300. A Shocking Disgrace at the US Half Marathon Champs and What Needs To Happen Next, Learning From Elite Cycling Training, and Optimism Science!

300. A Shocking Disgrace at the US Half Marathon Champs and What Needs To Happen Next, Learning From Elite Cycling Training, and Optimism Science!

From Some Work, All Play by David Roche and Megan Roche

March 2, 2026 · 1h 29m

About this episode

The episode discusses the controversial ending of the US Half Marathon Championships and explores various topics including elite cycling training and optimism science.

We're doing our first early-release episode to talk about the shocking ending of the US Half Marathon Championships on Sunday. As Jess McClain was charging to victory, with Emma Grace Hurley and Ednah Kurgat poised to make Team USA with her, all 3 athletes were directed off course by a police escort motorcycle, the official lead vehicle, and a media motorcycle. The disgrace is what happened next. USATF (the governing body for US running) responded by shifting the blame to local organizers and failing to rectify the incompetence that created this situation. If USATF fails to act on behalf of athletes, the leadership has to change. Plus, there were so many other amazing topics for episode 300! Other topics: a discussion on elite athlete training in cycling and what that might mean for training theory for everyone else, a new gel we love, a cool study on optimism and longevity, “gravel” shoes, and a question about taking bicarb at night. It was all mixed with the usual shenanigans and fun! Thank you all for being here for this wild ride. We love you all! HUZZAH! Click "Get 40% Off" button for 40% off at The Feed here: thefeed.com/swap Buy Janji's amazing gear…

People in this episode

Hosts: David Roche, Megan Roche

Topics covered

  • US Half Marathon Championships
  • elite athlete training
  • optimism science
  • running
  • cycling
  • sports governance

Keywords

  • US Half Marathon
  • Jess McClain
  • USATF
  • elite training
  • optimism
  • running
  • cycling
  • sports

Sponsors

The Feed, Janji, Wahoo Fitness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: USATF

More episodes of Some Work, All Play

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Some Work, All Play podcast page.