The crisp air mornings are back and the runs all of a sudden are feeling magical and great again.  It's the realization that you didn't lose all your fitness over the summer it was just the humidity.  As we continue to train for our fall races it's important not to lose sight of all that training you did over the summer when it felt harder and the splits were slower.  It's also important to not get lost in the sauce of running a PR is the only way to show your growth.  There are so many ways as a runner, heck a human, to see the strides you are making in your life because of running and when we make it a PR or bust mindset we are adding unncesserary pressure on something that is already hard enough.  Chase your goals but do it in a sustainable way that helps you see the big picture insead of only being focused on the outcomes.

 

Let’s get after it!

 

Q:  “Why are my easy runs getting slower during marathon training, and should they be 100% in Zone 2? Is 75/25% still okay, or is that a failed run?”

A: It’s completely normal for your easy runs to slow down during marathon training. As training progresses, your overall volume and fatigue increase, and that cumulative fatigue is on purpose. It’s a sign that your body is working hard to adapt. So if your paces are slowing, especially on easy days, that doesn’t mean you're losing fitness. In fact, you're likely gaining fitness that's just being temporarily masked by fatigue. Come race day (after your taper), that fatigue will lift, and the fitness will shine through.

 

To answer your next question: your easy runs don’t have to be 100% in Zone 2 to "count." The goal is to spend most of your easy run in your easy zone, but perfection isn’t required. Think 85–90% in Zone 2 as a solid target. It's not realistic (or necessary!) to hit 100% every time, especially if you're dealing with hills, heat, or you're still learning to manage effort. What matters most is that you're genuinely trying to run easy, not forcing paces that are too hard.

You haven’t “failed” if 25% of your run creeps into a higher zone. The only “failed” easy run is one where you knowingly ran too hard the entire time and didn’t try to adjust. Easy runs are about consistency and intention. Mistakes are normal, especially when you're still learning. What matters is that you're making a good-faith effort to run easy, and adjusting as you go.

 

Finally, don’t beat yourself up over it. Using harsh language like “I failed” or “I messed up” doesn't help. You’re learning, you're trying, and that’s what counts. Training isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress over time. You're doing great.

 

If you want to learn more about Zone 2 and pacing, check out this amazing podcast episode with Dr. Lisa Mitro: 

 

26% of you would rather run AT THE BEACH

While 74% said they'd rather run a marathon IN THE MOUNTAINS

And so, the Boston Marathon 2026 registration window has opened. Runners can now submit their times and hope that there cutoff time is enough to secure them a spot.  Boston can be such a heartbreak for so many runners who make it their ultimate running goal. Not only do you have to hit a qualifying time, but you also have to meet a moving cutoff standard. For example, if the official qualifying standard for your age group is 3:30, that doesn’t automatically guarantee you a spot. If too many runners apply, Boston only accepts the fastest of those qualifiers. So in years when demand is especially high, you might actually need to run under 3:23 (7 minutes faster than the standard) just to get in.

 

This is also the last year before major downhill races will have 5-10 minutes added to their qualifying standards. From what I've seen in people tracking times, many predict the cutoff will land somewhere between 5-6 minutes. But the truth is, no one really knows. Boston accepts a different number of applicants each year, and not every qualifier even registers. To put it in perspective, only about 10–13% of marathon finishers ever run a Boston-qualifying time, and as the sport grows more popular, that percentage keeps shrinking. 

 

Beyond the qualifying window, I want to emphasize something important: the Boston Marathon doesn't have to be your goal. At the end of the day, it's just a race. Qualifying doesn't automatically make you more credible as a runner, a coach, or anything else. Simply qualifying is already something worth celebrating. 

Yes, it can be disappointing to miss the cutoff, but often that's outside your control. 

 

Boston looms so large in running conversations because of its qualifying standards, and many runners start to feel that without Boston, they're somehow “less.” Nothing could be further from the truth. Never let a clock on a random street define you, either as a runner or as a person. You are defined by how you show up everyday and by the life you continue to build. Chase your goals, have fun along the way, but never let qualifying (or not qualifying) for Boston make you feel less.  Anyone who shows up and pursues their potential is already a winner.

☕️ New research is coming out on how caffeine actually impacts endurance running. Hint: it’s not just about the jitters or staying awake. Studies show caffeine can help reduce perceived effort and delay fatigue, letting you push a bit harder or run longer. But how much caffeine is effective? And does it really help everyone? The science behind it might surprise you. 

 

If you’re curious about how to use caffeine strategically in your training and races (without overdoing it), check out our full blog post for all the details and tips.

 

📖 Read the full post here!

Are you creative and detail-oriented with a background in content creation for social media posts? We’re looking for a Social Media Specialist to help our team transform podcast episodes, videos, B-roll, and archived posts into fresh, engaging marketing materials that align with our brand.

 

In this role, you’ll collaborate closely with the team to maintain brand consistency and boost our social media presence. This is an exciting opportunity to grow with us as we expand! If you’re ready to bring existing content to life and help us reach new audiences, we want to hear from you: 

 

Whether you’re training for your first race, working on your next PR, or coming back from a break, we’ve got the tools and support to help you along the way.

Explore our science-backed training plans, personalized coaching services, and educational resources designed to make your running journey as effective and enjoyable as possible.