I lost count long ago of how many times I heard that distinct cue from my coach as I hit the final lap of races as a high school runner. Without fail, I’d reach the backstretch of the track with 300 ...

The sub-three-hour marathon is one of running’s most coveted milestones. It means averaging 6:52 per mile for 26.2 miles, a pace that demands not just fitness but—for many runners—a near-perfect ...