First, an announcement: Launching the "You Can Do It" Podcast Mini-Series with Jeff Galloway
I’m thrilled to announce the launch of a brand-new podcast series, the "You Can Do It Podcast," in collaboration with none other than Olympian & Coach Jeff Galloway. This series is dedicated to runners of all levels, from beginners to seasoned marathoners, and will take a deep dive into what makes the Galloway training method so effective and the most successful in the world for getting people to the finish line of their goal of 13.1, 26.2 and beyond!
In each episode, we’ll be traveling (virtually) across the US to meet with local Galloway running clubs, exploring the unique culture of each city, and hearing firsthand stories from program directors, coaches, and athletes who have experienced the benefits of Galloway training. We’ll uncover what drives these communities and how they support runners in achieving their goals.
The first episode, which is already live, features me sharing a conversation about the recent Olympics and the experiences that sparked our love for running. In the following episodes, you can expect in-depth interviews, plenty of inspiration, and practical training tips to help you stay motivated through the summer and fall running seasons.
Stay tuned as we bring you at least half a dozen more episodes filled with stories, insights, and advice that will keep you moving forward, no matter where you are in your running journey! Available on Spotify, Apple, and most podcast apps.
My Hot Take: 2024 Olympic Track & Field and Marathon Marvels
The 2024 Olympic Games delivered unforgettable moments, especially in the track and field and marathon events, where athletes showcased their perseverance, skill, and passion. For Team USA, these games were a celebration of talent and determination, with several athletes standing out and making history. Let’s delve into some of the most inspiring performances that captivated audiences worldwide.
The men’s 1500 meters was one of the most anticipated events, marked by intense competition and a fierce rivalry between British world title Josh Kerr and former record holder Jakob Ingebrigtsen. Cole Hocker, a rising star from the USA, entered the event with notable accomplishments and kick, but few expecting him to medal. Ingebrigtsen set a blistering pace in hopes to wear out the crowd behind him, Kerr hung in. Hocker also stuck with the pack by sheer determination, faced formidable opponents in final laps and was boxed out a few times, but his incredible sprint finish in the final lap brought the crowd to its feet. Despite a race filled with tactical moves and a blazing pace, Hocker managed to secure a podium finish by pulling ahead of Kerr in literally the last seconds, demonstrating his potential to dominate in future championships. His story is one of grit and determination, as he emerged as a key figure in one of the most thrilling 1500m races in recent history.
Grant Fisher is from my home state, "The Michigan Marvel", hailing from Grand Blanc area and an engineer by training. He was the surprise early standout for Team USA that really energized all of us and fellow athletes. Everyone loves an underdog story, myself included. Competing in both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, Fisher faced the challenge of elite global competition. His strategy, calculated risk and pacing were impeccable, earning him two medals—one silver and one bronze. Fisher’s performances were a testament to his incredible work ethic and ability to rise to the occasion on the world’s biggest stage. His double-medal achievement highlights the depth of American distance running talent and cements his status as one of the best in the sport.
Gabby Thomas, known for her incredible speed, added to Team USA’s medal haul with a dazzling performance in the women’s 200 meters. Thomas, who had been a favorite going into the event, lived up to the hype by capturing the gold medal. Her victory was not just a personal triumph but also an inspiring moment for many, as she became a symbol of perseverance and excellence in sprinting. Thomas's journey to Olympic gold has been filled with challenges, but her ability to overcome them and achieve greatness on the track will be remembered for years to come.
There are so many other Americans that went way beyond expectations and set records, its hard to believe. From Sydney Mclaughlin-Levrone's gold medal setting the world record in 400 hurdles to Noah Lyles' defending his atmospheric personality to earn the "fastest human alive" title in the 100 final. Grant Holloway also took gold in the 110m hurdles to become both a 3 time world champion and gold medal winner, and Rai Benjamin won the men's 400 hurdles. Speaking of hurdles, Masai Russell's gold in women's 100m hurdles. I loved her quote afterwards... "I just want every young girl to understand and now that if you believe in yourself if you can see the work and do it day in and day out there's nothing that impossible for you." Class act.
And our relay teams also did exceedingly well winning 4x400s and 4x100s Olympic titles in men's, women's, and mixed relays, drawing upon a true depth of talent not seen in US history. Let's move on to the longest event and final event of the 17 days in Paris (and despite the time investment, of course my favorite):
The Marathon: Sifan Hassan is The Triple Medal Marvel
It started the Olympic movement in many ways, and is of course the Greek standard barer for grit. The cadence and sheer willpower to finish such a course was in itself impressive. I found myself in sheer bliss watching both the men and women, their small movements each mile along the course, and efforts to do their very best for their one shot at Olympic glory. While the USA celebrated numerous victories, the world marveled at the extraordinary performance of Sifan Hassan from the Netherlands. Hassan achieved a historic feat by winning three medals across different events, including finishing with gold in the marathon for 38+ miles racing including the heats and finals. Her versatility and endurance were on full display as she competed in the 1,500 meters, 5,000 meters, and the marathon. The marathon, in particular, was a grueling test of willpower, with challenging hills and tough course conditions that pushed all competitors to their limits in Paris. I loved watching Sifan navigate every single tangent with near perfection, not running more steps than she had to, and calculated each move by staying behind enough to see the lead but not getting swept up into over-energized pushes by single athletes. She knew her one and only push would come at the end, as it always does, when it's needed. The heat of the day was another challenge to overcome for everyone, as many athletes (including Sifan) had ice in on their heads, hands and shirts as often as possible. They still kept near Olympic record pace, despite the heat and hills. Yet, Hassan emerged victorious, cementing her place as one of the greatest distance runners of all time and even having to fight off an elbow on the last stretch making the marathon a clear contact sport from the defending marathon champion!
The Men’s Marathon: Is there really that much depth of talent on the planet?
The men’s marathon was another highlight, with the athletes facing a course known for its punishing hills and tough conditions, and this one did set an Olympic record. Tamirat Tola from Ethiopia was a late addition due to a last minute drop on the Ethiopian side. While all eyes were on Kipchoge and a few other leaders, Tola silently did the work, kept up with the world's best and earned it. Despite the challenges, the race showcased the resilience and strength of the competitors, and how far marathoning has come just in the last 4 years (for women and men). The grueling nature of the course made the record-breaking performance even more remarkable. For the USA, it was a moment of pride, as their athletes fought valiantly in one of the most demanding events of the Games, Connor Mantz and Clayton Young both securing a top-10 spot around a minute behind the winner. Just a few years ago, such a finish behind a stacked race of Kenyan, Ethiopian runners would have been unthinkable. It seems the training and effort they both put into heat and hills paid off, including with the trials in Orlando, Florida, which I was able to witness in person this year!
By the way, these two top Americans posted religiously to YouTube about their training leading up to the Olympics, and about their faith and motivation through good and bad days. If you really want to see what it takes day in and day out "how to train like an Olympian", it's a great series to watch.
"Games Wide Open"- The Year of Women
The 2024 Olympics will be remembered for many reasons, including "opening up" the games as the slogan represents in French, "Ouvrons Grand les Jeux". And it was indeed the first Olympics to achieve full gender parity, a milestone that has been well-earned and long awaited. The track and field and marathon events were truly special for this observer. The athletes who competed in these events demonstrated the power of the human spirit and the relentless pursuit of excellence, as well as in many cases the very best of what it is to be human and share the planet. And women truly did rule the world and US effort this time around, in many ways. They brought home nearly 65% of our medals and dominated off the track in basketball and soccer as well. I saw many examples of international love and comeraderie amidst the competition, respecting and supporting one another as fellow athletes, that is in fact the true goal of the Olympics. I looked to my own daughter Gretchen (now 5 years old) and how inspired she was to see women taking center stage in Paris, how energetically she supported them from a tiny screen and in Germany and Florida. She ran up and down the hall, then outside; she wanted to race! From Gabby Thomas’s golden sprint to Sifan Hassan’s historic marathon win, these Games have provided stories that will inspire future generations of athletes for decades. The legacy of the 2024 Olympics will live on, not just in the records and medals, but in the hearts and minds of young fans like my daughter who witnessed these extraordinary feats. Thinking... "just maybe, if I put in the work, I can do that some day".
