’Ampezzo where the 2026 Winter Olympics will be held. The tour starts on June 16th 2026. Please email us if you are interested in going! SEE THIS PAGE FOR DETAILS: https://www.marathontrainingacademy.com/running-retreat-in-the-dolomites

In this episode we bring you to the Dublin Marathon in Ireland for one of our World Famous Race Recaps!!

In this episode we speak with Alexi Pappas -Olympian, filmmaker, actor, and bestselling author. Listen as Trevor and Angie chat with Alexi about goal setting, navigating change, the importance of mentors, how she gets through the later miles of a race, and more! [powerpress] Bio: Alexi Pappas was an NCAA All American athlete at Dartmouth College and the University of Oregon. She is a dual citizen and represented Greece in the 2016 Olympics setting a 10,000 meter national record. She has served as a guide runner for a para-athlete named Lisa Thompson in marathons and triathlons and is still chasing her own running goals. Her first book is called, 'Bravey: Chasing Dreams, Befriending Pain, and other Big Ideas' and she is currently at work on her second book. She hosts the Mentor Buffet Podcast and makes her home in Los Angeles where she loves running trails. [box]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed to fit the natural shape of feet with room for your toes, for comfort, balance, and strength. So you focus on what really matters:  Getting out there. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes 5 AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. 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. Run the London Marathon in 2026 with Sports Tours International USA. They have guaranteed bibs for London, Berlin, Sydney, and Cape Town! [/box]

In this episode we speak with Marie Leautey -a French runner who became the fastest woman to run around the world: 4 continents, 680 marathons, and 28,249 kilometers!

In this episode we speak with three runners from Team Abbott — a community of runners who have faced serious health challenges but didn’t let those challenges define them! [powerpress]

About Our Guests

Elizabeth Pehota (Boston, MA): Three days out from running the 2022 Berlin Marathon, Elizabeth Pehota experienced a feeling of pins and needles in her hands, feet and thighs, and an unnatural resistance while running. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a chronic, unpredictable disease of the central nervous system. As someone who shares her daily life on social media, Elizabeth, @healthy_cheers on Instagram, only recently opened up about her diagnosis, but has already formed relationships with other MS patients around the world. Elizabeth is an Abbott World Marathon Major Six Star Finisher and received her seventh star in Sydney. Ed Barnes (Douglas, MA): Ed was born with a congenital heart condition and at age 15 he started to experience frequent dizziness - to the point of nearly passing out - leading him to undergo open heart surgery to receive an Abbott artificial aortic heart valve. This year, after completing the Boston Marathon, Ed became the first person with an artificial heart valve to finish all seven Abbott World Marathon Majors.   Mary Tawney Suarez (Fullerton, CA): Just before the pandemic, Mary started experiencing seizures and was diagnosed with Epilepsy and a brain cyst. One year later, she started experiencing back pain and numbness in her legs, which was revealed to be the degeneration of the cerebral and lower part of her spine. Despite these obstacles, Mary has continued running, and just finished the Berlin Marathon. [box]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA running Coach. MetPro.co -For the first time ever, MetPro is offering MTA listeners a full 30-day experience for just $95 with absolutely no strings attached! See what it’s like working with your own metabolic coach. Limited to the first 30 people. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes 5 AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. The Virginia Credit Union River City Half -March 7 in Richmond, Virginia. Drury Hotels -Get 10% off your stay with our link or use the code RN2025. Team Abbott -a community of runners, many of whom have overcome health challenges, who are committed to inspiring others through their running journeys. To submit your story for a chance to join Team Abbott, visit abbott.com/marathons. [/box]

In this episode Coach Angie Spencer and Coach Erin Smith answer questions about running two marathons in the Fall, tune-up races, Fartlek runs, hill training when you live in a flat area, hip pain, IT band pain, sore legs, and more!
[powerpress] Coach Angie Spencer has run 70 marathons and ultras, including a marathon in every US state. She is a RRCA and USATF Certified Running Coach and Registered Nurse. Angie loves books and dark chocolate. Coach Erin Smith has run everything from a 5ks to 100 milers as well as timed events and multi-day stage races. She is a RRCA Certified Running Coach and school teacher. Erin loves trail running, yoga, and helping runners with big goals. [box]

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with a MTA running Coach. 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! 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. The Arcus2 RB9X by IceBug -the ultimate shoe for running in any condition! [/box]