#43 Steph Bruce on 20 Years as a Pro, Founding Picky Bars, the Stamata Project, and What Comes Next
Out and BackShow Notes
Steph Bruce joins Jacob and Rory at the new Run Flagstaff studio for episode 43 -- recorded six days after she and Rory both ran the Broken Arrow Sky Race Ascent. They start there, comparing notes on what is genuinely the hardest race either of them has ever done, and why neither of them were as prepared as they thought. From there the conversation opens up into Steph's full arc: the origin of Picky Bars, built out of a Eugene apartment with Lauren Fleshman and Jesse Thomas and eventually sold to Laird Hamilton's company; the NAZ Elite years and what that team did to change how professional running groups operate; her current role leading the Tracksmith Stamata project, which supports women chasing the Olympic Trials qualifier; and where she sees herself going now that trail and uphill racing have entered the picture. Nine Olympic Trials, a 15:17 5K, a 2:27 marathon, and she's still figuring out what's next. Honest, funny, and worth the full listen. Meteo Pace: Be prepared for race day by getting 20% off MeteoPace Pro at https://www.meteopace.com/redeem Code: OUTANDBACK https://app.meteopace.com/redeem?code=OUTANDBACK This episode is brought to you in part by Amazfit. Rory wore the Amazfit T-Rex 3 at Broken Arrow, where pace data goes out the window and elevation, distance, and heart rate are all that matter. Check out his full Broken Arrow race video on his personal YouTube channel here -- one of the best produced videos he's put out yet. Join our Strava group Buy merch: https://outandback.shop/ Follow us: Jacob’s YouTube Rory’s YouTube Out And Back YouTube Rory’s Strava Jacob’s Strava Rory’s Instagram Jacob’s Instagram Jacob’s Coaching Website Rory's Coaching Website SandyBoy Productions
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Fresh off Chicago Marathon weekend, Jacob and Rory are back in Flagstaff to break down the biggest performances, surprises, and takeaways from the race.
The Out & Back Podcast hits the road for its first-ever live show! Recorded at Fleet Feet the day before the Chicago Marathon, Rory Linkletter and Jacob are joined by Chicago's own Eric Floberg for a conversation about racing, training, and everything that comes with marathon weekend. Eric opens up about his recent Berlin Marathon, where a difficult lead-up and unexpected challenges kept him from the race he had hoped for. The three discuss what happens when a marathon doesn't go to plan, the mental side of racing, and the lessons that come from chasing big goals. They also look ahead to Chicago with course insights, race day advice, bold predictions, and questions from the live audience. It's a special episode celebrating the running community that has grown around Out & Back over its first year. Support our Sponsors: Meteo Pace: Be prepared for race day by getting 20% off MeteoPace Pro at https://www.meteopace.com/redeem Code: OUTANDBACK https://app.meteopace.com/redeem?code=OUTANDBACK AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/OUTANDBACK and use code OUTANDBACK for 20% off. OS1st: Your shoes are only half the battle on race day! OS1st makes performance socks with targeted compression, including their lightweight Thin Air socks designed to keep your feet cool and comfortable. Find them at os1st.com or your local Fleet Feet. GIVEAWAY: We're giving away 20 pairs of OS1st Thin Air socks! Head to our Instagram to enter for your chance to win. Transparent Labs: Fuel your training with protein, creatine, electrolytes, and more from Transparent Labs. Use code FLAGSTAFF for a discount on your first order. Merch Store: https://outandback.shop/ Coaching: Jacob’s Coaching Website Rory’s Coaching Website Join our newsletter Join our Strava group Follow us: Jacob’s YouTube Rory’s YouTube Out And Back YouTube Rory’s Strava Jacob’s Strava Rory’s Instagram Jacob’s Instagram SandyBoy Productions
Fall marathon season is here. Rory and Jacob catch up on their own training before recapping Berlin and looking ahead to Chicago, including their picks for the top Americans, the women’s race up front, and the athletes they’re watching. Then, with Chicago around the corner, they break down their approach to the final weeks of marathon training: when to schedule the last big workout, how much to taper, what to do when training doesn’t go to plan, and why the biggest goal now is simply not screwing up all the work you’ve already done. Plus, updates on Valencia and CIM, pacing duties in Chicago, and the Out & Back live show. Support our Sponsors: Meteo Pace: Be prepared for race day by getting 20% off MeteoPace Pro at https://www.meteopace.com/redeem Code: OUTANDBACK https://app.meteopace.com/redeem?code=OUTANDBACK AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/OUTANDBACK and use code OUTANDBACK for 20% off. Transparent Labs: Fuel your training with protein, creatine, electrolytes, and more from Transparent Labs. Use code FLAGSTAFF for a discount on your first order. Merch Store: https://outandback.shop/ Coaching: Jacob’s Coaching Website Rory’s Coaching Website Join our newsletter Join our Strava group Follow us: Jacob’s YouTube Rory’s YouTube Out And Back YouTube Rory’s Strava Jacob’s Strava Rory’s Instagram Jacob’s Instagram SandyBoy Productions
Fresh off a Canadian half marathon record, Jadyn Keeler joins Rory and Jacob in Flagstaff to break down her 68:03 performance at the World Road Running Championships in Copenhagen. Jadyn shares how the race unfolded, what changed during her first training block in Flagstaff, and how years of patient development at the University of North Dakota helped set up her breakout performance. She also talks about training under Terrence Mahon, her plans to make her marathon debut this spring, and her bigger goal of making Canada’s 2028 Olympic marathon team. Plus, Rory and Jacob recap the rest of Copenhagen, including the standout performances, the American results, and Rory’s own experience racing Worlds. Support our Sponsors: Meteo Pace: Be prepared for race day by getting 20% off MeteoPace Pro at https://www.meteopace.com/redeem Code: OUTANDBACK https://app.meteopace.com/redeem?code=OUTANDBACK AquaOmega: For your daily dose of Omega-3’s, go to myaquaomega.com/OUTANDBACK and use code OUTANDBACK for 20% off. Merch Store: https://outandback.shop/ Coaching: Jacob’s Coaching Website Rory’s Coaching Website Join our newsletter Join our Strava group Follow us: Jacob’s YouTube Rory’s YouTube Out And Back YouTube Rory’s Strava Jacob’s Strava Rory’s Instagram Jacob’s Instagram SandyBoy Productions
Rory is in Copenhagen for the World Road Running Championships, Jacob is getting ready to open his season at the Cow Harbor 10K, and Vinny Mauri joins the show three weeks out from the Chicago Marathon.