Emily Saul joins Road to the Trials for a thoughtful conversation about the mental side of racing and what it takes to pursue big goals without letting pressure take over. A sports psychologist based in Boston, Emily works with athletes at every level and brings both professional expertise and personal experience as a marathoner to this conversation.

This episode explores the psychology behind chasing time-based goals like a Boston qualifier or Olympic Trials standard, and how athletes can stay connected to the process instead of getting consumed by the outcome. Emily shares her perspective on fear, motivation, focus, and how runners can define success in a way that supports both performance and growth.

Emily also talks about the unique mental demands of racing, from handling nerves on the start line to staying present during a marathon, and how athletes can build practical mental skills in training instead of waiting until race day to figure it out. They also get into how pressure, identity, social media, and outside expectations can shape an athlete’s experience for better or worse.

Whether you are chasing a personal best, a major qualifier, or simply trying to become a stronger and steadier competitor, this conversation offers a valuable look at the mindset side of the sport.

Thank you to our sponsors:

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The Marathon Project returns December 11–13, 2026 in Chandler, Arizona, offering one of the fastest, most athlete-focused marathon experiences in the country. The event features a Gold Wave amateur race on Saturday and the professional race on Sunday, giving runners the chance to race fast and then watch some of the best athletes in the sport compete the next day. The course is flat and criteria-style with pacers every five minutes from 2:20 to 3:30, bottle service, bag drop, and a top-tier race experience designed for performance. The Gold Wave is open to runners who have run under 3:30 since 2022, and last year 81% of finishers hit their Boston Qualifier. Registration is currently $400 but increases to $500 on April 1. Visit themarathonproject.com and use code roadtothetrials (all lowercase, no spaces) to save $25 on your entry.