Relay

The crew is back to discuss the growing debate surrounding international athletes in NCAA running, including recruiting, NIL money, and opportunities for American runners.

They also revisit a viral Twitter controversy from the 2022 World Championships, sparking a conversation about hot takes, online criticism, and accountability.

Plus, they each highlight notable recent running performances and dive into some of the strangest fueling strategies circulating online, including long runs powered by potatoes and mozzarella cheese sticks.

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The Chicago Marathon is in the books, and Peter, Lindsey, Erika, and Gabby are back to break down the biggest performances, surprises, and storylines from race weekend.

Gabby kicks things off with a recap of her third marathon at Twin Cities, sharing why she nearly dropped out and what she learned from pushing through a difficult day.

They also discuss Chicago's warm race-day conditions, the debate around DNFs, unconventional training approaches, and some questionable broadcast moments. Plus, Lindsey shares behind-the-scenes stories from working the finish line.

It's Chicago Marathon week, and Peter, Lindsey, and Erika are breaking down a loaded elite field, the Americans to watch, and the potential for some seriously fast racing.

From Clayton Young's American record ambitions and Vincent Mauri's unconventional training to Emma Grace Hurley's marathon debut and the excitement surrounding the women's field, there's plenty to discuss. They also recap Gabby Hentiman's performance at Twin Cities, debate what it takes to run fast in Chicago, and share their thoughts on New York City's new marathon cheering restrictions.

Plus, Lindsey prepares for her first opportunity announcing the pros at a World Marathon Major.

The Relay crew is back after the Berlin Marathon, where Tigst Assefa came incredibly close to history while battling a serious Achilles injury in the final kilometers. Peter, Erika, and Lindsey break down the performance before turning their attention to the stacked Chicago Marathon field, the American record chase, and Lindsey’s upcoming debut announcing at the Chicago finish line.

They also get into what makes a good interview with a professional runner, the relentless NCAA racing calendar, and why some athletes may ultimately benefit from leaving college with more room to grow. Erika opens up about her own return from a sacral injury, why New York is looking increasingly unlikely, and the difficult balance between wanting to race and protecting a long-term career.

Plus, Peter shares lessons from coaching middle school cross country, Erika compares her approach to running to a chaotic game of Monopoly, and the crew celebrates the wonderfully unpredictable training and racing philosophy of CJ Albertson.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials

Lindsey, Peter, Erika, and Gabby are back to unpack a very busy week in running.

They start with the World Road Running Championships, including Team USA’s big weekend, Emma Grace Hurley’s breakout performance, Drew Hunter’s American record, and why the event finally felt like it found its footing. Then it’s over to Athlos for Keely Hodgkinson’s head-to-toe race suit, the competitiveness of the meet, and some strong opinions on post-race interviews.

The crew also gets into the 100K World Championships, the strange corners of running Reddit, what runners need to know about course certification when chasing an OTQ, and Gabby’s incredible story about meeting a man who claimed to be a 2:11 marathoner and Olympian... until she checked the receipts.

Plus, a look ahead to Berlin, ferritin talk, Peter’s adventures in aqua jogging, and plenty of tangents along the way.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials

Lindsey, Erika, Peter & Gabby share their thoughts on the Hyrox insanity, the Sydney Sweeney/Novig ad, Ultimate Worlds and so much more.

We covered a lot, we had fun and we sent you off with some books we recommend!!

Thanks for being here friends!!

If you enjoy the show please consider supporting Relay & Road to the Trials on patreon! Patreon.com/relayandtrials

If you enjoy

Peter, Erika, and Gabby break down a huge weekend at UTMB, including Lauren Gregory’s incredible late-race kick and Rachel Entrekin’s very relatable approach to training. They also dig into the major changes coming to the 2028 Olympic Trials, including a separate 10K, a shorter schedule, and Gabby’s plan to encourage everyone ahead of her to strategically drop out.
Plus, Erika takes us back to the glory days of FloTrack Workout Wednesdays, the crew revisits the Shelby Houlihan doping saga, and they try to make sense of an increasingly complicated road racing team-selection process.

The Relay crew is back with a lot to catch up on. Peter, Lindsey, and Erika break down the mind-blowing new 56:51 half marathon world record, the latest from the track world, and why running just keeps getting bigger. They look ahead to the NYC Marathon, while Erika shares where she really is in her return from injury and why she’s not quite ready for the hype yet.

Peter recaps his weekend crewing at Leadville, including the very different culture around DNFs in ultras, and Erika gives a shoutout to Brian Reynolds after becoming the first double amputee to finish Leadville on his fourth attempt.

Plus: running without water, pro runners and social media, larger-than-life Brooks ads, the latest elite runner baby updates, HYROX, and Lindsey’s latest book reviews.

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

Peter Bromka, Erika Kemp, and Gabby Hentemann debate race-course mishaps, Strava PRs, the rules of doubling, and whether you ever get into bed without showering after a run. They also talk European Championships, Falmouth, why pro runners could stand to show a little more personality,

the running content taking over their feeds, and the 2028 Olympic Trials heading back to Eugene.

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrials

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

This week on Relay, the crew reacts to the news of Jonah Koech's three-year doping ban and discusses what these cases mean for clean athletes, championship teams, and trust within the sport.

Then the conversation shifts to happier news as Erika shares the story behind her surprise engagement, including a six-car accident, multiple backup plans, and an unforgettable proposal in her apartment hallway.

The crew also recaps an exciting weekend at Sir Walter Mile, highlights standout performances from Hobbs Kessler, Margot Appleton, Kayley DeLay, and Lindsey Butler, celebrates the Guardian Mile's stroller world record, previews this weekend's Falmouth Road Race, and somehow finds time to discuss host families, and whether Lindsey would survive sitting next to the wrong people on a flight.

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!

This week on Relay, the conversation starts with NCAA cross country before taking plenty of entertaining detours along the way. The crew discusses why cross country inspires such mixed feelings, what has made NC State and coach Laurie Henes so successful, and how team culture can shape an athlete's college experience. They also dive into NCAA recruiting, NIL, Habtom Samuel's move to the professional ranks, and Marco Langon's growing reputation as one of running's most entertaining personalities.

As always, the running conversation eventually gives way to stories about dance classes, synchronized swimming, karaoke, Noah Kahan concerts, Trader Joe's cashiers, Waffle House, and everything in between. It's a classic summer Relay episode with equal parts running discussion and completely unexpected tangents.

Lindsey, Erika, and Gabby break down the biggest storylines from the USATF Outdoor Championships, from standout performances and surprise results to the races that left them wanting more. They discuss Grant Fisher vs. Woody Kincaid, Nikki Hiltz's continued dominance, Emily Mackay's incredible closing speed, nd what an "off-year" national championship really means for professional athletes.

The conversation also dives into some of the sport's biggest controversies, including Addy Wiley's complicated path to the professional ranks, Hunter Woodhall's disqualification, Tara Davis-Woodhall's long jump protest, and the challenges of interviewing athletes whose careers are tied to major scandals. Along the way, they somehow end up debating racewalking, whether Noah Lyles' cramp makes him more relatable, and why running is never short on drama.

Peter and Gabby are back to break down one of the biggest moments of the track season: Josh Kerr's historic mile world record. They dive into what made the performance so special, why publicly chasing ambitious goals is refreshing to see, and what it says about the level of preparation required to compete at the very top of the sport.

They also preview this week's USATF Championships, discuss Brandon Miller's recent breakthrough, and look ahead to the storylines they'll be following on the track. Along the way, they touch on wildfire smoke disrupting training, marathon fitness that doesn't always show up on race day, and why smaller marathons deserve more love.

Of course, it wouldn't be Relay without a few tangents. Peter and Gabby debate track uniforms and TV coverage, laugh about running memes, discuss the latest internet discourse, and wonder why runners are always looking for the next ridiculous endurance challenge. It's another mix of serious running talk, current events, and plenty of laughs.

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

Gabby Hentemann is back on Relay after Grandma's Marathon, sharing an honest look at what happened on race day, why she still doesn't regret taking a swing at sub-2:30, and what she's learned heading into her next marathon. The crew dives into the balance between chasing big goals and accepting the unpredictability of racing, while also debating summer training strategies, the placebo effect in endurance sports, and whether broccoli sprouts are actually worth the hype.

As always, the conversation quickly goes off the rails with Netflix documentary ideas, pro running sponsorships, the infamous "Big Milk" marathon expo story, beer mile memories, Best Western cheesecake theft, and a spirited debate over whether the martini mile should become a real event. They also celebrate Fast Women returning, congratulate Emma Bates and Sydney McLaughlin on welcoming their babies, and wrap up with plenty of laughs about summer running, raising hungry kids, and surviving the heat.

This week on Relay, the crew kicks things off with a Goodr sunglasses fashion show before diving into an energetic conversation that bounces between track, trail, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Peter, Lindsey and Erika recap standout performances from the Prefontaine Classic, including Nikki Hiltz's stunning win over Faith Kipyegon and the buzz surrounding teenage sprint sensation Tate Taylor. They also discuss Des Linden signing up for her first 100-mile race, Tommie Runz's latest trail adventures, and what made Jen Lichter's Western States fueling strategy so memorable.

The conversation shifts to Erika's return from injury, where she shares how her run/walk progression is going, what she's learned about coming back from a sacral injury, and why easing back into training can actually be fun. Lindsey compares notes on her own return to running before the group wraps up with a passionate World Cup discussion.

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven.

Topics:

Peter returns to Relay and catches up on everything he missed

The jaw-dropping performances at the Paris Diamond League and why fast times are becoming the new normal

Western States 100 delivers historic performances in near-perfect conditions

How weather transformed the race and fueled record-breaking times

Hans Troyer's aggressive race strategy and what happened after leading for 60 miles

Jen Lichter's stunning 100-mile debut and one of the greatest performances in race history

What separates elite trail runners from elite road runners

Molly Seidel's Western States debut and why finishing mattered more than the result

Tommie Runz completes Western States and why his finish impressed the Relay crew

Why patience, experience, and trail-specific skills matter over 100 miles

Erika shares early thoughts on marathon racing in an era of increasingly unpredictable weather

Sponsors:

Kava Haven⁠ is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, it’s an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at ⁠http://kavahaven.com/relay⁠

Erika’s World Cup obsession continues and why she believes it’s the greatest sporting event in the world

The atmosphere at World Cup watch parties and the stories making this tournament special

Lindsey’s Stanley Cup adventures in Raleigh and why the Hurricanes’ championship has united the entire city

Dakotah Popehn's third Grandma’s Marathon victory and what makes the race so meaningful

Gabby Hentemann’s courageous racing approach and the fine line between chasing a breakthrough and blowing up

What it means to run “brave” in the marathon and why great performances require risk

Rachel Rudel’s incredible season and the challenge of earning sponsorships in professional running

How athletes balance racing opportunities, finances, motivation, and long-term goals

Early thoughts on USATF Outdoor Championships in New York City

Nikki Hiltz’s upcoming American mile record attempt at Pre Classic

Book club discussion: All the Light We Cannot See and why some stories become impossible to put down

Media Mentioned:

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven.

Topics:

The Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup and Lindsey officially becomes a hockey fan

A passionate debate over the Knicks, Spurs, Wemby, and the NBA Finals

Why Erika thinks the World Cup is the greatest sporting event on earth

World Cup Cinderella stories, debut nations, and teams to root for

Tommie’s Western States training, heat chamber testing, and what he learned from Precision Fuel & Hydration

Pacers in ultrarunning: competitive advantage or part of the challenge?

Cold plunges, manufactured adversity, and why Tommie wants no part of either

Canyon Woodward, Western States storylines, and the future of trail running

Lindsey's thoughts on Yesteryear and the fascination with trad-wife culture

Matt's new role at Running USA and his deep dive into meniscus tear research

Media Mentioned:

Succession (TV series)

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (novel)

World Cup broadcasts and watch parties

Sponsors:

Kava Haven⁠ is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, it’s an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at ⁠http://kavahaven.com/relay⁠

2028 Olympic Marathon Trials awarded to St. Louis and the debate over weather, timing, and what makes a fair championship race.

The unbelievable story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon, featuring car rides, questionable fueling strategies, and one of the strangest races in sports history.

Cam Hanes, Sage Canaday, peptides, masters athletes, and a broader discussion about performance-enhancing substances in endurance sports.

Emily Venters' performance at the New York Mini 10K and David Roche's growing success coaching elite marathoners.

Grandma's Marathon anticipation, marathon training philosophies, and speculation about upcoming performances.

The origins of I'll Have Another and how Lindsey's podcast evolved from a general-interest show into one focused on running.

Sara Hall's recent success, elite running couples, and how athletes navigate the highs and lows of long careers.

Marathon result verification, influencer culture, chip time versus gun time, and the internet's obsession with race results.

Media Mentioned:

• Citation Needed (1904 Olympic Marathon episode)
• Last Podcast on the Left (1904 Olympic Marathon episode)
• Normal Gossip
• All the Light We Cannot See
• Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

Sponsors:

Noogs makes fueling simple with easy-to-digest chews designed for runners who want reliable carbs without overcomplicating nutrition. Head to NoogsNutrition.com and use code RELAY for 15% off your order.

Goodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.