I'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein Podcast

This episode is brought to you by Kava Haven, Tailwind Nutrition and Batch.

Sara Hall joins the podcast to talk about her new book For the Love of the Grind, which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. Sara has been one of the most consistent and compelling figures in American distance running, with a 2:20 marathon personal best, a fifth-place finish at the 2024 Olympic Trials, and a career defined by longevity, resilience, and a deep love for the process.

In this conversation, Sara reflects on her career arc, from being the first professional athlete to say yes to this podcast back in 2016 to becoming a veteran of the sport who continues to push her limits. She shares what it has looked like to race at a high level while raising four daughters, staying grounded in her values, and following what feels most authentic to her, even when it doesn’t follow a traditional path.

The conversation also dives into the themes of her book, including faith, identity, motherhood, and the emotional highs and lows of a decades-long career. Sara opens up about how her beliefs have evolved over time, how she’s navigated criticism, and why she chose to tell her story in her own voice.

This episode is a deeper look at what it means to commit to the long game, both in running and in life, and how growth often comes through the hardest seasons.

What we talked about:

Writing For the Love of the Grind and telling her story in her own voice

Faith, deconstruction, and evolving beliefs

Growing up in a strong religious background and rethinking it as an adult

Choosing which moments and races mattered most in her story

The emotional weight of motherhood and pursuing elite goals

Adoption journey and family dynamics

Balancing ambition with presence as a parent

Career longevity and gradual marathon progression

The Olympic Trials and processing near-misses

Super shoes era and competing across changing generations of the sport

Relationships and community throughout her career

Transitioning perspective from outcomes to process

Media mentions: 

For the Love of the Grind

Love Wins

Thank you to our sponsors: 

BatchBatch is a Wisconsin-based wellness brand creating small-batch, science-backed CBD and THC products designed to help with stress, sleep, and overall balance. Their formulas are developed in-house using high-quality hemp and third-party testing for consistency and transparency.

Go to hellobatch.com/another and use code “Another” for 30% off your order!

Kava HavenKava Haven offers a kava-infused, non-alcoholic spirit designed to give you a relaxed, social “buzz” without alcohol, hangovers, or sugar. It’s made with noble kava root and crafted as a functional alternative for winding down or social settings.

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Tailwind NutritionTailwind Nutrition creates all-in-one endurance fuel and hydration products designed to be easy to digest while providing calories, electrolytes, and hydration during long efforts. Their products are built specifically for endurance athletes who want simple, effective fueling without GI issues.

Go to tailwindnutrition.com/another and use the code “Another20” for 20% off your first order.

I’m coming to you with a bonus episode recorded live in Indianapolis during an incredible weekend at the 500 Festival Indy Mini Marathon and the USATF 5K Championships. I had the opportunity to announce the 5K and witness a high-stakes race where the top two finishers were competing for a spot on the world championship team, which made the energy in the city so special.

The day before the race, I hosted a live podcast at the beautiful Bottleworks Hotel alongside my friend Ally Brettnacher from Finish Lines and Milestones. These Indy weekends have become such a fun tradition for us, bringing the running community together in a meaningful way.

We were joined by an amazing panel: Emma Grace Hurley, Drew Hunter, and Courtney Frerichs. Emma Grace is in the middle of a breakout season, recently breaking an American record and continuing to stack impressive performances. Drew just won the USATF 5K Championship race that weekend and shared insights from his journey as both a professional athlete and a dad. Courtney, an Olympic and world silver medalist, opened up about her return to racing after navigating major injuries and surgeries over the past couple of years.

And in true live-event fashion, we had a surprise moment when Jenny Simpson jumped on the mic for a quick cameo, which made the night even more special.

This event came together with the help of some incredible local partners, and the atmosphere was just so much fun. We had great food, a shoe decorating station, and a packed room of people who love this sport.

Quick note on the audio: since this was recorded live with wireless mics, it may not be as crisp as a typical episode, but the conversation and energy more than make up for it.

If you enjoy this episode, I’d love for you to leave a rating and review, and if you’re ever in Indy for these race weekends in May or November, come join us live.

Rachel Smith returns to the podcast fresh off a standout performance at the B.A.A. 5K, where she finished second overall and was the first American woman across the line. A 2020 Olympian in the 5,000m, Rachel is now navigating a new season of life as both a professional runner and a mom of two young daughters.

In this conversation, Rachel shares how her relationship with running has evolved, what it looks like to balance elite training with motherhood, and why she’s been drawn toward road racing in this chapter of her career. She reflects on shifting priorities, redefining success, and what’s next as she considers stepping up to the marathon distance.

Rachel also opens up about the realities of training in a different season of life, the importance of community in Flagstaff, and how she’s approaching racing with a fresh perspective. It’s a thoughtful, honest look at growth, identity, and staying connected to the sport in a way that feels meaningful.

What we talked about:

Returning to racing and B.A.A. 5K performance

Growing up around the Boston Marathon and its significance

Learning how to race on the roads vs. track racing

Transitioning from track to road racing

Becoming a mother and shifting life priorities

Training and competing while raising two young kids

Redefining success and not comparing to past versions of herself

Considering a marathon debut and learning fueling strategies

Life in Flagstaff and the professional running community

Family, relationships, and what matters most beyond running

Interest in trail running and ultramarathons

Perspective on long-term career fulfillment and curiosity in sport

Media Mentioned: 

For the Love of the Grind by Sara Hall

Support our sponsors:

Huug makes high-quality bras and underwear designed to actually fit and support your body through every phase of life. Their pieces are comfortable, functional, and built for movement, making them a go-to for everyday wear and training alike. Use the code “Lindsey” for 15% off at huug.com.

Geist Half Race Series

Go to geisthalf.com and use the code “Another26” for $10 off any race distances.

Noogs: Noogs Nutrition is my go-to for fun, flavorful fuel with carbs and electrolytes, with flavors like Lemon Zinger, Electric Watermelon, and Blue Raspberry, plus caffeinated options too. Use code “another15” for 15% off your first order.

My friend and fellow podcast host Ally Brettnacher and I discuss the upcoming weekend in Indianapolis – the 500 Festival Indy Mini weekend!! This is the 50th running of the Indy Mini & home of the USATF 5K champs for the second year in a row!



We are hosting a live podcast event on Friday, May 1st at 3:30pm at Bottleworks Hotel with guest panelists Emma Grace Hurley and Courtney Frerichs! We’d love to have you join us if you are in town! We’ll have snacks, swag bags, great conversation and we’ll even have a shoe decorating station.

Grab your tickets!!

Carrie Elwood’s performance at the Boston Marathon turned heads across the running world. In just her sixth marathon, she placed 10th overall and finished as the fourth American, running a massive personal best of 2:22 after entering the race with a 2:31 PR.

Carrie is far from an overnight success. A former standout at the University of Colorado Boulder, her career has included years of injuries, time away from the sport, and a slow, intentional rebuild back to elite competition. After stepping away from running post-college to heal physically and mentally, she gradually returned, focusing on consistency, health, and rediscovering her love for the sport. That long-term approach has paid off. Now an American record holder in the 25K and the 2025 US Cross Country Champion, Carrie has steadily built toward this breakthrough moment.

In this conversation, Carrie shares what finally clicked in Boston. From a new coaching setup with Andrew Castor and the Mammoth Track Club, to dialing in race-day fueling and learning to trust herself at the front of the race, this episode captures the full story behind a defining performance.

She reflects on racing without fear, the years of setbacks that shaped her, and what it feels like to finally have the race she knew was possible.

What we talked about:

Carrie’s breakthrough performance at the Boston Marathon

Decision to race Boston without guarantees or support

Racing mindset and staying present without checking pace

Training changes under Andrew Castor

Fixing marathon struggles through nutrition

Leaving teaching to pursue running full-time

Injury history and stepping away from the sport post-college

Rebuilding slowly and sustainably over several years

Confidence, self-belief, and racing at the front

Breakdown of the Boston race and key moments on the course

Media Mentioned:

Books:

The Hummingbird by Sandro Veronesi

The Overstory by Richard Powers

Bewilderment by Richard Powers

TV Show:

Love on the Spectrum

Sponsors:

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