Today's newsletter is all about the long run and how best to approach running in 2026.
Following our latest podcast conversation, I've pulled together our best long–run–focused guides covering everything from why the long run matters, to how to recover from it, how to avoid common training traps, and how to mix in key workouts that make you stronger without burning out:
Latest podcast: Everything you need to know about the long run: A deep dive into what the long run actually trains, why it matters, and how to do it right.
Long run recovery tips: Why what you do after your long run is just as important as the miles themselves, and how to bounce back stronger.
Secure your spot: LA 2028 Olympics ticket draw now open: Fans around the world can register beginning Jan. 14 for a chance to buy tickets to every Olympic sport, with sales set to begin this spring.
Run smarter in 2026: The one (very tempting) training mistake you must avoid: This feature by Amby Burfoot is all about how to cut through "marginal gains" noise and focus on what truly improves performance.
Death threats halt runner Sarah Porters ultramarathon quest: Why race officials pulled the British runner from the Winter Spine Race.
Mile repeats made simple: The key workout to get faster at any distance: Master the art of mile repeats to build speed, endurance, and race-day confidence from your next 5K to your strongest marathon yet.
The future of marathon training: Balancing tech with tradition: Race tested strategies for smarter recovery and performance.
8 long run variations to build endurance, speed, and power: Fun, effective long run variations for road and trail runners to keep training fresh and purposeful.
Happy running! 🏃🏻♀️⭐
Katelyn Tocci Managing Editor Head Coach
Run Your Run
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This week on the Marathon Handbook Podcast, we break down the most misunderstood run in training: the long run. Michael, Katelyn, and Alex cover what it's for, how to structure it across a build, when to add quality (fast finishes, marathon-pace blocks), and why many runners draw the line at roughly three hours—plus a practical fueling rundown and the biggest long-run mistakes to avoid. Also: Alex's Houston Half PR debrief.
The long run builds endurance and confidence, but the real gains only happen if you recover well afterward.
I break down why long-run recovery is just as important as the run itself, and how smart recovery habits help you absorb the training, stay healthy, and show up stronger for the week ahead.
LA28 is officially kicking off the countdown for fans: ticket-draw registration opens Wednesday, Jan. 14, at 10 a.m. ET, giving you your first shot at securing a future Olympic ticket-buying window.
Mile repeats are one of the most powerful, adaptable workouts in running, and they work for nearly every distance and ability level.
I've been using them recently in my own build for a 10-mile race, and in this guide, we break down exactly how to structure mile repeats for speed, stamina, pacing, and confidence so they translate into real fitness gains and faster race times.
British runner and human-rights advocate Sarah Porter set out to tackle England's brutal 108-mile Winter Spine Challenger South—until a serious threat forced organizers to make a call no athlete ever expects.
Here are eight fun, effective long-run variations for road and trail runners—from classic LSD to fast finishes, back-to-backs, and trail-specific climbs—so you can build endurance, practice race-day strategy, and keep your training fresh.
Marathon training in 2026 isn't just "more miles, more grit"—it's smarter, more personalized, and way more recovery-driven. From adaptive training apps to hybrid plans and next-level recovery tools, runners are reshaping what it means to show up ready on race day.
In this feature by Amby Burfoot, he makes the case that we're living in a golden age of training tools and an even worse one for "marginal gains" overwhelm.
He breaks down the difference between flashy Micros and proven Macros, then brings in five top endurance researchers to help you cut through the noise and focus on what actually moves the needle.
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