C Tolle Run

Newly crowned American indoor record holder in the 800m, and the first woman ever to break 1:58 indoors, Roisin Willis joins C Tolle Run this week! Roisin is coming off an incredible stretch, racing three times in just ten days: she won the New Balance Indoor Games, shattered the American 800m record, and capped it off with a victory in the Millrose 600m. We dive into her journey into the sport, how she balances life as a New Balance professional while competing collegiately at Stanford, and the highs, lows, and everything in between. Roisin also reflects on her rapid rise and shares the advice she’d give her younger self after everything she’s already accomplished.

Dot McMahan returns to C Tolle Run after hitting a huge milestone! At 49 years old, Dot has just qualified for her sixth Olympic Marathon Trials. In a sport where standards keep tightening and competition grows fiercer every year, she continues to rise to the challenge. Carrie and Dot dive into her long, remarkable career, how the sport has evolved, her daughter El’s rise in the running world, and how Dot balances life beyond the miles. After more than two decades as a professional runner, Dot brings a wealth of wisdom, hard-earned lessons, and inspiration you won’t want to miss.

Calli Hauger-Thackery is a 2024 Olympian, 2024 European Half Marathon bronze medalist, and the second-fastest British female marathoner of all time. She joins C Tolle Run following major victories at the Honolulu Marathon and, most recently, the 2026 Chevron Houston Marathon. In this episode, we dive deep into Calli’s journey, from her early love of running to her collegiate career at the University of New Mexico, her professional running career, and how she’s now paying it forward by coaching the next generation of runners. Calli shares how she made the leap to the professional ranks, met her husband, ran her first marathon, and built the momentum that has defined the past few years of her career. We also explore the highs and lows that come with elite competition and life beyond the sport. It’s an honest, inspiring conversation that covers the moments, mindset, and milestones that shaped one of the best distance runners in the world.

This week we welcome Australian standout Jess Hull, fresh off running a key leg in the gold medal winning 4x2K mixed relay at the World Cross Country Championships. While this is her latest triumph, Jess’s résumé is already packed with hardware—from her days as an Oregon Duck to her current career as a professional runner for Nike. Coming straight off the championship, Carrie and Jess break down the race in detail, from Jess’s favorite moments to the toughest challenges of the course. As Jess continues to get faster every year, we dive into the mindset, confidence, and consistency that fuel her progress and keep her chasing big goals. Her positivity is contagious and by the end of this episode, you’ll feel inspired to shift your own mindset and pursue your goals with confidence.

Parker Wolfe may be new to C Tolle Run, but he's no stranger to elite running. As an NCAA Champion at the University of North Carolina and now a USATF Champion, Parker is gearing up for the 10k at the World Cross Country Championships, and he's especially excited that the race will be held on US soil for the first time since 1992. In this episode, Parker shares how he got into the sport and opens up about the emotions of winning his first professional title. We also dive into his goals for 2026 and discuss why maintaining friendships with training partners who become competitors is so important to him. You will absolutely be cheering for Parker after meeting him!

Shannon Rowbury, a 3x Olympian and Olympic bronze medalist, is no stranger to C Tolle Run. This time, she’s back with a brand-new accomplishment on her résumé: author. She’s joined by physical therapist and pelvic health expert Jessica Dorrington to discuss her new book Strong as a Mother: Your Complete Pregnancy-to-Postpartum Health Program. Carrie, Shannon, and Jessica have a heart-to-heart about their athletic feats, motherhood, marathon training, and Shannon’s journey into writing. They also share why they teamed up to create the motherhood movement 4twomom. Whether you’re a mother runner or not, this conversation will leave you inspired to keep getting after it!

Meet Gracie Morris: A Puma professional runner, TCU track legend, and brand-new National Champion. During her collegiate career at Texas Christian University, Gracie shattered seven school records and just claimed her first national title at the USATF 2K XC Championships, and she's taking us inside every thrilling moment of that championship run. From the spikes on her feet to the mental battles in her head to the pure joy of her victory celebration, Gracie reveals what it really takes to win at the highest level. But she's not stopping there. Next, she'll pull on the USA jersey to compete as part of a four-person co-ed relay team at the World XC Championships. Beyond the podium, Gracie opens up about her Texas roots and how she fell in love with running, what it's like having a twin brother who's also a professional runner and what she loves to do when she's not logging miles. Gracie's warm personality and infectious laugh will have you lacing up your shoes and ready to chase your own finish line.

Sara Hall is the definition of a mother-runner. She’s the only athlete to snag 10 U.S. Championship titles across distances from the mile all the way to the marathon, and she’s currently training for the California International Marathon to go after another. When she’s not chasing PRs, she’s raising four daughters and planning a tour for her new book For The Love of the Grind coming this spring, a candid look at how she’s navigated record-breaking running while balancing life as a mom.

Keira D’Amato is back on C Tolle Run and we couldn’t be more excited! You know her as a pro runner, mom, motivational speaker, race analyst, and even a real estate agent… and now she’s added “author” to the list. Her new book, Don’t Call It a Comeback, just hit the shelves, and trust us, it’s a good one. Keira gives us the scoop on her prep for the Valencia Marathon, her goals, her new adventure as a race analyst, and everything happening in her world right now. Plus, with Thanksgiving in the air, she and Carrie share what they’re thankful for this year.

Minnesota Distance Elite holds a special place in C Tolle Run’s heart, so we’re thrilled to bring you this live show recorded at Summit Brewing in Saint Paul, Minnesota, featuring close friends and family of the program. We hear directly from the athletes as they share fun facts about themselves, highlight their standout moments from 2025, and talk about what they’re excited for in 2026.Carrie also pulls aside the athletes who recently raced the TCS New York City Marathon to celebrate their achievements. Joel Riechow was the top American on the men's side, while Annie Frisbie finished as the second American and Elena Hayday placed 12th overall in the women's race. Joel, Annie, and Elena reflect on their inspiring performances and share the lessons they hope to pass along.

3x U.S. Champion Annie Rodenfels returns to C Tolle Run fresh off her third victory at the Abbott Dash to the Finish Line 5K presented by NYRR! Annie takes us inside her race-day mindset: from the patient pacing that set her up for success to the powerful final surge that sealed the win. She shares how she prepared for the race, every thought she had during those key moments, and even how she celebrated afterward. Annie also talks about why she and her coach made the jump to a new training group, Meridia, and what keeps her returning to the same races year after year. Plus, she gives us a look at her future goals and what drives her both on and off the track. Whether you’re a new runner or chasing your next 5K PR, Annie’s energy, honesty, and determination will leave you inspired and ready to run!

It’s a week of debuts for Brooks professional runner and USATF National Champion Amanda Vestri! She just made her marathon debut at the TCS New York City Marathon, racing alongside some of the greatest runners in the world. She finished 9th overall, running an incredible 2:25:40, the 4th-fastest debut marathon by an American woman in history. Now, she’s making another debut - joining C Tolle Run! In this episode, we dig into Amanda’s journey as a runner, her NYC Marathon build, what it felt like to compete in her home state on one of the sport’s biggest stages, and what’s next for her. From training insights to race-day reflections, nothing is off limits!

Just ahead of the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, elite runner Biya Simbassa returns to C Tolle Run to catch up on life, training, and racing. Biya is coming off a strong 2nd-place finish at the Twin Cities Ten Mile and is deep into preparations for one of the most competitive marathon fields Carrie has ever seen. In this episode, we talk about the power of patience: in training, in racing, and in life. Biya had an incredible 2024, finishing as the fastest American marathoner of the year. He’s now the 5th-fastest American marathoner of all time, and in 2025, he broke a 40-year-old American road 10K record. He’s also a 5-time US Champion, quiet yet fiercely driven, currently living and training in Flagstaff, AZ. We chat about what it’s like to be mentioned alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, his mindset heading into NYC, and how life off the track is shaping who he is today. If you missed his first appearance on C Tolle Run, this is the perfect time to get to know one of the kindest and most inspiring runners I know. By the end of the episode, we're sure you’ll agree!

Kelly McLay is a mom, wife, marathoner, author, keynote speaker, traveler, and founder of Fitness International Travel. Carrie met Kelly just after she finished her 100th marathon(!!) which also happened to be her wedding anniversary weekend at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. In this episode, they explore Kelly’s journey as a runner and entrepreneur, from life on the road while parenting to overcoming health challenges and building a business that plans full-service race travel experiences, including guaranteed entries, lodging, meals, transportation, and even costumes. Kelly’s story is inspiring, energetic, and purpose-driven, and she just might have Carrie’s dream job for the next phase of her career.

Fresh off the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, Carrie sits down with two standout American runners who turned heads with their incredible performances. Conner Mantz finished fourth overall, smashing a 23-year-old American record with a time of 2:04:43. Natosha Rogers was sixth overall and claimed top American honors on the women’s side, setting a personal best of 2:23:38. In this episode, Conner and Natosha take us inside their unforgettable performances, and, of course, share how they celebrated after crossing the finish line.

This special episode was recorded live in front of an amazing audience during the 2025 Twin Cities Marathon weekend, and our guest needs no introduction! The one and only Courtney Dauwalter, ultra running’s GOAT, joins us for a candid and fun conversation just ahead of her first competitive road marathon. Courtney opens up about her epic ultra running career, how she stays motivated mile after mile (after mile), and what it means to return to her Minnesota roots for this unforgettable event. With her trademark smile, infectious energy, and down-to-earth spirit, Courtney reminds us why she’s not just a legend on the trails, she’s a fan favorite everywhere she goes. Whether you’re a runner, a fan, or just love a good story, this episode is a must-listen.This episode is supported by Tailwind Nutrition. Tailwind has been a staple for endurance athletes because it’s easy on the stomach, gives you steady energy without the crash, and has all the electrolytes and fuel you need for long runs and big training days.It keeps you hydrated on easy days, fueled during your long efforts, and recovered, recharged, and ready for what’s next; so you can get back out there and do more of what you love.Make sure to use the code TOLLE20 at tailwindnutrition.com for 20% off your order. That’s TOLLE20 for 20% off at tailwindnutrition.com.

Exciting news! I’m partnering with RunDot to launch the brand-new RunDot Podcast! In this launch episode, I sit down with my producer, Andrew Harley to talk about the mission behind the RunDot Podcast and what our listeners can expect from this new show. Don’t worry, C Tolle Run isn’t going anywhere! We’re just adding more. While C Tolle Run will keep sharing inspiring stories from the running world, the RunDot Podcast will dive deeper into training tips, expert insights, and tools to level up your running. So come learn more about RunDot and hear some exciting stories from Carrie with this RunDot + C Tolle Run crossover episode!

Founded in 2001 as a non-profit training center, ZAP Endurance became a cornerstone in the running community, helping everyone from recreational runners rediscover the sport to coaching elite athletes chasing World Championship and Olympic dreams. Now, as ZAP closes its doors, Carrie sits down with co-founders Pete and Zika Rea to reflect on over two decades of impact. In this heartfelt conversation, the Rea's share their proudest moments, toughest challenges, favorite memories, and hopes for the future of running. From shaping individual journeys to influencing the broader sport, Pete and Zika’s legacy runs deep, and today, we celebrate everything they've built.

Olympian Jenny Simpson returns to the C Tolle Run Podcast! This time she is joined by her husband, Jason Simpson, a fellow competitive runner. Following Jenny’s remarkable professional running career, the couple hit the road with their two dogs in an RV to embark on a cross-country adventure they call The Run U.S.A. Tour. Their mission? To connect with and celebrate the American running community that has supported Jenny throughout her career. In this episode, Jenny and Jason share candid stories from their journey: the highs, the lows, the surprises, and the unforgettable moments they’ve experienced along the way. 

C Tolle Run is back and what better way to kick things off than with the people who know Carrie Tollefson best: her parents, John and Ginger Tollefson. In this heartwarming and candid episode, they share how they met, what it was like raising three very different daughters, and the unique journey of parenting a young athlete all the way through the Olympic Games. As Carrie progressed from record setting Minnesota State Champion, to collegiate athlete, professional runner, and olympian; John and Ginger experienced it all right alongside her. Come get an inside look at the life and love that shaped Carrie through the voices of her biggest supporters.