Road to the Trials

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/relayandtrials Support 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 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/relayandtrials 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.

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 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.

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 marathon Running 2:08 in Rotterdam and chasing sub-2:06 His goal of making a third Olympic team Serving in the U.S. Army while training professionally Why the military shaped his approach to competition Learning marathon fueling and race strategy Training 130-mile weeks Studying his competitors ahead of 2028 Looking ahead to Valencia and the Olympic Trials 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 .

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 Run Kila 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 Patreon Want 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/relayandtrials Please 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 marathon Why he moved to the marathon immediately after college Training alongside Galen Rupp and Robert Miranda at Boston Life with the B.A.A. High Performance Team and coach Mark Carroll Building from 97-mile weeks in college to 130-mile marathon training Balancing graduate school, military service, and elite running His upcoming Chicago Marathon goals Serving in the U.S. Navy and preparing for nuclear power school Learning to embrace flexibility instead of rigid training How his Christian faith has helped him through setbacks and success Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials and beyond Follow 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.

Andrew Colley has represented Team USA three times, won the USATF 25K Championships, and qualified for four U.S. Olympic Team Trials across the marathon, 5,000 meters, and 10,000 meters. Yet despite running 2:09 for the marathon and 60:47 for the half marathon, he believes his biggest breakthrough is still ahead. In this crossover episode from I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein , Lindsey sits down with Andrew in person to discuss his evolution as a professional runner, his years training with ZAP Endurance under Pete Rea, and why consistency and patience have become the foundation of his success. They also talk about balancing elite racing with new fatherhood alongside his wife, fellow professional runner Tristan Colley, winning the USATF 25K Championships, and why he's confident his fastest marathon is still to come as he builds toward the 2028 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.

Alex Burks has a unique relationship with Rockland Lake. It's where he ran his first breakout half marathon, his first major marathon breakthrough, and this spring, where he punched his ticket to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials with a 2:15:49, qualifying by just 11 seconds. In this conversation with Peter Bromka, Alex looks back on the years between those breakthrough performances, the frustrating cycle of marathon blowups, and the nutrition and mindset changes that finally helped everything come together. They also revisit Alex's standout race at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, where he moved from the back half of the field into the top 50 by staying patient while others faded in the Florida heat. Alex shares what he's learned about training, why he believes consistency matters more than chasing huge mileage, his fascination with trail ultras, and how he's approaching the next Olympic Trials with a healthier perspective than ever before. 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/relay.

After walking away from running for nearly a decade, Esteban Trujillo never expected he'd one day be racing 2:14 marathons. But at age 40, he's become one of the fastest masters marathoners in the world, finishing second overall in the masters division at the 2026 Boston Marathon and running 2:14:30 at CIM to easily qualify for the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials. In this episode, Esteban shares his remarkable journey from competing at the University of Oregon alongside future Olympians to completely quitting the sport, moving to Alaska, and eventually rediscovering running through a spontaneous marathon. He discusses how patience has become his greatest training tool as a masters athlete, working with coach Brad Hudson, the lessons learned from Boston and CIM, joining Puma's Project3 program, and helping launch Front Range Elite to support the next generation of elite runners in Colorado. Thank you to our sponsors: 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.

After stepping away from competitive running for nearly four years, Erin McDonald wasn't sure she'd ever return to the sport at a high level. Now, she's a 2:32 marathoner, a 4:31 miler, and an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. Following a breakthrough performance at the 2025 CIM, Erin joins Road to the Trials to share how falling back in love with running transformed both her mindset and her performances. In this episode, Erin reflects on her collegiate career at Michigan State, the burnout that led her away from the sport, and the unexpected path back to elite marathoning. She talks about training with Bay Area Distance Crew, winning the Bayshore Half Marathon in a course-record 73:37, balancing competition with joy, and why this second chapter of her running career feels so much more fulfilling than the first. Erin also shares what she's learned about patience, confidence, and embracing the process as she looks ahead to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials. 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.

Ryan Smith only planned to gain experience in his marathon debut. Instead, he ran 2:15:34 at the Vermont City Marathon, won the race, and punched his ticket to the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. But as Ryan explains, the result wasn't about chasing a time. It came from years of consistent training, learning to trust his instincts, and taking a patient approach to building fitness after injury. Ryan shares why he prioritizes effort over pace in training, how cross-training became a key part of his success, what he learned from his first marathon, and why he's already thinking differently about preparing for the Olympic Trials. He also talks about balancing a full-time career in energy economics, the Boston running scene, Division III running, and the unexpected experience of going viral after his emotional finish line interview. Precision Fuel & Hydration 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 .