I love us runners and our race delusion. Yes, we have amazing races where we’re flying, feeling unstoppable, and riding that high for WEEKS afterward. And unfortunately…sometimes that makes the not-so-great races stick with us even more. Maybe you’re heading into a Fall 2026 marathon after a race like this: You spent 16 weeks obsessively checking every box (long runs, workouts, gels, hydration, sleep) …only to watch runners pass you as your pace completely unraveled after mile 20. Or maybe...

You’ve spent 4–5 grueling months preparing for this day. Grinding through long runs. Checking the box on strength workouts. Training your gut to handle salt tabs, gels, maybe even gummy bears and Sour Patch Kids. Maybe you’re heading into your 2nd or 3rd marathon. Which means you’re going in eyes-wide-open to where the real race begins: Mile 18. Maybe mile 20. That final 10K never fails to take runners by surprise. But how come? After the mileage base you built… The long runs you crushed…...

You’re proud of the 1-2 marathons medals hanging on your wall. And you’re about four weeks out from starting training for your next one. But the problem? A recent string of bad runs has almost ended with your running shoes in the garbage can. So naturally, your dramatic running brain decides on this obvious solution: “I should probably run more right now.” Because runner-logic is: "If you can just build more mileage before marathon training starts, then training will feel easier. You'll feel...