Join Log In Coaching Training Plans

Author Archive | Trevor Spencer

Running Every Day for 1,000 Days

By on October 6, 2022 in Success Story

Academy member Mike McMullan shares what it was like to do a 1,000 day running streak (at least 1 mile per day). Mike makes his living as a cardiologist. He writes,

“Reflections on my 1,000 day journey. I began a running streak on Jan 1, 2020. The first day of a new decade seemed a great time to rededicate myself to some healthy habits, and although a regular runner since 2007, I had never done a run streak. I also decided it was a great time to close all of my rings on my Apple Watch everyday. Yes, my obsessive compulsive tendencies certainly played a role in accomplishing both of these goals.

Here’s what I have learned? Continue Reading →

0

Do Hard Things! Interview with Steve Magness

By on October 3, 2022 in Books, Interview, Motivation, Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

In this podcast episode we speak with Steve Magness -performance coach and author of the book ‘Do Hard Things -Why We Get Resilience Wrong and the Surprising Science of Real Toughness’. 

In this interview Steve shares what we often get wrong about resilience; the 4 Pillars of Toughness; and mental tricks runners can use to get through a long run or marathon.

Continue Reading →

0

Goals can change your life!

By on September 25, 2022 in Success Story, Weight Loss


Check out this amazing story shared by a community member in one of our FB groups. Thank you Jessica for sharing and congrats on your BQ!

“Goals. They’re wild and can change your entire life. I just wanted to be better. I focused on my nutrition and just… moving. I went from step goals to actually signing up for a 5k. I was terrified.

My husband joined me and we started running a 5k every month together. I lost over 100 lbs. People joked about me doing marathons and I figured I’d never be able to run that long. COVID hit as I was training for my first half and I was determined not to let it take down what I had built.

This lovely group and MTA gave me the extra boost I needed to keep pushing my goals. Not only did a marathon become an attainable goal but I also stood a chance to qualify for Boston.

I missed it on my first attempt by 6 minutes so I signed up for my second attempt the moment I arrived back home. That training cycle was awful but I kept going. I didn’t think I was going to have it in me but I felt great.

At mile marker 20 I realized that I was not only going to qualify but I was going to do it with time to spare. I had 9:42 in the bank when I crossed the finish line. I’m still sitting here in amazement. Training for one little 5k has brought me all the way to the Boston Marathon.

This community has been so important to me. The support and inspiration is like nowhere I’ve ever seen on the internet. Thank you”. ❤️

-Jessica Fragione

Join one of our Facebook groups

MTA Member Chat -private inner circle group for Academy Members and Coaches. Join Academy to be added to the group.

SDR (Social Distancing Run) -free open group built around our virtual challenges.

4

Listener Q&A (feat. Running Rogue)

By on September 20, 2022 in Listener Question, Podcasts

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS

In this podcast episode we are joined by fellow podcaster Chris McClung from Running Rogue to answer questions sent in from audience members.

Questions include: How late in life can you PR?; VO2 Max; How maintenance plans work; Training for back to back marathons; When to do Yasso 800s; Thoughts on processed fuels; and How much strength-training to do during the taper.  Enjoy!  Continue Reading →

1

Training and consistency made a HUGE difference on marathon day!

By on September 14, 2022 in Coaching, Success Story


Congrats to our coaching client Marie-Eve on finishing her first marathon in 3:52! She ran the Yellowknife Marathon in the Northwest Territories of Canada. She said,

“I was extremely happy with my first marathon and was able to achieve my time objective! Training and consistency over the last three months definitely made a HUGE difference on marathon day!

I very much enjoyed training with MTA Coach Kristyn! She prepared an excellent training program and was always so quick to respond to all of my questions.

Her training program was very well adapted to my level and body – I didn’t have any injuries or body pains during the program and felt great on marathon day. I learned a lot over the summer! Continue Reading →

0

Marathon Success story with Bill Drinkward

By on August 27, 2022 in Podcasts, Success Story, Ultramarathon

*[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

In this podcast episode we bring you a marathon success story with Bill Drinkward -a coaching client from Bend, Oregon.

Bill shares how he went from a disastrous DNF at the Honolulu Marathon to getting smarter in his training and qualifying for Boston.

He recently completed his first 50 trail ultra in 9 hours and 59 minutes! Continue Reading →

0

What do you love about MTA Coaching?

By on August 21, 2022 in Coaching, Success Story

Big thanks to Academy member and coaching client Dipti Pandya for sharing why she decided to work with a MTA Coach and what she loves about it! She writes,

“In the past, I always had plans for signing up for coaching to get me through a race (first half marathon, first marathon, etc).

Now after being a runner for 3 years, I decided to sign up with Coach Athena as more of a long term commitment.

I realized that the coach athlete relationship takes a long time to develop. Of course, coaching is still great for a couple months for a single race, but I know it would serve me better to stick with a coach over many training cycles to really maximize the benefit.

I have lots of big running goals that I know will take years to accomplish. I wanted to work with someone who is knowledgeable, passionate, and who I can relate to. Continue Reading →

0

Interview with Dave Proctor Record Setting Run Across Canada

By on August 17, 2022 in Back-to-Back Races, Interview, Mindset, Podcasts

*[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

In this podcast episode we speak with ultra runner Dave Proctor (one tough cowboy!) who ran coast to coast across Canada 🇨🇦 in 67 days (4,448 miles) and broke the Trans-Canada record. Dave provides a unique look into the endurance mindset -that will help you get through challenges of your own. Continue Reading →

0

I’m late to the party but I’m here until the day I die.

By on August 15, 2022 in Success Story

Congrats to Anna R. a member of the Academy who just ran a 4:32:35 marathon at the age of 60!

“Hello Angie and Trevor.

I’ve been a member since January 2020. I’d never run a marathon before and was following another plan, trying to figure out fueling and hydration on my own.

I found MTA just a couple of weeks before my first marathon in February. The Surf City marathon was deferred but I ran it solo as scheduled and it was grueling having to carry everything I needed. I ran out of water, had leg cramps, intestinal distress and dizziness. It took over 5 hours. But I made it the 26.2 miles.

Listening to ALL the podcasts, some of them multiple times, I ran the Surf City marathon February 2022 for my 60th birthday with a 4:32:17 finish time. . . Continue Reading →

1

Top Excursions from our Road Trip in Europe

By on August 10, 2022 in History, Trail Running

We drove from Madrid to Budapest and back


Roadtripping across Europe was a bucket list goal of mine for many years. This summer we had the opportunity to visit ten countries: Spain, France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Italy, and Monaco.

  • Total days on the road = 39
  • Kilometers driven = 7619.9 (4,734 miles)

Our kids came with us as we traveled to races, hiked in the Alps, and podcasted from the road. You can hear the audio recap of our trip on podcast episode 389.

In this post I want to share eight excursions (runs, hikes, swims) that I particularly enjoyed!

Continue Reading →

2

I am an ultramarathoner!

By on July 29, 2022 in Success Story, Ultramarathon


Huge congrats to our coaching client Bill Drinkward on running his first 50 miler! This man is on fire 🔥🤩🙌

“I am an ultramarathoner! Mount Hood 50 miler in the books. My first such race was run last weekend on the Pacific Crest Trail in Oregon. I expected it to be difficult and indeed it was.

I ran with the mantra “Be Patient (it will be a long day), Present (pay attention to the way my body is feeling), and Deliberate (don’t ever fall).” I learned this mantra at mountaineering school in Ecuador last month and figured it would also relate well to Ultrarunning.

I did not give up on my goal of running sub 10 hours and crossed the line at 9:59 for second place in my age group (50+). Many thanks to my MTA coach Steven Waldon for indulging me in this diversion from marathon training and sharing his wisdom to help me succeed.”

Continue Reading →

0