"You just have to be so grateful for the races that go according to plan and where you do set a dream goal and achieve that dream goal. Nobody's written anybody's future—it's not scripted, so you have to make the most of the moments that you have in running. That can be true in any era, at any age, at any stage, and any talent level and accomplishment level. It's one of the great lessons of running."

-Gordon Bakoulis

Gordon Bakoulis is a 5-time Olympic Trials marathoner and one of the most accomplished runners I've had the pleasure of speaking with.

Gordon qualified for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000, & 2004 and was a finalist in the 1992 U.S. Olympic 10,000m Trials. She has represented the U.S. internationally at the 10K, half-marathon, & marathon distances, and has run a 1:11 half-marathon and a 2:33 marathon.

We discussed the enormous growth in women's running, the runners who inspired her, and how much the sport has evolved.

Gordon's most memorable race was the 2001 NYC Marathon, which was held less than 8 weeks after the 9/11 attacks. Gordon won the masters division in 2:41 and it was really emotional hearing her reflect on what it felt like running through her beloved, broken, yet resilient city.

Gordon has also been coaching since 1985 and has worked in the media and for NYRR since 2002—which affords her a really unique perspective. I'm so grateful to Gordon for sharing so many great lessons!

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gordonbakoulis

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