Episode 686: Elena Hayday’s 2:24 Boston Breakthrough and the Road to the Olympic Trials

This episode is sponsored by Kava Haven, Batch, Goodr, and Tailwind Nutrition.

I’m excited to share this conversation with Elena Hayday, who just ran 2:24:45 at the Boston Marathon to finish as the sixth American woman in a massive breakthrough performance. This episode is a crossover with Road to the Trials, the podcast I co-host with Peter Bromka and Matt Chittim, and it’ll also air over there next Monday. Peter joins me for this conversation as we talk with Elena about the jump from 2:30 to 2:24, what clicked for her in Boston, and why she’s quickly becoming one of the most exciting marathoners to watch in U.S. distance running.

Elena runs for Minnesota Distance Elite and is currently studying neuroscience as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. We talk about balancing school and training, qualifying for the Olympic Marathon Trials at Grandma’s Marathon, and what she’s learning as she continues leveling up in the marathon. She’s thoughtful, grounded, incredibly tough, and I think you’re going to love getting to know her story.

Topics Discussed

• Elena Hayday’s breakthrough 2:24:45 performance at the 2026 Boston Marathon
• Chasing faster marathon times after years of near-misses and setbacks
• Recovering from stomach issues at the 2025 New York City Marathon
• Working with a dietitian and realizing she was severely under-fueling on protein
• Balancing elite marathoning with a neuroscience PhD program
• Joining Minnesota Distance Elite and training under Chris Lundstrom
• Learning to train and race alongside athletes like Dakotah Popehn and Annie Frisbie
• Building confidence through higher mileage and more individualized training
• Why Elena wants to become more aggressive and competitive in races
• Navigating the emotional side of fully committing to running at a professional level
• Signing with an agent and stepping more fully into the professional side of the sport
• Future goals including representing Team USA and chasing faster marathon performances
• Training the gut for marathon fueling and learning to absorb 90g of carbs per hour

Books, Movies, TV & Media Mentioned

• Project Hail Mary
• Noah Kahan Netflix documentary

Thank you to our sponsors: 

Batch
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Tailwind Nutrition
Tailwind Nutrition creates all-in-one endurance fuel and hydration products designed to be easy to digest while providing calories, electrolytes, and hydration during long efforts. Their products are built specifically for endurance athletes who want simple, effective fueling without GI issues.

Go to tailwindnutrition.com/another and use the code “Another20” for 20% off your first order.

Kava Haven
Kava Haven offers a kava-infused, non-alcoholic spirit designed to give you a relaxed, social “buzz” without alcohol, hangovers, or sugar. It’s made with noble kava root and crafted as a functional alternative for winding down or social settings.

Go to KavaHaven.com/illhaveanother and use the code “Illhaveanother15” for 15% off your order.

Goodr

Goodr sunglasses are no-slip, no-bounce, all polarized, and actually affordable, with tons of fun styles and colors for summer. Go to goodr.com/another and use the code ANOTHER for $10 off your first order.