Are you racing wrong?


Newsletter #764: Thursday, March 19, 2026


Hey runners,

This week on the podcast, we’re tackling some of the biggest performance questions runners are asking right now—from whether carbon-plated super shoes are actually worth it, to how to pace your races more intelligently, and how to deal with self-doubt after a tough race.

In the running world, Clayton Young is parting ways with ASICS after seven years, and even world leaders like Mark Carney and Alexander Stubb are choosing a run over meetings, proving that no matter your role, running still finds its way in.

And from a coaching perspective, we’re breaking down the fundamentals that truly move the needle: how to hydrate smarter with fluids and electrolytes, how to approach risk-based pacing, and how to make better decisions around your gear and race prep so you can show up ready to perform.

Happy running!

Katelyn Tocci

Managing Editor


Latest Podcast: We Recommend Super Shoes for the Average Runner Carbon, Explain Bonking At 30k & More!

We are continuing to dive into your questions—from choosing the perfect super shoe (even if you’ve got tiny feet or a bigger build), to figuring out why so many runners fall apart late in the marathon… even when training goes perfectly.

We also tackle hydration mistakes that could be costing you minutes, and whether carrying your own fluids is actually worth it.

Plus: how to bounce back after missing a big goal, and a fun thought experiment—just how fast would Alan Turing run a marathon today?

Also on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube


The Rise Of Carbon Fiber Running Shoes: Should You Get Some?

How carbon-plated shoes are changing the sport—and whether their performance benefits, cost, and feel make them the right choice for your running.


UTMB Cancels Tenerife Race — So Dauwalter’s Going To Tuscany Instead

The Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB has been cancelled due to severe weather from Storm Therese, prompting ultrarunning's biggest star to pivot her season opener to Tuscany.


World Leaders Mark Carney And Alexander Stubb Skip The Meetings And Go For A Run

Mark Carney and Alexander Stubb took their diplomacy to Hyde Park — and we immediately started critiquing their form.


Fluid And Electrolytes For Runners: How To Hydrate Smarter And Perform Better

Everything you need to know about staying hydrated, balancing electrolytes, and keeping your body performing at its best on every run.


The Answer Is Brooks: Clayton Young Announces New Sponsor Ahead Of Boston

After 18 weeks injured, a self-negotiated contract, and a trip to Seattle that sealed the deal, Clayton Young is officially a Brooks athlete.


Risk-Based Pacing: How To Pace Yourself For A Successful Race

Find the sweet spot between too fast and too cautious—master the art of managing effort to maximize performance and minimize blowups on race day.


Could A Night On The Dancefloor Match Your Marathon?

A new study found that ravers are logging step counts that rival — and sometimes beat — those of runners crossing a 26.2-mile finish line. Your training plan did not account for this.


Should You Run The Day Before A Race?

A coach’s guide to pre-race running—how to decide if a shakeout run will help you feel fresh, fast, and ready on race day.


Marathon Winner Stopped Steps From the Finish Line. The Official Who Did It Is Now Banned.

Sheng Xueli was seconds from glory when a race volunteer, blinded by rain on his glasses, rerouted him into the wrong finishing chute — leaving the winner injured, confused, and viral.


Feedback? Hit reply and start a conversation with our team.

:: Advertise on this newsletter ::

Broadsea Media Ltd, Main Street, Fraserburgh, UK
Only send me max 3 emails per week · Unsubscribe totally · Preferences

Marathon Handbook

Join over 160,000 runners: expert running tips, the latest news, shoe and gear reviews - and the occasional running meme.

Read more from Marathon Handbook

, Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast Newsletter #771: Saturday, 28th March 2026 Hey runners, today’s newsletter captures just how unpredictable this sport can be. A runner crosses the line first in Modesto, only to be disqualified after being sent off course, while Boston continues to reckon with its past and future—from honoring Kathrine Switzer-era pioneer Bobbi Gibb to debating how to handle growing demand. There’s also a wave of bigger-picture...

Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast Newsletter #760: Thursday, March 26, 2026 Hey runners, We sat down with Des Linden this week—and it’s unlike any interview you’ve heard before. We talk about her pivot toward Ultras and Marathon des Sables, and she opens up about what she’s chasing now, and where the sport stands today. In the news, big changes could be coming to the sport—from the London Marathon’s proposed 100,000-runner, two-day event to...

, Running News : Training Tips : Training Plans : Shoes+Gear : YouTube : Podcast Newsletter #769: Wednesday, 25th March 2026 Hey runners, today’s newsletter moves between the big-picture stories that shape the sport and the personal ones that remind us why we run in the first place. From nearly 1,000 runners taking the LA Marathon’s Mile 18 exit to a son returning to Boston 80 years after his father’s historic win, there’s a mix of controversy, history, and full-circle moments. We’ve also got...