546. Keira D'Amato, Team USA Marathoner

Published: July 28, 2022, 9 a.m.

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"I feel that every time I step on the line \\u2014 like I have nothing to lose. And I get that question a lot: \'Do you feel a lot of pressure now that you\\u2019re the American record holder?\' No. I feel no pressure. No one thought I was going to get the American record, and no one thinks I\\u2019m probably going to go any further. I just feel a lot of support. So yeah, I kind of just felt like I\\u2019m playing with house money."

Keira D\'Amato is the fastest \\u2014 and funniest \\u2014\\xa0marathoner in the country. And three weeks ago, the American record holder in the marathon got a phone call that changed everything. She had just run \\u2014\\xa0and won \\u2014\\xa0the B.A.A. 10K, and was planning her fall marathon schedule. But plans changed, quickly, and she learned that a spot had opened up on Team USA for the upcoming World Athletics Championships marathon in Eugene, OR. The spot was hers if she wanted it, which she knew immediately that she did. In this conversation \\u2014 recorded just a few days post-race in Eugene \\u2014 Keira talks about getting that call two weeks before race day. She talks about her prep, about how she felt on race day, and about what the race itself was like. And in true Keira fashion, she showed up to record with a trick up her sleeve: a plan to take over the Ali on the Run Show. (Don\'t worry, I let her turn the tables on me, and then spun them right back around to hear all about her eighth-place finish at the marathon.) Plus, her kids\' reactions to her making the team, her dance cam debut, and that oh-so-memorable finish line moment with Team USA teammates Emma Bates and Sara Hall.

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What you\\u2019ll get on this episode:

  • Welcome to \\u201cKeira on the Run!\\u201d (4:30)
  • All about Keira\\u2019s Wikipedia page and her plans to get a pedicure (17:40)
  • On processing the World Championships marathon experience (21:50)
  • The inside scoop on the Team USA group text (23:00)
  • On being the marathon team \\u201csausage,\\u201d and what it was like getting the call to join Team USA (24:15)
  • What happened after saying \\u201cyes\\u201d (30:30)
  • Nothing to lose, or everything to prove? (36:00)
  • How Keira\\u2019s kids reacted to her news about joining Team USA (37:25)
  • How Keira felt leading up to the race (39:50)
  • Keira\\u2019s conversations with Emma Bates and Sara Hall before the race (45:15)
  • All about that finish line moment (49:00)
  • Keira on the dance cam! (57:30)
  • What went down after the race (1:00:25)

For more, check out:

Keira & Anthony D\'Amato on Episode 475 of the Ali on the Run Show

Keira D\\u2019Amato on Episode 414 of the Ali on the Run Show

Keira D\\u2019Amato on Episode 305 of the Ali on the Run Show

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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!

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