#202 Alana Levy: From quitting to a 2:34 marathon, OTQ and double days with a full-time job

Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIANSave on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPbKristian sits down with Alana Levy, a 37 year old New York City product manager and 2:34 marathoner who qualified for the Olympic Trials and finished 16th American at Boston this year, all while working full time and training twice a day.Alana shares her unlikely late bloomer story: a disappointing college career, years of running just for fun on the side, and then a decade long climb from a 3:10 marathon in 2018 to a 2:34 this year. She breaks down how she fits 90 to 100 mile weeks and double days around a demanding job, the coaching relationship that's helped her train smarter, and why staying injury free now comes down to strength work, recovery, and a much healthier lifestyle than in her twenties. The conversation also touches on the viral street interview clip that unexpectedly introduced her to a whole new audience, and closes with her approach to setting goals: focusing on getting a little better rather than chasing one specific number.In this episode:- A disappointing college running career and years away from competing seriously- The decade long climb from a 3:10 to a 2:34 marathon- Balancing a full time job with double run days- Building up to 90 to 100 miles a week and staying injury free- How her lifestyle has changed since her twenties: less drinking, more recovery- The viral street interview clip that introduced her to a new audience- Qualifying for the Olympic Trials and racing Boston in the elite field- Why she sets process based goals instead of one specific outcome- What's next: chasing another PR in ValenciaTimestamps00:00 A preview: PRing in the marathon and the mile00:20 Welcome and introducing Alana Levy01:08 Kristian's Ironman training update15:04 Introducing Alana: a disappointing college career17:03 What running looked like between 2011 and 201820:35 Never expecting to reach an elite level23:56 Pinching herself at the Boston starting line26:53 Ramping training back up in 2018 and beyond31:05 Starting to work with a coach in 202234:41 Staying injury free with strength work and recovery40:53 Racing Boston in the elite field46:47 The viral street interview clip, explained51:34 Injury prevention and a healthier lifestyle in her thirties52:22 A look at her weekly training structure59:32 Balancing running with a full time career1:04:23 How recovery has changed as she's gotten older1:12:21 Bouncing back from Boston and racing shorter distances1:14:07 Why she sets process goals instead of one outcome1:15:25 Closing thoughts and see you in ValenciaAlana on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yo_lans/Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwickFull episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@WarwickrunsFollow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runsMusic from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY