Show Notes
In this episode, we’re joined by Des Linden — Boston Marathon champion, Olympian, and one of the most respected voices in distance running.
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: Saysky makes incredible running gear that our team love. Use code MARATHON15 for 15% off your purchase at https://saysky.com This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://livemomentous.com
At this stage of her career, Des is stepping away from elite road racing and embracing something completely different: ultrarunning. She’s preparing for the Marathon des Sables, a multi-day race across the Sahara Desert — and somehow also planning to be at Boston… and London… right after. We cover: Why she’s taking on Marathon des Sables How her training has changed (heat, weight, and nutrition) Her transition from marathon to ultra distances The mindset shift after “retirement” from elite racing Boston Marathon strategy and advice The current state of elite running Doping, trust, and the future of the sport Her podcast with Kara Goucher What’s next for her career This is a candid, insightful conversation about evolving as an athlete and what comes after you’ve already reached the top. — 🎧 Listen to more Marathon Handbook Podcast episodes 🏃♂️ Training guides, gear reviews & more at Marathon Handbook If you enjoyed the episode, leave a rating ⭐ and share it with a fellow runner!
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Traveling for a race? On this week’s episode of The Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci are joined by Jessy Carveth live from Michael’s living room in Toronto. They’re there for Toronto Waterfront Marathon weekend, and the crew breaks down everything you need to know about racing away from home. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: We love Wahoo’s KICKR RUN treadmill – go to https://wahoofitness.com and use promo code MHRUN to get a free $319 KICKR Headwind Fan with your treadmill order. Marathon Handbook listeners get 15% off their entire order when shopping CEP Running online through November 15! Shop CEP Running or enter code LRL-NYC-15 at checkout.
Michael, Alex and Katelyn react to the 2026 Chicago Marathon after recording their live watchalong. They cover the biggest surprises and key takeaways from the race. We love Wahoo’s KICKR RUN treadmill – go to https://wahoofitness.com and use promo code MHRUN to get a free $319 KICKR Headwind Fan with your treadmill order. TORONTO MILE ZERO LIVE SHOW, 17th Oct: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marathon-handbook-live-mile-zero-toronto-2026-tickets-2002512056467 NYC MILE ZERO LIVE SHOW, 31st Oct: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marathon-handbook-live-mile-zero-nyc-2026-tickets-2002340913574 Join Marathon Handbook's RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com Send us a question: https://marathonhandbook.com/podcast/ Join our newsletter: https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/
How do you go from job-hunting after college to a 2:05:54 marathon, run in Toledo, in one year? Vinny Mauri did it, and now he’s one of the most talked-about American runners at the 2026 Chicago Marathon. Alex Cyr caught up with Vinny at the Chicago Marathon athlete availability, two days before his first big-city marathon. Vinny explains the 45-mile day that capped his build: 2 x 50 minutes in the morning and 4 x 20 minutes in the afternoon, both on the treadmill. He also explains how he picks his workouts by asking friends and Instagram followers to “pick a number one to four.”
Chicago Marathon weekend is almost here! Michael Doyle, Alex Cyr and Katelyn Tocci preview the race, then answer your questions. SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS: We love Wahoo’s KICKR RUN treadmill – go to https://wahoofitness.com and use promo code MHRUN to get a free $319 KICKR Headwind Fan with your treadmill order. This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://livemomentous.com Marathon Handbook listeners get 15% off their entire order when shopping CEP Running online through November 15! Shop CEP Running or enter code LRL-NYC-15 at checkout.
Nike has announced three new race day shoes, and the headliner is the Nike Apex: a zero drop super shoe with 40mm of stack in both the heel and the forefoot, built to challenge the Adidas Adios Pro Evo 3 at the front of the world's fastest marathons. Alex Cyr and Michael Doyle break down the Apex, the Alphafly 4 and the $145 Swooshfly. We sat in on Nike's briefing with the executives and designers behind these shoes and draw on conversations from this summer with Nike athletes and with Brett Schoolmeester, the VP who has helped lead Nike's super shoe program from the start. We cover the Apex's specs and $350 price, whether Nike's athletes will embrace a zero drop racer, how hard it may be to buy a pair, why the Swooshfly is aimed at beginners and at China's booming marathon scene, and whether Nike now has the best running shoe lineup in the sport.