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Doctor Said He’d Never Run Again

By on January 10, 2019 in Success Story, update

Here’s a note we received a couple days ago from an Academy member named Pat McCain who has been a long time supporter of the MTA podcast and inspiration to us. If your doctor says you will never run again please go get a second and third opinion!

Pat McCain with fellow MTA’er Debbie Gelber at the Texas Marathon

“Hi Trevor and Angie,

After almost two years struggling with injury, and after a doctor told me I’d never run again, I just finished the Texas Marathon on New Years Day. Thanks to you and the MTA community for being a part of my comeback–y’all have taught me how to train, cross-train, fuel, pace, and stay on top of the mental game that enables all of us to run safely and do much more than we ever think possible. I did a 3:00 run/:30 walk to a 4:35 finish. I crossed the finish line stronger than ever and injury free.

Thanks for all the encouragement from you and our MTA family!” -Pat

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A Big Audacious Goal!

By on January 8, 2019 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Success Story

Andrew Lorenzo has carved out a big audacious marathon goal for himself.

The goal — a 2:40 finishing time — is a nearly two-hour improvement from his only previous one at the Melbourne Marathon, which he completed in October 2018.

But it represents so much more. It represents his escape from a difficult time in his life when he struggled with severe eating disorders.

Continue Reading →

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Another Great Weekend in MTA Land!

By on December 5, 2018 in Race Day, Success Story, update


Jennifer Oellerich conquered the CIM Marathon, her first.

We love seeing the stories come back from runs and races over the weekend.

Below you will see reports from runners who completed the California International Marathon (CIM), as well as the Orlando Half, Chattanooga 50, the San Antonio Rock ‘n’ Roll, and other races.

CIM in Sacramento was especially good to our runners. This is race is known for its flat fast course and is a good place to run a PR. Academy member Tom Wills ran a sub 3 hour marathon there -which is an amazing feat especially after age 40!!

Continue Reading →

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From the New York City Marathon with Love

By on November 6, 2018 in Success Story

This is a race report sent in by Academy member Logan Collier who improved her time by 30 minutes over her last marathon. The story captures the excitement of the NYC Marathon.

“Here’s a recap of my NYC Marathon experience…

Firstly: I’m amazed at how organized everything is. Seeing ALL those runners gave me a real appreciation for the logistical challenges of putting on an event of this size and scope. There were so many volunteers!! Makes me want to come back and volunteer.
Continue Reading →

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Now Officially a Marathoner!

By on November 5, 2018 in Success Story

This is a report from Academy Member Jennifer Ernst who ran her first marathon last weekend at the Indianapolis Monumental. This post illustrates the beautiful struggle of the last 10 miles of a marathon and how she successful kept herself going.

“I am so, SO excited to share that I am now officially a marathoner!! My goal was to finish in 4:30 or less, but I managed to eek out a finishing time of 4:18:19. I could NOT have done this without all of the amazing, encouraging and supportive people of MTA.

I had more encouraging texts, messages and well-wishes than I ever dreamed I would have and each and every one helped me. I will try to keep this as brief as possible, but many have asked for my recap, so here goes!” Continue Reading →

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Shout Out to MTA Coach Dominique Hamel

By on October 24, 2018 in Coaching, Success Story

Here is an email we received recently from a coaching client named Gordon Pape -an architect from Toronto who completed the 2018 Chicago Marathon in 4:26:37 at the age of 58.

This kind of feedback is what get’s us fired up here at MTA! If you are considering hiring a running coach, perhaps this letter will give you an under-the-hood look at the coach/client relationship. Continue Reading →

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Huge Weekend for Academy Members!

By on October 10, 2018 in Race Day, Success Story, update

Academy member Manissa Gunadi after the Chicago Marathon

Last weekend was huge for many of our members and coaching clients here at MTA!

Below you will see reports from runners who completed the Chicago Marathon as well as the Twin Cities Marathon, Portlandathon, and other races. I wouldn’t be surprised if October 7-8th ends up being the biggest race weekend of the year.

Seeing this year’s medal makes me want to run the Chicago Marathon again (Angie and I ran in 2014).

Congrats to all the runners who dug deep and proved once again that they have what it takes to go the distance! I love to see how all the hard work and months of training paid off on race day.

Continue Reading →

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7 Marathons in 14 Months and 2,577 Injury-Free Miles!

By on September 18, 2018 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Success Story

Ryan Hoffman heard the common Marathon Training Academy motto, “You have what it takes to run a marathon and change your life.”

He did run a marathon — seven and counting, actually. And it did change his life.

Hoffman says he has always been a runner. During his fifth-grade field day, Hoffman ran a 6:55 mile — wearing jeans. In high school, his favorite event was the 800-meter run (in shorts) and in college, he ran to keep in shape. Continue Reading →

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Congrats to Academy Member James Lacher!

By on May 7, 2018 in Success Story, Weight Loss

Congrats to James Lacher who ran his first marathon last week. His transformation is definitely one of the most impressive we’ve seen!!

“After topping 400 pounds in 2014 I had bariatric surgery in 2015 and lost over half my body weight. I started rumning 18 months ago and on Sunday I ran my first FULL MARATHON. The pics are me day of surgery and holding up the front page of the local newspaper. I was the cover story on race day. The race was a life changing experience . . . I soaked up every moment and finished in 5hr 25min . . . Thank you Angie and Trevor for all you tips and wisdom I’ve learned from listening to numerous podcast episodes.” -James

James was profiled by the San Luis Obispo Tribune here.

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Semper fi — Marine loses 100 pounds, finishes MCM

By on March 28, 2018 in Guest Perspective, Success Story, Weight Loss

Eric HammBy Henry Howard

When Eric Hamm was in the Marine Corps he was a runner. He just didn’t realize it at the time.

“Running was the main source of physical training in the Corps,” says Hamm, who left the service after five years in 2009. “We ran every day in boot camp and almost every workday in the fleet Marine force. I really enjoyed the cadence, it’s very helpful with controlling breathing.”

Hills. Circuit training. With — and without heavy equipment — on. Sometimes three miles. Other days up to nine miles. Running was routine for Hamm. But after returning to the civilian world, life took over and running was set aside. Continue Reading →

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What Six Weeks of Coaching Can Do . . .

By on March 7, 2018 in Coaching, Success Story

Marty GardnerHuge contrasts to one of our coaching clients Marty Gardner on his massive PR at the Snickers Marathon!!

“Hello MTA Family! Just wanted to give an update from my race today. It was my 2nd marathon. My 1st was January 7th this year at Disney. My time was 4:59:45. I learned that I was not properly prepared mentally or physically even though I trained with an online Disney plan for 28 weeks.

After about 2 weeks of recovery, I signed up with MTA coaching in mid January (I have been listening to the podcasts since early in my training) and started working with Coach Lynn Grieger. I signed up for the Snickers Marathon in Albany, GA which I ran today.

I had exactly 6 weeks of training with coach Lynn. my A goal was 4:30. Actually I changed it to 4:29 to beat Oprah’s time. Well I didn’t quite reach my A goal, but I PR’d by over 23 minutes with only 6 weeks of coaching. My time was 4:36:41.

I am so excited to see what Coach Lynn and I can achieve with a full training plan. I have half marathons scheduled in 3 weeks and again in late April, and look forward to those and to crushing my A goal in my Fall marathon whichever one I decide to do. I’m already committed to doing Dopey Challenge next January.

I also listened to the greatest hits episode on the way down last night about mental toughness and it helped me tremendously to deal with leg cramps in my last few miles. Thanks Trevor, Angie, and Coach Lynn!” -Marty Gardner

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Putting the bottle down, lifting her running spirits up

By on February 21, 2018 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Success Story

Judith DahlBy Henry Howard

When Judith Dahl first sipped alcohol she knew it would be a problem.

For many years, she was able to contain her drinking to weekends.

“But eventually, it got to be a daily thing,” says Dahl, of Norway. “The last two years it really escalated, I did not manage to hide it from my kids and my extended family any longer. I have always worked, but it was getting hard to keep up. I began to have trouble attending and when I did, I was sick big parts of the day.”

She hit rock bottom, separating from her husband and feeling depressed. But fortunately she reached out to get help through her doctor, who connected Dahl with someone who could help.

“He signed me up with a counselor, who I went to for almost two years,” Dahl recalls. “But the job was mine to do, I had an amazing family who wanted me back. That was my motivation.”

As drinking moved out of the picture, running moved in. Continue Reading →

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