"Take away the paces. Take away the expectations. And approach every single interval or every single mile like you’re listening to your body and understanding that this isn’t an exterior thing you’re doing for someone or to achieve something. It’s you inside, and that’s all that matters."

It's been a hard year and a half for Nell Rojas. The Nike-sponsored professional athlete had a speedy ascent in the world of marathoning. She won the 2019 Grandma's Marathon, and was the top American woman at the 2021 and 2022 Boston Marathons. In this conversation, Nell explains what's been going on with her mind and body recently. She talks about where her fitness is at these days, and about her spring marathon plans. (This just in: Nell will, in fact, be racing this year's Boston Marathon.) Plus: Nell's takeaways from the 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials, her foray into voice lessons, and her story about "the most nervous she's ever been." Nell — a running coach herself, with more than 50 athletes on her current roster — lives in Boulder, CO, where she is coached by her father, Ric Rojas.

SPONSOR: 

• St. Jude Rock 'n' Roll Nashville: Register for the marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, 1 mile, KiDSROCK, or Doggie Dash, all taking place April 26–27, 2025 in Music City, USA! Use code ONTHERUN at checkout for $10 off your Saturday race registration. 

 

In this episode:

• Nell’s take on New Year’s Resolutions (2:00)
• How Nell spends her days — and what her ideal date entails (4:00)
• What Nell’s loving right now (9:45)
• All about Nell’s workout today (15:45)
• An update on Nell’s health (17:30)
• How Nell is feeling on the run (33:10)
• What Nell is excited about right now (37:10)
• Nell’s takeaways from the 2024 Marathon Trials (41:45)
• Why Nell decided to take singing lessons (44:40)
• The one exercise Nell says all runners should be doing, and Nell's advice to all spring marathoners (48:50)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!