Marathon Training Academy

In this episode we play an interview we did with actor Sean Astin. Sean has completed 13 marathons and the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. He’s a great storyteller and very open about his struggles as a runner. Sean has over 140 acting credits to his name including Stranger Things, 50 First Dates, Rudy, Encino Man, Goonies, and playing Samwise Gamgee in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He is currently serving a prominent leadership role as the National President of SAG-AFTRA, the Hollywood performers’ union. This conversation was recorded in 2016 after Sean finished the 140.6 mile Kona Ironman. Enjoy! Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. AG1 Next Gen -get 30% off a 90 day supply until October 31st! The Virginia C

In this episode, we speak with ultra-runner Careth Arnold about her meteoric rise in the ultra-running world, her racing highlights, and the deep connection between faith and endurance. Bio: Careth Arnold is an elite ultrarunner who made history as the first American to win the brutal TDS race at UTMB in Chamonix, France. A mother of two based in Colorado, she transitioned from manual labor in forestry to professional sports without any collegiate athletic background, rapidly rising to the top 10 female ultrarunners in the nation. Sponsored by Altra, she is celebrated for her raw toughness, including securing multiple outright race victories where she beat the entire field. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. MetPro.co -get a comp

In this episode we speak with Brad Stulberg author of the book, ‘The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World‘. Brad Stulberg is the bestselling author of The Practice of Groundedness, and coauthor of Peak Performance. He has written for The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, among many other large publications. His work explores principles of mastery, meaning, and excellence that transcend capabilities and domains. He’s particularly interested in the philosophical and psychological foundations of sustainable excellence—getting the best out of yourself on the things that matter to you most—and the habits and practices necessary to attain it. His new book is called The Way of Excellence: A Guide to True Greatness and Deep Satisfaction in a Chaotic World. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. AG1 Next Gen -get 30% off a 90 day supply until Octob

In this episode Coach Angie answers a question sent in by a listener who had a disappointing marathon due to severe cramping. What went wrong and how does one process a disappointing race? Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Previnex -makers of Joint Health Plus and Muscle Health Plus -two products I take every day that help me maximize my recovery and performance as a long distance runner. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. 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.

In this episode we speak with Rafael Hidalgo who shares how endurance running can rewire your brain and transform your life. Rafael, who completed the 110 mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2023, believes the race’s most meaningful story lies not at the front of the pack, but at the back—and deserves to be told. He unpacks this philosophy in his book, The Pain Cave: Start With Where, Not With Why. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE

In this episode we speak with Genea Salinas the event director at the largest running industry trade show in the world. We discuss the current running boom, what trends are driving it, and how long will it last? Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Drink AG1 -powerful, clinically-backed drink that fills common nutrient gaps and supports a healthy immune system—all in just one scoop. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! Drury Hotels -where the extras are not extra! Use our link to save 10% on your stay or use the code RN2025. The Running Event Instagram page. Join the MTA email newsletter! Use this simple opt-in form.

In this episode, we are joined by Des Linden and Magda Boulet, who recount their adventure competing at the Marathon des Sables—a seven-day, 168-mile stage race across the Sahara Desert! This conversation focuses on the science of training, adaptability, and how runners respond under stress. Des Linden represented the United States in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the women’s marathon. In 2018, she became the first American woman in 33 years to win the Boston Marathon. She holds the women’s 50K world record of 2:59:54, set in 2021. Magdalena Lewy-Boulet represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Marathon. She’s winner of the Western States Endurance Run (2015) and winner of the 2018 Marathon des Sables. Born in Poland, she immigrated to the U.S. and became a citizen in 2001. She is a sports scientist and President of GU Energy Labs. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Drink AG1

In this crossover episode with Another Mother Runner podcast, we serve up expert advice for your first marathon—from how to pace yourself so you reach the finish line with a smile on your face, to advice on dealing with race-day anxiety. Thanks to Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat for having us on the AMR podcast! Links Mentioned in this Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Don’t miss the Lexington Health Run Hard Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k in Lexington, South Carolina, on November 14th, 2026 Use the code MTA10 for 10% off! Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. 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.

In this episode Coach Angie shares how to have the confidence to trust your training to go the distance on race day. This is how you finish 26.2 miles when your longest distance in training is only 20 miles. Plus, Trevor is back from a 45 day tour through Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, and Portugal. Hear his “pro tips” for traveling in these countries. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Run the Athens Marathon with Angie, Trevor, and Dean Karnazes! See this page for details. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! Drury Hotels -where the extras are not extra! Use our link to save

Imagine surviving your first marathon, only to nearly die from drinking water. In this episode, a Barcelona-based listener shares his terrifying battle with water intoxication—and the powerful life lessons he took from the finish line. Plus, Trevor breaks down his ultimate, off-the-beaten-path “Beer Hall Crawl” through Bavaria. Tune in to discover the hidden local spots most American tourists completely miss! Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Run the Athens Marathon with Angie, Trevor, and Dean Karnazes! See this page for details. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which i

In this episode we speak with Dimity McDowell about her new book The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Run the Athens Marathon with Angie, Trevor, and Dean Karnazes! See this page for details. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes 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.

In this episode we bring you along on our epic 80-mile running adventure in the Italian Dolomites. Hear trail running tips from our expert mountain guides, and inspiration from podcast listeners who joined us in the Alps! Special thanks to Jeff Thompson, Carly Brown, Louise Turner, Liz Mukherji, Bekah Shininger, Sonia Dolan, Hank Grabowski, Melissa Bently, Julia Cassandra, Marybeth Duke, Bud Haas, Sheila O’Neil, and our guides from Run the Alps: Bruno Yates, Alistair Crompton, and Marion Giraud! Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Previnex -makers of Joint Health Plus and Muscle Health Plus -two products I take every day that help me maximize my recovery and performance as a long distance runner. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There w

In this episode we bring you part 2 of our Ask the Coach Q&A as we tackle questions about fueling for an ultra, shin splints, bunions, super shoes, strength training, runner’s trots, knee pain, fueling, and running postpartum. Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes 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. The

In this episode Coach Angie and Coach Abby answer questions about running marathons (and getting faster) after age 50, considerations for female runners in menopause and perimenopause, heart rate training, the Maffetone Method, ultra training and more! Thanks to everyone who sent in a question! Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off

In this episode, we speak with longtime Academy member Cari Masek, who ran her first marathon after being inspired by an episode of this podcast. Running has changed her life — giving her the confidence to set goals, dream big, and inspire others.  Links Mentioned in This Episode Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach. June 3 is Global Running Day and UCAN is doing their biggest sale of the year! Get 40% OFF sitewide with code MTA40. Stock up on long-lasting, easy-on-the-gut fuel, including the NEW Strawberry Kiwi and Citrus Energy Gel + Electrolytes. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. Cari Masek is an avid runner, race pacer, and coach.  She ra

In this episode we share our top three gear picks, running books, favorite marathons, runners we admire, interesting things we’ve found on a run, embarrassing running mishaps, daily healthy habits and more! Links Mentioned in This Episode Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach. Previnex -makers of Joint Health Plus and Muscle Health Plus -two products I take every day that help me maximize my recovery and performance as a long distance runner. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. 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.

In this episode we speak with bestselling author Martin Dugard about the inspiring people who made running mainstream. The first NYC Marathon only had 127 runners (only 1 woman). Now it draws over 50,000 runners (half of whom are women) and over 2 million spectators. Martin Dugard explains how we got here. Hear about Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter, Joan Benoit, Grete Waitz, Bill Rogers, Jim Ryun, and others. Links Mentioned in this Episode Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable f

In this episode Angie and Trevor discuss the watershed moment that just happened at the London Marathon when two runners smashed the 2 Hour Barrier in the marathon.  Sabastian Sawe of Kenya ran 1:59:30 and Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia finished 2nd in 1:59:41!  How did we get to this moment and what can we learn from it? Links Mentioned in This Episode Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. 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 has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister

In this episode we speak with Sara Hall about her new memoir ‘For The Love Of The Grind’! Sara won the Master’s Division at the 2026 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:31:55. Sara Hall has been competing for over twenty years and has been nationally ranked for almost three decades.  She is a previous American record holder in the Half Marathon when she ran 1:07:15 at the Houston Half in 2022. Sara and Ryan Hall live in Flagstaff, Arizona, and have four adopted daughters from Ethiopia. For the Love of the Grind is a love letter to running, and the story of Sara’s growth as an athlete, wife, and mom. Links Mentioned in This Episode Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach. UCAN -Try the FREE UCAN Trial Sample Pack which includes bars, powders, gels, and hydration products — 6 total items. Just pay shipping. Save 25% on your entire order with code MTA. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MT

Trevor and Angie here just jumping into your podcast feed with an important announcement! Do you dream of running the Authentic Athens Marathon? This coming November we are teaming up with Dean Karnazes for a special tour for listeners to the MTA Podcast. Join us in Athens, Greece, for 7 days of running, sight-seeing, trying amazing cuisine, and hanging out with other likeminded runners (and spouses). The trip starts on November 5th and ends November 13th 2026. The tour is near capacity so please email us soon if you want to go! SEE THIS PAGE FOR DETAILS: https://www.marathontrainingacademy.com/athens-marathon-tour-with-mta-and-dean-karnazes The Authentic Athens Marathon follows the historic route from the seaside village of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium, where the first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. This route commemorates the legendary feat of the marathon runner Pheidippides, who, according to tradition, ran from Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Greek victory at the Battle