Blog

Couch to Marathon: What It Really Takes From Scratch

Jun 23, 2026 12:22 pmNov 9, 2019 11:44 am by Thomas Watson

Going from couch to marathon is one of the most rewarding challenges a beginner runner can take on. This couch to marathon training plan gives you a structured 6-month path from zero running experience to crossing the 26.2-mile finish line — complete with weekly schedules, cross-training days, and pacing guidance. In this post, I will … Read more

Ultramarathon Training Runs Explained

Nov 17, 2022 6:33 amNov 1, 2019 2:30 am by Thomas Watson

Training for an ultramarathon requires a totally different training modality to shorter races like half-marathons and marathons. Once you get into races that are 50km, 100km, or 100 miles long, your focus has to change. Instead of training for one concentrated burst, you have to train your body to be an endurance monster. You should prioritise building … Read more

Do Compression Socks Work for Running Performance and Recovery?

Mar 25, 2026 1:15 pmOct 26, 2019 11:30 am by Mia Kercher

“Do compression socks work for running – whether in improving running performance or recovery?” It’s something a lot of runners have wondered – especially given the amount of compression products out there. Compression technology was initially designed to help improve blood flow in post-surgical patients or people with circulatory problems, but recently it has taken … Read more

Preparing for Racing The Planet Georgia – Update

Sep 20, 2021 4:03 amOct 17, 2019 12:00 pm by Thomas Watson

With 10 months before Racing The Planet: Georgia kicks off, I spent a bit of time this week reviewing my gear and mapping out how I’m planning to train for the event. (to date I’ve done essentially no specific training, and haven’t done a stage race in > 3 years). Vardzia – part of the … Read more

6 Reasons Why You Should Run A Marathon

Nov 18, 2022 1:08 pmOct 1, 2019 12:15 am by Thomas Watson

Considering committing to a marathon? Read on for more on the health, psychological and social benefits of signing up for a marathon:

Achilles Tendonitis for Runners: Treat It Successfully + Keep Running

May 18, 2026 8:51 pmSep 30, 2019 8:15 am by Ben Gibbons

Reviewed by Thomas Watson, RRCA-certified running coach & Marathon Handbook founder. Key Takeaways Achilles tendonitis is one of running most stubborn injuries — a degenerative condition more than an inflammatory one. The fix is eccentric calf-loading (the Alfredson protocol), gradual return to running, and addressing the biomechanical issues that caused it in the first place. … Read more

My Vegan Marathon: How I Trained for NYC Marathon on a Vegan Diet

Mar 25, 2026 1:15 pmSep 23, 2019 3:19 pm by Thomas Watson

In this guest post, Peter Manley details his vegan marathon experience, as he began both his marathon training and his vegan diet just 12 weeks before his marathon experience! Here’s his story: * * * The title of this article may sound triumphant, warm, and fuzzy, but I want to start off by saying that my transition … Read more

How Eliud Kipchoge Trains for a Marathon

Nov 18, 2022 1:09 pmSep 14, 2019 12:24 pm by Thomas Watson

Ever wondered how Eliud Kipchoge trains for a marathon? After setting a new world record for the marathon in Berlin last year, there can be little argument that Eliud Kipchoge is the greatest marathon runner the world has ever seen. When Eliud ran a 2:01:39 at the Berlin Marathon in 2018, he beat the previous record by … Read more

How To Treat Shin Splints For Runners – Without Stopping Your Training

Mar 25, 2026 1:15 pmSep 8, 2019 9:32 am by Thomas Watson

Most runners have probably experienced the pain of shin splints at some point in their careers. That painful ache in the front of your lower legs after a run or brisk walk can be extremely unpleasant! Shin splints are usually associated with new runners, but they can happen to any runner –especially if you’ve been ramping up the … Read more

Join Our Marathon Training Strava Club!

Nov 17, 2022 10:31 amAug 26, 2019 5:48 am by Thomas Watson

Hey guys, interested in a marathon training Strava club? Today we are launching our Marathon Handbook Runners Strava Club, open to all runners. We’re excited to use the marathon training Strava Club as a means to build our bind our community together. We get thousands of runners using our resources each week, and now our goal … Read more

The Road to Georgia – Racing The Planet 2020

Nov 17, 2022 6:52 amJun 8, 2019 9:03 am by Thomas Watson

My Path To Racing The Planet: Georgia Reflecting on my stage race experiences and how I signed up for Racing The Planet Georgia. *** It’s been almost three years since I ran a full stage race. After running several in quick succession from 2014 to 2016, it felt like a good time to take a break … Read more

Introducing our Marathon Training Facebook Group!

Apr 21, 2022 1:00 pmApr 5, 2019 11:32 am by Thomas Watson

Today we’re launching the Marathon Handbook: Marathon Training Facebook Group! Do you have a nagging question about your marathon training? Are you looking to interact and share lessons and stories with runners at the same stage as you? Click here to join right now! The purpose of the marathon training Facebook group is to serve as a home for … Read more

Why Strava Is The Only Social Media Platform You Should Use

Nov 18, 2022 1:20 pmMar 14, 2019 2:06 pm by Thomas Watson

Track miles, not likes. Social media has infiltrated our lives in extraordinary ways in the past 10 years. As well as making the world more connected, it has given us a tool which means we never need to be alone. 80% of us check our smartphones before brushing our teeth in the morning. And while Facebook, Twitter, … Read more

Old vs New Running Shoes: How Much Performance Do You Lose?

Mar 19, 2026 5:28 pmFeb 26, 2019 3:12 pm by Thomas Watson

It’s common knowledge that you should change out your running shoes every few hundred miles. At least, that’s what the guidebooks and shoe retailers tell you. Being used to running in fairly minimalist shoes, I was a little skeptical that a pair of worn running shoes could make that big a difference to your … Read more

Books I Talk About When I Talk About Running

Jun 11, 2024 2:12 pmFeb 15, 2019 7:05 am by Thomas Watson

After running, reading books is one of my favourite things to do. I’m often asked to recommend books about running; whether it’s books on training, injury prevention, personal accounts, or simply good reads. In this blog, I’m going to cover some of my favourite books about running – books that are ‘good reads’, books which … Read more

Running. In Your Inbox, Daily.

Running. In Your Inbox, Daily.

Running.
In Your Inbox, Daily.

Running.
In Your Inbox, Daily.