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First Marathon Done!

By on December 11, 2017 in Beginner, Success Story

Here at MTA our mission is to help you conquer the marathon and change your life. The first step is believing that you have what it takes. Then you commit to train.

Huge congrats to Academy member Christie Youngblood for taking on the challenge to train for a marathon and finishing strong at the Honolulu Marathon! She dealt with 16 miles worth of rain but still remained positive.

My first marathon is done! I finished in 4:47:38 and beat my goal of 5 hours. It rained for the first 16 miles, but at mile 20 I saw the most beautiful rainbow! Angie & Trevor thank you for the amazing podcast and all of the advice. I found the magic in the misery and I am more proud of myself than I have ever been. I don’t think I am even close to being done and I cannot wait to see what is next!” #Ihavewhatittakes

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What It Feels Like to Run Your First Marathon

By on November 17, 2017 in Beginner, Coaching, update

Here’s a message from the Academy Facebook group that illustrates the thrill of finishing strong at your first marathon.

Paula Soto completed the Bakersfield Marathon on November 12th 2017 with a time of 4:34:45.5!

What I love is that she ’embraced the suck’ of the finial miles and finished with a smile on her face . . . ready to do it again!

Listen to the joy in her words, we can’t say it better than this, Continue Reading →

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Everything I Need to Teach I Learned in Marathon Training [Part I]

By on October 11, 2017 in Beginner, Guest Perspective

I’m a teacher and, much to my students’ chagrin, I’m full of ulterior motives.

Yes, I want them to understand how to construct an essay that helps them convey their best understanding in the most powerful way possible but (Shhh! Don’t tell them this part!) some things are more important than any one academic skill or set of facts.

What could be more important, you ask? (Okay, so you didn’t ask. You’re an adult and you know that plenty of things are more important to you. Probably running, for one. Don’t worry, I’m getting there!) Continue Reading →

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How to Be a Defensive Runner

By on September 2, 2017 in Beginner, Safety

We recently moved to a new town and I’ve noticed that several runners in my area don’t seem to know which side of the road they’re supposed to run on.

I think sometimes that we get so comfortable on our running routes that we get lax about safely measures. In a day and age where there are more distracted or tired drivers out on the roads it’s really our responsibility to be defensive runners.

So, let’s talk about some ways you can protect yourself. Continue Reading →

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“How to Lose a Marathon” -Interview with Joel Cohen, Writer for The Simpsons

By on August 23, 2017 in Beginner, Books, Interview, Podcasts

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

In this episode we speak with Joel Cohen, author of the book ‘How to Lose a Marathon -a Starter’s Guide to Finishing in 26.2 Chapters’.

Not too long ago Joel went from an out-of-shape couch potato and writer/producer for The Simpsons T.V. series, to a slightly out-of-shape finisher of the New York City Marathon.

His book describes the odd and painful things you discover when you become a long distance runner.

Continue Reading →

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To Stretch or Not To Stretch – What Runners Should Know

By on August 9, 2017 in Beginner, Guest Perspective, Injury, Sponsored Post

stretching While some runners say stretching is vital to performance and muscle health, others conclude that more dynamic warmups benefit a good run over stretching.

Taking a look at how muscles work together, what stretching really does for the body, and when it is best performed, this quick guide can help answer some of your most pressing stretching questions: Continue Reading →

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Newbie Notes: Hunting the Elusive “Perfect Training Plan”

By on August 5, 2017 in Beginner, Guest Perspective

Want a non-stop stream of advice? Mention to your (marathoner) husband and (marathoner) brother that you need a training plan for your first marathon. Then sit back and listen to the contradictions roll in:

Run slow to go fast.

You need to up your pace if you’re going to finish in that time.

Your easy runs should be REALLY easy.

If I were coaching you, I would definitely push you more on your long runs.

Continue Reading →

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What Have I Gotten Myself Into?

By on July 1, 2017 in Beginner, Guest Perspective

Jennifer at the Keybank Marathon

I’ve always thought of myself as a pretty reasonable person. Turns out I’m not. Go figure!

Other than occasional (failed) attempts to add jogging to my (then non-existent) exercise routine, I started running in 2013.

On a whim, my husband signed up for the Vermont City Marathon and in the spirit of spousal support (and perhaps a little co-dependence), I recruited friends to join me in a five-person relay. I trudged through hours on a treadmill at the gym that winter, slowly building up to what –at the time – seemed like the ungodly distance of 6.2 miles. It wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t easy. But I did it. Continue Reading →

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Marathon Training in the Summer Heat

By on June 15, 2017 in Beginner, Listener Question, Motivation, Safety

woman running in the heatHere’s a great question that came in from a fan in India who is dealing with daytime temperatures of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 Fahrenheit).

Hi A&T, I am a big fan of your podcast. I started running in 2013. I have three running goals: 1. Run a half marathon under 2:00; 2. Run a full marathon under 5:00; 3. Run 2,000 KM in 2017! Last 2 months have been very hot in Pune, India (where I live) with daytime temperatures reaching 39 deg C. It is definitely impacting my pace and soreness. I wonder if a future podcast will talk about running in summer. Regards, -Milind

Continue Reading →

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How Running Can Change Your Life

By on January 26, 2017 in Beginner, Interview


Here’s a recent interview I did with the Believe.Love podcast. In this interview I talk about tips for getting started as a runner, identity formation and freedom you feel after breaking through the “my lungs are burning” “I hate this” stage.

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You Have What It Takes to Run a Marathon! Here’s Why . . .

By on January 21, 2017 in Beginner, Podcasts

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

At the beginning of the year we asked the following question on our Facebook page and got so many good responses.

“What are your biggest challenges in reaching your running and fitness goals in 2017?”

We then narrowed down the answers to the five biggest challenges . . . which we will seek to tackle in this episode. Here’s why you have what it takes to stay motivated, find the time, manage injury, eat healthy and run at any age! Continue Reading →

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