Podcasts Sports Running Ali on the Run Show 428. Erika Kemp, Professional Runner for the B.A.A. & adidas

428. Erika Kemp, Professional Runner for the B.A.A. & adidas

Published: Oct. 5, 2021, 9 a.m.

\u201cThat was the moment where I remember being like, \u2018Oh, I\u2019m not done yet.\u2019 Like I know there\u2019s more. It finally hit me, \u2018If you just continue on, you have no idea where your ceiling is.\u2019 So at that point, I just wanted to see how far I could go.\u201d

This summer, Erika Kemp \u2014\xa0like so many professional runners \u2014 had one really, really, really big goal race. Since going pro in 2018 and signing with the Boston Athletic Association and adidas, Erika knew she would want to compete at the U.S. Olympic Track & Field Trials in hopes of making her Team USA debut. When it came time to race the 5K at Hayward Field, Erika made it through the first round and advanced to the finals. But ultimately, she finished last that day, and didn't make the 2020 Olympic team. But! Erika has gone on to have an incredible season since then. On this episode, Erika talks about her physical and emotional recovery from the Trials, and explains her motivation for continuing to race throughout the year. Since the Trials, Erika won the USATF New England 5-mile championships, won the U.S. 20K championships at the New Haven Road Race (it was her debut at that distance, and it earned her a second national title), won the Cow Harbor 10K (and ran a personal best), and finished fourth at the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K the following weekend. This girl is on fire, and on this episode, she talks about how she fell in love with running \u2014\xa0and how she stays in love with it.

SPONSOR:\xa0UCAN.\xa0Click here\xa0and use code ALI for 20% off your entire UCAN order!

What you\u2019ll get on this episode:

  • How Erika plans her season (4:00)
  • All about this year\u2019s Olympic Track & Field Trials (10:30)
  • On returning to running after taking a break (14:55)
  • Why the Trials felt so \u201cbig\u201d (16:45)
  • Erika\u2019s outlook on racing this season (20:30)
  • Try it: Erika\u2019s favorite workout (24:30)
  • All about Erika\u2019s childhood and how she got into running (27:45)
  • On falling in love with running (34:50)
  • On going pro (39:00)
  • Where to find Erika during Boston Marathon weekend (46:30)
  • Erika\u2019s biggest hopes, dreams, and goals (49:50)

Follow Erika:

Follow Ali:

Listen & Subscribe:

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show!\xa0If you\u2019re enjoying the show, please\xa0subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!