Road to the Trials

In this episode, Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka catch up with newly qualified athlete Lucy Dobbs, who ran a standout 2:32 at the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, taking second place and earning a four-minute personal best. Lucy shares how she approached race day in Indianapolis, what clicked for her in training, and why Monumental has been home to several breakthrough moments in her career. This will be her second Olympic Trials, after first qualifying in 2023 with a 2:36 performance at the same race.Lucy talks about balancing training with her full-time job as an actuary at OneAmerica Financial, her experience running with Working Man’s Track Club, and the structure and support that help her chase big goals while working full time. She also gives a glimpse into her life outside of running, including her love of horses and her involvement in competitive equestrian events. This conversation highlights the multidimensional life she leads and the discipline that makes her success possible both on and off the roads.This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

Road to the Trials brings on marathon workhorse Joe Whelan, also known on this episode as “The Marathon Wolverine.” Joe digs into what it looks like to be incredibly durable in the marathon, as Joe has already raced Berlin, Boston, Grandma’s, Austin, and Indianapolis Monumental in 2025, with California International Marathon circled as his true A-race.Joe shares how he thinks about stacking marathons in a single year, how he bounces back so quickly, and what he is targeting at CIM and beyond as he looks toward the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials. He also reflects on his roots in upstate New York, his time running for Syracuse University, and the mindset that keeps him excited and hungry after so many 26.2 mile efforts.This episode is sponsored by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

In this special Road to the Trials episode, Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim team up with Brendan Gregg, the Course Director of the California International Marathon and a former CIM champion, for the ultimate 2025 race preview.Brendan brings insider knowledge from both sides of the barriers: years of experience designing and refining the course, and firsthand insight as an elite athlete who has mastered it himself. Together, the trio walks listeners through every key detail of race weekend — from boarding the buses on race morning to navigating the final miles into Sacramento.Over the episode, Peter, Matt, and Brendan break down:What runners should expect at the start, including timing, logistics, and what actually matters in those early minutes before the gunHow to approach pacing over CIM’s rolling terrain, where to stay patient, and where to open upStrategy differences for first-timers, OTQ chasers, negative-splitters, and anyone trying to survive that long descent into the cityCourse features that matter more than people think — and the ones that don’tHow to stay composed in the final 10K and set up a strong, efficient finish on the streets of SacramentoPeter also shares lessons from racing CIM five times, giving runners an honest sense of the effort, rhythm, and mental checkpoints that define the race.Whether you’re racing for a PR, an OTQ, or the joy of a fast December marathon, this is the comprehensive course breakdown you’ll want in your pocket.This episode is sponsored by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.This episode is also sponsored by OS1st Socks, an official partner of the California International Marathon. OS1st creates performance socks with purpose, built for runners who pay attention to the details that matter on race day. Their designs blend blister protection, moisture-wicking fabric, antimicrobial technology, targeted cushioning, and light compression, all while allowing natural toe splay to support the fit and function of modern racing shoes. OS1st is trusted by specialty running stores nationwide and is one of the fastest-growing sock brands in run specialty. From performance socks to compression sleeves, every product is engineered to reduce discomfort, support healthy movement, and help runners train hard and recover well. Find your local retailer at os1st.com/trials. And in true Matt Chittim fashion, he’s still wearing his first pair from five years ago — so if you spot him out on the run, feel free to compliment his socks.

Kristin Dailey joins hosts Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka to share her late-blooming rise in the marathon. After years of running for fitness, a stranger encouraged her to try 26.2. She ran her first marathon at the age of 40 in 3:07, then teamed up with Mary Johnson’s Lift Run Perform team to break three hours in Indianapolis. Now training with DW Running in the Chicago area, Kristin has elevated to a 2:36:08 at the recent 2025 Chicago Marathon, earning her U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier. A mother of four, she talks about balancing family and training, what changed in her approach over the past few years, and why she’s lining up next at CIM before stepping away from the marathon next year to explore other goals.You'll love this conversation with Kristin!This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

Peter Bromka sits down with Makenna Myler, one of the most exciting ascending marathoners in the U.S. right now. Makenna finished 7th at the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, proving she can show up on championship day, and she joins the show fresh off her run in Chicago — a performance she calls “a little disappointing,” but only because her trajectory has her aiming higher than ever.Peter and Makenna dig into the training environment that’s shaping this next chapter: she recently moved from Flagstaff, where she trained under Ryan Hall, to Utah to join coach Ed Eyestone and a deep group of professional women who are pushing each other every day. She shares what it’s been like to adapt, evolve, and chase another breakthrough in a marathon career that keeps climbing.The conversation also explores the very real highs and lows Makenna has navigated in recent years. She went viral for running a mile while pregnant — twice — an experience that brought both encouragement and intense scrutiny. She also battled long COVID for nearly a year, something she discusses with surprising grace given how difficult that season truly was. Through all of it, Makenna talks about staying grounded, staying curious, and continuing to bet on what’s possible.This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.Enjoy this conversation with Makenna Myler.

Peter Bromka and Lindsey Hein sit down with Alana Levy, who ran 2:36:53 at the Chicago Marathon and punched her ticket to the 2028 Olympic Trials. Alana’s progression over the past few years has been remarkable: she broke three hours, then 2:50, and now has taken another eight minutes off her time to reach a new level. She reflects on attending the 2024 Trials not with disappointment but with genuine inspiration, an experience that shaped her training and mindset heading into this fall.A member of Brooklyn Track Club, Alana talks about racing across a variety of distances in the New York running scene, finding confidence in different race environments, and learning how to build momentum one season at a time. Her story is grounded, joyful, and full of forward motion — a look at what’s possible when patience, progression, and community come together.Support our Sponsor:This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.

Lindsey Hein and Matt Chittim chat with Maria Lindberg, the first masters finisher at the 2025 Chicago Marathon, where she ran 2:34 at age 42. A former high school and college All-American, Maria has now completed 21 marathons and is running some of her fastest times ever. She explains how shifting to “intuitive” training without a coach and stacking consistent high-mileage weeks helped her drop from 2:49 to 2:34. Maria breaks down her even-keeled Chicago execution and how it led her to this PR. As a mom of three, she talks about modeling healthy habits, letting goals evolve, and avoiding comparison spirals by focusing on long-term consistency. Looking ahead, Maria plans to use her current fitness at the Indy Monumental Half and the Marathon Project before building toward Boston and the next Trials window.This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.

Ryan Ford joins Road to the Trials to talk about his breakout year and his transition to the ON Athletics Club (OAC) in Boulder. After a standout performance at the 2024 Boston Marathon—running 2:08:00 and firmly establishing himself as one of America’s top marathoners—Ryan has quickly become a name to know in U.S. distance running. He is now coming off of a 2:09:37 at the recent Chicago Marathon.Hosts Peter Bromka and Lindsey Hein sit down with Ryan to reflect on his rapid rise: from his marathon debut in New York with an 11th-place finish, to his recent Olympic Trials qualifier in Chicago. He shares what it’s been like joining OAC, how he’s approaching training under a new system, and what his goals look like heading toward the 2028 Olympic cycle.Throughout the conversation, Ryan opens up about his mindset, how he approaches pacing and race strategy, and the lessons he’s learned through three marathons in under a year. It’s an inside look at one of the most exciting new names in American marathoning—and a glimpse into what’s next for his career.This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.

Will Norris joins Road to the Trials after winning the Twin Cities Marathon and punching his ticket to his third U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. In this conversation with hosts Peter Bromka and Lindsey Hein, Will shares what it felt like to finally win a race he’s chased for years, what he’s learned through the ups and downs of marathon training, and how he’s evolved into a consistent, successful racer.He talks about the mental side of racing—managing expectations, staying patient, and finding calm amid the chaos of a marathon—and how tools like V.O2 help him adjust for weather, terrain, and conditions to focus on effort over pace. This was Will’s first-ever podcast, but he’s a natural storyteller, reflecting with humor and honesty on how he balances drive, joy, and perspective in the sport.This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.

Gabi Rooker joins Lindsey Hein and Matt Chittim fresh off her ninth-place finish at the 2025 Chicago Marathon, where she was the third American woman and ran a 2:26 marathon to secure her qualifying time for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials.Gabi’s rise in the sport has been nothing short of incredible. She ran her first marathon in 2021, clocking 2:54, and just three years later, she’s competing among the best in the world as a Nike-sponsored athlete. A former national champion on vault in gymnastics at the DIII level, Gabi’s athleticism and determination shine through in her transition from gymnastics to elite marathon running.In this conversation, Gabi shares her experience at the 2024 Olympic Trials, her journey with the Nike Dreamweaver Project, what it’s like being coached by her husband, Alex, and how she balances training at an elite level while working full-time as a physician assistant.This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.

Jane Bareikis joins Road to the Trials fresh off her win at the Twin Cities Marathon, becoming the first female qualifier of this Olympic Trials window. A 2:29 marathoner (Berlin 2023), Jane is a mother and coached by her husband. She grew up in Kenya and didn’t start running until 2017, after having her son. Jane competed in her first U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 2024 (Orlando), where she placed 35th on a tough day, and she now has her eyes set on 2028 and beyond. Her story is proof that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, anchored by her simple but powerful mindset: “Why not me?”This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

Megan O’Neil is a Hansons–Brooks marathoner from Michigan who just punched her OTQ at Twin Cities in 2:36:43, taking second on a warm, windy day. She’s a former steepler turned road racer who works in software product/marketing, trains with the Hansons high-mileage model, and brings a gritty, good-humored Michigan vibe to everything she does.In this episode, Megan recaps how the race unfolded keying off an OTQ pacer, handling hills and heat, and slipping under the standard while the live tracker lagged. She talks about mindset in the final miles (“level up” now so the next build can aim higher), why Kevin Hanson was cheering from his daughter’s wedding, and how Hansons’ cumulative-fatigue approach compares to Dathan Ritzenhein’s style. We get into the nuts and bolts of her training, how she manages stress with work, community runs, and a sports psych, and why a stint of climbing (and even boxing during an injury) made her tougher.Enjoy this episode with Megan!This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

Hosts Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka welcome Nick Hauger—pro marathoner, coach, and newly minted 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier—fresh off his 2:11:48 at the Berlin Marathon, good for 15th overall. Hauger explains why the result is both “objectively his best marathon” and a touch bittersweet: he trained with a clear eye on 2:09, adjusted on race morning for heat and humidity, and still executed with discipline. He unpacks the day, the calm-yet-electric Berlin atmosphere, and how course knowledge (he paced wife Calli Thackery there in 2024) and heat prep in St. Moritz helped him keep pushing.He also dives into his performance pillars, his coaching mindset, and more!This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

In this episode, hosts Matt Chittim, Peter Bromka, and Lindsey Hein sit down with legendary coach James McKirdy, the founder of McKirdy Trained. Over the past decade, McKirdy has built one of the most recognizable and influential coaching groups in the U.S., guiding dozens of athletes to Olympic Trials Qualifiers and shaping the way amateur runners approach high-level performance. Known for his passion, direct style, and ability to break down complex training concepts into simple, actionable advice, McKirdy has become a leading voice in the sport.The conversation dives into the state of the 2028 Olympic Trials qualifying window, the rise of super shoes, and the unique pressures athletes face as they chase OTQ standards. McKirdy shares stories from Berlin and CIM, reflects on how to balance risk and durability in marathon training, and explains why sleep, nutrition, and recovery are as important as mileage. He also talks through the mental side of the journey—how athletes can handle setbacks, stay motivated, and surround themselves with the right community. The hosts dig into the role of social media in today’s running world, the danger of comparisons, and how McKirdy has built races designed to give everyday runners the same professional-level opportunities as elites.This episode is packed with practical insights for anyone chasing big goals on the roads, from BQ hopefuls to athletes with OTQ dreams. It’s also an inspiring look at what it takes to believe in your potential, block out the noise, and build a sustainable path toward your best performances.This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

Host Matt Chittim and co-host Peter Bromka sit down with marathoner Mike Duggan to relive his one-second OTQ at CIM on the final day of the window and the chaos of gun time versus net time. Duggan shares lessons from a rough Berlin attempt and jet lag, the power of Jeff Cunningham’s Austin training group and why Chicago is next. He talks pack dynamics, late-race mindset, and how that approach carried him to a strong day in Orlando. This is a candid look at chasing the standard then and now, and what it takes to line up again.This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at ⁠https://www.vdoto2.com⁠. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

Co-hosts Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim sit down with elite coach Jeff Cunningham to unpack the multi-year, step-by-step process of developing athletes for the U.S. Olympic Trials. The conversation explores how to structure seasons for steady progression, what differentiates first-time Trials qualifiers from veterans, and how clear communication and buy-in drive consistent training. This conversation digs into balancing volume, intensity, and recovery to improve performance while limiting injury risk, with practical takeaways coaches and athletes can apply immediately.This episode is presented by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Dr. Jack Daniels’ proven training science. V.O2 gives coaches and athletes calibrated training paces, individualized planning tools, and team management features that help users train more accurately, improve performance, and reduce injuries. Listeners can find V.O2 in the app stores and at https://www.vdoto2.com. Save 20 percent with the code “roadtothetrials”.

On this episode of Road to the Trials, Olympian Dakotah Popehn shares her journey from Division II walk-on to placing third at the 2024 Olympic Trials and finishing 12th in Paris. She talks about the belief and consistency that carried her rise, the heat prep that made Orlando feel almost routine, and the big goals she’s chasing next—including a PR attempt in Chicago this fall and another shot at the Olympic team in 2028. Still coached by Chris Lundstrom, Popehn brings a mix of hard mileage, purpose-driven racing (plus her now-iconic shades), and a personal mission to raise funds for the American Cancer Society in honor of her mom.Link to Dakotah's fundraiser here.SponsorBig shout-out to the best coaching platform in the business - V.O2. V.O2 was built from the foundation of a scientifically-validated training methodology. Based on former Olympian, author, and legendary running coach Jack Daniels’ exercise science principles, the methodology not only benefits runners of all ages and abilities when it comes to improving their running fitness but it also serves as the best measure of running economy. Visit ⁠⁠⁠https://vdoto2.com⁠⁠⁠ today for more information.

Road to the Trials welcomes Olympian Jared Ward, fresh off a year in the UK completing an MBA, for a focused conversation on sustainable high-performance training and mindset. Jared explains how he’s reframed workouts as stimulus for long-term adaptation, what he learned from the 2016 Trials and sixth place in Rio, and why he’s still chasing meaningful goals while balancing family life and health.Topics include: returning to Utah’s training group and coach Ed “Easy E” Eyestone, managing Hashimoto’s, the “probability bubbles” approach from 2016, a Boston PR built partly on the treadmill, a Hobble Creek cattle-tempo tale, thoughts on 2016 auto-qualifiers for 2028, and a fall tune-up at the Philadelphia Half.SponsorBig shout-out to the best coaching platform in the business - V.O2. V.O2 was built from the foundation of a scientifically-validated training methodology. Based on former Olympian, author, and legendary running coach Jack Daniels’ exercise science principles, the methodology not only benefits runners of all ages and abilities when it comes to improving their running fitness but it also serves as the best measure of running economy. Visit ⁠⁠https://vdoto2.com⁠⁠ today for more information.

Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Theresa Hailey, a dedicated marathoner who has qualified for the Olympic Trials twice. In this episode, Theresa shares her experiences overcoming injuries, her mental strategies for racing, and her goals for the future. Discover how she balances her passion for running with her new role as a foster parent.SponsorBig shout-out to the best coaching platform in the business - V.O2. V.O2 was built from the foundation of a scientifically-validated training methodology. Based on former Olympian, author, and legendary running coach Jack Daniels’ exercise science principles, the methodology not only benefits runners of all ages and abilities when it comes to improving their running fitness but it also serves as the best measure of running economy. Visit ⁠https://vdoto2.com⁠ today for more information.

Welcome to Season Four of Road to the Trials!This will be the most epic season yet as we look to interview every qualifier to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials in Los Angeles as well as plenty of industry professionals along the way. Our expanded goal is matched by our expanding team! We now have three co-hosts - Matt Chittim, Lindsey Hein, and Peter Bromka.We are thrilled to be your central hub for everything related to the Olympic Marathon Trials. This season, we're diving deep into the stories, challenges, and triumphs of athletes on their journey to the Trials.Follow us on Instagram @RoadToTheTrials for behind-the-scenes content and post-race highlights as well as our new website www.roadtothetrials.com.SponsorBig shout-out to the best coaching platform in the business - V.O2. V.O2 was built from the foundation of a scientifically-validated training methodology. Based on former Olympian, author, and legendary running coach Jack Daniels’ exercise science principles, the methodology not only benefits runners of all ages and abilities when it comes to improving their running fitness but it also serves as the best measure of running economy. Visit https://vdoto2.com today for more information.