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

Hi runners, Jessy here with newsletter #670! 🎉

Happy Saturday! ​
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Here's what I have for you today:

• We dug through the chaos so you don’t have to. The discounts runners care about, the gear we’d buy ourselves, and a few surprises we didn’t expect to see marked down at all, these are the Black Friday deals that matter (and are almost gone!).​
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• If you care about shoes, this was the year to pay attention. Brands took real risks, foams got stranger and better, and a few models ended up shifting the entire conversation around performance. Our team breaks down the picks that actually shaped 2025.
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• Conner Mantz is ending his season early. After switching abruptly to cross-training and hinting at a mystery injury on Strava, he’s now confirmed he won’t race his late-season goal.
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• Injured? Bored? Or just… not in the mood? There are plenty of ways to build fitness without lacing up, and we highlight four surprisingly effective options that might end up becoming your new go-to workouts.
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• The steroid-friendly “Enhanced Games” just pulled off its wildest twist yet: it’s merging with a Hong Kong SPAC in a deal valuing the company at $1.2B.
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• Marathons are iconic, inspiring… and maybe not for everyone. This guide unpacks eight reasons you might actually be happier sticking to regular running, no medal required.
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• If your heart rate seems to have a mind of its own on long runs, you’re not imagining it. This guide explains the sneaky phenomenon behind the climb, and how smart pacing and hydration can keep your workouts on track.
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• WATCH: Best Running Shoes of 2025: Our Official Winners & Big Surprises

Get ready to get faster!

Jessy Carveth
Senior News Editor

​The 12 Best Black Friday Deals For Runners, Chosen By Our Editors​

Black Friday hit the running world hard this year, in the best way.

From race-day supershoes to winter training essentials, our editors pulled the deals actually worth grabbing before they vanish.

If you’re only buying one thing this weekend, start here.

​Our Team Picks The Best Running Shoes Of 2025​

Running shoes didn’t just get a little better this year, they got weird, creative, and genuinely transformative.

Our team tested everything from super-trainers to daily workhorses, and a few shoes ended up defining the entire year.

Here’s the list that actually mattered in 2025.

​US Marathon Champ Conner Mantz Pulls Out Of Next Race Due To Injury​

After weeks of quiet speculation on Strava, Conner Mantz has pulled out of US Cross.

The American marathon record holder says the nagging injury he hoped would “clear up” hasn’t budged, and his late-season plan to race is off.

His logs, 10 miles of running, hours on the arc trainer, told the story before he did.

​Cardio Without Running: 4 Great Workouts, No Running Required​

Running isn’t the only way to get a great cardio session, not even close.

From low-impact staples to sweatier surprises, this guide explores workouts that keep your heart happy without a single step of running.

​Enhanced Games to Go Public in $1.2 Billion SPAC Merger​

Just days after losing its $800M antitrust case, the Enhanced Games is now planning to go public in a $1.2B SPAC merger, despite never having staged a single event.

The move raises a much bigger question: is this a lifeline, a pivot, or the boldest gamble yet from the self-proclaimed “future of sport”?

​8 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Run A Marathon​

Everyone loves to tell you why you should run 26.2.

This article dives into the reasons you might want to think twice, from time sinks to sore knees to the odd emptiness that comes after the medal.

​Cardiac Drift: What It Is And How It Affects Your Training​

Why does your heart rate rise even when you swear you’re running the same pace?

The answer is more complicated (and more useful) than you think. This breakdown might change how you approach your long runs.

​WATCH: Best Running Shoes of 2025: Our Official Winners & Big Surprises​

This week we reveal the Best Running Shoes of 2025 — from super shoes to daily trainers, stability picks, super trainers, the most innovative models, and our official 2025 Shoe of the Year.

Michael, Katelyn, and Alex break down testing insights, pro-level performance results, cultural impact, and what regular runners actually feel underfoot. We also discuss Nike’s big revival, ASICS’ dominance, Puma’s engineering breakthrough, and Adidas’ race-winning super shoe.

QUICK SPRINTS

• ​The 7 Best Plyometric Exercises For Speed
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• ​How To Start Trail Running: 6 Tips For Beginners To Get Going
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• ​Everything You Need To Know About Running With Gels​