Apr 21, 2023 · 27 min
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Sports
Road to the Trials
Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Matt Chittim
Co-hosts Matt Chittim, Lindsey Hein, and Peter Bromka interview every 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier along with a wide-ranging group of industry professionals in preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
- 203 episodes
- Updated Monday
Episodes203
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Apr 20, 2023 · 53 minEp. 17 - CJ Albertson: Boston Marathon Recap
Our first Boston Marathon recap starts with CJ Albertson. CJ ran a gutsy race that proved to far more impactful that his 12th place overall finish (4th American). We dive into all of it while talking at length about his well-crafted IG post detailing his experience: "2:10:33- 12th place at the Boston Marathon On paper, a mediocre result. With analysis, a poor result- with a 62:20 1st half split, then fading hard for a 68:13 2nd half. But this race was special. For awhile now, it’s been difficult to enjoy running or really anything in life- and I’ve had this feeling that I’m not exactly myself- like my life and personality has been filtered in grayscale. This weekend in Boston was full of vibrant color. Running 15 miles with the world’s best marathoners, far faster than I’ve ever ran before- felt right, and I felt like me. It’s hard to describe, but the genuine joy, peace, and fun I experienced during the race hit me in a way that I could only interpret as “this is who I am”. Yesterday, I wasn’t fit enough to race a full 26.2 with the world’s best- and many would say I should’ve ran the first half slower (including me before the race). Analytically, they are correct. But I was rewarded anyway. I was reminded of who I am, the greatness I was created for (not just in running), and the joy of running and life. We all have greatness within us. We may not have achieved it yet, haven’t mastered the habits/discipline necessary to get there, and sometimes may not even feel it’s true- but it’s still who we are. Time to live it out."
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Apr 12, 2023 · 49 minEp. 16 - CJ Albertson: Boston Marathon Preview
Our final Boston Marathon preview episode before race day is with CJ Albertson. This will be CJ's third Boston after clocking a 2:11 and a 2:10 in 2021 and 2022. In this episode CJ details his atypical 6-8 week build, his feelings on racing/race strategy, his detailed thoughts on tapering (or lack thereof) including a somewhat spicy 21 mile run on Monday, and his thoughts on using ketone esters in training and on race day.
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Apr 12, 2023 · 31 minEp. 15 - Nico Montañez: Boston Marathon Preview
Nico Montañez is back on the show to give us a full preview of the upcoming Boston Marathon. First we dive into his 2022 experience that left Nico, who was as fit as he'd ever been, navigating emergency dental surgery and running on antibiotics. Then Nico details his training over the past six weeks, how he is approaching race day strategy and tactics, and his favorite pre-race movie. Oh, and of course we talk about his all new mustache.
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Apr 11, 2023 · 37 minEp. 14 - Dani Moreno: Boston Marathon Preview
Our Boston Marathon previews continue with Dani Moreno. Dani, one of the top sub-ultra trail runners in the world, is gearing up for Boston in a way that is truly unique. Not only is a road marathon not her forte, but her home of Mammoth Lakes, CA has had historic snowfall that pushed nearly all of her running onto the treadmill. Despite the atypical build, Dani nearly nabbed an OTQ time at the Ventura Half Marathon several weeks ago. In this episode she details her recent training, her spectacular race at Ventura, her strategy for Boston, and her race weekend logistics. Finally, Dani talks about her new podcast, Sub Hub, that you can find on your favorite podcast provider.
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Apr 7, 2023 · 35 minEp. 13 - Sara Vaughn: Boston Marathon Preview
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!).
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Mar 31, 2023 · 27 minEp. 12 - Jereny Rivera: Shorter Races and Long-Term Planning
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.
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Mar 24, 2023 · 1 hrEp. 11 - Nico Montañez: Training Breakdown and 7th at the United Airlines NYC Half
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.
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Mar 15, 2023 · 38 minEp. 10 - Carmen Graves: Top 10 at USATF 15k Champs and African-American Distance Running Representation
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.
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Mar 9, 2023 · 47 minEp. 9 - CJ Albertson
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.
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Mar 6, 2023 · 50 minEp. 8 - Dani Moreno
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.
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Mar 1, 2023 · 45 minEp. 7 - Ramiro "DJ Curly" Guillen
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.
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Feb 21, 2023 · 59 minEp. 6 - Carmen Graves
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
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Feb 17, 2023 · 43 minEp. 5 - Jereny Rivera
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.
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Feb 14, 2023 · 32 minEp. 4 - Sara Vaughn
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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Feb 9, 2023 · 44 minEp. 3 - Nico Montañez
In our second profile of season three we are highlighting Nico Montañez. Nico is a 2:09 marathoner, National Champion in the 15k, and a top-3 finisher in a stacked field at the 13.1 National Championship. Nico shares his unique journey that began in Tuscon, Arizona, went from junior college to BYU, and landed at Mammoth Track Club with Deena and Andrew Kastor. Nico also talks at length about how his work with a therapist and sports psychology has helped him as an athlete and person. You can follow Nico at www.instagram.com/montanez.nico.
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Feb 6, 2023 · 41 minEp. 2 - Nell Rojas
We are starting off season three of Road to the Trials with one of the best and most versatile runners in the U.S. - Nell Rojas. In this episode we talk about her 2022 marathon performances and take a deep dive into the tumultuous last two months of her life that nearly ended her 2023 Boston Marathon before it began. Nell is a professional marathon runner for Nike. She grew up in Boulder, CO with two older brothers and her dog Starblaze. She walked on to the Northern Arizona University cross country and track and field teams and got her B.S. in Exercise Science. After college she became a professional triathlete until she decided to move out of her mom's basement and focus on her coaching career. She discovered marathons when she finished 7th at the 2018 marathon national championships in a time of 2:31. She recently finished 5th at the 2021 Boston Marathon, 10th at the 2022 Boston Marathon, and 10th at the 2022 NYC Marathon. She is the 2021 10 mile national champion. Nell started coaching with her dad Ric Rojas when she graduated from high school and has been coaching ever since. She and the founder of RISE Boulder and is well known for her strength training for runners. PR's: Marathon 2:25:57 10k: 31:52 5k: 15:37 The photo used in the podcast graphic was taken by Jesus Perez - www.instagram.com/weligsander.
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Feb 3, 2023 · 1 hr 2 minSeason 3 Kick-Off with Stefanie Flippin and Peter Bromka
The Road to the Trials has returned for season three and we are fired up! We will be bringing you a yearlong, behind the scenes, look at the training and racing of some of America's best runners as they prepare for the Olympic Marathon Trials on February 3, 2024. In this amazing season we will be following Nell Rojas, CJ Albertson, Sara Vaughn, Dani Moreno, Nico Montañez, Carmen Graves, Ramiro “Curly” Guillen, and Jereny Rivera. In this episode we are joined by Stefanie Flippin and Peter Bromka. Stefanie is a professional ultra runner and doctor who co-owns her own practice. She was also featured in season one of Road to the Trials! Peter is one of the best running-focused writers in the country and has chronicled his own quest for an OTQ over the past five years. In this episode the three of us dive into the eight runners that we will follow this season while Stefanie and Peter share what they learned from their own journeys and their thoughts on the year ahead. Follow season three's runners: Nell Rojas: https://www.instagram.com/nell_rojas_running/ Sara Vaughn: https://www.instagram.com/smevaughn/ Dani Moreno: https://www.instagram.com/dan_yell_a/ Carmen Graves: https://www.instagram.com/carmenpelar/ Jereny Rivera: https://www.instagram.com/lolspacemonkey/ CJ Albertson: https://www.instagram.com/cjalbertson Nico Montañez: https://www.instagram.com/montanez.nico Ramiro "Curly" Guillen: https://www.instagram.com/deejaycurly/
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Aug 6, 2021 · 33 minEp. 27 - Olivia Baker: Road to the Trials Recap
Our Road to the Trials recaps continue with the extraordinary Olivia Baker. Olivia didn't have the lead-up to the Trials that she had hoped for but was holding out hope that it would all come together in Eugene. The women's 800m was maybe the deepest event at the entire meet and it was amazing to witness each round. Unfortunately, Olivia was unable to make the final after running well in a stacked opening heat. After the Trials Olivia stayed in racing condition and finished second at a loaded 800m race last week. This result has led to a series of decisions that Olivia must make in the coming days as she weighs her professional running future and a career in medicine. She shares her thought process about everything that has happened over the past six months and how she will make her next huge decision. *Podcast photo credit to Chuck Utash* The Road to the Trials Podcast is presented by COROS Wearables – makers of Performance GPS Watches that help athletes train to be their best. Athletes like World Record Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge and Multi-time US Champion Emma Coburn trust COROS watches to track their training from Long Runs to Track Workouts. With their innovative Track Mode, you can measure your next track workout to near perfection, whether you’ve got 400 meter repeats in Lane 1 or a four mile tempo in lane 5, you can trust COROS to provide the stats you crave. Enter code “Trials” at checkout on COROS.com for a free accessory with a watch purchase (simply add the accessory of your choice to your cart).
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Aug 2, 2021 · 36 minEp. 26 - Frank Lara: Road to Trials Recap
After months of following along with eight athletes as they prepared for the Olympic Trials, we are rounding out the series with recap episodes. First up - Frank Lara. Frank competed in the 10k gunning for top three and the Olympic standard. It was a daring run and one that showed the grit and toughness for which Frank is known. Since the Trials, Frank has stayed in top form. He just got runner-up in a stacked field at the Bix 7 Miler. An effort that showed, once again, that Frank Lara is just getting started and will be a force in American running for years to come. The Road to the Trials Podcast is presented by COROS Wearables – makers of Performance GPS Watches that help athletes train to be their best. Athletes like World Record Marathoner Eliud Kipchoge and Multi-time US Champion Emma Coburn trust COROS watches to track their training from Long Runs to Track Workouts. With their innovative Track Mode, you can measure your next track workout to near perfection, whether you’ve got 400 meter repeats in Lane 1 or a four mile tempo in lane 5, you can trust COROS to provide the stats you crave. Enter code “Trials” at checkout on COROS.com for a free accessory with a watch purchase (simply add the accessory of your choice to your cart).