“I like having new goals and challenges. The marathon feels like almost a different sport. It's like a second career. It’s breathed a lot of life into my training, just having fresh goals all the time.”

My guest for today's episode is Sara Vaughn, who just delivered a standout performance at the New York City Marathon where she finished as the top American in sixth place overall running 2:26:56 in a year marked by comebacks.

The 38 year old mother of four wasn't about to let a tough season slow her down after battling illness and dropping out of the Chicago Marathon. Just three weeks ago, Sara decided to make a quick pivot and set her sights on New York and it paid off massively.

In this episode, she shares a bit about her untraditional journey to the starting line and how she balances elite competition with her family life. We talk about her remarkable rebound, her plans to keep pushing forward and what drives her as a professional runner and mother.

Host: Chris Chavez | ⁠@chris_j_chavez on Instagram

Guest: Sara Vaughn | @smevaughn on Instagram

Time stamps:

3:09 - Initial reflections from the NYC Marathon

5:01 - Having to drop out of the Chicago Marathon, shifting her focus to the NYC Marathon

6:14 - What her goals were for Chicago, how those goals changed for NYC

8:40 - When things started to click for her in training

10:29 - How her training has changed since starting to work with coach Alistair and Amy Cragg

11:52 - What’s kept her in the sports for so long

15:37 - Racing her daughter Kiki in an 800m

21:12 - What her goals were on the day of the NYC Marathon

22:57 - Thoughts when the big move was made at 1st Ave

24:37 - Reflecting on Jenny Simpson’s marathon

27:58 - Hardest part of the race

28:49 - Crowds during the final part of the race

33:46 - Feelings after crossing the finish line

36:16 - Going after the 2025 World Championships team

36:50 - Answering listener questions

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS

WAHOO: KICKR RUN - a new revolutionary treadmill offering the freedom and form of outdoor running at home, from Wahoo Fitness. Run hands-free and focus solely on the joy of running with the innovative RunFree Mode - which adjusts to your stride and pace automatically. For the first time runners can now fully benefit from indoor training apps such as Zwift Run and the Wahoo app for an immersive training experience that delivers unmatched realism and results. Learn more at WahooFitness.com

OLIPOP: For the past year, we’ve redefined Olipop as more than just a healthy drink known for its gut microbiome with a low sugar content and a much better alternative to regular soda. You know there are more than 16 flavors, including classic root beer, cherry cola, and lemon-lime. You know it as The Runner’s Soda. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Get 25% off your orders by using code CITIUS25 at drinkolipop.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.