The Extra Mile: Nike After Dark, Valencia & Knowing When to Stop

How do you know when to push through a difficult run and when it’s smarter to call it a day?

After completing her longest run in three years, Vicky is navigating the challenges of marathon training at 45, returning from injury, and figuring out how to balance progress with staying healthy for December’s California International Marathon.

Plus, there’s plenty happening in the running world this week. Why are men participating in Nike’s After Dark race series, an event designed to celebrate women? American women deliver impressive performances at the Valencia Half Marathon, while Austin-born Yaseen Abdalla runs faster than the American record — but isn’t eligible to claim it.

Vicky also discusses the provisional suspension of Olympic marathon champion Peres Jepchirchir, remembers legendary running coach Frank Gagliano, and previews two upcoming races in the Houston Marathon warm-up series.

In this episode:

• Knowing when to push through a tough run — and when to stop
• Nike After Dark LA and the debate over men participating in women-centered races
• Emily Venters and Allie Ostrander’s Valencia Half Marathon performances
• Why Yaseen Abdalla’s 59:12 isn’t an American record
• Peres Jepchirchir’s provisional suspension
• Remembering coach Frank “Gags” Gagliano
• Houston 25K and Coach Andy Stewart’s 30K

Episode Chapters

00:01 — Welcome to The Extra Mile

00:48 — CIM training: When is enough enough?

02:24 — Discomfort vs. pain and knowing when to stop

03:40 — Nike After Dark LA: Why are men participating?

04:49 — When is men’s participation appropriate?

06:15 — Valencia Half Marathon: American women’s performances

07:10 — Yaseen Abdalla runs faster than the American record

08:15 — Rodrigue Kwizera and record eligibility

08:40 — Peres Jepchirchir’s provisional suspension

09:30 — Doping and its impact on elite running

10:05 — Remembering legendary coach Frank Gagliano

11:05 — Around HOU: Houston 25K and Coach Andy Stewart’s 30K

Connect with Runners of HOU

Follow @runnersofhou on Instagram for more running stories, Houston race updates, and weekly episodes of The Extra Mile.

Have thoughts on Nike After Dark, the performances in Valencia, or knowing when to stop a run? Send @runnersofhou a DM!

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