Road to the Trials

Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsAinsley Pressl showed up to the McKirdy Marathon calling it a “soft attempt.” She wasn’t convinced she was ready to run the OTQ standard. Her plan was simply to get in the pace group, hang on as long as she could, and learn from the experience.Instead, she ran 2:36:12 and punched her ticket to the 2028 Olympic Trials.Ainsley joins Peter to talk about the race she never expected to be *the* race, the negative self-talk that followed her deep into the marathon, and the moment she finally realized she was going to make it. She shares her progression from 3:06 in her first marathon to 2:59 at Boston, 2:48 at Chicago, 2:40 at Indy and eventually her OTQ.They also talk about why she never felt like she needed to completely reinvent herself to get faster, learning through plenty of mistakes, improving her fueling, balancing running with a full-time career and a life outside the sport, and why removing the fear of failure has made it easier to take big swings.Plus, Ainsley looks ahead to CIM, her first opportunities in pro fields, and what she imagines when she thinks about lining up in St. Louis in 2028.Support our Sponsors:Nomio: A 60 mL broccoli sprout shot designed to support hard training by helping reduce oxidative stress and blood lactate levels, so athletes can push harder with lower perceived exertion. Take it three hours before a key session, and use code RTTT15 for 15% off at Drink Nomio or The Feed.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.

Anne-Marie Blaney has built her marathon career one steady step at a time. After finishing 16th at the 2024 Olympic Trials and running 2:29, the Hansons-Brooks athlete is already qualified for 2028 and focused on continuing to evolve as a marathoner.Anne-Marie joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about nearly nine years with Hansons-Brooks, why patience and consistency have been so important to her progression, and what she learned from racing the 2024 Trials in Orlando. She also shares how moving to Charlotte has changed her training, what she’s learned from running more on her own, and why she chose Twin Cities for her next marathon.They talk about the difference between racing for time and racing to compete, her goal of working with teammate Caroline at Twin Cities, representing Team USA at World Cross, and the teammates and runners who continue to inspire her.Plus, Anne-Marie shares her unexpected hobby outside of running: beekeeping.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport 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.

Mitch Ammons joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about his 2:14 breakthrough at CIM that secured his spot at the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials, and the challenging months that followed.Mitch shares why higher mileage changed his running, what went right during his CIM build, and how he managed to race on a badly injured ankle. He also opens up about ankle surgery, navigating prescription pain medication after 11 years of sobriety, and the major impact that being unable to run had on his mental health.Plus, Mitch talks about the parallels between addiction and his drive as a runner, his recovery from surgery, and what comes next as he works his way back.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport 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.

Stephen Jones joins Lindsey and Peter after a breakout 2:11 performance at the Marathon Project secured his Olympic Trials qualifier and opened the door to an opportunity he’s dreamed about: racing the professional field at the New York City Marathon.Stephen talks about why he still prioritizes fun over chasing splits, how he balances 100-mile weeks with a full-time job in Boulder, and why he believes there’s more in the tank after his 2:11 breakthrough. He also shares how The Track Club helped bring him back to competitive running after burnout, the story behind his unforgettable finish at Bolder Boulder, and what support from Bandit has meant as an unsponsored athlete getting closer to the professional level.They also get into his long-distance relationship with fellow Trials qualifier and medical student Maddie Alm, his approach to New York’s notoriously difficult course, “delusional confidence,” and why he’s trying not to look too far ahead to March 2028.Stephen’s biggest reminder heading into New York? Don’t forget to smile.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport 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.

Paige Wood joins Lindsey and Peter to talk about the long road back to her best after becoming a mom and what she’s learning as she builds toward her first Olympic Marathon Trials.Paige breaks down her run at Boston, why stepping away from chasing a specific time helped her rediscover the fun of racing, and what she learned from a tough day at the Marathon Project. She also opens up about balancing professional running with family planning, the patience required in her postpartum comeback, and why consistency over the next two years matters so much to her.Plus, Paige shares how a summer of lower mileage and faster work is shaping her New York City Marathon build, what she hopes to learn from racing the majors, life with the rebuilding NAZ Elite team, and why she believes it’s better to arrive at a starting line slightly undercooked than not arrive at all.Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/relayandtrialsSupport 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.