244. Peyton Thomas, 2:42 Marathoner

Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

Running, Fitness, Sports, Health & Fitness

4.9 • 4.2K Ratings

🗓️ 4 June 2020

⏱️ 62 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

"I had all these supporters that were from the Black running community that were there to cheer me on because I was their representation in the race. That's really big and pretty heavy, I think. And not heavy in a bad way. But it weighs on my mind a lot, especially now."

At just 24 years old — and with only two marathons under her belt so far — Peyton Thomas is already making a name for herself on the long-distance running scene. After running track and cross-country in high school and college, Peyton graduated from Baylor University and decided to run a marathon (with a 40-mile ultramarathon thrown in the mix). She made her 26.2-mile debut at the 2019 California International Marathon (CIM) and ran a 2:42.57, qualifying for the Olympic Trials on her first try. She went on to run the Trials in February in Atlanta, where she ran a three-second personal best time on a day that included big hills, wild wind, and a handful of calf cramp-induced walk breaks. (Imagine: 2:42.54 on a tough day!) Peyton was the only American-born Black female athlete who ran at the Trials, in a sea of more than 450 women. On this episode, she talks about what that was like, and talks about how her running journey has evolved from the days when she would black out while racing in high school and college. Peyton is a PhD candidate and teaching assistant at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, studying biology and marine biology.

Quick note! Around 40 minutes into the conversation, you may notice some beeping. We couldn't help the fact that a truck parked outside Peyton's home for a while — and we hope you aren't too bothered by it! Thanks for understanding!

Thank you to AfterShokz for sponsoring this episode of the Ali on the Run Show! CLICK HERE for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you'll get on this episode:

How Peyton got her start on the run (4:45)
Peyton talks about blacking out while racing in high school and college (15:45)
Why Peyton decided to train for a marathon and try to run an Olympic Trials qualifying time (20:20)
Peyton reflects on running the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials (35:40)
On diversity and inclusion at the Trials (47:30)

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Instagram @ptcruisin22

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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.
0:04.1	Go to ontherun.aftershocks.com to save 15% on all wireless headphones.
0:14.5	Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show.
0:16.5	I'm your host Allie Feller and every week I talk with inspiring people who lead interesting lives on the run and beyond.
0:23.7	And while running is the thing that brings us all together on these episodes,
0:27.4	we cover more than what happens on the run.
0:30.0	We learn the wise behind the runs.
0:32.3	The decisions people have made to get where they are today and how getting sweaty has factored in.
0:38.3	Today I am talking with Peyton Thomas.
0:41.6	Peyton is 24 years old and she's already made quite a name for herself on the run.
0:47.4	Peyton ran track and cross country at Baylor University and after graduating thought,
0:51.2	hey, I'll run a marathon.
0:53.8	There is, as there always is, more to that story, but I'm going to let her tell that one.
0:58.8	What I'm going to tell you now is that in her first ever marathon, the 2019 California International Marathon,
1:05.5	Peyton ran a 242.57 qualifying for the US Olympic marathon trials.
1:11.6	And then just a few months later, she ran the trials and on a tough day with wind and hills
1:18.0	and a gnarly calf cramped that forced her into a walk run routine,
1:22.2	she still managed to squeak out a three second personal best running a 242.54.
1:29.2	A 242.54 with walk breaks.
1:31.7	That is amazing.
1:33.4	That day at the trials in Atlanta, just a few towns over from where Peyton grew up,
1:37.7	she was the only American-born black female athlete at the starting line.
	...

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