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

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.

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.

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.

Hey running geeks, we're getting going on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsPlease join us over there for special deep dives, Q&As, and other special content we've got cooking up.In this preview we share a clip of our 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials episode, my oh my was it fun to dive back into the now 2-year past of USA marathoning, which begins to serve as a preview for the Trials in St. Louis in under 24 months.Thank you for your support of this project of love!

Just one year removed from competing at the NCAA Championships, Murphy Smith has already established himself as one of the brightest young marathoners in the United States. After debuting with a 2:11 at the California International Marathon, Murphy returned just months later to run 2:08:58 at the Boston Marathon, earning a spot in the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and announcing himself as a serious contender for the future.In this episode, Murphy shares why he skipped the traditional path of spending years on the track before moving up to the marathon, what he's learned training with the B.A.A. High Performance Team under Mark Carroll, and how balancing graduate school, military service, and elite running has shaped his perspective. He also opens up about overcoming injuries, navigating sleep struggles during his time at the Naval Academy, and the role his faith has played throughout his running journey.In this episode, we cover:Running 2:08:58 at the Boston Marathon in just his second marathonWhy he moved to the marathon immediately after collegeTraining alongside Galen Rupp and Robert Miranda at BostonLife with the B.A.A. High Performance Team and coach Mark CarrollBuilding from 97-mile weeks in college to 130-mile marathon trainingBalancing graduate school, military service, and elite runningHis upcoming Chicago Marathon goalsServing in the U.S. Navy and preparing for nuclear power schoolLearning to embrace flexibility instead of rigid trainingHow his Christian faith has helped him through setbacks and successLooking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials and beyondFollow Murphy:Instagram: @murphysmith__Thank you to our sponsors:Precision Fuel & Hydration helps runners simplify fueling with personalized plans based on carbs, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed tools and resources make it easier to train and race with confidence. Use code Trials26 for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.Goodr sunglasses combine a no-slip, no-bounce fit with polarized lenses and fun designs that are built for running, travel, and everyday adventures. Lightweight, affordable, and made to move with you. Get $10 off your first order at goodr.com/trials

Robert Miranda's marathon breakthrough didn't happen overnight. After narrowly missing his goals in Chicago, withdrawing from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, and learning some hard lessons through self-coaching, he returned to Boston this spring to run a lifetime best of 2:09:40 and officially join the growing list of American men under 2:10.In this conversation, Robert shares his unique journey from Yale student and UCLA mathematics PhD to the B.A.A. High Performance Team, why he believes consistency matters more than perfect workouts, and how becoming a father has reshaped both his running and his perspective. He also reflects on the setbacks that nearly pulled him away from the sport, what he's learned about racing the marathon, and why his focus is firmly on being ready for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.Thank you to our sponsors:Precision Fuel & Hydration helps runners simplify fueling with personalized plans based on carbs, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed tools and resources make it easier to train and race with confidence. Use code Trials26 for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.Goodr sunglasses combine a no-slip, no-bounce fit with polarized lenses and fun designs that are built for running, travel, and everyday adventures. Lightweight, affordable, and made to move with you. Get $10 off your first order at goodr.com/trials

Charlie Sweeney joins us after a personal best at the Boston Marathon to talk about the next chapter of his marathon career and why he believes he's just getting started. The former Division II walk-on turned CU Boulder standout reflects on his unconventional path through the sport, working with new coach David Roche, and the lessons he's learned from being coached by — and dating — Olympian Elise Cranny.Charlie shares what it's like balancing a full-time job at COROS with professional running, why he believes confidence is often the biggest separator between athletes, and how he's approaching the long road toward the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.Thank you to our sponsors:Precision Fuel & Hydration helps runners simplify fueling with personalized plans based on carbs, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed tools and resources make it easier to train and race with confidence. Use code Trials26 for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.

Rachel Schilkowsky joins us after earning her spot at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials with a breakthrough 2:35:51 and second-place finish at the Vermont City Marathon. A five-time NCAA Division I All-American at Cornell, Rachel is a biomechanical engineer, mom of two, and self-coached athlete who has spent years chasing the marathon she knew she was capable of running.In this episode, Rachel shares how returning to racing after having two children changed her perspective, why finally dialing in her fueling strategy made all the difference, and what it was like racing alongside Kellen Taylor on the way to her Olympic Trials qualifier. We also talk about self-coaching, balancing family life with elite training, the Green Racing Project, and why she's still chasing big goals on both the roads and the track.Thank you to our sponsors:Precision Fuel & Hydration helps runners simplify fueling with personalized plans based on carbs, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed tools and resources make it easier to train and race with confidence. Use code Trials26 for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.

Lily Anderson joins us fresh off another strong marathon that secured her spot at the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Lily shares how she went from teaching in New York City public schools through Teach For America to pursuing the marathon at a high level while becoming a key member of Brooklyn Track Club. She talks about finding her place in New York's thriving running community, balancing work with elite training, learning to embrace new training methods, and why the team aspect of running continues to motivate her.Lily also reflects on earning her first Olympic Trials qualifier, battling injury, bouncing back with a 2:33 marathon, and why qualifying early has changed her mindset heading into the next marathon cycle. It's a conversation about patience, consistency, community, and enjoying the process of seeing what's possible.Thank you to our sponsors:Precision Fuel & Hydration helps runners simplify fueling with personalized plans based on carbs, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed tools and resources make it easier to train and race with confidence. Use code Trials26 for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.