In this podcast episode we talk about why you should run the World Marathon Majors; and how to get into the Berlin, Chicago, and NYC Marathons.

Plus we share a special announcement about a trip we are hosting to Dublin, Ireland!

The Abbott World Marathon Majors is the most prestigious marathon series in the world, hosting over 250,000 runners per year, and millions applying for a bib. There are basically 4 ways to get into each marathon as a non-elite runner.

But as you will hear, there are many exceptions, nuances, and backdoor ways to get into the Majors.

Sports Tours International USA -Join us at the Dublin Marathon! Get a race bib and 3 nights at a 4-start hotel. Use code MTA when you book your spot.

Joint Health Plus! -Protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order.

AG1 -It’s the perfect time to start a new healthy habit and AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

The Abbott World Marathon Majors is the most prestigious marathon series in the world, hosting over 250,000 runners per year, and millions applying for a bib. Many runners in our audience are working toward their Six Star Medal (Angie only needs 1 more star). There are basically 4 ways to get into each marathon as a non-elite runner.

But as you will hear, there are many exceptions, nuances, and backdoor ways to get into the Majors. We hope you enjoy this episode!

MetPro + MTA Coaching Deal. Special offer we’ve never done before limited to the first 30 people, signup for MetPro Nutrition coaching will also get MTA Run coaching included at no additional cost. $200 a month savings.

Lagoon Sleep -take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match.  Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.

Sports Tours International USA -our top recommended marathon tour company for runners in the USA, UK, France, and Ireland.

AG1 -It’s the perfect time to start a new healthy habit and AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

Joint Health Plus! -Protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order.

UCAN -try UCAN Edge gels for FREE all you pay is the cost of shipping. You can also get 20% off anything in their store with the code “MTA”.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

Book: How to Run the Perfect Race -Better Racing Through Better Pacing

Matt Fitzgerald is a coach, nutritionist, and author of books on endurance sports including Pain & Performance, 80/20 Running, How Bad do you Want it and his most recent book “How to Run the Perfect Race- Better Racing Through Better Pacing.” He is cofounder of 80/20 Endurance and a lifelong endurance athlete.

Whether you’re training for a marathon or an ultra, you’ll get practical nutrition advice to help optimize your running. Thanks to everyone who sent in a question!

MetPro + MTA Coaching Deal. Special offer we’ve never done before limited to the first 30 people, signup for MetPro Nutrition coaching will also get MTA Run coaching included at no additional cost. $200 a month savings.

AG1 -It’s the perfect time to start a new healthy habit and AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

Coach Amber Velasquez has a Master of Health Sciences and is a Licensed and Registered Dietitian and a certified personal trainer. She’s a coach at MetPro and loves all things nutrition & fitness.

When we had her on the podcast last year it was our most listened to episode in 2024 according to Spotify.

In this episode we interview a long-time member of our community named Debbie Gelber who has reinvented herself through running. A self-described late bloomer to the sport, she stepped on the treadmill at age 40 with a goal of losing weight. Over a decade later she’s training for her 51st marathon!

Debbie Gelber is a Fine Arts Instructor at South Plains College in Levelland, Texas. She is currently training for the Tokyo Marathon working with MTA Coach Carrie.

Work with a MTA Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

The Drury Hotels -they have free breakfast and free food and drinks in the evening -something they call the 5:30 kick back. They have more than 150 locations in 26 states. Use our link to save 10% on your stay.

AG1 -It’s the perfect time to start a new healthy habit and AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

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.

Debbie Gelber’s website: https://debrunsto50.wordpress.com

In this episode we interview Dakotah Popehn who finished as the first American woman at the Olympic Marathon in Paris!

There was a time when she couldn’t fathom running 26.2, and actually DNF’d at her debut marathon. But she didn’t give up! Listen as Dakotah shares the lessons she’s learned along the way, tips on building mental strength, and the importance of getting good sleep during training.

Lagoon Sleep -take their awesome 2 minute sleep quiz to find your match.  Use the code “MTA” for 15% off your first purchase.

UCAN -try UCAN Edge gels for FREE all you pay is the cost of shipping. You can also get 20% off anything in their store with the code “MTA”.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

Most people first heard of Dakotah Lindwurm at the 2024 Olympic Trails. She has since gotten married and goes by Dakotah Popehn. Dakotah is a 29 year old elite runner from Minnesota who has raced everything from the mile to the marathon. She won the Grandma’s Marathon in 2021 and 2022; finished 3rd at the US Olympic Trials in 2024; and finished as the first American female at the Paris Olympic Marathon with a time of 2:26:44. She lives with her husband in the Twin Cities.

In this episode we speak with Jeff Horowitz author of the book ‘Think Like a Runner -Understanding Why We Run and How to Do It Better’.

Learn about the importance of “finding your why”; the difference between chronological age versus training age; and recommended training changes for older runners.

Formerly an attorney, Jeff quit law to pursue his passion for endurance sports. He currently teaches running at the George Washington University and has completed over 200 marathons and ultras across six continents.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

Joint Health Plus! -Protect your joint cartilage from breakdown. Use code MTA for 15% off your first order.

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.

Think Like a Runner book.

Switzerland Running Retreat with Angie, Trevor, and Run the Alps.

The Drury Hotels -they have free breakfast and free food and drinks in the evening -something they call the 5:30 kick back. They have more than 150 locations in 26 states. Use our link to save 10% on your stay.

AG1 -It’s the perfect time to start a new healthy habit and AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

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.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

Alistair Crompton is a mountain running & trekking guide, yoga teacher, and vegan chef based in Chamonix, France. He is originally from the UK when he’s not running he enjoys skiing and paragliding. Alistair will be one of our guides this year on our Running Retreat in Switzerland with @RunTheAlps

In this episode we share tips for achieving your running goals in 2025! Plus, we take a look at what fellow runners (and listeners to the podcast) have planned this year.

Good news! You don’t have to figure it out on your own. Get the expert training and accountability you need to be a faster, stronger, runner. Let’s talk about your biggest challenges and see how we can elevate your training. Speak with a coach.

MetPro -Become Your Best Self with their Proven Weight Loss strategies. You can take a free assessment and speak with a Metabolic Expert. Get $500 off their concierge coaching as a lister to the podcast.

AG1 -It’s the perfect time to start a new healthy habit and AG1 is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

Book – Be Useful by Arnold Schwarzenegger

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

Take our Audience Survey! We are always looking for ways to improve the MTA Podcast and better serve our listeners.

Speak with a Running Coach about one-on-one coaching or join the Academy and use a MTA training plan.

AG1 -is offering new subscribers a FREE $76 gift when you sign up. You’ll get a Welcome Kit, a bottle of D3K2 AND 5 free travel packs in your first box.

UCAN Energy -Try their Edge gels for FREE! all you pay is the cost of shipping. You can also get 20% off anything in their store with the code MTA.

The Drury Hotels -they have free breakfast and free food and drinks in the evening -something they call the 5:30 kick back. They have more than 150 locations in 26 states. Use our link to save 10% on your stay.