827. Nikki Hiltz's 2025 USA Track & Field Outdoor National Championships 1500m Recap

"This was a really important step in my journey to feeling more like myself, and I'm really happy I did it."

We heard from Nikki Hiltz right before they competed at the 2025 U.S. Track and Field Outdoor National Championships — and now they're back as a nine-time national champion. Fresh off winning their sixth straight U.S. 1500m title, Nikki returns to the show with their full race recap. Nikki talks about racing in the first round of the 1500m, and about watching their partner, Emma Gee, achieve her goal of making it to the 3000m Steeplechase Final. Then, Nikki breaks down all the details from the 1500m Final, including the race plan, the drama, the final kick, and the hour-long victory lap. Plus, Nikki shares some big personal news and talks about what's next on the run and off.

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In this episode:

• How Nikki is feeling after winning their sixth straight U.S. 1500m title, and their ninth national title (1:45)
• What Nikki will remember most about this race (2:50)
• Was Nikki really hoping to run the 5000m at USAs? (7:10)
• What it was like watching partner Emma Gee make the 3000m Steeplechase Final (9:40)
• On cruising through the first round of the 1500m (12:40)
• How Nikki and Emma spent their day off between rounds (15:45)
• How Nikki was feeling on the day of the 1500m Final (18:15)
• Nikki breaks down the 1500m Final (27:45)
• All about that hour-long victory lap (37:20)
• Nikki's take on the new World Athletics-enforced mandatory sex testing (41:30)
• What it was like being at Hayward Field — as a fan — on the final day of competition (48:40)
• Nikki shares some personal news (53:10)
• What's next for Nikki on the run (1:12:50)

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