Podcasts Sports Running Ali on the Run Show 575. Jenny Simpson, Puma-Sponsored Professional Athlete

575. Jenny Simpson, Puma-Sponsored Professional Athlete

Published: Oct. 20, 2022, 9 a.m.

"I\u2019ve never been someone that felt like I did my best work trying to prove somebody wrong. I do my best work trying to prove somebody right."

It hasn't been an easy year for three-time world championship medalist, three-time Olympian, and Olympic bronze medalist Jenny Simpson. In the 48 hours before the calendar turned from 2021 to 2022, Jenny watched as her world began to crumble. On December 30, wildfires engulfed her historic home \u2014 a former schoolhouse, beloved by Jenny and her husband, Jason, and by their community. They (with their dog, Truman) evacuated, hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. On December 31, her 12-year contract with New Balance ended, and wasn't renewed \u2014 something Jenny calls "a great heartbreak." Plus, the 1500-meter legend was injured. In true Jenny form, though, she's seeing the bright side now. Jenny and Jason's home somehow survived the fire, and after being displaced for three months, they were able to move back in and rebuild their lives. She's no longer injured, and with all systems go, she's officially transitioning from the track to the roads, with longer distances in mind. ("I'm not training for a marathon," she swears.) Two weeks ago, she won the Army 10-Miler, and she has one more race on the calendar for 2022. And she is, once again, a fully sponsored professional athlete. Jenny signed with Puma earlier this year. Today, she's here to talk about all of it.

SPONSORS:

  • UCAN:\xa0Click here\xa0and use code ALI for 20% off your next UCAN order.
  • Napa Valley Marathon & Half Marathon:\xa0Click here\xa0to register for these races \u2014 taking place March 5, 2023 \u2014 today!

What you\u2019ll get on this episode:

  • How Jenny has brought her community together in the wake of last year\u2019s Colorado wildfires (3:30)
  • The lingering trauma from the wildfires (10:10)
  • What Jenny\u2019s running has been like over the past year (16:30)
  • On Jenny\u2019s recent Army 10-Miler win, and how she\u2019s feeling now (21:40)
  • Is Jenny Simpson ready to become a marathoner? (36:45)
  • How is Jenny measuring her success on the roads? (42:50)
  • On the end of Jenny\u2019s New Balances sponsorship, and the beginning of her partnership with Puma (49:00)
  • Jenny\u2019s shoes of choice right now (54:15)
  • Did Jenny watch the Fifth Avenue Mile this year? (57:55)
  • What Jenny sees in U.S. women\u2019s distance running right now (1:01:25)
  • What running feels like for Jenny right now (1:07:15)

For more, check out:

Jenny & Jason Simpson on Episode 329 of the Ali on the Run Show

Jenny Simpson on Episode 268 of the Ali on the Run Show

Jenny Simpson on Episode 96 of the Ali on the Run Show

"Is Top Miler Jenny Simpson About to Be a Marathoner?" by Sarah Lorge Butler for Runner's World

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