Step into the fast lane with our deep dive into super shoes — the revolutionary footwear changing the face of distance running.

We break down what actually makes a shoe “super” (01:45), take you inside the never-before-told history of Nike’s prototype era (06:30), and trace how the Vaporfly flipped the script on competitive marathoning (18:50). From foam wars to carbon plates, from elite deception to banned shoes, this is the complete story of the super shoe — past, present, and what’s coming next.

We also get creative and build our dream super shoes using the best components on the market (38:30), and we power rank the top models you can buy in 2025 (50:20), including why Puma may have just launched the fastest shoe ever (53:00).

🏁 Highlights:

• What defines a true super shoe? (01:45)
• Nike’s early secrets & Kipchoge’s prototype (06:30)
• Breaking2 and the birth of the Vaporfly (18:50)
• Tech doping and World Athletics’ rules (30:50)
• Our fantasy shoe builds (38:30)
• 2025’s best shoes ranked (50:20)
• Is innovation peaking — or just beginning? (58:45)

💡 Have a question or shoe pick? Drop us a comment on Spotify or find us on Instagram @marathonhandbook.

🎧 Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook Podcast and check out our new sister show: Run Long Run Healthy — science-backed insights to help you run smarter and stay injury-free.

The Grand Slam Track League is here – but is it actually working?

In this special episode of the Marathon Handbook Podcast, hosts Michael, Alex, and Caitlin break down everything you need to know about Michael Johnson’s ambitious new league. We dive into how it compares to the Diamond League, explore its bold innovations (like guaranteed prize money, racer vs. challenger formats, and athlete branding), and debate whether it’s doing enough to revolutionize track and field.

We also ask:

• Is GST attracting enough viewers and athletes to stay alive?
• What’s holding it back from becoming a household name?
• How can it evolve to become the NBA or NFL of track?
• Should they adopt a team franchise model and bring in drafts, free agency, and a fantasy ecosystem?

Plus, we play commissioner for a day and pitch wild (but serious!) ideas that could actually change the future of the sport.

Whether you’re already hooked or just Grand Slam curious, this is your essential guide to the most disruptive experiment in modern track and field.

(01:02) What is the Grand Slam Track League?

(02:50) Format, events, and why it’s different from the Diamond League

(05:10) Recapping Kingston & Miami — early hits and misses

(07:12) Is GST living up to the hype so far?

(09:45) The big vision: Can GST become track’s version of the NBA?

(12:00) Growing pains and how athletes are reacting

(14:20) Broadcast issues and missed opportunities

(16:00) Athlete branding: How GST is helping runners become stars

(20:30) The Racer vs. Challenger model explained

(23:10) Athlete pay: Is this the end of underpaid pros?

(24:45) What’s working: prize money, structure, presentation

(26:30) The problem with empty stands

(28:21) Should we worry about attendance?

(29:41) Buy, Sell, or Hold: GST as a stock market metaphor

(33:00) Is the hype fading already?

(35:00) GST vs. Diamond League — real differences

(38:50) Creating rivalries and new storylines

(41:06) If we ran GST: Big changes from the pod team

(44:08) Should GST scrap the 2-event format?

(46:00) How to get fans in the stands

(49:20) Fantasy teams, free agency, and a full pro ecosystem

(53:15) Can GST make the Olympics irrelevant?

(57:38) Could trail and ultra running adopt this model?

(01:01:10) A fantasy draft for GST?

(01:01:47) What’s next: Philadelphia and LA events

(01:03:00) Final thoughts and what GST needs to thrive

🎧 Subscribe to the Marathon Handbook Podcast for more insights, debates, and deep dives into the world of running.

🌐 Visit us at https://marathonhandbook.com

📱 Follow us on socials:

Instagram: @marathonhandbook

Twitter/X: @marathonhandbk

Facebook: Marathon Handbook

#GrandSlamTrackLeague #MichaelJohnson #TrackAndField #Athletics #DiamondLeague #TrackLeague #RunningPodcast #Sprint #MiddleDistance #LongDistanceRunning #MarathonHandbook #GSTLeague #USATF #TrackRivals #SportInnovation #Olympics2028 #TrailRunning #TrackEntertainment

What does it take for a woman to break the 4-minute mile? In this exclusive and groundbreaking interview, Dr. Andy Jones—one of the world’s leading exercise physiologists and the mastermind behind Kipchoge’s sub-two-hour marathon—reveals the science, strategy, and secrets behind Nike’s latest audacious project: Breaking4.

Dr. Jones has worked with legends like Paula Radcliffe and Eliud Kipchoge, and now, he’s applying decades of research and experience to help Faith Kipyegon achieve what was once thought impossible: the first sub-4-minute mile by a woman.

In this interview:

00:00 – Intro: Who is Dr. Andy Jones?
01:00 – The Origins of Nike's Breaking4 Project
03:00 – Faith Kipyegon: The Athlete at the Center
05:15 – Physiology of the Female Mile Record
09:00 – Can Faith Kipyegon Really Break 4 Minutes?
11:30 – VO2 Max, Running Economy & Anaerobic Contribution
15:15 – Pacing, Drafting, and Racing Strategy Insights
17:00 – The Science of the Perfect Mile Race
19:25 – The Role of Wavelight Technology & Aerodynamics
21:00 – Breaking2 Lessons Applied to Breaking4
23:25 – Pacers, Coordination, and Logistics in Elite Events
26:00 – Ideal Race Conditions for a Sub-4:00 Attempt
29:00 – Warm-Ups, Priming, and Race Day Preparation
33:00 – Training the Body to Hit VO2 Max Quickly
36:00 – Bicarbonate, Nitrate, and Legal Performance Enhancers
39:00 – Will There Be a New Nike Super Spike?
41:15 – Apparel, Drag, and Thermoregulation Science
42:50 – Will Wavelight Be Used for Breaking4?
45:00 – What Does Success Look Like (Even If She Doesn’t Break 4)?
47:00 – Why Scientists Won’t Collect Race-Day Data
48:50 – Was Breaking2 Ever Almost Indoors? (Behind-the-Scenes!)
50:50 – Why Breaking4 Must Feel Like a Real Race
53:00 – Dr. Jones' Prediction for the Record Attempt
54:20 – What Is Resilience in Endurance Running?
57:10 – How Kipchoge and Radcliffe Excelled in Resilience
58:45 – How Runners Can Train for More Resilience
01:01:00 – Fasted Training, Long Runs, and East African Methods
01:03:15 – Paula Radcliffe’s Steady Running Philosophy
01:06:00 – Is Easy Running Overrated?
01:08:00 – Will There Be Other Women in Breaking4?
01:10:00 – The Pacers of the Future: Could Young Stars Join In?
01:12:30 – Who Is Faith Kipyegon Beyond the Track?
01:14:00 – Closing Thoughts on Risk, Innovation, and Belief