Road to the Trials

Breanna Sieracki joins Lindsey and Peter on Road to the Trials after qualifying for her second Olympic Marathon Trials and with baby number three on the way.
Breanna’s path to the marathon is such a good one. She came out of college as a steeplechaser and 5K runner who swore she would never run a marathon. Then, during her first pregnancy, she started wondering what it might look like to train for one postpartum. She debuted at CIM 10 months after having her first daughter, then came back at Grandma’s Marathon in 2023 and ran 2:33 to qualify for the 2024 Olympic Trials.

We talk about how motherhood has changed Breanna as an athlete, learning to give herself more grace in training, and what she’s learned through multiple postpartum rebuilds. She also takes us inside Minnesota Distance Elite, her relationship with Coach Lundstrom, and the individualized training that has helped her grow from a relatively low-mileage college runner into someone who thrives during 80–110 mile marathon weeks.
Breanna also opens up about her difficult day at Boston, the vulnerable post about her race that unexpectedly went viral, and how hard it was to deal with criticism and comments about her body while already processing the disappointment of the race itself. We talk about the patience required when you know the fitness and the potential are there, but life means the next opportunity may still be a ways off.
Her message at the end of this conversation says it best: you can chase multiple dreams. Your path might look different from someone else’s, but that doesn’t mean you have to choose only one.

Carrie Ellwood is having the kind of year that can change a running career. She finished 10th overall and fourth American at the Boston Marathon in 2:22, signed her first professional contract with ASICS shortly after, and has firmly put herself in the conversation as someone to watch heading toward the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials. 
Carrie spent seven years as a first grade teacher while continuing to train and compete at a high level. Two years ago, she stepped away from the classroom without a big contract waiting for her or a breakout race guaranteeing that professional running would work out. She simply knew she would regret it if she didn’t give herself the chance to see how good she could be. Now, that bet on herself is paying off.
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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!

Just one year removed from competing at the NCAA Championships, Murphy Smith has already established himself as one of the brightest young marathoners in the United States. After debuting with a 2:11 at the California International Marathon, Murphy returned just months later to run 2:08:58 at the Boston Marathon, earning a spot in the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and announcing himself as a serious contender for the future.
In this episode, Murphy shares why he skipped the traditional path of spending years on the track before moving up to the marathon, what he's learned training with the B.A.A. High Performance Team under Mark Carroll, and how balancing graduate school, military service, and elite running has shaped his perspective. He also opens up about overcoming injuries, navigating sleep struggles during his time at the Naval Academy, and the role his faith has played throughout his running journey.
In this episode, we cover:
Running 2:08:58 at the Boston Marathon in just his second marathon
Why he moved to the marathon immediately after college
Training alongside Galen Rupp and Robert Miranda at Boston
Life with the B.A.A. High Performance Team and coach Mark Carroll
Building from 97-mile weeks in college to 130-mile marathon training
Balancing graduate school, military service, and elite running
His upcoming Chicago Marathon goals
Serving in the U.S. Navy and preparing for nuclear power school
Learning to embrace flexibility instead of rigid training
How his Christian faith has helped him through setbacks and success
Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials and beyond
Follow Murphy:
Instagram: @murphysmith__
Thank you to our sponsors:
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Robert Miranda's marathon breakthrough didn't happen overnight. After narrowly missing his goals in Chicago, withdrawing from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, and learning some hard lessons through self-coaching, he returned to Boston this spring to run a lifetime best of 2:09:40 and officially join the growing list of American men under 2:10.
In this conversation, Robert shares his unique journey from Yale student and UCLA mathematics PhD to the B.A.A. High Performance Team, why he believes consistency matters more than perfect workouts, and how becoming a father has reshaped both his running and his perspective. He also reflects on the setbacks that nearly pulled him away from the sport, what he's learned about racing the marathon, and why his focus is firmly on being ready for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials.
Thank you to our sponsors:
Precision Fuel & Hydration helps runners simplify fueling with personalized plans based on carbs, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed tools and resources make it easier to train and race with confidence. Use code Trials26 for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.
Goodr sunglasses combine a no-slip, no-bounce fit with polarized lenses and fun designs that are built for running, travel, and everyday adventures. Lightweight, affordable, and made to move with you. Get $10 off your first order at goodr.com/trials