Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal

Running an international marathon should be an unforgettable adventure, but the logistical hurdles—from navigating public transit and securing hotel blocks to managing pre-race nerves—can easily overshadow the magic of 26.2. In this episode of the Marathon Journal podcast, we dive into our experience testing the Five-Star Superior Package with Destiny2Sport at the Marriott Sydney Harbour Hotel during the TCS Sydney Marathon. We break down exactly how a dedicated, runner-led tour operator handles the heavy lifting, taking you behind the scenes of what it's really like to travel with a major race tour group.

From private charter buses that eliminate hours of expo commute stress and seamless bag check logistics to a stunning sunset welcome cruise on Sydney Harbour and on-course cheer stations right outside our hotel lobby, we explore whether booking through an official tour operator is truly worth the investment. Tune in for an honest, detailed look at Destiny2Sport's operations, high-end athlete swag, and why having veteran sub-3-hour marathoners handle your travel logistics makes all the difference when racing on the global stage.

Whether it’s Strava segment chasing, public training logs, or past PRslingering in your head, the social comparison game is a battle no runner evertruly wins. In our latest feature, host Letty Lundquist sits down withCharlotte-based running coach Lisa Landrum (Around the Crown 10K) tobreak down the psychological mechanics of social comparison in running.

They dive into why middle and high school female athletes are dropping outof sports at twice the rate of boys—and how coaching through internal metricsover external validation holds the key to reversing that trend. Plus, CoachLisa shares her three-step mental reset to help runners of every age conquerimposter syndrome, update their underlying "Why," and reclaim genuinejoy on the road.

Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 NYC Marathon

Get caught up on all the essential details for the 2026 TCS New York City Marathon! From major elite field updates and high-profile withdrawals to course breakdowns and top contenders to watch, we’ve got you covered for race week.

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In this inspiring episode of Your Story, Your Why, host Letty Lundquist sits down with computer scientist and 46-time marathoner Jennifer Herring. Jennifer shares her journey living with optic atrophy—a visual impairment that leaves her vision between 20/200 and 20/400—and explains how she navigates road races and crowds through a perpetual blur. She reflects on her early running days in Central Park with the New York Road Runners, qualifying for Boston on her debut attempt, and setting fast personal bests of 3:22 in New York and 3:26 in Boston.

Jennifer opens up about the deep emotional purpose that drives her training, including the unforgettable moment she placed her 2008 Boston Marathon finisher medal in her father's hands hours before he passed away. She details her ongoing fundraising efforts with charity teams like Fred's Team and Team With A Vision, her creative tradition of running with donor-signed hats, and her upcoming milestone goals of completing her 47th marathon in New York and her 25th Boston Marathon finish.

In this episode of The Marathon Running Podcast, I sit down with U.S. Olympian and elite distance runner Dakotah Popehn fresh off her second-place American finish at the Chicago Marathon.

We dive deep into the real-time dynamics of race day, from managing 60-degree heat and hamstring nerve impingement at mile 21 to working dynamically with her Puma teammate and pacer, Rory Linkletter. Dakotah breaks down the exact mental grounding techniques she uses when a race gets dark, sharing how staying in the present moment gets her through the hardest miles.

I also share my own Chicago Marathon recap from the course, breaking down what it was like to navigate unseasonably warm weather, the massive spectator energy, and the mechanics of handling hydration at speed. Plus, we explore Chicago’s major sustainability push on course—examining the shift toward cupless refill stations with Culligan and HydraPak, the reality of cup-handling dynamics at high volumes, and how major marathons are tackling waste reduction.

Beyond the roads, Dakotah gives us an inside look at her upcoming memoir, You Think This Hurts. We talk candidly about her journey through early-life adversity, family divorce, and how running became a way to choose her own pain to process life’s uncontrollable challenges. Plus, she shares her perspective on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and what lies ahead for her training.

Ever heard a coach tell you to "just be mentally tough" and wondered what on earth that actually means in the middle of a grueling marathon? In this episode of the podcast, we’re breaking down the lazy branding of sports psychologist buzzwords with Dr. Megan Cannon, PhD. Fresh from her keynote session at Dirt Camp in the Berkshires, Dr. Cannon joins us to reframe sports psychology as true strength and conditioning for your brain, giving endurance runners an actual, mechanical toolkit to handle race-day anxiety and mid-race panic.

We dive deep into her formula for mental toughness—the intersection of emotion and attention regulation—and unpack the "MVP" mindset (Mentally Versatile Performance). Plus, Dr. Cannon shares practical, battle-tested strategies from her own wild adventures, ranging from tackling Half Dome at 5-foot-2 to surviving a brutal seven-day summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, proving why having your head where your feet are is the ultimate game-changer for your next starting line.

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, host Letty Lundquist sits down with Massimo Ian, Head of Marketing & Communications at Tracksmith. Massimo shares how his multicultural upbringing in New York City shaped his deep appreciation for community, food, and human connection. He opens up about his early years in running—from using the sport as a coping mechanism while navigating his identity as a closeted youth to healing his relationship with running and body image.

Massimo details his career transition from international non-profit work with UNICEF and youth rehabilitation programs in Brazil into the running industry. He discusses the importance of representation, creating welcoming spaces for underrepresented communities in running, and his favorite weekly mindfulness habit: running "unplugged" without a watch, phone, or headphones to stay connected with nature and body feel.

In this episode, veteran sports nutrition coach Erin Sperald dives deep into the clinical reality of Low Energy Availability (LEA) and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), exposing how chronic underfueling sabotages athletic performance, immune function, and bone health. Sperald shares actionable strategies for calculating baseline nutritional needs, using carbohydrates as a flexible fuel dial to match training output, and shifting focus away from aesthetics toward long-term health and longevity. Whether you are balancing heavy marathon mileage or struggling with recovery plateau, this conversation provides essential insights to optimize daily fueling and protect your metabolic foundation.

What separates a late-race marathon breakdown from a course PR? In this episode, host Letty Lundquist sits down with RRCA Certified Coach, Abbott 6-Star Finisher, and veteran pacer Dave Masterson to discuss his new book, "Marathon 101" by Dave Masterson: A Professional Pacer's Book Running Your Personal Best. Having paced and finished over 70 marathons, Dave shares his front-row strategies on mastering energy conservation, training your gut for race-day fueling, skipping aid-station chaos, and executing a smart pacing plan.

In this episode, Letty sits down with global runner Inga Dengel to explore her multi-cultural background, her return to distance running, and the unique realities of training in Athens, Greece. From managing multi-generational household dynamics to surviving early-morning heat and stray dog encounters, Inga shares a candid look at building consistency, overcoming recurring injuries through strength training, and finding creative mental space on the run.

Why leave state for a 10K? In this episode, Letti and Ryan dive into their weekend trip to Charlotte, North Carolina, for the Around the Crown 10K Together with Truist! What was supposed to be a fun family getaway turned into an epic mini-marathon experience complete with closed highways, 10,000 runners, and unbeatable community energy.

From line dancing at the shakeout run to flying through the inner lanes of Interstate 277 and exploring the US National Whitewater Center, we break down why Charlotte is a top-tier destination race for runners of all levels.

Fresh off the plane from Chicago, Letty and Ryan dive into an action-packed episode breaking down everything from the 2026 Abbott World Marathon Majors Chicago Marathon!

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The Redemption Race: Letty reflects on her triumphant return to Chicago to conquer her DNF from last year—proving that emotional hurdles are often harder to clear than physical ones.

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Shokz Partnership: A huge shout-out to Shokz for the race bib and their new dual-system bone-conduction headphones that deliver crisp sound without losing situational awareness.

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Elite Field Breakdowns:

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Men's Elite: Amos Kipruto (featured in Letty's upcoming documentary Why They Run) takes the crown in a blistering 2:01:09—the second-fastest time in Chicago history! Plus, a nod to Charles Hicks finishing as the top American and stopping to cheer on his wife.

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Women's Elite: Defending champion Ruth Chepngetich / Howie Fayesa holds strong, alongside fantastic performances by American debutantes like Emma Grace Hurley (2:20:47).

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Wheelchair Divisions: Marcel Hug dominates to secure his 7th Chicago title, and Catherine DeBrunner shatters the all-out marathon world record!

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Guest Interview: Hear from elite runner Dakotah Popehn as she shares her inspiring race insights and recap.

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Sustainability & Course Innovation: Exploring the pilot program with Hydropack and Culligan water refill stations on the course—the stats, the logistics of handheld bottles vs. traditional paper cups, and a look toward a greener racing future.

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What's Next: A sneak peek at next week's episode featuring running coach Lisa Landrum tackling imposter syndrome and the comparison trap, plus upcoming event coverage in Amsterdam and Porto!

Episode Highlights & Key Topics

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, Letty sits down with Aniruddh Munde to discuss his personal and athletic journey. Aniruddh reflects on growing up under high academic expectations in India, starting his running journey in Los Angeles, finding freedom through running while coming out, and executing a coached training cycle to achieve a 3:58 marathon PR in Sydney. He also discusses managing perfectionism, using running to build mental resilience, and giving himself grace through injury recovery.

In Part 4 of the Masterclass, the focus shifts from physical training to race-week execution, logistical discipline, and mental strategy. The session outlines a proper 36-to-48-hour carbohydrate loading protocol targeting low-fiber, simple carbs to maximize glycogen stores without digestive bulk. It builds a reverse-engineered race morning countdown from pre-race meals to corral logistics, details early-race pacing mechanics to prevent the trap of "banking time," and equips runners with cognitive tools—like chunking, process cues, and reframing—to push through central nervous system fatigue when hitting the wall in the final miles.

In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, Letty sits down with Stephanie Platt to discuss the evolution of her running journey. Stephanie reflects on getting her start in middle school cross country, maintaining her running routine during her husband’s military deployments, and the wild five-week stretch in fall 2021 where she completed St. George, Boston, and NYC. She also opens up about why running serves as non-negotiable mental self-care for mothers and how she is navigating physical setbacks like plantar fasciitis.

In episode 330 of the Marathon Running Podcast, host Letty breaks down her experience running the 2026 Sydney Marathon—which she rates an 11 out of 10—alongside her husband and co-host, Ryan. Traveling with tour group sponsor Destiny 2 Sport, Letti arrived nine days early to adjust to the time difference and explore local sites like the Blue Mountains with friends. Leading up to race day, she attended media events, press conferences, the expo at Olympic Park, and the official opening ceremony at the Sydney Opera House. Despite experiencing stomach cramps and vomiting from accidentally taking a caffeinated gel during the race, Letty persevered alongside a friend, taking in iconic sights like the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the lively spectator zones before enjoying a scenic finish at the Opera House and post-race celebrations at Sydney's historic Fortune of War pub.

What happens when you decide that life—and running—actually begins after age 50? In this episode of Your Story, Your Why, we sit down with Paul Latham, a Jamaican immigrant based in Fort Worth, Texas. Growing up in Jamaica active in casual sports, running was never Paul's primary focus. It wasn't until well into his 50s, after a personal trainer pointed out his need for stamina, that Paul laced up his shoes for a three-mile walk on a local track.

After running over 200 5Ks and becoming comfortable at the half marathon distance, a coworker challenged Paul to break through his self-imposed limits by entering the Chicago Marathon lottery. Winning a spot launched a transformative distance-running career. Now preparing for his 13th marathon at the Cape Town Marathon, Paul reflects on the value of stepping outside comfort zones, the power of volunteering at major World Marathon Majors, and his goal to stay moving well into his 80s and 90s.

Key Takeaways

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Life Begins Whenever You Decide: Age is not a barrier to starting distance running; Paul ran his first marathon after turning 50.

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Break Self-Imposed Ceilings: Often, the only thing holding us back from longer distances or bigger goals is a mental limitation.

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Volunteer for Perspective: Serving as a course marshal or aid station volunteer builds deep gratitude for race directors and fellow athletes.

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Value Experiences Over Things: The connections, travel, and personal growth gained through distance running far outweigh material items.

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Connect with Paul Latham: Facebook

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Training Program Mentioned: Cowtown Trailblazers

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Races Mentioned: Chicago Marathon, Cape Town Marathon, Boston Marathon, Cowtown Marathon

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Follow Marathon Journal: Website | Instagram

What goal have you been holding back on because it felt outside your comfort zone? Drop a comment on our latest post or leave us a review on Apple Podcasts to let us know!

Resources and LinksShare Your Thoughts

Connect with Us:

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Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal

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Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

In this episode, we dive deep into the critical logistical pillars of marathon success that go beyond simple aerobic fitness. If you want to avoid hitting the wall at mile 20, you need to master your fuel, gear, and recovery.

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The Carbohydrate Bottleneck: Why the marathon is as much a fuel management test as it is an aerobic one, and how burning through glycogen leads to the dreaded late-race bonk.

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Proactive Fueling Targets: Moving past outdated advice to embrace modern research supporting 90 to 120 grams of carbohydrates per hour for trained athletes.

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Dual-Source Carbohydrates: Why combining glucose (maltodextrin) and fructose in a ~1:1 ratio uses complementary intestinal transporters (SGLT1 and GLUT5) to prevent absorption bottlenecks.

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Sweat Testing & Sodium Mechanics: How to run a simple 60-minute field test to calculate your individual hourly sweat loss, plus the truth about sodium, cramps, and hyponatremia.

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Gut Training: Why your digestive system struggles under race-intensity blood flow redistribution, and how to progressively train your gut during long runs.

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The Three-Shoe Rotation: Breaking down the functional roles of your durable daily high-volume trainers, responsive workout shoes, and race-day carbon super shoes.

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Taper Science & The Taper Tantrum: Understanding why a taper is about eliminating cumulative fatigue rather than building new fitness, why feeling terrible is normal, and why you must stick to the 21-day rule.

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Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal

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Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

unning has a way of meeting us exactly where we are—even when we feel completely broken. On this week's episode of Your Story, Your Why, host Letty Lundquist sits down with close friend and World Marathon Majors finisher Patti Shawber.

After losing a decade of her life to severe drug addiction through her 30s and early 40s, Patti woke up one day exhausted and ready for change. After achieving sobriety, she stepped onto a Planet Fitness treadmill in her mid-40s, walking at 4.0 mph for 45 minutes to complete her very first 5K distance. What started as a way to reclaim her health evolved into a global running journey that took her across the world to earn her Six Star World Marathon Majors Medal before turning 60.

Patti opens up about channeling the intense energy of addiction into endurance sports, navigating fear and imposter syndrome, balancing competitive goals with aging, and why she holds onto the memory of her lowest moments so she never has to go back.

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Marathon 101 Masterclass series! Following the response to our initial guide, we dive deep into how to structure your training weeks, execute quality workouts, and build a body that holds up under marathon fatigue.

In this episode, we cover:

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Myth Busting & The 80/20 Rule: Why running faster all the time won't make you faster on race day, and how volume builds endurance.

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Polarized Training: Differentiating hard days from easy days to maximize recovery and efficiency.

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The 4 Phases of Marathon Training: A step-by-step breakdown from early strides and fartleks to threshold work, peak race-pace sessions, and the taper.

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Microcycle Flexibility: Adjusting weekly workouts based on recovery needs, age, and individual adaptation.

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Strength Training for Runners: Essential movements to improve running economy, protect tendons, and maintain posture late in the race.

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Practical Micro-Habits: Adding light strides and dynamic warm-ups to improve range of motion.

Life & Travel Updates:

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Race week coverage from the TCS Sydney Marathon.

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Updates on our upcoming running documentary Why They Run, screening this November at IRX in Amsterdam.

Resources & Links Mentioned:

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Learn more about the documentary project: Why They Run

Connect with Us:

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Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast

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YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal

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Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607