Road to the Trials

Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Matt Chittim
  • 4.8 (182)
  • RUNNING
  • UPDATED SEMIWEEKLY

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. 1D AGO

    Peter Bromka with Zach Bitter on Storytelling, the Marathon, and the Road to the Olympic Trials

    Today on Road to the Trials, we’re sharing a special conversation originally recorded on the Human Performance Outliers podcast with host Zach Bitter. In this wide-ranging discussion, Peter Bromka reflects on his own Olympic Trials journey, the fine margins of marathon performance, and why storytelling has become such a powerful force in modern running. The conversation explores what it really takes to chase elite goals, how hard work, genetics, and sustainability intersect, and why the marathon remains one of the most demanding and fascinating events in sport. Peter also dives into the vision behind Road to the Trials, the rise of influencers in endurance sports, and the tension between performance, content, and authenticity in today’s running culture. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at ambition, limits, and what it means to pursue excellence without losing perspective. This episode originally aired on Human Performance Outliers. We’re grateful to Zach for the conversation and encourage you to check out his show for more deep dives into endurance performance.

    1h 46m

  2. 2D AGO

    The Business of Road to the Trials (And What’s Next)

    Five months into Season 4, Peter, Matt, and Lindsey sit down for a behind-the-scenes check-in on what’s working, what’s surprised them, and what’s coming next. They talk about how the show came together, why CIM became the season’s biggest inflection point, and how the team is balancing an ever-growing wave of qualifiers with the goal of featuring every athlete who makes the standard. They also share how sponsorships have helped them keep the show running, what they’re learning about audience growth, and why the community response has made this project worth the effort. A huge thank you to our new sponsors: Precision Fuel and Hydration is joining the show as our exclusive fueling and nutrition partner for the next six months. We’re excited to work with a brand that’s deeply trusted in endurance sports, and we’re looking forward to going deeper on practical, personalized fueling and hydration strategies for both training and racing. Wahoo is coming on as a new sponsor as well, and it feels like a big vote of confidence. Their treadmills and training ecosystem are used by athletes at every level, and we’re pumped to partner with a company that’s genuinely embedded in the running world and building products that help people train consistently year-round.

    1h 15m

  3. 5D AGO

    Lisa Goodin’s Comeback: From NAIA Marathon Lessons to a 2:36 OTQ at CIM

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka and Lindsey Hein talk with Lisa Goodin, who ran 2:36 at CIM to qualify for the Olympic Trials Marathon in what she considers her second marathon. Lisa shares how an early, rocky marathon experience in college pushed her away from the distance for years, and how she eventually found her way back through half marathons, postpartum training seasons, and rebuilding consistency as a mom of three. Lisa is coached by her husband, a kinesiology professor with a deep strength and biomechanics background, and she breaks down how lifting and cross training play a major role in her training. She also walks through her CIM race strategy, including staying controlled, managing the later miles confidently, and finishing feeling like she had more to give. With the qualifier checked off, Lisa looks ahead to chasing faster times and putting real intention into the road to 2028.

    58 min

  4. JAN 29

    Chris Maxon’s First Marathon: Fifth Place at CIM and Just Getting Started

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka sits down with Chris Maxon, one of the most intriguing first-time marathoners to emerge this cycle. Chris made his marathon debut at the California International Marathon and finished an eye-opening fifth place. While many runners need time to forget the pain of their first marathon before even considering another, Chris walked away both satisfied and hungry, already thinking about what’s next. Chris trains in Boulder alongside some of the best marathoners in the world, and he shares how that environment has shaped his approach to the event, from preparation to race execution. He talks candidly about what surprised him in his first marathon, what he thinks he left on the table, and how he’s already framing the next two years as he looks ahead. Beyond the racing, Chris brings a unique angle to the sport as the self-described “fastest realtor in America,” balancing high-level training with a demanding professional career. This conversation offers a glimpse into the mindset of a young athlete entering the marathon at a high level, the lessons learned from a debut performance, and the ambition driving him forward as he sets his sights on breaking 2:10.

    41 min

  5. JAN 26

    Immigration Support & Marathon Success: JP Trojan's Full Life in Minneapolis

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka sits down with JP Trojan, who delivered a breakthrough performance at the California International Marathon with a 2:10 finish and a fourth-place result that even surprised him. For much of the build to CIM, JP wasn’t sure how the race would go — telling his coach the day before he wasn’t confident — yet when the gun went off, he showed up as a racer and a competitor and ran a very fast marathon signaling that his name is one to watch as we build toward the 2028 Olympic Trials. JP’s journey to this point has been far from conventional: he has a rich collegiate running background that spans William & Mary and Syracuse Law School, where he completed his eligibility while pursuing a law degree. Today he balances professional life as an immigration lawyer in Minneapolis, Minnesota with his training and racing as a member of Minnesota Distance Elite. In this candid conversation, JP talks about how he manages work and workouts, why the marathon resonates with him, and how the process of making big gains has been a discipline in both law and running. Given the backdrop of tensions in Minnesota right now — including recent events tied to federal immigration enforcement and community response — JP also shares thoughts on his work in immigration law, why this moment matters to him personally, and how listeners might support affected communities. Our hearts are with Minnesota and all who are experiencing hardship and trauma during this time of crisis and unrest.  Links to support the community Advocates for Human Rights: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/donate Stand With Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

    37 min

  6. JAN 24

    Med School Miles: Maddie Block’s Road to 2:36

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka sit down with Maddie Block, one of the many women who qualified for the Olympic Trials Marathon at CIM in December. Maddie ran 2:36:27 in what was her fifth marathon, all while balancing life as a third-year medical student. Maddie’s path to the Olympic Trials standard is anything but linear. She shares how she began her college career as a walk-on at Northern Iowa, later walking on again at Iowa, and how she has truly earned every opportunity she has had in the sport. Her story is one of persistence, patience, and believing in herself even when the path forward was not obvious. The conversation dives into what it looks like to train at a high level while navigating the demands of medical school, from managing time and fatigue to staying mentally engaged with both running and academics. Maddie opens up about how she structures her life, why consistency has been her greatest strength, and how she has continued to improve year after year. This is a powerful episode about grit, long-term commitment, and chasing big goals alongside a full and demanding life. Maddie’s journey is a reminder that progress is not always flashy, but it is built through showing up again and again. This episode is supported by Rocket Money. Rocket Money is the personal finance app that helps you take control of your money without lifting a finger. Track spending, see all accounts in one place, cancel unwanted subscriptions with a tap, and automate savings toward your goals. If you’ve ever wondered “Wait, what am I still paying for?” — Rocket Money will tell you. Get started and let your money work smarter for you at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

    47 min

  7. JAN 22

    Built Over Time: Jacob Thomson and the Path to the 2028 Trials

    In this episode of Road to the Trials, Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim sit down with Jacob Thomson, a name American distance running fans should know well. A former national champion in the half marathon and a top-10 finisher at the California International Marathon, Jacob has been competing at a high level for more than a decade and continues to evolve as a marathoner. Based in Flagstaff, Arizona, Jacob is a member of Under Armour Dark Sky Distance and trains alongside a deep and ever-changing group of elite runners. He shares what it is like to build fitness and longevity in one of the most competitive training environments in the country, and how training with such a wide range of athletes has shaped both his approach to racing and his perspective on the sport. Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Trials, Jacob opens up about his goals, his motivation, and why he believes patience and consistency still matter in an era of ever-faster times. This is a thoughtful, wide-ranging episode with an athlete who has seen nearly every side of the sport and is still pushing forward. This episode is supported by Rocket Money. Rocket Money is the personal finance app that helps you take control of your money without lifting a finger. Track spending, see all accounts in one place, cancel unwanted subscriptions with a tap, and automate savings toward your goals. If you’ve ever wondered “Wait, what am I still paying for?” — Rocket Money will tell you. Get started and let your money work smarter for you at rocketmoney.com/gorun.

    48 min

  8. JAN 19

    An OTQ Couple: Zouhair and Elizabeth Talbi’s Houston Story

    This episode of Road to the Trials is one for the books. On Sunday, January 11, Zouhair Talbi ran 2:05 to win the Houston Marathon in a course record, marking a major milestone in a long and steady rise that has already seen him run 2:06 and now firmly establish himself among the world’s top marathoners. Just 30 minutes later, his wife Elizabeth crossed the same finish line in 2:35, securing her own Olympic Trials qualifier for 2028. Two elite performances, one unforgettable morning, and one very busy household. Zouhair, now a newly minted American citizen, shares what that Houston victory meant to him after years of knocking on the door, and what lies ahead as he becomes eligible to represent the United States in 2027. Elizabeth walks through her own journey, from returning to racing after pregnancy to executing a breakthrough race on the same course, the same day. Together, they reflect on the surreal moment when a cyclist told Elizabeth mid-race that her husband had already won and set the course record, with miles still left for her to run. This is a joyful and inspiring conversation with one of the fastest couples in the country, a reminder that big performances do not happen in isolation, and that sometimes the most meaningful wins come with a baby in your arms at the end of the day.

    41 min
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Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
182 Ratings

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
    150
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Peter Bromka, Lindsey Hein, and Matt Chittim
  • Show Website
    Road to the Trials

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