Episodes
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This week on Relay, the crew kicks things off with a Goodr sunglasses fashion show before diving into an energetic conversation that bounces between track, trail, and the FIFA Club World Cup. Peter, Lindsey and Erika recap standout performances from the Prefontaine Classic, including Nikki Hiltz's stunning win over Faith Kipyegon and the buzz surrounding teenage sprint sensation Tate Taylor. They also discuss Des Linden signing up for her first 100-mile race, Tommie Runz's latest trail adventures, and what made Jen Lichter's Western States fueling strategy so memorable.
The conversation shifts to Erika's return from injury, where she shares how her run/walk progression is going, what she's learned about coming back from a sacral injury, and why easing back into training can actually be fun. Lindsey compares notes on her own return to running before the group wraps up with a passionate World Cup discussion.
Goodr 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.
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This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven.
Topics:
Peter returns to Relay and catches up on everything he missed
The jaw-dropping performances at the Paris Diamond League and why fast times are becoming the new normal
Western States 100 delivers historic performances in near-perfect conditions
How weather transformed the race and fueled record-breaking times
Hans Troyer's aggressive race strategy and what happened after leading for 60 miles
Jen Lichter's stunning 100-mile debut and one of the greatest performances in race history
What separates elite trail runners from elite road runners
Molly Seidel's Western States debut and why finishing mattered more than the result
Tommie Runz completes Western States and why his finish impressed the Relay crew
Why patience, experience, and trail-specific skills matter over 100 miles
Erika shares early thoughts on marathon racing in an era of increasingly unpredictable weather
Sponsors:
Kava Havenâ is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, itâs an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at â http://kavahaven.com/relayâ
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Missing episodes?
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Erikaâs World Cup obsession continues and why she believes itâs the greatest sporting event in the world
The atmosphere at World Cup watch parties and the stories making this tournament special
Lindseyâs Stanley Cup adventures in Raleigh and why the Hurricanesâ championship has united the entire city
Dakotah Popehn's third Grandmaâs Marathon victory and what makes the race so meaningful
Gabby Hentemannâs courageous racing approach and the fine line between chasing a breakthrough and blowing up
What it means to run âbraveâ in the marathon and why great performances require risk
Rachel Rudelâs incredible season and the challenge of earning sponsorships in professional running
How athletes balance racing opportunities, finances, motivation, and long-term goals
Early thoughts on USATF Outdoor Championships in New York City
Nikki Hiltzâs upcoming American mile record attempt at Pre Classic
Book club discussion: All the Light We Cannot See and why some stories become impossible to put down
Media Mentioned:
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni
Goodr 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.
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This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven.
Topics:
The Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup and Lindsey officially becomes a hockey fan
A passionate debate over the Knicks, Spurs, Wemby, and the NBA Finals
Why Erika thinks the World Cup is the greatest sporting event on earth
World Cup Cinderella stories, debut nations, and teams to root for
Tommieâs Western States training, heat chamber testing, and what he learned from Precision Fuel & Hydration
Pacers in ultrarunning: competitive advantage or part of the challenge?
Cold plunges, manufactured adversity, and why Tommie wants no part of either
Canyon Woodward, Western States storylines, and the future of trail running
Lindsey's thoughts on Yesteryear and the fascination with trad-wife culture
Matt's new role at Running USA and his deep dive into meniscus tear research
Media Mentioned:
Succession (TV series)
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (novel)
World Cup broadcasts and watch parties
Sponsors:
Kava Havenâ is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, itâs an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at â http://kavahaven.com/relayâ
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2028 Olympic Marathon Trials awarded to St. Louis and the debate over weather, timing, and what makes a fair championship race.
The unbelievable story of the 1904 Olympic Marathon, featuring car rides, questionable fueling strategies, and one of the strangest races in sports history.
Cam Hanes, Sage Canaday, peptides, masters athletes, and a broader discussion about performance-enhancing substances in endurance sports.
Emily Venters' performance at the New York Mini 10K and David Roche's growing success coaching elite marathoners.
Grandma's Marathon anticipation, marathon training philosophies, and speculation about upcoming performances.
The origins of I'll Have Another and how Lindsey's podcast evolved from a general-interest show into one focused on running.
Sara Hall's recent success, elite running couples, and how athletes navigate the highs and lows of long careers.
Marathon result verification, influencer culture, chip time versus gun time, and the internet's obsession with race results.
Media Mentioned:
Citation Needed (1904 Olympic Marathon episode)Last Podcast on the Left (1904 Olympic Marathon episode)Normal GossipAll the Light We Cannot SeeDolly All the Time by Annabel MonaghanSponsors:
Noogs makes fueling simple with easy-to-digest chews designed for runners who want reliable carbs without overcomplicating nutrition. Head to NoogsNutrition.com and use code RELAY for 15% off your order.
Goodr 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.
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Episode rundown:
World Athletics' new qualifying standards and whether the points system is helping or hurting the sport
Gabby's magnesium-Tums-iron disaster that left her feeling anemic three weeks before Grandma's Marathon
The mystery of the 2028 Olympic Marathon Trials location and the Phoenix vs. St. Louis debate
Gabby's marathon buildup, taper mindset, and why she's celebrating milestones along the way instead of putting everything on race day
The Enhanced Games fallout and why the whole conversation seems to be fizzling out
The Bandit Grand Prix and creative ways to make track and field more interesting for fans
Lindsey's unforgettable St. Louis Marathon story featuring Earl from the senior center riding along to St. Louis
Media recommended:
Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan, Lindsey's summer reading recommendation The Ritual (Gabby referred to it as "the horror movie that's blowing up on social media" and highly recommended it)
Sponsors:
Kava Havenâ is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, itâs an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at â http://kavahaven.com/relayâ
This episode is also supported by ZBiotics! Pre-Alcohol Probiotic is a science-backed drink designed to help you feel better the day after drinking. Take it before your first alcoholic beverage, drink responsibly, and wake up ready for whatever comes next. Use code RELAY26 for 15% off your first order at ZBiotics.com/relay26
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This episode is supported by Goodr and Kava Haven.
This week on Relay, Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka are joined by Gabby Hentemann for a conversation that somehow manages to cover elite racing, internet discourse, cold plunges, high school energy in the running world, and the very real experience of becoming âthe meme girlâ while also trying to compete at a national championship level.
Top Topics:
Cam Haines vs. Sage Canaday discourse, Gabby Hentemann accidentally becoming the center of running internet drama, the Adidas x Satisfy âcircle pitâ activation, whether running brands are trying too hard to be cool, Gabbyâs fourth-place finish at the USATF 25K Championships, elite runners recognizing her from Instagram before the race, Lindseyâs cold plunge era, what officially counts as a âreal run,â and the mental side of high-mileage marathon training.Thank you to our sponsors:
Kava Haven is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, itâs an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at http://kavahaven.com/relay
Goodr sunglasses somehow make it easier to actually want to wear sunglasses every day. Lindseyâs currently obsessed with the âPounce G Double Espresso Effectâ pair, and Relay listeners can get $10 off their first order at goodr.com/relay with code RELAY.
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This week on Relay, Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka are joined by longtime friend of the show Jess Hofheimer after her incredible performance at the 2025 Boston Marathon, where she ran a 3:07 PR at age 50. Jess shares the full story behind the race, from navigating hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis, and major training adjustments to rebuilding her strength and redefining what success looks like as a lifelong runner.
The conversation dives into everything that went into this breakthrough performance: reducing mileage, increasing strength training, learning to trust effort over pace, and approaching marathon racing with patience and experience rather than fear. Jess also reflects on eating disorder recovery, aging in sport, running through different seasons of motherhood, and what it meant to have her teenage sons cheering for her on Boylston Street. Itâs an honest and thoughtful conversation about longevity, resilience, identity, and continuing to chase meaningful goals without losing sight of the bigger picture.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Noogs makes fueling simple with easy-to-digest chews designed for runners who want reliable carbs without overcomplicating nutrition. Head to NoogsNutrition.com and use code RELAY for 15% off your order.
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This episode is supported by Noogs, ZBiotics and Kava Haven.
This weekâs guest episode features photographer and creative director Dave Hashim, whose work has become instantly recognizable across the running world. Dave joins Peter Bromka and Erika Kemp to talk about photographing some of the sportâs biggest moments, balancing creative work with endurance training, and recently completing the brutal Marathon des Sables stage race through the Moroccan Sahara Desert.
The conversation dives into the reality of race photography, what it takes to capture emotion inside the chaos of marathoning, and why understanding the sport matters just as much as understanding the camera.
They also discuss the creative side of running campaigns, the difference between trail and road culture, how photographers and athletes work together on major brand shoots, and why the best running photos often come from the least polished moments.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Noogs makes fueling simple with easy-to-digest chews designed for runners who want reliable carbs without overcomplicating nutrition. Head to NoogsNutrition.com and use code RELAY for 15% off your order.
Kava Haven is a non-alcoholic spirit designed to help you relax and unwind without the sluggish next-day feeling. Whether you mix it with ginger beer, sparkling water, or lime seltzer, itâs an easy summer swap when you want something social and refreshing without alcohol. Use code RELAY15 for 15% off your first order at checkout at http://kavahaven.com/relay
This episode is also supported by ZBiotics! Pre-Alcohol Probiotic is a science-backed drink designed to help you feel better the day after drinking. Take it before your first alcoholic beverage, drink responsibly, and wake up ready for whatever comes next. Use code RELAY26 for 15% off your first order at ZBiotics.com/relay26
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Episode rundown:
- Indy Mini weekend and what itâs like announcing vs watching elite races -Rebecca Schmidtâs 70:10 win and course record -Andie Cozzarelli qualifying for the Trials by 3 seconds and the chaos of that finish -How much elite marathoners are actually fueling (100â115g carbs/hour) -Practicing fueling in workouts and why itâs now part of training, not just race day -Long run evolution: from no fuel to âthis is actually not that hard if you eatâ -Super spikes and how track shoes went from nothing to full tech -Abby Steiner lawsuit and the idea of shoes contributing to career-ending injuries -Trials location debate (Phoenix vs St. Louis and what that means for racing conditions) -Finding non-running joy and perspective when things arenât going well
Media Mentioned:
- Sara Hall audiobook (recommended listening format)
- Survive and Advance by Tiana Bartoletta - Count My Lies (book) - Your Friends & Neighbors (Apple TV show starring Jon Hamm) - Beef (Netflix series starring Ali Wong) - TikTok content from Masai Russell and Tara Davis-Woodhall
This episode is supported by Noogs! Noogs are a simple, great-tasting way to get in carbs and electrolytes before or during your run without overthinking fueling. Head to noogsnutrition.com and use code RELAY for 15% off your first order.
This episode is also supported by ZBiotics! Pre-Alcohol Probiotic is a science-backed drink designed to help you feel better the day after drinking. Take it before your first alcoholic beverage, drink responsibly, and wake up ready for whatever comes next. Use code RELAY26 for 15% off your first order at ZBiotics.com/relay26.
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What we discussed:
Erika coaching Cynthia Erivo through the London Marathon and meeting her in person for the first time The anxiety of coaching on race day and tracking apps failing mid-race Cynthiaâs marathon execution, training swings, and performance relative to her PB Sub-2 marathon breakthrough and reactions to Sawa and Kiplimoâs performances Debate around super shoes, accessibility, and what actually makes runners faster Boston Marathon conditions, surge in fast times, and depth of competitive fields Emerging U.S. menâs marathon depth and recent breakout performances Penn Relays rivalry, NCAA 1500m record, and trash talk between athletes Eugene Marathon âpancake 5Kâ and the culture of fun race experiences Debate on helping runners at the finish line vs. racing your own race (and DQ implications) -
Matt Chittim joins us for this week's group chat! We are so excited to have him back and joining Peter and Lindsey for this week's conversation!
Episode Rundown:
Lindseyâs honest FOMO, imposter syndrome, and figuring out where Boston fits in her life
Peterâs 16-mile âspectator runâ through the course, complete with a B2 flyover moment
The explosion of Boston weekend culture beyond the expo, from pop-ups to live shows
Running fashion confusion, generational style shifts, and feeling wildly out of the loop
The Newbury Street pop-up scene and accidentally meeting Scott Jurek
Shakeouts, community energy, and just wanting to be around ârunning stuffâ all weekend
The sheer scale of Boston now, from 1,000+ person shakeouts to nonstop course traffic
âGenerationalâ weather and how it changed everything from pacing to confidence
Womenâs racing depth and the sense that sub-2:20 is about to become the new standard
Breakout performances and massive PR jumps in the American field
Sharon Lokediâs patient, surgical race strategy and late-race domination
John Korirâs negative split masterclass and closing speed
The density of the field getting faster, deeper, and more competitive at every level
Stories that matter just as much as the pros, including a 50-year-old PR and redefining success
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On this week's group chat, Lindsey and Peter are joined by Laura Thweatt and Gabby Hentemann to talk all things Boston Marathon ahead of Monday's race.
ZBiotics pre-alcohol probiotic is an easy addition to your routine if you know youâre planning to have a few drinks. Itâs a small shot you take before your first drink of the night, designed to help your body break down the byproduct of alcohol that can lead to that sluggish, not-great feeling the next day. Itâs developed by a team of PhD microbiologists and works best when you still do the basics well. Pace your drinks, hydrate, and get good sleep. Whether itâs celebrating a race, a night out with friends, or wrapping up a training cycle, itâs a simple way to feel more like yourself the next morning. You can head to zbiotics.com and use the code RELAY26 at checkout for 15% off your first order.
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Top Topics:
The Speed Project explained (LA to Vegas, teams + solo efforts)Inside the culture and âwho belongsâ in alternative running spacesElite teams vs. adventure athletes and what it takes to winLogistics, pacing, and strategy (including 79-second quarters late in the race)Getting lost, off-course routes, and unconventional race navigationMental pressure within teams and not wanting to let teammates downErikaâs Boston buildup and pro athlete perspective heading into race week -
Episode Rundown:
Tommieâs brutal 100K race recap (13,000 ft of climbing)Trail running realities: climbs, descents, and survival modeFueling strategies: gels, Coke, and potatoesAid station dynamics and race strategyPost-race recovery and what 100K does to your bodyAnimal encounters on runs⊠especially squirrelsThank you to our sponsor Noogs!
NOOGS are sour energy chews made for endurance athletes who want fuel that actually tastes good during training and racing. Theyâre vegan, gluten-free, and made with natural colors and flavors. If you want to try them, head to â noogsnutrition.comâ and use code RELAY15 for 15% off at checkout.
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Topics discussed:
- Erika Kemp wins New Bedford Half and uses it as a Boston build workout
- New York Half performances and how fast the menâs field has become
- NCAA indoor track drama, DQ controversy, and rising personalities in the sport
- Doping conversations, testing challenges, and clean sport concerns
- Barcelona Marathon 2:10 performance and confusion around record legitimacy
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Episode rundown:
- USATF half marathon championship aftermath and updates
- LA Marathon chaos, the mile 18 medal debate, and surprising performances
- New York City Marathon lottery frustration and the internet pile-on
- Fred Kerleyâs ban, whereabouts failures, and the Enhanced Games conversation
- Books, podcasts, and pop culture detours -
-US Half Marathon Championships leaders going off course and the fallout for podium, prize money, and team selection
-Course marking, lead vehicles, and why âathletes should know the courseâ is a bad take
-USATF response, rulebook rigidity, and what a fair resolution could look like
-Indoor championships highlights including Nikki Hiltz, Cole Hocker, Noah Lyles, and Cooper Lutkenhaus
-Enhanced Games conversation plus doping, whereabouts failures, and how fans feel about watchingThank you to our sponsor Noogs!
NOOGS are sour energy chews made for endurance athletes who want fuel that actually tastes good during training and racing. Theyâre vegan, gluten-free, and made with natural colors and flavors. If you want to try them, head to noogsnutrition.com and use code RELAY15 for 15% off at checkout.
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Gabby Hentemann joins as guest host
Hyrox crossover and runners entering the hybrid athlete world
Track talk and records: Keely Hodgkinson, âsketchyâ marks, and the womenâs 800
The womenâs 100-mile world record and what 12+ hours of running does to your brain
Eating disorder messaging, recovery, and the pressure cooker of marathon culture (taper week, body image, GLP-1 conversations)
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Indoor season heating up: Cole Hockerâs American record, BU vs JDL, and banked vs flat tracks
Elite track culture vs road culture: pace lights, meet atmospheres, and where pros choose to race
Trail running momentum: Black Canyon, golden tickets, and Molly Seidelâs transition
Half marathon and championship conversations: US Half Champs, World Half Champs, and timing builds for Boston
The content era of running: blue jeans marathons, influencer racing, and performance vs storytelling
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