For Better or for Worse: the show where a beginner and an elite runner, engaged to be married, try to survive training, racing, and each other.
Meet the Hosts:
Alexis D’Souza: Beginning runner, Gilmore Girls fanatic, real estate agent. 5k PB: TBD.
“Alex catfished me into this whole running thing - 100 mile weeks was never part of the deal. But my siblings are into it, and my friends are racing marathons; so I’ve finally decided to see what this fuss is all about. It can’t be that hard, right?”
Alex Cyr: Running nerd, writer and journalist, 63-minute half-marathoner.
Alexis’ First 5K Race: Pacing Strategy & Race Nerves
Alexis’ first 5K race is five days away, and the nerves have arrived. In this episode of For Better or For Worse, Alex and Alexis go through her race week. They cover how to pace a sub-26 5K, whether to bank time or run even splits, handling a crowded start line with no pacer, and what to do when taper-week self-doubt shows up.
This episode is brought to you by ASICS: Sign up for a free OneASICS account over at ASICS.com to get 10% off your first purchase, access to exclusive colorways, free standard shipping, and more!
ASICS US: asics.com
ASICS CA: asics.com/ca/
ASICS UK: asics.com/uk
6 Oct 2026
Should You PR in Training? Our "Prove It" Workouts Before Race Day
Episode 20 of For Better or For Worse! Alex and Alexis mark the milestone with a game of Two Truths and a Lie. In training updates, Alex goes way too hard in his "Prove It" workout three weeks before the Valencia Half Marathon. He runs an unofficial 10K personal best of 28:56 in practice, and the two of them debate whether you should ever PR in a workout. Alexis looks back on her 7:09 Bloor Street Mile as her own prove-it moment, starts tapering for her 5K at Toronto Waterfront Marathon weekend, and deals with a possible cold two weeks out from race day.
Join our Chicago Shakeout Run on 10th Oct: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2002027257420
Tickets for our live show, MILE ZERO presented by Zappos: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marathon-handbook-live-mile-zero-presented-by-zappos-chicago-2026-tickets-2001880670976
TORONTO MILE ZERO LIVE SHOW, 17th Oct:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marathon-handbook-live-mile-zero-toronto-2026-tickets-2002512056467
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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29 Sept 2026
I Raced My First Ever Mile (It Didn't Go to Plan)
Alexis has finally raced. Just 26 hours after the first-ever Bloor Street Mile in Toronto, Alexis D'Souza Cyr and Alex Cyr go through her first race, from start to finish: the race-morning nerves, the porta-potty standoff, the imposter syndrome at the start line, and Alex's pacing job (he admits it was bad), which sent her through the first 400m about 20 seconds too fast. She still ran a huge 7:09 mile. Then came track hack.
This episode is brought to you by ASICS: Sign up for a free OneASICS account over at ASICS.com to get 10% off your first purchase, access to exclusive colorways, free standard shipping, and more!
ASICS US: asics.com
ASICS CA: asics.com/ca/
ASICS UK: asics.com/uk
Join our Chicago Shakeout Run on 10th Oct: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2002027257420
Tickets for our live show, MILE ZERO presented by Zappos: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marathon-handbook-live-mile-zero-presented-by-zappos-chicago-2026-tickets-2001880670976
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
Subscribe to our newsletter:
https://marathonhandbook.com/newsletter/
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
21 ratings
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