472. Emilia Benton, Boston Marathon Qualifier

Ali on the Run Show

Ali Feller

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

4.9 • 3.7K Ratings

🗓️ 27 January 2022

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

“I think this time was a long time coming. I just had to believe in myself more than anything.”

The last time freelance journalist Emilia Benton was on the Ali on the Run Show, she talked about her longtime dream to qualify for the Boston Marathon. And she just kicked off 2022 by doing exactly that: running a nearly 16-minute personal best and earning a Boston qualifying time at the Houston Marathon. (Emilia's official finish time: 3:30:14!) On this episode, Emilia talks all about how she made that 12-year dream come true in Houston. She talks about the game-changing decision to hire professional runner Nell Rojas as her coach, and about what working with Nell was like throughout her marathon build-up. (Read more about their experience working together in Women's Running here.) Emilia talks about dealing with setbacks on the run, including a hip injury that sidelined her early in this training cycle, and about how she never stopped believing in herself along the way.

SPONSOR: Shokz — Visit shokz.com/ontherun for 15% off wireless headphones.

What you’ll get on this episode:

How Emilia’s feeling after racing the Houston Marathon (3:30)
When the dream of Boston Qualifying first entered Emilia’s mind (4:30)
Emilia’s plan to run the 2021 New York City Marathon, and her decision to hire coach Nell Rojas (6:45)
Why Houston? (19:45)
On running CIM as a workout, and other confidence-boosting experiences leading up to Houston (21:00)
What it was like being at the Houston Marathon as a member of the media, an ambassador, and a race participant (23:00)
How Emilia was feeling on race day (27:10)
Emilia’s goals and plans for race day (33:00)
On keeping it fun (42:30)
When Emilia knew she was going to BQ (46:20)
Emilia’s post-race thoughts (51:00)
How Emilia shaved 16 minutes off her marathon PR (52:30)

Check out:

Emilia Benton on Episode 340 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nell Rojas on Episode 434 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nell Rojas on Episode 431 of the Ali on the Run Show

Nell Rojas on Episode 229 of the Ali on the Run Show

Calum Neff on Episode 470 of the Ali on the Run Show

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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 Shocks.
0:04.1	Go to Shocks.com slash on the run to save 15% on all wireless headphones.
0:14.1	Welcome to The Alley on the Run Show.
0:16.4	I'm your host Alley Thuller and every week, I talk with people who are doing exciting things on the run and beyond.
0:23.5	We all share that love for running and that's what brings us all together.
0:27.1	But of course, there is so much more to life than what happens on the run itself.
0:32.1	And the show is about those in-between.
0:34.5	We're talking about the moments and decisions that have shaped who we are today and the wise.
0:39.7	Why do we do what we do and how does getting sweaty factor in?
0:44.3	Today, we are still celebrating all things Houston, Marathon, and we're doing it with returning guest Amelia Benton.
0:52.5	Amelia is a freelance journalist who writes for Runnersworld, Women's Running, Women's Health, Very Well Self, Shape, Pop Shugger, and so many more.
1:02.0	This woman is busy.
1:03.8	She was on the show last year, episode 340, and so many people have reached out and said that was one of their all-time favorite conversations, which just makes me so very happy.
1:14.7	So today, Amelia is back and we are celebrating because she just ran a 16-minute marathon.
1:22.5	She has been on personal best and achieved her dream of qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
1:28.9	Amelia ran her hometown race, the Houston Marathon, and finished in three hours, 30 minutes, and 14 seconds.
1:37.4	This dream has been 12 years in the making.
1:41.8	I am so inspired by the hard work that Amelia has put in as she's chased this goal for more than a decade.
1:47.9	She's dealt with injuries and setbacks, but she never stopped believing in herself.
1:52.8	How amazing is that?
1:54.6	Amelia will be the first to tell you that one big thing she did in pursuit of this goal was hiring a great running coach.
2:01.4	Professional runner, Nell Rojas.
	...

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