Marathon Handbook Podcast

Max Jolliffe is one of the most followed ultrarunners on the internet, and in July 2026 he became the fastest man in the 49-year history of Badwater 135, finishing Death Valley's brutal 135-mile course (ending with a 12-mile climb up Mount Whitney Portal Road, in temperatures hitting 118°F) in 20 hours 53 minutes, on his very first attempt.
In this episode, Michael talks to Max about his journey from Newport Beach surf-and-skate culture to ultrarunning champion, the science behind his heat training, his race-day battle for the lead at Badwater, how he balances content creation with elite racing, and why Cocodona has become his "white whale."
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
3:25 Growing up in Newport Beach: surfing, skating, and sports
6:16 Getting sober and finding running almost by accident
8:14 His first marathon: OC Marathon, 2019
10:14 The meteoric rise from marathoner to ultrarunning champion
10:37 Training through COVID and building real consistency
12:13 Racing his way into Badwater (Sean O'Brien 100K to Angeles Crest 100)
14:05 Course recon and race-specific prep for Death Valley
14:58 The science of heat training: core temp, sweat tests, and data
17:28 What it's actually like to run Badwater 135
19:12 Race strategy and the back-and-forth battle
21:41 The darkest night: fighting through stomach issues and self-doubt
23:04 The explosion of content creators in ultrarunning
24:16 Balancing brand partnerships with full-time training
26:14 Running is the new skateboarding
28:59 Project-based running vs chasing competitive results
30:32 Cocodona 250: the race he's never finished, his white whale
31:25 What's next: Kodiak 100, UTMB qualifying, and the Go and More Ultra
32:11 Honeymoon plans in Spain (with a little training on the side)
32:59 What his watch showed during the hottest miles of the race
34:25 Do your feet really cook running on Death Valley asphalt?
35:34 Bucket list races: Western States, Barkley, and Tor des Géants
Follow Max:
https://www.instagram.com/woah_max/
Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub
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This week, Michael, Alex, and Katelyn dig into that enduring debate before working through a full mailbag of listener questions: from whether it's worth traveling internationally for a bucket-list marathon, to pacing strategy on brutally hilly courses like Boston, to setting a realistic goal for your first-ever marathon.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro & Icebreakers
4:59 Sponsor: Kila Custom Insoles
7:01 Fall Marathon Training Kicks Off
7:42 Training Updates: Katelyn, Alex & Michael
24:51 Sponsor: Lagoon Sleep Pillows
26:40 Q1: Should You Travel for a Marathon? (London Marathon Lottery)
49:37 Sponsor: Marathon Handbook RunClub
53:01 Q2: Is Cross-Training a Substitute or Compliment to Running?
1:15:04 Q3: Setting a Realistic First Marathon Goal Pace
1:21:07 Q4: Pacing Strategy for Hilly Marathons (Boston)
1:42:15 Q5: Balancing Music and Marathon Training
1:54:11 Wrap-Up & Announcements
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
Kila creates custom insoles made with supershoe foam. Visit kilarun.com and use code “marathon” to get $80 off your first order.
Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better.  Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match.  
Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub
Shop Marathon Handbook Merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com
Elevation Calculator:
https://30grados.com/en/perfil-de-elevacion-y-pendiente

What should marathon pace actually feel like? On this episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, Michael Doyle, Katelyn Tocci, and Alex Cyr break down how to dial in your marathon pace using RPE and lactate threshold, whether you need a running coach, when to wear super shoes on race day, and how to figure out your true running ceiling. Plus, Katelyn recaps crushing a two-hour PR at the Vermont 100 and Michael shares his hilliest (and weirdest-named) run through rural Newfoundland.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro: doubling season
1:30 Katelyn's Vermont 100 recap & PR breakdown
7:50 Crushing a two-hour Vermont 100 PR
9:51 Being the happiest runner on the course
11:36 Running Newfoundland's hilliest, weirdest towns
17:30 Recognized by a fan mid-dinner
21:39 Preview: pacing, super shoes & running ceiling
25:29 Should you hire a running coach?
38:00 What should marathon pace feel like?
58:00 Training for a marathon with a demanding job
1:20:24 To super shoe or not to super shoe
1:35:29 What is your running ceiling?
1:48:10 Wrap-up & listener shoutouts
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS:
This episode is presented by Momentous. Use promo code MARATHON for up to 35% off your first order: https://⁠livemomentous.com
Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better.  Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match.  
Join Marathon Handbook's RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub
#MarathonTraining #MarathonPace #RunningPodcast #Vermont100 #SuperShoes #RunningCoach #MarathonHandbook

It's hot everywhere right now, so Michael, Alex, and Katelyn are breaking down 8 science-backed (and battle-tested) hacks for running in extreme heat and humidity. From heat acclimatization and dew point pacing to pre-cooling tricks, electrolyte hydration, and knowing the warning signs of heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke, this episode covers everything you need to train safely through a heat wave.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:52 Send Us Your Questions for Brad Stulberg
4:44 Sponsor: Lagoon Pillow
6:24 8 Hacks for Running in Heat: Overview
15:53 Hack 1: Embrace the Heat (Acclimatization)
24:05 Hack 2: Run by Feel (Dew Point)
36:39 Sponsor: Marathon Handbook Run Club
40:03 Hack 3: Pre-Cool Before Running
45:28 Hack 4: Hydrate With Electrolytes
53:57 Hack 5: Time It Right
1:01:36 Hack 6: Dress for Physics
1:07:24 Hack 7: Target Your Hotspots
1:10:13 Hack 8: Recognize Heat Illness
1:15:32 Bonus: Build Your Own Pace Calculator
SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR:
Lagoon pillows help us sleep better, so we run better.  Want to try? You can save 15% with code MARATHON. Go to https://LagoonSleep.com/marathonhandbook and take the 2-minute sleep quiz to find your match.  
Join Marathon Handbook’s RunClub for access to our members-only podcast, training plans, community rooms, merch and more: https://marathonhandbook.com/runclub
Shop Marathon Handbook merch: https://store.marathonhandbook.com
Whether you're training for a fall marathon, running ultras in tropical heat, or just trying to survive your daily run this summer, these tips will help you run smarter — not just tougher — in the heat.
Got a question for our upcoming guest, author Brad Stulberg? Drop it in the comments or send it our way, details below!
https://marathonhandbook.com/how-brad-stulbergs-books-on-excellence-inspired-kipchoges-and-sawes-marathon-world-records/
#RunningTips #HeatTraining #MarathonTraining

Josh Kerr just ran 3:42.66 to break the men's mile world record, ending Hicham El Guerrouj's 27-year hold on the mark.In this episode, Michael Doyle, Jessy Carveth, and Alex Cyr break down the race lap-by-lap and split-by-split, dig into Brooks' "Project 222" campaign behind the attempt, and debate what it means for the current golden era of middle-distance running.Then Jessy Carveth sits down with Josh Kerr himself for an exclusive interview on the race, his mindset down the final stretch, the Ingebrigtsen rivalry, and what might be next, including a possible run at the 1500m record.Splits from the race: 400m – 55.3, 800m – 1:51.1 (55.8), 1200m – 2:46.5 (55.4), Mile – 3:42.66 (54.9 final 400m).Chapters:0:00 Intro0:35 Instant reaction panel intro2:15 First reactions to the world record4:54 3:42.66 — the new world record, by the numbers5:54 What is Project 222?7:27 Lap 1 breakdown — the opening 55.39:52 Wavelight tech and Yared Nuguse as the spoiler11:15 Lap 2 — pacers step off, crowd erupts12:36 The bell lap — briefly a three-horse race13:45 Final lap — Kerr's fastest 400 of the race14:14 Race vs. time trial: comparing it to Breaking416:23 Inside Project 222 — Brooks' rollout and Easter eggs18:08 Why racing beats time trials — Nuguse's role20:16 The "contentification" of professional running20:45 The Kerr vs. Ingebrigtsen rivalry21:49 Full 400m splits, one more time23:25 The pre-race 1200m time trial video24:17 Hero or villain? Hot takes27:00 Interview with Josh Kerr begins27:30 Why it had to be a real race, not a time trial28:40 Racing Nuguse down the stretch30:02 Staying present through a 54.9 final lap31:19 Will there be a "mini Bannister effect"?32:19 Reaction from El Guerrouj, and time with Coe and Cram33:04 Is the 1500m record next?33:51 Why take this on with no Olympics on the table34:56 The training breakthrough that made 3:42 believable36:05 Making training public — the future of the sport37:32 Closing thanks