Marathon Training Academy

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.

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.

In this episode, we speak with longtime Academy member Cari Masek, who ran her first marathon after being inspired by an episode of this podcast. Running has changed her life — giving her the confidence to set goals, dream big, and inspire others. 

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.

June 3 is Global Running Day and UCAN is doing their biggest sale of the year! Get 40% OFF sitewide with code MTA40. Stock up on long-lasting, easy-on-the-gut fuel, including the NEW Strawberry Kiwi and Citrus Energy Gel + Electrolytes.

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.

Cari Masek is an avid runner, race pacer, and coach.  She races every distance from 5k to 50k, with her favorite being the Half Marathon.  Having completed over 100 half marathons, she is currently working on a ONE STATE goal to run every half in Ohio.  

She volunteers as a pacer at seven local half marathons, a race director at two local races, and as a coach for three different kids programs.  She has been the head coach of the Centerville Striders Elementary Cross Country team for fourteen years.   Knowing she is making a positive impact on the next generation of runners (k-6th grade) means more to her than any personal accomplishment.

Cari ran her first marathon after being inspired by an episode of the Marathon Training Academy and would say running has absolutely changed her life too, teaching her to set goals and dream big.  The running community is the best and she is grateful to be a part of it.

In this episode we share our top three gear picks, running books, favorite marathons, runners we admire, interesting things we’ve found on a run, embarrassing running mishaps, daily healthy habits and more!

Links Mentioned in This Episode

Run Coaching. Work with an expert MTA Running Coach.

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.

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.