#35: Esteban Trujillo: How to Get Faster at 40, From a 2:14 Marathoner Who Took 7 Years Off

At 40 years old, Esteban Trujillo ran 2:14:30 at the California International Marathon, qualifying for the 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials. Five months later, he ran 2:16 at the Boston Marathon for second place masters. But the part of his story most podcasts miss is what happened in between college and his comeback. At 28, after years of training in the shadow of his Olympian twin brother Carlos, Esteban threw his running shoes in the trash, moved to Alaska, and didn't run seriously for seven years. In this episode, AJ Cohen and Adam Schwerdt sit down with Esteban to talk about what it actually takes to still be getting faster at 40 while most runners are managing decline. The conversation goes deep on the seven-year break that may have saved his running career, the daily morning conversation he has with his body, the difference between mental toughness and recklessness, and the twin brother dynamic that shaped two decades of his life. This is a conversation about identity, durability, and the radical idea that running should not be serious, from someone running 5:07 pace for 26.2 miles. What we cover: Why a seven-year break may be the single biggest reason he is running fast at 40 How his relationship with running changed from obsession to choice The recovery non-negotiables that keep his body intact at 130 miles per week What "listening to your body" actually means when you do it well The morning routine that prevents 90 percent of his potential injuries His advice to the 40-year-old runner who feels like their best days are behind them The pity clap at Hayward Field, the embrace at the CIM finish line, and what it means to outrun your twin brother's Olympic time About Esteban: Esteban Trujillo is a strength and running coach at Genesis Health Clubs (Miramont South) in Fort Collins, Colorado. He ran collegiately at the University of Oregon and is a 2028 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. Follow him on Instagram at @frontrangerunner. Mentioned in the episode: The Weekly Stride newsletter from Up and Running PT Brad Hudson coaching Front Range Elite Puma Running Connect with us: Adam Schwerdt: https://www.runmental.com/ AJ Cohen: https://www.upandrunningpt.com/