Welcome back to the newly revamped Weekly Stride newsletter! Each week, we’ll aim to bring you a mix of fresh perspectives, stories, and reflections from across the running community.

 

As we head into this week’s edition, I wanted to reflect on something I’ve seen a lot of lately: the tension between ambition and pride after a big goal race. Many runners hesitate to feel proud of themselves, worried that pride will somehow dull their drive to chase the next goal.

 

But in my nearly 30 years in this sport, I’ve learned that couldn’t be further from the truth. If we never pause to be proud of ourselves, we eventually burn out — stuck in a cycle of self-criticism that stifles growth. Even if we fall short of a specific goal, we can still take pride in the training block we built, the effort we gave, or the grit we showed on race day.

 

Don’t fall for the trap that pride equals complacency. Taking time to celebrate your progress is what keeps you moving forward.

 

Now let's hop into this week's newsletter!

 
📣Coach’s Corner 

📰 The Stride Report
⚙️Gear Check 
📧Mailbag

🏁Mark Your Calendar 

 

-Nick K, Baltimore, MD

When we think about marathons, pacing strategy always comes up but pacing isn’t just for race day. Just like we say “nothing new on race day” for gear and nutrition, pacing is something to train, not just execute.

 

Many runners chase exact numbers on their watch, but that teaches accuracy, not awareness. True pacing is a feeling, it's the ability to sense when to push, when to hold back, and how your body responds in the moment.

 

Try building that skill in training:

These simple drills help you develop internal feedback. When race day brings wind, heat, or hills, you’ll be able to adjust confidently because you’ll know what each pace feels like. Mastering pacing by feel might be one of the most valuable tools you can carry to the start line and it will help you feel all the more confident for your next race.

 

-Nick K, Baltimore, MD

The Chicago Marathon brought the heat as always and a sub-two hour scare from reigning champion John Korir and challenger Jacob Kiplimo. The super hot early pace burnt them both, with defending champion Korir dropping out and Kiplimo slowing down to win in 2:02:23 — the second-fastest time ever run in Chicago after Kelvin Kiptum's 2023 world record. Perhaps we're closer than we thought to seeing a sub-two hour marathon.

 

Is it too late to make this newsletter Conner Mantz themed? The BYU product threw down at the Chicago Marathon, destroying the American record in 2:04:43 and finishing fourth overall. Khalid Khannouchi was there to congratulate Mantz at the finish, 23 years after setting the standard in 2:05:38. 

 

Content I can't stop thinking about… Another U.S. marathoning great Galen Rupp (who made his post-injury return with a very respectable 2:09:41) getting grilled about Harry Styles. Galen… Glen? Rupp is actually hilarious and more people need to recognize that! @marathon.handbook

 

The women's race didn't have as much fanfare, but it was exciting to see track veteran Natosha Rogers finish as top American in 2:23:28, finishing sixth overall. She revealed before the race that she's in her final year of her Puma contract, but hopefully this result should be enough for an extension. 

 

In other news… Alexis Ohanian and Serena Williams put on another showcase for women's track and field with Year 2 of Athlos. Brittany Brown made $120,000 in an hour by winning both the 100m and 200m — a epic payday to cap off a year that started with a surgery comeback. Double world champion Melissa Jefferson was also in attendance, although just as a spectator/commentator as she ended her season winning $100,000 in a Mr. Beast YouTube challenge which has now gone viral. 

 

— JoJo

I had the chance to check out the new Coros APEX 4 watch ahead of its launch on October 15 and my first impression is… she's pretty! Sleek and crispy white with a highly responsive touchscreen, the APEX 4 passes the eye test. The on-the-run experience is a little over-stimulating, as I counted five different data points loaded onto my screen as I jogged an easy three miler: overall pace, overall distance, current pace, current split distance, heart rate… it's a lot! Maybe too much! Maybe just enough for someone else! Also, the mile split sound scared everyone in my long run group so that needs to be disabled — personally!

 

One very cool feature that I have not seen before is the option to pull up a map during your activity. I imagine this would be extremely helpful for trail runners, ultra distance runners or anyone who might be running or biking or waltzing around in an unfamiliar city. It helped me walk back to my friend's house last week when my foot hurt!

 

Overall, I'm excited to keep playing around with it but I do miss the ability to sync my watch with my Spotify account. RIP to my Garmin Forerunner 245.

 

-JoJo

What question do you want the Running Explained team to answer in next week's newsletter mailbag? You tell us!

 

— JoJo

We hope you like the new look and feel of the newsletter! Is there a section you really enjoyed, or a topic that you'd like us to cover? Send us an email at podcast@runningexplained.com and let us know!

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