As the Official Connected Treadmill and Digital Fitness Content Subscription partner of the 127th Boston Marathon®, iFIT sat down recently with trainer Knox Robinson as he prepares for Marathon Monday on April 17. We asked Knox to share what the Boston Marathon means to him, as well as expert training tips to help you on your fitness journey!
Want to see what else we have in store for you this month? Check out our blog for all the details, and help us celebrate this legendary event! To learn more about Knox and his Boston Marathon journey, follow him on Instagram and check out an exclusive video on the @iFIT Instagram page!
What does running the Boston Marathon® mean to you?
Knox: “It’s not so much the peak experiences, but it’s the times when we’ve come back from a struggle. And I think that’s kind of what informs my own experience in Boston. Both personal struggle and the struggle that all of us have endured sometimes collectively.”
Can you expand on that?
Knox: “After the bombing in 2013, to come back to be reunited with the city and its marathoners the year after, and to cross the line, full of emotion, tears streaming down my face, and to think that an American would take all of our pain, our grief, our resilience, and our perseverance, and encapsulate that by winning America’s marathon was super profound.”
You also ran the Boston Marathon® in 2021. What was that experience like for you?
Knox: “Coming back after the pause the pandemic and coming down that finishing straight, the crowds were out, the competitors were out, the energy was out, and I just felt we’re back—running’s back. Marathoning is back. So I’ve had some fast times at Boston. I’ve had some tough times at Boston. But more than anything, I really think that those impactful memories of resilience define America’s marathon, and the world’s oldest marathon, for me.”
Knox, thank you so much for your time. Before you go, do you have any advice for folks training to run a marathon?
Knox: “It’s really important to warm up before any race. Make sure you’re encouraging gentle cardiovascular exercise with some fast walking, building into a jog. And then, you want to go through a series of mobility exercises. I’m going to do 10 arm swings on each arm in each direction. And then I’m just going to move down the body and do some simple ankle rolls. Bring a little Elvis Presley, James Brown energy to the starting line out there, so the whole body, top to bottom, is ready to go in a flexible, energetic, optimistic way!”
Keep moving with Knox!
As Knox says, “We make the road by walking.” So take the first step to a happier, healthier you with his latest iFIT Series on your NordicTrack or ProForm treadmill or elliptical.
Foundations of Cardio: Mexico City
Knox sets your running journey in motion with progressive walking and jogging workouts while exploring the sites that make Mexico City a must-see destination! Lace up your sneakers, grab your sunglasses, and get moving!
South Africa Foundations of Running
Learn the basics of running with Knox, including different running techniques, how RPE works, and more, as he shares his best running tips with you. As you work, you’ll not only establish your running base, but also take in South Africa’s spectacular views!
Foundations of Running: Increase Your Speed
Speed is the focus of Knox’s follow-up to his South Africa Foundations of Running Series. These interval workouts focus on building power and strength, so you can get stronger and run faster. You’ll also train with Knox in some of Kenya’s most breathtaking places!
Foundations of Running: Increase Your Speed Endurance
In Part 3 of Knox’s Foundations of Running program, Knox gets you started on developing speed endurance, the ability to run far at a fast pace, by building off everything he’s taught you in Parts 1 and 2. You’ll go on a variety of interval runs through some of the most incredible locations in Tanzania!
Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. iFIT assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article. Always follow the safety precautions included in the owner’s manual of your fitness equipment.