EPISODE #165: From First Marathon to Olympic Trials Champion. Fiona O’Keeffe.

In this episode of RUNWITHALLI LIVE, I sit down with Fiona O’Keeffe, Olympic Marathon Trials champion, Stanford standout, and one of the most exciting rising stars in U.S. distance running.Fiona made headlines by winning the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials in her first-ever marathon, running 2:25:10 and securing her place on Team USA. But what makes her story even more powerful isn’t just the result. It’s the mindset behind it!We dive into what it really means to take a leap into the unknown, trust your training, and show up with confidence. Even when you’re not sure what’s possible yet.In This Episode, We Cover:What was going through Fiona’s mind during her breakthrough Olympic Trials winHow adopting a “nothing to lose” mindset can unlock performanceTransitioning from collegiate running at Stanford to the professional stageWhat a realistic training week looks like (vs. a “perfect” one)Advice for running your first marathonHow to know when you’re ready to level up in distance or performanceLessons learned from setbacks and navigating the highs and lows of elite racingRace day mindset and how to stay strong when things get tough mid-raceKey Takeaways:You don’t need certainty to take a leap—you just need the courage to tryConfidence is built through action, not perfectionProgress comes from consistency, patience, and trusting the processWhether you’re chasing a PR, lining up for your first marathon, or working through self-doubt, this episode will leave you feeling empowered to take that next bold step!Fiona is preparing for the Boston Marathon this Monday, and I couldn’t be more excited to see what she and the other women (and athletes) toeing the line will do. She’s incredible to speak with (super friendly) and I truly appreciate her taking the time out of her hectic build (as many of you can relate, it’s exhausting to add anything extra during peak marathon training), so thank you, Fiona!I am honored to bring you this conversation on the pod today!If you’re chasing a PR, navigating a busy life, or simply trying to become a stronger, more confident runner, this conversation is for YOU!Subscribe to RUNWITHALLI® LIVE so you never miss an episode!Share this episode with a training partner who needs to hear it!Connect with Fiona O’Keeffe: InstagramAnd take ONE thing from this episode and apply it to your next run.Thank you for being here. I appreciate you! Buzzsprout - Let's get your podcast launched!Start for FREE Support the showThe RUNWITHALLI LIVE Podcast is hosted by Alli Felsenthal, founder of RunWithAlli Coaching and virtual run coach to runners around the world. Each episode brings expert guests, honest conversations, and practical tools to help you train smarter, race better, and love the process. Whether you’re chasing your first finish line or a new PR, you’re in the right place.ENJOYED THIS EPISODE? Your support helps this podcast reach more runners who need it. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It’s the #1 way to help the show grow: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/runwithalli-live/id1510066149Share this episode with a runner who needs to hear itSubscribe so you never miss an episodeWORK WITH RUNWITHALLI 1:1 Run Coaching. Personalized plans from the mile to the marathon → runafastermarathon.comFollow on Instagram → @runwithalliJoin the newsletter for weekly training tips, athlete wins, running science, and more → http://runafastermarathon.com/newsletterFree community with free weekly resources → Discord