meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
Ali on the Run Show

356. Just Missed with Julia Lucas

Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

Run, Health & Fitness, Women, Inspiration, Runner, Entrepreneur, Sports, Fitness, Health, Running

4.93.7K Ratings

🗓️ 7 April 2021

⏱️ 75 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

“There are so many times you start on a journey and somewhere along the way you realize, this isn’t where I wanted to go. The beginning of this was right, and then somewhere I took a turn or didn’t take a turn, and I ended up somewhere entirely different. And it caused a meltdown. Do I love running? What in running do I love? Can I get back to what I love?”

What happens when you set big, dreamy, lofty goals — but when it counts the most, you fall short? That’s what this series, “Just Missed,” is about. For the next three weeks, these conversations are about dealing with disappointment. They are reminders that progress is never linear, and that it’s not always the big wins or the losses that define us, but the moments in between.

First up: a conversation with former professional runner Julia Lucas. Today, Julia is a writer and a run coach in New York City. But in 2012, she was running professionally with the Oregon Track Club, and her goal was to make her first Olympic team in the 5K. She lined up at the start line at the Olympic Track & Field Trials in Eugene, OR, as the hometown hero. She wanted the win. She knew she could win. She made her move early and she held it — for a while. Ultimately, though, it was the fourth-place finish seen around the world. That day at Hayward Field, Julia missed becoming an Olympian by one one-hundredth of a second. On this episode, she recounts that day and the emotions surrounding it — the buildup, the pressure, the expectations, and the aftermath. She talks about the role running plays today, and answers the question of how — or whether — that day at the 2012 Trials defined her.

SPONSOR: Gatorade Endurance — Shop gatoradeendurance.com and use code ONTHERUN20 for 20% off your next Gatorade Endurance order.

What we mention on this episode:

"A Race is a Race," by Julia Lucas for Freeplay

"The Inspiring Endurance of Coffey, The Leader of New York City’s Protest Runs," via GQ

Running to Protest

Follow Julia:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you’re enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

This episode of The Alley on the Run Show is brought to you by Gatorade Endurance.

0:04.4

Go to GatoradeEndurance.com and use code on the run 20 to get 20% off your next order.

0:14.7

Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show. I'm your host, Alley Feller, and I'm really excited to

0:19.6

kick off a three-part series today, a series I'm calling Just Mist. These conversations are about

0:27.2

dealing with disappointment, about setting big, awesome goals, and what happens when you don't

0:33.8

quite get there. Whether you're working hard to make your first Olympic team, like you'll hear

0:38.6

about today, or you want to break six hours in the marathon, these episodes will remind us all

0:44.1

that progress is never linear. That everyone at every level deals with disappointment and that

0:50.4

it's not always the big wins or the losses that define us. It's the moments in between. That whole

0:57.1

fall down seven times, get up eight theory, right? We are kicking things off with the woman. I

1:02.0

have admired for so long, Julia Lucas. Today, Julia Lucas is a writer and a run coach in New York City,

1:10.4

but nine years ago, life looked really different. In 2012, Julia was running professionally,

1:16.4

hoping to qualify for the upcoming Olympic Games. She lined up at the start line at the U.S.

1:21.7

Olympic Track and Field Trials in her hometown of Eugene, Oregon. She was the hometown hero,

1:28.0

racing the 5K that day, and she wanted the win, though any spot in the top three would get her

1:34.0

on that Olympic team. So, Julia made her move early, and she held it for a while. But ultimately,

1:42.0

it was the fourth place finish seen around the world. Julia missed being Olympic in by one 100th

1:49.7

of a second that day. On this episode, she recounts that day in Eugene and the emotions surrounding

1:56.3

it, the buildup, the pressure, the expectations, and the aftermath. Julia is a beacon of sage wisdom,

2:03.8

and I applaud and appreciate her willingness to take us all along on this journey. The highs

2:09.7

the lows and that really grace face in between. What happens when you just miss out on your

2:15.2

greatest goal and your biggest dream? Let's find out. Please welcome Julia Lucas to the alley on the

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Ali Feller, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of Ali Feller and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.