Mary Cain Was A Running Prodigy, Until Abuse Derailed Her Career episode artwork

EPISODE · May 5, 2026 · 54 MIN

Mary Cain Was A Running Prodigy, Until Abuse Derailed Her Career

from KQED's Forum · host KQED

As a teenager Mary Cain was a running phenom. At 17, she ran the 800 in under two minutes, and broke numerous national high school records. She went pro that same year, to be coached by Alberto Salzar at Nike. But while Cain was winning accolades on the track, she was suffering deeply. In her new memoir, “This is Not About Running,” Cain, now a second year medical student at Stanford, recounts how Salazar and his team created a culture of abuse that ground down athletes like her. We talk to Cain about what lessons can be learned from her experience and her efforts to protect young athletes. Guests: Mary Cain, author, "This Is Not About Running;" former professional runner; second year medical student at Stanford Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Mary Cain Was A Running Prodigy, Until Abuse Derailed Her Career

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