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Race Recap: The Jacksonville Bank Marathon (How to Run a Last Minute Race)

By on January 21, 2016 in Podcasts, Race Recap

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The Jacksonville Bank Marathon was held for the 33rd time on January 3, 2016.

This race is billed as the “fastest marathon course in the south” and rated the Top 10 Fastest by Runner’s World. It has a 6 hour time limit for the full; 3 hour for the half and also featured a 5k.

I was able to travel to Jacksonville, FL to visit a friend for a few days during the holiday and by chance found this marathon to do while I was there (because doesn’t everyone search for races at their trip destinations). I registered for the race about one week out and it was still a reasonable $80. I love a good bargain! Continue Reading →

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Beating Alcoholism, Conquering Ironman

By on January 18, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Interview

Rachel2Rochelle Moncourtois hit rock bottom and entered rehab to beat her addiction. She emerged on a quest to complete an Ironman.

By Henry Howard

Rochelle Moncourtois was a very competitive dancer when she was growing up. She completed her first solo when she was 8 years old, and went on to compete on her high school dance and cheerleading teams.

But demons raged underneath her smile and positive outlook.

“I used to handle the pressure very well,” Moncourtois says. “Around my junior-senior year of high school things really started to change for me. I really felt all the pressures from dance to look a certain way. I turned to an eating disorder for comfort, but it just wasn’t enough. That’s when I began to find comfort in drinking.” Continue Reading →

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Here’s Our New 50k Training Plan

By on January 16, 2016 in Ultramarathon

Screen Shot 2016-01-16 at 12.47.35 AMFor those who want to break into the ultramarathon world . . . a 50k is a good distance to start with.

You might have heard on the MTA podcast that Angie ran 3 ultras last year – a 40 miler, 50k, and 50 miler, and loved it. Well, she’s just put the finishing touches on a beginner 50k Training Plan available for sale on our website.

Here’s a look at what’s in it . . . Continue Reading →

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Notes from the Disney Dopey Challenge

By on January 15, 2016 in Back-to-Back Races, Review

12545815_10208747577633832_1879710416_oLongtime Academy member Mark Welch, a radiologist from PA, ran the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend through the Runner’s World VIP program and sent in this report. The Dopey Challenge requires you to run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon (four days and 48.6 miles).
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From Mark Welch:

Trevor posted something about sending in a race report . . . I have to tell you that I hate writing so here it goes . . .

My Dopey experience included a stop to ride Expedition everest during the marathon and a stop to drink at mile 25.5 (I was running through this international section of Epcot, and during Germany . . . well the thing to do seemed to be going to get a beer and stopping for a turkey leg). This was interesting because I really dislike beer and turkey legs! Continue Reading →

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Angie Made the Front Page of the Sunday Paper

By on January 11, 2016 in Uncategorized

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Here’s a story about MTA that ran in our town’s newspaper last Sunday. Our thanks to reporter Leonna Heuring and The Sikeston Standard Democrat for featuring us (well, mostly Angie). If you’re interested in reading the story I have a pdf version of page one here and page two here. Open and scroll to bottom of page.

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Going From Zero to Marathon

By on January 11, 2016 in Back-to-Back Races, Beginner, Podcasts

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If you’ve recently started listening to the podcast we’d like to give you a big welcome and let you know that you have come to the right place, even if a marathon seems like a long way off.

Trevor and I didn’t start off in marathon shape and it’s been a process through the years to get to the place where we can run a last minute marathon.

You may be looking to train for your first half or full marathon or you’re just returning to that level of fitness after some time off. That’s what “From Zero to Marathon” is all about. Continue Reading →

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The Case for Urinals at Starting Lines

By on January 5, 2016 in Guest Perspective

542 - Public Urinal frontin the Dept of JusticeHere’s something we’ve never talked about on the MTA blog -contributed by MTA fan Adolfo Salgueiro.

I had the opportunity to visit Europe recently and of course I looked for a race. I was going to be in The Hague, Netherlands, and God smiled at me with the Den Haag Marathon on the exact same weekend I was there. I ran the half. It was an unbelievable experience. The most beautiful course in one of the prettiest and quaintest cities I’ve ever visited.

But one of the memories that has endured from my experience in the Den Haag race is kind of a weird one. The urinals at the starting area, which was in a public park. Yes, urinals. And not just at the starting line but also in many public places as permanent structures throughout several cities in The Netherlands. Continue Reading →

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From Freak Achilles Injury to Ultramarathoner

By on January 2, 2016 in Guest Perspective, Injury, Interview, Ultramarathon

Relay Iowa start (1)A pool accident sidelined Jill Becker as she transitioned from high school to college running. She’s fought back with patience and perseverance, and now runs faster and longer than before.

By Henry Howard

Jill Becker found her passion — running — when she joined the middle school track team. Later, she excelled on the high school cross-country and track teams.

“First off, I love to run,” she says. “I love the feeling. The ups and downs. The runner’s high, the accomplishment, the health benefits, the challenge, being a motivator, my idea time, my focus time, and it’s part of my routine. I enjoy challenging myself, pushing my limits, and the process of being the best I can be!”

A freak accident before Becker started college gave her the challenge of a lifetime. Continue Reading →

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Merry Christmas from MTA

By on December 24, 2015 in Uncategorized

Trevor, Angie, Riley, Gavin, Liam

Trevor, Angie, Riley, Gavin, Liam

We are visiting family in Northern Pennsylvania this Christmas, enjoying unseasonably warm weather and getting in some great hill runs.

We hope you stay healthy this holiday season. Thanks for being a loyal blog reader. Warm wishes. -Trevor, Angie, and boys.

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Running Miles and Miles for Charity

By on December 24, 2015 in Guest Perspective, Interview, Ultramarathon

CBU-2014-etape3-0289By his own estimation Adrian May is an “average runner.”

He started slow, signing up for 5Ks and similar shorter distances.

Then, based on a gym manager’s encouragement, May eventually signed up for half marathons and a marathon, even though he didn’t think he could finish.

Now, seemingly no distance is too challenging for May. But his efforts are not just about him, they are focused squarely on the charity — Hope for Children — that he supports through his running quests. Continue Reading →

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