Road to the Trials

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Ep. 46 - Women’s Marathon Preview with Erin Strout and Alison Wade Feb 21, 2020

Show notes

We are now one week away from the Olympic Trials. It’s time to start analyzing the field and make predictions about what could happen on race day. In this Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials preview I am joined by two of the most knowledgeable peoplep in the industry - Erin Strout, senior writer at Women‘s Running, and Alison Wade, creator of the Fast Women newsletter.

In this episode we discuss the following questions:

Compare your excitement level for the trials to another sporting event (or life event?)
Favorite part(s) of the build-up to the race?
Favorite athlete(s) to follow and why?
Favorite story line coming into the race?
Factors that could influence the outcome of the race that aren't related to the fitness level of the athletes?
List of people you'd include in a group of runners that wouldn't surprise if they qualified?
Characteristics that you considered when trying to come up with your top 3?
Top 3 prediction?
Winning time prediction?
Why exactly you chose them?
Hardest people to leave out?
Athlete most likely to set the pace (either fast or slow)?
How do you think the race will pay out strategically?
Favorite darkhorse candidate?

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Ep. 45 - Lou Serafini Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

Lou Serafini is officially ready to roll. After the TCS NYC Marathon he took a short break in November before embarking on a series of shorter races through the winter. It wasn't a typical build-up but Lou states clearly in this episode that he fully believes that he is ready to have the race of his life. In fact, he even called his shot. While we were recording he said he is ready to set a 5k PR, and he did just that with a 13:48 the night before we published this episode. Lou also give his thoughts on the trials, his current fitness, and his plans for the weekend.

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Ep. 44 - Sarah Bishop Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Our pre-Olympic Trials prep continues with Sarah Bishop. This episode is the full Sarah Bishop experience. We talk about her training after the China IRONMAN 70.3, how she increased her running after the triathlon season, her decision to run the Mesa Marathon (which she won with a 2:39 PR) last weekend before heading to New Zealand for another triathlon before she goes to Atlanta the week after. Her full and energetic life is on full dIsplay is this wide-ranging conservation.

Ep. 43 - Roberta Groner Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

With the Olympic Marathon Trials approaching quickly, we will reconnect with all of our entrants that we have followed since June. First up is Roberta Groner. We talk about her rest period in November, her struggle to find the fire to train hard in December, and how everything is coming together in January and February. She also discusses the Atlanta course in detail and provides us with a clear picture of her fitness and race plan.

Ep. 42 - Kate Landau Feb 06, 2020

Show notes

Kate Landau comes to the show with one of the best marathon resumes in America. She finished top-15 at both Boston and the NYC marathons in 2019 and has improved year-after-year. She is also a masters runner and a single mother! In this episode, Kate talks about her plans for the Trials, why she will also be racing Boston this year, how battling disored eating for 20 years (including 10 when she left running altogether) affected her, and how she views the current movement in the sport to bring these issues to light.

Ep. 41 - John Raneri Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

What a year and a half it’s been for John Raneri. A PR in every distance from the mile to the marathon that he recently topped-off with one of the best half marathons in U.S. history. John arrived at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon with a plan to compete and break 62 minutes - and he did just that. The results of the race were incredible. 29 men overall, and 14 American men, dipped under 62 minutes. John clocked a 1:01:51 to finish as the 11th American. Not only that, his performance as good for 34th all-time. John also makes a big, and surprise, announcement about his spring plans.

Ep. 40 - Neely Spence Gracey Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

Neely Spence Gracey is back! Neely ran 2:44:03 at the Houston Marathon to qualify for her third Olympic Trials. This was her first race since she gave birth to her son Athens over a year ago. It’s been a long way back for Neely, who was one of the best runners in the U.S. from 2015-17. In this episode, Neely displays her typical candor in discussing the injuries and hurdles she overcame to get to Houston, how her mentality changed after breaking her leg last summer, and how she approached Houston with an atypical build-up.

Ep. 39 - Jared Ward Jan 22, 2020

Show notes

On Saturday morning at the Houston Marathon expo I was an fortunate to record a live show with Jared Ward. He was his typical energetic and expansive self, making this conversation an immediate hit with everyone in attendance. Our topic was “Preparing for a Goal Race” and Jared discussed the physical, mental, and emotional sides of his prep. He was generous with his wide-ranging examples, and deep insight, that runners of all abilities can learn from.

Ep. 38 - Jennifer Hughes Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

Jennifer Hughes is on a mission. A mission to OTQ. At the 2019 Houston Marathon her journey began as she ran a disappointing 2:51. Her quest them took her to the Chicago Marathon then the California International Marathon, where she ran a heart-breaking 2:45:28. Just 28 seconds off her goal! This 41 year old mother of four has one final chance, and it’s back where it all started, at the Houston Marathon this Sunday. Learn all about this amazing woman and her never-say-die spirit.

Ep. 37 - Katrina Spratford Jan 07, 2020

Show notes

What a year 2019 was for Katrina Spratford. Katrina, who had specialized in cross-country after college, battled injuries throughout, and preceding, the build-up to her marathon debut at the California International Marathon. She fought through them all to make it to the starting line only to face a new set of challenges. Ultimately, she reached her goal of an OTQ with a hard-fought 2:44:16.

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