151. Jen Bigham AKA Local Elite
Ali on the Run Show
Ali Feller
4.9 • 4.2K Ratings
🗓️ 19 June 2019
⏱️ 64 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
"Be happy with your life! Run races that are exciting to you. Set goals that are exciting to you. Maybe it's a goal that everyone in the world has. Maybe it's something that no one has. It doesn't matter. Just be true to yourself. If you're setting these goals that aren't for you, it's not going to fulfill you in the end."
You may know Jen Bigham as the 2019 winner of the Eugene Marathon. You may also know her the way much of the internet does: as "Local Elite." (Her Instagram and Twitter handle is, appropriately, @localelite.) On this episode, Jen talks about what it means to be a local elite runner, and it's pretty impressive. Not only did Jen win Eugene this year, she ran a 10-minute marathon PR in the process, finishing in 2:41 and nabbing a well-deserved Olympic Trials qualifying time. The road to an OTQ wasn't an easy one for Jen, who has been trying to land one since 2010. On this episode, Jen, who runs for Oiselle and is a high school track and cross-country coach, talks about the highs and lows along that road, and the illnesses, injuries, and series setbacks she faced. She talks about going from a 3:14 marathon before having kids to becoming a 2:41 marathon as a mom of three, and opens up social media and that dreaded comparison trap.
Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for $50 off your wireless headphone endurance bundle!
What you'll get on this episode:
- What does "localelite" mean to Jen? (3:00)
- What it felt like to win the Eugene Marathon, run a 10-minute marathon PR, and get that sought-after Olympic Trials qualifying time (4:30)
- On getting faster after having kids (9:30)
- The heartbreaks along the way to an OTQ (16:00)
- Coming back from injury and illness (26:00)
- The role social media plays when chasing down big goals (31:00)
- On re-signing with Oiselle's Haute Volee team (39:20)
- On parenting and how Jen sets an example for her children (43:10)
- Jen's message to everyone chasing big goals (50:40)
What we mention on this episode:
California International Marathon (CIM)
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Aftershocks. |
| 0:08.8 | Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. |
| 0:10.9 | I'm your host, Allie Feller, |
| 0:12.8 | and every week I talk with inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond. |
| 0:18.9 | And while running is the thing that brings us all together on these episodes, I want to know a little bit more. |
| 0:25.5 | So join me right here every Thursday to learn about the decisions people have made to get where they are today. |
| 0:31.7 | The good ones and the bad ones. |
| 0:33.7 | And how getting sweaty has factored in. |
| 0:36.2 | My guest today is Jen Bigum. |
| 0:38.7 | You may know her as Local Elite. |
| 0:41.1 | That's where you'll find her on Twitter and Instagram. |
| 0:43.9 | And big congratulations are in order for Jen. |
| 0:47.1 | In April, she not only won the UG marathon. |
| 0:50.0 | She nabbed a 10 minute marathon PR and Olympic trials qualifying time in the process. |
| 0:57.4 | But don't think Jen's winning 241 finish time was an overnight success or some miracle. |
| 1:03.5 | She's been working her butt off to make it happen. |
| 1:06.4 | And on this episode, she talks about the highs and the low, low lows along the way. |
| 1:12.8 | If you take one thing away from this conversation, let it be that perseverance pays off. |
| 1:17.5 | And that great successes take great efforts. |
| 1:20.3 | And the payoff? Well, that's pretty great too. |
| 1:22.8 | Now enjoy this great conversation with runner Olympic trials qualifier coach and mom of three, Jen Bigum. |
| 1:37.6 | Jen, welcome to the Allianne the Run Show. |
... |
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