Road to the Trials

Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Matt Chittim
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Co-hosts Matt Chittim, Lindsey Hein, and Peter Bromka interview every 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier along with a wide-ranging group of industry professionals in preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Macy McRowe: The 2:36 Marathon Built on Cross Training and Two Runs a Week

    This week on Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka talks with Macy McRowe, whose marathon training looks very different from the typical elite approach. Instead of the standard 7-day training cycle, Macy structures her training around a 14-day schedule, often running long only once every two weeks and mixing in significant cross training alongside limited running volume. Despite the unconventional structure, the approach helped her finish 6th at the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. Macy shares how this training style developed, why it works for her body, and what it takes to compete at a high level while doing things differently than most marathoners. They also talk about her background in Division III running, her progression through the half marathon to the full marathon, and how she thinks about pacing, training balance, and long-term development. Thank you to our sponsors: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error. Use code "Trials26" for 15% off at precisionhydration.com. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.

    40 min

  2. 6 DAYS AGO

    Zach Kreft: Five Marathons in 2025 and the Fueling and Mindset That Unlocked 2:13

    Zach Kreft joins Road to the Trials after a remarkable 2025 season that included five marathons and a major breakthrough at the California International Marathon. After narrowly missing the Olympic Trials standard at the Chicago Marathon with a 2:16:30, Zach returned later in the year and delivered a huge performance at CIM, running 2:13:05 to secure his place at the Olympic Trials. Zach shares what it was like to stack multiple marathons in one season and how each race helped build toward his breakthrough. Despite working a full-time job in the technology industry, he’s found a training approach that balances serious racing goals with a sustainable workload. The conversation dives into how Zach structures his training, why his schedule looks different from many elite marathoners, and how confidence from earlier races helped set up his big day at CIM. His story is a great example of patience, consistency, and making the most of each opportunity to race. Thank you to our sponsors: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error. Use code "Trials26" for 15% off at precisionhydration.com. The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.

    48 min

  3. 5 MAR

    Felicia Pasadyn: From D1 Swimmer to a Self-Coached 2:35 at New York

    Felicia Pasadyn joins Road to the Trials after qualifying for the Olympic Trials Marathon in New York City with a 2:35 performance—her third marathon and part of a rapid progression from 2:49 to 2:44 to 2:35. At just 23 years old, Felicia brings one of the most unique backgrounds in the field. A former Harvard swimmer who later swam while completing her master’s at Ohio State, Felicia spent most of her life focused on the pool before rediscovering competitive running. Now a newly graduated medical student awaiting residency placement, she balances elite-level endurance training with one of the most demanding academic paths imaginable. Felicia shares how her swimming background shaped her aerobic engine, why she caps her running at about 50 miles per week, and how heavy cross-training and strength work form the backbone of her marathon preparation. The conversation highlights a different model for endurance success—one built on efficiency, creative training, and a willingness to challenge conventional mileage-based approaches. It’s an inspiring look at a young athlete who seems to do everything quickly—whether it’s finishing medical school in three years or progressing rapidly in the marathon.

    1h 6m

  4. 2 MAR

    Ethan Shuley Races into American History with a 2:07 in Osaka

    Ethan Shuley joins Road to the Trials after running 2:07:14, the seventh fastest marathon in American history. At just 27 years old and only a few years into serious marathoning, his rise has been fast, from 2:18 to 2:11 to 2:07 in a short window. But as Ethan explains, the breakthrough didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of years of trial, error, and steadily applying simple principles at a very high level. Peter and Ethan dig into what actually changed: training progression, volume, patience, and learning how to execute the fundamentals consistently. They talk through the difference between knowing what works and fully committing to it. Ethan also shares how living and working in Japan shaped his approach to the marathon, what he’s absorbed from Japanese racing culture, and how that contrasts with the American system. With roots at BYU and connections to elite training groups in both countries, he offers a unique perspective on what it takes to move from “promising” to historically fast. This is a deep, marathon-heavy conversation about how big jumps actually happen and what it looks like when an athlete fully buys in. Thank you to our sponsors: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error. Use code "Trials26" for 15% off at precisionhydration.com. Wahoo continues to redefine indoor training with the KICKR RUN treadmill, designed to respond dynamically to how athletes actually run. With features like automatic pace control, terrain simulation, lateral tilt, and seamless connectivity to platforms like Zwift and Strava, it delivers a more realistic and engaging training experience. Trusted by world-class runners and triathletes alike, Wahoo builds tools that keep athletes training smarter, not just harder. Use code "Trials28" for a free heart rate strap at wahoofitness.com.

    47 min

  5. 21 FEB

    Melissa Berry: OTQ in Her 26.2 Debut with Tracksmith Stamata

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka and Lindsey Hein sit down with Melissa Berry, fresh off an incredible marathon debut at the California International Marathon, where she ran 2:35:57 to qualify for the Olympic Trials. Melissa grew up in Eugene, Oregon and ran collegiately at the University of Oregon, navigating the ups and downs of a six-year college career that spanned the COVID era. After graduation, she relocated to Flagstaff, Arizona — one of the country’s premier distance running hubs — and found herself rediscovering her competitive edge. Her marathon journey accelerated when she was selected for the Tracksmith Stamata program, a team built around supporting women chasing the Olympic Trials standard. Melissa shares what it was like to attend training camp in Vermont, build community with a diverse group of women ages 24 to 44, and lean into the team-first mindset that defines the program. A pivotal moment in her build came when she began consulting with Steph Bruce in the final month before CIM. Steph’s encouragement — and her belief that the OTQ was within reach — gave Melissa the confidence to commit fully to the goal. On race day, after tracking down the OTQ pack eight miles into the race, Melissa stayed patient, trusted her training, and raced the final 10K to secure her qualifier in her very first marathon. The conversation explores imposter syndrome, the power of community, the transition from college running to the marathon, and the moment belief turns into reality. Melissa’s story is one of patience, humility, and the courage to say the goal out loud — and then go chase it. Thank you to our sponsors: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error. Use code "Trials26" for 15% off at precisionhydration.com.

    52 min

  6. 19 FEB

    Reed Fischer: Racing the World Stage and Preparing for Fatherhood

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim sit down with Reed Fischer to talk about competing on the world stage, staying consistent at the top of U.S. marathoning, and what comes next on the road to 2028. Reed reflects on his experience racing at the World Athletics Championships, breaking down how the race unfolded, what he learned from competing against the best in the world, and how championship racing differs from time-focused marathons. The conversation digs into his steady progression through the sport, the durability that has defined his career, and why consistency may be his greatest strength. Beyond racing, Reed opens up about life off the course. With he and his wife preparing to welcome their first child, he talks about entering a new chapter while still competing at an elite level, and how perspective shifts when life expands beyond the starting line. This episode is equal parts race analysis, career reflection, and forward-looking optimism from one of the most consistent American marathoners of the past decade. Thank you to our sponsors: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error. Use code "Trials26" for 15% off at precisionhydration.com. Wahoo continues to redefine indoor training with the KICKR RUN treadmill, designed to respond dynamically to how athletes actually run. With features like automatic pace control, terrain simulation, lateral tilt, and seamless connectivity to platforms like Zwift and Strava, it delivers a more realistic and engaging training experience. Trusted by world-class runners and triathletes alike, Wahoo builds tools that keep athletes training smarter, not just harder. Use code "Trials28" for a free heart rate strap at wahoofitness.com.

    1 hr

  7. 16 FEB

    Hannah Chau: From an 18-Second Miss to Olympic Trials Qualifier

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Matt Chittim sits down with Hannah Chau, a newly minted Olympic Trials qualifier whose story blends big racing goals with an equally demanding path in medicine. Hannah reflects on her first attempt at qualifying for 2024 while still at UC Irvine, when she narrowly missed the standard at CIM in a debut marathon that was both chaotic and unforgettable. She shares what she learned from that near miss, why she kept coming back, and how those earlier attempts helped her stay calm and execute when it mattered most. Now in medical school at Creighton’s Phoenix campus, Hannah talks candidly about balancing a packed academic schedule with high-mileage training. She gets specific about how she made it work: early mornings, doubles, fitting strength work into the margins, and building a system that keeps running as an outlet without letting school slip. The conversation also touches on COVID’s impact on her college years and how that period shaped her perspective on mental health and long-term growth. A major thread throughout the episode is family. Hannah’s mom has been a marathoner for years and running became a shared experience that strengthened their relationship. Hannah also opens up about the dynamic with her dad, expectations around academics, and how that support evolved over time. This is a conversation about persistence, patience, and doing two hard things at once, with a finish-line payoff that’s been years in the making. Thank you to our sponsor: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error.

    41 min

  8. 14 FEB

    Mimi Smith: Patience, Progress, and a 2:30 Breakthrough at Houston

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka is joined by Mimi Smith, fresh off a sixth-place finish at the Houston Marathon. Mimi’s path to this breakthrough has been anything but overnight. She grew up in Chicago, ran collegiately at Wake Forest University, and made her Olympic Trials debut at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, where she finished 65th in just her third marathon. After spending multiple seasons racing consistently in the mid-2:30s, Mimi took a major step forward in Houston, running 2:30:14 and proving what she firmly believes: if you keep racing, the times eventually come. She talks about trusting long-term development, staying patient through plateaus, and learning how to race with confidence rather than chasing a specific outcome. Looking ahead, Mimi shares her big-picture goals for the next Olympic cycle, how she’s thinking about progress over the next two years, and why embracing the process has been key to her growth as a marathoner. This conversation is a reminder that steady commitment, resilience, and racing instincts still matter in a results-driven sport. Thank you to our sponsor: Precision Fuel and Hydration helps athletes take the guesswork out of fueling by breaking performance down into its essential components: carbohydrates, fluids, and sodium. Their science-backed approach allows runners to dial in each variable independently, making it easier to troubleshoot training issues and race-day execution. With extensive educational resources and practical tools, Precision supports athletes who want to fuel with intention rather than trial and error.

    47 min
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About

Co-hosts Matt Chittim, Lindsey Hein, and Peter Bromka interview every 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials Qualifier along with a wide-ranging group of industry professionals in preparation for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Information

  • Creator
    Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Matt Chittim
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    163
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Matt Chittim
  • Show Website
    Road to the Trials

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