Hey runners, in today's newsletter, we're looking at the stories shaping the sport's culture and a few that could reshape its biggest stages.
A proposed Trump golf course at East Potomac Park could wipe out the four-mile loop that anchors the Marine Corps Marathon, the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, and several of D.C.'s most iconic races, a development that's already drawing concern from the city's running community.
Across the country in New York, Bill Aris, the legendary coach behind Fayetteville-Manlius, America's most dominant high school running dynasty, has been placed on leave while a district-appointed lawyer investigates parent complaints about overtraining and a "climate of fear."
We've also got a beautiful update on Tommy Rivs, who nearly six years after a rare lung cancer put him in a coma is back leading guided runs in the redwoods, drawing crowds in Boston, and racing marathons again at times nobody saw coming. And in lighter news, Wales is launching a Festival of Running and Music in the Brecon Beacons next month, complete with speed dating laps on the trail for runners who'd rather meet someone over miles than over an app.
And as always, we round things out with the practical stuff: how to actually calculate your Zone 2 heart rate, whether height really affects how fast you can run, and what our coaches make of the low-mileage FIRST training method.
Jessy Carveth
Senior News Editor, Marathon Handbook
Conditions Matter
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At the inaugural Festival of Running and Music in the Brecon Beacons next month, organisers are pairing strangers for short laps around a country trail. They say it is a deliberate alternative to the swipe.
The follow-up to the blockbuster Superblast 2 is here, and as our colleague Alex can confirm (see his video review), the SUPERBLAST 3 is a total beast.
The SUPERBLAST 3 stacks ASICS's race-proven technology with a new Trampoline Pod to provide an underfoot feel that is bouncy and responsive. Whether you are grinding through tempo work or just want to make your easy miles feel fun, this is an ideal 'why choose' shoe.
Almost six years after a rare lung cancer put him in a coma, the elite marathoner is back. He's leading guided runs in the redwoods, drawing crowds to a Boston pop-up, and racing marathons again at times no one expected.
A championship course proposed for East Potomac Park would erase the four-mile loop that anchors the Marine Corps Marathon, the Cherry Blossom 10-Miler, and several other major D.C. races.
Senior Editor Alex Cyr tests the ASICS Novablast 6: the running brand's latest and most aggressive daily training shoe to date. The sneaker is faster than ever before, but is it comfortable? Is it durable? Is it worth the money? We answer those questions and more.
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