Show Notes
Sixteen marathons in, and Emily Abbate is still learning what it truly means to hurdle life's surprises. Coming to you live from Melbourne, Emily breaks down the complete journey of running the Sydney Marathon—from the 16-week training cycle and a brutal bout of food poisoning 48 hours before the gun, to conquering the hilliest World Major course and taking on the mindset of "steady is it." IN THIS EPISODE The Sydney Opportunity: Securing the bib courtesy of ASICS, planning the 16-week build, and training via the Runna app with a peak weekly mileage of 38 miles balanced by three days of strength training.
The 24-Hour Travel Haul: Long-haul logistics from JFK to Sydney, navigating sleep adjustments, exploring the Delta One lounge, and what was packed inside Emily’s Away and Dagne Dover bags.
The Food Poisoning Hurdle: Getting violently sick just two days before race day, turning to Ritz crackers, white rice, and Pocari Sweat, and the gut-check conversation about whether to line up at all.
Race Strategy & Pacing: Managing Sydney's massive 313-meter elevation gain, locking into consistent 7:40–7:55 splits through mile 22, pushing past quad burn, and finishing strong in 3:35:30.
Post-Race Recovery & Next Steps: Celebrating with martinis and french fries, a reset trip to Fiji, managing mild plantar flare-ups, and looking ahead to the After Dark Tour stops in LA and Mumbai.
QUOTABLE MOMENTS "I show up and I do hard things, and that is a fact... I am someone who doesn't just do hard things, but she does them well."
"Knowing the difference between toxic positivity and being open to positivity, being open to the best-case scenario... When you're in a place where you're open to possibility, you allow possibility to find you."
"You didn't come this far to only come this far."
"Steady is it."
"The journey is the destination. It doesn't matter how fast you run a marathon, the fact that you're showing up to do it at all is such an accomplishment."
GEAR AND FAVORITES MENTIONED Shoes: ASICS Superblast, ASICS Megablast
Apparel: Bandit Stamina Race Crop (Printed Cacao), Lululemon Power Stride socks
Tech: Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, Garmin Forerunner 570, Oakley Sutro Lite sunglasses
Recovery & Fuel: Runna app, Future app, Pocari Sweat, LMNT, Ozlo Sleepbuds
SOCIAL @hurdlepodcast @emilyabbate @iheartwomenssports JOIN: The Daily Hurdle IG Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected] to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. Listen to Hurdle with Emily Abbate on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Hurdle with Emily Abbate
There is never going to be enough time for everything—so how do we actually make time for what matters most? In this week’s 5-Minute Friday, Emily checks in ahead of a whirlwind weekend in Los Angeles for Nike’s After Dark half-marathon. She unpacks a recent conversation about capacity, boundaries, and what it really means to prioritize your life when your schedule is packed to the brim. The truth? Staying aligned with your values often means drawing firm boundaries, getting comfortable with saying no, and accepting that the people who genuinely love you will respect your limits. Plus, Emily answers an inspiring listener update from Stephanie, who turned a heartbreaking marathon miss into a massive 12-minute PR and her first sub-4 finish by leaning into the unglamorous basics: consistent stretching, smart fueling, and refusing to give up when things didn't go as planned. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast @iheartwomenssports SUBSCRIBE: Hurdle's YouTube Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected] to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. RSVP TO NYC MARATHON LIVE SHOW: Friday Night With Tracksmith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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From chasing an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier for over a decade to standing atop the podium as the 2026 HYROX Elite 15 World Champion in just seven months, Alyssa McElheny’s athletic trajectory is nothing short of extraordinary. But behind the rapid ascent lies years of disciplined foundation, relentless perspective, and an infectious commitment to finding pure joy in the process. In this episode, Alyssa sits down to unpack what happens when your entire life pivots overnight: navigating imposter syndrome on the elite stage, learning to embrace strength training as a lifelong runner, and the mindset reframes that turn unexpected race-day hurdles into podium performances. She also breaks down the two-minute penalty she got in Scotland for spitting on course, how a sprained ankle three days before Worlds became her secret weapon, and why keeping kindness and community at the center of sport matters far more than any podium finish. IN THIS EPISODE The Overnight Shift: What it feels like to go from full-time wedding photographer to sponsored pro athlete with camera crews following your daily routine.
Peak fall running weather has arrived in New York City, and as race season kicks into high gear, Emily is diving into what it means to be grounded by community and how to show up for yourself when big goals feel daunting. Ahead of marathon weekend, she shares her two biggest pieces of advice for first-time marathoners: recognizing that the starting line already proves who you've become, and giving yourself grace rather than judging your beginnings too harshly. Later in the episode, Emily answers a listener question from Jen, who is tackling the Chicago Marathon while dealing with a fresh diagnosis of plantar fasciitis. Emily discusses how to navigate the mental battle of letting go of initial time goals, shifting focus toward staying healthy, and using "I Am" affirmations to focus on what you can control when plans change. SOCIAL @emilyabbate @hurdlepodcast @iheartwomenssports SUBSCRIBE: Hurdle's YouTube Channel SIGN UP: Weekly Hurdle Newsletter ASK ME A QUESTION: Email [email protected] to with your questions! Emily answers them every Friday on the show. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.