MTA Holiday Letter

Here’s the official holiday letter (the first of its kind) that gives a snapshot of what went on here at Marathon Training Academy in 2023.

We had the chance to visit some beautiful places and meet with many clients, customers, and fans of the MTA Podcast.

It was a fun year, take a look.

MTA Holiday Letter


In the first part of 2023 we had the chance to run the Revel Mt. Charleston Half Marathon in Las Vegas, a fun downhill race with mountain views. I paced my brother-in-law Tim through his first half marathon, and he didn’t die.

Next year we’re running Revel White Mountains in New Hampshire! (Pssst. Email us for discount codes).

In May I traveled to Belgium to run the Beer Lovers’ Marathon. This race was the culmination of 18 days of travel through the Low Countries and meet-ups with European audience members. The marathon itself was a wild and raucous gallop all over Liege with 12-15 beer stops. (For obvious reasons I can’t remember the exact number.)

I ran the whole course dressed as Clint Eastwood from The Good, The Bad, The Ugly. This wasn’t my fastest marathon but I looked cool while doing it! Do you agree? CHOOSE YOUR NEXT WORDS CAREFULLY

Endless mountain of stairs at the Beer Lovers’ Marathon

At the marathon expo. The theme was Cinema

While in Europe I visited 4 countries, 3 castles, 4 museums, 1 national park, 1 cathedral, 1 monastery, 2 disc golf courses, and many bars, cafes, and coffee shops. Read about my top six excursions.

In October Angie completed her first obstacle race at Tough Mudder Pittsburg. She was part of a team of four ladies. Their official team name was “Ultra Power Rangers”.

Other team names included:

  1. Lord Rupert Everton, Shipping Merchant Who Raises Fancy Dogs
  2. Beasts of the East
  3. Muck Around and Climb Out

Inspired by the holidays I’ve composed a poem in honor of Angie and her team. (To the tune of Dashing Through the Snow).


Dashing through the mud
On a ladies holiday
Over the wall we thud
Cackling all the way!

This mud and dirt and ice
Won’t help my eczema
But what fun it is to stand in line
for the Arctic Enema!

Dear readers, Arctic Enema is the name of the obstacle. It’s an industrial sized dumpster filled with ice water and ice cubes. The Tough Mudder website says, “it’s like quickly eating ice cream and getting punched in the balls at the same time.”

As far as travel goes, we also made it to Costa Rica, California, Texas, and Montana.

Live Events

In October I hosted a live podcast interview with Scott Jurek (who’s just as cool in person) at the Boulderthon in Boulder, Colorado. The next day I ran the half marathon, it’s beautiful out there!

Then in November I was back at the Richmond Marathon for the third year in a row. This time I spoke on a live panel on Finding Community in the Running Space. After the Richmond Half we had an epic MTA meet up with 32 people attending. It was the friendliest meet up at America’s Friendliest Marathon.

Trevor at the Richmond Marathon

Huge thanks to Boulderthon and Richmond for hosting me. I used to make a living as a public speaker, so it was fun to feel the energy of a live audience again!

Coaches and Clients

I feel like I get to live vicariously through our clients and members who are running marathons around the world. Last time I checked we have runners from 18 countries currently training with us. One of our newest clients is from Curaçao (hello Jeinny!). I admit, I had to google Curaçao. It’s a Dutch Caribbean Island.

This year we started consistently sharing client wins, because success is contagious. Seeing posts like this one below is what fires us up here at MTA!

“I just finished the Atlantic City Marathon in NJ today! I completed 7 marathons in the past 12 months in order to jumpstart my 50 state journey and I’m grateful to wrap up this year with another safe, healthy finish. My body has taken on a lot this year and I am going to take a while off to recalibrate and plan for 2024. I couldn’t have done any of this without my MTA coach Lynn who is so so good to me. Looking forward to hearing about everyone’s fall race recaps-keep em coming!” –Candis Ruth

If you want to look through our success stores you can use this tag. Also, here are the stories we featured on the podcast this year.

I’m also impressed by what the MTA coaches are doing in their own running. Here are some examples from 2023.

  • Coach Steve finished 10th at the 155 mile Gobi March
  • Coach Kristyn, Coach Steve, and Coach Antonio ran Boston (Antonio ran a new PR in 3:20).
  • Coach Athena ran the Broken Arrow Skyrace, Pikes Peak Marathon & Ascent, and the Honolulu Marathon.
  • Coach Henry finished the Burning River 100 Miler

I’m not going to run a 100 miler anytime soon but I’m glad Steve and Henry enjoy it.

MTA Coach Steven competing for a top 10 spot at the 2023 Gobi March

Coach Athena at the Broken Arrow Skyrace 46k

This year we plan to keep growing our coaching program and make room for more clients. Huge shoutout to our whole team and Head Coach Nicole Hart for the excellent work. You are changing lives!

2500 Mile Challenge

We also launched the 2500 Mile Challenge this year for our customers who love to complete virtual challenges. It all started with the 100 Mile Challenge back in 2020. See how things have escalated!

The finisher’s medal is inspired by the Dutch artist M.C. Escher, with our own twist.

The Podcast

The MTA Podcast turned 13 this year. We’ve released an episode every 11.6 days since we published our first episode on February 24th 2010.

There’s no way we could have made it this long without an engaged and supportive audience. You guys rock!

This year we had the chance to interview top names in the running world like (shameless name dropping ahead) Emily Sisson, Kara Goucher, Lauren Fleshmen, and Scott Jurek.

Other popular episodes this year included:

We are looking forward to great things in 2024! Happy Holidays from our family to yours!

34 Responses to MTA Holiday Letter

  1. Candis Ubiles December 28, 2023 at 5:47 pm #

    Loved this holiday newsletter, great idea:)

    • Amy Frost December 28, 2023 at 6:12 pm #

      Thank you MTA! Great to read your recap. So much accomplished ! Happy New Year!

      • Trevor Spencer December 28, 2023 at 6:56 pm #

        Happy New Year!

    • Trevor Spencer December 28, 2023 at 6:56 pm #

      Thank you Candis! I’ll try to make it a yearly tradition.

  2. Linda Swiller December 28, 2023 at 6:54 pm #

    You guys do a great job of bringing all of us running nuts together, as well as providing training tips. Love the pics! I wish you a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2024!

    • Trevor Spencer December 28, 2023 at 6:58 pm #

      Live long and prosper 🖖

  3. Mitch Goldstein December 28, 2023 at 7:21 pm #

    Awesome. Continue to love your podcast. You have a unique blend of interesting guests and stories, with a drive to help us each improve, in a very supportive and encouraging way. I feel both good and inspired every time I listen. Thank you!

    • Trevor Spencer December 28, 2023 at 7:35 pm #

      We appreciate you Mitch!

  4. David Howe December 28, 2023 at 9:29 pm #

    What a great year! It’s awesome you’ve been at this for 13 years – I’ve been along for the listen for 7 years🤩
    Thanks for the nice letter. Happy new year!

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:50 am #

      Happy New Year!

  5. Roger Berman December 28, 2023 at 10:25 pm #

    What an awesome year 2023 for MTA or the “Mother T’All “running podcasts! May 2024 be as good if not better for MTA and all the listeners.

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:50 am #

      See you in Japan next year!

  6. Anne Soderlund December 28, 2023 at 11:49 pm #

    Inspiring letter!! 👏😊🏃🏽‍♀️ Thanks for the past year! ❣️

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:51 am #

      🙌 🙏

  7. Andy December 29, 2023 at 2:57 am #

    Happy New Year MTA !

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:51 am #

      Happy New Year!

  8. Shelby December 29, 2023 at 4:10 am #

    Happy New Year! I have been a listener since 2011 and love your content and inspiration, thanks for all you guys do 🙂

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:52 am #

      Thanks for being a long-time listener.

  9. Bill Drinkward December 29, 2023 at 8:03 am #

    Keep up the great work MTA team! I have learned so much from you all over the years.

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:52 am #

      See you in France next year!

  10. Debbie Gelber December 29, 2023 at 8:20 am #

    Trevor, you have taken this little podcast and made it a part of so many people’s lives. The MTA brand is synonymous with community, inspiration and accomplishment. I am in awe of what you have built in these 13 years! Bravo to you and Angie! Happy new year to you and all the MTA family!
    Love the newsletter too!!
    Debbie

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 9:52 am #

      Thank you for those kind words. 🙂

  11. Adolfo P Salgueiro December 29, 2023 at 9:54 am #

    It seems like it was a great year for MTA and the Spencer Family. I look forward to another year of the podcast.

    Thank you for all you do for the running community.

    • Trevor Spencer December 29, 2023 at 10:07 am #

      Thanks Adolfo. Here’s to another productive year. 🥂

  12. Foti Panagakos December 29, 2023 at 1:47 pm #

    Great letter and summary of a busy year! Here is to more of the same in 2024! Thank you both for all that you do!

    • Trevor Spencer December 31, 2023 at 9:33 am #

      Happy New Year to you and Judith!

  13. Deena December 29, 2023 at 2:52 pm #

    You and Angie are the Best! Thanks for all you provide for the running community and for still being here! Long time fan!!

    • Trevor Spencer December 31, 2023 at 9:33 am #

      Thanks for being a long time fan!

  14. Sherri Grindley December 29, 2023 at 4:15 pm #

    Wow! What a great year!!! I love listening to you two! You inspire the best in us. Thanks for all you do!! Can’t wait for the next podcast!

    • Trevor Spencer December 31, 2023 at 9:34 am #

      We will keep em coming

  15. Rosanne McNeilly December 30, 2023 at 8:24 pm #

    Great holiday letter! A good year for Trevor and Angie and the marathon training academy!! I listen to all your podcasts, which give me inspiration to get out and tighten my laces and run, run, run. I’ve read several books from the authors you interview and of course I’m impressed by all these people!! Can’t wait for the next podcast!! Happy New Year!!

    • Trevor Spencer December 31, 2023 at 9:34 am #

      Happy running 🙂

  16. Kim Engler December 31, 2023 at 7:31 am #

    Thank you for the wonderful interviews, stories and advice. Thanks for being you!:)

    • Trevor Spencer December 31, 2023 at 9:35 am #

      You bet!

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