Laura Thweatt

I’m so excited to welcome Laura Thweatt back to the podcast today, and we’ve got a little bonus reunion because my friend Peter Bromka joined us as well. Peter is one of my co-hosts on Relay and Road to the Trials, and when he found out Laura was coming on he asked if he could join which honestly made this conversation even more fun. Laura is someone who has been such a huge part of the running community for years. She ran professionally for over a decade, placed fifth at the 2020 Olympic Trials Marathon, and most recently stepped into a new chapter as a coach with the On Athletics Club, working alongside Dathan Ritzenhein and Kelsey Quinn. In this conversation, Laura walks us through what that transition has really been like, from the excitement of a dream opportunity to the intimidation and learning curve of stepping into a high-performance coaching role. She shares a hilarious story from her very first day on the job that involves borrowed bikes, missed splits, and trying to figure things out on the fly, and we talk honestly about identity, grief, and growth when you close one chapter and open another. Laura also shares what she’s learned working closely with athletes like Joe Klecker, Ryan Ford, and Helen Obiri, including how much happens behind the scenes to support athletes on race day and how coaching has allowed her to experience the highs and lows of the sport in a completely new way. This was one of those conversations that felt like it went by way too fast, and I’m so grateful Laura and Peter joined me for it.

Topics discussed:

• Laura’s transition from professional runner to coach with On Athletics Club

• How the coaching opportunity came together with Dathan Ritzenhein

• Feeling intimidated and learning to trust herself in a new role

• Laura’s chaotic and hilarious first day on the job

• Building trust and relationships with elite athletes

• Supporting athletes moving from track to roads and the marathon

• Managing expectations and pressure in a very public sport

• Grieving the end of a racing career while embracing a new chapter

• Experiencing race-day highs and lows as a coach instead of an athlete

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Today on group chat, we have Laura Thweatt, Lindsey Hein, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim.

Episode Rundown:

All of the world records that went down this weekend

The race walk world record

Tyreek Hill versus Noah Lyles

Who is the fastest in the NFL?

Matt's record breaking neighbor

Media recommendations:

Love is Blind Season 8

Peter’s writing in podcast format - Writing on Running

The perfect Couple

SNL 50 Concert

Today on group chat, we have Lindsey Hein, Kofuzi, Laura Thweatt, Matt Chittim, and Peter Bromka.

Episode Rundown:

Indoor track recaps from the weekend

Mike’s race and experience in Miami

Shelby Houlihan’s return to racing

Grand Slam meets to be broadcasted by CW Sports, Peacock, and NBC

Balancing travel, work, and running

Looking ahead to the Marathon Project

Treadmill running

Take on Barilla’s Protein Pasta Winter Energy Challenge on the Strava Fitness App

Complete 10 days of movement for your Barilla Pasta reward! Go to Strava.com/Barilla

Today on group chat, we have Kofuzi, Peter Bromka, and Laura Thweatt.

Episode Rundown:

Houston marathon and half marathon recap

Recapping Kofuzi’s race in Houston

Kofuzi’s reflections on working with the Runna app

Joe Klecker’s half marathon debut

The rivalries being built up 

Josh Hoey’s American Record in the indoor 1000m

Take on Barilla’s Protein Pasta Winter Energy Challenge on the Strava Fitness App

Complete 10 days of movement for your Barilla Pasta reward! Go to Strava.com/Barilla

Ever wonder what it's like to live and train in Boulder?

Would it be the dream of many miles on soft surfaces in thin air? Or the nightmare of never feeling like you've trained enough, leading to burnout, injury, and dejection?

Laura Thweatt and Peter Bromka are joined by the unofficial and not self-anointed "Mayor of Boulder Running" Brian Schroy!

This is a fun one.

Thanks Relay friends!

Today on group chat, we have Matt Chittim, Peter Bromka, Laura Thweatt, and Lindsey Hein.

Episode Rundown:

Laura’s transition in her career and continuing to chase high level running while deciding her career path

New things to look forward to with our Chat With a Pro series

What shoes will Laura be trying on next?

Will Peter finally coach Lindsey in 2025?

Today on group chat, we have Lindsey Hein and Laura Thweatt sitting down for a girls chat! They talk all things turkey trots, recap the results of the Valencia Marathon, and give a rundown of the start lists for CIM this weekend! At the end, they also share some of their favorite books, shows, and movies they've been consuming!

Media recommendations:

The Bee Sting

The Berry Pickers

Nobody Wants This

Ted Lasso

A Court of Thorns and Roses

Palm Royale

This week on group chat, we have Laura Thweatt, Lindsey Hein, and Peter Bromka.

Episode Rundown:

It’s Turkey Trot season

The Richmond Marathon

Physical therapy and running injuries

Today on group chat, we have Laura Thweatt, Tommie Runz, Peter Bromka, and Matt Chittim.

Episode rundown:

Laura’s broadcasting of the NYC Marathon

What is CJ Albertson training for now?

Tommie recaps running all World Marathon Majors this year

Some Tommie Runz stories (two Tommies and a lie)

Being vulnerable on social media

From poor tune-up races to switching up nutrition, pro runners face the same lessons more casual runners do.

Laura Thweatt is a 2:25 marathoner, professional runner for Saucony, and former US cross country champion.

She placed 5th in the 10k at the 2016 Olympic Trials and 5th in the 2020 Olympic Marathon Trials.

We talk about:

• The emotions before a goal race and working with a sports psychologist during a taper
• Using a training journal to calm pre-race nerves and boost confidence
• Injury management with high mileage
• Handling a bad tune-up race
• Laura’s goals and strategies for the Chicago Marathon (which she had to pull out of after recording due to an Achilles injury)
• Laura’s approach to nutrition and using higher carb products during long runs
• How runners can celebrate breakthrough performances and absorb them before moving onto new goals

If you liked this episode, could you take a minute to leave a 5-star rating and review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts?

Links & Resources from the Show:

• Laura on Instagram
• Get your own Performance Training Journal to prepare for your next personal best.
• Boost your mental toughness, banish pre-race anxiety, and build more confidence before your next race.

Thank you 2Before!

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So, if you want to try to boost your performance and immune system, use code JASON for 30% off 20 packs and multi-serve packs at 2Before.com.

Thank you to 2Before for supporting Strength Running!

Thank you AG1!

We’re also supported by AG1, the greens superfood mix. This is a category-leading greens mix that has 75 vitamins and minerals, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidants, and adaptogens. It’s recommended by professional athletes and has over 7,000 positive reviews.

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This week on group chat, we have Laura Thweatt, Tommie Runz, Peter Bromka, Marcus Brown, and Matt Chittim.

Episode rundown:

Tommie’s world travels

Laura’s return to the track?

Laura fall marathon announcement: Chicago Marathon

Recapping the London Diamond League

Marcus’ 100 mile week

This week on group chat, we have Laura Thweatt, Peter Bromka, Matt Chittim, and Marcus Brown. Episode rundown: How shoe technology has changed the sport Marcus’ upcoming marathon tour How to be a...bad winner? The Netflix documentary, Sprint And some US Olympic Trials talk sprinkled in there

In this episode of the Relay Podcast, Laura Thweatt, Mike Ko, Tommie Runz and Lindsey Hein wrap up the Olympic Trials recaps with conversation that focuses on some of the most exciting races of the weekend.

On today's group chat, we have Lindsey Hein, Laura Thweatt, Matt Chittim, and Peter Bromka recapping the first three days of the Olympic Trials and chatting about what's next. Peter is popping into this chat LIVE from the stadium!

The Olympic Track Trials are here and Relay is here to get you ready for the action. Today we have the women's draft and preview with Peter Bromka, Tommie Runz, Laura Thweatt, Lindsey Hein and Matt Chittim.

In this episode we pick our favorites across the running events with the scoring being three points for first place, two points for second, and one point for a third place finish at the Trials.