Ryan Ford: From Opportunity to Pressure in Under a Year

Ryan Ford joins Road to the Trials to talk about his breakout year and his transition to the ON Athletics Club (OAC) in Boulder. After a standout performance at the 2024 Boston Marathon—running 2:08:00 and firmly establishing himself as one of America’s top marathoners—Ryan has quickly become a name to know in U.S. distance running. He is now coming off of a 2:09:37 at the recent Chicago Marathon.Hosts Peter Bromka and Lindsey Hein sit down with Ryan to reflect on his rapid rise: from his marathon debut in New York with an 11th-place finish, to his recent Olympic Trials qualifier in Chicago. He shares what it’s been like joining OAC, how he’s approaching training under a new system, and what his goals look like heading toward the 2028 Olympic cycle.Throughout the conversation, Ryan opens up about his mindset, how he approaches pacing and race strategy, and the lessons he’s learned through three marathons in under a year. It’s an inside look at one of the most exciting new names in American marathoning—and a glimpse into what’s next for his career.This episode is supported by V.O2, the coaching platform built on Jack Daniels’ VDOT formulas and trusted by coaches and athletes to simplify training and track progress. Learn more at V.O2.com.