I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast

This episode is supported by Kava Haven, Goodr, and Batch. Today on the podcast, I’m excited to welcome Megan Eckert. Meg recently finished third overall among women at the 2025 Cocodona 250, running one of the fastest times in race history. She’s an ultrarunner, coach, teacher, and one of the most accomplished endurance athletes in the sport. In 2025, she ran 603 miles, surpassing 600 miles in six days and setting a world record pending ratification. She also finished second at Badwater 135 and continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in ultrarunning. One of the most fascinating parts of Meg’s story is that she didn’t discover running until she was 29 years old. What started with a goal of breaking two hours in her first half marathon quickly grew into a passion for ultras, trail running, and eventually some of the longest races in the world. In this conversation, Meg shares how she approaches races as long as Cocodona, why she focuses on competing against herself rather than other runners, how she balances teaching sixth-grade math with elite ultrarunning, and what she’s learned from spending days at a time moving through mountains, deserts, and remote wilderness. We also talk about sleep strategy, hallucinations, training for six-day races, the value of recovery, and why she continues to pursue goals that have a real chance of failure. Thank you to Mount to Coast for supporting this episode. Their new C1 Super Trainer is designed for long miles, everyday training, and durability that goes the distance. Learn more at mounttocoast.com. If you enjoy this conversation, please share it with a friend and leave a rating and review. It’s one of the best ways to help new listeners discover the show. Topics Discussed Finishing third at the 2025 Cocodona 250 Running 603 miles at the Six Day World Championship Discovering running at age 29 and quickly falling in love with ultras Balancing teaching, coaching, and elite ultrarunning Training philosophy, double-run days, and self-coaching Sleep strategy and hallucinations in multi-day races The growth of 200+ mile ultramarathons Recovery, longevity, and avoiding injury Pursuing difficult goals and embracing uncertainty Adventure, backpacking, and trying new experiences every year Media mentioned: Books: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore Brands Mentioned: Mount to Coast Sponsors: BatchBatch is a Wisconsin-based wellness brand creating small-batch, science-backed CBD and THC products designed to help with stress, sleep, and overall balance. Their formulas are developed in-house using high-quality hemp and third-party testing for consistency and transparency. Go to hellobatch.com/another and use code “Another” for 30% off your order! Kava HavenKava Haven offers a kava-infused, non-alcoholic spirit designed to give you a relaxed, social “buzz” without alcohol, hangovers, or sugar. It’s made with noble kava root and crafted as a functional alternative for winding down or social settings. Go to KavaHaven.com/illhaveanother and use the code “Illhaveanother15” for 15% off your order. Goodr Goodr sunglasses are no-slip, no-bounce, all polarized, and actually affordable, with tons of fun styles and colors for summer. Go to goodr.com/another and use the code ANOTHER for $10 off your first order. Mount to Coast is a performance footwear brand focused on supporting runners who push beyond traditional race formats, especially in the ultrarunning space. Rather than taking a standard approach to race weekend activations, the brand leaned into its identity by backing unique efforts like Double Boston, providing athletes with both gear and logistical support to take on unconventional challenges. Their C1 shoe is designed with long-distance comfort in mind, offering substantial cushioning that holds up over extended efforts on the road. The brand’s approach reflects a commitment to endurance, creativity, and meeting runners where they are, whether that’s chasing a personal best or taking on something entirely outside the norm.

This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven, Batch, Goodr, and Tailwind Nutrition. I’m excited to share this conversation with Elena Hayday, who just ran 2:24:45 at the Boston Marathon to finish as the sixth American woman in a massive breakthrough performance. This episode is a crossover with Road to the Trials, the podcast I co-host with Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim, and it’ll also air over there next Monday. Peter joins me for this conversation as we talk with Elena about the jump from 2:30 to 2:24, what clicked for her in Boston, and why she’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting marathoners to watch in U.S. distance running. Elena runs for Minnesota Distance Elite and is currently studying neuroscience as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. We talk about balancing school and training, qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials at Grandma’s Marathon, and what she’s learning as she continues leveling up in the marathon. She’s thoughtful, grounded, incredibly tough, and I think you’re going to love getting to know her story. Topics Discussed Elena Hayday’s breakthrough 2:24:45 performance at the 2026 Boston Marathon Chasing faster marathon times after years of near-misses and setbacks Recovering from stomach issues at the 2025 New York City Marathon Working with a dietitian and realizing she was severely under-fueling on protein Balancing elite marathoning with a neuroscience PhD program Joining Minnesota Distance Elite and training under Chris Lundstrom Learning to train and race alongside athletes like Dakotah Popehn and Annie Frisbie Building confidence through higher mileage and more individualized training Why Elena wants to become more aggressive and competitive in races Navigating the emotional side of fully committing to running at a professional level Signing with an agent and stepping more fully into the professional side of the sport Future goals including representing Team USA and chasing faster marathon performances Training the gut for marathon fueling and learning to absorb 90g of carbs per hour Books, Movies, TV & Media Mentioned Project Hail Mary Noah Kahan Netflix documentary Thank you to our sponsors: BatchBatch is a Wisconsin-based wellness brand creating small-batch, science-backed CBD and THC products designed to help with stress, sleep, and overall balance. Their formulas are developed in-house using high-quality hemp and third-party testing for consistency and transparency. Go to hellobatch.com/another and use code “Another” for 30% off your order! Tailwind NutritionTailwind Nutrition creates all-in-one endurance fuel and hydration products designed to be easy to digest while providing calories, electrolytes, and hydration during long efforts. Their products are built specifically for endurance athletes who want simple, effective fueling without GI issues. Go to tailwindnutrition.com/another and use the code “Another20” for 20% off your first order. Kava HavenKava Haven offers a kava-infused, non-alcoholic spirit designed to give you a relaxed, social “buzz” without alcohol, hangovers, or sugar. It’s made with noble kava root and crafted as a functional alternative for winding down or social settings. Go to KavaHaven.com/illhaveanother and use the code “Illhaveanother15” for 15% off your order. Goodr Goodr sunglasses are no-slip, no-bounce, all polarized, and actually affordable, with tons of fun styles and colors for summer. Go to goodr.com/another and use the code ANOTHER for $10 off your first order.

Andrew Colley joins me on the podcast after winning the USATF 25K Championships in Grand Rapids, Michigan, just six weeks after he and his wife Tristin welcomed their daughter Lily June into the world. We talk about balancing newborn life with training, racing at a high level while sleep deprived, and the excitement of finally seeing years of consistent work continue to pay off. Andrew is a 2:09 marathoner, a three-time Team USA World Cross Country representative, and a longtime member of the ZAP Endurance team under coach Pete Rea. We talk about his recent marathon PR in Seville, why he feels there’s still a much bigger breakthrough coming, and what’s changed in his approach to the marathon over the years. We also get into life after sponsorship changes, staying patient through the ups and downs of professional running, and what motivates him as both an athlete and now a new dad. Plus, because Tristin and Lily June came over too, this episode includes some laughs, baby snuggles, and a very real in-person conversation that felt more like hanging out than recording a podcast. Topics Discussed: Adjusting to life as new parents with baby Lily June Winning the 2026 USATF 25K Championships Racing Seville Marathon and feeling capable of a breakthrough Training consistency after years of injuries and setbacks Underfueling, body image struggles, and disordered eating in men’s running Mental health, vulnerability, and pressures within professional running Training with NC State athletes and life in Raleigh Sponsorship uncertainty after ZAP Endurance and navigating the business side of pro running Olympic Trials goals and believing in yourself at the highest level Sobriety, addictive personality traits, and lessons from past mistakes The infamous cheesecake story at Club Cross Country Nationals Favorite recovery routines, TV shows, and fantasy books Advice for young runners about confidence and self-belief Books, TV Shows, & Media Mentioned: Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan Red Rising by Pierce Brown Brooklyn Nine-Nine Holiday Inn Support our sponsors: Lagoon Sleep — If you’re ready to upgrade your sleep, Lagoon pillows are truly a game changer. Their customizable pillows are designed to help you fall asleep faster, stay cool, and wake up without neck or shoulder pain. You can adjust the fill to make it perfect for you. Save 15% by going to https://lagoonsleep.com/lindsey and using the code LINDSEY at checkout. ZBiotics is a pre-alcohol probiotic drink, engineered by PhD microbiologists, designed to help your body break down the byproduct of alcohol that can lead to rough mornings after drinking. Check it out at zbiotics.com/another and use code another for 15% off your order. Geist Half Race Series Go to geisthalf.com and use the code “Another26” for $10 off any race distances. Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

Olivia Markezich joins me on the podcast to talk steeplechase, the jump from college to pro running, and what it’s been like joining the On Athletics Club in Boulder. Olivia runs with OAC out in Boulder and is sponsored by On. Olivia is a steeplechaser, and if you watched the 2024 Olympic Trials, you know exactly why this conversation matters. She took a real shot, put herself into second, and then fell near the finish in one of the most gutting moments of the meet. She was right there, in it, fighting for that team spot, and she opens up about what happened, what it felt like, and how she’s carried that experience forward instead of letting it define her. Olivia’s story has been one surprise after another. She won the 2023 NCAA title in the steeplechase at Notre Dame, earned 10 All-American honors, and finished top three at seven NCAA championships. She also walked on to Notre Dame and eventually earned a full scholarship, which says a lot about how quickly her belief, consistency, and ceiling have grown. This one is honest, gritty, and really fun. Olivia is all-in on seeing how far she can take this sport, and it’s hard not to walk away from this conversation believing she’s got some big breakthroughs ahead. List of topics covered Training update and Achilles management after USA Cross Country Racing muddy cross country conditions and gutting out a tough day Choosing events outside the steeplechase, including a possible 1500 opener Non-championship year mindset and racing the Diamond League circuit 2024 season setbacks: mono, stress reaction, return to racing quickly 2024 Olympic Trials steeplechase fall: what happened and how she processed it Early pro experiences and learning to race on the world stage NIL with On, the pro recruiting process, and why OAC was the fit What she wanted in a pro group: altitude, team environment, structure Notre Dame walk-on story, scholarship, NCAA title, and changing expectations Family dynamic: twin sister rivalry and support, dad as a sounding board Finding steeplechase and winning her first pair of On shoes at Portland Track Festival OAC team culture: meeting six days a week, steeple work with Kelsey, training written by Dathan Building hobbies and community in Boulder: ceramics, cook club, reading, shows Balancing identity outside running and keeping it fun Media mentioned (books + shows) Books: Cutting for Stone (Abraham Verghese) The Covenant of Water (Abraham Verghese) The Housemaid series (Freida McFadden) The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini) Sarah J. Maas series mentioned: ACOTAR (A Court of Thorns and Roses) Throne of Glass Crescent City Fourth Wing TV shows: Ted Lasso The Pitt Support our Sponsors: Join me for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon Training! Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout! Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

We have a brand new show joining the Sandy Boy Productions podcast network, and I am so excited about it! It’s called Out and Back, hosted by professional runners Rory Linkletter and Jacob Thomson. They train in Flagstaff, they are chasing big goals on the roads, and they bring you straight into the behind the scenes of the marathon lifestyle. This show is training talk with a few detours, and it is exactly the kind of perspective I love adding to the network. What I love about Rory and Jacob is how curious they are. They are not here for surface level conversations. They want the real details. The stuff you actually want to know if you care about performance, training, racing, and the mental side of showing up when it matters. If you are someone chasing a BQ, an OTQ, or you just want to understand how the pros think about the marathon, you are going to love this podcast. In this intro episode, I sit down with Rory and Jacob to talk about why they started Out and Back, what they want the show to be, and why they think there has been a gap in marathon specific podcasting. We also get into what it looks like to promote yourself as a professional runner, how they balance training with content, and what success looks like for both of them as they head toward Boston. I cannot wait for you to hear more from these two, and I am really proud to welcome Out and Back to the Sandy Boy Productions family. Please take one minute right now, go hit subscribe wherever you listen, and then send this to a friend who loves marathon training talk.

I’m excited to share this conversation with Drew Hunter. I’ve wanted to have Drew on the show for a long time, and this episode did not disappoint. Drew runs professionally for ASICS and lives in Boulder, Colorado, but his path in the sport has been anything but typical. He went pro straight out of high school, turning down a full scholarship to Oregon, and has now spent nearly a decade navigating the ups and downs of professional running before making a sponsor change to ASICS last year. In this conversation, we talk about what it was really like going pro so young, how different that decision might look today with NIL, and how his perspective has shifted ten years into his career. Drew opens up about setting goals based on what genuinely excites him, why road racing has become such a big focus, and how he’s thinking about longevity in the sport as both an athlete and a dad. We also talk about family life, faith, and the importance of community, especially as he and his wife prepare to welcome their third child. What I appreciated most about this episode is how grounded Drew is in who he is now. He reflects honestly on early loneliness, big expectations, and how his definition of success has changed over time. This conversation goes well beyond race results and gets into what it looks like to build a meaningful life alongside big athletic goals. I really enjoyed this one, and I hope you do too. If you enjoy the episode, please take a moment to leave a rating and review. It’s one of the best ways to help new listeners find the show. Topics Discussed: Drew’s indoor season plans, upcoming 3K, and building toward Millrose How he’s thinking about 2026 goals and the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen What excites him when he sets goals and why he likes mixing in road racing Why road racing feels like the future of the sport and how it brings fans into it Becoming a dad young, building a family, and how that shifts his mindset around running Community, church, and why having people nearby matters for parenting and life Converting to Catholicism and how he explored faith through reading and learning How he met his wife and how COVID changed the timeline Choosing to go pro out of high school, how NIL changes that decision now, and the realities of pro life Loneliness early in his pro career, moving to Boulder, and building Tin Man Elite and his training setup with his parents Support our Sponsors: Aletheia Run lets you see what your body is actually doing with every step by using a lightweight sensor that creates a unique force portrait of your movement. It gives personalized feedback, targeted drills, and science-backed insights to improve performance and help prevent injuries, bringing the running lab right to your everyday training. Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order. Amazfit Smartwatches – A wellness and recovery brand offering targeted supplements designed to support runners with energy, strength, and sleep. Use code “ANOTHER” at checkout!