Enter the Pain Cave

In this episode we speak with Rafael Hidalgo who shares how endurance running can rewire your brain and transform your life. Rafael, who completed the 110 mile Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2023, believes the race’s most meaningful story lies not at the front of the pack, but at the back—and deserves to be told. He unpacks this philosophy in his book, The Pain Cave: Start With Where, Not With Why. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000. The Pain Cave: Start With Where, Not With Why -book by Rafael Hidalgo

In this episode we speak with Genae Salinas the event director at the largest running industry trade show in the world. We discuss the current running boom, what trends are driving it, and how long will it last? Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Drink AG1 -powerful, clinically-backed drink that fills common nutrient gaps and supports a healthy immune system—all in just one scoop. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! Drury Hotels -where the extras are not extra! Use our link to save 10% on your stay or use the code RN2025. The Running Event Instagram page. Join the MTA email newsletter! Use this simple opt-in form.

In this episode, we are joined by Des Linden and Magda Boulet, who recount their adventure competing at the Marathon des Sables—a seven-day, 168-mile stage race across the Sahara Desert! This conversation focuses on the science of training, adaptability, and how runners respond under stress. Des Linden represented the United States in the 2012 London Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the women’s marathon. In 2018, she became the first American woman in 33 years to win the Boston Marathon. She holds the women’s 50K world record of 2:59:54, set in 2021. Magdalena Lewy-Boulet represented the U.S. at the 2008 Olympic Marathon. She’s winner of the Western States Endurance Run (2015) and winner of the 2018 Marathon des Sables. Born in Poland, she immigrated to the U.S. and became a citizen in 2001. She is a sports scientist and President of GU Energy Labs. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Drink AG1 -powerful, clinically-backed drink that fills common nutrient gaps and supports a healthy immune system—all in just one scoop. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000. Find Des Linden @des_linden and find Magna Boulet @runboulet and GuEnergyLabs

In this crossover episode with Another Mother Runner podcast, we serve up expert advice for your first marathon—from how to pace yourself so you reach the finish line with a smile on your face, to advice on dealing with race-day anxiety. Thanks to Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat for having us on the AMR podcast! Links Mentioned in this Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Don’t miss the Lexington Health Run Hard Half Marathon, 10k, and 5k in Lexington, South Carolina, on November 14th, 2026 Use the code MTA10 for 10% off! Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000.

In this episode Coach Angie shares how to have the confidence to trust your training to go the distance on race day. This is how you finish 26.2 miles when your longest distance in training is only 20 miles. Plus, Trevor is back from a 45 day tour through Italy, Austria, Germany, Slovenia, Croatia, and Portugal. Hear his “pro tips” for traveling in these countries. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Run the Athens Marathon with Angie, Trevor, and Dean Karnazes! See this page for details. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! Drury Hotels -where the extras are not extra! Use our link to save 10% on your stay or use the code RN2025.

Imagine surviving your first marathon, only to nearly die from drinking water. In this episode, a Barcelona-based listener shares his terrifying battle with water intoxication—and the powerful life lessons he took from the finish line. Plus, Trevor breaks down his ultimate, off-the-beaten-path “Beer Hall Crawl” through Bavaria. Tune in to discover the hidden local spots most American tourists completely miss! Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Run the Athens Marathon with Angie, Trevor, and Dean Karnazes! See this page for details. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. Yohay Elam Linkedin profile.

In this episode we speak with Dimity McDowell about her new book The 27th Mile: How to Smooth the Rough Transition Out of Your Running Years. Dimity has written for numerous publications including Runner’s World, ESPN, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. In 2010 she cofounded Another Mother Runner. A mother of two, she lives in Denver, Colorado, with her husband and two dogs. Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Run the Athens Marathon with Angie, Trevor, and Dean Karnazes! See this page for details. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000. Dimity’s Book: The 27th Mile

In this episode we bring you along on our epic 80-mile running adventure in the Italian Dolomites. Hear trail running tips from our expert mountain guides, and inspiration from podcast listeners who joined us in the Alps! Special thanks to Jeff Thompson, Carly Brown, Louise Turner, Liz Mukherji, Bekah Shininger, Sonia Dolan, Hank Grabowski, Melissa Bently, Julia Cassandra, Marybeth Duke, Bud Haas, Sheila O’Neil, and our guides from Run the Alps: Bruno Yates, Alistair Crompton, and Marion Giraud! Links Mentioned in This Episode Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Previnex -makers of Joint Health Plus and Muscle Health Plus -two products I take every day that help me maximize my recovery and performance as a long distance runner. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. The Richmond Marathon in Richmond, Virginia. Sign up for the Capital One 8k! AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. Our Instagram: see photos @marathonacademy Bekah Shininger Instagram: for more fun videos from our trip see @bekinreallife Day 1: Ortisei Distance – 18.76 km / 11.73 miles Elevation Gain – 457 m / 1522 ft Elevation loss – 1029 m / 3427 ft Day 2: Plattkofel Hütte Distance – 24.57 km / 15.35 miles Elevation gain – 1,340 m / 4462 ft Elevation loss – 1034 m / 3443 ft Day 3: Selva Distance – 16.04 km / 10 miles Elevation gain – 642 m / 2137 ft Elevation loss – 1369 m / 4558 ft Day 4: San Casiano Distance – 16.59 km / 10.37 miles Elevation gain – 980 m / 3263 ft Elevation loss – 1024 m / 3409 ft Day 5: Refugio Lagazuoi Distance – 18.36 km / 11.48 miles Elevation gain – 1287 m / 4285 ft Elevation loss – 311 m / 1036 ft Day 6: Cortina Distance – 22.32 km / 13.95 miles Elevation gain – 354 m / 1178 ft Elevation loss – 1882 m / 6267 ft Day 7: Cortina Distance – 10.76 km / 6.73 miles Ascent – 574 m / 1911 ft Descent – 975 m / 3246 ft

In this episode we bring you part 2 of our Ask the Coach Q&A as we tackle questions about fueling for an ultra, shin splints, bunions, super shoes, strength training, runner’s trots, knee pain, fueling, and running postpartum. Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. AG1 Next Gen has new flavors: Citrus, Tropical, and Berry. Get a free Welcome Kit with your first order which includes AG1 Travel Packs, a shaker bottle, metal canister, and a bottle of AG Vitamin D3+K2. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000. Coach Angie Spencer is a running coach and registered nurse who has finished 72 marathons (including 6 ultramarathons). She lives in central Pennsylvania with Trevor and their three sons. Coach Abby Omerza is the Head Coach at MTA and has a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Fitness Leadership. She’s a Boston qualifier, ultra-runner, and triathlete who lives near Chicago, Illinois.

In this episode Coach Angie and Coach Abby answer questions about running marathons (and getting faster) after age 50, considerations for female runners in menopause and perimenopause, heart rate training, the Maffetone Method, ultra training and more! Thanks to everyone who sent in a question! Speak with a MTA Running Coaching about your goals! We are here to help you get to the next level. MetPro.co -get a complimentary assessment and consultation with a metobolic coach. Lagoon Sleep -With Lagoon pillows, you’ll fall asleep faster because you’re matched with the pillow that will be most comfortable for your sleep position and body type. Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase. Altra Running -Altra shoes are designed with the Altra Fit, with room for your toes for comfort, balance, and strength. Use code MTA10 for 10% off. And Stay Out There with Altra. IQBAR brain and body-boosting bars, hydration mixes, and mushroom coffees. Their Ultimate Sampler Pack includes all three! Get 20% off plus FREE shipping. Just text “MTA” to 64000. Coach Angie Spencer is a running coach and registered nurse who has finished 72 marathons (including 6 ultramarathons). She lives in central Pennsylvania with Trevor and their three sons. Coach Abby Omerza is the Head Coach at MTA and has a Master of Science in Exercise Physiology and Fitness Leadership. She’s a Boston qualifier, ultra-runner, and triathlete who lives near Chicago, Illinois.