Marathon Handbook Podcast

Our co-host Alex Cyr finally did it — broke 30 minutes in the 10K before his 30th birthday. But in this deeply personal episode, he, Katelyn Tocci, and Michael Doyle go beyond splits and finish lines. They unpack the mental toll of public goals (13:00), the crash after big wins (25:00), and how to redefine motivation (40:00). It’s a story of resilience, racing, identity, and the strange emotional alchemy of chasing big dreams.🎙 Topics Covered:10K race strategy & pacing breakdownRunning through exhaustion and travel fatigueThe danger of public goals + social media pressureImposter syndrome at every pacePost-race blues and dopamine crashWhy your best race isn’t always your fastestShifting from chasing times to racing peopleFinding purpose after you hit your big goalHow to manage running motivation long-term📩 Join our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com📸 Follow us on Instagram: @marathonhandbook

Show Notes

Our co-host Alex Cyr finally did it — broke 30 minutes in the 10K before his 30th birthday. But in this deeply personal episode, he, Katelyn Tocci, and Michael Doyle go beyond splits and finish lines. They unpack the mental toll of public goals (13:00), the crash after big wins (25:00), and how to redefine motivation (40:00). It’s a story of resilience, racing, identity, and the strange emotional alchemy of chasing big dreams.

🎙 Topics Covered:

  • 10K race strategy & pacing breakdown
  • Running through exhaustion and travel fatigue
  • The danger of public goals + social media pressure
  • Imposter syndrome at every pace
  • Post-race blues and dopamine crash
  • Why your best race isn’t always your fastest
  • Shifting from chasing times to racing people
  • Finding purpose after you hit your big goal
  • How to manage running motivation long-term

📩 Join our daily newsletter: marathonhandbook.com

📸 Follow us on Instagram: @marathonhandbook

What is Marathon Handbook Podcast?

Marathon Handbook's weekly podcast covers everything you need to know about running, from running your first 5K to qualifying for the Boston Marathon! Each week, our editors chat about what's going on in the running scene, as well as timely training tips, the best new gear, and what's happening at the world's biggest races. We'll cover everything from the Boston Marathon to the Barkley Marathons, often podding live from the most important moments in running! Watch our video podcast each week on YouTube, and listen to it wherever you get your podcasts! Inquiries: podcast@marathonhandbook.com