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How to Train for Marathons While Traveling

By on March 7, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Motivation

I am writing this while literally 30,000 feet in the air.

It’s been a busy week of travel — Monday and Tuesday in Washington, D.C., then back home for an 11-hour layover (seriously) before flying Wednesday to Las Vegas, where I worked — and exercised — until returning home Friday.

Traveling for work is not unusual for me. As a runner, I have learned how to properly prepare for maintaining my workout schedule whether I am on the island of Puerto Rico, in the mountains of Colorado or in chilly Des Moines in January. (Yes, I have been all of those places in the past year.) 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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The Treadmill Episode! -Listener Q and A

By on February 20, 2017 in Interview, Listener Question, Podcasts

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In this episode we are joined by special guest Chris Galaty to talk about the joys of treadmill training and answer listener questions about training on the treadmill (#dreadmill). You will learn about pace conversion, stride length, the 1% rule, mental training and more! See how you and the treadmill can become BFFs! Continue Reading →

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The Thrill of the Run; Passion for the MTA Community

By on February 15, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Interview

Longtime MTA member Foti Panagakos enjoys a packed racing season and interacting with fellow members on Facebook.

By Henry Howard

Fotinos “Foti” Panagakos has been regularly running for about eight years. In that time, he has transitioned from 5Ks and a “one and done” marathon to a prolific racer who has finished 38 marathons.

For Panagakos, it’s not the competition that drives him. It’s the thrill of the run.

And it’s also the passion of the running community, which is what keeps him drawn to the Marathon Training Academy crew. Continue Reading →

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Interview with Gretchen Rubin -How to Make Time for Running through Knowing Yourself Better

By on February 10, 2017 in Interview, Podcasts

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The month of February is often a time when many New Year’s resolutions end up abandoned by the wayside. And this can be a major happiness stumbling block if you had high hopes for accomplishing certain goals this year. This episode can help you gain new insight and motivation to continue pursuing your running and fitness goals. And to help us dive deeper into this subject we were excited to welcome back Gretchen Rubin.

Gretchen is the author of multiple New York Times bestselling books like The Happiness Project, and Better Than Before. Her books have been so helpful and I consider her my personal happiness guru. I know you will enjoy this interview as we talk about some key productivity tips for busy people who want to pursue marathon training! Continue Reading →

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American River 50 Combines Roads, Trail for Spectacular Ultra Race

By on February 7, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Trail Running, Ultramarathon


Gloria Takagishi has a long list of running accomplishments — Boston Marathon, Western States, etc. — but will always remember and treasure her first ultra marathon, the American River 50 in California.

Now 70, Takagishi has started the race every single year. In fact, she finished AR50 each of the first 30 years of its existence.

On April 1 of this year, Takagishi will again line up at the starting line in Folsom for the race that is close to her heart. Continue Reading →

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Role of the Elliptical Machine in Marathon Training

By on February 7, 2017 in Cross-Training, Listener Question

We frequently get asked about the role of the elliptical machine as a mode of cross training while preparing for a marathon.

The elliptical is a very popular fitness machine that mimics the running motion in a zero impact way.

If you’ve been listening to the MTA podcast for long you know that we highly encourage including cross-training activities in your training. Focused cross training is an important way to build strength and stay injury free. Continue Reading →

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An elite runner dishes on nutrition

By on February 2, 2017 in Elite Runner, Fat Adapted, Guest Perspective, Interview, Nutrition

Tina Muir embraces the high fat/high protein fueling method, while rewarding her sweet tooth with a daily dessert.

By Henry Howard

At age 14, Tina Muir hid in the bathroom as her cross-country team was starting practice. In time she realized that she was not only good at running but actually enjoyed it.

Running is now an integral part of Muir’s life. She’s an elite runner for Saucony, community manager for Runners Connect and hosts her own podcast. (MTA’s Angie Spencer was featured on a previous episode.) Continue Reading →

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Interview with Tina Muir -How She Fulfilled Her Ultimate Running Goal

By on January 31, 2017 in Elite Runner, Interview, Podcasts

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In this podcast episode we talk with fellow podcaster and elite runner Tina Muir who last year fulfilled a lifelong dream of representing Great Britain at the World Half Marathon Championships.

You will hear Tina relate the ups and downs of accomplishing that dream, how she deals with negative thinking during the marathon and her down-to-earth thoughts on building self-confidence.

Continue Reading →

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Reflections on a Dark, Muddy Trail Marathon

By on January 27, 2017 in Guest Perspective, Trail Running, Winter

My headlamp light was a DNF casualty a mile into the race. Fortunately, my Run Lites gloves kept the trail illuminated for the next four hours, allowing me to finish.

By Henry Howard

In the days leading up to the Winter Night Trail Marathon outside Indianapolis, Indiana, the forecast consistently called for freezing rain and/or rain.

But about 24 hours before the race on Jan. 14, the forecast changed. No precipitation and temperatures around 30 for the race. I figured my luck was changing and felt good heading into the race.

When I picked up my bib an hour before the race, I saw that it was number 300 — a perfect score in bowling. Another good omen, I thought. That thought would disappear soon after the 6 p.m. race start. 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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