Hi, Team.
The “wall” is real, and it can completely wreck your plans for a speedy marathon. But associate health & fitness editor Kristine Kearns is determined to avoid the late-race crash when she runs her first marathon. She recently wrote about it in an article, “Marathon: How to Conquer the Distance.” We talk about how she is incorporating these strategies into her long runs and learn how she plans to tap into her emotions when things get hard.
How to Pass Runners after Mile 20: 6 Mental Tips for the Marathon.
In a previous episode, Jeff is joined by Brian Dalek, director of content creation, to share their own histories with running race pace almost every time they headed out the door. Most runners push too hard on recovery jogs and easy runs. We’ve made that mistake. You have made that mistake. It’s something coaches see all the time. Runner's World contributor Laurel Leicht recently wrote an article “Signs You’re Running Too Fast on Easy Days, According to Coaches” which helps you recognize when you need to hit the brakes. But you might be wondering: Won’t slow runs make me a slow runner? We answer that question, too.
Become A Stronger Runner With These Exclusive Training Programs
Health & Injuries Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
Published: Sep 29, 2025 3:08 PM EDT Runner’s World and Bicycling in July 2024. She previously coached high school girls cross country and currently competes in seasonal races, with more than six years of distance training and an affinity for weightlifting. You can find her wearing purple, baking cupcakes, and visiting her local farmers market.
