Road to the Trials

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 13 - Sara Vaughn: Boston Marathon Preview Apr 07, 2023

Show notes

The Boston Marathon is around the corner and we are kicking off our preview episodes with Sara Vaughn. Sara details what types of training she prioritized in over the last two months, non-running challenges she's had to work through, her pre-race logistics and mindset, and her difficulty choosing a race day shoe (two great options that can't decide between!).

Ep. 12 - Jereny Rivera: Shorter Races and Long-Term Planning Mar 31, 2023

Show notes

Jereny is back on the show for her second appearance this season. Since her first episode, and running 2:47 at the Houston Marathon, she has done some shorter races in the Orlando area. In this episode, Jereny continues to share her open and honest feelings about her training, how she approaches it mentally, and how she reacts during a race when things aren't going well. Jereny also open us about what this process means to her in the short term and long term. Finally, Jereny discusses what changes she is making to her marathon racing schedule and why.

Follow Jereny on Instagram: www.instagraam.com/lolspacemonkey.

Ep. 11 - Nico Montañez: Training Breakdown and 7th at the United Airlines NYC Half Mar 24, 2023

Show notes

In our second conversation with Nico Montañez, Nico shares an amazing amount about training and racing. First, Nico does a nearly 30 minute breakdown of his recent training heading into the United Airlines NYC Half and the upcoming Boston Marathon. In the second half of the podcast Nico discusses his 7th place performance, and 2nd U.S. finisher, at the stacked United Airlines NYC Half. It was a freezing day in which Nico ran well against some of the world's best. It was a clear sign that his fitness is trending well for Boston. Finally, we end with a little shoe talk and Nico shares which Asics shoes he uses for various runs and races.

Ep. 10 - Carmen Graves: Top 10 at USATF 15k Champs and African-American Distance Running Representation Mar 15, 2023

Show notes

In our second episode with Carmen Graves she details a recent breakout performance - top 10 at Gate River/USATF 15k Championships. As always, the field was loaded with stud endurance athletes. As Carmen said afterwards, "I think I’m officially a long distance runner now." Carmen details this important race, the strategy she used, and the training that led to this breakout performance. In the second half of the episode Carmen details her thoughts on only 3% of American distance runners being African-American the lack of those runners who have broken 3:00 hours in the marathon. This is a subject that Carmen is passionate about and it was an honor to hear her perspective.

You can follow Carmen at www.instagram.com/carmenpelar.

Ep. 9 - CJ Albertson Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

In our last intro episode of Season 3 we meet with CJ Albertson. CJ is simultaneously one of the best marathoners in the United States and one of the most interesting. He finished 7th at the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials and has run exceptionally well at several marathons since then, including a 2:10 at Boston. CJ has also set the 50k world record twice, most recently last fall. In this episode, CJ talks about where running fits into his life, he gets up for races while working hard to develop that same mojo for training, his life as a college coach, and how he views 2023 in preparation for the 2024 trials. I really appreciate CJ's candor in this episode. He shares his feelings in a way that is unique for professional athletes in running and any other high-level sport.

Ep. 8 - Dani Moreno Mar 06, 2023

Show notes

Dani Moreno is a professional trail runner for adidas living in Mammoth Lake, CA. Over the last couple of years, Dani has established herself as one of the best shorter distance and sub-ultra trail runners in the world. Last season, Dani finished on the podium of both the Mont Blanc Marathon and OCC. This year Dani is taking on a new challenge: Qualifying for the Olympic Trials in the marathon. Following her journey from one of the best trail runners in the world to potential elite marathoner will be on of the best stories in the running world over the next 12 months.

You can follow Dani at www.instagram.com/dan_yell_a.

Photo credit for the picture in the episode graphic goes to Cody Mathison: www.codymathison.com.

Ep. 7 - Ramiro "DJ Curly" Guillen Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

Ramiro "DJ Curly" Guillen is next up in our series of introductory interviews for season three and what a story he has to tell!

Ramiro is a our first masters runner in Road to the Trials and the self-proclaimed "World's Fastest DJ." Ramiro's athletic journey is filled with twists and turns that include leaving his college team and quitting running for 7.5 years and also winning the first marathon he entered. At the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials he sprained his ankle at mile five before limping all the way to the finish. Three years later, he is back seeking redemption after that heartbreaking experience.

You can follow Ramiro at https://www.instagram.com/deejaycurly.

Ep. 6 - Carmen Graves Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Carmen Graves began distance running after becoming a 5 time All-American in the 800m at Roanoke College where she also played soccer. After college she decided to opted to pursue pro running. She found the 3k steeplechase which tested her endurance, speed, and athletic abilities.

Like many elite runners, Carmen prioritizes her training outside of long work hours. She works in the non-profit sector as a Program Advisor for the Center of Work Education and Employment, coaches horizontal jumps at Englewood High School, and is the meet director for the Denver Twilight Mile.

Despite a full schedule, she is training hard, competing regularly in bigger track events, and has her sights set on some big goals: making the US team in steeplechase and qualifying again for the Olympic Trials in 2024.

You can follow Carmen at www.instagram.com/carmenpelar.

Accomplishments

Team USA 3k Steeple NACAC
7th place US Outdoor Champs 3k Steeple
2 x Olympic Trials Qualifier
3 x Penn Relay 3k Steeple Champion
2 x Melrose Games Distance Medley Relay Champions
Top 10, 2014 USATF Outdoor Championships 3k Steeple
7th place 3k at USATF Indoor Championships
15th place USATF Road 5k Championships

Ep. 5 - Jereny Rivera Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Jereny started running in 2015 and ran her first marathon in 5 hours and 25 minutes. Since then, she's lost over 50 lbs. and knocked 2.5+ hours off her time. Last month she ran a 2:47 in Houston and she has been smashing several shorter races in-and-around her local Orlando running scene. Jereny is in a similar position to where Stefanie Flippin was in season one - her big stretch goal is to qualify for the trials. An enormous feet and one that will require all of Jereny's considerable will and drive. In this episode Jereny details why this goal is so important for her, how she intends to give herself a chance to reach it, and why she is excited to share the entire process in a public way. Most of all, this episode really show's Jereny's incredible intelligence, will to succeed, and openness that will be a joy to follow over the next year.

You can learn more about Jereny's back story in episodes 276 and 417 of the Rambling Runner Podcast.

Follow Jereny on Instagram: www.instagraam.com/lolspacemonkey.

Ep. 4 - Sara Vaughn Feb 14, 2023

Show notes

Sara Vaughn started her elite running career as a middle distance track star before turning to the marathon in 2021. In addition to being one of America's best runners she is a mom of four and a full-time realtor. She ran her third marathon this past fall at the Chicago Marathon where she placed 7th in a time of 2:26:23.

We will be following Sara over the next year as she prepares for the Boston Marathon and a full-time track season.

As busy as Sara's life is, she has taken on a new and impactful venture. Sara and her husband just launched the Vaughn Childcare Fund to provide support for parenting undergraduate student-athletes. One of the big parts of Sara’s story is that she had her first baby while she was a junior in college as a student-athlete. She did not have a lot of resources herself so she has made it her mission to help provide people in similar situations with resources. As the NCAA slowly adapts to include parents in their mission of education, inclusiveness, and well-being, they are still a highly underserved population. The Vaughn Childcare Fund is going to help to fill that gap with financial support for childcare, mentorship, policy writing, and policy adoption.

Sara on Instagram

Vaughn Childcare Fund on Instagram

Vaughn Childcare Fund Website

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