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Hi runners, Jessy here with newsletter #696! 🎉

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

• The stories that captured attention this year weren’t always the fastest or the most elite. They were the ones that exposed how messy, human, and unexpectedly compelling running can be.
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• A sub-45 10K is impressive at any age. Doing it at 80 places André Ozanne in a category that barely exists. His latest French record adds to a growing list of performances that show remarkable consistency, not just longevity.​
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• WATCH: Running Weight, Fueling, Boston Qualifiers & Big Marathon Mindset | Mega Mailbag Episode
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• From soft cruisers to more responsive easy-day options, daily trainers have quietly gotten very good. These five stood above the rest once the miles added up.
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• If you’ve already run a few 5Ks and want to see how fast you can actually go, this plan is built for that moment. Structured speed work, pacing strategy, and just enough pain to move the needle.​
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• WATCH: From $150 to LA28 Contender: How Ahmed Muhumed Went All-In to Become One of America’s Best Runners
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• Running farther isn’t just about the long run. Strength training, easy miles, mental strategies, and recovery all play a role in whether endurance actually sticks or falls apart after a few weeks.
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• WATCH: These 3 New Adidas Trainers Are INSANE l Evo SL ATR, Supernova Glide, Supernova Rise
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• Ever wondered if your VO₂ max is impressive or just… fine? This guide helps you figure out where you really stand.
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• WATCH: The Biggest Running Stories of 2025: Grand Slam Track Collapse, Harry Styles’ Marathon & What's Next

Get ready to get faster!

Jessy Carveth
Senior News Editor

​Our Top Stories From The Running World In 2025​

Running didn’t just break records this year, it broke expectations.

Some of the most talked-about moments had nothing to do with podiums, and everything to do with how people showed up, bent rules, and reshaped what the sport looks like day to day.

​André Ozanne Runs Sub-45 10K at Age 80, Sets New French Record​

At 80 years old, André Ozanne just ran a sub-45-minute 10K, setting a new French M80 national record in the process.

The performance wasn’t a novelty or a lucky day, either — it capped a year in which Ozanne has been quietly rewriting age-group records across multiple distances.

​WATCH: Running Weight, Fueling, Boston Qualifiers & Big Marathon Mindset | Mega Mailbag Episode​

In our biggest Mega Mailbag episode of 2025, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr, and Katelyn Tocci answer dozens of listener questions on training, fueling, mindset, gear, and marathon goals.

Topics include: running and weight fluctuation, fueling strategies, fasted running, Boston Qualifiers, sub-3 marathon planning, winter training, injury comebacks, shoe rotations, confidence before big races, strength training with injuries, and how life changes—like becoming a parent—impact training.

​The 5 Best Daily Running Shoes for Every Type of Runner​

Most runners spend about 80% of their miles in one pair of shoes, so choosing wisely matters.

After trying dozens of models, these five daily trainers rose to the top for comfort, durability, and how they feel day after day.

​Run Your Fastest 5K Yet: The Advanced 5K Training Plan for a New PR​

Short races aren’t easy races.

This advanced 5K plan focuses on threshold work, track sessions, and pacing discipline to help experienced runners finally crack a new PR.

​WATCH: From $150 to LA28 Contender: How Ahmed Muhumed Went All-In to Become One of America’s Best Runners​

Ahmed Muhumed is one of the fastest-rising stars in American distance running — but his journey to the top was anything but guaranteed. In this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, host Alex Cyr sits down with HOKA NAZ Elite athlete Ahmed Muhumed to unpack the bold decision that changed his life: quitting his job, moving to Flagstaff with just $150 to his name, and betting everything on professional running.

​The 12 Best Calf Stretches For Runners​

Strong calves help you run faster.

Healthy calves help you keep running.

This guide walks through the stretches that support both.

​WATCH: These 3 New Adidas Trainers Are INSANE l Evo SL ATR, Supernova Glide, Supernova Rise​

The Marathon Handbook team traveled to The Running Event in San Antonio, Texas to check out Adidas' new line of running shoes for 2026.

Here, Senior Editor Alex Cyr speaks with Moritz Hoellmueller, VP design running at Adidas, about three of the brand's most anticipated running shoes of 2026: the Supernova Rise, Supernova Glide, and Evo SL ATR.

​What’s a Good VO2 Max? Benchmarks by Age and Sex to Help You Gauge Fitness​

VO₂ max shows up on your watch all the time, but what does a “good” number actually look like?

These benchmarks break it down by age and sex.

​WATCH: The Biggest Running Stories of 2025: Grand Slam Track Collapse, Harry Styles’ Marathon & What's Next​

The Marathon Handbook Podcast breaks down the biggest stories in running from the second half of 2025. From the collapse of the Grand Slam Track League and unpaid athletes, to Harry Styles’ sub-3 marathon, the rise of Conner Mantz, the debate over Sydney as a World Marathon Major, and unforgettable moments from Tokyo Worlds, Chicago, Berlin, New York, and Valencia — we cover it all.

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​