Olivia Markezich

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

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In today's episode we welcome new On Athletics Club teammate Olivia Markezich! Olivia was on the ground for the recent NCAA D1 Cross Country Championships so we go in depth on the big races and her experiences out on the course. We also get into Olivia's history within the sport, from high school to walking onto Notre Dame, to belly flopping at the US Olympic Trials and fighting back into the Diamond League Finals in her first year as a pro on OAC.

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Special Guest:

Olivia Markezich: https://www.instagram.com/oliviamarkezich/

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"One thing I've learned this year is I want to take things as opportunities and not be so scared. I look at things just as, ‘It's so cool that I got to be in that race,’ because when I was going into that mile, it was my first time ever being in an ‘A’ race. Instead of just freaking out, I was like, ‘This is such a cool opportunity. I get to run with these girls.’ So instead of freaking out, I’m just looking at it as I just get to try something new and see how it goes."

Providence junior Kimberley May shocked a lot of people – including herself with a 4:27.85 mile at Boston University just a few weeks ago. At the time, it was the No. 1 mark in the NCAA and No. 8 all-time. Since then, Harvard’s Maia Ramsden, Florida’s Flomena Asekol and Notre Dame’s Olivia Markezich have run faster. We have some good episodes on this feed with Maia and Olivia from last fall.

After the mile at BU, I realized there wasn’t a whole lot out there about Kimberley May so I reached out and wanted to learn more. She’s got personal bests of 2:04 for the 800m and 8:54 for 3000m. She’ll be one to watch at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships next month. Like Maia Ramsden, she’s also a New Zealand 1500m star on the rise.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest: Kimberley May | ⁠⁠@kiimberleymay on Instagram⁠

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"I approached that race with the mentality of just sticking my nose in it and trying to give it my all. I didn't have an idea of what place I wanted to be because that can add a bit of stress and anxiety on top of racing if you're set on getting a certain place. I just wanted to see what I could do, especially with being sick that week leading up to it."

Notre Dame senior Olivia Markezich just ran 8:40.42 for 3000m at Boston University's indoor track, which is the second-fastest in NCAA history.

It’s been a fantastic year for her. In the spring, she won the 2023 NCAA title in the steeplechase and then finished fourth at the U.S. Outdoor Track and Field Championships. She returned to South Bend for one more full year and capped her final cross country season with a third-place individual and fourth-place team finish for the Fighting Irish. She also signed an NIL deal with On earlier in the fall.

I’d say she’s certainly a contender to make the U.S. Olympic team in the steeplechase and might even win the whole thing next June.

In this episode, we chat about her rise in the NCAA ranks, how she found the steeplechase, why she returned for one more year, how she’s continually surprising herself in these races and her hopes with the Olympic Trials on the horizon.

Hosted by: Chris Chavez – @chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Olivia Markezich – @oliviamarkezich on Instagram

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🍊 OLIPOP is a prebiotic soda with only 2-5g of sugar that is good for your gut health. – and it's delicious. Use code CITIUS25 for 25% off non-subscription orders. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more at https://DrinkOlipop.com (click the link or use our promotional code for the discount)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Back on the podcast, straight off of two historic performances is the one and only Olivia Markezich! 

Olivia placed 3rd at the 2023 NCAA XC Championships in Charlotte, Virgina last month. That incredible performance led her team to a 4th place finish! This was also one week after coming down with sickness. 

A few week short weeks later, she opened up the indoor season with a time of 8:40.42 in the 3k, breaking her own school record which was previously set last season as she ran an 8:50.08. Her time of 8:40.42 also ranks #2 all-time!

Earlier this year, Olivia won the 3000M steeplechase at the 2023 NCAA Championships with a remarkable time of 9:25.03, setting a facility record at the University of Texas. She has excelled in various other events, such as the 5000M, and showcased her versatility in indoor competitions, earning a national runner-up in the 3000M and contributing to her team's success in the distance medley relay.

In today's conversation, Olivia takes me through her whole XC season, the ups, downs, and everything in-between. We also dicuss her signing an NIL deal with On, deciding to return to Notre Dame rather than go pro, her Spotify wrapped, and so much more!

Tap into the Olivia Markezich Special. 

You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching "The Running Effect Podcast." If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

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S H O W N O T E S

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠

Today on the podcast is the one and only Olivia Markezich!

Olivia is an extraordinary athlete who has left an indelible mark in the NCAA. Her biggest accomplishments include winning the 3000M steeplechase at the 2023 NCAA Championships with a remarkable time of 9:25.03, setting a facility record at the University of Texas. She has excelled in various other events, such as the 5000M, and showcased her versatility in indoor competitions, earning a national runner-up in the 3000M and contributing to her team's success in the distance medley relay. Olivia's outstanding performances in cross country have also been notable, with a top-eight finish at the NCAA Championships and victories at the NCAA Great Lakes Region Cross Country Championships. Her dedication, talent, and versatility have established her as a formidable force in collegiate athletics.

In today's episode, Olivia shares her story and journey in the sport and all the ups and downs along the way. We dive deep into her career into Notre Dame, and discuss all that led up to her NCAA Championship performance. This episode was inspiring and I loved getting to hear Olivia's ambition and dedication to the sport. I know you'll walk away from this one all the more motivated and inspired to chase after your biggest goals.

You can listen wherever you find your podcasts by searching, "The Running Effect Podcast." If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it. 

The podcast graphic was done by the talented: Xavier Gallo.

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