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​Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast​

Hi runners, 👋🏼 Katelyn here with newsletter #701!

If you’re in that fresh-start mindset and ready to try new things, set bigger goals, and build habits you’ll actually stick with, I've got something for you.

We’ve got a little gear, a little science, a little trail dirt, and a few must-watch videos to light a fire under your 2026 running plans.

• Super shoe power rankings: Alex and Michael break down the current super shoe landscape, what’s actually worth racing in right now, and what’s just hype.
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• Does running burn fat? How to train smarter for body comp goals without running yourself into the ground.
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• Ultrarunning icon Ann Trason reaches 100 miles at Across the Years with a walker: Her plan was modest. Her finish was anything but.​
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• How to start trail running: Everything you need to swap pavement for the trails and feel confident doing so.
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• What is the Tokyo Hakone Ekiden, the Tour de France of running: The collegiate road race Japan shuts down to pay attention to.
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• How to start working out again after a long break: A simple, realistic ramp-up so you build momentum without getting sore, hurt, or overwhelmed.
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• Influencer William Goodge announces another audacious running goal: Following his divisive trans-Australia run, Goodge is preparing for a logistical nightmare: Mission America.​
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• WATCH: How to start running: Motivate a friend or family member with this great guide on how to get started running in 2026.
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• Kofuzi goes full send in Runs Like Hell Ep. 2: Kofuzi, Alex Cyr, a progressively faster 5K, and a final kilometer that gets spicy fast.

Happy running! 🏃🏻‍♀️⭐

Katelyn Tocci
Managing Editor
Head Coach

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​The Best Super Shoes in the World Right Now: Our Winter 2026 Power Rankings​

Carbon-plated super shoes now dominate marathon racing — but which ones are actually worth your money?

Today on the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle and Alex Cyr reveal their definitive 2026 super shoe power rankings, using elite podium data, real-world marathon stats from Chicago and NYC, and hands-on testing. From Nike and Adidas to ASICS and Puma, this is the clearest picture yet of where racing shoes are headed — and which ones truly rule the roads.

WATCH NOW Or listen and subscribe to the show wherever you get your podcasts:

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​How To Start Trail Running: 6 Tips For Beginners To Get Going Today​

New year, new routes.

If you’re craving a reset from pavement loops and “same-old” runs, trail running is one of the best ways to make running feel brand new again with fresh air, softer ground, and instant adventure.

This beginner guide breaks it all down: where to start, what to wear, how to stay safe on uneven terrain, and the simple tips that’ll help you feel confident from your very first run.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​Ultrarunning Icon Ann Trason Reaches 100 Miles At Across the Years With A Walker​

At 65, Ann Trason showed up to Across the Years with a modest plan… and ended up rewriting what “possible” looks like.
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With a walker and while managing rheumatoid arthritis, she kept stacking loop after loop—quietly building toward something huge.
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How she did it (and what it says about her legacy) is the part you have to read.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​How To Start Working Out Again After A Long Break​

If you’re getting back into training after a break (intentional or not), it’s totally normal to feel a little overwhelmed.

This guide walks you through a smart, low-stress comeback plan so you rebuild fitness safely, avoid setbacks, and actually stick with it this time.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​What Is The Tokyo Hakone Ekiden, The Tour De France Of Running​

For two mornings every January, Japan basically hits pause for one race: the Hakone Ekiden—the “Tour de France of running.”
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It’s 217K, 10 runners, one sash, and so much on the line that a single bad kilometer can wreck a whole season.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​Does Running Burn Fat?​

If “leaner, stronger, healthier” is on your 2026 list, running can absolutely help.

We break down exactly how fat loss actually works, why running is such an efficient calorie-burner, and the smartest training strategies to help you see results.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​Influencer William Goodge Announces Another Audacious Running Goal​

50 marathons, 50 states, 20 days. That’s the wild math behind William Goodge’s newly announced “Mission America.”
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It’s part endurance stunt, part cancer-fundraising push—but the pace, travel, and recovery demands are almost unreal.
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And with his past projects already sparking debate, this one is guaranteed to get people talking.

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​WATCH: How to Start Running: A Complete Guide​

Alex, Katelyn, and Michael share simple, beginner-friendly tips for starting running—or getting back into it after a long break.

If you’re aiming for your first 5K or half, or just trying to rebuild a routine, this is a great place to start.

Know someone kicking off a New Year running resolution? Send this to a friend or family member who could use a little guidance (and a nudge).

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

What’s A Good Marathon Time? Average Marathon Times By Age, Sex + Ability

​Kofuzi Goes Full Send in Runs Like Hell Ep. 2​

OG running YouTuber Kofuzi joins Alex Cyr for a progressively faster 5K, talking marathon training, life on the road, and the early days of running YouTube before unleashing a scorching final kilometer.

This one escalates quickly.

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Ready to kick off the new year with a big running goal, but not sure where to start? 🏃‍♀️✨ ​ Meet Katelyn, our UESCA-certified running coach with over a decade of experience guiding runners of all levels—whether you’re chasing your first 5K, aiming for a marathon time goal, or lining up for an ultra. The start of a new year is the perfect time to set a bold goal and build a smart plan to reach it. ​ As a passionate ultra-runner herself, Katelyn understands the highs, lows, and everything in between. She’ll create a training plan tailored to you—your fitness, your schedule, and your ambitions. ​ With unlimited messaging, ongoing feedback, and twice-monthly video check-ins, you’ll have the guidance and support to stay consistent all year long. ​ Your next breakthrough starts now—let’s make this your strongest year yet. 💪🏼 LEARN MORE

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QUICK SPRINTS

• ​Ultramarathon Training Plans – How To Train For An Ultramarathon​
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• ​Our Proven Couch To 5K Plans: C25K Guide + Training Plans For Every Ability Level​
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• ​TDEE Calculator – Calculate Daily Calories Burned​