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Author Archive | Angie Spencer

Going From Zero to Marathon

By on January 11, 2016 in Back-to-Back Races, Beginner, Podcasts

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If you’ve recently started listening to the podcast we’d like to give you a big welcome and let you know that you have come to the right place, even if a marathon seems like a long way off.

Trevor and I didn’t start off in marathon shape and it’s been a process through the years to get to the place where we can run a last minute marathon.

You may be looking to train for your first half or full marathon or you’re just returning to that level of fitness after some time off. That’s what “From Zero to Marathon” is all about. Continue Reading →

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How Much Running Should I Do in the Off Season?

By on December 18, 2015 in Listener Question

Here’s a great question that was sent in by a reader named Melissa,

What does your off season workout routine look like? I am looking to take my running ability to the next level and have been doing a lot of research. I don’t have a half marathon planned until the Spring though so I have made my decision in what would be an off season. What do you suggest for training during this period? Any advice would be great. Thanks so much! -Melissa T.

Here’s what I wrote back, Continue Reading →

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All About Running Streaks

By on December 10, 2015 in Interview, Podcasts

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Last year Runner’s World put out a challenge to run every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s. I took them up on this challenge, and just like Forest Gump, I decided to keep running. Everyday for one year.

This streak required intentionality and creativity. I ran wherever I happened to be, on the deck of a ship, hotel treadmill, or a cliffside trail at Canyon Lands National Park.

I ran at 11:45 at night and 4:45 in the morning. Whatever it took to get my mile done. Trevor calculated that I ran in 18 states and one Canadian province. Continue Reading →

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Race Recap: The 2015 Marine Corps Marathon (40 Year Anniversary)

By on November 25, 2015 in Podcasts, Race Recap

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This year was the 40th Anniversary of the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C.. In this race recap we give the history of this amazing marathon and talk with a retired Marine colonel who has ran it every year since its inception.

We also take you to our MTA meet up (via Trevor’s digital recorder).
Continue Reading →

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Race Recap: The Des Moines Marathon

By on October 31, 2015 in Podcasts, Race Recap

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On Sunday, October 18, 2015, Trevor and I ran the the IMT Des Moines Marathon and Half Marathon in the great state of Iowa.

This was the 31st state for me in my 50 state marathon goal. The race offers multiple events over two days, friendly volunteers, a well-supported course, and AWESOME post race food.
Continue Reading →

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Race Recap: The Rock Cut Hobo Runs

By on October 6, 2015 in Back-to-Back Races, Race Recap

Rock-Cut-Hobo-logo_1410811722I decided to run the Rock Cut Hobo Run series for my peak training week for my first 50 mile race. This would involve three back-to-back races.

I knew it would be much more motivating to run an actual event rather than gutting out two back to back long runs myself.

The trails in Northern Illinois also seemed very similar to what I would experience at the North Face Endurance 50 miler in Wisconsin. Continue Reading →

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The Marathon That Got Away!

By on September 20, 2015 in Injury, Podcasts, Safety

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If you’ve been running for a while you may have faced the disappointment of having to miss a race due to injury or illness.

You may have been fighting injury over a long period of time and came to the realization that the race wasn’t going to be a good idea. Or you may have had an injury or illness that came out of nowhere.

In either case, it’s very hard to know when to skip or DNS (did not start) a race and deal with the disappointment of not being able to do something you’ve been training for and looking forward to.

Trevor faced this recently with what would have been marathon #10 at the Tupelo Marathon. A couple weeks before the race he started experiencing Achilles soreness, a lump, redness and discomfort.

This got progressively worse until he was feeling discomfort with every step. This is annoying for a 4 mile run but potentially dangerous during a marathon. Continue Reading →

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How to Safely Run Back-to-Back Marathons

By on August 23, 2015 in Back-to-Back Races, Listener Question, Safety

A listener named Neisha sent in a great question recently. We read it on podcast episode #151 where I talk about my double marathon.

Hi Angie and Trevor – I have been an avid listener of your podcast from the beginning, and I still look forward to every podcast that comes out. My question is about marathon training for back to back races. This fall I am signed up for 2 half marathons and 3 full marathons (Marine Corps, Vegas, and Dallas). While I typically run 2 marathons every fall (in addition to shorter races), I am curious to know what you recommend for making my training most effective so that I can perform well in October, November and December marathons. Thank you! -Neisha

My answer . . . Continue Reading →

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Race Recap: Angie’s Double Marathon Pain Fest!

By on August 21, 2015 in Podcasts, Race Recap

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It was exciting to be able to run two more marathons on our trip this summer. I always love picking up a new state (#29) and taking on a different challenge.

Although I was a bit road weary from traveling there were several reasons why I wanted to do these marathons.

I had never been to New Mexico, never tried a double marathon before, and never
done a race put on by Mainly Marathons. Continue Reading →

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Why Half Marathon Times Don’t Translate into Full Marathon Times

By on August 11, 2015 in Beginner, Half Marathon, Listener Question, PR

Here’s a question I received from a fellow runner named Chris,

Hi Angie! I’m 50 years old and have been running for 2 1/2 years (after losing 105 pounds, but that’s another story). My times for the half marathon are decent, generally in the 1:55 area. I’ve run three marathons with a PR of 4:27:34 and a worst of 4:58:30.

Anyway, based on various race predictors, it looks like my “expected” marathon time is in around 4:05. Why am I so far off, and how can I get my half marathon ability, such as it is, to translate to the marathon distance? I’m training for the Long Beach (Ca.) Marathon in October and I’d really like to come in around 4:10 or so. Thanks, and keep up your great work! -Chris

My answer . . . Continue Reading →

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