Road To Valencia - EP I “The Midway Point”

5 weeks until Valencia.

Episode 1 of the Road to Valencia.

We kick things off in Chicago, but not as a racer this time. I got to pace Dakota Popehn to a 2:24:00 PB, and being part of someone else’s big day was a special way to spend marathon weekend. While we were in town, Jacob and I hosted an Out & Back Podcast shakeout run and a live show and special guest Eric Floberg, sponsored by Fleet Feet. Huge thanks to everyone who came out to run and hang with us.

Then it’s back to Flagstaff and back to work. The first session is with Andreas Almgren, just before he went on to win the New York City Marathon, along with Ethan Shuley. Thanks to Nomio for being part of the workout tat day with Almgren.

To close out the month, Ethan and I head down to Camp Verde for another workout, followed by a second session on the Wahoo KICKR treadmill.

The block is building and the work is stacking up. Five weeks to go.

Let’s tango en Valencia.

FOLLOW ME HERE:
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/rory_linkletter
▶ Strava: strava.com/pros/9351341
▶ .youtube.com/@OutandBackPodcast
▶ Out & Back Podcast Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/7jMJDqzsoZALVCWwop4igv
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Strava:
Saturday, October 10th, 2026
Wahoo Shakeout 🤙🏼
strava.com/activities/20529355102

Sunday, October 11th, 2026
Pacing Dakotah
strava.com/activities/20543913016

Sunday, October 18th, 2026
Why not me?
strava.app.link/2Y8kpqzdH7b

Tuesday, October 20th, 2026
Levels to this shit
strava.app.link/FiGusftdH7b

Thursday, October 29th,
WU + FS / FF 13k
strava.com/activities/20780968410

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Puma Shoes:
Workout/Race Shoe (FAST-R NITRO™ Elite 3)
Daily Training Shoe (Velocity NITRO™ 4)
Easy Mileage Training Shoe (PUMA ForeverRun NITRO™ 2)
Long Run Shoe (Deviate NITRO™ Elite 4)

Chicago Videography by John Liu
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/johnwithlenses
▶ Portfolio: johnliu.ca

October 18th workout footage thanks to @drinknomio
▶ YouTube: youtube.com/@drinknomio

Edited & Produced by Scott Barker, STAMINA MEDIA, LLC
▶ Instagram: instagram.com/stamina_media
▶ Website: stamina-media.com
▶ Contact: scott@stamina-media.com

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0:00 Chicago Marathon Weekend
4:44 Lake Mary WO with Andres Almgren
12:18 Camp Verde WO with Ethan Shuley
23:33 Wahoo Kickr Threshold WO
26:31 Tango en Valencia