Out and Back

By Jacob Thomson and Rory LinkletterSports Running

Out and Back episodes

April 05 #31 - Listener Call In Show, We answer your marathon questions and discuss all the hot takes.
This week we have a Listener Call In Show, which is a new take on our mailbag episodes. 6 guest appear to throw us their questions and takes for discussion. Please join our newsletter and check out our YouTube Channels as well. The podcast will also be on YouTube as well as our normal podcast services going forward! Let us know what you think in the comments.

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1 hr 25 min
March 29 #30 Ed Eyestone - From being an Olympian to Coaching Them, Elite Marathon Training Philosophy, What's Difference in Today's Era of Running and Training
Be sure to check out our show notes and sign up for our newsletter if you want the details on our Out & Back Boston Marathon Shakeout Run - we'll have some merch there as well!
Today we are joined by the legend Ed Eyestone. Coach Eyestone has seen ever era of running from amateurism to super shoes. We talk about his running career, his transition to coaching, how he coaches the marathon, today's NCAA ever changing landscape, what makes Utah produce such good runners, and we also answer some great listener questions about his training philosophy.

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Thank you to ⁠The Marathon Project⁠ for supporting this weeks episode. Use Code "outandback" for an additional $25 off your registration. Prices go up on April 1st!
1 hr 20 min
March 22 #29 Phil Sesemann - London Marathon Training, Linking up with Alex Yee and Emile Cairess, Achieving the Olympic Dream + a NYC Half Marathon Debrief from Jacob and Rory
In this two-part episode, Rory and Jacob recap the NYC United Airlines Half Marathon, breaking down their race performances, key takeaways, and how it impacts their build toward the Boston Marathon.
Then, we’re joined by elite British marathoner and Olympian Dr. Phil Sesemann. Phil has already run 2:07 twice in 2025 and is aiming for a top 10 finish at the London Marathon for the 4th time in his career.
In this conversation, we dive into elite marathon training, periodization, race strategy, and what it takes to perform at the highest level of the sport. Phil shares insights on marathon preparation, pacing tactics, and how he balances professional running with family life.
We also go behind the scenes of training with some of the best athletes in the world, including Olympic gold medalist Alex Yee and 2:06 marathoner Emile Cairess, who finished 4th at the Olympic Marathon.
If you’re interested in marathon training, Boston Marathon prep, elite running insights, or learning how the pros approach race day, this episode is packed with value.
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Thank you to ⁠The Marathon Project⁠ for supporting this weeks episode. Use Code "outandback" for an additional $25 off your registration. Prices go up on April 1st!
Check out our podcast sponsor CURE here:⁠curehydration.com/OUTANDBACK⁠
1 hr 22 min
March 15 #28 Conner Mantz - Lessons from Injury, Boston Build, Training Insights
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Conner Mantz Shokz Documentary
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Thank you to ⁠The Marathon Project⁠ for supporting this weeks episode. Use Code "outandback" for an additional $25 off your registration. Prices go up on April 1st!

Today we are joined by American Record Holder Conner Mantz. We talk about the lessons he has learned from the biggest injury in his career, his Boston build up so far, and about his teammates and training environment with coaching legend Ed Eyestone in Provo, UT.
1 hr 5 min
March 08 #27 Between Reps - Ethan Shuley's Training Deep Dive, Grant Fisher’s Half Debut, USATF Half Marathon Disaster, Boston Marathon Training Updates
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Cure Hydration: curehydration.com/OUTANDBACK
1 hr 18 min
March 01 #26 Dakotah Popehn - Boston Marathon, Minnesota Distance Elite, Overdistance Long Runs
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In this episode, pro marathoner Dakotah discusses her training strategies, altitude training in Utah, race tactics for Heart Break Hill, and insights into the Boston Marathon course. She shares practical tips for marathon preparation and the importance of mental resilience in marathon training. We also talk about her coach, Chris Lundstrom, his training philosophy, and what he has been able to do with the MN Distance Elite Team, even without a corporate sponsor.

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51 min
February 22 #25 Jess Tonn McClain - Boston Marathon, Marathon Fueling, Bicarb for Long Races, Keeping Training Fun, Lower Mileage Approach to the Marathon
Today we sit down with Jess Tonn McClain who was the top American at the 2025 Boston Marathon, 8th place at the 2025 World Championships Marathon, 4th place at the 2024 Olympic Trials Marathon. She will be on the start line with Jacob & Rory at the 2026 Boston Marathon as well.
We chat about her Boston Marathon specific training, about stepping away from pro running, and then finding her groove in the marathon post covid. She shares how she enjoys life outside of training and keeps professional running fun.
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50 min
February 14 #24 Between Reps - Pacing the AR attempt, Upcoming races, Marathon Myths, Does the treadmill count?
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In this episode of the Out and Back Podcast, Jacob and Rory discuss their current training experiences, including Jacob's time in Barcelona where he is pacing for an American record attempt, while Rory races the Mesa Half Marathon. They also share insights from their recent podcast with Brady Homer, updates on upcoming races, and the importance of joining Sandy Boy Productions. The conversation touches on marathon myths, the effectiveness of treadmill workouts, and how to manage health and illness during training. They wrap up with a discussion on listener engagement and future guests.

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1 hr 4 min
February 08 #23 Brady Holmer - What really matters when it comes to sleep, caffeine, ketones, lactate training
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We welcomed back our first-ever returning guest, Brady Holmer, for a wide-ranging conversation on performance, recovery, and the details that actually move the needle.
We cover everything from Diet Coke and caffeine’s role in performance to what truly matters for sleep and recovery—including optimal sleep routines, practical sleep hygiene tips, and simple adjustments athletes can make right away. Brady breaks down key recovery and readiness metrics like HRV, respiratory rate, and resting heart rate, and how to interpret them in real training contexts.
We also dive into lactate clearance, training adaptations, and supplement strategies, including when (and when not) to use ketones, sodium bicarbonate, and Nomio. Throughout the episode, we focus on science-backed, practical approaches to optimizing endurance performance without overcomplicating the process.
If you’re interested in training smarter, recovering better, and understanding the “why” behind the data, this one’s for you.
Brady's X

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1 hr 19 min
February 01 #22 - Mailbag, Boston Marathon Fields, Training Updates
Please give the podcast a follow, a 5 star review, and share with a friend with you enjoyed today's episde. Today Rory and Jacob break down the Boston Marathon elite fields, give an update on their training, and answer some loyal listener questions.
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49 min

About Out and Back

From the publisher's feed

Rory Linkletter and Jacob Thomson are professional marathoners chasing fast times and big goals on the roads. Training out of Flagstaff, Arizona, they’ve got plenty of stories from the grind of big…