Emily Sisson: 2:18:29 American Record, Five Olympic Trials, and the Pressure of Being the Favorite

In this episode of Road to the Trials, Lindsey Hein and Peter Bromka sit down with one of the most accomplished American distance runners of her generation: Emily Sisson.

Emily is the American record holder in the marathon with her 2:18:29 performance at the Chicago Marathon, a five-time Olympic Trials qualifier, and a two-time Olympian in both the 10,000m and the marathon. She reflects on the defining moments of her career — from the unforgettable “heat dome” 10,000m at the 2021 Trials to navigating the pressure of being the presumed favorite at the 2024 Marathon Trials.

Emily opens up about racing by feel, trusting instinct over splits, and how her Chicago American Record came together — including the now-famous detail that her watch died mid-race. She shares how championship-style racing feels like a game compared to time-chasing, and why some of her proudest moments have come when she let go of the clock entirely.

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