Marathon Running Podcast by Marathon Journal

Marathon Journal (Letty Lundquist, Ryan Lundquist)

Are you a runner looking for a new source of inspiration and motivation? Our weekly podcast brings experts in the running community straight to you, covering everything from training and nutrition to race recaps and reviews, and even mental training. We're more than just a podcast - we're a community. Our Facebook group, SpeedStriders, is a place for runners to connect, share their stories, and support each other on their running journeys. Our goal is to motivate and inspire runners of all levels, and to build a strong and supportive community of like-minded individuals. Join us!

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    311. Cape Town Marathon 2026 - Everything You Need to Know

    In this episode of the Marathon Running Podcast, we dive deep into the vibrant world of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon. We are joined by expert ambassadors Caitlyn Choi Hood and Jade Jacobs, who share their insider knowledge on the "Spirit of Resilience," the best local running crews, and where to find the city's most legendary post-race treats. Whether you are chasing a PB on this fast, scenic course or looking for the perfect safari day trip, we have you covered with the latest updates and expert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitive sports. The World Major Journey: Why the race moved to May and what the candidate status means for runners. Logistics & Arrival: Navigating CPT, currency tips for the South African Rand (ZAR), and why you must stay alert because they drive on the left. Race Weekend Essentials: A full guide to the DHL Stadium Expo, the two-start system, and the critical five-wave start process. The Course: A play-by-play of the 380m elevation gain and iconic sights like the Mouille Point Lighthouse and the Castle of Good Hope. Cape Town Culture: Expert culinary tips on the "Gatsby" and smashburgers, plus safety protocols and the "5-meter wildlife rule". Community & Parties: Where to find the best shakeout runs and after-parties with local crews like The Nine Four and Community Track Club. Why You Should Listen: To gain a competitive edge with a full course breakdown and local logistical hacks that ensure a stress-free race weekend. Our guests this episode: * Caitlyn Choi Hood: Official Ambassador and community leader. Jade Jacobs: Official Ambassador and local culinary guide. Official Race Website: https://capetownmarathon.com/ Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607 The Nine Four: @theninefour Community Track Club: @communitytrackclub Must Love Hills Run Crew: @mustlovehills_runcrew Slow and Steady CPT: @slowandsteadycpt Running Late Club: @runninglateclub Episode HighlightsImportant InformationConnect with UsLocal Run Crews to Follow

    1hr 15min
  2. 6 APR

    308. Boston Marathon 2026: Everything You Need to Know

    In this episode of the Marathon Running Podcast, we dive into everything you need to know for the historic 130th running of the Boston Marathon in 2026. Host Letti Lundquist breaks down the evolution of the race from its 1897 roots to the modern-day "Mecca" of marathons. We explore the high-stakes qualifying standards, the unpredictable New England weather patterns, and the "victory lap" atmosphere of the surrounding race weekend. We also feature a deep-dive technical course review with Coach Kristen, specifically focusing on how to survive the punishing opening downhill miles without "trashing" your quads before you hit the hills. Finally, we provide the essential 2026 updates, including the shift to a six-wave start and the exact mile markers for on-course fueling. Why You Should Listen: Tactical Analysis: Learn how the new wave starts will affect course congestion and your personal start time. Fueling Map: Exact locations for Maurten Gel stations (including caffeine vs. non-caffeine). Logistics Mastery: A step-by-step guide to Gear Drop at Boston Common and the Athletes’ Village in Hopkinton. The Social Map: Insights into the 2026 "Pop-up" culture on Boylston and Newbury Streets, including track relays and brand activations. Our guest this episode: Coach Kristen (Course Strategy Specialist)Connect with Us: Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

    40 min
  3. 30 MAR

    307. Stop Banking Time in Your Marathon

    We sit down with James McKirdy, founder of the coaching collective McKirdy Trained, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to produce elite-level results without the "bogus" cookie-cutter methods saturably found on social media. We dive deep into the thrilling 2026 Los Angeles Marathon finish where McKirdy athlete Nathan Martin secured a victory by a razor-thin 0.01 seconds. James breaks down the tactical brilliance behind Nathan’s performance—specifically how he executed a masterful negative split (dropping from a 5:02/mile to a 5:00/mile close) despite the grueling Michigan winter and hilly LA course. We also explore the viral story of Daniel Mesfun at the Dublin Marathon. James explains why Daniel’s decision to literally stop and run backward for a dropped hydration bottle wasn't a mistake, but a calculated execution of the McKirdy fueling philosophy. From "gut training" to the specific electrolyte needs of different athletes, this episode is a masterclass in the intersection of sports science and human psychology. Updates and expert insights to keep you informed on the latest in running and competitive sports. The "Anti-AI" Approach: Discover why James believes human relationship and "pencil, not ink" adjustments beat automated training plans every time. Negative Splitting 101: Learn the physiological "tells" in training that indicate if you are actually ready to chase a specific marathon goal. The Nutrition Audible: Get the hard rules on why McKirdy athletes "never skip fuel" and how to train your stomach to handle 100+ calories every 15–20 minutes. Coaching the "Underdog": James shares stories of athletes ranging from 5-hour marathoners to 69-year-olds running faster than they did 20 years ago. Our guest this episode: James McKirdy | McKirdy Trained Website 🔗 Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal Why You Should Listen:Connect with Us:Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

    35 min
  4. 23 MAR

    306. Nutrition in Running and AI

    In this episode of the Marathon Running Podcast, we dive into the role of AI in marathon nutrition. I sit down withregistered dietitian and endurance nutrition expert Alex Larson, founder of Alex Larson Nutrition (you can find her at https://alexlarsonnutrition.com/) to discusshow AI tools are shaping the way runners fuel their bodies—and where they canquietly sabotage performance. We cover real-world examples of AI missteps,including underfueling, medical contraindications, and the limits of automatedmeal plans. Alex shares actionable insights on how marathoners can combine AI with human expertise, improverecovery, and maintain confidence in their fueling strategies. If you want tostay ahead of the curve in marathon training and learn how to make technologywork for you—not against you—this episode is packed with expert guidance andpractical tips. Why YouShould Listen: ·      Learn how AI can help or hinder marathonnutrition ·      Discover common fueling pitfalls and how toavoid them ·      Get expert advice on combining technology withhuman insight for optimal performance Ourguest this episode:Alex Larson, Registered Dietitian & Endurance Nutrition Specialist | AlexLarson Nutrition 🔗Connect with Us: ·      Our website: https://www.marathonjournal.com ·      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/runningpodcast ·      YouTube: https://youtube.com/@marathonjournal ·      Follow us on Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/30798607

    31 min

About

Are you a runner looking for a new source of inspiration and motivation? Our weekly podcast brings experts in the running community straight to you, covering everything from training and nutrition to race recaps and reviews, and even mental training. We're more than just a podcast - we're a community. Our Facebook group, SpeedStriders, is a place for runners to connect, share their stories, and support each other on their running journeys. Our goal is to motivate and inspire runners of all levels, and to build a strong and supportive community of like-minded individuals. Join us!

You Might Also Like