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Marathon Success Story -How Henry Became a Running Machine!

By on December 10, 2016 in Interview, Podcasts, Success Story

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

Henry Howard has managed to go from a frustrated and injured runner to improving his marathon PR by 28 minutes, earning a BQ, and taking on trail ultramarathons.

In this episode we examine how he and Coach Angie worked together to improve his running and reach his bucket list goals. You’ll get to see how the coaching process works from beginning to end and hopefully glean some useful take-a-ways to implement in your training! Continue Reading →

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Review of the Florence Marathon

By on December 7, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Review

This recap was provided by Academy member Kristy Harris, who lives in England, and ran this as her first marathon.

The Firenze (Florence) Marathon in Firenze, Italy, is in its 33rd year and this year was a new course.

We rented an airBnB in downtown Florence with a view of the Duomo. This was perfect as the start and finish were literally steps away from the apartment.

The only downside to our apartment is it was a 5th story walk up! Continue Reading →

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Interview with Dean Karnazes, The Road to Sparta

By on December 2, 2016 in Interview, Podcasts, Ultramarathon

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

Dean Karnazes is a New York Times Best Selling Author and was named by Time as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

His new book is called The Road to Sparta -Reliving The Ancient Battle And Epic Run That Inspired The World’s Greatest Footrace.

Here’s what I didn’t know before reading this book . . . Continue Reading →

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My Next Ultra Challenge — American River 50 Miler

By on November 30, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Ultramarathon
Photo credit: Keith Facchino

Photo credit: Keith Facchino

“If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.”

I have been thinking quite a bit about that quote, attributed to Fred Devito, as I plan my racing calendar for 2017. Sure, it’s a little early, but I want to continue to challenge myself and build on my first two ultras, the Buckeye Trail 50K and the North Face 50K in Wisconsin, which I finished in 2016.

Completing my first two ultras was a goal this year. For 2017, my major goal will be to finish my first 50-miler — the American River 50 in California. Continue Reading →

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Meet Jenn Giles, New MTA Coach

By on November 21, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Interview

Jenn Giles

Jenn Giles

Accomplished marathoner and triathlete, Registered Dietitian, and RRCA Coach, Jenn Giles brings a passion for lifelong running to the MTA community.

By Henry Howard

While Jenn Giles achieved some success on the high school softball diamond, her coach told her that she ran too slow to ever be great.

And she believed her coach.

Fast forward to adulthood, and Giles has excelled as an endurance athlete, even representing Team USA at the World Championships in the Olympic Distance Triathlon. And now she joins Marathon Training Academy as a coach. Continue Reading →

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How to Recover Quickly from a Quadriceps Strain

By on November 15, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Injury

Muscle injury. Man with sprain thigh musclesA quadriceps strain, also known as a quad pull or thigh strain, is a relatively common running injury.

Strains can range from a mild discomfort to a full blown tear of most of the muscle which can result in severe pain and the inability to run or walk. The injury typically happens when one or more of the quadriceps muscles become overloaded.

In this post you will discover the factors that increase your risk of straining your quadriceps, and learn specific strategies to implement during your rehabilitation and return to activity. Continue Reading →

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My Boston Marathon Qualifier, Thanks to MTA Coaching

By on November 12, 2016 in Guest Perspective, PR, Success Story

image2In the weeks leading up to the Indianapolis Monumental on Nov. 5, I was feeling properly trained, thanks to Angie Spencer and MTA Coaching.

Her plans have guided me through two ultras and then onto recovery and preparing for Indy.

I knew I was physically ready for my first real attempt at qualifying for the Boston Marathon, which would mean a 3:25 or better. But I also needed to make sure that I was mentally prepared for the challenge. Continue Reading →

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Jenn Giles Joins the Coaching Team at MTA

By on November 9, 2016 in update

1669624_934480783246959_407250702186955351_oWe are excited to introduce coach Jenn Giles as part of the coaching team here at MTA!

Coach Jenn is a certified running Coach and triathlon coach, Board Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics with a Dual Masters Degree in Nutrition and Exercise Physiology from Columbia University in New York City.

She is a ten time marathoner, two time Ironman finisher and three time Team USA Triathlete with over 20 years experience as a coach. She’s also a mother of four active children.

Coach Jenn will be working one-on-one with those who want to put the power of personalized coaching behind their running goals. Find out how personal coaching works and availability

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Marathon Training Q and A Episode

By on November 6, 2016 in Beginner, Listener Question, Podcasts

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

One thing we’ve always enjoyed through the years is connecting with runners from around the world in our awesome online community.

In this episode we answer questions sent in by MTA Members -topics include what to do in the down season, transitioning from half to full and from full to ultra, finding time to run when your life is busy, motivation, and proper pacing in the marathon. Continue Reading →

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From Couch to 50-State Marathon Finisher

By on November 3, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Interview

post-50-1Inspiration hit Kelly “K2” Richards on July 4, 1997, when she literally pushed herself off the couch and did a 2-mile run-walk.

Exactly 15 months later, she crossed the finish line at the Twin Cities Marathon for her first full marathon.

She didn’t know it at the time but it was that first marathon that would lead to 65 (and counting) fulls and ultras, including one in each of the 50 U.S. states. Continue Reading →

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Ed Whitlock -Sub 4 Hour Marathon at Age 85!

By on November 1, 2016 in Interview, Masters Runner, Podcasts

photo credit: Canadian Running

photo credit: Canadian Running

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

In this podcast episode you will hear from Ed Whitlock -the amazing master’s runner from Canada who just set a world record at the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.

At 85 years of age he ran a 3:56:32 -a masters level record for 85-90 division.

Ed has been smashing records and conventional wisdom for years. Hear all about how he got started (later in life) and some of the unusual ways he trains. Prepare to be inspired! Continue Reading →

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