Road to the Trials

Episodes

• 
  Paxton Smith: From Miami Schoolteacher to Coaching 200 Runners and a Second Olympic Trials Qualification 26.10.2026 59m

  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsPaxton Smith is headed to his second Olympic Marathon Trials after running 2:15:51 at the McKirdy Micro OTQ. But his journey back to the Trials has looked very different from his first qualification.After running at the University of Colorado, Paxton moved to Miami through Teach for America, balancing early morning training in brutal heat and humidity with a demanding teaching career. Now, he's coaching alongside Olympian Luis Orta, helping lead a running community that brings more than 200 athletes to the track at 5:30 a.m.Paxton joins the show to talk about finding his way through disappointing marathons, how coaching everyday runners has transformed his own relationship with the sport, and what he's learned about fueling, training, and chasing faster times. He also shares why qualifying for his second Trials was so emotional and how he's approaching the next chapter of his running career.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Arrive at the starting line feeling race-ready with CEP's medical-grade compression socks, trusted by elite athletes for travel and recovery. Road to the Trials listeners can save 15% off their entire order at CEP Running through November 15 with code LRLNYC-15 at checkout, or shop at ceprunning.comSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials
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  Benjamin Bayless: A 2:15 Marathon Debut, Race-Day Mistakes, and Chasing 2:10 22.10.2026 1h 3m

  Benjamin Bayless ran 2:15:35 in his marathon debut at CIM, securing his 2028 Olympic Trials qualifier on his first attempt. A former collegiate runner at Miami University and Ole Miss, Benjamin made the jump to the marathon immediately after graduation and quickly proved he belonged at the elite level.He joins Peter to break down his unconventional path to the marathon, including a 64-minute half marathon in Copenhagen, the training philosophy that helped him build confidence without excessive mileage, and the fueling mistakes that nearly derailed his CIM debut. They get into critical velocity training, racing tactics, super shoes, and what Benjamin learned from struggling through the final miles of his first marathon.Benjamin also shares how his obsession with running science turned into a coaching career, his frustration with misinformation in the running world, and why he's interested in exploring ultramarathons. With his Olympic Trials qualifier already secured, he's setting his sights on a sub-63-minute half marathon, a potential 2:10 marathon, and a top-20 finish at the 2028 Trials.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Arrive at the starting line feeling race-ready with CEP's medical-grade compression socks, trusted by elite athletes for travel and recovery. Road to the Trials listeners can save 15% off their entire order at CEP Running through November 15 with code LRLNYC-15 at checkout, or shop at ceprunning.comSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials
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  Jackie Gaughan: Self-Coaching, 80/20 Training, and Learning to Race Again 19.10.2026 53m

  Jackie Gaughan is a 2:24 marathoner, Saucony-sponsored athlete, and full-time finance professional who just secured another Olympic Trials qualifier at the Berlin Marathon.After a stretch of disappointing races and training that left her feeling burned out, Jackie reconsidered what it meant to train like a professional runner. She shares why doing less, prioritizing recovery, and adapting workouts around her demanding career helped her rediscover consistency and confidence.Peter and Lindsey also talk with Jackie about her remarkable comeback at CIM following a difficult Chicago Marathon, the resilience she developed through setbacks, her experience at the 2024 Olympic Trials, and how she approaches coaching herself. Plus, Jackie reflects on her unconventional path from Notre Dame to elite marathoning and what she's hoping to accomplish heading into the 2028 Olympic Trials in St. Louis.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Arrive at the starting line feeling race-ready with CEP's medical-grade compression socks, trusted by elite athletes for travel and recovery. Road to the Trials listeners can save 15% off their entire order at CEP Running through November 15 with code LRLNYC-15 at checkout, or shop at ceprunning.comSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials
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  Alex Price: Self-Coached to the Olympic Trials, One Water Cup at a Time 14.10.2026 53m

  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsAlex Price joins Peter and Lindsey after running 2:15:24 at the California International Marathon to qualify for the 2028 Olympic Trials. A former Division III runner, Alex spent years chasing the qualifying standard while balancing a full-time job, family life, and training almost entirely on his own.Alex shares how he dropped more than five minutes from his marathon PR, why consistency and quality workouts mattered more than increasing mileage, and what it was like to find himself running alongside Olympians at CIM. He also talks about his unconventional approach to training, fueling with just a handful of gels, skipping personal bottles in favor of water cups, and learning to trust what works for him.They also discuss the supportive running community in Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, becoming a father of two, the role his wife has played in his success, and why his mantra, "Keep Moving Forward," applies to much more than running.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Arrive at the starting line feeling race-ready with CEP's medical-grade compression socks, trusted by elite athletes for travel and recovery. Road to the Trials listeners can save 15% off their entire order at CEP Running through November 15 with code LRLNYC-15 at checkout, or shop at ceprunning.comSupport us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials
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  Diane Neubauer: 12 Seconds to Spare at CIM 12.10.2026 1h 3m

  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsDiane Neubauer is a mom of two, an Air Force wife, a running coach, and an Olympic Trials qualifier who has made some remarkable breakthroughs in the marathon over the past few years.After running collegiately at Cabrini University, Diane stepped away from competitive running before returning to the sport with a new level of commitment. She went from a 3:07 marathon to 2:45, then ran 2:36:48 at CIM to secure her spot at the 2028 Olympic Trials, just 12 seconds under the qualifying standard.Diane joins Lindsey to share how her relationship with running has evolved, what contributed to her massive improvements, and how she's balanced training with motherhood and military family life. They also talk about the friendships she's built through running, the role her community has played in her success, and her recent 10th-place finish at the USATF 20K Championships.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Arrive at the starting line feeling race-ready with CEP's medical-grade compression socks, trusted by elite athletes for travel and recovery. Road to the Trials listeners can save 15% off their entire order at CEP Running through November 15 with code LRLNYC-15 at checkout, or shop at ceprunning.com
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  Patrick Cullen is Chasing a 2:06 at the Chicago Marathon 09.10.2026 47m

  Patrick Cullen is heading into the Chicago Marathon this weekend with a big goal: run 2:06 and establish himself as one of the next names to watch in American distance running.At just 24 years old, Patrick has already qualified for the 2028 Olympic Trials after running 2:13:18 in his marathon debut in Ottawa and 2:12:15 just six weeks later at the Gold Coast Marathon. Now, with a marathon-specific training block behind him, he's ready to take a major leap forward.Patrick joins Peter during race week to talk about his unconventional path from Northeastern to BYU, why he moved to the marathon so early in his career, and the confidence behind his Chicago goal. They get into his 140–150-mile training weeks, his heavy reliance on the treadmill, the fueling changes he believes will make a difference on Sunday, and why he sees the marathon as the ultimate test of endurance.With his sights set on Chicago and the 2028 Olympic Trials, Patrick is betting on himself in a big way.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Arrive at the starting line feeling race-ready with CEP's medical-grade compression socks, trusted by elite athletes for travel and recovery. Road to the Trials listeners can save 15% off their entire order at CEP Running through November 15 with code LRLNYC-15 at checkout, or shop at ceprunning.com
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  Ainsley Pressl: She Didn’t Think She Was Ready to OTQ 05.10.2026 1h 5m

  Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsAinsley Pressl showed up to the McKirdy Marathon calling it a “soft attempt.” She wasn’t convinced she was ready to run the OTQ standard. Her plan was simply to get in the pace group, hang on as long as she could, and learn from the experience.Instead, she ran 2:36:12 and punched her ticket to the 2028 Olympic Trials.Ainsley joins Peter to talk about the race she never expected to be *the* race, the negative self-talk that followed her deep into the marathon, and the moment she finally realized she was going to make it. She shares her progression from 3:06 in her first marathon to 2:59 at Boston, 2:48 at Chicago, 2:40 at Indy and eventually her OTQ.They also talk about why she never felt like she needed to completely reinvent herself to get faster, learning through plenty of mistakes, improving her fueling, balancing running with a full-time career and a life outside the sport, and why removing the fear of failure has made it easier to take big swings.Plus, Ainsley looks ahead to CIM, her first opportunities in pro fields, and what she imagines when she thinks about lining up in St. Louis in 2028.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
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  Anne-Marie Blaney: Racing to Win at Twin Cities 01.10.2026 48m

  Anne-Marie Blaney has built her marathon career one steady step at a time. After finishing 16th at the 2024 Olympic Trials and running 2:29, the Hansons-Brooks athlete is already qualified for 2028 and focused on continuing to evolve as a marathoner.Anne-Marie joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about nearly nine years with Hansons-Brooks, why patience and consistency have been so important to her progression, and what she learned from racing the 2024 Trials in Orlando. She also shares how moving to Charlotte has changed her training, what she’s learned from running more on her own, and why she chose Twin Cities for her next marathon.They talk about the difference between racing for time and racing to compete, her goal of working with teammate Caroline at Twin Cities, representing Team USA at World Cross, and the teammates and runners who continue to inspire her.Plus, Anne-Marie shares her unexpected hobby outside of running: beekeeping.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport our Sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
• 
  Mitch Ammons: A 2:14 Breakthrough, Addiction, and Life Without Running 28.09.2026 1h 8m

  Mitch Ammons joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about his 2:14 breakthrough at CIM that secured his spot at the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials, and the challenging months that followed.Mitch shares why higher mileage changed his running, what went right during his CIM build, and how he managed to race on a badly injured ankle. He also opens up about ankle surgery, navigating prescription pain medication after 11 years of sobriety, and the major impact that being unable to run had on his mental health.Plus, Mitch talks about the parallels between addiction and his drive as a runner, his recovery from surgery, and what comes next as he works his way back.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport our Sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
• 
  Stephen Jones Is Having Way Too Much Fun Running 2:11 24.09.2026 1h

  Stephen Jones joins Lindsey and Peter after a breakout 2:11 performance at the Marathon Project secured his Olympic Trials qualifier and opened the door to an opportunity he’s dreamed about: racing the professional field at the New York City Marathon.Stephen talks about why he still prioritizes fun over chasing splits, how he balances 100-mile weeks with a full-time job in Boulder, and why he believes there’s more in the tank after his 2:11 breakthrough. He also shares how The Track Club helped bring him back to competitive running after burnout, the story behind his unforgettable finish at Bolder Boulder, and what support from Bandit has meant as an unsponsored athlete getting closer to the professional level.They also get into his long-distance relationship with fellow Trials qualifier and medical student Maddie Alm, his approach to New York’s notoriously difficult course, “delusional confidence,” and why he’s trying not to look too far ahead to March 2028.Stephen’s biggest reminder heading into New York? Don’t forget to smile.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport our Sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
• 
  Paige Wood: Taking the Pressure Off the Clock and Betting on Consistency 21.09.2026 47m

  Paige Wood joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about the long road back to her best after becoming a mom and what she’s learning as she builds toward her first Olympic Marathon Trials.Paige breaks down her run at Boston, why stepping away from chasing a specific time helped her rediscover the fun of racing, and what she learned from a tough day at the Marathon Project. She also opens up about balancing professional running with family planning, the patience required in her postpartum comeback, and why consistency over the next two years matters so much to her.Plus, Paige shares how a summer of lower mileage and faster work is shaping her New York City Marathon build, what she hopes to learn from racing the majors, life with the rebuilding NAZ Elite team, and why she believes it’s better to arrive at a starting line slightly undercooked than not arrive at all.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport our Sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
• 
  Anna Benedettini: Three Marathon Starts, Two OTQs 17.09.2026 52m

  Anna Benedettini is already headed back to the Olympic Trials. She ran 2:33:13 for third at Indy Monumental last fall, earning her second OTQ in just her third marathon start and taking nearly two minutes off the time she ran to qualify for the 2024 Trials.Anna joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about her breakthrough at Indy, how she rebuilt her relationship with running after five stress fractures in college, and why better fueling, recovery, and a healthier approach to the sport have allowed her to thrive post-collegiately. She also shares what it’s like being coached by her brother, balancing elite-level running with her job at rabbit, and why having a full life outside of running is central to the way she approaches the sport.With her 2028 qualifier already secured and the Trials coming to her hometown of St. Louis, Anna has time to experiment, chase faster times, and enjoy racing before it’s time to fully lock in again.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport our Sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
• 
  Kodi Kleven on Leading Boston and Breaking 2:25 14.09.2026 41m

  Kodi Kleven had one of the biggest breakthroughs of the spring, running 2:24:48 at Boston after finding herself at the front of the race early on. She joins Peter to talk about what it felt like to lead the Boston Marathon, why she was able to stay calm in the moment, and how a performance she once couldn’t imagine became her new PR.Kodi also shares how training with Ed Eyestone’s Run Elite group has changed her running, the lessons she’s learned from years of injuries, underfueling, and overtraining, and why nutrition, recovery, strength work, and learning to trust the people around her have become such a big part of her progress.They also talk about her background in trail running, why she still sees trails in her future, working through her current injury, and what it will take to stay healthy and make it to the 2028 Olympic Trials in St. Louis.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsThank you to our sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
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  Brooke Wildermuth Went From 4:11 to 2:35 10.09.2026 40m

  Brooke Wildermuth’s first marathon was a 4:11. She was fresh out of college, working in consulting, traveling Monday through Thursday, and running mostly because she loved it. Fast forward a few years and Brooke is a 2:35 marathoner headed to the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.Brooke joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about the huge progression that started when she joined Brooklyn Track Club and decided she wanted to see how good she could get. After running 3:14 at New York and 2:44 at Chicago, Brooke had her son and faced a much harder postpartum return than she expected, including a serious infection and a femoral stress reaction that forced her to stop running.She shares how she rebuilt through cross-training, returned to marathon training, and ultimately ran 2:35:48 at McKirdy to secure her Olympic Trials qualifier. Brooke also talks about balancing running with motherhood and future family plans, what she hopes to chase at CIM this fall, and why she’s still curious to find out just how fast she can go.Thank you to our sponsors:Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
• 
  Colin Bennie: Two Top-10 Olympic Trials Finishes and More in the Tank 08.09.2026 1h 2m

  Colin Bennie has already proven he can show up when it matters, finishing ninth at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and tenth in 2024. Now officially qualified for 2028, he joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about what’s next.Colin shares the highs and lows of his marathon career, from becoming the top American at Boston to taking big swings that don’t always pay off. He talks about training mostly solo under longtime coach Chris Fox, trusting what works instead of chasing massive mileage, and balancing elite running with his full-time data engineering job for the Miami Marlins.With a baby on the way, Colin is putting family first this fall before turning his attention back to racing and another Olympic Trials buildup. He talks about longevity in the sport, learning from tough races, and why he still wants the chance to find out just how fast he can run.Thank you to our sponsors:ZBiotics is a genetically engineered pre-alcohol probiotic designed to help break down an alcohol byproduct associated with rough mornings. Take it before your first drink to enjoy your night without sacrificing the next day. Get 15% off your first order at zbiotics.com with code TRIALS26.Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
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  Hillary Bor: From Olympic Steeplechaser to 2:08 Marathoner 03.09.2026 48m

  Hillary Bor built his career as one of America’s top steeplechasers, becoming a two-time Olympian before making the move to the marathon. Now, after running 2:08 in Rotterdam, he has his sights set on going sub-2:06 and making another Olympic team in 2028.Hillary joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about what he’s learned through his first two marathons, how marathon training compares to the steeplechase, and why patience, fueling, and endurance have become such a big focus. He also shares his remarkable path from coming to the U.S. on a college scholarship to serving in the Army while training at an elite level, and why he credits the military with helping shape both his running career and his mindset.They also talk about studying his competitors, averaging 130 miles per week, learning from training partners, and why he believes the 2028 Olympic Trials could be one of the most competitive yet.In this episode:Transitioning from the steeplechase to the marathonRunning 2:08 in Rotterdam and chasing sub-2:06His goal of making a third Olympic teamServing in the U.S. Army while training professionallyWhy the military shaped his approach to competitionLearning marathon fueling and race strategyTraining 130-mile weeksStudying his competitors ahead of 2028Looking ahead to Valencia and the Olympic TrialsThank you to our sponsors:ZBiotics is a genetically engineered pre-alcohol probiotic designed to help break down an alcohol byproduct associated with rough mornings. Take it before your first drink to enjoy your night without sacrificing the next day. Get 15% off your first order at zbiotics.com with code TRIALS26.Kila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed specifically for your feet. Just download the Kila app, scan your feet in less than five minutes, and your custom insoles are built and shipped to you. They’re comfortable, responsive, and bring super shoe technology to a personalized insole. Get $50 off your first order at kilarun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.
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  Road to the Trials: The Road Ahead 27.08.2026 9m

  Hi all! We wanted to pop on with a quick update from the Road to the Trials team, revisit a few of our past episodes, and share a little of what’s ahead.We’re taking a down week, but there’s a lot coming this fall. We have a ton of great interviews lined up with more athletes on their Road to the Trials, so buckle up. We’re just getting started!And if you’ve been enjoying the show, consider supporting us on Patreon. Your support helps us keep telling these stories and fueling the Road to the Trials.Support us here: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials
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  Sarah Czuprynski Went From a 4:04 Marathon to an OTQ 17.08.2026 40m

  Sarah Czuprynski will be the first to tell you that the marathon has never come naturally to her. In fact, she’ll also tell you she hates it.Her first marathon took more than four hours. She eventually qualified for Boston, broke three hours for the first time at New York, dropped her PR to 2:43, and then ran 2:36 at CIM to qualify for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Most recently, she lowered her PR again to 2:35 at Grandma’s Marathon. Her progression is pretty incredible, but Sarah’s story is about so much more than the times she’s run.Sarah takes Peter through her entire marathon journey, including the heartbreaking story behind her first marathon. Her dad, who was her biggest supporter, unexpectedly passed away just before he was supposed to fly to Los Angeles to watch her race. When Sarah finally ran the LA Marathon the following year, she carried his ashes and a cross around her neck for all 26.2 miles.This is an inspiring episode, enjoy!Kila RunKila makes custom performance insoles using super shoe foams, designed around your unique foot shape. The process takes less than five minutes using your phone, and your custom insoles are shipped directly to you.Get $50 off your first order at KilaRun.com with code ROADTOTHETRIALS.Road to the Trials PatreonWant even more Road to the Trials? Join Peter and Lindsey on Patreon for bonus episodes, deep dives, Trials predictions, Q&As, and plenty of marathon geekery as we count down to 2028.Join the Road to the Trials Patreon at Patreon.com/relayandtrials.
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  Breanna Sieracki: Baby #3, Another Olympic Trials, and the Belief That Sub-2:30 Is Coming 13.08.2026 1h 6m

  Breanna Sieracki joins Lindsey and Peter on Road to the Trials after qualifying for her second Olympic Marathon Trials and with baby number three on the way.Breanna’s path to the marathon is such a good one. She came out of college as a steeplechaser and 5K runner who swore she would never run a marathon. Then, during her first pregnancy, she started wondering what it might look like to train for one postpartum. She debuted at CIM 10 months after having her first daughter, then came back at Grandma’s Marathon in 2023 and ran 2:33 to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Trials.We talk about how motherhood has changed Breanna as an athlete, learning to give herself more grace in training, and what she’s learned through multiple postpartum rebuilds. She also takes us inside Minnesota Distance Elite, her relationship with Coach Lundstrom, and the individualized training that has helped her grow from a relatively low-mileage college runner into someone who thrives during 80–110 mile marathon weeks.Breanna also opens up about her difficult day at Boston, the vulnerable post about her race that unexpectedly went viral, and how hard it was to deal with criticism and comments about her body while already processing the disappointment of the race itself. We talk about the patience required when you know the fitness and the potential are there, but life means the next opportunity may still be a ways off.Her message at the end of this conversation says it best: you can chase multiple dreams. Your path might look different from someone else’s, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose only one.
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  Carrie Ellwood’s Rise From First Grade Teacher to 2:22 Marathoner 10.08.2026 50m

  Carrie Ellwood is having the kind of year that can change a running career. She finished 10th overall and fourth American at the Boston Marathon in 2:22, signed her first professional contract with ASICS shortly after, and has firmly put herself in the conversation as someone to watch heading toward the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials. Carrie spent seven years as a first grade teacher while continuing to train and compete at a high level. Two years ago, she stepped away from the classroom without a big contract waiting for her or a breakout race guaranteeing that professional running would work out. She simply knew she would regret it if she didn’t give herself the chance to see how good she could be. Now, that bet on herself is paying off.Thank you to our sponsors:ZBiotics is a genetically engineered probiotic designed to support your body before drinking. Their pre-alcohol probiotic is formulated to break down the byproduct of alcohol that can lead to rough mornings, helping you feel better the next day while still enjoying a social night out. Developed by a team of PhD microbiologists, it’s designed to be taken before your first drink as part of a more intentional approach to alcohol consumption. If you’re looking to balance enjoying a night out without sacrificing how you feel the next day, you can learn more and get 15% off your first order at zbiotics.com using the code trials26 at checkout.Precision Fuel & Hydration offers a personalized approach to fueling and hydration, helping athletes dial in exactly what their body needs before, during, and after training. With a wide range of products including drink mixes, gels, chews, and electrolyte solutions, it makes it easy to build a fueling strategy that fits your routine, whether you're heading out for a long run or racing. What sets them apart is their individualized fueling plans, designed around your specific sweat rate and sodium needs rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. You can learn more and get 15% off your first order at precisionhydration.com using the code trials26 at checkout.