Conner Peloquin: From Walking Away From the Sport to 2:15 and Back to the Trials

Conner Peloquin’s path back to the Olympic Trials wasn’t linear. After qualifying in 2019 and DNFing at the 2020 Trials, he stepped away from the sport, battled injuries, and eventually believed a 2:16 standard was out of reach. Fast forward to today, and he’s not only back, he’s running faster than ever.

In this episode, Conner shares the full arc of his journey, from early success and setbacks to nearly walking away from competitive running altogether. A turning point came unexpectedly, sparked by a mix of life changes, a half marathon breakthrough, and a reconnection with former teammate and now coach Rory Linkletter, who helped unlock a new level of potential.

His breakthrough race at the McCurdy Micro Marathon was supposed to be low-pressure, just a step along the way. Instead, it became a defining performance. Conner takes us inside that day, from early doubts and physical discomfort to finding his rhythm in the pack and ultimately running 2:15, a result that reignited his competitive fire.

Beyond the performance, this conversation dives into the evolution of his training, including a shift away from proving fitness in workouts toward building it over time. He discusses the impact of double threshold training, consistency over perfection, and learning to respect recovery after years of overreaching.

Conner also reflects on the role of faith, perspective, and balance in his life, and how focusing on something greater than running helped him rediscover both joy and discipline in the sport.

Looking ahead to the 2028 Olympic Trials, his goal is simple but deeply meaningful: finish the race. After years of chasing times and battling setbacks, this chapter is about showing up fully, competing with gratitude, and embracing the process that got him there.

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