Have you ever had so many options in front of you that you ended up wanting to pick none of them?

In this week’s 5-Minute Friday, Emily shares what happened when a rainy forecast prompted her to rearrange her training schedule—leaving her with an open morning, a long to-do list, and a classic case of decision fatigue while scrolling ClassPass at 6:30 a.m. From pre-setting workout clothes and supplements to breaking down big career transitions into manageable weekly benchmarks, Emily unpacks how removing friction and lowering the barrier to entry keeps you moving toward your goals—even when your "why" is strong.

Plus, in this week’s listener question, long-time Hurdler Mariah asks how to choose the right training plan for her very first marathon after going from maxing out at three miles to finishing a half. Emily breaks down why the "best" plan on paper isn't always the best plan for your life, why jumping from three days of running to six is an express pass to injury, and how to find a customized approach that sets you up for a strong, healthy race day.

SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

SUBSCRIBE: Hurdle's YouTube Channel
SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Have you ever had so many options in front of you that you ended up wanting to pick none of them?
In this week&rsquo;s 5-Minute Friday, Emily shares what happened when a rainy forecast prompted her to rearrange her training schedule&mdash;leaving her with an open morning, a long to-do list, and a classic case of decision fatigue while scrolling ClassPass at 6:30 a.m. From pre-setting workout clothes and supplements to breaking down big career transitions into manageable weekly benchmarks, Emily unpacks how removing friction and lowering the barrier to entry keeps you moving toward your goals&mdash;even when your "why" is strong.
Plus, in this week&rsquo;s listener question, long-time Hurdler Mariah asks how to choose the right training plan for her very first marathon after going from maxing out at three miles to finishing a half. Emily breaks down why the "best" plan on paper isn't always the best plan for your life, why jumping from three days of running to six is an express pass to injury, and how to find a customized approach that sets you up for a strong, healthy race day.
SOCIAL <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilyabbate">@emilyabbate</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hurdlepodcast">@hurdlepodcast</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iheartwomenssports/?hl=en">@iheartwomenssports</a>
SUBSCRIBE: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hurdlepodcast">Hurdle's YouTube Channel</a> SIGN UP:&nbsp;<a href="https://emilyabbate.substack.com/subscribe?">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> ASK ME A QUESTION:&nbsp;Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hello@hurdle.us">hello@hurdle.us</a> to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.&nbsp;

Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live happier, healthier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live happier, healthier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live healthier, happier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Hurdle is where real stories meet next-level ambition. Host, veteran journalist and coach Emily Abbate, interviews the most inspiring women in sports and wellness, peeling back the curtain on their journeys through vulnerable, deep conversation. Learn the secrets to their success, including the grit, glory, and crucial mindset lessons that help her level-up. Each conversation, a powerful reminder that we get to overcome, and embrace each hurdle to live healthier, happier, more motivated lives. New episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Why Too Many Options Hold You Back

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/dd02217a-7673-4de0-8b4b-b50001663283/transcript

Recorded live during NYC Marathon weekend at the Tracksmith pop-up at The Brooklyn Circus in partnership with Movemint, this special episode features Nnenna Lynch—Chair of the Board of Directors for New York Road Runners (NYRR), the first woman and first Black person to hold the role, a former NCAA Champion and Rhodes Scholar, and founder of Xylem Projects.

Together, Emily and Nnenna dig into the massive running boom taking over New York City, what it really takes to navigate leadership and community growth at NYRR, and the journey of stepping away from elite competition due to vocal cord dysfunction. Nnenna shares how letting go of high-pressure expectations and embracing "setting the bar low" helped her rebuild a healthy, lifelong relationship with running. They also dive into why running serves as essential "psychic hygiene," the upcoming release of her book Why We Run: The Meaning Behind the Miles, and the viral backstory behind those legendary photos with Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.

IN THIS EPISODE
A Historic Seat at the Table: What it means to Nnenna to serve as NYRR’s first female and first Black board chair, balancing representation for young girls with decades of earned expertise and dedication.
Managing NYC’s Running Boom: How NYRR is addressing overwhelming race demand—from the 9+1 program evolution to expanding free community initiatives like Open Run across 16 city parks.
The Collegiate Dynasty & Pro Heartbreak: Winning four consecutive NCAA cross-country titles at Villanova, competing at the Olympic Trials, and the devastating physical setback of undiagnosed vocal cord dysfunction that led to her early retirement.
The Power of Setting the Bar Low: Why letting go of the "all-or-nothing" training mentality and committing to just two runs a week unlocked consistency, joy, and a published New York Times op-ed.
Extracurriculars & Mission-Driven Work: Balancing community development and affordable housing through her firm with non-profit board leadership and youth running infrastructure across NYC.
Running as "Psychic Hygiene": Ditching the GPS watch and phone to run purely for mental clarity, calm, and equanimity.
The Story Behind the Snapshots: How Nnenna ended up toeing the starting line at Madison Square Garden with Jennifer Lopez and riding an NYC bus alongside a pre-fame Madonna in 1979.
Writing Why We Run: The inspiration behind her upcoming book exploring the evolving emotional motivations and rewards of running through every season of life.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS
"If you could bottle running or make running a pill, it would be a total blockbuster."
"You become very comfortable with discomfort. You realize that in order to grow in anything, you have to push yourself—and that pushing yourself is uncomfortable."
"In order to be your best as an athlete, you actually need the support of many people... you really do need a community of people to be your best self."
"I had this mental model of: if you're doing something athletic, it needs to be six days a week, it needs to have an ambitious goal... but as a result, I would go for it and then crash. Consistency was my goal. That was it."
"Be kind to yourself."

SOCIAL

@nnenna_runs
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUBSCRIBE:The Hurdle YouTube Channel

ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Recorded live during NYC Marathon weekend at the Tracksmith pop-up at The Brooklyn Circus in partnership with Movemint, this special episode features Nnenna Lynch&mdash;Chair of the Board of Directors for New York Road Runners (NYRR), the first woman and first Black person to hold the role, a former NCAA Champion and Rhodes Scholar, and founder of Xylem Projects.
Together, Emily and Nnenna dig into the massive running boom taking over New York City, what it really takes to navigate leadership and community growth at NYRR, and the journey of stepping away from elite competition due to vocal cord dysfunction. Nnenna shares how letting go of high-pressure expectations and embracing "setting the bar low" helped her rebuild a healthy, lifelong relationship with running. They also dive into why running serves as essential "psychic hygiene," the upcoming release of her book Why We Run: The Meaning Behind the Miles, and the viral backstory behind those legendary photos with Jennifer Lopez and Madonna.
IN THIS EPISODE
<ul>
<li>A Historic Seat at the Table: What it means to Nnenna to serve as NYRR&rsquo;s first female and first Black board chair, balancing representation for young girls with decades of earned expertise and dedication.</li>
<li>Managing NYC&rsquo;s Running Boom: How NYRR is addressing overwhelming race demand&mdash;from the 9+1 program evolution to expanding free community initiatives like Open Run across 16 city parks.</li>
<li>The Collegiate Dynasty &amp; Pro Heartbreak: Winning four consecutive NCAA cross-country titles at Villanova, competing at the Olympic Trials, and the devastating physical setback of undiagnosed vocal cord dysfunction that led to her early retirement.</li>
<li>The Power of Setting the Bar Low: Why letting go of the "all-or-nothing" training mentality and committing to just two runs a week unlocked consistency, joy, and a published New York Times op-ed.</li>
<li>Extracurriculars &amp; Mission-Driven Work: Balancing community development and affordable housing through her firm with non-profit board leadership and youth running infrastructure across NYC.</li>
<li>Running as "Psychic Hygiene": Ditching the GPS watch and phone to run purely for mental clarity, calm, and equanimity.</li>
<li>The Story Behind the Snapshots: How Nnenna ended up toeing the starting line at Madison Square Garden with Jennifer Lopez and riding an NYC bus alongside a pre-fame Madonna in 1979.</li>
<li>Writing Why We Run: The inspiration behind her upcoming book exploring the evolving emotional motivations and rewards of running through every season of life.</li>
</ul>
QUOTABLE MOMENTS
<ul>
<li>"If you could bottle running or make running a pill, it would be a total blockbuster."</li>
<li>"You become very comfortable with discomfort. You realize that in order to grow in anything, you have to push yourself&mdash;and that pushing yourself is uncomfortable."</li>
<li>"In order to be your best as an athlete, you actually need the support of many people... you really do need a community of people to be your best self."</li>
<li>"I had this mental model of: if you're doing something athletic, it needs to be six days a week, it needs to have an ambitious goal... but as a result, I would go for it and then crash. Consistency was my goal. That was it."</li>
<li>"Be kind to yourself."</li>
</ul>
SOCIAL
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/nnenna_runs/">@nnenna_runs</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hurdlepodcast/?hl=en">@hurdlepodcast</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/emilyabbate">@emilyabbate</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/iheartwomenssports">@iheartwomenssports</a>
SIGN UP:&nbsp;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://emilyabbate.substack.com/subscribe?">Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>
SUBSCRIBE:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hurdlepodcast"> The Hurdle YouTube Channel</a>
ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.&nbsp;
Listen to&nbsp;Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the <a href="https://news.iheart.com/apps/">iHeartRadio app</a>, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Cultivating Psychic Hygiene: Nnenna Lynch On Shaping NYRR, Elevating Community & Meeting Yourself Where You Are

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1507535b-5350-430e-9673-b4fd017f790a/transcript

On this week’s 5-Minute Friday, Emily gets real about navigating the emotional and professional ebbs and flows of freelance life. Fresh off a whirlwind New York City Marathon week and heading straight into a keynote in Dallas, she looks back on a stressful dry spell at the start of 2025—and the phone call that reminded her to celebrate abundance when it arrives. Plus, Emily answers a listener question on how to handle the Daylight Saving Time slump, reset off-kilter mornings, and prioritize consistency over perfection.

LISTEN

Jess McClain Talks 2nd Place In NYC Marathon on Hurdle

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden on Hurdle

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Case Kenny’s Affirmation Cards

5-Minute Journal

SOCIAL
@emilyabbate
@hurdlepodcast
@iheartwomenssports

SUBSCRIBE: Hurdle's YouTube Channel
SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 
RSVP TO NYC MARATHON LIVE SHOW: Friday Night With Tracksmith

On this week&rsquo;s 5-Minute Friday, Emily gets real about navigating the emotional and professional ebbs and flows of freelance life. Fresh off a whirlwind New York City Marathon week and heading straight into a keynote in Dallas, she looks back on a stressful dry spell at the start of 2025&mdash;and the phone call that reminded her to celebrate abundance when it arrives. Plus, Emily answers a listener question on how to handle the Daylight Saving Time slump, reset off-kilter mornings, and prioritize consistency over perfection.
LISTEN
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jess-mcclain-on-her-2nd-place-nyc-marathon-finish-landing/id1330434098?i=1000800010838">Jess McClain Talks 2nd Place In NYC Marathon on Hurdle</a>
<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-discomfort-breeds-success-5x-world-champion-melissa/id1330434098?i=1000799576869">Melissa Jefferson-Wooden on Hurdle</a>
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE <a href="https://www.intelligentchange.com/pages/case-kenny?srsltid=AYCX9vJ0GVXCvpwDAmah-ovS9PwqGyAlzy7JPmcIu6g3swiQZnbw1nOJ">Case Kenny&rsquo;s Affirmation Cards</a>
<a href="https://on.ltk.com/+TBqkkVQid03lJN6F2lN1zA">5-Minute Journal</a>
SOCIAL <a href="https://www.instagram.com/emilyabbate">@emilyabbate</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hurdlepodcast">@hurdlepodcast</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/iheartwomenssports/?hl=en">@iheartwomenssports</a>
SUBSCRIBE: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hurdlepodcast">Hurdle's YouTube Channel</a> SIGN UP:&nbsp;<a href="https://emilyabbate.substack.com/subscribe?">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> ASK ME A QUESTION:&nbsp;Email&nbsp;<a href="mailto:hello@hurdle.us">hello@hurdle.us</a> to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.&nbsp; RSVP TO NYC MARATHON LIVE SHOW: <a href="https://www.tracksmith.com/events/nyc-2026-women-run-nyc-live-podcast-taping-with-emily-abbate">Friday Night With Tracksmith</a>

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Finding Light in the Dark & How to Manage A Rocky Start

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/44c5d5a2-ef2c-429a-91da-b4fa0020a5f6/transcript

Just days after an unforgettable, history-making performance at the 2026 New York City Marathon, pro runner Jess McClain sits down with Emily on Hurdle to debrief every single mile. Crossing the finish line in 2nd place with a stunning 2:24:42, Jess didn’t just claim a podium spot—she ran down legends.

In this episode, Jess walks us straight into the belly of the beast: from battling through the first 16 miles when her legs weren’t feeling magic, to duking it out through Harlem and Central Park against reigning champions Hellen Obiri and Sheila Chepkirui. She opens up about the perspective shift that resurrected her joy in racing, what changed after stepping away from the sport for two years, and why running with “heart, guts, and zero regrets” finally brought her to the world-class podium. 

Jess also gives us the tactical details: her dialed-in marathon fueling strategy (yes, seven gels down), her honest struggles with sleep, and the critical life lessons distance running teaches us about patience, showing up, and building a supportive corner.

IN THIS EPISODE
The NYC Finish Line Magic: Jess breaks down the final 400 meters, tossing off her wrap-around sunglasses, hunting down Hellen Obiri, and seeing her husband Connor at the finish.
Battling When It Doesn’t Feel Easy: How she navigated not feeling her best over the first 16 miles to the Queensboro Bridge, and the self-talk required to stay composed.
The Perspective Shift That Changed Her Career: What walking away from racing for two years taught her about fear, curiosity, and letting go of outcome pressure.
Managing Course Chaos: Responding vs. reacting to unpredictable weather, missed water tables, wind, and tight pack dynamics.
Dialing In Fuel & Nutrition: The exact race-day fueling plan that carried her across 26.2 miles—crushing seven gels, navigating hydration stations, and keeping emergency fuel tucked away.
The Coaching Dynamic with David Roche: Transitioning from self-coached to working with David and Megan Roche, and why a fun, low-stress, 80/20 training approach unlocked her best running.
Advice for First-Time Marathoners: The biggest mistakes new runners make, giving yourself grace, and why soaking in the crowd magic matters more than anything.

QUOTABLE MOMENTS

"I walked away from each race with a split moment where I thought, 'Dang, if I just held on a little harder...' With New York, I was like, I just want to have none of those regrets. If I sent it and blew up, I would’ve been just as proud of the effort."

"We all read too much into those days when things don't go to plan and see them as a fail. In my mind, those are the days where you actually get better."

"At the end of the day, it’s running. It’s putting one foot in front of the other, getting out there, and testing yourself. It’s such a beautiful, simple thing, but sometimes we make it out to be this pressure-cooker."

"Good things take time. Being an athlete is such a cool skill set to have... but you don’t know everything in your toolbox until you're forced to open it up."

"You’re a marathoner no matter how long it takes you to get to the finish line. If you do it, be sure to soak it in. Don't be scared to fail—take a chance on yourself and do something hard."

SOCIAL
@jesstonn
@hurdlepodcast
@emilyabbate
@iheartwomenssports

SIGN UP: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SUBSCRIBE:The Hurdle YouTube Channel

ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. 

Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Just days after an unforgettable, history-making performance at the 2026 New York City Marathon, pro runner Jess McClain sits down with Emily on&nbsp;Hurdle to debrief every single mile. Crossing the finish line in 2nd place with a stunning 2:24:42, Jess didn&rsquo;t just claim a podium spot&mdash;she ran down legends.
In this episode, Jess walks us straight into the belly of the beast: from battling through the first 16 miles when her legs weren&rsquo;t feeling magic, to duking it out through Harlem and Central Park against reigning champions Hellen Obiri and Sheila Chepkirui. She opens up about the perspective shift that resurrected her joy in racing, what changed after stepping away from the sport for two years, and why running with &ldquo;heart, guts, and zero regrets&rdquo; finally brought her to the world-class podium.&nbsp;
Jess also gives us the tactical details: her dialed-in marathon fueling strategy (yes, seven gels down), her honest struggles with sleep, and the critical life lessons distance running teaches us about patience, showing up, and building a supportive corner.
IN THIS EPISODE
<ul>
<li>The NYC Finish Line Magic: Jess breaks down the final 400 meters, tossing off her wrap-around sunglasses, hunting down Hellen Obiri, and seeing her husband Connor at the finish.</li>
<li>Battling When It Doesn&rsquo;t Feel Easy: How she navigated not feeling her best over the first 16 miles to the Queensboro Bridge, and the self-talk required to stay composed.</li>
<li>The Perspective Shift That Changed Her Career: What walking away from racing for two years taught her about fear, curiosity, and letting go of outcome pressure.</li>
<li>Managing Course Chaos: Responding vs. reacting to unpredictable weather, missed water tables, wind, and tight pack dynamics.</li>
<li>Dialing In Fuel &amp; Nutrition: The exact race-day fueling plan that carried her across 26.2 miles&mdash;crushing seven gels, navigating hydration stations, and keeping emergency fuel tucked away.</li>
<li>The Coaching Dynamic with David Roche: Transitioning from self-coached to working with David and Megan Roche, and why a fun, low-stress, 80/20 training approach unlocked her best running.</li>
<li>Advice for First-Time Marathoners: The biggest mistakes new runners make, giving yourself grace, and why soaking in the crowd magic matters more than anything.</li>
</ul>
QUOTABLE MOMENTS
"I walked away from each race with a split moment where I thought, 'Dang, if I just held on a little harder...' With New York, I was like, I just want to have none of those regrets. If I sent it and blew up, I would&rsquo;ve been just as proud of the effort."
"We all read too much into those days when things don't go to plan and see them as a fail. In my mind, those are the days where you actually get better."
"At the end of the day, it&rsquo;s running. It&rsquo;s putting one foot in front of the other, getting out there, and testing yourself. It&rsquo;s such a beautiful, simple thing, but sometimes we make it out to be this pressure-cooker."
"Good things take time. Being an athlete is such a cool skill set to have... but you don&rsquo;t know everything in your toolbox until you're forced to open it up."
"You&rsquo;re a marathoner no matter how long it takes you to get to the finish line. If you do it, be sure to soak it in. Don't be scared to fail&mdash;take a chance on yourself and do something hard."
SOCIAL <a href="instagram.com/jesstonn">@jesstonn</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/hurdlepodcast/?hl=en">@hurdlepodcast</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/emilyabbate">@emilyabbate</a> <a href="http://instagram.com/iheartwomenssports">@iheartwomenssports</a>
SIGN UP:&nbsp;⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://emilyabbate.substack.com/subscribe?">Weekly Hurdle Newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>
SUBSCRIBE:<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@hurdlepodcast"> The Hurdle YouTube Channel</a>
ASK ME A QUESTION: Email hello@hurdle.us to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show.&nbsp;
Listen to&nbsp;Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the <a href="https://news.iheart.com/apps/">iHeartRadio app</a>, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Jess McClain On Her 2nd-Place NYC Marathon Finish, Landing On the Podium & Finding the Fun

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/19b06f17-50b3-432a-8d3a-b4f900442a09/transcript

5-MINUTE FRIDAY: Why Too Many Options Hold You Back

In 1 playlist(s)

Hurdle with Emily Abbate

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips