Episode 581: Roberta Groner – 2:29 at the Valencia Marathon Only 21 Seconds off of her PR & Going all in on Coaching

I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast

Roberta Groner has accomplished so much since her last appearance on the podcast, and I can’t wait to dive into her journey. Most recently, Roberta ran the Valencia Marathon, where she came within just 21 seconds of her personal best, running a 2:29. This was a huge day for Roberta, especially considering her PR is from 2019 in Rotterdam.

Back in 2017, 2018, and 2019, Roberta was getting a lot of attention for her performances, including running in the low 2:30s at CIM in 2017. She was training and racing a lot during that time, and even qualified for the 2020 Olympic Trials. Unfortunately, that race ended in a DNF, but that moment in her life became a turning point, which we talk about in detail during our conversation.

Fast forward to 2024, where Roberta competed in the Olympic Trials in Orlando. She placed 24th with a time of 2:33. While the time goals were no longer in the picture, Roberta shared how the race felt like a return to herself—the love of running and the joy of racing without the pressure. We also talk about how she ran a smart race in Valencia with a one-minute negative split. After executing that strategy, you can’t help but wonder what might happen if she takes a few more risks in future races!

Another highlight of Roberta’s career that we discuss is her amazing performance at the 2019 Marathon World Championships in Doha, where she placed sixth in brutal heat, becoming the top American finisher. She executed that race flawlessly, and it’s one of the moments that truly defines her career. We also touch on the coaching changes in her life and how she has made a significant career shift from nursing to focus full-time on coaching.

On top of all of this, Roberta is a mom to three boys, with one still in high school, and we dive into some of the wisdom she’s gathered along the way.

This conversation was so refreshing, and I felt like I got to know Roberta even better. I hope you do too. I think you’ll walk away from this episode with some great insights on how to enjoy life to the fullest, take risks, and be grateful. Enjoy the conversation with Roberta Groner!

What we talked about:

3:00- Catching up with Roberta post race

18:30- All of the changes in her life in the past 5 years and going full time in coaching

26:30- Being coached by Steve Magness and reflecting on her 6th place finish at the world championships in the marathon

38:00- Roberta’s fueling strategy

40:45- Roberta’s race at Paris

44:00- Roberta’s partner, Sam

50:55- The financial side of running for Roberta

54:00- Breaking masters records

1:00:00- Enjoying every day

1:08:20- End of podcast questions

Show notes:

Roberta on Instagram

Media recommendations:

All the Broken Places

Money Heist

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