Relay

Erika’s World Cup obsession continues and why she believes it’s the greatest sporting event in the worldThe atmosphere at World Cup watch parties and the stories making this tournament specialLindsey’s Stanley Cup adventures in Raleigh and why the Hurricanes’ championship has united the entire cityDakotah Popehn's third Grandma’s Marathon victory and what makes the race so meaningfulGabby Hentemann’s courageous racing approach and the fine line between chasing a breakthrough and blowing upWhat it means to run “brave” in the marathon and why great performances require riskRachel Rudel’s incredible season and the challenge of earning sponsorships in professional runningHow athletes balance racing opportunities, finances, motivation, and long-term goalsEarly thoughts on USATF Outdoor Championships in New York CityNikki Hiltz’s upcoming American mile record attempt at Pre ClassicBook club discussion: All the Light We Cannot See and why some stories become impossible to put downMedia Mentioned:All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony DoerrThe Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert DugoniGoodr makes fun, affordable performance sunglasses that are built for runners, with a no-slip, no-bounce fit and polarized lenses that keep up with every adventure. Head to Goodr.com/relay to get $10 off your first order and find a pair that's as functional as it is fun.

In this Relay episode, we’re sharing a conversation from Road to the Trials that feels especially relevant right now. Peter Bromka sits down with JP Trojan, an Olympic Trials qualifier who ran 2:10 and finished fourth at the California International Marathon, a breakthrough performance that put him firmly on the map as we look ahead to the 2028 Trials.JP’s path is anything but typical. He ran collegiately at William & Mary and later used eligibility while attending Syracuse Law School, building his running career alongside a demanding academic track. Today, he trains with Minnesota Distance Elite while working full time as an immigration attorney in Minneapolis. JP shares what it looks like to hold both worlds at once, how he structures training around a high-responsibility job, and why he races with a competitor’s mindset instead of chasing a time.In light of what’s happening in Minnesota and the broader climate in our country, JP also talks about his work in immigration law and what this moment has been like on the ground. He offers tangible ways listeners can support affected communities, including two trusted organizations doing critical work. Our hearts are with Minnesota and with everyone experiencing fear, uncertainty, and trauma right now.Links to support:Advocates for Human Rights: https://www.theadvocatesforhumanrights.org/donateStand With Minnesota: https://www.standwithminnesota.com/

This week on group chat, we have Lindsey Hein, Matt Chittim, and Peter Bromka.Episode Rundown:Boulderthon recapTravel-to-race vs PR-chasing mindsetBoston Marathon cutoff talk and tightening standardsChicago Marathon expo plans and live show plugTrail and Ultra World ChampionshipsVKs, 200-mile races, and why they’re surprisingly watchableRoad to the TrialsFinn’s 100-Mile Wilderness FKT shoutoutJeff Cunningham’s marathon pod and current reads

Today on group chat, we have Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka. Episode Rundown:Erika Kemp in Tokyo — Lindsey and Peter hyping up Erika’s marathon and her confidence, calling her a “crusher” and “pleasant surprise” on the show.Brooks’ identity shift — the back-and-forth about Brooks trying to go from “run happy” to “we’re serious now,” with the high school movie training montage analogy.Emily Infeld kick talk — Lindsey saying “she’s gonna outkick you” and Peter joking about Beatrice Chebet not letting her hang around.’90s 10K nostalgia — Peter’s rant about missing the days when athletes would “crash out from 3K out” and his VHS/YouTube Haile Gebrselassie & Paul Tergat clip reference.Parenting + 5K race story — Lindsey’s kids racing each other, her tough-love cheerleading (“I don’t have water, keep going!”), and Glenn’s mind games between brothers.