For Better Or For Worse

Marathon Handbook
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

For Better or for Worse: the show where a beginner and an elite runner, engaged to be married, try to survive training, racing, and each other. Meet the Hosts: Alexis D’Souza: Beginning runner, Gilmore Girls fanatic, real estate agent. 5k PB: TBD. “Alex catfished me into this whole running thing - 100 mile weeks was never part of the deal. But my siblings are into it, and my friends are racing marathons; so I’ve finally decided to see what this fuss is all about. It can’t be that hard, right?” Alex Cyr: Running nerd, writer and journalist, 63-minute half-marathoner.

Episodes

  1. 5d ago

    Post-Wedding Running Motivation & Our Fall Half Marathon Plans!

    What happens to your running motivation after a huge life event? We got married a few weeks ago, and while Alex went straight back into his toughest training block ever, Alexis hit a full week of "bride blues" and zero desire to run. We break down why that split happened, whether running couples should target the same race season, and what's next for both of us. Chapters:0:00 Cold Open0:51 Welcome to For Better or For Worse1:18 Old Man Breakfast Roast1:54 Hiding in the Bathroom for Josh Kerr's Mile5:37 Breaking Down the New Mile World Record (3:42.66)7:33 Today's Topic: Two Versions of Post-Wedding Running9:25 Alexis's "Bride Blues" and Missing Motivation12:24 What Are "Bride Blues"?14:20 Should Running Couples Race the Same Season?19:06 Alex's Fall Plan: Chasing a Lifetime-Best Half Marathon21:53 The Chase for a Team Canada Worlds Spot23:30 Inside Alex's Toughest Training Block Ever24:29 Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation29:16 Why Valencia? Picking a "Business Trip" Race31:51 The Half Marathon "Golden Ticket" Into Major Marathons36:46 Wedding Crashers Update38:34 His vs. Hers: Pregnant Mile Record vs. Marathon PR45:09 Listener Story: Betty & Chaz48:10 Shoe Talk & Upcoming Reviews49:51 Outro

    Post-Wedding Running Motivation & Our Fall Half Marathon Plans!

  2. Jul 15

    Our Wedding Recap! a 5K, Burnt Veil, and Wedding Crashers

    After 8 episodes of wedding-season training talk, Alex and Alexis are officially married! In this episode of For Better or For Worse, the running couple breaks down their entire wedding week in Prince Edward Island: a 16-act talent show, a surprise 5K run for 90 guests, a burnt wedding veil, an unexpected blessing from the Pope, and six uninvited wedding crashers. They also cover how they each balanced training with wedding week chaos, share their Rose & Thorn moments, debate whether crashing a wedding is ever okay, and answer a listener question on training by heart rate vs. pace. Chapters0:00 Intro0:30 Is Alexis changing her name?2:04 Wedding Week Recap Begins3:22 Are We Happy We're Married?5:06 Wednesday: Guests Arrive in Charlottetown6:08 Alex's Acadian Hometown Tour8:58 The Wedding Talent Show (16 Acts)14:15 We Hosted a 5K at Our Wedding19:33 Why We Had a Big Wedding20:33 The Wedding Veil Disaster23:36 Walking Down the Aisle & The Vows26:10 Blessed By the Pope?28:14 Rose & Thorn: The Handmade Wedding Ship31:04 Rose & Thorn: The Hotel Breakfast Fiasco33:11 Rose & Thorn: Best Day of My Life35:11 Alexis's Biggest Mileage Week Ever36:43 Turning a Wedding Into a Fitness Goal38:08 Finding Your Running "Goldilocks Zone"40:46 Skipping Double Runs on Wedding Week42:13 Turning Down a 32K Run Pre-Wedding43:33 Homework: Finding New Motivation45:03 Homework: Weekly Date Nights46:30 His or Her Debate: Are Wedding Crashers OK?53:00 Listener Q&A: Heart Rate vs. Pace Training56:57 Outro Follow along:Instagram: @alex.is.podmarathonhandbook.com Got a question for the show? Drop it in the comments!

    Our Wedding Recap! a 5K, Burnt Veil, and Wedding Crashers

  3. Jun 30 ·  Video

    It's Been 6 Months... Alexis' 6 Running Lessons | For Better or For Worse

    We're recording from Prince Edward Island, Alex's childhood home and the site of our wedding in ONE WEEK! Alex walks Alexis through 6 key categories every new runner struggles with: building mileage, nutrition, run intensity, Strava and the social pressure of running, sticking to a routine, and running with friends. The answers are honest, sometimes surprising, and genuinely useful for anyone who's just getting started. We also read listener comments, discuss the viral reel of a girlfriend who secretly trained for a half marathon without her runner boyfriend noticing, and tease what's coming next week (hint: a wedding 5K).

    It's Been 6 Months... Alexis' 6 Running Lessons | For Better or For Worse

  4. Jun 23 ·  Video

    Should You Run at Your Bachelor Party? + AI Coaches & Can Runners Dance?

    We're two days out of our bachelor and bachelorette parties and Alex ran through his. Every morning. Hungover. Was that crazy, or completely reasonable? Alexis has strong thoughts, and you get to decide who's right in our new "His or Hers" segment.This week on For Better or For Worse, Alex Cyr and Alexis D'Souza get into it about running on big life days, how to stay motivated when your next race is four months away, whether AI coaches are going to replace human ones and why Alex is convinced that distance runners physically cannot dance.Chapters:0:00 – Cold open: the AI coach question0:48 – Welcome to For Better or For Worse1:08 – First solo episode (no videographer)2:17 – Bachelor & bachelorette party highlights6:09 – The Goan Ros ceremony: coconut milk, blessings & a rogue beer10:11 – His or Hers: should you run on your bachelor party?15:04 – Alexis's case for designing your own celebration18:06 – Alexis runs with a friend for the first time19:00 – Motivation check-in: two runners, opposite problems24:51 – Alex's mid-season motivation crisis (19 weeks to Valencia)26:11 – The fix: sign up for more races & the Buffalo proposal31:18 – AI running coaches: hot or not?33:27 – Alexis would go AI first, human coach second37:44 – What happens when your run goes wrong — human vs. AI42:05 – Should we try an AI-assisted training plan?44:45 – Homework review: Alexis's longest run & Alex's wedding planning grade47:11 – New homework: Alex must learn to dance48:18 – The slow-twitch theory: why runners can't dance53:32 – Could Rory Linkletter do the worm? A serious discussion55:36 – Alexis's big running milestone: out of clean kit56:51 – Wedding 5K in PEI + what's coming next

  5. Jun 16 ·  Video

    Alex FAINTED at a Dinner, Got 5 Stitches & Raced a National Championship

    Alex and Alexis are back, and this might be their most chaotic week yet. Alex face-plants at a sushi restaurant two days before racing the Canadian 10K Championships in Ottawa, then has a close encounter with Hell's Angels on the highway. Somehow, he still finishes 7th... his best-ever national championship result. Chapters:0:00 Cold Open — Fight or Flight 1:00 Welcome to For Better or For Worse 2:00 The Week That Was 5:47 Alex Faints at a Sushi Restaurant (ER Visit) 14:16 Hell's Angels on the Highway 17:34 Ottawa Race Weekend — Canadian 10K Championships 21:43 Should Partners Attend Race Weekends? 29:00 Alexis's Running Update 30:07 Finding the Runner's High 33:23 Running Neurosis & the Mileage Plateau 36:30 Homework: The Long Run 40:52 Wedding Planning Check-In 43:29 Mutual Homework Assignments 47:09 Hot or Not: Running Posture 51:49 Hot or Not: The Enhanced Games (Doped Olympics) 1:00:14 Plugs & Outro

  6. Jun 9 ·  Video

    Learning to Eat for My Biggest Running Week | For Better or For Worse

    Alex Cyr and Alexis D'Souza are back for Episode 4 of For Better or For Worse, the show where a beginner runner and an elite runner, soon to be married, chase goals together (and occasionally argue about hockey and boiled eggs).This week, Alexis just finished her biggest training week ever: 21.2km over four runs, but keeps getting post-run headaches. Alex breaks down the nutrition basics every new runner needs to know, from macronutrients and meal timing to electrolytes and why calories aren't the enemy.Plus: the running and alcohol conversation nobody wants to have, Alex's honest take on run club culture, a PB in the track 10K, and a hot debate on run/walk intervals vs. pushing through.Follow the show on Instagram!https://www.instagram.com/alex.is.pod/Follow Alex:https://www.instagram.com/cyresy_10/Follow Alexis:https://www.instagram.com/alexisdsouza.to/

  7. Jun 2 ·  Video

    I've Just Started Running: Do I Have What it Takes? | For Better Or For Worse

    For Better or for Worse is a weekly podcast following Alex Cyr and Alexis D'Souza: a couple soon to be married, each with a goal to run the best race of their lives this fall. Alex is an experienced competitive runner. Alexis is just getting started. Together, they're navigating wedding planning, first long runs, training blocks, and everything in between.New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a mile 🎙️ Follow the journey 📍 Alex Cyr — elite runner, soon-to-be husband 📍 Alexis D'Souza — beginning runner, soon-to-be wife #RunningPodcast #ForBetterOrForWorse #MarathonTraining #CoupleGoals #RunningCouple #BeginnerRunner #WeddingSeason Chapters: 0:00 - Did Alexis run in Paris? 7:43 - Running while traveling 9:00 - Did Alexis catch the marathon bug?  14:00 - Pace of life in Europe 19:25 - Type A vs Type B runners  23:15 - Alex should read The Notebook 25:05 - Alexis does a workout 34:45 - Wedding planning update 38:00 - Alexis chugs Nomio (next week Alexis tries Bicarb) 43:35 - Hot or Not: Sub 2-hour marathon 49:35 - Should Alexis take creatine?  54:20 - Guessing Gordon Ramsay’s marathon time  58:10 - Closing remarks

    I've Just Started Running: Do I Have What it Takes? | For Better Or For Worse

  8. May 30 ·  Video

    Wedding Planning Chaos: Are We Actually Ready? | For Better Or For Worse

    For Better or for Worse is a weekly podcast following Alex Cyr and Alexis D'Souza: a couple soon to be married, each with a goal to run the best race of their lives this fall. Alex is an experienced competitive runner. Alexis is just getting started. Together, they're navigating wedding planning, first long runs, training blocks, and everything in between. This week, Alex goes to Morocco; Alexis makes a friend at the Colonoscopy clinic. New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a mile.🎙️ Follow the journey:📍 Alex Cyr — elite runner, soon-to-be husband📍 Alexis D'Souza — beginning runner, soon-to-be wife#RunningPodcast #ForBetterOrForWorse #MarathonTraining #CoupleGoals #RunningCouple #BeginnerRunner #WeddingSeasonEpisode 2 - 0:00 - Intro1:00 - Alexis goes to Paris6:30 - Alex's "work trip" in Morocco14:00 - Colonoscopy Corner18:30 - April Fools 202624:00 - Alexis' running workout33:00 - Goal setting for 202637:30 - Alex's season opener42:00 - Is Alex a professional athlete?46:00 - Wedding planning chaos51:00 - Hot or Not? 54:30 - No cups at the Paris marathon59:13 - Celebrity marathoner

  9. May 23 ·  Video

    The Pilot! Planning our First 10k, First Podcast, and ...Wedding

    For Better or for Worse is a weekly podcast following Alex Cyr and Alexis D'Souza: a couple soon to be married, each with a goal to run the best race of their lives this fall. Alex is an experienced competitive runner. Alexis is just getting started. Together, they're navigating wedding planning, first long runs, training blocks, and everything in between.New episodes every week. Subscribe so you never miss a mile.🎙️ Follow the journey:📍 Alex Cyr — elite runner, soon-to-be husband📍 Alexis D'Souza — beginning runner, soon-to-be wife#RunningPodcast #ForBetterOrForWorse #MarathonTraining #CoupleGoals #RunningCouple #BeginnerRunner #WeddingSeasonEpisode 1 - 0:00 - Intro3:25 - How we got here6:30 - The insanity of wedding dresses8:20 - Why Alexis is starting to run11:20 - Advice from Mel Robbins14:15 - Choosing a running goal21:15 - Alex's running update24:10 - Choosing a race29:45 - Alex's spring goal35:45 - Alexis learns about workouts41:30 - Hot or Not - Truett Hanes47:30 - Celebrity marathon49:25 - Our homework

  • 9 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

For Better or for Worse: the show where a beginner and an elite runner, engaged to be married, try to survive training, racing, and each other. Meet the Hosts: Alexis D’Souza: Beginning runner, Gilmore Girls fanatic, real estate agent. 5k PB: TBD. “Alex catfished me into this whole running thing - 100 mile weeks was never part of the deal. But my siblings are into it, and my friends are racing marathons; so I’ve finally decided to see what this fuss is all about. It can’t be that hard, right?” Alex Cyr: Running nerd, writer and journalist, 63-minute half-marathoner.

Information

  • Creator
    Marathon Handbook
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Marathon Handbook
  • Show Website
    For Better Or For Worse