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Meet New MTA Coach Dominique Hamel

By on June 8, 2017 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Interview

The globe-trotting ultra marathoner brings a wealth of experience and similar coaching philosophy to the Marathon Training Academy coaching group.

Sports had always been a part of Dominique Hamel’s life. Collegiate soccer. Basketball AAA.

Then life took over and she became busy with her three daughters and career, working as an economist with the Canadian government. She felt overweight and exhausted.

Thanks to a friend’s inspiration, Hamel took up running and has now finished nearly 60 marathons and 13 ultras. Now, the newest Marathon Training Academy coach is looking to inspire other runners. Continue Reading →

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How to Get to the Root Cause of an Injury

By on June 5, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Interview

injuryInjury can quickly sideline any runner by causing pain, frustration, and disappointment over lost training days and unmet goals.

Injuries can be classified as accidental or as a result of overuse.

Some injuries occur due to accidents (such as tripping or falling). Accidents are unfortunate, but mostly random. Using common sense can help you to avoid repeating similar injuries.

Overuse and overload type injuries are preventable if you reduce your risks. Let me explain . . . Continue Reading →

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MTA: Where Coaching and Camaraderie Meet

By on June 3, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Success Story

Pat McCainPat McCain has achieved running goals and embraced a new family of runners in the Marathon Training Academy.

Pat McCain ran in college because it was required.

“Running was not something I chose to do but rather forced to do,” McCain recalled. “I remember the first time I ran — I couldn’t even make a mile!” After joining the Air Force in 1988, he continued running. “You might say that I have been forced to run for almost 30 years!”

But it wasn’t until recently when McCain embraced coaching and the Marathon Training Academy, both of which helped him achieve what he once thought was impossible. Continue Reading →

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The Science of Peak Performance -Interview with Brad Stulberg and Steve Magness

By on May 31, 2017 in Books, Interview, Podcasts

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

In this episode we speak with the authors of the forthcoming book Peak Performance -Elevate Your Game, Avoid Burnout, and Thrive with the New Science of Success.

What do peak performers do differently and how can we condition ourselves to achieve more in running and life?
Continue Reading →

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Meet New MTA Coach Steve Waldon

By on May 6, 2017 in Coaching, Guest Perspective, Interview

The marathoner and ultra runner brings a passion for life-long running to the Marathon Training Academy community.

By Henry Howard

The closest Steve Waldon got to sweating as an athlete growing up was playing billiards for money.

In his late 20s, Waldon knew he needed a change and found the joy and camaraderie of running. Starting out with 5Ks, he has gone on to finish 20 marathons and 15 ultras, including a 100K in the Bavarian Alps and two 155-mile stage races (one in Chile and the other in Iceland).

Now, he brings his passion for life-long running as the newest coach for Marathon Training Academy. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Kathrine Switzer -Running Fearless!

By on April 24, 2017 in Interview, Motivation, Podcasts

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

Kathrine Switzer revolutionized women’s running when she broke the gender barrier and became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with a bib number. That was in 1967.

Kathrine just completed the 2017 Boston Marathon at the age of 70 -a record 50 year anniversary celebration of the run that changed her life and the lives of millions of women around the world.

You’re going to love this podcast interview!

Continue Reading →

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From 400 pounds to his fourth Boston Marathon

By on April 15, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Weight Loss

Jason Pina with Angie Spencer at the 2015 Boston Marathon

*Editor’s note: When Angie ran the Boston Marathon in 2015 Jason and his lovely wife Shai hosted us in their home. We also got to meet the fine folks at Tenacity (the charity Jason runs for) who are doing great work for Boston kids! -Trevor

Jason Pina had a secret dream. It was so secret he didn’t even tell his wife, Shai, who he had been with for almost 25 years. When Pina announced his quest — running a marathon — Shai knew that her husband would accomplish it even though he wasn’t a runner and had once weighed 400 pounds. Continue Reading →

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Train Smart, Run Forever: Interview with Bill Pierce and Scott Murr

By on April 12, 2017 in Books, Interview, Masters Runner, Podcasts

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

In this podcast episode we talk with Bill Pierce and Scott Murr from the Furman Institute of Running and Scientific Training.

Their new book is called Train Smart, Run Forever: How to Become a Fit and Healthy Lifelong Runner by Following The Innovative 7-Hour Workout Week, published by Runner’s World. Continue Reading →

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Finding Jenn Shelton

By on March 16, 2017 in Elite Runner, Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

photo credit: Jenn Shelton @sheltonjenn

She was the gifted, fearless wild child featured in “Born to Run.” Fourteen years later, Shelton still leads a “crazy life,” following her passion in pursuit of the next endurance challenge.

By Henry Howard


Jenn Shelton became well known for her appearance in Christopher McDougall’s best-selling book about ultra running, “Born to Run.”

In the years since the book was published, Shelton has matured but still embraces a Bohemian lifestyle as evidenced in the new documentary, “Outside Voices.” 


At the end of the documentary, Shelton is in her small van under a moonlight sky. She’s on her cell phone, learning Italian. It concludes, with her repeating a translation, “You do not know who I am.” Continue Reading →

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From Baseball to Ultra Running

By on February 23, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

Former major leaguer Eric Byrnes was known for his hustle and speed. Now he has transformed himself into a passionate endurance athlete.

By Henry Howard

Baseball fans who saw Eric Byrnes play recognized his exuberance for the game — chasing after line drives in the outfield, sprinting around the bases and playing with an enthusiastic abandon for the game.

“Authentic is a word that I use a lot when I talk about Eric,” said Tarah Byrnes, describing her husband, now an analyst for Major League Baseball Network. “And it can be an overwhelming concept, if you think about who Eric is. His intensity as a baseball player, his intensity as an athlete, his intensity as a broadcaster — all of those things show it’s true, it’s authentic.”

His authenticity and athleticism are on full display in a 45-minute documentary, Diamond to the Rough, which chronicles his transition to ultra running and completion of the Western States 100. Continue Reading →

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